Ten things we did in Madrid

Not in any particular order of preference, but I thoroughly loved Madrid and we both agreed that we would go back one day, just to stroll down the romantic streets to the tunes of the many talented street peddlers of Madrid.

Hide from the blazing Madrileno summer heat in the greens of Jardin Botanico & Parque del Buen Retiro

Just eat, drink & be merry at mercado de san miguel

Visit Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida for a peek into Goya's genius

Embrace Plaza Santa Ana & Plaza Mayor at twilight and into the dusk

And then wake up to Breakfast at Jardines de Sabatini

Indulge in bar hopping for Pintxos, tapas & racions at La Latina

Take a romantic stroll in the Plaza de Oriente at the Palacio Real de Madrid to the strumming of an ethereal harp

Jamon it up! Of the iberico variety if you can. Definitely visit the Museo del Jamon for cheap-as-chips options

Feel the Cantaor's passion with a Flamenco show

Get to know crazy modern Dali at one of the city's Golden Arte Triangle - Reina Sofia

Street art in London

Not quite Banksy material but touring through Shoreditch, Camden and Angel, we came across these beauts

























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Dinner by Heston Blumenthal

Losing myself in the suspended black pineapple behind the counter whilst waiting to be greeted at the front. I couldn't believe it. After yonks of watching his extremely talented cooking in bewilderment, here we are standing minutes away from tasting his ingenious creations.

 Yes, we were at the Mandarin Oriental, the very accessible Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.

I waited for my table at the bar, sipping at my elegant Pink Folder, a cocktail that had pomegranate seeds, gin and champagne. All the makings of a fine pre-dinner cocktail by my books. And plenty soothing after a difficult day of denying myself some awesome bargains from the Harvey Nichols sale just across the road.

We'd eventually migrated from the bar to my table and was delighted to take in the elegant dark wood and leather chairs surroundings whilst waiting for Mr.HEA to arrive. The waiters were very attentive and kept light chatter going to keep me company.

Bread and butter

 Delightful crusty bread with churned butter that was so soft to spread and everything yellow butter should taste like, kick started our meal.

I stopped chewing on the bread because I knew we had this starter coming. The meat fruit was a dish from a time when dinner hosts enjoyed playing tricks on their party guests. As you might be familiar with, the Mandarin wasn't actually fruit. This Meat fruit was a deliciously encased (Mandarin infused jelly peel) buttery and light chicken liver & foie gras parfait that would spread richly across the grilled bread that you eat with it. Such richness in flavour and the sinful oily bread made this dish both delightful and 'unbearable' to devour. I am glad that I refrained from ordering two starters as no way would I have been able to finish this entirely on its own.

Inside the Meat Fruit

Cod in Cider was my main of choice. I thought it aptly paired with the Vouvray I picked. Think flakes of smooth firm cod swimming in a buttery sauce with elegant mussels to punctuate the delicate flavours of the fish dish.

Mr. HEA selected the spiced pigeon, to which the waiter exclaimed was an excellent choice, warning that it will come deliciously pink. And melt in your mouth goodness might not have been promised, but this fowl was cooked to such tenderness that Mr.HEA did not leave a single morsel on the plate. Mind you though, they provided an extra beaker of sauce (Manu Fiedel would have been proud) and that wasn't touched, as it wasn't necessary to add anymore moisture or flavour to the bird.

 We chickened out of two desserts because the dishes do seem rather rich, but we both couldn't go far beyond the first dessert labelled - Tipsy cake. A fluffy brioche drenched in brandy and sweet syrupy liquids, served up with a slice of spiced and glazed spit roasted pineapple (Check the spit roasts visuals below!). Mr.HEA and I fought civilly for the fifth portion of this dish to the amusement of our waiter. It doesn't divide up well between two people and yes it is sickly sweet but so enticing that one can't help oneself when this is placed in front of them.

We were about to leave. Deliriously satisfied with the not overly expensive yet extremely indulgent meal when they brought out an after dinner chaser of Earl grey infused chocolate pots with a caraway biscuit soldier.

Perhaps to make up for the fact that we passed on the amazing liquid nitrogen ice cream for the night? (Mr. HEA exclaims he has seen the theatrics before and wasn't too fussed about missing out) Ah well... I'd reserve it for our next visit.

Because of course there will be a next time. Mr. HEA just doesn't know it yet.

Polo in the park

 In the early months of June, the English celebrate an old tradition, Polo finals at Hurlingham Park. A rather festive occasion with loads of beautifully dressed preppy people, Pommery Champagne aflow and the highly skilful horse riding skills on display.

En Route to Polo in the Park after brunch at Putney

Check out the Treasure Chest drink!

Driving the Lance through the Rings. No mean feat for these Knights of Hurlingham

Real life Jousting on display as part of the pre-game entertainment

Perhaps you'd like to bring some of the Polo-isms back into your lounge room?

Wasn't sure if you'd be interested, but this was my Outfit for the day. The Jacket was mandatory as the sun forgot to come out to play, but I absolutely adored this Thurley Maxi and can't wait to wear it again.

Now for some Polo action!

Spectators help turn the grass back during half time, readying it for the next half of action.

Spectacular game and it did get rather close towards the end. We left before the Sydney vs Abu Dhabi game though, it was too cold and my jet lagged self had enjoyed one too many champagnes. Not before  we bagged the Stella Artois chalices that they were giving out as gift bags though, a small thank you for attending Mint Polo in the Park 2013.

Brasserie Zedel in Soho London

This place is absolutely unbelievable and ticks all boxes for a fun night out. Good food, affordable. Excellent atmosphere and great service.

But let me back up a bit and start all over again with the introductions.

A bunch of friends booked a booth to catch up in on a Monday night. After all, this resident tourist was in town and what better excuse to eat French food in Soho London?

We were taken aback when we walked in the tiny space and taken to the entrance:

And it opens up to this gorgeous chandelier

And further into the Brasserie!

We were ravenous by this point, despite the deceiving evening bright skies of London's summer, it was already past eight p.m. and so we skipped right to the mains. Thankfully the food arrives quickly. And trust me, even if you know the food isn't made to order because they arrived so soon, they tasted delish to the very last morsel and everything was perfectly cooked.

Confit de Canard aux Lentilles du Puy
confit of duck with braised puy lentils 

 Falling off the bone but full of flavour this duck is definitely the best duck confit one could ever wish for.

Bœuf Bourguignon

 Comforting beef goodness, this dish makes you remember every nanna's meal you've ever had at the old kitchen table doted upon lovingly by your cheerful grandma.

Onglet Grillé, Confit d’Échalote 
grilled hanger steak with shallots and a red wine sauce 

You take the Boef Bourginon and you think, oh yeah they do beef well here, but my you haven't tasted their steak yet. Whilst the previous dish is hearty and comforting and this one comes looking bloody like a roo steak, the medium rare hanger steak is perfect in its texture and absolutely divine to eat. This was my dish for the night.

A Glass of merlot with a side of Pommes Frite

We were told to save room for desserts and so we each ordered one. You won't regret it. They are worth every pound spent and nothing was left on the plates after.

Bavarois à la Vanille et Fraise 

Millefeuille à la Vanille 

Crème Brûlée 

GâteauOpéra

Delicious Strawberry and Cream, delicate wafer layers of Millefeuille, bitter sweet Opera cake layers and a rich creamy creme brûlée sends us all into a happy place and I had to beg to leave before I slip into the depths of a jet-lagged food coma and embarrass myself in the booth. 

 You know the food wasn't even terribly expensive. We spent GBP30 each and that was for wine and two courses. Definitely a favourite haunt potential if I lived in London.