Great nosh for little dosh......

Not being a regular in London's finest eateries, I have recently been struggling for places to go with clients for a nice lunch but on a budget.  How ironic then, that on the way back from my latest client lunch I stumble across this list in the Evening Standard, detailing some of London's best restaurants and their 'credit crunch' lunch deals!

If you are lining up a client lunch, take a pick from one of these as I'm sure the experience will be great and the company wallet will thank you too!  And don't be afraid to say "how about xxxxxx, its a great venue and they are doing an incredible x courses for a credit friendly £xx.xx". 

This sets the expectation with your guest that you wont be cruising round the a la carte menu! Bon apetit!

Pied a Terre, Charlotte St, W1
Lunch set menu - 5 courses for £29.50

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, West St, WC2.
Lunch and pre-theatre set menu - 2 courses for £19

L'Autre Pied, Blandford St, W1
Lunch and pre-theatre set menu - 4 courses for £19.50

Tom Aikens, Elystan St, SW3
Lunch set menu - 2 courses for £23

Club Gascon, West Smithfield, EC1
Lunch set menu - 2 courses for £12.50

Rhodes W1, Cumberland Hotel, W1
Lunch set menu - 2 courses for £19.95

Arbutus, Frith St, W1
Lunch set menu - 3 courses for £16.95

Wild Honey, George St, W1
Lunch set menu - 3 courses for £18.95

Amaya, Motcomb St, SW1
Lunch set menu - 3 courses for £22

Chapter One, Orpington.
3 course Sunday dinner for £24.95

The Quilon, Buckingham Gate, SW1
Lunch set menu - 3 courses for £20
Dinner set menu - 3 courses for £27.50

Umu, Bruton Place, W1
Lunch set menu for £21

Nahm, The Halkin Hotel, SW1
Lunch set menu - 2 courses for £15

The Greenhouse, Hays Mews, W1
Lunch set menu - 2 courses for £29

Foliage, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, SW1
Lunch set menu - 4 courses for £29

A great 'odd jobs' man

Mark Longmore (Kristen's other half) is currently studying to qualify as an Electrician (watch this space...). Meanwhile, he does have some spare time on his hands for odd jobs and so could be the reliable handyman you've been looking for. Mark has helped Stephen with an array of odd jobs already and comes highly recommended. Please find out from Kristen how to get in contact with him!

Smoked Salmon at Sunset

Lynsey's Smoked Salmon Tortino - according to her it's scrum-didilly-ump-tious!

You will need:

Small shallow dishes / tart tins - depending on the size of tin you use, you can make a yummy starter or use larger dishes - 20cm / 8 inch diameter for a light main. Tins with removeable bases are great for this dish!

8 large sheets filo pastry
75g/3oz butter, melted
4 tbsp soured cream
350g/3/4lb smoked salmon, thinly sliced
450g/1lb tomatoes, skinned, deseeded, diced
basil, fresh (you can use dried)
extra virgin olive oil
salt and ground pepper
few sprigs of fresh dill

Lynsey's tip: these quantities are what the recipe suggests but I usually use more tomatoes and more smoked salmon, it all depends on the size of your dishes!

Preheat the oven to 200 C/400F gas mark 6. Lightly butter each sheet of filo pastry, fold in half (buttered side in) to make two layers. Use 2 double sheets per tortino. Place the first doubled filo sheet into a tart tin. Brush with melted butter, then top with another doubled sheet of filo and butter that, do the same with the 3 other tins and remaining filo sheets. Divide the tomatoes and basil leaves amongst the tortino tins, drizzle with olive oil and bake in the preheated oven for 5-8 mins. Remove from the oven, season with salt and pepper. Divide the soured cream and slices of smoked salmon amongst the tortinos and then place in the oven for a further 2-3 mins.

Remove from the oven, sprinkle the fresh dill on top, brush with a little olive oil and serve immediately. Unless you're using tins with removable bases, serve straight from the oven but be careful of the very hot dish.

Enjoy!!