Sometimes you come across something in London to do with food that is so divine, it feels like a religious experience. You want to tell everyone you know; you feel this urge to do their marketing, so you can personally help them stay in business. Here are some things that make Nadia feel that way…
Tartufaia at Borough Market
Borough Market is no secret to London foodies, but if you have never been, prepare to feel like you have died and gone to heaven. Sure, France, Spain and Italy have great food markets, but where can you find French patisserie, Spanish olive oil, Italian truffles and a host of treasures from other lands all in the same market?
About 2 years ago, Mario and Francesco Prati brought their delicacies to Borough Market. They have a variety of things infused with truffle oil, but my absolute favourites are the white truffle oil and the truffle honey (with truffle shavings suspended in the golden syrup), which you can spread on bread with some cheese on top-- it is simply beyond.
Since the market has had to close part of its original space for transport works, Tartufaia has moved to the new zone. When there, just ask a stallkeeper to point you in the direction of where the stalls that got moved have gone to!
Monmouth Coffee Company
This is simply the best coffee in London. Forget the burnt taste of a certain multinational I won’t bother to name; this is delicious, fresh, aromatic pleasure for each and every morning. I personally don’t drink caffeine, but not to worry! Monmouth has decaffeinated coffee using the Swiss Water Process (which means no chemicals are used: to understand this, click here).
A testament to their dedication to coffee is that they source the coffee themselves from single farms, estates and cooperatives around the world. They also serve only coffee with various forms of milk, if requested—but no mocha or hot chocolate. I also like that you can buy Vichy Catalan there, a salty sparkling spring water from Spain that is quite hard to find anywhere else!
Have a fantastic cup of coffee at one of Monmouth’s shops, either in Borough Market or on Monmouth Street in Covent Garden (off the Seven Dials), and take some home with you for later!
L’Artisan du Chocolat
L’Artisan du Chocolat makes buying the most beautiful and delicious fresh chocolate as easy as pie. If their flagship location at 89 Lower Sloane Street is not exactly on your beaten path, you can now pop into Selfridges to sample their delights (as well as their divine properly thick hot chocolate, available by the cup with a chocolate of your choice). Or you can shop online through their website.
L’Artisan du Chocolat make a variety of chocolates, but what holds the most allure for me is their Couture Collection, available in several box sizes which give you an opportunity to try the dozens of flavours they have on offer, such as jasmin tea, red wine and basil and lime.
Seasoned Pioneers
A wonderful way to buy your spices, this site has more or less anything any recipe you have could call for. Because they are packaged in air-tight, resealable, reflective pouches, the spices inside are protected from light, one of the enemies of dried spice flavour. And you can order online, with very reasonable shipping costs, even if you’re ordering very little. Two spices can be sent to you for around £2 shipping, for example.
