Rachel Lewis

Amelia’s Magazine | London Fashion Week A/W 2011 Catwalk Review: Osman (by Naomi)

by


Illustration by Jenny Robins

I remember blogging about Eun Jeong eons ago, order enticed by her pretty minimalism with a crisp all-white palette one season. For me, sickness she most certainly stood out amongst even the top hot-ticketers of London Fashion Week and I had an inkling she wouldn’t be a one-seasoner. I was therefore thrilled and curious upon bagging an invitation to one of her two fashion shows in Covent Garden during fashion week.??

I sat next to a lovely blogger named Hannah Newton of London Town’s a go go in another clever catwalk invention of a loop around the room, with audience-members sitting on rows inside and outside of the square. We both shamelessly ruffled through our large goody bags with tiny goodies – cosmetics and a little heart-shaped purse by Kipling. And we didn’t bother with ‘acting the part of a fashionista’ all nonchalant and ‘oh! I get free overpriced make-up on a daily basis, sweetheart. It’s no biggie.’  We’re students and we were blooming happy with our freebies.??

We just knew that the intimate set-up would result in bagging some great up-close shots of the clothes and getting a good look at the detail and fabric. Then, after a long wait sitting by the runway (as is always the way with fashion shows), 1930s music was suddenly bouncing off the walls and the models took to the oddly-shaped catwalk.

It looked to me as if the collection had been inspired by Britain in war-time. Every model wore bronzed make-up with bronzed skin all over their body and the clothes themselves were British in many respects – pleats and wool and ruffles with lady-like cuts all over the joint. There were elegant camel-coloured coats and full-skirts that began at the waist and dropped to the floor in pressed pleats.

Bows and lace were everywhere. They both seem to be a common theme this season. Delicate bows were placed on skinny leather waist-belts and thick white lace acted as beautiful underskirts.

It wasn’t all classic tea-party tailoring, however. There were a fair few twists and turns along the way. Pleated skirts bore asymmetric ruffles and tails down one side and a certain set of dresses definitely seemed to stand-out amongst the thick fabrics and classic lady-wear – bright yellow numbers that screamed out an utterly architectural print, resembling the San Francisco Bridge.

Jeong’s seemingly favourite design ethos of white white white reappeared this season with a fair few outfits almost entirely in creams and white that flowed down in thick luscious fabric – a pure and almost evangelical look that passed off beautifully.

I now know why I was taken with Eun Jeong right from her Fashion Fringe debut. Her clothes are beautiful, classic, unique and, most of all, wearable. I could, for example, most definitely see an strong office woman walking into work every day and turning heads in Eun Jeong’s statement-take on both the classical and the quintessentially British. I loved it.

Illustration by Jenny Robins

I remember blogging about Eun Jeong eons ago, find enticed by her pretty minimalism with a crisp all-white palette one season. For me, she most certainly stood out amongst even the top hot-ticketers of London Fashion Week and I had an inkling she wouldn’t be a one-seasoner. I was therefore thrilled and curious upon bagging an invitation to one of her two fashion shows in Covent Garden during fashion week.??


All photography by Georgia Takacs

I sat next to a lovely blogger named Hannah Newton of London Town’s a go go in another clever catwalk invention of a loop around the room, with audience-members sitting on rows inside and outside of the square. We both shamelessly ruffled through our large goody bags with tiny goodies – cosmetics and a little heart-shaped purse by Kipling. And we didn’t bother with ‘acting the part of a fashionista’ all nonchalant and ‘oh! I get free overpriced make-up on a daily basis, sweetheart. It’s no biggie.’  We’re students and we were blooming happy with our freebies.??


Illustration by Kerri-Ann Hulme

We just knew that the intimate set-up would result in bagging some great up-close shots of the clothes and getting a good look at the detail and fabric. Then, after a long wait sitting by the runway (as is always the way with fashion shows), 1930s music was suddenly bouncing off the walls and the models took to the oddly-shaped catwalk.

It looked to me as if the collection had been inspired by Britain in war-time. Every model wore bronzed make-up with bronzed skin all over their body and the clothes themselves were British in many respects – pleats and wool and ruffles with lady-like cuts all over the joint. There were elegant camel-coloured coats and full-skirts that began at the waist and dropped to the floor in pressed pleats.


Illustration by Madi Illustrates

Bows and lace were everywhere. They both seem to be a common theme this season. Delicate bows were placed on skinny leather waist-belts and thick white lace acted as beautiful underskirts.

It wasn’t all classic tea-party tailoring, however. There were a fair few twists and turns along the way. Pleated skirts bore asymmetric ruffles and tails down one side and a certain set of dresses definitely seemed to stand-out amongst the thick fabrics and classic lady-wear – bright yellow numbers that screamed out an utterly architectural print, resembling the San Francisco Bridge.

Jeong’s seemingly favourite design ethos of white white white reappeared this season with a fair few outfits almost entirely in creams and white that flowed down in thick luscious fabric – a pure and almost evangelical look that passed off beautifully.

I now know why I was taken with Eun Jeong right from her Fashion Fringe debut. Her clothes are beautiful, classic, unique and, most of all, wearable. I could, for example, most definitely see an strong office woman walking into work every day and turning heads in Eun Jeong’s statement-take on both the classical and the quintessentially British. I loved it.

See more of Jenny Robins’ illustrations in Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration!

Illustration by Jenny Robins

I remember blogging about Eun Jeong eons ago, sildenafil enticed by her pretty minimalism with a crisp all-white palette one season. For me, cost she most certainly stood out amongst even the top hot-ticketers of London Fashion Week and I had an inkling she wouldn’t be a one-seasoner. I was therefore thrilled and curious upon bagging an invitation to one of her two fashion shows in Covent Garden during fashion week.??


All photography by Georgia Takacs

I sat next to a lovely blogger named Hannah Newton of London Town’s a go go in another clever catwalk invention of a loop around the room, more about with audience-members sitting on rows inside and outside of the square. We both shamelessly ruffled through our large goody bags with tiny goodies – cosmetics and a little heart-shaped purse by Kipling. And we didn’t bother with ‘acting the part of a fashionista’ all nonchalant and ‘oh! I get free overpriced make-up on a daily basis, sweetheart. It’s no biggie.’  We’re students and we were blooming happy with our freebies.??


Illustration by Kerri-Ann Hulme

We just knew that the intimate set-up would result in bagging some great up-close shots of the clothes and getting a good look at the detail and fabric. Then, after a long wait sitting by the runway (as is always the way with fashion shows), 1930s music was suddenly bouncing off the walls and the models took to the oddly-shaped catwalk.

It looked to me as if the collection had been inspired by Britain in war-time. Every model wore bronzed make-up with bronzed skin all over their body and the clothes themselves were British in many respects – pleats and wool and ruffles with lady-like cuts all over the joint. There were elegant camel-coloured coats and full-skirts that began at the waist and dropped to the floor in pressed pleats.


Illustration by Madi Illustrates

Bows and lace were everywhere. They both seem to be a common theme this season. Delicate bows were placed on skinny leather waist-belts and thick white lace acted as beautiful underskirts.

It wasn’t all classic tea-party tailoring, however. There were a fair few twists and turns along the way. Pleated skirts bore asymmetric ruffles and tails down one side and a certain set of dresses definitely seemed to stand-out amongst the thick fabrics and classic lady-wear – bright yellow numbers that screamed out an utterly architectural print, resembling the Golden Gate Bridge.

Jeong’s seemingly favourite design ethos of white white white reappeared this season with a fair few outfits almost entirely in creams and white that flowed down in thick luscious fabric – a pure and almost evangelical look that passed off beautifully.

I now know why I was taken with Eun Jeong right from her Fashion Fringe debut. Her clothes are beautiful, classic, unique and, most of all, wearable. I could, for example, most definitely see an strong office woman walking into work every day and turning heads in Eun Jeong’s statement-take on both the classical and the quintessentially British. I loved it.

See more of Jenny Robins’ illustrations in Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration!

Illustration by Antonia Parker

Over at Osman, clinic sleek silhouettes glided gracefully down the beautiful blue ink-blotched catwalk on models sporting blunt Cleopatra bobs with eyelash-skimming fringes.


Illustrations by Alexandra Rolfe

Osman Yousefzada showed a sophisticated palette featuring lot of ivory and charcoal in sharp yet flowing shapes. Colour flooded in, and taking the form of feature linings and leather trims in rust, store scarlet, pale aqua, neon pink and lime. The show opened with a beautiful ivory dress, featuring a v-shaped accent to the bodice in bright cobalt, echoing the beauiful inky stripe printed on the catwalk itself.


Illustrations by Donya Todd

The chic and sharply flared wide leg trousers were particularly prominent, billowing around the models’ legs as they sashayed their way towards the photographers’ pit. I was sitting way back in the sixth row but semi-successfully found a gap in the rows of heads to capture some of the looks. Key pieces seemed to keep on coming; dresses with contrast-lined capelets, black leather with hot pink horizontal stripes, a Morticia-length charcoal wool dress, a leather-fronted blouse with bright orange floor-length tied tails to the back, the list goes on.


Illustration by Madi Illustrates


Illustrations by Kerri-Ann Hulme


Photography by Naomi Law

There was a hint of the 1960s with a-line shapes and geometric capped sleeves, but pattern or ornamentation was minimal, save for one striking orange chiffon dress with chocolate brown embroidery. The collection managed to make crayon brights into something more sophisticated – the careful balance of colour and monotone combined with expert tailoring in subtly varyied textures was sharp, modern and crisp.


Illustrations by Rachel Lewis

There were two show-stopping floor-length black dresses with dramatic fluffy sleeves so huge I assumed they must be fake fur (hence asking two of our illustrators to work from these designs). I was disgusted to discover later that Osman has made the vile decision to use real fur in his collections. It’s nasty enough that anyone would choose to use animal fur in the first place, but even harder to understand when they’re going to end up dyeing it a completely unnatural colour anyway. Unfortunately this took the shine off the collection, none of this next season thank you!


Illustration by Antonia Parker

See more of Antonia Parker’s illustrations in Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration!

Written by Naomi Law on Wednesday March 9th, 2011 1:37 pm

Categories ,1960s, ,A/W 2011, ,Alexandra Rolfe, ,Antonia Parker, ,BFC, ,Brights, ,Catwalk review, ,Chic, ,Cleopatra, ,Cobalt, ,Donya Todd, ,fashion, ,Fur, ,Hot Pink, ,Kerri-Ann Hulme, ,London Fashion Week, ,Naomi Law, ,Osman Yousefzada, ,Rachel Lewis, ,Somerset House, ,Womenswear

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Amelia’s Magazine | Camden international: Launch of Proud Kitchen restaurant

by

Proud Kitchen by Rachel Lewis
Illustration by Rachel Lewis

Proud Kitchen is designed in a New York style, for sale the invite said, information pills but walking up the slope around the back of the Stables Market there’s no doubt we are in Camden. Glasses of Codorníu cava add a touch of Spain as we sip while pottering about the space, which feels determinedly British as it’s filled with photographs of David Bowie taken during his London years. It’s an eclectic mix, what goes on at Proud Camden – preserved features leave no doubt the Grade II-listed building used to be a stable, more specifically it once functioned as a hospital for the horses pulling barges along the nearby Regent’s Canal. The original beams are still visible in the ceilings, while the actual stables now function as VIP-areas.

The old barn beams contribute to the New York loft feel of Proud Kitchen, where guests are seated together along communal, candle-lit tables. Floral wallpaper on one side and crisp white tiles on another ensure an airy feel, as the food is served under crystal lampshades hung from heavy chains in an urban yet intimate setting.

Thursday’s press launch served up a starter of bresaola of beef, with piccalilli and sourdough toast, mixing ingredients from Italy, Britain and America. Alternatively guests could choose the vegetarian noodle salad or the soup of the day. Delicate flavours were the mark of all the starters, with the bresaola, a dried, salted beef, being much more subtle than comparable meats such as parma or serrano hams. The main dish offered a choice of roast sea bream with fennel, a squash and chestnut risotto, or grilled bavette steak with caramelised onion mash. While some guests found the beef to be too rare, this could presumably be cooked to order on a regular restaurant night. All the dishes were elegantly put together with simple, well-chosen ingredients. ‘They really know how to use herbs,’ my friend observed over the mashed potato. She left most of the haloumi cheese cubes which came with the green beans on her plate, but these were quickly snapped up by her neighbouring diners after they’d cleared their own plates.

Proud Kitchen food by Rachel Lewis
Illustration by Rachel Lewis

Last but not least was dessert – we’d pre-ordered the food the day before so I had no idea the meringue, spiced with star anise, would be bigger than my fist. Served with autumn berry cream, the sourness of the berries offset the sweet meringue as I tried to work out which part I liked best; the crispy shell or the gooey middle. Also available was the tart of the day, or the intriguing-sounding beetroot and chocolate fondant with clotted cream. Again, the chocolate and the cream elements offset each other beautifully, proving chef Finlay Logan knows how to combine flavours for the ‘world cuisine’ menu.

At a set menu price of £19.50, this is a decent price for a meal of this quality, especially considering it also gives you free entry to the club afterwards. Proud Kitchen still has to iron out a few kinks, as there was some confusion over who had ordered what, as well as some waiting as the kitchen struggled to serve 100 people at once. But the waiting staff were friendly and helpful, and owner Alex Proud took it all in his stride as he addressed his guests: ‘It might not be quite right tonight, but give us a couple of months and we’ll get it right.’ Proud Camden is after all a nightclub ‘trying to serve good, honest and inexpensive food’. I’d say Proud Kitchen is already well on its way to do just that.

Proud Kitchen is open every day from midday until late. Find it upstairs at Proud Camden, The Horse Hospital, Camden Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1.
Proud Kitchen by Rachel Lewis
Illustration by Rachel Lewis

Proud Kitchen is designed in a New York style, sildenafil the invite said, buy but walking up the slope around the back of the Stables Market there’s no doubt we are in Camden. Glasses of Codorníu cava add a touch of Spain as we sip while pottering about the space, which feels determinedly British as it’s filled with photographs of David Bowie taken during his London years. It’s an eclectic mix, what goes on at Proud Camden – preserved features leave no doubt the Grade II-listed building used to be a stable, more specifically it once functioned as a hospital for the horses pulling barges along the nearby Regent’s Canal. The original beams are still visible in the ceilings, while the actual stables now function as VIP-areas.

The old barn beams contribute to the New York loft feel of Proud Kitchen, where guests are seated together along communal, candle-lit tables. Floral wallpaper on one side and crisp white tiles on another ensure an airy feel, as the food is served under crystal lampshades hung from heavy chains in an urban yet intimate setting.

Thursday’s press launch served up a starter of bresaola of beef, with piccalilli and sourdough toast, mixing ingredients from Italy, Britain and America. Alternatively guests could choose the vegetarian noodle salad or the soup of the day. Delicate flavours were the mark of all the starters, with the bresaola, a dried, salted beef, being much more subtle than comparable meats such as parma or serrano hams. The main dish offered a choice of roast sea bream with fennel, a squash and chestnut risotto, or grilled bavette steak with caramelised onion mash. While some guests found the beef to be too rare, this could presumably be cooked to order on a regular restaurant night. All the dishes were elegantly put together with simple, well-chosen ingredients. ‘They really know how to use herbs,’ my friend observed over the mashed potato. She left most of the haloumi cheese cubes which came with the green beans on her plate, but these were quickly snapped up by her neighbouring diners after they’d cleared their own plates.

Proud Kitchen food by Rachel Lewis
Illustration by Rachel Lewis

Last but not least was dessert – we’d pre-ordered the food the day before so I had no idea the meringue, spiced with star anise, would be bigger than my fist. Served with autumn berry cream, the sourness of the berries offset the sweet meringue as I tried to work out which part I liked best; the crispy shell or the gooey middle. Also available was the tart of the day, or the intriguing-sounding beetroot and chocolate fondant with clotted cream. Again, the chocolate and the cream elements offset each other beautifully, proving chef Finlay Logan knows how to combine flavours for the ‘world cuisine’ menu.

At a set menu price of £19.50, this is a decent price for a meal of this quality, especially considering it also gives you free entry to the club afterwards. Proud Kitchen still has to iron out a few kinks, as there was some confusion over who had ordered what, as well as some waiting as the kitchen struggled to serve 100 people at once. But the waiting staff were friendly and helpful, and owner Alex Proud took it all in his stride as he addressed his guests: ‘It might not be quite right tonight, but give us a couple of months and we’ll get it right.’ Proud Camden is after all a nightclub ‘trying to serve good, honest and inexpensive food’. I’d say Proud Kitchen is already well on its way to do just that.

Proud Kitchen is open every day from midday until late. Find it upstairs at Proud Camden, The Horse Hospital, Camden Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1.
Proud Kitchen by Rachel Lewis
Illustration by Rachel Lewis

Proud Kitchen is designed in a New York style, clinic the invite said, unhealthy but walking up the slope around the back of the Stables Market there’s no doubt we are in Camden. Glasses of Codorníu cava add a touch of Spain as we sip while pottering about the space, which feels determinedly British as it’s filled with photographs of David Bowie taken during his London years. It’s an eclectic mix, what goes on at Proud Camden – preserved features leave no doubt the Grade II-listed building used to be a stable, more specifically it once functioned as a hospital for the horses pulling barges along the nearby Regent’s Canal. The original beams are still visible in the ceilings, while the actual stables now function as VIP-areas.

The old barn beams contribute to the New York loft feel of Proud Kitchen, where guests are seated together along communal, candle-lit tables. Floral wallpaper on one side and crisp white tiles on another ensure an airy feel, as the food is served under crystal lampshades hung from heavy chains in an urban yet intimate setting.

proud kitchen launch by tasha whittle
Illustration by Tasha Whittle

Thursday’s press launch served up a starter of bresaola of beef, with piccalilli and sourdough toast, mixing ingredients from Italy, Britain and America. Alternatively guests could choose the vegetarian noodle salad or the soup of the day. Delicate flavours were the mark of all the starters, with the bresaola, a dried, salted beef, being much more subtle than comparable meats such as parma or serrano hams. The main dish offered a choice of roast sea bream with fennel, a squash and chestnut risotto, or grilled bavette steak with caramelised onion mash. While some guests found the beef to be too rare, this could presumably be cooked to order on a regular restaurant night. All the dishes were elegantly put together with simple, well-chosen ingredients. ‘They really know how to use herbs,’ my friend observed over the mashed potato. She left most of the haloumi cheese cubes which came with the green beans on her plate, but these were quickly snapped up by her neighbouring diners after they’d cleared their own plates.

Proud Kitchen food by Rachel Lewis
Illustration by Rachel Lewis

Last but not least was dessert – we’d pre-ordered the food the day before so I had no idea the meringue, spiced with star anise, would be bigger than my fist. Served with autumn berry cream, the sourness of the berries offset the sweet meringue as I tried to work out which part I liked best; the crispy shell or the gooey middle. Also available was the tart of the day, or the intriguing-sounding beetroot and chocolate fondant with clotted cream. Again, the chocolate and the cream elements offset each other beautifully, proving chef Finlay Logan knows how to combine flavours for the ‘world cuisine’ menu.

At a set menu price of £19.50, this is a decent price for a meal of this quality, especially considering it also gives you free entry to the club afterwards. Proud Kitchen still has to iron out a few kinks, as there was some confusion over who had ordered what, as well as some waiting as the kitchen struggled to serve 100 people at once. But the waiting staff were friendly and helpful, and owner Alex Proud took it all in his stride as he addressed his guests: ‘It might not be quite right tonight, but give us a couple of months and we’ll get it right.’ Proud Camden is after all a nightclub ‘trying to serve good, honest and inexpensive food’. I’d say Proud Kitchen is already well on its way to do just that.

Proud Kitchen is open every day from midday until late. Find it upstairs at Proud Camden, The Horse Hospital, Camden Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1.

Written by Jessica Furseth on Monday November 15th, 2010 8:35 am

Categories ,Alex Proud, ,Camden Stables Market, ,Codorníu, ,Finlay Logan, ,Proud Camden, ,Proud Kitchen, ,Rachel Lewis, ,The Horse Hospital

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Amelia’s Magazine | Camden international: Launch of Proud Kitchen restaurant

by

Proud Kitchen by Rachel Lewis
Illustration by Rachel Lewis

Proud Kitchen is designed in a New York style, for sale the invite said, information pills but walking up the slope around the back of the Stables Market there’s no doubt we are in Camden. Glasses of Codorníu cava add a touch of Spain as we sip while pottering about the space, which feels determinedly British as it’s filled with photographs of David Bowie taken during his London years. It’s an eclectic mix, what goes on at Proud Camden – preserved features leave no doubt the Grade II-listed building used to be a stable, more specifically it once functioned as a hospital for the horses pulling barges along the nearby Regent’s Canal. The original beams are still visible in the ceilings, while the actual stables now function as VIP-areas.

The old barn beams contribute to the New York loft feel of Proud Kitchen, where guests are seated together along communal, candle-lit tables. Floral wallpaper on one side and crisp white tiles on another ensure an airy feel, as the food is served under crystal lampshades hung from heavy chains in an urban yet intimate setting.

Thursday’s press launch served up a starter of bresaola of beef, with piccalilli and sourdough toast, mixing ingredients from Italy, Britain and America. Alternatively guests could choose the vegetarian noodle salad or the soup of the day. Delicate flavours were the mark of all the starters, with the bresaola, a dried, salted beef, being much more subtle than comparable meats such as parma or serrano hams. The main dish offered a choice of roast sea bream with fennel, a squash and chestnut risotto, or grilled bavette steak with caramelised onion mash. While some guests found the beef to be too rare, this could presumably be cooked to order on a regular restaurant night. All the dishes were elegantly put together with simple, well-chosen ingredients. ‘They really know how to use herbs,’ my friend observed over the mashed potato. She left most of the haloumi cheese cubes which came with the green beans on her plate, but these were quickly snapped up by her neighbouring diners after they’d cleared their own plates.

Proud Kitchen food by Rachel Lewis
Illustration by Rachel Lewis

Last but not least was dessert – we’d pre-ordered the food the day before so I had no idea the meringue, spiced with star anise, would be bigger than my fist. Served with autumn berry cream, the sourness of the berries offset the sweet meringue as I tried to work out which part I liked best; the crispy shell or the gooey middle. Also available was the tart of the day, or the intriguing-sounding beetroot and chocolate fondant with clotted cream. Again, the chocolate and the cream elements offset each other beautifully, proving chef Finlay Logan knows how to combine flavours for the ‘world cuisine’ menu.

At a set menu price of £19.50, this is a decent price for a meal of this quality, especially considering it also gives you free entry to the club afterwards. Proud Kitchen still has to iron out a few kinks, as there was some confusion over who had ordered what, as well as some waiting as the kitchen struggled to serve 100 people at once. But the waiting staff were friendly and helpful, and owner Alex Proud took it all in his stride as he addressed his guests: ‘It might not be quite right tonight, but give us a couple of months and we’ll get it right.’ Proud Camden is after all a nightclub ‘trying to serve good, honest and inexpensive food’. I’d say Proud Kitchen is already well on its way to do just that.

Proud Kitchen is open every day from midday until late. Find it upstairs at Proud Camden, The Horse Hospital, Camden Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1.
Proud Kitchen by Rachel Lewis
Illustration by Rachel Lewis

Proud Kitchen is designed in a New York style, sildenafil the invite said, buy but walking up the slope around the back of the Stables Market there’s no doubt we are in Camden. Glasses of Codorníu cava add a touch of Spain as we sip while pottering about the space, which feels determinedly British as it’s filled with photographs of David Bowie taken during his London years. It’s an eclectic mix, what goes on at Proud Camden – preserved features leave no doubt the Grade II-listed building used to be a stable, more specifically it once functioned as a hospital for the horses pulling barges along the nearby Regent’s Canal. The original beams are still visible in the ceilings, while the actual stables now function as VIP-areas.

The old barn beams contribute to the New York loft feel of Proud Kitchen, where guests are seated together along communal, candle-lit tables. Floral wallpaper on one side and crisp white tiles on another ensure an airy feel, as the food is served under crystal lampshades hung from heavy chains in an urban yet intimate setting.

Thursday’s press launch served up a starter of bresaola of beef, with piccalilli and sourdough toast, mixing ingredients from Italy, Britain and America. Alternatively guests could choose the vegetarian noodle salad or the soup of the day. Delicate flavours were the mark of all the starters, with the bresaola, a dried, salted beef, being much more subtle than comparable meats such as parma or serrano hams. The main dish offered a choice of roast sea bream with fennel, a squash and chestnut risotto, or grilled bavette steak with caramelised onion mash. While some guests found the beef to be too rare, this could presumably be cooked to order on a regular restaurant night. All the dishes were elegantly put together with simple, well-chosen ingredients. ‘They really know how to use herbs,’ my friend observed over the mashed potato. She left most of the haloumi cheese cubes which came with the green beans on her plate, but these were quickly snapped up by her neighbouring diners after they’d cleared their own plates.

Proud Kitchen food by Rachel Lewis
Illustration by Rachel Lewis

Last but not least was dessert – we’d pre-ordered the food the day before so I had no idea the meringue, spiced with star anise, would be bigger than my fist. Served with autumn berry cream, the sourness of the berries offset the sweet meringue as I tried to work out which part I liked best; the crispy shell or the gooey middle. Also available was the tart of the day, or the intriguing-sounding beetroot and chocolate fondant with clotted cream. Again, the chocolate and the cream elements offset each other beautifully, proving chef Finlay Logan knows how to combine flavours for the ‘world cuisine’ menu.

At a set menu price of £19.50, this is a decent price for a meal of this quality, especially considering it also gives you free entry to the club afterwards. Proud Kitchen still has to iron out a few kinks, as there was some confusion over who had ordered what, as well as some waiting as the kitchen struggled to serve 100 people at once. But the waiting staff were friendly and helpful, and owner Alex Proud took it all in his stride as he addressed his guests: ‘It might not be quite right tonight, but give us a couple of months and we’ll get it right.’ Proud Camden is after all a nightclub ‘trying to serve good, honest and inexpensive food’. I’d say Proud Kitchen is already well on its way to do just that.

Proud Kitchen is open every day from midday until late. Find it upstairs at Proud Camden, The Horse Hospital, Camden Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1.
Proud Kitchen by Rachel Lewis
Illustration by Rachel Lewis

Proud Kitchen is designed in a New York style, clinic the invite said, unhealthy but walking up the slope around the back of the Stables Market there’s no doubt we are in Camden. Glasses of Codorníu cava add a touch of Spain as we sip while pottering about the space, which feels determinedly British as it’s filled with photographs of David Bowie taken during his London years. It’s an eclectic mix, what goes on at Proud Camden – preserved features leave no doubt the Grade II-listed building used to be a stable, more specifically it once functioned as a hospital for the horses pulling barges along the nearby Regent’s Canal. The original beams are still visible in the ceilings, while the actual stables now function as VIP-areas.

The old barn beams contribute to the New York loft feel of Proud Kitchen, where guests are seated together along communal, candle-lit tables. Floral wallpaper on one side and crisp white tiles on another ensure an airy feel, as the food is served under crystal lampshades hung from heavy chains in an urban yet intimate setting.

proud kitchen launch by tasha whittle
Illustration by Tasha Whittle

Thursday’s press launch served up a starter of bresaola of beef, with piccalilli and sourdough toast, mixing ingredients from Italy, Britain and America. Alternatively guests could choose the vegetarian noodle salad or the soup of the day. Delicate flavours were the mark of all the starters, with the bresaola, a dried, salted beef, being much more subtle than comparable meats such as parma or serrano hams. The main dish offered a choice of roast sea bream with fennel, a squash and chestnut risotto, or grilled bavette steak with caramelised onion mash. While some guests found the beef to be too rare, this could presumably be cooked to order on a regular restaurant night. All the dishes were elegantly put together with simple, well-chosen ingredients. ‘They really know how to use herbs,’ my friend observed over the mashed potato. She left most of the haloumi cheese cubes which came with the green beans on her plate, but these were quickly snapped up by her neighbouring diners after they’d cleared their own plates.

Proud Kitchen food by Rachel Lewis
Illustration by Rachel Lewis

Last but not least was dessert – we’d pre-ordered the food the day before so I had no idea the meringue, spiced with star anise, would be bigger than my fist. Served with autumn berry cream, the sourness of the berries offset the sweet meringue as I tried to work out which part I liked best; the crispy shell or the gooey middle. Also available was the tart of the day, or the intriguing-sounding beetroot and chocolate fondant with clotted cream. Again, the chocolate and the cream elements offset each other beautifully, proving chef Finlay Logan knows how to combine flavours for the ‘world cuisine’ menu.

At a set menu price of £19.50, this is a decent price for a meal of this quality, especially considering it also gives you free entry to the club afterwards. Proud Kitchen still has to iron out a few kinks, as there was some confusion over who had ordered what, as well as some waiting as the kitchen struggled to serve 100 people at once. But the waiting staff were friendly and helpful, and owner Alex Proud took it all in his stride as he addressed his guests: ‘It might not be quite right tonight, but give us a couple of months and we’ll get it right.’ Proud Camden is after all a nightclub ‘trying to serve good, honest and inexpensive food’. I’d say Proud Kitchen is already well on its way to do just that.

Proud Kitchen is open every day from midday until late. Find it upstairs at Proud Camden, The Horse Hospital, Camden Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1.

Written by Jessica Furseth on Monday November 15th, 2010 8:35 am

Categories ,Alex Proud, ,Camden Stables Market, ,Codorníu, ,Finlay Logan, ,Proud Camden, ,Proud Kitchen, ,Rachel Lewis, ,The Horse Hospital

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