If you ever go to Guernsey, you’ve got to try Barnabe

I discovered a gem of a little ice cream and cake shop during a recent business trip to Guernsey.  Where do I start with this small wonderland?!

The shop is in a little alley way behind the main shopping street and is homey yet posh (is that possible?)  I was like a big kid in a very grown up sweets shop.  The chocolate tart pictured was as big as an extra large American pizza and it looked truly sinful!  I couldn’t take my eyes off the perfectly shaped macaroons with Guernsey cream and raspberries in the middle.  I wondered what The Boyfriend would have made of this .  The one thing I couldn’t say no to was the homemade ice cream.  I bought two scopes: coffee and pistachio.  The pistachio ice cream was nice but coffee ice cream best I’ve ever tasted! It was made from real coffee, real Guernsey cream, real love!  I reluctantly finished my last bite while heading back to the airport – ummm Guernsey I sure will be back – maybe with the original Mama Lan and The Boyfriend, I knew that they’d both love it.

Macaroons, Chocolate tart, cheesecake or ...?

The Ice Cream

Proud owner

Barnabe

Commercial Arcade

St Peter Port

GY1 1AL

01481 701 477

A fun two weeks

Hey guys, it’s been a bit frustrating lately with my internet being down but thank God its finally been sorted.  Apart from the internet hiccup, it’s been a wonderfully busy two weeks.

Hmmm, now where to start…

Firstly, we catered for a private dinner last Thursday.   It was small, intimate party for six great guests (two of which were seasoned supper club diners).  Judging by the laughter and banter, it seems like they had a good time which brought a massive smile to my mum’s (aka Mama Lan) face.

Private dinner - dumplings

Nice try guys - well done!

Nice?

Secondly, it was our second outing at Ms Marmite’s underground farmers market!  A big thank you to Ms Marmite for organising again – needless to say it was a great success.

Mama & Baby Lan out in 'market'

Lastly, I was so happy to receive requests to cater for two small family parties. Unfortunately I had to decline the offers as we will be out on safari in South Africa (trying not be menu for the Lions!).  Sorry guys – maybe next time.

All in all, a fun few weeks.  Time to catch up on some sleep!

x

Macaroons – attempt 7

The Boyfriend’s just made his 7th attempt at the macaroons – and FAILED!

Anyone out there can share their secrets on making the perfect macaroons?

Dinner at Fernandez & LeLuu

5:30pm I was out of the door from the office.  That was the first time I ever managed to leave on time.  Well I could’ve stayed later but I couldn’t run the risk of being late to a supper club dinner at Fernandez & LeLuu.  I’ve heard a lot about this supper club and was really looking forward to it.

The Boyfriend and I got to the station (sorry couldn’t tell you which station, it’s all a secret!) way ahead of schedule, so we decided to walk around a little as we knew how annoying it’d have been if we turned up early and the hosts were still preparing.  We discovered a street full of Vietnamese restaurants, which was interesting.  I never understood why the same type of restaurants would want to open next to each other ….?!

We also found a small bakery, ran by Lisa.  She told us that she’d be at the next underground farmer’s market in two weeks time also.  Perfect!  We’d see you there Lisa!

Lisa at the Happy Kitchen

After discovering a new area of London, well new to us anyway, we head to the venue.  It was another interesting building.  I had to say I was beginning to think I was living at the wrong end of London.  East London is so hip, so cool and so it!  Everything was modern and vibrant.  Fernandez & LeLuu’s flat was gorgeous with high ceilings and cute garden. 

Fernandez & LeLuu's hip flat

We find that company at supper club dinners is always good and this night was no different.  For the evening we were seated to Sophie, who is a food journalist, Claudia from The Whiteroom supper club and Lee from Friday Food Club. 

'Best £13 wine ever!' says Lee

Happy guests!

The menu for the evening was Vietnamese. We had 5 or 6 little courses in all, but our starter of Ho Fun with dried onion and Thai basils and the beef in vine leaf with peanuts sauce were my favourites of the night.   The coconut and lime sorbet (courtesy of Fernandez) was also seriously good.  I really wanted to ask for seconds but then I thought to myself ‘No, don’t be greedy Ning!’ 

Ho Fun with dried onion & Thai basil

Beef in vine leaf with peanuts sauce

Hehe –keep it up guys, we’ll be back soon guys!