well hidden gem – 4 mill street in london

#4 – on my gems list

Patterson’s
4 Mill Street London,
London W1S 2AX, UK
(20) 7499 1308 – Reserve!!!
EXECUTIVE CHEF & OWNER; Raymond Patterson
http://www.pattersonsrestaurant.co.uk
£££ – Modern European

No London without a visit to “Patterson’s” on Mill Street. This is not a restaurant that you find while out shopping on Oxford Str. You have to know where you’re going and if you been there – you will always find your way back. This is something very special. The food is sooOoOOo good and the plate’s presentation is like art. Mostly Scottish produce, particularly seafood – but if there is lamb on the menu I go for that. Signature dish: Smoked haddock soufflé, cod branded and baby spinach, white wine and herring roe sauce

The mood is understated rather than restrained, elegant but not stuffy, with comfortable high-backed chairs, dark glass vases of greenery, some impressive abstract seascapes, and two fish tanks.
Service is absolutely superlative with staff well-briefed on the creative menu – nothing is a problem if you want to mix menus. Have only eat their set menus – £45 – looks like they have now gone over to a la carte with indv. pricing
Very relaxed atmosphere. You can’t go wrong with an evening with “Patterson’s”
Located between Oxford Circus and Bond Street – as I said very well hidden.
A gem worth looking for.

 

       

 

 

Photos provided by; pattersonsrestaurant.co.uk

join the the queue

#12 – on my gems list

Les Quinze Nits
Placa Reial 5
08002 Barcelona, Spain
(93) 17 30 75 – no pre-booking
http://www.lesquinzenits.com
€€ – Spanish

Les Quinze Nits (The 15 nights) …. There is no other way to get in then join the queue.
Was in Barcelona the first time 1997 – and the queue was there … both for lunch and dinner. And it’s still there!!! Every time I been to Barcelona I have been in the dinner queue. They have outside tables, of course they goes first.

Today they have a website, but that took time – but still no pre-booking – the queues are their trademark. Since they expanded and made the second floor into dinning room to – the place is just swallowing up the queue.

Buzzing, electric and not really a typical tourist trap – mostly Spanish guests. Food is fresh and local with a twist. Have never tried their Paella, that seams to be their signature dish. Their salads are delicious fresh, lamb, meats, chicken and fish – well cooked and tasty. Cheap and chic, will never win a Michelin star. Don’t think they really cares with queues like theirs. Very enjoyable – both surroundings and the food. Service very quick, friendly and they really look after you even if they have quite a few tables, each waiter. An evening here with 3 courses and wine doesn’t empty the bank account neither plus the Sangria is very good.
Placa Reial – is just off the La Ramblas – opsite the market more or less. A beautiful enclosed square.
This is a MUST when visiting Barcelona

Photos provide by: barcelona.xp-travel.com - apartmentinthecenterofbarcelona.blogspot.com

from the pure, brackish waters we find the red gold

I’m talking about – Kalix Löjrom – most delicious thing about Sweden.

“One of nature’s most improbable strokes of luck
From Haparanda’s northern islands to just south of Piteå, the enormous flow of fresh water from the mighty rivers of Swedish Lapland has created the world’s largest brackish water archipelago. Here, and only here, do vendace provide the exclusive, deep reddish-gold caviar, Kalixlöjrom, the red gold of the Gulf of Bothnia.”
(text taken from; http://www.kalixlojrom.com)
Today a price of £187/kilo

Most traditional way to serve it is with toast, finely chopped red onion and crème fraîche. If I eat löjrom on toast I also have a egg yolk with it. Personal I prefer it in a baked potato with the same ingredients – then without the yolk. Even if it’s so expensive I treat myself quite often to it. Fantastic on top of a “Beef Tatar” – the Danish way to serve it.

Have eaten Russian Caviar twice, but I wasn’t too taken with it. A bit too hard and salty for me. Still it a special feeling when being offered it and of course it’s always  served with free and chilled champagne – so it dosen’t hurt while eating it.

No!!!!  Give me Kalix löjrom anytime  … with or without the champagne.

photo provived by; arstiderna.se – doman.n.nu

somebody else has to pay for the damage

Le Louis XV
Hôtel de Paris
Place du Casino
MC 98000, Principauté de Monaco
(377) 98 06 88 64
EXECUTIVE CHEF: Alain Ducasse
CHEFS : Franck Cerutti / Dominique Lory

http://www.hoteldeparismontecarlo.com

3 Stars Michelin, Guide Michelin
€€€€€ – Riviera’s gastronomy

The most luxurious and richest restaurant I ever been to. – 15.09.1972 and it was my restaurant of choice. It’s LUSH!

Richest in all accepts … food, décor … staff and atmosphere and of course also the guests.
Must have read about this restaurant in a magazine and when asked by my newly found “boyfriend” where I wanted my last evening dinner before returning home, I wasn’t late to say – Le Louis XV! So we went.

That was my first meeting with 3 stars too – it became my the first stop my gastronomy journey.
There I was in my self-made pink dress … in with Chanel, Dior and Fendi. Every time I moved on the chair – somebody wanted to take it off me. For me then it was like being in a fairytale.
Don’t remember much about the food, was so taken by the surrounding and the handsome Greek man sitting opposite me.

Messed up my order of avec to the coffee after dinner … and I told the waiter that he must have done a mistake. He hadn’t done a mistake for the last 20 years as a waiter – I’m sure. My partner got a good laugh, but the waiter wasn’t that amused.

That evening became a new start for me in many way … a start to a life with great food, music, art … wines – but no more pink dresses, but self-made for years. Reason enough to recommend this restaurant.

Would I go back – of course I would .. but somebody else has to pay for the damage.

click for; the luxurious & rich

photos provided by; alain-ducasse.com – henryrot-cie.fr

in somebody’s private home

#14 – on my gems list

Le Clef des Champs
Rue de Rollebeek, 23
1000 Brussels, Belgium
(2) 512 11 93

http://www.clefdeschamps.be
€€ – French

My most memorable meal …. Lightly smoked bacon hook on red lentils – and it was in 1992

We found this romantic and intimate resturant by mistake on one of the back streets behind Grand Place.
In 1992 it had a decoration all in yellow and white. Madame very sweet and welcoming. Her husband – a big man who are very talent chef. Later found out that he always are a painter and his art is the décor of the small restaurant. You will get more of feeling that you’re in somebody’s private home and not in a big city restaurant.

A fantastic evening .. with the greatest food and still after all those years I can still sense the sell of that bacon hook. It was presented in a clay pot and when I lifted that lid – my god!!! Aroma from heaven.
Have been eating many dishes … all over the world, but this dish is the only one I still can sense when thinking about it.

The owner’s such a lovely couple and they made our evening there very special.

In the 2004 in may I went back … happy to see that Madame where still there, but the husband where at home. It was lovely to be back … the bacon hook wasn’t on the menu, but we had a lovely meal – can’t remember what we had. To be honest I had expected a little bit more of the menu, a lot (I guess) was that I couldn’t have the “Bacon Hook”. *smile

They have been awarded as Toptable Dining Awards 2010 – Runner Up: Best International Venue. Recommend this – set menus from €33 – 60, 3 courses … it’s a gem.

photos provided by: clefdeschamps.be

$$$ – Modern American Cuisine

“Blackbird”
619 W. Randolph, Chicago, IL 60661,USA
Phone; (312) 715-0708
EXECUTIVE CHEF: Paul Kahan – CHEF DE CUISINE: David Posey
$$$-$$$ Modern American

If you are in Chicago, then you should check out the fun atmosphere and delicious food at Blackbird Chicago Restaurant. This favorite Chicago restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy some truly unique cuisine in a modern environment.
As a “lonely” traveler and being a woman normally I end up being offered the most hidden table – but not here. Had a truly great evening … with fantastic buzz, it was packed to the rim and outstanding food. Service where fun, friend, pleasant and relaxed. They made me feel like I was the most important guest that evening, great feeling.
It’s now 9 years gone since my visit – have kept an eye on the place and it’s still one of Chicago’s best rated restaurants. So will I go back in now in July ??? – think so, but I heard so much good about their new restaurant “The Publican” – so I think I will give that a try, but if I have an evening left over will it with pleasure go to “Blackbird”.

click here; Blackbird  Chicago

photo’s provied by; contemporan.com – Sifu Renka/fickr.com

“A women who doesn’t wear perfume has no future“ – Coco Chanel

Have a whole draw full of fragrances- well kept in their boxes .. not a big draw but – big enough. Enjoy to look for new fragrance’s that isn’t known to and worn by every woman alive. This is the fragrances that has been the most important to me over roughly 40 years. So let’s start !!!

.

No.1
EMPREINTE – Andre Courreges
Launched 1971
“ Empreinte” is a floral, oriental sensual fragrance.
A very feminine scent for evening wear.

Top notes; peach, bergamot, artemisa, aldehyde & coriander
Heart notes; jasmine, rose, orris & melon
Base notes; amber, patchouli, cedarwood, sandalwood, oak moss & castoreum

This fragrance I bought in Nice 1972 and I used it for years … and every evening I used it created compliments from women but specially men. A wonderful fragrance that I missed for years. Found it again in Biarritz, 30 ml bottle, 3 years ago. Probably my first real fragrance ever at least the first I can remember.

No. 2
AMORE WITH LOVE – Guerlain
Launched 2005

“Amore with Love ” is a sparkling, romantic scent for women. A very pretty smell. An all day wear.

Top notes: mandarin orange and lemon.
Heart notes: lily and freesia.
Base notes: sandalwood, musk and cedar.

This fragrance did I came across on Ebay, because of the price – got it for close to nothing, was a bit curious too – knew anything about it and I start it as an everyday wear. Already the first day – my female environment start to give me compliments – so there is a new bottle in my draw. Sadly the fragrance is now discontinued. Wonder how has no rose in it – can smell like the loveliest rose imaginable. There is still some bottles out there for about £75.00.

 

No.3
Caroline Herrera – Caroline Herrera
Launched 1988
“Caroline Herrera” a Sophisticated, exotic, feminine, sparkling … Caroline Herrera’s signature scent for women The perfume is housed in a romantic, statuesque bottle representing the confident and alluring jus inside evoking the flavor of warm nights in Venezuela, the creator’s country of origin. Formal use.

Top notes: orange blossom, bergamot & green note
Heart notes: jasmine, tuberose, narcissus & ylang-ylang
Base notes: sandalwood, cedarwood, vetiver, & amber

This fragrance and I met in Canada 1989 – love at first sight .. and I wore it for years. People came up to me and asked what fragrance I wore. In those days the package was yellow with black dots, just like her dresses for the Miss World competition – that made her famous. Will get a new one during my visit in US this summer.

No. 4
SUNG – Alfred Sung
Launched 1986
“Sung” A perfume that fuses elegant white flowers with fresh and sensual accents.

Top notes: orange, mandarin orange, galbanum, hyacinth, ylang-ylang, bergamot & lemon
Heart notes: osmanthus, jasmine, lily of the valley & iris
Base notes: amber, sandalwood, orange blossom, vanilla & vetiver

We also met during my time in Canada – at I became obsessed with it – wore it every day for years and we still have a relationship. Have a bottle in my draw.

No. 5
EAU DE MURANO – Murano
Launded 1994
“Eau De Murano” is classified as a refined, flowery fragrance. This feminine scent possesses blend of a rosy bouquet in the classic sense. For evening wear.

Top notes; west indian bay, bergamot & pink pepper
Heart notes; vanilla, cedarwood & peony
Base notes; sequoia wood, tonka & amber.

We met over Ebay 5 years ago. All because of the bottle’s little “hat”. Bought it very cheap and we have been friends ever since. Can’t get it anymore from anywhere!!! Except 5ml mini bottle from USA – but too small. Will be missed.

No. 6
BASI FEMME – Armand Basi
Launched 2000
“Basi Femme” the original perfume from the series of “peaceful non-assertive”, which can only be felt on skin. Have quite strong top notes, but they fade away very quickly and give a soft flowery sense. Daily use.

Top notes: coriander, Spanish plums, grass & bitter orange
Heart notes; black currant, rose, violet leaves, jasmine, pink pepper and peony
Base notes; rosewood, oakmoss, conifer, white musk, amber and vanilla.

What I wear today… the bottle called on me when I was walking through Stansted Airport, London. Didn’t really care how it smelled on me – just fell in love with the bottle. We agree very well.

No. 7
PRIVATE COLLECTION – Estee Lauder
Launched 1973
“Private Collection” is a luxurious, exotic, confident, feminine, flowery and elegant fragrance. For evening wear.

Top notes; green accord, citrus oils & hyacinth
Heart notes; jasmine, reseda, narcissus, rose & pine needle
Base notes; oakmoss, cedar, musk & amber

What a fantastic love affair we had … even if nearly every woman around me wore it to. We all went mental when it was launched. Something very special about this fragrance, but it was my last big launched fragrance I ever bought – even if it’s timeless. Our love affair is done and over, but no regret!

france vs sweden

             

Love my breakfast – my favorite meal of the day.

For about 20 years now have we Swedes been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  So how come that French aren’t overweight – they eat absolute nothing for breakfast and have a late substantial evening meal – while we Swedes are told to eat well for breakfast and light for the evening … still we start to become an overweighed  nation????!!!! When I was back in Paris a couple years ago – didn’t I see one overweighed French kid. Amazing  … it must be something in the their drinking water or in the 200 different brands of mineral waters that they have.

click to watch; lose weight, the french way.

26th August – 16th September 1972

“Plaza Beach Hotel”
22 Ave Princesse Grace,
Monte-Carlo 98000, Monaco
(+377) 93 30 98 80
5-Star, 403 rooms and 4 suites

My first meeting with a luxury hotel, but not the last – and I didn’t really had any experience of any kind of hotels, a doughy hotel in London the year before.

Had planned to go to the Olympics in Munich and saved up a good amount. There was only one travel agent that had organized travel – but when I came in January …. Sorry, nothing left.
They handed me a bunch of brochures .. half way through them … there it was; Monte Carlo with Plaza Beach Hotel was then a newly built Holiday Inn .. the only hotel in Monaco with their own direct beach, still so today.

Monte Carlo, a fairytale …. Beautiful and spotless. The hotel was like an other world for me.
During my stay did I met a fantastic man … and that resulted that I went back quite a few times to Monaco during nearly a years time.

To the hotel I returned in 1976 … then it was owned by Trusthouse Forte. Same fantastic hotel, but had bought up the private beach club that was next door to the hotel.

Today the hotel is totally refurbished and got two towers added, owned by Le Meridien.

With being neighbor to the “Casino d’Eté” (Sporting Monte-Carlo) was the during the afternoons their orchestra was practicing with the roof off.

During my stay in 1972 the “Rose Ball” was held at “Casino d’Eté”…. Princess Grace’s charity ball and the hotel had some rich and famous guests. Real glamour, just what to expect of Monaco. This year the ball will be held 24.03 – team “Swinging London”.

Today Plaza Beach can be mine for £300 per night – breakfast include.
Would I go back … definite – if I win the lottery

Monte-Carlo is one of my gems.

click for visiting  the hotel; 22 Ave Princesse Grace, Monte-Carlo

photo provided by; octopustravel.com / booked.net / rp-online.de / holidaycheck.pl

358 days – the little red ship

Original name: Lindblad Explorer
Shipyard: Nystads Varv AB, Finland
Tons: 550
Length oa 72.86 m
Length bp 64.5 m
Delivered to SAL: 1969
Sold: 1982
Today: Sank on November 23, 2007, Antarctic Ocean

MS Lindblad Explorer – the biggest adventure of my life– 07.07.1978– 13.07.1979

From Price Rupert, Canada to Hong Kong .. over Antarctic, Bali, Pitcairn Islands, Philippines, Easter Island, Bora Bora, Japan, Chile, South Pool, Tahiti, Samoa Islands, Argentina, China, Tonga, Thursday Island, North Island, Indonesian, New Guinea, Borneo, Great Barrier Reef, Falkland Islands, Alaska, Robinson Crusoe Island, Fiji …. And more and more .. and more. Can’t remember them all. Today I wish that I had kept a diary.

Most memorable ???!! Without any doubts – Antarctic, Pitcairn Island and Borneo Orangutan Survival Center – today called BOS

The only cold larder chef .. we where a brigade of 4 chef’s that serviced up to 120 passengers and 58 crew, 18 different nationalities.

Unforgettable journey – unforgettable year – and I got US dollars tax free for doing it and quite a few!

Will share …. but not the money (all gone) …

“A ship in port is safe,
but that’s not what ships are built for.”
Grace Hopper

about 3000 caloriers; white chocolate and whiskey croissant pudding

This recipe I found a magazine, ”New Woman” for about 10 years ago .. and with a bit of coup against one my colleagues I manage to get this dessert on our cooperate menu (we toke the decision while he was on the gents) and I think it became one of the most memorable dishes we ever did, both for guest and staff  (reasons vary). Still do it for my friends and it’s a winner with everybody … be careful with all the leftover bits – they really fill you up.

Have tried to do this in indv. dishes .. but it became to dry for my taste.

6 croissants, day’s old
400 ml standard milk
400 double cream
200 gr sugar
1 vanilla pod – cut lengthways
6 egg yolks
3 whole egg
30 gr sultanas
20 gr butter – melted
150 gr white chocolate, in pieces
45 ml whiskey

Pre-heat oven 180C degrees, baking time 40 min, 6 portions

1. Slice the croissants in 3 slice – place them in a greased baking tin – overlapping. It has to look bulky.
2. Sprinkle the sultanas over the croissants and drizzle the melted butter over.
3. Whisk to together eggs, egg yolks and sugar.
4. Pour the milk and cream to a pan with the vanilla pod with a lengthways cut – gradually bring to the boil for 5 min. Remove from the heat to cool down a bit.
5. Pick up the vanilla pod, place on a grease proof paper (so the vanilla is easier to be transferred back to the milk/cream mixture) – open up and scrape the vanilla out and put back to milk/cream.
6. Stir in the egg mixture into the milk/cream and add the chocolate – stir until all the chocolate has dissolved. Add whiskey.
7. Strain the mixture over the croissants through a chinos – the mixture have to be above the croissants. Cover with folio.
8. Bake for 25 min, until almost se then remove the folio for the last 10 min .. to get the crust without burning.
9. Has to be cold when being cut out. I use a special high pastry cutter – a high coffee mug will work too. Dip it in cold water between every portion cutout.

When it comes to serving I cheat – buy ready made custard that I mix with ready made chocolate sauce. Use that as the base under the “pudding” and on top of the pudding I place a ball of high quality vanilla ice cream.

As one our guest that said .. .. – it’s better then the sex I had last night!

photo provided by: fickr.com

a reason for a blog; pan seared tuna & new potato salad

My friend Barbara – been on my case for a couple of years now – because of my recipes … she has always been on about the dressing to my tuna salad … so here it’s. Have picture on my recipes, but I haven’t figured out yet how to transfer them from Excel, so I have to turn to Google in the meantime.

So here we go …

3 x 150 gr tuna steaks – pan seared
12 plum cherry tomatoes, halved lengthways
4 boilded, 9 min – perfect egg should be like a daffodil
200 gr green beans; whole and blanched
300 gr mixed lettuce – washed; gem, baby spinach, water cress & romaine
200 gr red onion; finely sliced lengthways
12 radishes, sliced
24 good quality black olives

Dressing; can be served warm or cold
150 ml olive oil
2 limes, juice
50 ml water
30 ml (2tblsp) sugar
10 ml (1dsp) frozen mixed Italian herbs
30 ml (2 tblsp) chopped fresh parsley – added just before serving

Preperation:    Start with the dressing – just mix everything together and mix well …. except the chopped parsley

1. Boil the potatoes with skin on in salted water, when cold cut into bite size. Trim and boil the beans whole, for about 6-8 min, have to be al dente. Drain and refresh under running cold water – to keep color.
2. Egg – to be boiled in 9 min .. use to say they should be like daffodil; little darker yellow and a bit soft in the middle. There is nothing worst then over cooked egg on a freshly made salad. Half them before serving.
3. Radishes, sliced
4. Red onion, half – peel and slice thinly lengthways to get a better presentation
5. Tuna steaks – seared in a grill pan .. still a little pink in the middle – slice into generous pieced and divided over 4 plates
6. Base 4 indv. bowls with the lettuce mix – divide the cut potatoes, tomatoes, beens, olives, red onion, shatter the sliced radishes … top with the tuna pieces  and top with 2 egg halves per portion.
7. Just before serving add the parsley to the dressing .. mix well – and spoon it carefully over the salads using a small ladle. Serve the dressing warm or cold.

….. Enjoy!  with a chilled Pinot Gris

photo provided by; solidrecpies.com

this is what my kind of music does to me

MUSIC – what would me day … my life be without it ????? This a pure pleasure – a NECESSITY for me.  Can say that I “eat” everything – so long it touches somehow my heart and soul. And I love to share my kind of music with rest of the world – even if the world want to or don’t want.

While working in UK …  every Christmas instead of Christmas card – did I create a very personal playlist that I burned to a CD. Started of with about 70, but last Christmas did I burn 180 CD. A victim under my own success – my friends, colleagues, customers and suppliers start asking in August already if there will be a CD for Christmas. Still burn CD’s for Christmas in a much smaller scale now … down to 50.

My last mass production did go to all the hospital staff & doctors that toke such a fantastic care of me and dragged me through the treatments and illness atLund’s University Hospital. 250 in total. Instead of sending them cakes, that is more of a tradition to do over here. At least they will always have something from me .. that maybe will give them a smile once in a while.

When I have bought the special program here on Worldpress … will I be able to publish my kind of music and share with you, but until then …. I lean on Youtube.

Enjoy !

Mozart’s “Ave Verum Corpus kv. 618”
The Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Choir
Directed by Leonard Bernstein

egg in swedish ????? = ägg and no egg

Our immigrants get £1.000: – in bonus to learn Swedish!! ????? Now there is some idiot’s who wants to raise to £2.000 :-!!!??? While reading about that our elderly can’t get a boiled egg a day! Or cream and jam for pancakes once a week – because it is too expensive !!!!!!! For God’s sake – is this the way we want to have it ????? Nobody stands up and scream about it neither! I’m not racist, but Sweden should to take care of their elderly – who built this fantastic country – so we are able to offer UN the biggest acceptance quote for immigrants in the world!

photo provided by ica.se

very colorful … but still need a touch up!

… this with gray hair !!!! Hard when I want to have red hair –  know I was supposed to be a redhead, because my olive complexion and green eyes. Since 1970 has I colored my hair. In those days was all about Henna and what a color I had. Heads where turned after me and one time when I was in a jeweler shop, while living in Gothenburg – a gentlemen came into the shop of the street …  to give me a compliment for my hair. My hairdresser in those days – Eivor – all ways mixed in old coffee grind into the henna to give it a deepness. Eivor are still one of my best friends – friendship for over 30 years – but not my hairdresser anymore.

While work it was a visit to the hairdresser very 5th week .. today I have to do it myself and today I tried something new;  ”Nice’n Easy Foam” by Clariol – used this brand when ever I haven’t gone to a hairdresser. Last 2 years it has been “Perfect 10″ – a brilliant product. Have to mix to shades to get the right one for me – a bit messy, but it works fine.

So today I used their latest product – mix light auburn and light brown – very easy, but when I put it my hair I wasn’t too convinced it will cover the gray.  Very easy to apply and no dripping or messing about. Surprise - Surprise! Every gray hair is covered nicely. Very nice product – that I warmly recommend.

So for an other 6 weeks … my world is a bit more colorful.