I normally keep my edamame simple. I like them boiled and salted as a healthy accompaniment to drinks. However, this charming book by Wataru Yokota has provided a reliable, easy and exceptionally tasty recipe which I’ve also served with martinis. The Real Japanese Izakaya Cookbook has a range of simple recipes with beautiful photography for making very tasty drinking food. Izakaya are Japanese drinking dens … Continue reading Steam-fried Edamame
This is another episode of “what intriguing martini snacks can we find in the Chinese Supermarket?” All credit to Longdan on the Walworth Road in South London for regularly mixing up their offerings to keep us delighted with new mouth sensations. As soon as I saw this one, I knew I had to try it. I love most forms of roe but am also aware … Continue reading Crab Roe Flavoured Broadbeans
A (non-scientific) experiment to deduce the quality of locally procured wasabi peas to accompany my martini. Pending academic peer review. Continue reading A Martini with Wasabi Peas
Edamame or soy beans served lightly boiled and salted in their pods are a traditional drinking snack from Japan and they go beautifully with a martini. They’re even healthy! Continue reading Edamame for your Martini
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
I’m just going to leave this here… What could be easier than olives and cheese-stuffed peppers that you picked up at the shops on the way home? I particularly like the colour contrast of these two. Oh and the taste. You can’t go wrong with the lemony-buttery taste of Nocellara olive flesh, while the soft creamy cheese paired very indulgently with the sweet piccante … Continue reading More martini snacks and canapes
I don’t want to recommend this restaurant. It’s lovely, tasty, friendly and authentic: the perfect Izakaya in a London setting. But when I visited, it was rather quiet. And I loved it. Located in the heart of London’s theatre district, I expected it to be mobbed on a Saturday evening, but there were no other diners when we arrived. We had the undivided attention of … Continue reading A Martini at Yumi, Soho, 4/5
An Izakaya is essentially a type of Japanese pub that specialises in food to accompany drinks. It’s basically my favourite type of drinks setting. I love the post-work, instantly friendly and relaxed atmosphere, completely free of pretension. Comparable to Spanish tapas or Turkish meze, the Izakaya-way is healthier than simply guzzling down a bucket of booze before staggering off for some fish and chips or … Continue reading Martini Izakaya Dishes
Roka: 4/5 Roka is a lovely Japanese bar/restaurant with a couple of branches in London. I’m not here to review the food, I’m here to review the martini. They had a beautiful array of sakes, shochu and cocktails but with a very slight nudge their martinis could make this place out of this world: They don’t keep the gin/vodka and glasses in the freezer. That’s … Continue reading Roka Bar could rock my world with one small adjustment: 4/5
The Martini Socialist 