Lunchtime at Bistro 7

So honestly, I can't tell you I know what has been going on with me and blogging these last few months. It seems that after like 4 years of doing it, I just ran out of steam one day and quit. Not only blogging even, I know I don't post my short stories on here a lot but I haven't even felt compelled enough to put pen to paper recently and produce any form of creative writing, I just don't get it. Well actually, I know part of the reason I guess... I was getting quite disheartened by it because I stopped looking at blogging like a fun and relaxing way to let out steam but rather as a popularity contest almost. I look on other blogs that I don't feel have the most original or the best content with thousands more page views than my little old space and I sit and wonder what or who I'm really doing all this for anyway...

Well, the truth is, being envious never got anyone anywhere and so I'm going back to my 'roots' of blogging about whatever I want, whenever I want. No fancy schedules, no nothing. Just me, so help me God. I'm looking to rekindle the flame of the original love and passion and so what better way to start than with food?? If you know me, you know eating is one of my favourite pastimes. I'm going to throw us all the way back to last year, sometime in late November when I played hookey from work to go with my mum to a conference and then ended up having lunch with her afterwards. We went to Bistro 7 on Kofo Abayomi, it's number 273 and is on the left hand side of the road, shortly after Intercontinental.

Izanagi: Where Dreams Come True.

I'm meant to be trying to get abs, yet in the lead up to the deadly holiday season I find myself eating out more and more for a whole host of reasons. This particular day though, was totally worth it. My fellow Pan-Asian, Thai, Japanese food lover, Efe and I, decided to finally give Izanagi a shot. This place has been on my mind for a looong while because they do sushi, but I wasn't too sure about being served sushi in Nigeria. Then I thought about it logically, if I would eat sushi almost anywhere else in the world why would I not try it here? Anyway, on the recommendation of a good friend of ours, Efe and I trooped along to Izanagi about a week ago (week agooo).

It's on Idejo Street in V.I and as soon as we passed the dodgy looking construction workers and other people hanging about and climbed the stairs, I fell in love. Let me just say now that my expectations for this restaurant were sky high and I was very sure I was going to be at least a little disappointed. Efe and I sat down and perused the menu, giggly with excitement. We looked at the menu and were surprised by some of the prices, 3 maki rolls for N1,200? Yes please! Our waiter was pleasant and quite knowledgable and also very patient as we were consumed by general indecision. In the end, we opted for Prawn Tempura and Chicken Dumplings for starters.

The tempura came with tempura sauce and was coated with the lightest, fluffiest, most delightful batter. The type that doesn't leave you feeling like you've swallowed a wad of oil and clogged up your arteries, the best kind! And the dumplings were extremely flavourful, they came with chilli powder, soy sauce and sesame seeds, but really I enjoyed them just on their own.

Oh before I forget, I had an Izanagi's Kiss to drink, a non alcoholic cocktail with apple juice, coconut juice and some other stuff I've since forgotten. It has the yummiest, most fragrant smell. Efe had an apple juice. No need for expensive drinks when there's food to be had!

For our mains we ordered one plate of Beef Udon Noodles to share along with three maki rolls, from left to right the rolls are "Mango Roll" which was a roll wrapped in a deliciously sweet slither or mango. "Plantain Roll" which had tiny and fairly spicy plantain pieces over a tuna roll and my absolute favourite the "Salmon Skin Roll". The sushi came with a side of wasabi and ginger. The noodles were extremely tasty as well and even though we struggled to finish it, we still picked up all the pieces of tender, well flavoured beef and left the delicious noodles alone.

At this point I have to talk about the service, we got to the restaurant at about 6.30, just half an hour after they open for dinner, (can someone say keen beans?) and were immediately given our choice of seats. By the time we were leaving a couple hours later, all the tables were completely occupied, it was mainly full of expatriates and the crowd ranged from families, to couples, to just friends hanging out. This was a random Tuesday evening, I would hate to see what it's like at the weekend and so my dear friends, if you're planning on going; reserve, reserve, reserve! My main point though is that even through this busy period, our food still came out consistently and seemed to be perfectly timed by our more than able waiter. It was not until towards the end of the meal that I started to feel Mr. Perfect was cheating on us with the other tables around. Lol.

To end the whole fiesta, I ordered the Warm Lava Cake, Efe decided to pass on dessert though. I really considered being a good fitfam girl but what's the point of not trying dessert? Especially when by this time, I was convinced Izanagi could do no wrong! I kissed my "almost" abs goodbye and dove, head first into the warmth of this decadent chocolate cake. If like me, you love chocolate, your taste buds will explode at the richness of this dessert. The sensations of the warm cake and the cold ice cream were enough to make me shed a real life tear and I don't regret getting the cake for one second.

Warning, objects in the pictures are larger than they appear. The serving of cake was probably better suited to two people than one, but who's complaining? My only issue with the dessert was the inclusion of strawberry ice-cream. Yuck. Who does that? At the end of it all, our bill came in the cutest treasure box and I bet you're wondering what the low down is.

A grand total of N19,800. Yup, you read that right. Fortunately for us, it was just within our budget and worth every gaddem kobo! Unfortunately, it means I can't go there once a week until I've exhausted their entire menu like I originally planned to. :( 

So here's my final low down of what has been by far, my best dining experience in the whole of Lagos and certainly my top three in all my experiences.

Food- 9.5/10

Service- 9/10

Ambience- 10/10

Overall- 9.5/10

If you've been meaning to visit Izanagi's then go! If you've never heard of them, still go! If you don't like sushi or other Asian food, hell just go anyways! And if you see me munching away in a corner then come say hey and join me :)

Beauty Review: Mia 2 Clarisonic

So over the summer, well towards the end really, while I was in Palm Springs, I went on a nice, relaxng Spa day with my mum. Girls day out while the boys and my dad played golf in the punishing sun. During the treatment, the beautician used a Clarisonic on my T zone and therein was the beginning of a very special love affair. Lol.

You see I had always wanted to try out the Clarisonic and see what benefits it would bring to my naturally oily, sensitive and extremely break out prone skin but I was worried about it being too harsh for me. But with the reassurance of the beautician I tried it and my face felt like it had received new life! Haha. There are quite a few different types of clarisonics, and their uses range from the face to the feet and even the whole body. The one I bought is called the Mia 2 and I got it with a 15% discount right after my treatment, the original price for the Mia 2 is $99, minus VAT. So I definitely felt like I had struck a bargain.

The Mia2 and all it's accessories.

So now, on to some before and after shots. I started using the Clarisonic towards the end of August 2014 and my after picture was taken a couple of weeks ago towards the end of October and so that makes two full months of usage. I use it just once a day, every morning while I shower and one cycle lasts for exactly 1 minute. Most people spend much less than a minute washing their faces but I ready that you need to spend a minimum of one minute to really cleanse your pores so the Clarisonic is perfectly timed.

Surely I don't have to say which is before and which is after! The difference is so clear to me! But just incase... Before is on the left, after is on the right :)

I should state as well that this is NOT an exfoliating brush, it's a cleansing brush and not to be used with face washes that have abrasive micro particles like typical exfoliators do. I guess the combination of both could irritate the skin.

Also before I forget, let me add that you are intended to change the brush head every 3 - 4 months and this device is rechargeable but completely waterproof to allow for use in the shower. I adore my Clarisonic and face washing just has never been the same since... Now all I have to do is stop being lazy about washing my face at night and maybe those annoying spots will finally be gone forever.

Have you ever used the Clarisonic? What were your thoughts? Also does anyone have any beauty tips and tricks for clearer skin? Do share, I'm obsessed with making my face flawless now. Haha

A Surprise at Metisse

You see, this is what happens when you stay away indefinitely from your blog... You get rusty and then when trying to make a come back you figure you've forgotten the names of all the yummy delicious things you ate AND took pictures of just for the sake of the blog! I really was in quite a pickle here as to whether to share or not but then looking at the pictures made my tummy rumble and I practically started salivating. Truth be told, I haven't really eaten much today and it's well after "responsible eating" hours so maybe that has something to do with it.

But anyhow, sometime in the month of June it was my friend Robie's birthday and her boyfriend turned fiance Chris threw her a small surprise dinner, which I thought was one of the sweetest things ever. The date and time were set and the restaurant was Metisse. Now if you're anything like I was back then "Metisse" means nothing to you. Chris described it as "the restaurant on Etim Inyang Crescent in V.I, above Chocolat Royale" and I immediately responded "That's Cafe Royale" like the ITK that I am. Lol. Turns out Cafe Royale isn't the only thing above Chocolat Royale and there IS actually a teeny tiny Pan-Asian restaurant towards the back and it IS called Metisse! Look at that, mind. blown. Haha.

Side note: I'm a little pissed because I've written this post twice now but the silly thing keeps not saving, been having problems with my internet. Hopefully this is the last time I'm going to have to type this!

So as I was saying, the bad thing with staying away is that you forget what all the yummy food was called but I do remember a lot about the service though, maybe because it was quite good! Certainly what I would expect from such a place, the waiters were present and alert, we never had to look around for them talk less of stand up to go and meet them as I've had to do in some places! There was a piano in the corner churning out sweet melodies, you know the kind with the ghost pianist so the keys look like they're being played. And the manager went over and above his call of duty when Robie insisted that she wanted to have candles to blow out on her cake. All in all it was a really lovely evening out and so now on to some pictures of the yummy food whose names I've forgotten. Which reminds me, I'm reading this book called "We Need New Names" by NoViolet Bulawayo, it's quite interesting so far, review once I'm done.

Some yummy looking spring rolls (?) with a thai sweet chilli sauce

Chicken Satay!

Special Fried Rice

Yummy butterfly prawns, can you tell that one is missing from the plate? Someone was too eager before I got the chance to take the picture!

I think this was some Malay beef but I'm not 100% sure!

One of Robbie's birthday cakes.

I know she was definitely surprised to see us at Metisse that evening and we all had an amazing time and drank too much champagne on a work night! But life is for the living and any and everything goes when a worthy celebration is involved!

I love that I love blogging again! Already thinking of my next few posts! Haha!

Bisous,

Reni xx