London Blogger Dinner

Its only been a month, but I feel like I've been in London forever. I been using every waking second to go explore this simply amazing city, whether that is food, drink, culture... OK, lets be honest here, maybe just the food and drink, but there are sometimes when you want the company of others for just a good old girly gossip, and who better to fit that criteria than bloggers.

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post asking if anyone wanted to meet up and go for dinner. I got a great response and originally had 14 confirmed bloggers. However as always the way, the day before I had 6 drop outs, and in the end there were only 5 of us. However no problemo I say, more face time with each of my blogging buddies. 

 

I'd booked a table at Browns in Covent Garden as at the time I wasn't familiar with London restaurants- oh how quickly things have changed. I knew Browns was good because I went to one in Manchester for my birthday, so I thought play it safe, God forbid if I'd be the one to arrange a disastrous dinner, who would take my London food posts seriously afterwards? We couldn't have that now. 

Like good little Londoner's, Me, Helen, Asha, Sheen and Hannah started off with cocktails. I went for Pear & Lychee Fizz which was actually designed by a customer. Sally in Kingston, I salute you!

I really enjoy blogging, I have come to really love writing about places I go and the people I meet. One of the best things blogging has done for me is made me go out and try new things, as there would be no blog if I never did anything. The great thing about blogger meet ups is getting to discuss all those blogging questions you have with people who actually understand, as if I said to my friends 'oh don't you find it annoying when the lighting is too yellow in a restaurant they probably (and actually do, I've already tried it, so don't) give me that exasperated look. 

After a good long natter we decided we probably should actually order some food, as we were getting pretty hungry (I may have already eaten my cocktail decoration...)

Both Helen and Asha went for the Mushroom Pappardelle which was a rich creamy dish of sweet mushrooms drizzled in a crème fraîche and madeira sauce topped with pine nuts and hard cheese. Both gave the 'ummmm' approval (official rating scale).

Sheen had the classic fish and chips which was a huge portion.



Hannah was the good girl of the group and went for Ceaser salad. I wish I had that restraint, but not tonight... clearly not tonight....

Belly of Pork. Oh baby! 

Ok, so I was a bad blogger as shock horror, I ordered the same as last time! Call the blogger police! But its that situation where you just know its good and if you order something else it might play second fiddle. Oh such tough life decisions I have.

One of the greatest things I have found about blogging is the sense of community that exists in the blogging world. Never did I expect such a thing to exist, and yet people from all over the country, and even the world talk to me, and I to them as if we have known each other for years. Its the same with this dinner, I sent out a message asking if anyone would lie to come and 14 people originally said yes, never having et me before. If you think about it, essentially I was meeting up with strangers I had met online... yeah when you put it like that... us bloggers are a trusting bunch!

Of course no dinner hosted by me would be complete without dessert, so I kicked things off with salted caramel cheesecake and lime coulée. Lightly whipped, creamy with a rich caramel taste, it was a good choice.

Helen opted for the white chocolate blondie, which having had the dark chocolate brownie last time, I knew that look she gave was approval.

When Asha's Eton Mess came our faces were priceless. It was truly wickedly indulgent.

We wrapped up the evening with more blogging gossip and a set of new real life friends not just virtual. While blogging is truly a social, friendly place, nothing can replace the real life interaction and friendship of people. Which is why me and Helen decided to carry on the real life socialisation and head of to Clapham for a South London night out, which of course meant I had to have one last cocktail for the road.

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Blogging, Browns bar and brasserie, Eating Out, Food, lbloggers, lifestyle, London