I was told that Steve Hatt was the best fishmonger in London, and having visited, I wouldn't argue with that statement. There's a stunning display in the window:
They get their fish direct from ports all over Britain and supply many of London's top hotels. The crabs I saw were fresh and had just been cooked in the shop:
Essex Road in Islington is a good place for fine food shops, there's a good butchers, bakery, fishmonger and a fruit and veg shop all within a matter of yards.
James Elliott sells free range Norfolk chickens, tender Suffolk pork, free range Lincolnshire lamb, and aged Scotch beef. They sell speciality sausages (including Toulouse) and also sell guinea fowl, mallard, partridge, pheasant, pigeons, quail and venison when in season.
This blog likes quaint little old-fashioned shops, so you may be surprised that I'm featuring a company trading on the Internet in this post. I've included Steve Leighton's Has Bean Coffee because
They sell green and roasted beans, coffee makers, and home roasting equipment. So far I've had their ready roasted beans. I tried a Brazil Fazenda Cachoeira Bourbon 2008-2009 Crop (as it's a best seller) and a Yemen Mocha Matari 2009-2010 Crop (because I fancied it having read their extensive notes).
I used to use filters, and then a cafetière, to make my coffee, but I'm currently using a Bialetti Moka Express Espresso Maker to make my coffee. They will sell the coffee beans whole, or ground as you want it, but I'm rather fancy buying green beans and roasting them myself with one of their home coffee roasters. I've signed up for their free 10 day email course which apparently will turn me into an expert!
I bought a packet of Revels this summer and was surprised to see a question mark by the flavours. Do Mars not know whether there's orange or coffee in these sweets? This prompted me to look at the ingredients:
As it's in rather small print I've listed them for you: 
I went to visit the fantastic Consall Hall Gardens, and decided whilst I was in the area to visit Mark Bennion at Ipstones Park Farm. 
They also have pedigree Berkshire pigs, another traditional native, and rare English breed. The pork that the pigs produce is strong in flavour and cooks extremely well.
The Treehouse used to be the Victoria Inn (1872-1920), and still has a ship's figurehead (carved about 1838) on its corner.
The chocolates are hand made in small batches in the shop. You can also have a tea, coffee or hot chocolate here, and all their hot drinks are served with a complimentary chocolate.
Posts
All Comments
