An Edible Voyage

September 2021 Having had the most extraordinary gelato in Florence, I didn’t think there was any point trying to compete in Bologna, but I’ve always found something alluring about ice cream shops and cafes, places that traditionally in the UK close late afternoon, that are open late in to the night.   Maybe it’s feeling a little bit naughty having ice cream at night-time, or maybe it’s that feeling of being able to sit outdoors with a warm breeze, a late night culture meaning there’s a buzzy atmosphere despite it being dark.   So, to avoid competing, I went for something totally different – vegan ice cream in Bolognina, Bologna’s edgy, multicultural northern suburb. Often, whether home or away, I’ll pick the weirdest sounding thing on a menu just to try it.   Sometimes I regret it and think to myself “why don’t I just stick with the nice things sometimes!”, but when I saw wasabi ice cream, there was absolutely no way I wasn’t going to try it.   I like wasabi (exce...

February 2020 I always find that the British Airways High Life magazine is a great source of inspiration for places to visit, both locally and further afield, and this is where I came across Issho-Ni.  An unassuming doorway in Bethnal Green leads in to what immediately feels like a 'cool' restaurant.  Cherry blossom and origami cranes hanging from the ceiling, and Japanese works of art occupying entire walls is a great contrast to the industrial, warehouse bones of the building. The sushi is divine.  The Our Roll is filled with fresh salmon, tuna and seabass.  Crispy salmon skin adds crunch, truffle mayo gives a luxurious richness, and tobiko pops in the mouth.  This is an exciting dish, both texture and taste wise. Next up was Squid Ink Yakisoba.  I love squid ink and often find squid ink products seem to be a little stingy with the squid ink.  There was definitely no stinginess here and, combined with the pungent crisped garl...