The finest delicacies - for dogs

Sophie Farrah and her pooch sample the best gourmet pet food (and beer!) in town

Piglet & Sophie

For this month’s special pet issue I’ve enlisted the help of my trusty four-legged friend Piglet and together we’ve ventured out to sample what the hound-loving hotspot that is South West London has to offer in the way of canine cuisine. And just to clarify – it is Piglet who will be doing the sampling, not me.

Raw, gourmet and gluten-free? Believe it or not, I am still talking about dog food here. Nature’s Menu, found at Pets at Home in Battersea and Richmond, offers raw pet food for your pampered pooch – as in raw, human-grade meat, fish, bones, fruit and veg. All of their meals are frozen from fresh and aim to give dogs a diet that’s as close as possible to what they might have eaten as wild animals, therefore improving their natural health and, despite being far from wild, Piglet licks her bowl clean and seems full of (raw) beans for the rest of the day.

For the ultimate in bespoke canine nutrition we head to Richmond-based Tails.com who, by using certain information about your four-legged friend, calculate a totally unique blend of dried food to match his or hers individual nutritional and dietary needs (and taste preferences, of course), before delivering it to your door each month. Piglet was seriously impressed with her creation, particularly as the smart bag that it came in was personalised with her name (see above photo).

Graham Fisher

Like me, Piglet also has a tendency to get peckish in between meals, so we pop to Posh Pups in Kew for a bag of Pooch’s handmade treats. Each lovingly hand baked morsel contains no preservatives, flavourings or colourings and they are low in fat, too. Choose from gluten-free chicken and rice sticks, cheese bones or Piglet’s favourite – fish and kelp chewies. Delicious, apparently.

Dessert calls for one of Barking Bakery’s Iced Woofins from Woofs to Kittys in Battersea – a fluffy carob sponge topped with a swirl of creamy yoghurt icing, decorated with an assortment of bone-shaped biscuits. Cupcakes for dogs, naturally.

And after all that I think I’ve earned myself a beer, and I suppose that means that Piglet has too. Pet’s Company in both Sheen and Richmond now stock Snuffle – a Belgian beer brewed exclusively for dogs (it’s alcohol-free, in case you were wondering), as well as the perfect accompaniment – Doggy Popcorn. Cheers, from Piglet and I!

J.Nichole Smith

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FOOD NEWS - for humans...

Mum’s the word

Muriel's kitchen Richmond 26-10-15-13 copy.jpg

Don’t forget – it’s Mother’s Day later this month! Why not book ahead and spoil mum with a slap-up brunch? Muriel’s Kitchen in Richmond is stylish and cosy, and its build-your-own Bagel Brunch is a real treat – a tower of freshly baked bagels is delivered to the table, complete with fresh Scottish smoked salmon and all the tasty trimmings such as dill, organic egg mayonnaise, and the obligatory cream cheese and chives. For extra brownie points you can add a glass of bubbles.

£24.95 for two. Add a glass of Prosecco for £4.95 each. murielskitchen.co.uk/richmond

Hampton Cheese & Wine

Spring is well and truly here which means it’s nearly time to crack open the rosé (hurrah). Head to Hampton Cheese and Wine to learn more about pink and rosé wines at one of their informal, tutored tasting evenings. Cheeses, nibbles or small snacks designed to complement the wines are also served. And if you’re dreaming of your summer getaway, then why not get in the mood now with their Italian or Spanish Cheese & Wine nights.

Pink & Rosé Wines, 8 March, Italian Cheeses & Wines, 1 March, Spanish Cheeses & Wines, 29 March. £25pp each, hamptoncheeseand winecompany.co.uk/tastings/tasting_evenings/8_mar_2017_pink_ros_wines.html

A pint (or a slice) for Paddy

It’s St Patrick’s Day this month, but if you don’t fancy a pint of the black stuff, as it is known, then head down to the Richmond Artisan Market for a slice of London bakers Brett & Bailey’s Chocolate Guinness Cake, which has been causing a mild sensation across the capital recently. It’s indulgently rich, dark and malty, and is topped with a smooth and creamy vanilla frosting, and dark chocolate shavings – a delicious way to celebrate St Paddy!

March 12, Heron Square, Richmond. 10.30am-5pm. brettandbailey.co.uk

Take mummy to Mommi

Mommi is a cool, modern Peruvian/Japanese-style bar and dining room in Clapham, and a great place to treat your mum on Mother’s Day (March 26). Sunday lunch is a Peruvian take on the English tradition – think roast achiote chicken with Andean herb chimichurri, 24-hour roasted suckling pig with Huancaina salsa and sides such as chorizo, red onion and orange stuffing and melted Manchego cauliflower cheese. For extra brownie points, you can add bottomless prosecco!

Mommi, 44-48 Clapham High St, SW4 7UR; wearemommi.com

Spring at Sambrooks

Battersea brewery, Sambrooks will be throwing open its doors later this month and hosting an all-day party to celebrate the return of spring (hurrah!) and the launch of their new session IPA (double hurrah!). There will be a DJ and live music all day, plus street food, tours and LOTS of delicious beer!

£5pp including a pint of beer; sambrooksbrewery.co.uk/events/sambrook-s-spring-party-2017-25-marc

Get plotting

Inspired by the family allotment, life-long locals, Mark Kimber and Harry Smith open Plot in Tooting’s Broadway Market, a beautifully-designed spot dishing up seasonal dishes with local produce.

Plot, Unit 70-72, Broadway Market, Tooting High Street, SW17 0RL; plotkitchen.com

Practise your paella

Already dreaming of your Mediterranean summer getaway? Get into the mood early at the London Paella School which is cooking up a Spanish storm in Battersea this month. Open to beginners and accomplished cooks alike, this three-hour hands-on cooking class is led by Javi and Xavier, who will teach you how to make a traditional (and delicious) paella Valenciana as well as one tapas dish, such as ensaladilla rusa (a tasty Spanish potato salad). The class starts with drinks and tapas and finishes with a shared supper of your creations.