16. A-Z of cuisines (eat in the restaurants) (Part 1)

This was an idea I am pretty sure I got from my friend, Selena via a post on Facebook a while back. However, as it transpires, she swears blind it wasn't her unless she was drunk! 

Matheus and I painstakingly went through the alphabet and assigned a cuisine to each letter but we're still undecided on a few. If you, dear reader, can recommend any restaurants/cuisines, we would appreciate it.

A. Argentinian

B. (Undecided)

C. Colombian or Croatian

D. Danish

E. Ethiopian

F. French

G. Greek

H. Hungarian

I. Italian

J, Japanese

K. Korean

L. Lebanese

M. Mexican

N. Nepalese (do they even have a cuisine?)

O. Osterreich (had to resort to using German as Oman doesn't really have a cuisine)

P. Peruvian or Polish

Q. Qatari (again, do they even have a cuisine?)

R. Russian

S. Spanish

T. Turkish

U. Uruguayan

V. Vietnamese (minus the peanuts)

W. Welsh?

X. Xmas Islands (clutching at straws)

Y. Yiddishe (find somewhere that serves gefilte fish and cholent)

Z. Zambian

We've done a fair few of these already so I thought it would be a good idea to add this to my 40 list to encourage us to complete the list.

E = Ethiopian
Queen of Sheba, 12 Fortress Road, Kentish Town, London NW5 2EU

Matheus and I went out with our friends David and Sarah to their neck of the woods. They suggested Ethiopian and I was apprehensive at first. I can't really eat anything too spicy because of my Crohn's Disease. We took a nice long walk from their place to the restaurant in Kentish Town. It's called 'Queen of Sheba'. It was a tight squeeze and it was very busy. We selected our starters and main courses. The starter wasn't too spicy, from what I recall. The main course dishes came out as well as a big dish with a sponge-like pancake in it. What you have to do it tear bits off, tip your meat/vegetable dish contents onto the pancake and then scoop up your meat/vegetables with the pancake and eat with your hands. It was a great experience. Luckily, I managed to handle the spiciness of the dish. It was a very interesting experience and I would probably go there again.

Queen of Sheba

F = French
Brasserie Blanc, 8 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, London W1T 2LS

We visited this restaurant when Matheus' parents were over in London for his brother's birthday in 2015. I don't remember Matheus' Dad actually being there. I think he must have had a meeting that evening. In fact, I'm pretty sure that he wasn't there because the waiter was flirting with Matheus' Mum!!! Very good food. You would never get the impression that Brasserie Blanc is a chain.

Brasserie Blanc, Charlotte Street

G = Greek
Lemonia, 89 Regent's Park Road, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8UY

Matheus wanted to take me out for dinner last summer so we thought that Greek would be a great option - reminded me of holidays. I'd been to the restaurant before and enjoyed it so I was looking forward to going with Matheus. Of course, we had the meze. Such good quality Greek Cypriot food. There was a LOT of food but luckily Matheus has a good appetite! The service was great - no ageism in THIS restaurant. Definitely felt the family vibe. I seriously could eat Tzatziki all of the time!

Lemonia

I = Italian
Conchiglia, 125 Great Titchfield Street, Fitzrovia, London W1W 6RZ

Matheus and I visited this restaurant before cocktails at The Lucky Pig for Matheus' 30th birthday in August 2015. At the time we were there it wasn't very busy. The service was very friendly and the food was great. I only knew about it because I'd seen it previously when doing gigs at The Lucky Pig. Authentic Italian cuisine cooked and served by authentic Italians. All that was missing was the Italian landscape!

Conchiglia

S = Spanish
Iberica, 89 Turnmill Street, Farringdon, London EC1M 5QU

A year later, Matheus' birthday again and this time, after a long day walking around the Tower of London I take him to Iberica in Farringdon - convenient travel connection to get home. The menu was mouthwatering. We started with a little tapas and then went straight in for the seafood paella. It was to die for. It might also have been one of the only times that Matheus has seen me get really tipsy!!! I LOVE Sangria. Just typing this paragraph is putting me in the mood to go back again! When it got to dessert (and more Sangria), I had organised a birthday surprise - Matheus' brother! We tried Cava Sangria, which was nice - I prefer the red though. TAKE ME AWAY TO SPAIN! At least I'd be able to practice my Spanish - "mas Sangria, Por favor"! Read my Trip Advisor review here.

Our yummy paella at Iberica

SANGRIA!

T = Turkish
Divan, 2 Shenley Road, Borehamwood WD6 1DL

There are a number of Turkish restaurants in Borehamwood - three on our High Street (Shenley Road) alone! Our favourite is Divan. Their take away portions are huge. I always have the same thing - the grilled boneless chicken leg (Divan Tavuk Izgara) and Matheus will usually have one of two things - the Iskender (lamb with tomato sauce, yogurt, pide bread) or the spicy lambs liver (Ciger Tava). We have only ever eaten in the actual restaurant once or twice so this counts in our A-Z. We have also tried Likya - another Turkish restaurant on Shenley Road.

Divan