Some pics of Bratislava (August 2012)

I thought Bratislava was beautiful. It's labelled a "small" city centre, and whilst it's true that you can get around easily on foot, I didn't find it particularly any smaller than a lot of the capitals I've been to over the past couple of years-Riga, Vilnius, Tallinn, even Helsinki. Perhaps Bratislava is being compared with it's near neighbours of Vienna (which you can easily reach by boat along the Danube) and Budapest (ditto, but a but longer) or Prague, which is much bigger and more spread out.

I spent 3 nights there this August (2012) and could have easily stayed for longer, especially as I wouldn't have minded doing a cruise along the beautiful Danube. The development along the Danube looks a very recent addition, but gives the city another dimension, and is fantastic when the weather is good. As you can see, a promenade runs along the river so you can walk/jog/stroll gazing lovingly into your dogs' beloved's eyes, should you feel so inclined. Or you could do what I did and stop at one of the numerous cafes, coffee bars or ice cream parlours and soak up the sun, or drink until it goes down.

To wake yourself up again next morning, it's an easy walk to Bratislavsky Hrad (the castle), of which I've taken this rather arty (in my opinion) snap from the bottom of the steps. When you reach the top you have some nice views over the city, but the overwhelming sight is the two rather dramatic gates, which provide seating for various headless or limbless men in suits of armour... There's also a great restaurant, more of that later.

View of the city and the Danube from the Castle

Some rather nice architecture can be found in the old town, along with great cafes and a good quotient of water features like this one featuring a cheeky cherub (above). There's usually an animal involved, seemingly helping the water along by using it's mouth as a spout.

Bratislava street art

In between scoffing and sightseeing I managed to spot a few bits of street art in central Bratislava. Always an interesting juxtaposition in a beautiful, quaint city.

Space cadet hedgehog & his pal

I assume this (left) is wheatpasting, which someone has helpfully tagged with a word I can actually understand! I think it adds to the character of the piece, but I wonder what the original artist thinks?

 The beaver was part of one of my favourite piece of street art, the rather ghoulish full tag you can see below. He looks like he's spraying the name himself, and is pretty cute. His mate Owl is hanging out on the decrepit street, signing the way to Bratislava. I bet those two get up to some high-jinks come nightfall.

 The "gay" tagged sticker was added onto this child-like series of photo-negative images. Maybe they were done by local school kids?

Bus station big-nose

Am I wrong to think this is kind of cute? These two can do my decorating any day

Dalston street art

Who let Jess out? 

80's cartoon-style Depudee Dawg, looks like he's going to hit some home-runs

This is my favourite of the pictures, I think he's a bit of a cat-like owl

Girl cradling skull... Debate!

Foodies Festival, 19th August

What happens when you take a North Londoner south of the river? They get fed apparently! As you might imagine, we don't venture south that often, and neither of us had ever been to Battersea Park before (which, incidentally, looked rather nice). That was until last weekend and the Foodies Festival, which managed to fall on the hottest (?) weekend of the entire year. After walking for what seemed like a very long time (transport South of the river is patchy, Boris-sort it out!) we had worked up quite a thirst by the time we found the entrance. 

Luckily, not too far in was a prosecco van (for me) and someone selling huge oysters. After finding the OH some jazzy juice with lime and ginger we found a spot in the sun to enjoy what were the largest and tastiest oysters I've had in a long time. I hope that man is at the Taste of Christmas (although, do I remember reading something about not eating oysters in months with and R in them...) The OH was too hot, so we wandered around and found some shade perusing the chocolate stalls, cider seller and got roped into giving a monthly donation to the London Wildlife Trust. It was the giant picture of the otter that did it, even though the guy who took my cc details didn't seem to have a clue who my Facebook friend Nemo was... 

After polishing off the last raspberry sorbet from a man who seemed rather keen to eat it himself (here's a plan, cross it off the menu?) we stumbled upon the raclette stall. As I played with a giant dog called Sacha (there's a theme here) the OH ordered the biggest polystyrene-tub full of potatoes, bacon and raclette and sat greedily eating the dripping cheesy combo whilst the dog and I looked on wistfully. I finally found me some veggie food in the shape of a halloumi salad, which was good, but tinged with the metallic taste of food envy. 

A brisk walk back over the river to civilization Pimlico was very pleasant as the sun was setting over the river and Battersea power station looked quite lovely. 

Streetfeast Dalston 24th August

As a London-based foodie I am rather ashamed to say my first visit to Streetfeast was on the penultimate Friday-but at least I did make it in the end! As with most things Dalston (and I have no idea how the Camden ventures fared) it was a little bit sceney, but in a "of look at X trying hard" kind of way, and not intimidating. The gyoza stand I'd had my eye on from the website wasn't open (although it was there replete with menu board just to taunt me) so I opted for Yum Jungle prawns, which were basically panko (or coconut?) breaded prawns, fried and served in a cone (cute) on top of some purple slaw. Not bad, but for £5 and without the advertised sambal (other than the pre-packaged sauces you could add on yourself) I didn't think it was the best option on offer.

The Mussel Men had run out of oysters and pizza seemed a but carb-heavy, so I just had the prawns while the OH, hungry from a hard day in the office on the Cornettos, chose a venison-sausage burger as main course after the pork belly yum buns. the queue for the Yum Buns was something, word has clearly got around. He enjoyed both dishes and even managed to squeeze in some delicious Sorbitium ice cream-salted caramel and roasted white choc with cherry and almond, the latter of which has to go down as one of the BEST flavours ever-wow.

I went for the rather more virtuous sugar-cane rum and lime sorbet, which was nice and boozy; a palate cleanser and cocktail in one! Sorbitium definitely wins as the best option of the night. Luckily for us they are sometimes round the corner at Granary Square, and Kings Cross are having an ice cream festival in September, so we can stock up. I hope they do tub-sized servings to take home!

I was really taken by the cake stall, which looked amazing. If I go back for the final session next week I might have to buy some of the baked goodies (I'm leaning towards the cupcake that had salted caramel sauce dribbling down it). The queues for the cakes said it all really, those Dalstonites might look skinny but they don't pass on dessert.

Eating our way up the Cally part deux

Tonight we finally tried Iberia Georgian restaurant which is just up the road from us, and was it ever worth the wait! The service was great, and the small restaurant was packed by 8pm with couples and larger groups devouring the tasty authentic Georgian food. But don't think the wine list will let you down-Georgian wine is delicious, as I remember from my first experience of Georgian cuisine, which was (rather randomly) in Poland. A small place like this could easily have been dry or BYO but thankfully they have a wide and varied selection of the finest the Georgian vines have to offer. I'm a fan of white, so we had a bottle of the Tsinandali, a dry but fruity wine which could be likened to a good SA Sauvignon Blanc. It had depth anyway, and was extremely drinkable. Good job really, as we had rather a lot of-albeit delicious-food. Torn between the cold and hot mezza we plumped for aubergine with walnuts and pomegranate seeds, lobiani-a flatbread filled with red beans (not dissimilar to refried beans) and followed with a tasty veggie ratatouille for me and charcoal grilled pork with plum sauce and potatoes for the OH. You know when you look at the food you'e ordered and think "yeah, I can take that"? well, that happened and boy, were we wrong. About half way through I had to stop and have a breather, I felt like I'd been eating for a while but no real progress seemed to have been made. Was this Georgian bread that re-made itself with every bite I took?

We persevered as it was all so delicious and managed to finish it all. The OH, has a second stomach for all things dessert-shaped, insisted on having the menu back, so I tried a Georgian coffee to sober up. Delicious, thick and Turkish-like, it did the job. He however, is a far braver man that I'll ever be, plumping (indeed) for the Sigareti, or walnut rolls-a traditional Georgian cake, with some Georgian brandy to accompany them. It's a good job we only had to stagger a few metres home is all I can say! Anyway, I love a good bargain, and this little lot set us back around £60, which is a total bargain for central (ish) London. Iberia is my new favourite and local restaurant and I'll definitely be back again very soon to try some more of that delish wine food.

Eating our way up the Cally

Today has been a good day for food. After a strenuous hour and a half of badminton at the Sobell centre, the OH and I went for brunch at the Cafe with No Name on the Cally Road. It's an Italian deli-style place with excellent poached or scrambled eggs (with or without pancetta) served with roast veg and salad. The serve great coffee too, and have skinny milk, so Cally road hipsters (or something like that) drop by to pick up a latte or cap to go, whilst the discerning crowd grab a paper, sit in the window and let the wonders of the Cally waft by over a pumpkin and pine nut ravioli. That's an after 12pm option, and there are lots of specials to choose from, including cakes and pastries for dessert. The staff are lovely and friendly too. We're not sure if and when they'll get a name, but until they do they'll be the Cafe with No Name. Who needs a name when you've got eggs this good?