glorious gloria

Sarah and I finally made it to Gloria, after trying to get a table a month ago! Having learnt from our previous experience, we got to Gloria as soon as our day at work had finished and got our names down for a table. I wouldn't normally do this for a London restaurant, however, we both had been so excited to try it out and see whether the buzz was worth it. With our names down, we had an hour and a half to kill so found out way to the nearest cocktail bar for some pre-dinner drinks. Bone Daddies had our name on it and we made the most of their happy hour whilst munching of freshly grilled patron peppers, doused in big, juicy sea salt flakes. 

Receiving our text message to say our table at Gloria was ready we hot footed it across the streets of Shoreditch and quickly found ourselves sinking into a corner banquette with views across the restaurant floor. For me, the interiors have been a reason to visit. My company did the interiors for the original restaurant in Paris a few years ago, as well as two other spaces from the Big Mamma Group, so I was keen to see how Gloria would measure up, without the help of MBDS. It's really beautiful, with lovely upholstered seating, marble-topped tables, moody lighting and fresh planting everywhere. Little details like the hand-painted plates and serving platters fool you into thinking you're in Positano and the buzzy, Italian ambience makes for a fantastic evening with friends. 

We ordered drinks and sharing plates for a starter; focaccia and oil; burrata bresaola and fennel salumi. After a slight mix up with our drinks order we were brought some complimentary prosecco (!) and we settled in for our Friday feast. Wedding diet was certainly off the cards for the night. 

For our mains we ordered big bowls of steaming pasta. Tartuffo for Sarah- frilly ribbons of pasta bathing in rich truffle sauce with extra truffle shaved on top and Black Mamba for me - a cuttle fish ink spaghetti with candied tomatoes and tender chunks of cuttle fish to mop up the sauce. The portions are hearty, which we loved, as so often you order pasta and you get a measly amount when all you really want is a steamy bowl of the stuff that won't leave you hungry for more. We both agreed that whilst the pasta was delicious (it really was; al dente and interesting flavor wise), we preferred Trullo or Padella. Gloria, on the other hand, has a fantastic ambience that's perfect for celebratory birthdays or just an evening with friends.

Despite my bulging tummy, we ordered pudding to share. We'd seen portions of lemon meringue pie being delivered to neighboring tables and we knew we needed a bite of the action! The pie is enormous; a huge, billowing pile of soft, whipped Italian meringue, caramelised on the sides and sitting on a crisp biscuit base with a tangy lemon curd blanket. If you come to Gloria, please order this even if you're fit to bursting! Our waiter was charming and brought us complimentary shots of limoncello to finish off our evening. Saluti! 

^^ The look of love

A perfect start to our weekend, I'm so glad we peservered in getting a table. It's worth the trek across to Shoreditch and the wait for your table to be ready. Bring friends, Gloria is perfect for large groups - and don't forget to leave space for the pie!



L. 

april showers

Oh dear. It's April and the blog has taken yet another back burner. I really enjoy having this little online creative outlet but I often wonder whether it's worth keeping it going. I started it as a way to keep up with writing whilst working at a girls' boarding school and it has grown with me; moving to London and starting work, visiting restaurants, parks and cities with the occasional recipe thrown in for good measure. With work getting busier and my life settling down (I'm getting married in July and I literally spend most weekends at home, pottering around, cleaning, cooking and organising wedmin), I struggle to find interesting content that you (whoever you are!) would like. Often I think when we move out of London and into the countryside my blog with have a new lease of life, working as a place to document my life in the country. But that is a while off yet so I'm going to try my hardest to write more often than every two months! 

Since my last entry I have enjoyed a trip to Devon with The American, Mum and Dad. A nearly distant memory now, it was a glorious long weekend right on the coast. We walked the coastline, made the most of the hotel spa, read books in the drawing room and dined in style. We've had a few trips home too, usually with a few wedmin tasks to tick off, and have even found the time to enjoy a few things in London. The Dior exhibition at the V&A was sheer heaven. I left googling the price of Dior dresses but swiftly put that to the back of my mind once I'd seen they average about £1,500. A girl can dream. 

The Wine Shop in Balham is now my favourite spot for relaxed drinks having visited twice in the last month; once for a wine tasting with the gang and a second time for a cool bottle of fizz with pals before a spontaneous supper. We have all booked for another wine tasting in May to belatedly celebrate mine and Sam's birthdays. Sarah, Mel and I tried to get to Gloria at the end of March but were told there was a 2 hour wait for a table so we skipped over to Pizza East instead and ordered up a smorgasbord of goodies instead. Sarah and I are trying again at the end of this month. Wish us luck! 

Anyway, I thought I'd share some snaps of my recent potterings, including a recent trip to Sotheby's to see the interiors sale (heaven, I now want a bath tub with striped linen shower curtain. Yes, I know, terribly impractical...). 

Here's hoping I find the time to do and write about some more interesting things before June! I promise to be better. Promise. 


L.