Introducing the Loo Series...

Yes, it seems I have a thing for loos, specifically their decor.  Remember those fancy-pants ones at One Marylebone?  Well this weekend I spotted a trend when I found myself snapping pictures of the decor of the loos in the new Flat Iron in Covent Garden.

We'd had a busy day in town Sunday. MOH had run in the 10k Winter Run and then we'd popped up to the Alessi store to buy some new tableware. Well after all of that, and despite the croissant in Paul, we were both rather peckish, so we headed over to the new Flat Iron in Covent Garden with the hope that there wouldn't be a queue longer than all of our arms put together.

We were in luck, there wasn't a queue at all and we were quickly shown to our table. The menu there is fairly easy to navigate - flat iron steaks, house salad are de rigeur and along with some fries and a side dish of green veg, I'm easily sorted. So leaving these instructions with MOH I headed off to find the toilets - coffee and a pint of beer, followed by lots of walking necessitated a visit.

There wasn't a queue there either, and just as well really or else I'd have looked a right oddball taking these pictures. 

At first I was struck by the funkiness - and well let's be honest, the hardware shop approach, to the taps. They worked well with the trough sink - there were four taps along the length of the sink. And then I took more time to take in my surroundings and they were quite something.

The colour of the tiles for one. Gorgeous aren't they?

A wire basket for hand towels.

And the cubicle doors were great too.  It's not the best photo as well, I hadn't really expected to find myself taking these pictures but with an empty ladies and one looking so funky I just had to.

Remembering the real reason we were in the restaurant - yes to eat - I eventually went back upstairs and arrived back at the table to MOH's questioning look. I'm still not sure he totally got it, even when I showed him the photos - maybe one day when I'm angling for copper pipe taps in a bathroom of ours he'll click, maybe not.

Anyway it's not just the loos at Flat Iron that are fab, the restaurant's decor is pretty cool too. It clicked for me as it mixes old and new so well, something I'd love to be able to do more of at home. Just look at this floor.

And the tiles in the window (to the right of the picture). I'm including this picture because, the blocks are actually bars of chocolate. You can just see some shavings in the foreground, when we left we left with an ice cream rolled in this chocolate - it was heavenly.

So back at the table, with steaks and wine ordered I was still enthusing about the loos. That is until I saw the light above our table...

Yes, wow. Just wow.

A great place. The decor's a mix of modern and reclaimed with a hint of quirky. And the steaks are good too. If you're in Covent Garden stop in, but be prepared to queue.  The worst that can happen is a cocktail while you're waiting - if anyone asks, tell them I said it's the rules!

And the next time I find some fancy loos, I'll be sure to share them with you!

Some shiny Alessi table accessories

On Sunday after enjoying a celebratory pint with MOH following his 10k run we took advantage of being in town and headed off to the Alessi flagship store for a spot of shopping. Well it would have been rude not to. 

You see, with a new table on the way we decided we wanted some new table accessories. Our new table is white glass, so we wanted something equally modern - but still practical - to show it off and after some pre-shopping internet browsing soon settled on something chrome. 

It's very likely - given our current behaviour - that we'll leave a couple of coasters on the table at all times, so we wanted some that we'd be proud to leave there. We left the Alessi store with these:

They were a bit of a bargain. They were only two in the shop and both were ex-display, so we were offered - and accepted - a discount on these.

That was handy as we hadn't finished selecting our purchases just yet.

We were also keen to buy some kind of centrepiece. We often have fruit on the table but wanted an upgrade to our Denby bowl that we currently use. There's nothing wrong with it, but a new table called for something else.

And while we wanted something practical - to put fruit in still - I didn't want another bowl to store somewhere when it wasn't in use. This Blow Up Basket (which doesn't blow up at all) was perfect for us. 

I haven't unpacked it yet, so you'll have to make do with a picture of the box!  With fruit in it's a fruit bowl. And without fruit it's a kind of modern art sculpture. Perfect.

And I finally got around to buying the trivet I've been lusting after since I saw it at the Christmas in July event I went to, erm last July.

It really is very clever as it'll fit any size dish - you just place the knobbly, jack-like pieces so they fit under your dish.

And yes, the man in the shop knew what I meant when I asked for the Jacks trivet - he had to explain it to his assistant after we left. In case you're struggling with the Jacks comparison, take a look here.

So a successful trip, and we managed to leave the shop without looking at the cutlery or buying one of their iconic juicers. Although for the latter it was a very close call...

I think MOH was expecting to also leave with some new place mats. And while I don't like to disappoint we already have two sets and really don't need another. I do have a plan though for giving one set a bit of a revamp. I think I should have enough time before the table and chairs arrive to put that plan into action.

Until then, I think I'm done with table-related shopping.

Can you hear MOH sigh with relief?

You can't beat a good book...

I think that statement is true at any time of the year, but at Christmas I think it's especially so. For me Christmas Day wouldn't be complete without some time in the afternoon with my nose in a new book. Thankfully my family know this (and don't mind!) and this Christmas I had a few books to choose from.  

So for this month's Papery Peep, I thought I'd share those.  

1. Where Chefs Eat

First up is a guide to restaurants in and out of London and yes, its USP is that the restaurants have been recommended by chefs. It's a good reference book, but of course is subjective as while restaurants strive for the same level of service each night, at times it does differ, hopefully not too much though.

I thought I'd check to see what it said about Polpo, a favourite of ours and a relative of Polpette which we ducked into when the crowds at Lumiere London got too much.  

Polpo is recommended by Marcus Eaves, Shaun Hill and Bryn Williams, and while you may not immediately recognise any of these names (sorry boys!) they are responsible for restaurants such as Pied à Terre,  The Walnut Tree Inn and Odette's as well as appearances on Great British Chefs and Saturday Kitchen. 

Marcus says "I'm a massive fan of this place and its emphasis on simply great food in a chilled-out, stripped-back environment. Polpo opened in 2009 and it's still one of the hottest tables in London" - I definitely agree with him there. 

2. 20 Fabric Flowers in the Twenty to Make series

A change in genre for my next book 20 Fabric Flowers in the Twenty to Make series. In the past few months I've grown to love textile flowers, incorporating them on my new woolly scarf and on gift tags at Christmas.

I was looking to buy myself one to pin onto my flower-less clothes, when I realised I could probably make my own, so this book was an inspired choice. 

I've not progressed past flicking through the images yet, but the year is young!  And I suspect that once I start and find a design that I like I'll be blooming all over...

3. A colouring book!

Yes finally I've joined the colouring revolution and I'm looking forward to not going over the lines on these gorgeous animals... 

4. A year of good eating

But the real jewel for me this Christmas was the latest Nigel Slater diary-style book. This one is the one I struggled to take my nose out of, even for a turkey sandwich and a slice of Christmas cake.

It's as good as both of his previous Kitchen Diaries and while I am a huge Nigel fan (you may have guessed) I'd recommend this book to anyone that likes food.  

I'm only up to June 8th, but it's a good year already.

I don't know about you but with these types of books I always check what's in the entry for my birthday. In this book there's Rose and almond shortbread on that day, which is most acceptable.

Well done Nigel!  

Now I wonder if he'll pop over and cook it for me...

So there's a roundup of the paper in my life from the past month, what about in yours?