Kristen, Author at Modern Pineapple

August 30, 2015

In the Neighborhood: Notting Gill Chippy

Our neighborhood is full of old favorites. There’s the Churchill Arms with Winston Churchill and other old English memorabilia packing every corner of the pub up front and the tasty Thai restaurant in the butterfly conservatory in the back. Then there’s Maggie Jones, a beloved local joint with a rustic theme and the most delicious pies. The Shed offers farm-to-table small plates for people who travel all over London for the daily looseners; Paul Rhodes is the greatest little boulangerie with freshly baked breads, croissants, cakes and other treats; and David Cameron can be seen lunching at Clarke’s. Of course, there’s our pub The Mall Tavern with the best Sunday roast in town (though we’re obviously biased with its close proximity to our front door).

So it was with much excitement when we learned a pop-up was opening on Ken Church Street this month. We returned from our trip in the US to find Kensington Place, a modern British restaurant with fish from the market next door, had transformed its private dining room to the Notting Gill Chippy! Complete with a summery blue and white awning and maritime theme continuing inside, it was the perfect stop on a Saturday night tour of the town when my mom and dad were visiting last week. My dad had fish and chips on his English must-do list, as he had fond memories of enjoying the battered cod when one of his ships docked in Portsmouth years ago.

We went a little after 9pm, so it was less crowded than we expected, though we should have realized with it being a Saturday night in August. We had ample space and time to talk to the staff (hi, Jack!) about the new chef Tim Peirson, formerly of Angler. It’s slammed on Friday nights (no surprise there) with the after-work, after-pub crowd. The trick is to go on Saturdays for lunch or dinner like we did for less wait. The boys ordered a couple of pints while my mom and I went for glasses of crisp white wine.

We pondered the menu for less than 90 seconds before ordering traditional fish and chips with mushy peas. Within fifteen minutes, Jack returned with curried-spice batter fish and extra crispy chips, served on charming trays with the Notting Gill newspaper. We all agreed it was the best fish and chips we’d ever had! Our bellies were so full that trying any other dishes on the menu will have to wait till another time (I’ve heard the Lobster Thermi-Buns are to die for — though when it comes to doughnuts filled with crustacean meat I think the ones at Chiltern are hard to beat).

The fish and chips came out piping hot, so we dove right in!

Ps – We’re hoping this becomes a permanent fixture! The idea is apparently swirling around in the owners’ heads, but no official plans have been made yet. The NGC has extended its pop-up until September 24, so if you’re in town be sure to stop by. Notting Gill Chippy, 201 Kensington Church Street, W8 7LX.

August 27, 2015

Almost Autumn Supper Time

The final days of August have been chillier than expected, and catapulted me into a preview of the fall to come. I know should be holding onto the final days of summer, but with no official end to summer a la Labor Day weekend here and an Indian Summer looking like a distant US memory, I’m ready to pull out the cashmere blankets, red wine and snuggle by the fire. My husband is shushing me with every chance he gets when I become giddy with excitement over that autumn smell in the air.

Last night I made the best dish to marry this seasonal dichotomy: freshly-spiralized zoodles with the most delicious ragu (that uses red wine! I’m all for any use of wine in sauces) from Hemsley + Hemsley. Though I’m about two years late to the game on this one, I just became the proud new owner of a spiralizer over the weekend – thank you, Mom! If you know me, I’m not into many extra gadgets in the kitchen. I believe many can actually complicate the process, and much can be done with quality knives, a dutch oven, good cutting boards and a solid set of stainless steel pans. (I also don’t consider our KitchenAid mixer an extra gadget – these are kitchen necessities. We recently also purchased a small food processor for making fresh hummus and sauces and I also might give my left arm for a Vitamix. But compared to all the gadgets available to purchase, I’d say we’re on the small side in the Moore household.) HOWEVER, this has been on my radar for a long time and I’m so glad to have finally joined the spiralizing world.

The recipe can be found here. It’s not much work, but it does take awhile for the sauce to thicken. To break the recipe up a little since time after work is limited these days, I browned the beef on Monday night, and then just warmed it up in the pan before bringing it to a boil with the wine and tomatoes. Ben kept walking past the kitchen and I’d catch him stealing little spoonfuls! We both were eager to see how it would taste and we were up for seconds in what felt like mere minutes after having our first bite. I’d say that’s a success!

For those in the UK, I recommend the Hemsley + Hemsley spiralizer. Mine was purchased at Selfridges – it’s also available from other retailers like Amazon. In the US, there are so many version, so just head to your nearest kitchen wares store to pick one up!

Fresh summer vegetables + hot beef ragu – the perfect cool evening combination x

August 21, 2015

Nice is Nice

This summer we have been living from high to high, with an uncanny number of celebrations and visitors (and vacations, which are celebrations all in themselves – a perk of living in Europe that my work holiday count more than doubled). We even spent two weeks back in the States visiting family, friends and New York — we missed you so!

Last month was our first wedding anniversary. We took a three day weekend to the French Riviera, drinking in the scenery over crisp white wine, bathing on the sunny, rocky beaches and taking wonderful long walks in the hot summer sun. It felt like we grew up just a little more that weekend, realizing we were leaving our excited newlywed phase with so many milestones and entering into our calmer, lifelong partnership.

If Nice hasn’t been on your list of places to visit, it’s one to add. Stay at Hotel Le Negresco — we did and loved everything about the art deco style and close proximity to the beach — and book a fancy dinner one night at their restaurant Le Chantecler. With two Michelin stars, you need to go hungry, drink champagne and prepare for a four-hour leisurely multi-course dinner which will give you enough time to talk about all the work seen at the Matisse and Chagall museums.

Just before our anniversary dinner, wearing the sash from my wedding gown x

Work up an appetite the next day with a morning sail around the Bay of Angels and pick up lunch at the market (the best time to go is late morning on Saturdays!) for the ripest peaches, fresh sandwiches and just-off-the-griddle socca. My mouth is watering right now just thinking about it! Eat it picnic style at the beach, and spend the rest of the day taking in the glamorous families and young children running around in water shoes to not cut their feet on the rocks. Other recommendations: dinner at JAN, hiking the coastline, and strolling along the promenade.

First delicious bites of socca at the market!

We ended the weekend back home on Palace Gardens Terrace, breaking out the top tier of our wedding cake from the freezer (for a buttercream cake, unwrap completely and set it on the counter for three hours as it defrosts – it will be ready to eat and absolutely delicious) and dancing barefoot in our living room to James Taylor. We read love letters from each other, and may have cried a little (okay, just me because my husband’s a doll). We talked through our year, where we were just twelve short months ago and how it feels like time has just flown. Aside from the letters, our gift to ourselves was new personalized stationery, which I’m dying to use! x

Just three rosebuds managed to be living following our weekend away, the perfect number to add to the top of the cake.

May 31, 2015

28 Years

Yesterday was my birthday, and it was a very happy one indeed. I spent it with my husband as birthdays should be spent: doing some of my very favorite things. I started the morning quietly with a cup of coffee and reading as the sunlight poured through our bay windows (London, that weather yesterday was a gift all in itself) until Ben came out to join me. We both fit in a workout and then set off for a picnic in Hyde Park. We watched a men’s football on the palace lawn while sipping rose champagne and munching happily on neighborhood food.

Afterwards, slightly tipsy and blissfully happy, we walking home to drop off the basket and blanket before heading to The National Gallery for the Inventing Impressionism exhibit in its final weekend. Located in the Sainsbury Wing, it was a fascinating look at how a single man, Paul Durand-Ruel, helped fuel the impressionist movement. Dubbed ‘the man who sold a thousand Monets’ he persevered with these artists he believed were great when the public heavily criticized and ridiculed some of our most beloved works today. It’s hard to believe there was a time when Pissarro, Manet, Monet, Renoir, Sisley and Degas weren’t held in the highest regard.

We stopped to pick up a Slim Aarons print of Lake Como we recently had framed for our living room, and carried the nearly 4-foot wide (!) piece home through the back streets of our neighborhood. It now sits proudly on our largest wall, and is right at home already. I was serenaded by my parents and brother back home, and our call ended slightly tearily as I miss them terribly.

Framed by Frame, Set, Match at Notting Hill Gate, 020 7229 7444.

I opened cards and presents from family and friends, and two gifts from my sweet husband (Céline sunglasses and a beautifully bound book from Smythson). Ben surprised me when he handed me a small package — and I unwrapped a guide book to Barcelona. We’re visiting in September! I’ve been wanting to see it for so long, and am just beside myself to take the trip with him. I’ll also be putting my rekindled Spanish skills to use! I’ve already been pinning places to see in the city this morning, and the weather will still be warm as fall will just be beginning.

We hurriedly got ready for a late dinner reservation at Scott’s where we were greeted with a glass of champagne and promptly had a dozen oysters on the table. We split the roasted shellfish for two and Ben sang happy birthday to me in our corner of the restaurant. It was lovely and romantic and so very my husband.

Scott's

We headed home after saying goodbye, and I realized I needed to make a birthday wish! It was 11:46 and Ben lit a candle he wedged in a Samoa (Girl Scout cookies, you saving grace) and just a few minutes before midnight I blew out the candle on a wonderful day. I’m not sure if it’s possible, but may this year be even better than the last x

Blowing out my candle for #28. Also pictured is a book about one of my very favorite restaurants in the world, The Inn at Little Washington, a gift from my parents.

May 29, 2015

From the Bookshelf

Our reads from the month of May. Not pictured: Girl on the Train which was devoured digitally.

I’ve always been a big reader. As a kid, I remember my mom pulling me out the door to go to school while my nose was still buried in whatever book I was into at the time. I still tried to get through novels in college, though it was mostly after finals that I would plunge through a stack of books that had been waiting for me. And for awhile I even tried walking up subway steps when I just couldn’t bear to close my book before work in the mornings, but that really didn’t pan out well for me (ah, angry New Yorkers).

Well my friends, Ben and I had a month for the reading ages where we cranked through ten books altogether (me seven, him three). It helped that we were on a two week holiday (Thailand, we miss you! You were the best trip!) where the second week we spent lounging on the beach in Koh Samui drinking coconut water and passing books back and forth. Here’s the quick and dirty list of what we read (there are eight listed here because we both read Bonfire of the Vanities and American Sniper):

Bonfire of the Vanities – If you haven’t read this yet, do so immediately. I’ve been telling most everyone I talk to – my mom, best friend, strangers on the street, really everyone. Set in the ’80s with Park Avenue glamour, it’s a tale of a master of the universe’s fall from grace with so many interesting characters you won’t put it down. I finished the 750+ page book and exclaimed ‘Now THAT was a book.’ It’s now in my top 10, and I made Ben switch from the book he WAS reading to that one so we could talk about it together quicker. How’s that for a great book (and a great husband).

The Talented Mr. Ripley – I hadn’t watched the movie before reading the book (though I promptly found it on Netflix while were suffering from major jet lag back at home — I like the book better) and loved it thoroughly. It’s the tale of Tom Ripley, who isn’t going very far in life and accepts an offer from a former classmate’s shipping tycoon dad to go bring home his son from Europe. Tom quickly falls in love with Dickie Greenleaf’s luxurious Italian lifestyle and wants it for himself. Drama ensues in so many ways and you can’t help but want this unlikely villain to succeed.

The Cuckoo’s Calling – Written by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling), it’s a crime novel set in London where a model falls to her death and detective Cormoran Strike, who was practically out of work, is hired by her family who believes it was really a murder. It’s a page turner and had me going for a bit on what really happened to Lula Landry. Read it – it’s fabulous.

American Sniper – I gave this book to Ben a few months earlier and was so excited for him to dive in — and then me! It had me listening to Battle Hymn of the Republic as I drifted off to sleep one night, it was that patriotic (despite sharing all the ugly parts of military life). Written by the late Chris Kyle, it’s so conversational that it feels like you’re listening to this great soldier share his life story in the armchair next to you.

Sycamore Row – This was one of Ben’s, who also happens to be one of John Grisham’s biggest fans. The sequel to A Time to Kill, Ben gave this mixed reviews though he’s “glad I read it.” Set in Mississippi, it’s about the mystery of a man who commits suicide and his seemingly bizarre motivations for the way he left his fortune behind.

The Girl on the Train – A fun read with a twist. It’s another murder mystery so by the time I read it I was thinking I really needed to change genres. Still, it’s a book most everyone’s been talking about lately with Rachel looking longingly out the window of the train to nowhere each day over the house and life she used to have while creating stories about people she’s never met, until their worlds collide unexpectedly.

Jackie After Jack – A fascinating read on the life of Jackie Kennedy, who at the end of her life actually went by Jackie Bouvier Onassis. It goes from the harrowing days of Dallas through her marriage to Onassis and many men to her finding herself through working as an editor at Viking and Doubleday. It shows her many sides and despite it all, made me value her place in history even more.

Pride & Prejudice – I reread a lot of the books I have (Great Gatsby every summer for one), and Jane Austen is an author I always seem to come back to. She’s witty and the writing is so charming – I can never put this book down until the very last page. I want so much for Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth to realize their fate and always laugh at quick banter between Mr. and Mrs. Bennett.

There are 100 days between now and LDW – enjoy these reads during the lazy, hazy days of summer.

May 15, 2015

Let’s Get Cooking (Class)

It’s been a bit of radio silence from me these past couple of weeks, but I’m back! It was for a good reason: Ben and I took our first trip to Asia and spent the past two weeks in Thailand. It was everything I thought it would be and so much more. BUT more to come on that amazing country in the weeks ahead.

With summer travels arriving with rapid speed, I wanted to share my favorite insider tip on immersing yourself with a new culture with delicious speed: donning a chef’s hat — and taking a cooking class! This used to be something I got to do often for work (I know, such a tough gig and a major perk of working in travel PR) with journalists. We often took them to a new restaurant, hotel or winery where chefs could show off their stuff — and give them an inside look into their operations. It made for great articles… and the perfect way to understand local culture.

Most recently when traveling with my parents and Ben last month, my parents gifted us all with a fun afternoon with the Florence Food & Wine Academy. It was predicted to be a rainy day, so they (smartly) realized we would all be better off indoors. It wasn’t any of our first times to the city, so we didn’t need to spend our days traipsing around the Uffizi Gallery (though if you haven’t been to Florence, go! It’s fabulous — and book your tickets in advance).

We started our morning at Mercado Centrale, the large incredible market in the heart of the city. Here we met up with the group, picked up spices, meats and other needs. Just a hop skip and a jump from the market, we spent the following four hours listening to tales from childhoods spent with nonnas making pasta by hand, tricks on making the best bolognese sauce (mostly meat, minimal tomatoes — it overpowers), drinking chianti and munching happily on bruschetta. We made tiramisu (first so it could set), beef bolognese and ravioli by HAND. We left blissfully full and happy and promptly went back to our room for a cat nap while the rain continued around the city.

If you’re in Firenze, check out the Florence Food & Wine Academy — and if you’re anywhere else in the world look up a cooking class. We just did one in Chiang Mai through our hotel focusing on northern Thai dishes. Londoners, Jamie Oliver’s Recipease has so many classes and if you’re in NYC, you should try the Institute of Culinary Education. Happy cooking! x

April 27, 2015

Spring Rhubarb Scones

Scones are wonderfully delicious and delightfully British treats. Served during proper tea, they come with clotted cream and a variety of jams. Usually though, by the time scones come around during tea I’m feeling full from the smoked salmon sandwiches and pastries so I often just have a bite or two before raising a white flag. Must. get. better. I’d been searching for ways to use the rhubarb I’d recently picked up at Whole Foods (you can find them in practically every grocery store and market this time of year), and realized they would be superb in scones. The tartness from the rhubarb mixed with the slight sugary sweet topping made our breakfast table (yes, breakfast for us! we couldn’t wait) that much more special this weekend. These are great to share too, as it does make about 10 scones. I wrapped some up in clear cellophane and tied it with a spring green velvet ribbon for two of our favorite London friends — a pretty package and a preview of what’s to come!

Kristen’s Rhubarb Scones

3 stalks of fresh rhubarb, trimmed and sliced into quarter-inch pieces
1/2 cup sugar
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
115 grams unsalted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup heavy cream

To make the scones, preheat your oven to 218C/425F. Using parchment paper, line a baking sheet completely, folding any edges to make sure it fits. (You won’t need to use any nonstick spray this way.) In a medium-sized bowl, toss your chopped rhubarb with about 3 tablespoons of sugar. Sift together the flour, 1/4 cup of sugar, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl. Once sifted, add in the butter and cut with a pastry blender. The butter should be in small pieces (about the size of peas) that are easy to mix together and soft. Add in the rhubarb, vanilla and cream. Add paddle attachment to the KitchenAid mixer (or you can use a spatula) and mix together on medium to create the dough.

Add a bit of flour to your hands and surface so the dough is easy to handle. Using your hands knead it together till it’s a giant ball. Transfer the dough to the surface, pat it down to a oval or rectangle about a half inch in thickness. Cut the dough with a knife into about 10 even pieces. Arrange onto the cookie sheet, top each scone with the remaining sugar and bake for about 20 minutes. Enjoy! x

April 25, 2015

Friday Favorites, Saturday Edition

It’s been a busy week in our house that’s left us sort of putting the pieces back together today. We’re catching a few moments of down time (Ben with the Financial Times, me with The Bonfire of the Vanities) before heading to an ’80s fancy dress party with the Junior League of London tonight as the newest transfer from New York. We’ll be channeling two of our favorite looks from the decades we were born in — Ben with all white and a pop of pink for Miami Vice and me in my best Denise Austin workout wear (hopefully mixed with my best teased Christie Brinkley hair), complete with pink legwarmers that I’ll be strutting all over the swanky Beaufort House. x

1. The newest exhibit I’m hoping to scope out at the V&A. (New York Times)

2. Looking for a new book? Bill Gates recommends these in business. (Inc.)

3. Proud of the Kardashian/Jenner clan with these supportive reactions following Bruce’s interview. (PopSugar)

4. These Volvo photos remind me of my childhood (ours were blue and tan with two kids and a sheltie). (Town & Country)

5. If I were in New York for my birthday, a Charlotte Neuville cake would top the wish list. (The Fashion Chef)

April 24, 2015

How to Polish Silver

Next weekend is the Run for the Roses — the perfect excuse for an afternoon-turned-evening of partying in your best pastels, embroidered seersucker pants and of course, beautiful big hats. Though we won’t be heading to Derby ourselves, it has served as the perfect reminder for me to… do a little silver polishing (!). We have a pair of julep cups that need routine maintenance — used more often for flower arranging than consuming the refreshing namesake beverage. This time of year though, they need to be at the ready for containing a cool mix of bourbon, simple syrup, mint and crushed ice (ahhh, springtime).

Silver polishing should really be done at least every six weeks to preserve the shine of your silver or silver-plated wares. I’m guilty of letting this slide (there are always more pressing matters!) but I’m determined to keep ours glistening. It’s really such an easy task — I buffed our pieces back to shining health this morning in under 10 minutes. Using Cape Cod polishing cloths (available online and in practically every hardware store), wipe down the surface of your silver, making sure you get into the grooves or any etching. I had to work a touch harder inside the monogram ‘M’ for the champagne bucket (a favorite wedding present we received). Don’t scrub, especially for silver-plated items. Once your item is completely polished, use a soft cloth, some warm water and a tiny bit of dish soap to gently buff off the polish till it’s shining. Dry the item(s) with an old white cotton t-shirt, and you’re set for your next soiree.

And if you are hosting a preppy party next weekend, my hat is off to you! (We’re waiting for our horse race fill in June with the Royal Ascot.) Consider creating a Mint Julep bar for your guests to create their own concoctions to go along with delicious ham biscuits and chocolate bourbon pecan pie while you watch the greatest two minutes in sports.

Voile! And you can see the t-shirt I used to dry it reflected in the bucket. Now where’s the Rosé Perrier-Jouët..?

Post script. My mom found this incredible polishing method where you essentially turn your kitchen sink into a science lab. By using aluminum foil and baking soda, the tarnish melts off before your very eyes. Before my brother’s engagement party this summer, we cleaned my parents’ silver this way and it worked like a charm. If you have a lot to polish, then this might be the method for you! And let me know how wonderfully it livens up your favorite pieces x

April 20, 2015

The Receiving Line

These days, there are a multitude of ways to get married. Whether you’re in city hall, a cathedral or with the sand between your toes, all you truly need are two people committing to each other for a lifetime. Hopefully, if you choose, you are doing so surrounded by your loved ones to celebrate this sacred life-changing event. If you are so lucky to be amongst your nearest and dearest, it is essential to spend time with each guest. (Your great aunt may have flown for miles to see her only niece be married, and would be crushed if you didn’t greet her with the utmost respect and gratitude for making the trip to your special day.)

It can be done in a variety of ways – greeting guests following the ceremony, going from table to table at your reception during dinner (a popular choice these days), or my personal favorite: the receiving line. After seeing it done so smoothly at a wedding we attended just prior to ours (beautiful Allana and Evan!), we decided a modern receiving line was a must. Held just before dinner towards the end of cocktail hour, we lined up to greet each guest as they moved from the clubhouse to the outdoor verandah for dinner and dancing.

The line included Ben’s parents, my parents, and then us just before guests walked outside. (It used to be the entire bridal party lined up to greet each guest — how tiring! Let your guys and gals have a drink after taking many photos with you and your beau after the ceremony. Ask your parents to do the honors with you, especially if you’re hosting more of a family fête.) The beauty of the receiving line is it can be set up anywhere — when your guests see you lining up, they’ll quickly see to follow suit, and some of your elder guests will remember the days when this was the norm.

It created the perfect platform to hug each guest, graciously thank them for attending and promise a dance together later that night. It alleviated any worries of missing someone and we were able to give our undivided attention, even just for a few moments which is hard to come by on wedding day, to each person. Word to the wise: plan out your time based on the number of guests. It’s so easy to get caught up, so give a hug, a kiss on the cheek and some quick words to follow up if you can later in the night.

Above: a photo of us from our receiving line on our wedding day x

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