WIN FOOD & DRINKS AT MABEL'S

I'm spoiling you guys - I've got another competition for you - this time to win food and drinks for 4 people at the lovely, brand new Mabel's in Covent Garden. Open less than a week, I popped down to check it out and make sure I liked it enough to give away this amazing prize. And how could I resist anyway - my Mum's old dog was called Mabel - it was meant to be!!

Mabel's is on Maiden Lane, just south of the Covent Garden piazza. It's away from the crowds, and a is huge space incorporating 2 bars, a massive restaurant area and a dance floor and more seating downstairs. They serve wonderful cocktails; brunches - think avocado on toast, granola, eggs benedict or a full English washed down with a Bloody Mabel - their take on the Bloody Mary using their own spice mix; all day food including mouth-watering sounding sandwiches - Ogleshield cheese, roasted mushroom and salami tartufo sourdough grilled toastie; summery salads such as butter lettuce, almond, pear, cherry tomato and oxford blue cheese; and a full menu of starters, mains and puddings.

We had a wonderful meal there and I'm so happy that one of you can win a meal there too. Despite going to Mabel's on a Tuesday post-bank holiday it was busy and lively, filled with cocktail drinks and eaters. We sat towards the back of the restaurant area so had the full view over the venue and out on to Maiden Lane. We started with cocktails - a mojito for the boy which was punchy and not too sweet (I hate mojitos that are mainly sugar) and The Mabel for me (because how could I not!) The Mabel is a champagne cocktail made with St Germain elderflower liqueur shaken with mint & peach bitters before being topped with Heidsieck Monopole Champagne. So easy to drink and super refreshing.

The bar at Mabel's is stocked with every type and brand of booze you can imagine so if you can't find what you want on their extensive cocktail list, I'm sure the very helpful bartenders will be able to whip up what you want. They also serve sharing cocktails including the Alsace Cooler, served by the carafe blending St Germain elderflower liqueur with a crisp Sauvignon blanc wine and sparkling soda water, with hints of fresh mint and lemon, which sounds right up my street.

For food we shared a few starters. The crunchy, crispy homemade pork scratchings with apple and vanilla sauce. Though the sauce was too sweet for my tastes I loved the scratchings with their layer of fat underneath.

Duck egg and chive mayo with warm grilled asparagus, shaved Lincolnshire poacher and toasted walnut bread was also a success, though less egg mayo and more asparagus might've made a better plate. The egg mayo was delicious, with a strong chive flavour.

Our third sharing starter was the small charcuterie and cheeseboard - where you could tell the importance of sourcing top quality ingredients. The lomo iberico bellota was my favourite, with the prosciutto a close second. This was paired with a wonderful piece of smooth 24 month matured comte. My only suggestion on this is that the cheese is cut thinner as we had the one thick wedge to share between us.  

For mains we stuck to meat options, though there are veggie and fish options on the menu too. I had the smashed half free-range chicken served with salt baked potatoes, fennel and apple slaw and the made-in-house Mabel's romesco sauce, which was a real winner with the juicy chicken. A huge portion that I struggled to finish after over indulging on the starters.

The boy had no problems finishing his main course though. Chargrilled 8oz ribeye, served blue as requested, with vine cherry tomatoes, chips and peppercorn sauce - though he could've chosen red wine and shallot butter or the romesco to accompany his steak. The meat was obviously good quality and tasted wonderful. It's the most expensive main on the menu, though at £19 it still won't break the bank.

Having not left any room for pudding, we left Mabel's full and contented and strolled through a busy Covent Garden to catch the tube home. I'll definitely be back for cocktails and food next time I'm in the area - The Mabel cocktail I had was SO good. I have to also say that the service was impeccable, not only friendly and uber helpful, but the staff knew so much about the food and drinks menus (as they should) and I witnessed some sort of blindfolded cocktail tasting training going on downstairs while we were there too!! Special mention to our waiter Jack so looked after us so well.

And if you want to visit Mabel's then enter my competition below. It's so easy to enter, and if you win, the prize is a 3 course meal for four people, including drinks, at Mabel’s Covent Garden. Expiry date: use within 3 months. You must be at least 18 years old. 

 

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