Following a successful pattern when another friend was visiting her, we first stopped for hot drinks and pastry at Paul's near Covent Garden.
While I've bought the odd pastry to go from Paul's, and have even bought macarons from Paul's in the south of France (Aix-en-Provence) during a memorable summer holiday, I've never sat down in Pauls. Was the wait worth it, even just for the luxuriously thick hot chocolate that reminded me why the UK is not my favourite food country in the world, but comes behind France and Belgium. This was pure heaven. The pear and cinnamon tart was also a triumph. It wasn't on the menu, but I was certain that I'd spied a pear tart from the corner of my eye when we came in. Flaky, light yet firm pastry under a pear filling, subtly spiced with the cinnamon. The pear was practically caramelised, and it was delicious, as well as generously portioned out. I could have died happily then, but after a couple of hours of conversation and catch-ups, it was time to actually eat dinner.
Wahaca. (Gezuntheit)
No, this south american street food restaurant on Southbank, situated in four shipping crates, sprayed with murals you'd expect in Sao Paolo, is an ode to the importance of ambiance. It is utterly cool. I am informed that this specific Wahaca was an experiment intended to be a pop up, but was far too popular to be denied and remained in business. We waited an hour to get in, but sat talking outside under the murals.
My friend and I bought five tapas sized dishes between us, and both got the Hibiscus water to drink, my friend as she'd had it before, and myself because of the sudden smack of nostalgia for a West Indian drink called Sorrel. It was a delicious and refreshing beginning to the meal.
The food was great, light enough to follow the large desserts we had, filling enough to satisfy. Though disappointed by the garlic prawns being a tad overcooked and lukewarm, the cool atmosphere and cool layout more than compensated for one mediocre dish.
Reasonably priced for London, though not cheap, I would definitely go again.
Happy Eating,
The food was great, light enough to follow the large desserts we had, filling enough to satisfy. Though disappointed by the garlic prawns being a tad overcooked and lukewarm, the cool atmosphere and cool layout more than compensated for one mediocre dish.
Reasonably priced for London, though not cheap, I would definitely go again.
Happy Eating,
student_gourmand
