Carnaby Street Eat

I am not a glutton - I am an explorer of food

Erma Bombeck

(This week I may have been a bit of a glutton, sorry Erma!)

Whilst I was out with some friends on Friday the conversation turned toward plans for the weekend, one friend mentioned she was going to the Carnaby Street Eat Festival. I had totally forgotten about this iconic street food festival, I was there last year but it was in June, subsequently I thought I’d missed it! As a confirmed, dedicated foodie, my Saturday was now defined! My friend is half of a couple, as a singleton, I'm not averse to ingratiating myself on my married friends as the proverbial gooseberry so, invited myself along. I needn’t have worried, word quickly spread and quickly our three became eight!

Carnaby street is globally synonymous with fashion and design, what many don't realise is that during Carnaby's evolutionary rise to global fashion superstar, several small but excellent restaurants started their journey to culinary stardom. A few years ago some of these fabulous restaurants got together and said, “hey, why don’t we take our food out onto the street?”, there result of that conversation is the Carnaby Street Eat Festival – one of the largest street food festivals in the country!

So, having shirked my Saturday breakfast off we went, (I cooped one of my house mates!) to the prescribed meeting spot outside Liberty’s. From there it was a matter of simply following the delicious aromas. The weather was ideal for some alfresco culinary exploration and we soon got stuck in! With over 30 global cuisines on offer and the chance to relax and listen to live music, cocktail in hand, there’s something for everyone and the perfect day out with friends and family.

I made a beeline to a stall I knew would be there, a stall managed and run by one of my favourite restaurants in Carnaby Street, Claw. Sustainable seafood and festival devotees, Claw served street food inspired dishes including their famous Crab and Lobster rolls – TO DIE FOR! Conscious that I could potentially fill up at one stall, I, uncharacteristically demonstrated some restraint and having nibbled on the rolls and tried a little of the Trout Rueben we were off to the next treat.

Celebrity chef, Stevie Parle’s Pastaio had a bit of a queue, no wonder as they were serving their signature Cacio Pepe Bucatini, Parmesan Rigatoni and Blackberry Prosecco slushies all for less than a fiver! Other culinary delights included Korean Fried Chicken from Jinjuu, British Oysters and Prosecco from Wright Brothers Soho, Chargrilled Chorizo Burgers at Dehesa, Robatayaki Japanese cuisine including Beef Cheek, Pickled Daikon from Inko Nito and Pitta Bun served up their fabulous stuffed pittas with Greek spiced Chicken and Lamb along with their butter lettuce.

All fabulous but there was more, much more!

Tonkotsu Ramen and BBQ pork steamed buns from Shoryu, gourmet Chicken and Falafel Kebabs from Le Bab, pizza slices and Limoncello from Pizza Pilgrims and Dirty Bones’ MacDaddy sliders. For extra heat, (like we needed it this summer in London!!), we tried the authentic North Indian & Bengali cuisine from Asma Khan’s Darjeeling Express.

Ugly Dumpling as serving their gorgeous Asian fusion dumplings there was a selection of duck, pork belly or chicken satay, we shared one of each. Kua ‘Aina offered Hawaiian inspired Burgers with their Big Wave Golden Ale, Broadwick Street’s Tapas served up a wonderful, authentic Chorizo roll.

What about pudding I hear you cry – well, we weren’t disappointed

Crumbs & Doilies brought their beautiful handcrafted Cupcakes and Bakes and Bread Ahead had their yummy signature doughnuts, all this was washed down with an Aperol Spritz from Polpo.

How did I remember all this, did I write it down? Well, no, whilst I did stuff myself like a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig, the organisers had provided a little map with the location of the stalls and their highlights! It felt bigger than last year, the West End’s longest picnic table stretches the length of Carnaby Street so the map is essential. When you’re done and you need to wallow as I did, The Newburgh Quarter had been transformed into a chill out area complete with grass lawn, bean bags, deck chairs and some fab DJs. Throughout the festival at strategic spots was a real eclectic range of live musicians, including 1940’s entertainment from Cahoots and retro trio The Hotsie Totsies, all of which simply added to the party atmosphere. I rarely shop around Carnaby street, it’s a little on the expensive side and I’m probably a little too unfashionable to carry off some of the wonderful designs, a little paragraph at the back of the map suggested that the iconic shops of the area had offers and promotions, well, it would have been wrong not to at least take a peep. Let’s say, I’m glad I did, my bank manager may not be quite so enthusiastic!

What’s on Today!

Head, Eyes & Teeth – Catwa Head, Rigged Eyes and teeth - Catya v3.2

Hair – Navy+Copper - Sundae Blonde, @ this months C88

Skin – [Glam Affair] Sybil Applier [ Catwa ] 008

Body, Hands & Feet – Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara V4.0

AO – VISTA ANIMATIONS *HUD 5.33*ZOE FULL BENTO-V1 NOFACE

Physics – Temptation – Maitreya Physics II 2018 Bento Realism Fatpack +

Shape – Elle et Lui, Natasha Shape for Catwa Bento Head Catya, (Adjusted)

Tattoo – [CAROL G] Nomadic Owl - Black

Nose Piercing – ^^Swallow^^ Princess Piercing Nose 01

Belly Piercing – .:KC:. JANINE Navel Piercing for MAITREYA LARA (FITMESH)

Earrings – [MANDALA] Cheerful Earring FAT @ this months Uber