My 35th Birthday

Ever after I turned 30 I honestly don't remember what birthday I celebrate each year...sad,  I know...but I was once told that things go down hill for women after turning 30! I don't agree with that as I only started to really get to know myself after 30 and I certainly feel my life before Rayray almost seemed futile!

So this year I celebrated my 35th at The Goring.

I think Rayray was staring at the cake! lol

Photo session before food arrived

I loved the ambiance and food. (we were busy chatting and taking photos and drinking, I completely forgot to take the photos!) It was airy, bright, and very spacious which is absolutely essential for us now with a baby in tow. I thought the service was impeccable. The kept the drinks flowing and even got Rayray a soft toy! 

My personal photographer 

Tao was busy taking photos and looking after Rayray (yes since I was the birthday girl, I was allowed to relax and drink!) that we didn't get to take a photo together as a family!!!

Mr Superstar

Yummy Russian cake from Joce!

Sadly Jocelyn had to work that day so she couldn't join us. Though I was really touched that she got a cake for me and it was the current favourite in the Vale! (as we live in Crosslet Vale) I don't even know how to describe the size of the cake! It was massive! It must have been 10cm thick and a size of a MacBook Pro! (actually I would say a bit wider than the notebook) Basically it is a honey torte with LAYERS of honey sponge cake soaked in luscious caramel creamy filling. I have only tasted from Harrods so I don't know what others taste like but this is soooo good that we actually finished the whole cake!

It was such a glorious day and I felt truly blessed! I might be a year older but I certainly feel a year better! 

Blancpain Dinner

We were invited to a Blanpain dinner held in Hibiscus and M and I had such a good time!!!

Before we started on bubbles and vino

The gorgeous Pao Mama

Lovely starter -souffle 

Grilled cod with spring veg puree...even though it wasn't exactly spring time! 

Slow cooked beef - divine!!!

Dessert - can't remember what it was as it wasn't that impressive and bubbles just seemed a better option! hahahaha

Finishing off with chocolates, madeleines and nougats 

After having a few glasses and it was me attempting to have a go at the watch assembling!

A wonderful evening out and I can't wait to have more of these to come!

Maze by Gordan Ramsay

Another long overdue post as W and I had a lunch date back in the beginning of January and it's almost the end of the month! We went to Maze by Gordon Ramsay and here are the dish we had:

warm delicious bread sticks

Starter - arctic king crab, octopus carpaccio

Main - Dumpling of lobster, tiger prawns and salmon in lemongrass broth

Dessert - can't remember what it was!!! 

Initially we were disappointed with the portion of the food and the waitress did recommend us ordering three courses each. Surprisingly, we both felt we had 'just right' amount of food when we finished our mains so we shared a dessert. We thoroughly enjoyed our starter and main (we had the exactly same dish) but wasn't so sure about the dessert hence I can't even remember what we had!

Post lunch tipples - watermellonllini, and royale mojito

After sharing a bottle of bubbles at lunch, we decided to go to Claridge's for one more cocktail!

It was such a pleasant afternoon Wan! Thank you!

Apsleys - Mao's birthday bash

This year we celebrated Doc's birthday at Apsley's at The Lansborough.

We wore the same coats but in different colours

Love the chandeliers

Simple yet elegant decor

Amuse buche - roast pigeon with parsnip puree - simply delicious

Starter No. 1 - Spaghetti with lime marinated langoustine

Starter No. 2 - Risotto with tuna, smoked aubergine and pickled ginger

Starter No. 3 - Lobster Salad

Starter No.4 - Tempura prawns with red peppers couscous and courgettes

After few glasses of bubbles and food in us, it was pressie time!!!

Baby cashmere jumper

A set of lever corkscrew, spiral and 'primary wine aromas' for a keen wine enthusiast

Spa treatment

Perfume

Last but not least - a limited edition H bangle!

Main courses:

This is what I had - Veal, sage and artichoke puree

Fillet of beef in red wine

Pigeon with crispy polenta, figs and cauliflower

Sea bass in salt crust with saffron potatoes

Dover sole and vegetables

We all enjoyed the food and the service was impeccable but I thought the portion was on the small side and the fact that we had to order some sides as there were none on the menu was a bit unusual. 

We all HAD to have desserts as a result of small portions! lol

Chef's special - lime cheesecake with banana sorbet

Tao's very impressive five arrays milk-based dessert

Orange jelly with bergamot ice cream - it was the best one in my opinion

My Mochaccino Magnum - a bit of a let-down to be honest

Birthday cake! I have to say, it was soooo tasty!!!

My kind of heaven

I should have stuck to my first instinct i.e. cheese board!

All in all, friendly staff, impeccable service, impressive ambiance, lovely food bar a few desserts. I really enjoyed that day and I hope my dearest Mao did too!!!

Lucio

Lucio is another one of my favourite Italian in London. Friendly atmosphere and always guaranteed good food BUT again, I didn't enjoy my main this time! Is it my taste buds?

I liked my starter but strangely the roast pumpkin was overly seasoned!

My roasted pumpkin salad with chestnut and pomegranate

D's roasted tomato and rocket penne

N's salted beef salad - a winner

K's smoked salmon

T's seafood linguine

Beef ragu with tagliatelle - I should have gone for it!

Grilled sea bream

Rayray couldn't get enough of breadsticks!

My very boring grilled sea bass and it was so burnt at the back!

T's pork chop and fried squash strips - delicious!

Look at the amount of truffle compared to what we got at LL!!! And it wasn't more expensive!!

Grilled Octopus, i think...?

Heavenly scent!!!!