the Fat Duck review by AA Gill

Karen's favourite critic of restaurants from the Sunday Times was once kicked out of our beloved Gordon Ramsey's restaurant (by the man himself). Nonetheless, he has got some interesting reviews and for his take on our boy Heston's The Fat Duck (a little cottage with not one, not two, but THREE Michelin stars), please click here.

greek-american yogurt a hit

The Degaitas recipe came out a success (see post from a few days ago). Part II from my birthday to come, plus the amazing Cowley Road festival from Sunday. I haven't strained it however, since I couldn't find the cheese cloth. It's surprisingly thick in consistency, nonetheless.

plea on food waste by PM Gordon Brown

As the G8 Summit is underway in Japan, the global food crisis is high on the agenda.  Gordon Brown urged Britons to not waste food.  For more on this, click here.

my big Fat Greek birthday (Part II)

a satisfying cake that came all the way from Swindon

I'm trying to make a peace sign, but it looks like I'm flipping Karen off (or Markos, I can't recall who took the picture)

After a fulfilling meal at Gee's, I came back home to find all the housemates there and was immediately told that Venus had won the 2008 Wimbeldon women's title.  I was happy to hear this, since I've always liked her game better than Serena's.  Plans for the evening were to see my South African friend Karen, along with her husband and baby boy.  They were going to come to Oxford for a few hours, and afterwards, the vivacious Eirini (means peace in Greek), friend of Vilitsa and fellow lab mate, wanted to take me to the movies at around 10:30pm.  

Karen came around 7:30pm, but the men in her life weren't feeling well so they stayed home.  She arrived with the most scrumptious, devilish cake, which her mum-in-law so kindly made for me.  It was such an unbelievably sweet gesture.  Karen had even brought candles.  The housemates and she sang their own rendition of happy birthday in English, followed by the Greek version (Karen and Salim seemed confused with the latter).  I made about a hundred wishes in a split second before blowing out the candles.  That was followed by three pieces of cake I ate all in the span of 5 minutes.  I was having my sugar rush, and loving it!  Karen stopped me at piece number 3.  Housemates went about their own thing, and got ready to go to our friend Nikos' party (who had just submitted his thesis).  As they were leaving, I agreed to possibly meet up after the movies at the party.

Karen had to get back home, and so she decided to drive me to Eirini's house (the infamous and aforementioned 'Vilitsa') where we'd pick her up and go to the movies.  Karen is not just a friend, but also my mom-away-from-home.  As we pulled in front of Eirini's house, Karen told me not to waste money on my mobile and call her, but to just go knock on the door to get Eirini.  As I got out of the car, I saw our friend (and Eirini's housemate) Fani come out of the house wearing a birthday party hat.  I figured they had made a cake for me or something to quickly eat before going to the movies.  But then I turned to Karen and said 'wait a minute, are they having a surprise party for me?' and she smiled and said 'yes'.  I asked her if she knew, and she responded 'of course' in a cheeky grin. 

I was fooled.  As I walked into the kitchen, all the Greeks (and honourary Greeks, including Samir, Basak, and Christina), along with the housemates, screamed 'surprise!' in their thick Greek accents (especially George).  It was so sweet!  Eirini had me going the entire time. I was unbelievably clueless.  I guess since Friday afternoon Facebook messages were circulating to plan this.

The tall Aussie Matt came, he brought a bottle of ouzo for the festivities, we cut another cake (this one from my M&S, in the shape of a bear, chosen by Salim for some weird reason), drank, and had a blast.

The party continued at Nikos' place, which was great fun, with lot's of ouzo, wine, and loud music.  I went to bed that night (as in 3am) very thankful for having such special in people life.  

my Big Fat Greek birthday (Part I)

What a weekend. Full of eating. Heavy on the cake. Loud on the music. And genuine surprises.

Saturday, I had made plans to meet my labmate Srin at Gee's, a posh restaurant in North Oxford where I have wanted to eat for four years now. A place where parents take their kids after graduation, if you know what I mean. Srin can be cast as a food connoisseur, and she was excited to treat me on my birthday to the British contemporary cuisine for which Gee's is well known amongst Oxonians.

As I biked my way to the restaurant from East Oxford, I ran into my friend Eleni on Holyweel Street (a pedestrian road off the High Street, lined with charming and classically old Oxford buildings that includes an apparently very good Japanese restaurant I have yet to experience). I was in a rush, said hello, she awkwardly wished me 'Χρόνια πολλά, Γιαννάκη!' and then I dashed off to the restaurant. As I got to the restaurant, Srin still hadn't arrived. She strutted to the front of Gee's in a very stylish red dress and looked gorgeous as always. Our friend Haj (also a fellow lab rat) joined us as well as one of Srin's good mates, Kartik.

The restaurant, operated by an upscale leisure company called Mogford, is housed in a charming Victorian conservatory with chandeliers, Sophisticated yet inviting, and I'm a sucker for Gee's natural light. We sat by the window, and I sported my Ray-Bans given the sun (a rarity this summer in England). Our waitress was very pleasant, and after taking a look at their luncheon menu, which included a variety of Continental-inspired dishes, we ordered.

I hate pate, so the natural choice (of course) was to have sautéed duck livers and poached hens egg in a puff pastry case. I said go for it since I believe eating is about experiences. I wasn't a fan, but the presentation was a hit. The meat itself was quality, but I couldn't strip myself of my prejudice when it comes to liver of any kind. At least, I tried it. 

saute duck livers & poached hens egg in a puff pastry case

My main was a chicken confit with chorizo and slow roast tomatoes, which I very much enjoyed.  The portion was smaller than I anticipated, but then again, I am a villager at heart and used to rather large pans of meat pies. We also ordered a side salad of tomatoes and basil. The purple basil was unique, beautiful, and aromatic. 

chicken confi with chorizo & slow roast tomatoes

Srin had the poached salmon on crushed Jersey royal potatoes in an olive oil dressing. I tasted a bit of the potatoes, which were surprisingly light and flavourful. The salmon dish was particularly striking and pretty. With my meal, I failed to mention that I had small glass of the Muscadet sur Lie 2006, clos des Rosiers. Sweet and smooth, and complemented the chicken.

poached salmon on crushed Jersey royals, with olive dressing

For dessert, I thoroughly enjoyed the poached pear with vanilla ice cream and a dark, silky chocolate sauce. That's after I blew out the candle which our waitress kindly placed on top of the ice cream.

strawberry shortbread, strawberry & black pepper consomme

We stayed for a total of about three hours in the restaurant. We took our time enjoying our food, and talking for quite a long time afterwards (without being rushed by our waitress).  This was they type of establishment where you felt appreciated, which can't be said for middle-of-the-road restaurants throughout the UK.  Everyone knows I am very critical of the customer service we get in restaurants in this country, but Gee's was very much a positive experience.  

A memorable and special birthday luncheon.

the menu (which I had the chef, Mr. Oliver Lee, sign afterwards)

the illustrious Srin

the sophisticated Haj

my little nephew

I woke up this morning a year older.  The big 3-1.  And as I stumbled out of my room to go to the kitchen for my morning ritual of a frappe (classic Greek ice coffee), I saw some letters at the door.  Two cards, one from my parents and another one from my little nephew.  It's the first time the little one has actually written himself in a birthday card to me.  The letters were those of a 7-year old.  Big.  Happy.  Excited letters.  It was very surreal.  I still think of him as a baby, not a little man.  But he's growing up.  Just like his uncle.  Just like all of us.  

I haven't stopped grinning, since that card literally made my year.  

And perhaps that's why I am consumed by Greek cuisine.  Because my grandmothers were obsessed with it. And so are my parents.  And maybe my nephew will learn a thing or two about the way his great-grandmother used to make roasted chicken back in the village. Food is that link that inevitably connects us from one generation to the next.  

(By the way, the Degaitas yogurt recipe indeed produced a full pot of yogurt and it's in the fridge right now for a few hours before I will strain it with a cheese cloth.  And more to come on my excursion to a local Oxford allotment yesterday, the fresh produce that I garnered from there, and the beets and garlic-almond purée (σκορδαλιά και μπάμιες) recipe I came up with last night for dinner.)

happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July to everyone back in America.  It's a bittersweet day for me today, since there are no Independence Day celebrations to attend here in Oxford (although Sunday an American friend may have a BBQ).  Greek-Americans are insane when it comes to today's festivities.  It's double the pleasure for anyone attending a BBQ like that of my parents.  You get not only the classic American hamburgers, corn-on-the-cob, grilled vegetables, and cupcakes, but also all the common Greek mezes on top of that (and my dad's legendary shish kebabs).  You're never left hungry, I tell ya'.

Here's a beautiful Red, White, and Blue Ice Cream Cake recipe I found on Epicirious.  Looks pretty stunning.