London calling…..the annual pre-Christmas get together with Gustav and Ilia has evolved and tonight we also have Fidel and Thorkall with us…. and they can rock just about any casbah. After a few drinks at a favourite pub we are heading to Caravan in Exmouth Market.
The menu here has dishes from all round the world, local ingredients often mixed with flavours from the Mediterranean, middle east and far east. We decide to try a magnificent seven dishes, some familiar and some that may lead to armagideon time.
Air dried beef cecina with a white riot of manchego cheese and olive oil is interesting. Aubergine bhaji with tomato kasundi and yoghurt is fabulous. Baby squid, with new potatoes, meyer lemon, capers and parsley wasn’t for me but others seemed to really like it. Smoked mackerel with baby peppers, yuzu saffon butter and mint was excellent and I loved the chorizo and sweet potato croquettes. I’m glad I don’t have to shop for these ingredients as I would just get lost in the supermarket!
Beer and wine continue to flow and I no longer have complete control. More dishes arrive including Burmese chicken salad with turmeric, lime, chilli and peanuts which is great and Ilia’s favourite – Elwys valley lamb cutlets with chermoula.
Importantly, we have been well looked after all evening by Martina. The should I stay or should I go question is easily dealt with – as we all have trains or tubes to catch.
Ilia and Thorkall walk with me to the tube. As I head home I turn on my ipod – This is Radio Clash!
