After a quick visit with Rembrandt and Van Gogh this evening, the Dessert Club went to dinner at Satsuma then headed over to London’s financial district to sample the Chocolate Fondant (aka Lava Cake) at Coq d’Argent.

They were no longer seating for dinner but after a bit of discussion with the hostess, (”we came all the way from San Francisco for your Fondant!”) they let us come in for dessert.

The cake was plated nicely and was rich with the requisite chocolate gooeyness but had a slightly doughy aftertaste which puts it firmly in the “tasty but not the second coming of JC” category.

Though the fondant itself wasn’t particularly memorable, I very much enjoyed a pleasantly sip-able glass of Tokaji, a Hungarian dessert wine I’d never tried before. It was fruity without being cloying, reminscent of a less potent Sauternes. Alas, being sleepy, tired and ever so slightly jet-lagged, I did not take the name of the maker or vintage.

Details…………..
Coq d’Argent
No1. Poultry (really!)
London EC2R 8EJ
Tel: 020 7395 5000

I’m back in London for work but I have to admit something to you. I’ve fallen in love.

I finally made it to the National Gallery today. I have been meaning to for awhile since it’s so close to my hotel and as it was otherwise drizzly and grey it seemed like a perfect day to spend in a museum. After wandering the many intersecting halls, I became completely riveted by the Van Gogh’s in Room 45.

I never really “got” Van Gogh before, wasn’t a fan, didn’t really see anything particularly special about his paintings. But perhaps that’s because I never saw them in real life and up close before. Seeing his paintings in person (within sneezing distance!) with its vivid thick active palette knife work was a visceral experience that was completely mesmerizing. His work is like a 3-dimensional visual manifestation of emotion that made me feel alive, joyful, manic and full of wonder. Two Crabs actually made me want to want to laugh out loud, the colors were so glorious and the layering and palette/brush work was just so precise.

Floating away from the Van Gogh’s on a complete and utter high, I came across the Rembrandt’s. And fell head over heels in love with his Self Portrait at 63. I feel disturbed and almost embarrased to look at him - long dead but painting himself to be remembered as he was. Not a great artist, but a flawed old man with tired, crinkled eyes, bulbous nose, the large almost clumsy looking hands folded.

Like the Van Gogh, Rembrandt’s paintings rejuvenate me because of my emotional response to the art. I feel a new awareness that I’m alive and how precious that simple fact is.

Seeing these more modern (compared to ancient) works have whetted my appetite to visit the British Museum again. I’ve been dreading and feeling almost oppressed by the monolith that is the BM but now I can’t wait to return after all these years. And I’m greatly looking forward to returning to the Nat Gallery for another visit later this week.

It’s wonderful that most museums in London are free, so if you have even a few minutes, you can dash in and get a quicky art fix. The Nat is open late on Wed nights so that’s when I’ll return to visit my guys.

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But since this a food blog, you should know that I left the Nat Gallery and hungrily headed over to the Spaghetti House on Haymarket. I have to admit I didn’t have huge expectations of this chain restaurant but was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food.

While munching on a complementary saucer of mixed black olives marinated in olive oil and herbs I placed my order of Gamberoni in Saltini and Spaghetti Bolonese since they were out of the Pasta Vongole (clams in white wine) I originally wanted.

The shrimp appetizer came quickly and looked unimpressive to my California eye. Though described as “giant pacific shrimp”, they are small and lost nestled in their bed of fresh arugula. But when I began to eat them I was won over. Covered in a light batter, then quickly deep fried, they were delicately flavored with perfectly crispy tails. A pinch of salt and squeeze of lemon over the shrimp and arugula, I wolfed the rest down, glad I didn’t have to share them with anyone.

The pasta appeared shortly thereafter, its sauce aromatic with red wine and freshly grated parmesan. I’m surprised at how perfectly al dente it is. The bolonese sauce tastes homemade and the dish is warm and satisfying on this chilly evening.

Details……….
Spaghetti House (multiple locations)

Z and I had dinner at Satsuma, located near London’s theatre district. It’s another one of those clean lined, overly bright, hardwood floor and communal table + bench style restaurants that seem to be everywhere in London these days.

We had a leisurely, well priced, very good bento dinner with thick slices of tasty sashimi. The pic to the right is from this first meal.

Unfortunately, my second visit with friends a couple months later was not as good. The sashimi was less than fresh and service was horrid. It was also incredibly loud and completely packed even though it was only Wed night.

Since my 2 visits were so different, I would definitely give it another try. But if you see a substantial line forming inside the door, save yourself the trouble and head for an alternate dining spot and return to Satsuma some other time.

Details…………….

Satsuma
56 Wardour Street
Soho, London, W1D 4JG

Sorry for the long hiatus folks. First some kind of horrible flu/cold/cough knocked me out, then I was away in New Orleans on business from Sunday thru Wednesday night.

New Orleans is well known for its incredible food. Gumbos, jambalaya, seafood, muffaleta, beignets, boudin and more. Unfortunately, most of what I ate was barely edible, highly expensive convention food.

If the dried out croissant or cold cocktail bits weren’t enough to sustain me through the day, I’d order something from the expensive room service menu. Not exciting food, but solid sustenance after a full day of back-to-back meetings and evening cocktail parties.

Plus there’s definitely something satisfying, decadent and thoroughly enjoyable about ordering room service. I ordered a hot bowl of chicken soup my first night and ate it curled up in bed at midnight, crumbling crackers with abandon, knowing that I’d just move over to the fresh 2nd double bed to sleep. Crumbfree.

And my last afternoon there, I ordered the Turkey Club you see on the right, eating, packing and reading the NY Times before leaving for the airport.

While most of my culinary encounters were non-events (I only had 3 real meals in 4 days) I am happy to recommend Cafe Adelaide, an offshoot of the famous Commander’s Palace Restaurant of New Orleans. It’s located on the first floor of the Loews Hotel. I had a delicious entree of Pompano filet with oyster mushrooms, applewood bacon & gnocchi; for dessert, cappuccino mousse semifreddo with 3 little beignets dusted with sugar.

I’m hopeful that my next trip to New Orleans will be at a more leisurely pace and that I’ll have a real chance to sample some of the great flavors and dishes of this charming city.

Cafe Adelaide
Loews Hotel
600 Polydras Blvd
New Orleans, LA
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