F&L Supper Club for The Jamie Oliver Foundation

As a bit of a supper club regular, I felt very honoured to be invited along to Fernandez & Leluu's charity dinner on behalf of the Jamie Oliver Foundation. F&L are by far one of the best supper clubs in London, so I knew the evening was going to be a good one...

I made my way to F&L's HQ in Hackney to join a host of other diners including fellow bloggers, competition winners and representatives from Yell.com and the Jamie Oliver Foundation.  The event was sponsored by Trusted Places which is the review site for Yell.com, and an impressive £1,400 was raised for the the foundation. Well done Yell!

F&L, together with a couple of chefs from Jamie's 'Fifteen' restaurant, cooked up a storm using quality ingredients, all kindly donated by various suppliers, including Fin & Flounder's fantastic fish, and the East London Steak Company's amazing steak.  Green & Black's were also present with an abundance of tasty chocolate. Not to mention some really excellent wine from Naked Wines.  I bonded particularly well with the South African 'Arabella' Cabernet Sauvignon!

The menu had all the signature F&L traits comprising copious tasty and varied dishes. We started with a beautifully presented platter of sushi, followed by a cheesy bacon and tomato swirl (with a shot of fresh tomato juice).  Then came the oxtail which literally fell off the bone.  Next up was a delicious ceviche made with white fish marinaded in lime and coconut milk.  As if that wasn't enough, along came some seriously good steak complete with veg and perfect roast potatoes.  We just managed to leave a tiny space to squeeze in a homemade lemon fudge slice which came with a mourish popcorn ice cream.  This is definitely my new favourite ice cream flavour.  A feast indeed!

The event was a huge success and such a friendly bunch of people all having a good time and reluctant to leave. I didn't leave until 2am, which says it all. Big thanks to Fernandez & Leluu for hosting yet another great evening.

Supper Clubs

I love a secret supper club and have been frequenting them for a while now.  In fact, supper clubs, pop-up restaurants, underground dining or whatever you want to call them, were part of the inspiration for this here blog you are now feasting your eyes upon.  Along with various other great secret London stuff I hasten to add.  

My first real taste of a supper club was at a paladar in Havana a couple of years ago.   Widespread in Cuba, Paladares are small, family-run restaurants where locals open their homes to the public.  Friends, neighbours and tourists alike pay a few pesos in exchange for a home-cooked meal in the comfort of their host's home. 

Life in Havana

Paladar hostess complete with pig

Now a similar trend has taken off here and it really is a fun, sociable and completely different alternative to going to a restaurant.  And as you have to take your own booze, it works out much cheaper too!

Fernandez & Leluu

Me & Uyen

Sarah with Pea & Ham Soup

I think it was the fabulous Fernandez & Leluu who truly got me into the London supper club scene, and apart from being my favourite, they have also become good friends.  F&L kindly did the catering for my birthday dinner earlier this year and it was without doubt, one of the best meals ever.  And my 32 guests would totally agree!  I still dream about that pea & ham soup...

Vintage Pop-Up Birthday Dinner

Upcoming posts will include details about a few excellent supper clubs I've been to over the past year (F&L Saltoun, Pale Blue Door, Food Rambler & Savoy Truffle Club), as well as blogging about any upcoming ones I'm going to attend.  In fact, there are several on the near horizon (including White Room, Nomad Chef, Friday Food Club & Good Stock), so whilst I eat, drink, blog and be merry, please keep your eyes on 'Miss Immy's London' for the latest on which supper clubs should be on your hit list.  

What could be a better antidote to the cold, dark winter months ahead, than dining somewhere new with friends, enjoying good food, wine and banter.  Or even go alone - hey, they'll all become your friends before the evening is over.  Hello Winter, I think we're going to get along very well!  

Click on the Supper Club tab for more news.