Where to go: Brighton - SILO

The pre-industrial food system that generates zero waste, uses products in their rawest form at the same time as creating delicious food. Introducing Brighton's greenest new haunt - SILO...

Wondering the North Laines the other day in search of something chocolaty I was lured into SILO, a new restaurant, bakery and coffee house in Upper Gardner Street with a beckoning display of goods in the front window. Fresh artisan breads, cakes, bakes, slices you name it - they have it, and all with that charming homemade look about them. I went for the hot chocolate, taste wise this place delivers a good hot chocolate, thick, creamy melted chocolate consistency - size wise though I could have definitely polished off at least two.

The menu looked as if it was packed with creative dishes and after a little research I discovered SILO locally sources all the ingredients used in their kitchens, they even mill their own flour, they rely on a network of ethical farmers, growers, tea merchants, the list is endless. All combine to create this very modern take on eating out.

The restaurant vibe is similar to that of places found in Brick Lane, the place is buzzing with tables packed with bearded twenty somethings all with their laptops spread all over the tables. The decor is very Pinterest worthy with chalkboards everywhere, exposed white bricks and the menus projected all over the walls.  We had to go away and do a little shopping before there was even a free table so definitely popular since its opening.


Will you be checking out SILO?

Simple Breakfast Ideas

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so here are two simple easy to rustle up recipes for you to sink your teeth into...

Up first is my favourite of the two - One cup pancakes, a classic Jamie Oliver recipe that requires no measuring, all you need is a mug. Here are the deets -
One cup of self raising flour
One cup of milk - you can use skimmed if you're being health conscious.
One large egg
Whisk the three ingredients well and heat a non stick frying pan, use a ladle to spoon the mixture into the pan, wait until you see little bubbles appearing on the batter and then flip over, cook for the same amount of time on the other side and you are done, this recipe makes a lot, definitely enough for two hungry people at breakfast time. I served mine with sliced banana and agave syrup and it was delicious.

Next is a real basic - scrambled eggs, this is definitely more of a mid week breakfast as it is super healthy and leaves you feeling full until lunchtime, I served mine with crispbread. All you need is -
Two eggs
One tablespoon of ketchup
A sprinkling of black pepper
A small hand full of spinach
Break the eggs into a bowl and whisk together, add the spinach, heat a non stick frying pan and add a little butter, next pour the mixture into the pan leaving it to cook for about thirty seconds, then slowly stir the mixture using a wooden spoon making sure the eggs are all cooked. Take off the heat and serve, easy! Top with your ketchup and sprinkle on the black pepper for added flavour.

What are your favourite recipes for breakfast time?

Where To Eat: Brighton - The Creperie

When it comes to finding nice places to eat in Brighton it is hardly a struggle, The Creperie is one of Brighton's little gems that still feels somewhat undiscovered...

Nestled right along the coastline near the iconic Pier it is in the perfect setting when you are in the mood for a seaside snack, whether you are after something sweet or savoury this is the place to be. The menu was created by Karen Samuel and is packed with mouth watering delights like sweet crepes, waffles with chocolate and fruit, there is also a wide range of gelato and sorbet and some seriously delicious savoury dishes like the Mediterranean crepe filled with roasted vegetables including courgette, aubergines and peppers. On my most recent visit I chose the 'Soft and Mallow' sweet crepe - a freshly made soft crepe filled with white chocolate and baby marshmallows that had melted and turned into a truly tasty gooey mess - definitely one I recommend!  

The décor is also one of the reasons it is one of my favourite places in Brighton, it is a classic mix of French and English, filled with vintage enamel wear and cookery books filling the shelves behind the seating area.

Next time your visiting Brighton go and check out The Creperie, you won't be disappointed!

The Lifestyle Edit - Camden

Churros, Crystals and Cheap Jewellery... It could only be Camden...

A trip to London wouldn't be complete without stopping off in my favourite part of the capital - Camden. The street food alone is enough to entice anyone in but the vintage shops and stalls are some of my favourite places to pick up a second hand gem or two. This particular evening we hung out at the Electric Ballroom to see Fat White Family play.. they were insane by the way and the performance left the lead singer needing throat surgery - need I say more! 

We also stopped off at The Diner for a bite to eat but that really deserves a post all of it's own.

Pick Your Own Record Night

Vintage vinyls, iced coffee, homemade cake, and sparkling wine... Perfect evening? And I forgot to mention the best chips in town...

The Thieves Kitchen is nestled in Warwick Street, Worthing, by day this cafe is packed and with afternoon tea on the menu and a juice bar it is no surprise, by night however this little gem turns into the perfect spot to grab a drink with friends and listen to some amazing music. A few weeks ago I went along to a 'play your own record night' with as many of our records as Luca and I could carry. The DJ also had an extensive collection of vinyls spanning across the decades including hits from the 50's and 60's and soundtracks from films like Pulp Fiction and Grease.

The Smiths, The White Stripes and The New York Dolls were all popular selections as well as more obscure records. We ended the night dancing (and singing rather loudly) to Summer Loving so as you can imagine it was a pretty perfect evening.

Have you been to The Thieves Kitchen yet?

Brighton - JB's American Diner

Where to eat in Brighton featuring JB's American Diner

When I want a good burger there is really no place better than JB's American diner, situated right on Brighton's seafront it couldn't be better located. The interior is classically American with flags, neon lights and memorabilia from the 50's and 60's, seriously it couldn't be any cooler if it tried. Background music consists of Elvis, Johnny Cash and just about any hit produced by Phil Spector.

The food is of course delicious, the portions are super size so if your hungry this is the place to be. Burgers can be topped with just about any added extra from chili con carne to rashers upon rashers of perfectly cooked bacon. I went for the Foot Long Hot Dog completed with chili and cheese and of course fries. If your still feeling a little peckish then turn your attention to the pudding menu, complete with American desserts such as Pancakes with berry compote, the best thing on the menu in my opinion though is the milkshakes, the selection is fabulous, Milky Bar, Mint Chocolate, Fudge... you name it they have got it.

Have you been to JB's Diner yet?

Brighton Food Festival

At weekend we headed down to the Brighton Food Festival on the seafront, the weather was perfection, I even caught the sun a little on my forehead - not a good look. The entry fee was £6 and it was full of the most amazing food from steak baguettes to jerk chicken, I got the most amazing burrito for lunch as well as some ginger bread cake, there was lots of different food to try as well as plenty of drinks including frozen cocktails and healthy juice bars. Lots of people took picnic blankets so that could relax in the sun. The whole place just had a really good atmosphere with live musical performances as well as talks and demonstrations by winners of shows like The Great British Bake Off and Masterchef, we couldn't resist a photo opp with John Whaite, winner of the 2012 GBBO. He was doing a demonstration on making caramelized onion flat bread that looked delicious.

The Brighton Festival goes on until the end of May I think, there are lots of interesting things to go and see like theater performances, art exhibitions, films etc and lots of them are free. Think we will definitely be going back to The Food Festival next year!