We are back in France after a week in London to launch my new book Healthy Eating for Life.
Friends from N-S-E & W–some we hadn’t seen for years–came to Blenheim Crescent in Notting Hill on a rainy night last Thursday and were bemused and happy to meet others they themselves hadn’t seen for ages.
The publishing team from Constable and Robinson were out in force; marshaled by my editor Judith Mitchell they sailed round with plates of nibbles–cooked by resident cook Clara Grace Paul from recipes in my book.
It became more than just a launch party–it was a reunion.
In fact it was a blast!
Even the bookshop seriously underestimating the number of books they’d need in place–(they sold out just over half way through)–didn’t dampen the spirits!
Magician Meredith, the mistress of ceremonies, had surpassed herself–the book was on its way!
Next day I decided to give us/me a treat.
I bought Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi’s newish cookbook.
These two cooks, born on opposite sides in the divided city (one Israeli, the other Palestinian), met in London and have created a revolution in dining and eating.
Their food manages to be sumptuous and simple at the same time–and eminently cookable at home.
On Saturday the treat was extended to lunch at their small restaurant in Islington.
They don’t take bookings so you wait in line;
Forty minutes in our case–but we didn’t mind.
We passed the time staring at the heaving counter of prepared salads, trying to make up our minds what to eat–a mouth watering, morale-boosting exercise!
“Please come forward–we can seat you now”
We’d made our choices–here are mine–and settled down to enjoy our treats.
top left to right: char-grilled broccoli with chili, butter bean hummus with caramalised red onions, green beans and mangetout with red salad leaves, grilled aubergine rounds topped with tahini!
one happy punter sits opposite another!
…and did we!
Robin Ellis 