Date Night Archives - Modern Pineapple

February 25, 2015

Fave Date Night Spots in London

If you’re anything like me, by the time Wednesday rolls around my mind is on weekend plans {cue Hump Day Syndrome}. Those plans include what we’re going to do together around London, and of course, what we’re going to eat. I can’t help it!

Of course, as much as I enjoy entertaining at home, we love going out to dinner. Over the past several months we’ve gathered a few go-to spots for date night, though they’re perfect with friends and visitors too. Here are our top five:

E&O: This cool little spot is always buzzing when we walk in the door, and totally sets the tone for a fun night. E&O is a vibrant, contemporary pan-Asian restaurant that provides quick service {sometimes I’m shocked how fast the food comes out}, delicious cocktails and we’ve loved everything we have ever ordered. Don’t miss: the Chili Salt Squid to start and Black Miso Cod. I’m dreaming of this now…

Le Boudin Blanc: Everything about this rustic, elegant French bistro warms my heart with memories of romantic dinners and many hours spent across the table from my husband in the candlelight. It is one of my favorites in all of London, and still holds the #1 spot for French onion soup {really, it’s so good}. Don’t miss: the French onion soup and creme brûlée.

Modern Pineapple French Onion Soup The fantastic French onion soup at LBB.

Osteria Basilico: Located on Kensington Park Road just across the street from E&O, this little Italian spot makes me feel like we’ve been transported to the Italian countryside with its scrubbed wooden tables and authentic food. It’s always bustling, happy and comforting. My favorite table is downstairs underneath the staircase. Don’t miss: the antipasti and any of the tasty thin crust pizzas.

The Shed: I have to include this place… we live literally a stone’s throw away from the front door! It’s not just the location but how fun it is. Created by three brothers who wanted an extension of their lifestyle in West Sussex, their menu is focused on “nose to tail” cooking and it changes daily. The eclectic farm-inspired interior is charming and quirky. Don’t miss: the Daily Loosener to start your night and anything under Slow Cooking.

West Thirty Six: We just went here last weekend for the first time, and it far exceeded our expectations. Located on Golbourne Road, it really brings that urban grit to its four-story grill house/cocktail joint. W36 just opened a few weeks ago from the team who own Beach Blanket Babylon in Notting Hill, but it won’t be long before it’s a local favorite. Don’t miss: the crab and avocado trifle, rotisserie chicken and the warm apple pie {they serve it straight out of the pie dish at your table!}.

W36’s chicken – it was beyond amazing {this is just the half, come hungry!} and was the first thing we smelled when we walked in the door.

February 15, 2015

A Dining Dream

Last night, my guy and I had, without a doubt, one of the best meals of our lives. The Ledbury needs no introduction around London — located on Ledbury Road in Notting Hill, it’s a two Michelin star spot with innovative seasonal dishes from head chef Brett Graham and deliciously paired wines, set in a classically cool dining room. {I was absolutely in love with the mod chandelier.}

Via Nelson Design

The food and wine were amazing — but what really set the night apart for me was the presentation of every dish {see photos below! I couldn’t resist snapping a few}, and the way we felt relaxed from the moment we stepped in the door. It was the little things — the way our coats were taken so seamlessly (and remembered with no tag), how each wine was meticulously paired to enhance the dish we were about to enjoy, how our water glasses were never empty. It was elegant without being stuffy, beautiful without any pretentiousness.

Our experience at The Ledbury reminded me of my philosophy of celebrating the everyday both beautifully and uncomplicated. A weeknight lasagne dinner for the two of us can become a special Italian evening with Frank Sinatra crooning through my iPhone and a delicious bottle of red decanting on the table. By thinking about how I want the night to feel, and focusing on a few high-impact details, it elevates the entire experience. The Ledbury did that and more — taking every opportunity to make our night special, right down to giving us a printed copy of the menu we had as a memento.

What a special night — and good reminders for celebrating and living well everyday.

A little dark! My handsome date enjoying the first of our four amuse bouches (yes, four!) and rose champagne.

I couldn’t resist sneaking some pics. It was TOO beautiful! I loved the way the china (or wood log as seen above) were paired with the dish.

Fillet of Sea Bass with brassicas, seaweed and sake.

The Raveningham Estate Hare with beetroot, grumolo, olives and rhubarb — the presentation was everything.

February 14, 2015

Sharing the Love

Happy Valentine’s Day! It’s a beautiful, sunny morning here in London and my man is still asleep so I’m sneaking around doing some last minute surprises. I have a few tricks up my sleeve for our first married V-Day {red velvet pancakes in bed! at-home massage via UrbanMassage!} and tonight we’re heading out to dinner at The Ledbury.

If you’re looking for an easy sweet to enjoy, a perfect choice is chocolate-covered strawberries. I made them last night to kick off our weekend, and they were so simple and delicious.

A fun fact about chocolate: in the late 1800s, the Swiss (no surprise) were the first to develop processes for making solid chocolate candy and the process hasn’t changed much since then. Why mess with a good thing?

Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Melting chocolate {I used Valrhona}
10-12 ripe strawberries
Sprinkles

Wash your strawberries and pat dry, then place wax paper onto a baking sheet. (Trick: if the wax paper keeps rolling, just spray some baking spray onto the sheet, and then put down the wax paper. Ta da!) Set both aside.

Cut 6-8 small pieces of chocolate off the melting bar (to make it easier to melt) and place into a small sauce pan on low heat. Stir constantly for about five minutes until completely melted. Dip the strawberries into the melted chocolate till mostly covered. Place onto the wax paper-covered baking sheet. Put on sprinkles immediately so chocolate doesn’t start to harden. Repeat for each berry.

Once all the dipping is done, let the strawberries sit out on the baking sheet for as little as one hour and as many as 3-4 before consuming (if same day!). If you’re waiting to give, after they’ve cooled and hardened, place into a lock-tight container and into the refrigerator.

After an easy Friday night dinner, we poured some wine while watching The Good Wife {obsessed}, and tucked right into these.

My handsome man sampling the strawbs — he approved.

February 7, 2015

Shrimp Tacos for Two

As newlyweds, my husband and I have a lot of at-home date nights. I still like to think of them as entertaining, it’s just for two! We mix it up a lot — I’m lucky my guy is eager to try new things just like me.

I usually look through my cookbooks or Pinterest a few days before, and plan our dinners with enough time to swing by grocery stores. In our neighborhood we have Whole Foods (a total win) and the Kensington Fish Shop, so it’s easy to get everything you need for healthy meals quickly. I usually stock up on staples at Tesco near Notting Hill Gate, or Sainsbury’s on Kensington Church Street. If I’m out and about in Notting Hill, I especially love getting vegetables at Daylesford.

We love Mexican food. I mean, really love Mexican food. We miss good tacos and guacamole and chips and margs all the time (Rosa Mexicano, please open in London!). I recently came across this Chipotle Shrimp Taco recipe [here], and loved making them. I made a few modifications for us — the recipe below. Just add a Corona or margarita, and you’ve got a delicious fiesta for two.

Chipotle Shrimp Tacos

Chipotle Lime Cream (Sauce for the tacos)
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 tablespoon lime juice
1/2 teaspoon taco seasoning
Salt to taste

Chipotle Shrimp
3/4 lb (340 grams) fresh shrimp or prawns, peeled and deveined
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon taco seasoning
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons olive oil
4 taco shells
Avocado
Shredded lettuce
Salsa

For the Chipotle Lime Cream, mix together the sour cream, lime juice and taco seasoning in a small bowl. Season to taste with salt and store in the fridge until ready to use.

For the Chipotle Shrimp, wash, devein and peel your shrimp or prawns. Mix together the dry ingredients (chili powder, taco seasoning and salt) in a bowl. Let shrimp sit marinating for about 30 minutes. Then pour the olive oil in a nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook until pink, about 5 minutes. In the interim, heat the taco shells in the oven at 350 F (177 C) for just a few minutes till warm.

Once shrimp are cooked, serve with salsa, shredded lettuce, and avocado. They’re spicy and so, so good. Dig in!

I love fighting off the winter blues with a pretty blue and white table, a classic combination.