Lazy Bones Farringdon

Last week a new restaurant has it's sneaky debut without any fanfare or ribbon cutting. I've written about the Cowcross Street/Farringdon area A LOT, mainly because so many awesome food joints have been popping up in the short time I've been working in the vicinity (think Polpo, Byron... among others)

It's no secret I LOVE pulled pork and beef brisket, so naturally I was at the front of the queue to try Lazybones. Set just back off Cowcross Street, LazyBones is an awesome set up, welcoming for both a quick drink or two, lunch or dinner. The interior has an excellent vibe, even though it was quiet.

Lazybones Menu = Nom

Order here

Pick up here 

The order of the day (as written outside the venue) is 'Slow Meats and Long Drinks'. Those meats on offer, pulled pork, beef brisket, chicken wings, hot dogs and for the veggies among us, falafal wraps. Beers, a small selection of wines and cocktails are on the appetite whetting list.

Drink menu

We opted for beef brisket and pulled pork - accompanied by fries, both naked and cheesy. The food comes quick and is served with guacamole and coleslaw respectively. The portions are relatively 'lunchy', you won't be full after wolfing down a sandwich (or open sandwich in the PP case) and some fries. You will probably be happy though!

Pulled Pork

Beef Brisket

Beef Brisket with Guacamole

While the meats were nothing in comparison to Mighty Quinn's BBQ they were pretty good. Very finely pulled/sliced so you never feel like your getting a massive meaty mouthful (sometimes, you want one...in the pulled pork kind of way!)

Cheesy Fries

Popcorn Toppers

The fries were miles better with cheese on them. We drank a bottle of wine, which was a very reasonably priced £20.

I would definitely go back for either lunch or beers after work. I imagine when it gets off the ground it will be a popular spot for both. I hope the sandwiches get meatier and yummier...then you may not be able to keep me away!

Find them here 

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Mighty Quinn's BBQ: Pulled Pork Perfection

Since Pitt-Cue no slow cooked pulled meats have been able to live up. In New York I figured this was all about to change. In the East Village on the corner of 7th Street and 2nd Ave you will find a neighbourhood joint filled with university students lapping up amazing cooked meats and cold beers.

We went on a Sunday evening and the place was packed. You queue up and choose your meat, the favourite two choices are beef brisket and pulled pork. Naturally we went for one of each. The meats are served naked or in a bun. We went bun, but this turned out to be a mistake. This is way too much meat and messy to even entertain the idea of eating it like a sandwich. Go naked laden with slaw and pickled cucumbers and tomato. Heaven.

Try getting that in your mouth

The beef brisket was so tender and soft, with a slight crisp on the outside. The pulled pork was cooked to BBQ perfection. They don't mess around with their portions either. The selection of beers is a great mix from all over the States. We went local for an NY flavour.

The seating is all family style, we sat next to some NYU students who also recommended a bar around the corner called McSorley's Old Ale House, which is the oldest bar in New York. One of the main differences of London vs New York the people are so friendly.

I could go on with pictures like this all day

Highly recommend Mighty Quinn's for the food and getting out of the normal touristy places in the City. We've also been for brisket and pulled pork since being back in London and it didn't even come close. 

After a night eating like locals we went back to the hotel with some enormous cans of Mike's Hard Lemonade and dessert, it was literally as big as my head! It's class all the way with us!

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The Longroom Pub; Smithfield

Last night was a trip to the recently opened Longroom Pub in Smithfields. I’ve written about this area loads as so many cool new concept places are appearing. The Longroom is no exception. Specialising in craft beers, salt beef and grilled cheese this is simple comfort food at it’s best.

Welcome to the Longroom, Home of Grilled Cheese and Salt Beef

Although the menu is simple this does not mean there is no choice. The choice of beer is vast. From around the world, kegged, cask (I learnt about the difference!) and bottled there is something for everyone. Being a girl I naturally opted for the raspberry Bacchus fruit beer to start with. No surprises there. It was fairly strong (5%) and in a paper bag. Sucker for the small touches. It was really nice. The names of the beers are pretty hilarious and they also sport the Brew Dog brand – famous for creating the worlds strongest beer served in a dead squirrel. Seriously.

Bacchus Fruit Beer in Raspberry or Cherry

Next up I wanted a Flying Dog Raging Bitch - obviously. Unfortunately this is a rotated beer so not always on the menu. Probably a good thing considering it is 8.3% and I was feeling fairly squiffy after the fruit beer. Brew Dog red ale for me then at a much more modest 5%. As quite a traditional ale it was a bit to perfumed for me. Expert advice had to be called in for beer number 3.

The Longroom Drink Menu is vast...

Getting some expert advice, learning and drinking. It was all working

The bar manager Frank was incredibly knowledgeable and helpful when it came to choosing my next tipple. He bought over a selection of different beers to try so we could work out my tastes. Unsurprisingly they are pretty girly. I liked the colder beers rather than the cask and nothing to hoppy. I opted for a Rochefort 6 and it was delicious. Comparable to the fruit beer but a bit more credible. The range of Rochefort beers also comes in an 8 and 10 – the 10 being 11.3%, the strongest on the menu.

Would be my first choice next time - a Rochefort 6

A bit of head action

Strongest beer int the Longroom - you can tell it's getting a bit squiffy

In between all the excitement of drinking we perused the food menu. Clearly opting for a bit of everything we went for salt beef plate with pickles, Craft Beer Rarebit for him and a grilled cheese, Serrano ham, beef tomato and avocado sandwich for me. The sandwiches were totally delicious. The cheese thick and just the right quantity of stable and melty.

The Longroom Menu

Some pickles pickling away

The salt beef was warm and falling apart – in the right way. The mustard that came with it was so hot. Like my eyes were watering hot. This is a good thing in case you were wondering. The sandwich also came with a healthy dollop of blazing hot mustard (since I've been so slack in writing this and there is a time delay, I have since dispatched some people at lunchtime for salt beef...commenting on the mustard I received a typical guy response 'it wasn't that hot'.) Try it. You'll like it.

Salt Beef and Pickles

A blurry pickle, but I kind of like it!

The sandwich was amazing and I have it on good authority the soup was too...two varieties at a time, a meat and vegetarian.

Grilled cheese sandwich with avocado, ham, beef tomato

We luckily left around 11 but could have easily stayed trying more beers. In the morning I was glad we had left. So not used to drinking beer - that is almost the same % as wine in vast quantities. The Longroom will become a frequent hangout for sure.

Just on the addition of lunch, go early grab the best table then enjoy everyone else coming in. Keep up the good work guys...

Find them here

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Playing Pro: Getting to grips with the EOS 550D

Since getting my new camera a few weeks ago I've been playing as I go, not really messing with the settings and keeping things like focus on Manual. I'd also only been using the one lens (an EF 50mm f/1.8ll should that mean anything to you).

It was time to get the other lenses out of the box and learn how to actually use the thing. I roped in a 'professional' to help me out and started learning all about things such as ISO 's and F stop numbers.

Working some AV

Starting at home a dead plant was the subject. Yep we had lots to work with! It was actually pretty fun to start manually focusing, although I have the tendency to try and hold it with the wrong hand.

After getting to grips with the basics we headed to Broadway Market to fit in with the rest of the hipsters.

This is called Orbing apparently 

This is my zoomiest lent (technical term) I was standing quite far away

Nothing technically good about this shot, I just love a dog coat

Zoomy

Fudge; Nom

Trying to capture some steam

Can you spot the Fox / Dog

It was then on to the pub to celebrate my awesomeness.

Loving the tankard / jar

Working some AV again

Action shot

So what do you think? Favourite picture?

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