Tuesday 23rd April sees the launch of a brand new concert series with supper club at The Forge & Foundry. This unique event showcases our two great passions – music and food – with a performance by pianist and Forge & Foundry director Adam Caird followed by a multi-course supper club specially designed to reflect the concert programme by the hugely talented Foundry chefs.

Adam Caird writes: ‘It’s been an amazing experience working with the Foundry chefs to produce a menu that represents our collective interpretation of these musical works. We started by all sitting round in The Forge while I played a few extracts and we all discussed the kind of dishes and ingredients that reflected each piece. This then gave them a basic idea with which to go away and put together their dishes which we then talked through and tweaked to come up with the final menu.

I offered my ideas and opinions but these dishes are really the chefs’ own personal responses to what they hear in the music. The next stage is to present both the music and the menu to an audience and see what they think of our interpretations. I’m sure this will provoke some interesting debate along with gastronomic enjoyment and my hope is that this new supper club will become a fascinating forum for the appreciation of great music and food.’

For tickets & Information click here.

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We’ve been receiving a fair amount of press recognition recently for what we’re up to at The Foundry, which is always rather nice!

Last month we invited a few of London’s top bloggers to sample our brand new Espresso Martini. They enjoyed a demonstration from the wonderful George who stocks the beautiful coffee beans we use in his Camden Coffee Shop, which is right next door to us. Pete Drinks, Food I Fancy, Hungry Nomad and Fuss Free Flavours were all rather taken with the drink – and George of course!

It’s not only our cocktails that have received attention recently either. Titles like Metro, Camden New Journal & Kavey Eats have all supported our restaurant and various events we’ve done in recent weeks. To keep up to date on what the press are saying about us, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook where we post all our latest reviews!

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Launched only a few weeks ago, our new regular late night live music show Fired Up at The Forge has delivered. Host Micky P presents a new line up each Saturday, with performances from some of the UK’s hottest ground-breaking talent from a range of musical genres.

The über talented Micky P has over 25 years of talent under his wings, playing host to nights at some of the capitals finest hot-spots. His experience within the music industry extends to a multitude of platforms including working with Sir Bob Geldof and super-producer Rupert Hine.

To keep up to date with all the going’s on at ‘Fired Up,’ follow The Forge on Twitter and like them on Facebook for full listings on what’s coming up.

Click here for full ‘Fired Up’ listings.

See you next Saturday!

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Jo Harman has come back to the Forge for a cocktail and a chat about her knock out performance here last month as well as her debut album which is out this week. She keeps in classic with a cosmopolitan and settles back on one of our comfy leather sofas upstairs in The Foundry restaurant.

You had a great performance here at the Forge in February– What was it about the Forge that you liked and made you want to perform here?

Well when I first saw the venue, I did wonder about the suitability as it seemed quite formal at first. I loved the vibe though, with the plants and the lights and on the night we enjoyed ourselves so much. The audience were great and on our side. The intimacy of the venue is great for making a connection with your audience too.

So your debut album is out this week? Is it mostly covers or your own material? Any musical influences?

Yes it’s very exciting. All songs are either written by myself or co-written with my hugely talented guitarist Mike Davis (who was also producer), except for one song, which is a cover of a James Maddock song. It’s a very special song and something about it enticed me. We have a bit of a musical relationship.

I have many influences, generally pretty old school, Janis Joplin, gospel music, Stones, Aretha Franklin. Being a singer, obviously the first thing that gets me is someone’s voice and the way they deal with their audience and Bettye Lavette is amazing. I actually saw her perform here in Camden, and I sat at the front in total awe. Her vocals and personality and the way she has her audience in her palm, she just has so much charisma. I want to be like her!

What’s your fantasy cocktail?

Well, I think it would have to involve my favourite food – peanut butter with a bit of jam to sweeten it up or chocolate – like Reese’s Pieces as a cocktail with some vodka thrown in!

I heard you are playing at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival in May…

I know I’m so excited! I started out in the blues scene, which I have found to be a very supportive community, but it is great to cross over into other genres.

Before then we’re at the Saltburn Blues Club later this month and then next month we’re back in Europe; at Jazz A Toute Heure festival, just outside Paris in early April and then performing with blues legend Johnny Winter in Amsterdam mid April.

Anyone performing here at the Forge this season that you would have liked to or plan to check out?

Ayanna Witter-Johnson! I actually saw her perform years ago in a tiny little club in Brighton. She has such an individual sound.

Check out Jo’s new album “Dirt on my Tongue” – available from here.

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Cocktail Sessions

It’s a dreary and cold Monday in Camden Town, but here in the Forge and Foundry, life is a bit more interesting as London based pianist Jozef Janik and baritone Leandros Taliotis have come in for a cocktail and a bit of a chat about their upcoming performance at the Forge, as well as some of their future exciting new projects. After considering the cocktail menu for about 30 seconds, Jozef goes straight for one of our Expresso Martinis. Leandros decides on a Negroni – an Italian aperitif made with gin, sweet vermouth and campari.

So, your performance is this Sunday – What is it that you like the most about the Forge as a music venue, what made you particularly want to perform here?

Jozef: The Forge is a great music venue, it’s intimate and cute with great acoustics – as a musician you don’t have to compensate anywhere in your performance – I’ve played in a lot of churches for example, and even though people come to hear you play, churches can be cold and the acoustics are not necessarily good. With the Forge you have not only a quality music venue, but also an onsite restaurant and bar – you know that it’s going to make for a nice day out for everyone – it’s not just a music venue.

Leandros: Yes it’s the complete package, great atmosphere with the added attraction of playing to a home crowd. Camden is such a great location and easily accessible for everyone. I’ve grown up in North London and I know this area well.

Give the readers an idea of what you’ll be doing at The Forge and why it is a special performance for you

Leandros:  Well it’s Schumann‘s cycle Dichterliebe. It’s a piece that touches both of us and we’re really excited to be sharing it with our audience.

Jozef: As a pianist I am more than an accompanist – it’s really exciting to physically play – there’s lots of “meat” for me to get into and I could never get bored of it.

Leandros – Yes it’s a very rewarding sing as well – full of technical challenges and beautiful with the underlying colours of the piano too. It’s a serious piece – it gets pretty dark in places – but it’s just as enjoyable to play and sing as it is to listen to. It’s very heartfelt.

How do you like your cocktails by the way? Jozef, the coffee in your Martini comes from just up the road, straight from George’s coffee shop where he roasts his own coffee beans.

Jozef: Very nice – definitely not one for coffee haters though!

Leandros: This Negroni is great!

What would your fantasy cocktail be made of?

Leandros: Well I do like spirits – if a cocktail should be an essence of your identity I would ask for a strong one – maybe made of both Ouzo and Gin to represent both my Greek and British roots mixed with something to sweeten it up– that should be a challenge for the bartender!

Any projects or events coming up that you’d like to tell us about?

Leandros: Well I suppose next in the pipeline is a wonderful programme of music by composer Poulenc – his partner was a high baritone same as me. 2013 actually marks the 50^th anniversary of his death so it’s especially poignant to organise it for this year. There are also some fiendish piano parts for Jozef to get into.

Jozef: We’re still finalising the programme details – we’re hoping to involve some flute and maybe piano four-hands too. It won’t be before the summer though – probably the autumn – stay tuned!

Leandros and Jozef are performing at the Forge this Sunday afternoon (3^rd March) at 3pm (doors 2:30pm). To book tickets please see the what’s on section.

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Heard about our Friday Pie Day yet? We launched it at the beginning of February and it’s fast becoming a lunchtime hit in Camden!

Each Friday our Foundry chefs are freshly baking a range of different pies to either eat in at our place or to take away. Pies include Chicken & Mushroom, Vegetarian (Spinach, Mushroom & Parmesan) and we’ve naturally got some Sweet Pies too including Pear & Almond.

We’ll have a Pie of the Month too – in February its Steak & Stout – and we recently held a great event with the Meantime Brewing Company where we used some of their fine beer as an ingredient.

We’ve also received a fair bit of press recognition already sites like Eat Cook Explore and London Word as well as the Camden New Journal.

Friday Pie Day is held weekly at The Foundry and you can check out our Facebook or Twitter feeds for more info!

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On February 3^rd, to celebrate The Forge’s opening night of the season, we have something very special lined up here at The Foundry. We will be expertly combining the offerings from The Forge and Foundry to bring you an exquisite evening of fine wines and music. Starting at 6pm upstairs in The Foundry there will be a wine-tasting featuring a selection of the most delicious Foundry wines, led by Frederica Zanghirella from the world-wide respected UK Sommelier Association and afterwards we will be opening The Forge’s 2013 season with Ellipsis Ensemble, three of Britain’s finest musicians. Don’t miss out on this fantastic evening of fine wine and wonderful music!

Tickets available here

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If you’re feeling Christmassy but want to opt for something a little more exciting than the old eggnog or mulled wine options why not try our new Apple Strudel Martini? It’s made up of vanilla vodka shaken with apple schnapps and rhubarb liqueur and then dusted with cinnamon. Deliciously festive this is one you really must try – it really tastes of apple strudel but with a warming winter kick!

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3 COURSES FOR £35 (early sitting)

3 COURSES PLUS DJ & DANCING TILL LATE FOR £45

STARTERS

Celeriac soup with apple compote (v)

Home made truffle foie gras, hazelnut crostino, red martini jelly (n)

King prawns with almond cream, celery shavings, grapefruit brunoise & saffron (n) 

MAINS

Fillet of beef with foie gras, crostino & madeira sauce

Fillet of sea bream, date cream, leeks, raisin sauce

Cocoa ravioli, chestnut cream, mushroom sauce (v)

DESSERTS

Lady grey tea cake with a pistachio & hazelnut centre, white chocolate soup (n)

Belgian chocolate marquise filled with Tahitian vanilla cream, crunchy hazelnuts, saffron marshmallow, strawberry sauce (n)

British cheese board, onion marmalade & home-made bread (n)

A BIT ON THE SIDE

£3.50 each

Hand-cut chips

New potatoes

Fries

Cherry tomato, rocket & toasted pine nut salad

Cucumber, tomato and yoghurt salad

House salad

Seasonal greens

(v) – Suitable for vegetarians. (n) – contains nuts

We will happily provide you with details about our food if you have any specific questions or requirements. Due to presence of nut produce in our kitchen we cannot guarantee any item will be suitable for those with nut allergies. A discretionary 12.5% gratuity will be added to your bill for the benefit of serving and other staff. VAT at the prevailing rate

Plan your New Year’s Eve now!

Email:contact@foundrycamden.co.uk

Tel:  020 7387 5959

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Try giving presents that aren’t something the person actually needs, be decadent and indulgent, be traditional or sentimental, be innovative and thoughtful in your choice of gifts this Christmas and earn yourself the righteous title of an Excellent Present Giver – it’s a fantastic title to have in any household. Below are some ideas:

1. Hand made by you:  Anything you have made yourself is a great idea for a Christmas present. Last year I made raspberry cordial and toasted pecans and gift wrapped them nicely. This year I’ve been very brave and made Christmas soap. The handmade feel to any item automatically makes it a bit more special. If you’re already quite crafty – then you’re sorted. If you’re not particularly crafty then fear not – just try a Christmas craft fair.
2. Knitted/crochet wool socks: Nothing says Christmas like a warm and cosy pair of socks. It’s a present that people will continue to treasure throughout the cold winter season. If you don’t know how to crochet or knit, there are many books and online tutorials to show you. However be warned, high quality wool is expensive! If you find the art of knitting and crochet a little tedious, or you just don’t have the spare time to learn, knitted socks are quite widely available this time of year.
3. Photo album with photos already in– I recommend this present for a close friend. It’s a particularly convenient present if you’re a bit strapped for cash as making copies of photos is usually quite inexpensive and then all you need is the photo album itself. If you’re feeling really sentimental, then try making the photo album from scratch. There are many tutorials on making books – and you can personalise it and make it specific to the person you are giving the present to. Fill it with photos of the two of you that remind you of the good times you have shared. The receiver will always treasure it – even if half the photos are on facebook anyway – it will be touching that you have taken the time to turn those memories into an item – and not just left them to the virtual world of social media.
4. Travel scrapbook – similar idea to the photo album and a chance to get extra creative – if the two of you have travelled together, make a scrapbook documenting your trip. Include photos, trinkets, tickets, maps, funny anecdote’s and present it all in an attractive fashion. The receiver will be thrilled that you’ve taken the time to remember and record everything you experienced together. It’s likely to be something they always treasure and perhaps even something they bring out to show the grandchildren in later years.  Perhaps someone is planning a trip in the new year – make a personalised scrap book ready for them to fill with memories.

Look out for part two on The Forge’s blog next week.

Our Christmas Golden Ticket campaign has started.

For your chance to win, book your Christmas party now!

Email:contact@foundrycamden.co.uk

Tel:  020 7387 5959

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