So here’s the thing about most of us bloggers: we probs feel like we’ve known each other for yonks even if we’ve never met. Through social media accounts (are we friends on Insty yet, btw), we basically know things about each other - from trivialities like last thing we ate or last tequila shots, to big news like “OMG she’s expecting!” or moving house.
It’s cute, this friendship we have as bloggers (and isn’t it adorbs how we sometimes still call each other by our blog handles?) I’ve met some good mates within the London blogging community, with a few who’ve been rather instrumental in my life. But whilst I’ve made great online buddies, there are some whom I’ve not really met yet.
The thing with bloggers is that once you both decide to properly meet for the first time, you know you’re kinda halfway there. You’re comfy enough to know what food they like (#foodporn), what they call their partners (#loveofmylife), where they last went on hols (#travelbug), what issues they have (#theartofnotgivingafuck), or even what they look like without clothes (#beachbodyready). I guess the nerves come when you think “Oh gosh, I hope we gel well IRL” and pray there won’t be awkward silences - or ten thousand small convos about the weather.
Shikha (of Why Waste Annual Leave) is one of the very few bloggers whose writing I admire so much. I love reading her symphonic blog posts because they’re clever and witty, personable and relatable. We’ve exchanged likes and comments previously, but it was when she fell in love with the Philippines that I knew it was time for that first date. Happily agreeing on a time and place, we decided to catch up about our trips in Bala Baya.
I’d like to think my first date with Shikha went so well that as I write, I have a wide smile on my face. Firstly, she’s even more beautiful in person. She really radiates when she talks, like an animated light bulb full of bright ideas. She’s genuinely one of the bloggers I adore and look forward to reading, because she puts her heart into her content which is seriously interesting. I can’t wait to read more of her stories - or better yet, hear more of it over more dates!
As for the food, I’d like to say that great company usually makes a decent meal but the food was pretty fantastic, too! And I think we did well for two petite ladies.
We started off with some complimentary bread served with a yogurt and harissa dip. It had a good kick, and I had to stop myself from digging in knowing we’ve got quite a feast to finish.
Bala Baya’s squidilicious dish may have a funky sounding name, but dont let the label fool you. This is a divine, lush plate of tender seafood. It’s lightly seasoned to let the flavour shine and boldly garnished to compliment its natural sweetness.
The aubergine mess was one of my highlights. Granted, it did look like a mess but it delivered a delicious smoky flavour from the eggplant with hints of tanginess from the sauce and dollops of tahini. There’s also some lychee, giving it a wee bit of sweetness I liked.
The sweet potato and lamb dish was quite a nice thing I’d love to have for lunch. Sweet potato hummus, is topped with tender braised lamb shoulder and pine nuts. The texture was good, and the neither ingredients overpowered the other.
If there was one thing I could’ve gone without, it would be the stuffed potatoes. Topped with taleggio, black truffle and garnished with spring onion and tomato relish, it was quite filling and I thought the flavour wasn’t as strong as I had hoped it would be. Delish, but not quite there.
Star of the night? Gotta be the fish and fennel. A whole filleted sea bass cooked on the grill with toms on the vine, burnt sage and lemon and served with fresh fennel and butter and anise sauce.
Like shit man, this is how I like my fish cooked. Soft, meaty yet flaky and with a good amount of bounce. I’m almost always reluctant when I see fennel and anise as ingredients, but the sauce was subtle and the fresh fennel worked well with the fish itself.
As for our sweet ending, we went traditional with burnt babka. The pastry’s a bit more dense but I enjoyed the hazelnut and chocolate spread inside. And the whisked anglaise they served it with was rather awesome, too.
Verdict for Bala Baya
I really enjoyed the food at Bala Baya and the atmosphere was pretty good on a Monday. It seemed like a nice place to go for first dates, where you can actually hear your companion and make conversation. Service was pretty tight, and the food was definitely good.
However, I have to say Shikha made the whole experience very enjoyable. She’s definitely a star and a force to be reckoned with. Go give Bala Baya a visit, then go read Shikha’s blog!
Bala Baya
Arch 25, Old Union Yard Arches, 229 Union St, London SE1
Ave spend pp: £40
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Wow that food looks utterly incredible, wonderful that you got to share it with a blogging buddy too x
Author
Nothing like a good meal with even better company!
Looks really awesome! I have never actually met another blogger in real life (that I know of) but it’s definitely on my list. Thanks for sharing! Love the pics!
Author
Oh Tim, it’s fun to meet bloggers! Haha i hope you get to soon!
The food looks delicious! How lovely that you managed to meed a fellow blogger too.
Author
Food was rather stunning!
Oo this looks delicious 🙂 I love harissa, but have never thought of having it with yogurt as a dip!
Author
Neither did I, Helen! I know not much of Israeli food other than the usual mezzes etc but this restaurant elevated the cuisine!
Bala Baya has been on my list for a while since I had some of their dishes at Taste of London. Their brunch looks great too! I love the sound of your dishes and the concept of lots of different plates.
Meg x
http://www.nomeanfeast.co.uk
Author
Cheers Meg! I hope you get to visit because they were absolutely darlings. And the food was super good.
Food looks and sounds lovely - nice place for a date like you say, especially on a Monday night when I can assume it’s not too busy 🙂
Author
The restaurant was the perfect setting, there was enough people to have an atmosphere but it wasn’t too crazy that we couldn’t hear each other 🙂
What are you doing to me, woman?! Eyes wet with tears reading this, as so moved by your comments (esp as I am defo not worthy of them!!) Am so glad we finally got to meet & can’t believe that after 3 hours, I felt like we’d barely got started with the conversation I genuinely had the best time & so glad you suggested somewhere, where the food was so on point. Haven’t been able to shift the kilo I gained that night but it was worth it! I have a feeling we have many more foodie dates to come - I’ll come dressed in more stretchy clothes next time in anticipation shall I?!
I have always loved meeting fellow bloggers, and over the years (blogging since 2009) I’ve made some wonderful friends. The meal you shared at Bala Baya looks wonderful!
Author
That’s a long time to blog!!! It’s so nice, though isn’t it - this community of bloggers that we have 🙂
It’s so nice that you were able to meet in person. I have a HUGE list of bloggers/friends I would like to meet this year. The friendships you create through Blogging really are wonderful. Bala Baya sounds lovely and the dessert looks divine.
Ami xxx
Author
I know, right? There are a number of bloggers I still want to meet! Bala Baya was good - hope you get to try it out! =)
Amazing experience haven’t had a good time like this for long I think I’ll hook up with some friends this Sunday though
Author
Haha, hope you had fun.
I like the look of the food. Looks really yummy.
Author
It’s very yummy! =)
Amazing pictures. Instantly tickles the foody in me. ☺
great food shots , looks yum
Author
They were yum.
Fantastic photos! and the food there looks outstanding. Whenever I get to visit London, I will certainly have to put Bala Baya on the list!
Author
Oooh I hope you do, it’s a very good restaurant and very cheap too!
That food looks utterly incredible! Yummy!
Author
Thanks Sonja, it was great - you should try!
Wow this food looks incredible! Its great to meet fellow bloggers too - good for you! 🙂
Author
I loved the food, it was so beautiful!
Some of my best friends are people I’ve met through blogging and they all tend to call me Gingey instead of my name (Alex!). The fish looks wonderful, I love it with fennel so that would have been my star dish too :0)
Author
To be fair, I actually thought your name was Gingey too! Hahaha, I know and I’m almost always Girl Next Shore!
Seems like you guys had a great night! The food looks amazing and I would love me some of that aubergine mess. I have never met a blogging buddy IRL …sad, I know. We live rather nomadic and constantly move from one remote Canadian village to the next, which makes it a bit difficult. Well, if I were to meet one of my blogging mates, it would surely involve delicious food and wine! No better way to bond, right? Cheers,
Kiki
Author
Aww Kiki that does make it difficult. I do hope you get to when you settle in a place where another blogger’s staying though! And agre: food + wine maketh almost always a nice night!
That food looks so good! Really cool that you met up with your blogger friend in person! I’ll have to check out her page as well!
Author
Oh please do, I absolutely adore her writing!
You weren’t joking when you said food porn. I want to try the drinks and bread and the sweet potato dish the most. You’re braver than me as a foodie I would not have been able to get over the fennel.
Author
Hahaha the fresh fennel was actually super good! That bread was pretty decent too!
I live in Kennington so I am guessing this is quite close to me. Off to check it out. Fish with fennel is a classic but that one does look particularly yummy!
Author
It’s literally a stone’s throw away from Southwark tube. 🙂 This was delicious!
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that Shikha is one of the biggest babes of the blogging community. So glad that you got to meet!
Author
She’s such a babe indeed! I love her and glad to finally have met her!
See you soon, Angie!
Ok, both of you ladies totally & utterly know how to make a girl feel special & boost her confidence! So kind of you girls - so glad I’ve met people like you both through the supportive blogging world
An interesting article. It is always exciting to meet the fellow bloggers. And add to it the review for a joint.
Author
Yup, I like meeting bloggers I love.
The food looks incredible. Will bookmark for when I am next in London
Oh wow that food!! The fish looks to die for, I would love to eat there!
Wow - all that food looks incredible. How great that you were able to share it with another blogger from our Tribe.
I have not met any bloggers yet 🙁 but I will in the fall at a convention! Loved your meal, everything looked delicious and great for conversation. The fish would be my favorite!
What a sweet ode to your blogger friend, Honey!
I loved reading your intro - and was literarily nodding while reading it 🙂 You are so right… I have a few blogger friends, who I have never met IRL, but I really feel like I know them - and I turn to them for personal questions on my blog instead of my “real” friends, because they simply relate better to bloggers’ problems 🙂
As always the food looks amazing… Especially the Aubergine Mess
X Louise
Sampled some Bala Baya dishes at Taste of a London this year, and vowed to go to the restaurant proper some time. Your post has made me realise that that’s totally overdue - those dishes look and sound incredible. (Also agree with you about Shikha - she’s such a star!)
Oh Aaron! We spoke of you too as we both think you wrote oh so beautifully, too! Perhaps we should all meet up soon… and discuss the NHS? Lol.
Yes yes, we must! Will let you both know when I’ve next some free time in town. I now work in Surrey, and so really miss being able to catch up with people after work, but hopefully on a day off. Thanks so much too for your kind comments as well! 🙂
Yes I’d love a meet up between all of us when you’re next free Aaron- though maybe we’ll talk more food & less NHS!! 😀
Great food, i love it