I was slightly stumped how to title this post as it isn’t a restaurant review, but merely feedback on a single menu item from Popeyes – the original biscuit.
An American Biscuit in Reading
Category Archives: Restaurants
Khao Soi by Chariya, Alton
I have known Chariya for a number of years, and her MasterChef UK 2023 win was richly deserved. Her drive, enthusiasm and expertise has always been amazing, plus she is annoyingly likeable for someone so gifted.
When I learned Chariya was opening her own restaurant in Alton (also home to her coffee shop Coffee Cherry), I was extremely excited and booked a slot as soon as I could.
London Violet
As my inability to post reliably continues, this piece is being completed AFTER I have finished working in London. I’d pretend now I’ll have more time to write things, but I’m going away for a while, so this poor site will once again be neglected (pats site gently on head).
But enough of my failings, onto the violet treats!
I imagine most UK peeps have had a parma violet sweet at one time or another. Opinion is divided between “euch, perfume” and “mmm, floral nectar”.
Naturally I am of the latter camp. However while rose crops up in quite a few cuisines, violet is scarce indeed. France is the violet powerhouse, and there is even a violet festival in Tourrettes-sur-Loup I half-heartedly keep meaning to go to. Over here, you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled to enjoy this delicate flavour in a format other than the aforementioned sweets or chocolate violet creams.
Ah well, my advice is to consume violet while you can, and lobby parliament in the meantime…
Soho Rose Part 3: Desserts
If you’re like me, you probably haven’t eaten many rose desserts. They just aren’t that common. Perhaps something soaked in a rose syrup, or incorporating Turkish Delight?
Where rose goes, sugar invariably follows. These desserts are sweet – sometimes excessively so, but don’t let that stop you.
Tried:
Soho Rose Part 2: Cocktails
Following my foray into rose non-alcoholic drinks, it seems only logical to follow up with some boozy options.
I occasionally experiment with rose cocktails at home, either using Lanique or rose syrup. I even denuded one of my rose bushes of pink petals to try making my own rose liqueur (tasted fine but looked brownish – milk-washing and filtering turned it a light yellow…).
I’ve had goals to try so many of the below and as of yet have failed miserably. No doubt menus will change, but I am hoping rose will continue to feature in imaginative and delicious drinks.