Elsa writes the very cool blog Messi Palate, she however does not have a messy palate. She is a self confessed ‘ Food Whore’ and spends a great deal of her time eating and writing about food in London, which is both good for us and no doubt her! I wish I got to eat out as much as she seems to, I would however not manage to keep such an amazing figure! We caught up with her for a quick chat about what she loves to eat and what it’s like writing about food in London.
You can find Elsa on twitter @Messi_palate or at her site http://messi-palate.com
So what got you into food writing?
Since a very early age I’ve always had a love of food and restaurants, my parents are both food nuts so I grew up in a foodie (hate to use that word) environment. At the age of about 8, I already knew how I wanted my steaks (rare) and knew the names of Dim Sum. All I do is talk about restaurants and food related events and love to drag my friends with me, so rather than going on and on about it, thought I’d write about it. London is a huge place and I want to make people aware of all the fab places to eat, from Street to Michelins as it’s sometimes easy to stick to the ‘safe’ and cliché establishments or just where you’re used to, (which gets so boring).
How do you choose a restaurant to review?
Most of the time, it’s totally unplanned, unless it’s an invite from the restaurant or PR (which I try not to includein my blog all the time, when I do it’s always an honest review). I always have my camera ready and take mental notes wherever I go, even on my lunch breaks. I like to review wherever and whenever I dine (when appropriate), so you can imagine the backlog of reviews I have to write and how annoying my friends may find me when im snap, snap, snapping away.
Name 2 up and coming restaurants to look out for?
Duck & Waffle and Bubbledogs/The Kitchen Table Chef– Charlie Stocker.
Who is your favourite chef?
Ben Tish from the Opera Tavern and Pascal Aussignac from Club Gascon
Most underrated local restaurant? (and maybe most overrated!)
Most underrated Bluebird Restaurant in Chelsea, Most overrated, so many but I’ll have to go with Hakkasan, ok and Novikov.
How has blogging in general changed your outlook on food/restaurants?
I concentrate on and am more aware of the ingredients. I don’t over think it, but have a better sense of why certain ingredients were paired together.
What’s the biggest mistake a restaurant can make in your opinion?
Insulting customers, spitting in their food, hygiene problem. Probably bad service or waiters who don’t act as if the customer is always right.
What do you think the London food scene is missing?
Places with later closing times and places open all day as oppose to close at 3 and open again at 6, that does my head in.
Who’s your favourite food writer/critic?
Jay Rayner (ed. you can find Mise En Place’s interview with Jay here)
What has been your all-time favourite restaurant experience to date?
Roganic (Yes, I know it’s been said over a 1000 times before)
Posted by Mise En Place International Hospitality Recruitment
Just another WordPress site