London

Not that I need a reason to visit my favourite city, but I was on *serious* flat hunting business and whilst I was there, I wanted to explore some popular food and drink haunts, I've always been a fussy eater and I'm trying to snap myself out of it by trying some new cuisine.

Mac and Wild, Fitzrovia

Mac and Wild is a Scottish restaurant specialising in whisky and meat, (can't really go wrong, can you?) The restaurant itself in small and intimate, with a lovely ambience. I started with one of the whisky cocktails they had on offer, Auld Pal, it went down the hatch a little too quickly due to the delicious mix of Dalwhinnie, dandelion and burdock and camomile.

Auld Pal

For my main I went for the venison steak frites. I haven't had venison in years, (I ate it, not realising I had eaten Bambi and spent a few days in a deep grip of self-loathing). It was cooked to perfection (medium; very pink, but no blood thanks)

As you can see from the picture, I ate the first piece before I took the photo, that's a testament to how good it was.

Bao, Soho

I've never had Taiwanese food, but after a good write up in the Sunday Times, I thought I'd give Bao a bash. Set in a side street in Soho, Bao has a 'tapas' style menu, made up of little buns and small meat/rices dishes. Me being me, my eyes were immediately drawn to the fried chicken options, and i chose the fried chicken bao and spicy fried chicken.

Fried Chicken Bao

Despite looking like a nasty patty (for all you Spongebob fans), this was DELICIOUS, biting into the bun was like biting into a cloud, the chicken was crispy and flavoursome without being greasy.

Spicy Fried Chicken

This wasn't as delicious, the chicken itself was a bit grey and stringy and the sauce wasn't to my 

personal taste. 

Drinks wise, yes you can get your coca cola, but having never tried oriental tea before, I opted for the oriental beauty, a honey infused herbal tea. It arrived in a quaint little black pot and tiny little china cup which mean it took three times to drink it all, but all in the experience!

I'd definitely visit Bao again, the menu was a bit hit and miss, but I think if you order the right things. you'd be in for a treat.

Vagabond, Spitalfields

This was like no wine bar I had been to before, you start off by collecting a card from the till, and then you are let loose onto the vast selection of wines that are in a vending machine style container.

you select your wine by popping your card which you have topped up with money into the slot above the wine and then make your selection.

I thought this was a wonderful idea, it's like a pick 'n' mix for adults and it means you can taste several new wines, without having to commit to a whole glass and you can top up whenever you like without having to wait for table service.

in London with a cold glass of wine, my absolute element!