Onigiri are like a Japanese equivalent of a sandwich, consisting of rice, mixed with certain ingredients and then shaped, often into triangles. They can last up to three days (although this can depend on the ingredients and amount of salt and they are usually best eaten within 24 hours). They are often used in packed lunches or eaten at picnics. They are satisfying, tasty and … Continue reading Mini Onigiri to serve with Martinis
Caviar in almost all of its forms goes very well with a martini. Sea urchin is one example – although it’s not to everyone’s taste. It is very much a delicacy in Japan, where it is known as uni (うに) but it is not as widely consumed or farmed in the West. It is creamy and rich with a slightly pungent aftertaste. You can get … Continue reading Sea Urchin Caviar
My friends Gerry and Ko have set up a popup restaurant in south London, showcasing their creative talent and delicious food. The event took place in the London Cooking Project, a community-run culinary initiative in Battersea aimed at fostering budding catering talent in the area. We signed up and were provided with this tantalising menu. During a fairly manic pre-Christmas week it was lovely to … Continue reading French meets Japan supper club at Mirey’s Restaurant
If you’re wondering about what snacks to serve with a martini, you will find endless inspiration in the world of Izakaya. Izakaya can be roughly described as relaxed and usually low-cost Japanese gastro-pubs. I have written about them quite a bit before, mainly because of their warm atmosphere and inspiring array of tasty menu items that go very well with a martini. Quite a lot … Continue reading Even more Izakaya food
These sound fancy but they were quite easy to put together and can be made in advance, so they’re easy to serve if you’re having a party. Get about one scallop per guest (or two if you want to make it a more substantial dish than just a canapé). I love scallops. My dad was a scallop diver so they’ve never been far away from … Continue reading Chilled scallop canapés with smoked paprika, seaweed-butter and lime
I recently enjoyed a discovery taster menu at the beautiful Michelin-starred Greenhouse restaurant in London’s Mayfair area. I didn’t have any martinis as I didn’t want to spoil my palette before the dining extravaganza but the setting was beautiful, the food utterly inspiring and the service convivial and professional; in-depth but relaxed. What a treat! It certainly set my martini-obsessed brain into overload thinking of … Continue reading Fusion Food: Seaweed Butter for Martini Canapés
This is one of my favourite places in the world. Oyster happy hour is a must! I’ve previously mentioned how well seafood goes with a martini, especially the simplistically delicate oyster, so a bar/restaurant that specialises in briny goodness was always going to get me excited. However, I’ve got to focus on the martini and not get too ahead of myself. Using my martini rating … Continue reading The Mermaid Inn, NYC 4.5/5
Several months ago, my auntie suggested that we hold a popup martini bar in our family restaurant. The venue is the Gallery, on the Main Street of Tobermory on the Isle of Mull (a beautiful and friendly Hebridean Island in Argyll, western Scotland). We thought about the idea for a while but it remained firmly in the land of fantasy for quite some time. Then, … Continue reading The Popup Martini Bar
As I’ve previously mentioned, I love Izakaya culture. So here are some more izakaya-inspired dishes to accompany a martini. This is very simple: grill sweet potato in oil with a sprinkling of salt until ready. I was drinking a martini when I made this so I can’t remember how long it was in the oven for. 20 minutes? Who knows. There’s a reason … Continue reading More Izakaya dishes
I drifted into borough market the other day and found myself standing in front of a fishmonger’s counter staring at all the produce. I couldn’t leave empty handed and suddenly felt a craving for salty, briny oysters so I bought a handful.I’ve made a martini with oysters before (you can see the blog post here). This time, though, I was inspired by a story I’d … Continue reading A Martini with Crushed Oyster Shell
The Martini Socialist 