Around Notting Hill

Swalk Salon blow dry

I’ve visited blow dry bars before but I’ve never been as happy as I was last week when I had it done at Swalk Salon on Portobello Road. Akiela listens to you and understands exactly what it is that you’re after. My hair looked so full and sexy and I felt so confident that night, it’s amazing what a difference good hair can do. So if you got a big date coming up or a fun night out with the girls, make sure you drop by Swalk and get Akiela to do your hair. I can’t recommend her enough.

Friday 3rd May 2013 | 3 comments | Category: Around Notting Hill, Beauty and Health | Tags: Akiela Peters, blow dry, hair, London, notting hill, Portobello road, Swalk Salon

Review of Cote Brasserie

When I relaunched the blog I added the category “Around Notting Hill”. This is for people visiting London but also those already living here looking discover new gems in our city. I will be reviewing resturants, bars, beauty salons and more. Most of them will be around Notting Hill area, some elsewhere in central London. My reviews will be based on my own experiences and I promise to be unbiased. So let’s start with the first review in this category:

Cote Brasserie is a British owned chain of French-style bistros. It mirrors the trend in Paris where locals are turning away from over complicated cooking and returning to the basics of French cuisine. Cote promises classic dishes such as steak frites, corn fed chicken, chargrilled fresh tuna steak and more at medium prices. The chain that won the Good Food Guide award for “Best Value Restaurant in the UK for 2009, is open all day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

I visited the Westbourne Grove branch for lunch. They do a great set menu during the weekdays between 12-7pm: 2 courses for £9.95 or – 3 courses for £11.90. I ordered the steak frites for main and Creme Brulee for desert and I was delighted with my choice. The food was absolutely delicious and desert to die for. The bistro has a lovely atmosphere. The only thing I wasn’t happy with was the service. The girl serving us had such an attitude and it took her forever to get our order. Perhaps this was a one-off, I am willing to find out only because the food was so good.

Wednesday 23rd November 2011 | 7 comments | Category: Around Notting Hill, Reviews | Tags: bistro, branch, chain, Cote Brasserie, Creme brulee, desert, french, frites, Good Food Award, restaurant, review, revuew, set menu, steak, Westbourne Grove

Persian food

Persian cuisine is without a doubt one of the best, and I’m not just saying that because of my Persian roots. It’s simply delicious. It doesn’t taste anything like Lebanese or Turkish food, the reason I say this is that some people think all Middle Eastern food is the same. The best thing about the Persian cuisine is how diverse it is and healthy, spiced with herbs and fruits such as plums, pomegranates, prunes, apricots etc.

I can go on and on about my favourite dishes such as Khoreshte Bademjoon or Zereshk pollo ba morgh but it won’t make sense unless you actually try it. So my lovelies, if you do one thing this weekend, let that be trying Persian food :)

If you happen to live in London then I have to share my latest discovery with you. I have been to every single Persian restaurant in London and there are many. The best one so far is a new place that opened up on Portobello road a few months back called Anar (it means pomegranate). I am delighted since I live only a short walk away from this place. The restaurant has outdoor serving which is great for the summer and they have alcohol licence. The staff is super friendly and the decor is beautiful. The menu has something for everyone and the food is absolutely delicious. Best part is that they do home delivery in case you are too lazy to leave your house. Here are some photos from out last visit there.