• About Tooting Mama
    • About Tooting Mama
    • PR & Disclosure statement
    • Privacy policy and terms & conditions
  • Food Photography
  • Sri Lankan recipes
    • Recipes
  • Contact me
Logo
  • Home
    • Sidebar Version
      • Classic Layout
      • Grid Layout
      • List Layout
      • 1th Classic than Grid
      • 1th Classic than List
    • Fullwidth Version
      • Classic Layout
      • Grid Layout
      • Masonry Layout
      • List Layout
      • 1th Classic than Grid
      • 1th Classic than List
  • Features
    • Categories
      • Vegetarian
      • Food & Health
      • Delicious
      • Sugar-Free
      • Travel
    • Post Formats
    • Post Styles
      • Style 1
      • Style 2
      • Style 3
      • Style 4
      • Style 5
    • Widgets
    • Typography
    • Sidebars
      • Full Width
  • About Me
  • Contacts
Logo
Logo
Reviews Travel

Review: Street art walking tour with Paris Polaroid Tours

Tooting Mama
45 Comments
October 12, 2016
5 Mins read
830 Views
review-2

With King of the Mountains off on a football jolly in Stockholm, I needed something to keep the kids entertained on a Sunday afternoon. In stepped Paris Polaroid Tours with the offer to take us on a Paris walking tour to see the street art in Belleville, north east Paris (straddling the 19th and 20th arrondissements).

Paris has amazing art galleries, Lourve, Musee D’Orsay, Musee Rodin, but Paris also has a thriving, edgy urban street art scene,  waiting to be discovered which you can do with Paris Polaroid Tours.

Paris Polaroid Tours and the Polaroid Cameras

parispolaroidtours

Steph, Paris Polaroid Tours’ operations and marketing director met us outside Café La Place Verte. And right there was our first street art exhibit, a Japanese inspired work of art.

Steph issued us with our  Fuji Instax Wide Polaroid cameras and a polaroid film packet that contained ten shots. She gave us a quick tutorial on how use the camera (point and shoot) how to load the film, how to take long distance and close up pictures and how to hold the camera to get the best shot.

The cameras are really easy to use. But it’s not digital so you have to think carefully about what you want to capture before you point, shoot and click. With ten shots each, we had to use our film wisely. But this did mean we took in our surroundings and only took pictures of what we really loved.

The kids got excited about having their own cameras, it meant they could decide what they could take pictures of, be real photographers for the afternoon. And even better they got their prints there and then.

A Belleville Rendez Vous

auxfoliesParis is home to a vibrant, underground, street art movement.

Urban art adorns walls, shop fronts, street signs and even bollards are are turned into works of art. Paris Polaroid Tours introduced us to a different side of Paris, one I many never have ventured into with my kids. I loved it and they loved it.

Belleville is a diverse neighbourhood, home to one of Paris’ two Chinatowns (the other is in the 13th arrondissement). Belleville was traditionally a working class area, in the 1980s artists and musicians, attracted by the cheaper rents and the old style buildings, moved in. This is what gives Belleville its unique charm. But the area is changing as gentrification creeps in.

The legendary French chanteuse Edith Piaf grew up in Belleville, and you can even stop off and have a glass of wine in the bar, Aux Folies where she used to perform. The bar is on the corner of one of Belleville most famous street for street art, rue Denoyez.

Paris Polaroid Tours introduced us to some big names in street art:

Shephard Fairey

hopeposter

You might not know the name, but you will know Shepard Fairey’s most famous and now iconic pieces of art, the portrait of Barack Obama, the Hope poster. This has image has made him world famous. His art combines  graffiti, pop art, business art, and Marxist theory. His work has been seen in galleries around the world and even museums. But you can see him right here in Paris.

Mr BMX

mr-bmx

We actually first met Mr BMX in Montpellier, we just didn’t know it. Mr BMX recovers, saws, welds and repaints old BMX bikes before fixing then to the wall. He does this during the day, trying not to get caught.

Retro 

retro

Retro is a new street artist, his art only started appearing in Paris this year. It was pretty cool to see this new artist work here in Paris. Retropolis was Wonder Boy’s favourite piece of art.

Clet Abraham

clet-abrahams

Clet Abraham one of France’s most famous street artists or street sign hacker. His style adds a little humour to the every day and mundane. His hacked street signs can be found all over Europe. Now we can’t stop looking at street signs to see if we can spot a Clet Abraham hack.

 Seth Globepainter (Julien Malland)

globepainter

Street artist, Julien ‘Seth Globepainter’ Malland has a dreamy cosmic style. We met Seth’s artwork at the end of the tour at Parc de Belleville. The park was built in 1881 and covers a part of Belleville hill. It offers one of the best views of Paris. When you climb to the top, Seth’s works are spread across the building at the top of the hill. He is famous for creating art that features children, and his works are bursting with colour.

Was the tour child friendly?

atakesashot

  • Absolutely, Steph took great pains to talk to the children and really engage them with the art, and the kids loved the art, and the camera. They weren’t bored at all
  • The tour takes around two hours, but we walked at a slow pace, taking in our surroundings. The kids weren’t tired out at all. And even better that we ended our tour in the beautiful parc de Belleville
  • The kids loved the cameras, it made them feel like real photographers, they could choose what pictures they could take, and they started to stage manage their own photo shoots!
  • Yup Paris Polaroid Tours is totally kid friendly, but your children should be able to walk for about two hours at an easy pace

Practical stuff

  • Tours lasts approximately two hours
  • Wear comfortable shoes, and waterproofs if it’s wet
  • All tour guides speak English to a high level as well as Spanish and French
  • All tour guides are passionate photographers, and can provide photography tips, and give assistance for you to get the best shot
  • The tour includes the use of the Polaroid camera and a film packet with 10 shots, additional film packs can be bought
  • As well as the street art tour, you can tour the 13th district famous for its murals, or the classic sights of Paris, there are two further tours in development: Monmatre, and the Pere Lachaise  Cemetery (that’s where Jim Morrison from the Doors is buried, and Oscar Wilde)
  • Tours cab be booked through the Paris Polaroid Tours website
  • Tours start at 45 euros per adult, children (under 12, 30 euros) including the camera and the first pack of film

About Paris Polaroid Tours

Steph was inspired to start Paris Polaroid Tours after spotting a gap in the market for an experiential walking tour. There are countless bus tours, but a walking will help people see see the sights but get a feel for real Paris, seeing people go about their daily business; hear the French language spoken on the streets. The Polaroid instant cameras allows people to capture the moment, create their own souvenirs and create instant memories.
For more information:
  • Contact Paris Polaroid Tours

*I was not financially compensated for this post. We received a tour for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.

Take a peak at our street art gallery

[supsystic-gallery id=8]

Hot Pink Wellingtons

Brilliant blog posts on HonestMum.com

ethannevelyn
A Mum Track Mind
Keep Calm and Carry On Linking Sunday
Pink Pear Bear
Paris street art Travel
Shares
45 Comments
  1. Hannah G, The 'Ordinary' Mum

    October 23, 2016 7:44 pm

    Wow! What a wonderful way to explore a city, and the photos look brilliant too! Thank you for sharing with #bigpinklink x
    Hannah G, The ‘Ordinary’ Mum recently posted…Little British Style: The Princess & The Frock and **Giveaway**My Profile

    Reply
  2. Tracey Bowden

    October 21, 2016 8:30 pm

    This looks like so much fun! I love the idea of being able to walk the streets as opposed to being on a tour bus! #kcacols
    Tracey Bowden recently posted…My Iconic Film MomentsMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      October 22, 2016 7:14 am

      This was great fun, you get to small area, but learn a whole lot more. And much better than being on a bus, if you like the area, you can just stay and hang out.

      Reply
  3. Jason @tassiedad

    October 21, 2016 6:19 am

    I love street art! This looks like such a lovely little afternoon activity. I’ll add it to my to-do list for whenever I make it to paris. Thanks for sharing #KCACOLS
    Jason @tassiedad recently posted…Pumpkin Spice SnickerdoodlesMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      October 21, 2016 9:30 am

      Thank you! It was such a cool tour. It’s great to see this amazing art out in the street, and when I started reading up on the artists, I realised these guys are seriously world famous, and their work is out there for us to see. It’s so brilliant.

      Reply
  4. Rainbows are too beautiful

    October 20, 2016 4:57 pm

    Wow – the shots are quite inspiring too. Thanks. #kcacols

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      October 20, 2016 5:17 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  5. Su {Ethan & Evelyn}

    October 20, 2016 1:18 pm

    I was given a polaroid instax mini8 in April as a birthday present. I always find it really hard to use as I am always afraid I would make mistake all the time. Compared to digital you just click, click, click and hope that you would at least get one good shot. I think this is such a great guideline for polaroid beginner like me. I love how you let the kids experience it at this famous culture place of art! Thank you so much for linking up with us on #FabFridayPost Now I need to apply your guidelines to my instax mini8. 🙂 x
    Su {Ethan & Evelyn} recently posted…#ExplorerKids – Round Up #30My Profile

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      October 20, 2016 5:19 pm

      Hey be brave go out and take a shot or two, but I think having a fixed number of shots really makes us appreciate the moment we’re in. Enjoy and I look forward to seeing some great pictures!

      Reply
  6. Geraldine

    October 20, 2016 8:28 am

    wow what a fantastic idea and the snaps are just brilliant. Polaroid really gets you to properly capture the real moment. I love this #fortheloveofblog

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      October 20, 2016 9:23 am

      Thank you, we loved the polaroid cameras – it’s such a brilliant idea, it really helped the kids think about what they were taking pictures of, and appreciate the art around them.

      Reply
  7. Sunita Harley

    October 19, 2016 7:27 pm

    This is such a great street art tour. Paris is one of the best places in the world for street art. They also celebrate it as professional art. I’ve been on an organised one in Berlin and loved it. In London, I conduct my own tours (including buggy ones)! You might like my I heart street art buggy tour post on the blog. Always on the look out for street art. It’s one of my “lucky things” Thanks Tooting Mama, love it.
    Sunita Harley recently posted…Inspire: Seven things I learned from Melanie CMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      October 19, 2016 7:31 pm

      Hi street art buggy tour – that’s so cool! I love the idea of that! I’ll definitely check out.

      Reply
  8. The Hippy Christian Mum

    October 18, 2016 6:31 pm

    ThIs tour sounds brilliant. That cemetery looks really interesting too. I would like to do a walking tour there. Great to get the kids thinking about different art firms. #KCACOLS

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      October 19, 2016 6:40 pm

      Oh the cemetery is totally amazing, so worth a visit if you ever come here.

      Reply
  9. The Pramshed

    October 18, 2016 4:26 pm

    This is brilliant I love how you an issued with a Polaroid camera, as you say it means that you are truly focusing on what pictures you are taking rather than taking millions of the same thing on a digital camera. Paris is a beautiful city, and you’ve captured another side to it, the edgier side. Thanks so much for linking up at #fortheloveofBLOG. Claire x
    The Pramshed recently posted…Our yearly trip to Center ParcsMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      October 19, 2016 6:39 pm

      Thanks for your comment. Paris is a hugely diverse city with many different communities, and far more interesting than the picture book image portrayed.

      Reply
  10. Elizabeth (Wander Mum)

    October 17, 2016 5:24 pm

    A really novel idea for a tour. Interesting to see what our children’s generation make of one-take photos which you can’t delete! Great examples of street art. Love the pics. #citytripping
    Elizabeth (Wander Mum) recently posted…Autumn Walk In Isabella Plantation, Richmond Park, LondonMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      October 19, 2016 7:00 am

      Thank you. It such a great idea for a tour, to have an instant souvenir you have created. I loved watching my kids decide what to chose to photograph, and they really got into it. They were really keen not to waste the pictures, and started to create their own art, appearing with the street art.

      Reply
  11. Mummy TamTam

    October 17, 2016 3:38 pm

    It was a pleasure reading your post, as I am from Paris 🙂 #bigpinklink

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      October 17, 2016 7:20 pm

      Oh thank you so much!

      Reply
  12. Sarah Stockley

    October 17, 2016 11:31 am

    I just love Paris, I’d love to go back with all three kids, we’ve not been in 9 years and I’d adore to take photographs there. Sarah #FabFridayPost
    Sarah Stockley recently posted…Backyard Cinema – The Lost WorldMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      October 17, 2016 2:51 pm

      Ah thank you. If you do try a street tour, they’re great fun. Hope you make it to Paris soon!

      Reply
  13. The Unsung Mum

    October 16, 2016 10:07 pm

    Really love your pictures. I haven’t been to Paris since having the kids but the way you’ve captured it is amazing! Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      October 17, 2016 2:53 pm

      Awww, thank you! The kids really loved it. The street tour was a really good way of exploring a city, so worth doing.

      Reply
  14. Laura - dear bear and beany

    October 16, 2016 8:59 pm

    What a great way to explore Paris, especially for older children. I can just imagine the excitement of having their own camera. I would have to keep reminding myself I only had 10 shots, I am so used to snapping away. How the world has changed. Thank you for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove x
    Laura – dear bear and beany recently posted…Being An Auntie…The Ordinary MomentsMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      October 17, 2016 3:07 pm

      It was brilliant for my two. They weren’t bored at all, and really got into old school style photography!

      Reply
  15. scrapmum

    October 16, 2016 4:28 pm

    Thanks for sharing. If i get to visit Paris, I will sure sign up this walking tour. Also, I think it’s a brilliant way to keep the kids entertained on a Sunday afternoon, with just you alone! I wonder if I can find one in Singapore. #citytripping

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      October 17, 2016 3:09 pm

      I am sure you can find a tour in Singapore. It was such a great way to keep the kids occupied for a couple of hours, and to have them snapping away getting into the whole photographer mode. Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
  16. James Hopes

    October 16, 2016 8:17 am

    Oh that looks awesome!! So many things worth seeing when you spend a bit of time looking around! #KCACOLS

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      October 17, 2016 7:33 pm

      Aww, thank you. You are right, sometimes we just need to slow down a little and just take in our surroundings, we miss so much as we dash about our daily business.

      Reply
  17. Katy - Hot Pink Wellingtons

    October 15, 2016 5:41 pm

    I always love the excitement of watching a polaroid photo develop and I can imagine it’s even more exciting for kids. This sounds like such a fun way to explore Paris, and great to get older children engaged with it too. Thanks for joining us again at #SharingtheBlogLove
    Katy – Hot Pink Wellingtons recently posted…Pumpkin Picking at Garsons FarmMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      October 17, 2016 7:40 pm

      The kids loved it, a big thrill waiting to watch there photos develop. It really made them stop and think about what pictures they wanted to take, and take in their surroundings rather than be snap happy and capture everything.

      Reply
  18. ohmummymia

    October 15, 2016 3:55 pm

    I love street art:) I was in Paris but I didn’t notice them:(
    #FabFridayPost
    ohmummymia recently posted…We never lost him!My Profile

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      October 17, 2016 7:30 pm

      It’s so easy not to spot, we see graffiti all the time, it’s only when someone tells you the story behind the art, we start to stop, see and really appreciate it. Next time you’re in Paris, come and check it out.

      Reply
  19. the frenchie mummy

    October 15, 2016 3:15 pm

    Such a lovely post about Paris once more!!! And I love the idea of a Polaroid! Many nice places . Thanks for making me proud to be Frenchie! #fortheloveofBLOG

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      October 17, 2016 7:41 pm

      The polaroid was great fun, brilliant for kids. There’s some brilliant things going on around Paris, it’s a great city to live in.

      Reply
  20. Cathy (Mummytravels)

    October 13, 2016 10:52 pm

    It’s fascinating to see all the street art to its but this is a great twist – I think my daughter might burn through her Polaroids pretty fast! We stayed in Belleville last time I visited and really enjoyed the area. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
    Cathy (Mummytravels) recently posted…Little Passports review and giveawayMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      October 14, 2016 8:43 am

      Yes, we did have to exercise restraint!

      Reply
  21. Alana - Burnished Chaos

    October 13, 2016 12:48 pm

    This is such a great idea, looks like you all had a great time x
    #SharingtheBlogLove

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      October 17, 2016 7:42 pm

      Thank you, we really loved the tour, really good for older kids.

      Reply
  22. winnettes

    October 13, 2016 10:40 am

    This looks like such a fun alternative to a normal city tour, I love street art and wish I knew more about the artists.
    #SharingtheBlogLove
    winnettes recently posted…KidloLand App: Review & GiveawayMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      October 17, 2016 7:42 pm

      A street tour is such a great way to get to know a city, well worth doing.

      Reply
Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Previous Post

Rediscovering Elizabeth David, the Queen of French cooking

Next Post

Where to find good curry in Tooting (and Paris)

About Me

Ranji Thangiah

Food writer, recipe creator and photographer

I'm Ranji! I am a food photographer, recipe creator, lover of Sri Lankan food which I want to share with you.

Social Icons
InstagramTwitter
Most Popular

How to make an authentic South Indian dhal, my ultimate comfort food

dhal_aubergine_1

A spiced leek recipe that’s deliciously fragrant and delightful

A quick and easy spiced leek recipe perfect for a mid-week supper

Quick and easy leftover chicken recipe – chicken biryani

easy chicken biryani recipe
Instagram
I’ve written about Shonda Rhimes and her book ‘A Year of Yes’. ⁣
I read the book ago and it’s message still resonates with me. 
 
Shonda was known for saying no to things. Her family and friends stopped inviting her to do things because they knew she wouldn’t go.
 
This was a wake-up call - what had she missed? When she dug deep, she realised it was more about confronting her fears. 
Shonda vowed to say yes to things that scared her. And say yes to more of the right things.
 
The result was life-changing.
 
When an opportunity came my way, I pushed past the self-doubt, fear and imposter syndrome and grabbed the opportunity with a big fat YES!
 
I’ve collaborated with Hi!! Magazine (@hi_online_lk). It's Sri Lanka's glossy luxury lifestyle magazine for the island community and the diaspora. It celebrates Sri Lankan culture, fashion, travel and food. It's an honour to be in their pages! 
 
Over the summer I headed into the kitchen where I was in full recipe creation mode: researching and developing new recipes, cooking, testing, re-testing, writing and photographing these delicious dishes.
 
Some dishes are more traditional with a twist on an authentic recipe - think slow-cooked jaggery beef rib. Others are more traditional. My jackfruit biryani is a vegan crowd-pleaser. It's a great recipe for a gathering of friends that will please those that eat meat and those that don't. And some, are more fusion-style recipes such as jaggery meringues.

I hope you are excited and I have whetted your appetite.

Join my mailing list and the recipes drop into your inbox. DM me or drop a comment - I'll send you the link. 

#srilankanrecipes #londonfoodphotographer #recipedeveloper #foodcontentcreator #londonfoodstylist
Supper clubs are a thing, a scene, a food movement Supper clubs are a thing, a scene, a food movement. Supper clubs are where you find great people cooking great food.

I got to know Sohini, host of the @smokeandlime supper clubs.
 
We initially met for dinner at a small Peruvian restaurant in the Elephant & Castle, in a nondescript building, where the Formica tables wore paper tablecloths, a giant TV blasted South American football and they served the best ceviche you’ll find South of the Thames.
 
At the end of May, I ventured down Walworth Road to experience one of Sohini’s supper clubs.
 
Smoke and Lime is cosy. Eight of us gathered around Sohini’s dining table where we were treated to a feast of home-cooked Bengali cuisine.
 
Sohini’s has pioneered a no-waste kitchen. She uses every scrap of every ingredient in her cooking. Cauliflower leaves are transformed into cauliflower pate. She’s a genius at turning local ingredients into delicacies - you have to try her rhubarb pickle.
 
The two stand-out dishes were the whole deep-fried sea bass and dhal with shaved fennel.
 
The star of the evening was the puchkas. Flavour bombs, mouthfuls of intense joy. I first tasted these in Darjeeling Express, small round pastry shells filled with spiced chickpeas and potatoes, dipped into a tamarind chaat sauce. Hot, sour, sweet flavours burst in your mouth as you gobble your puchka whole.

Now I have experienced the Smoke and Lime supper club, I’m ready to try more.

What are your favourite supper clubs?

#londonfoodphotographer #supperclublondon #srilankanfoodphotographer #londonfoodwriter #foodwriter #londonfoodie #foodstories
The Alphonso mango season is nearing its end. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I got so excited about Alphonso mango season, that I ran out and bought myself a box of 12 mangoes. Way too much  to eat in one sitting. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This year I have been busy making fresh mango lassis, which my husband and children slurped to the bottom of the glass.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The no-bake mango and white chocolate cheesecake was a big hit with friends and family. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
And finally with the last of the mangoes I made this Alphonso mango sorbet. The it's the perfect summer dessert.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This super easy to make sorbet is a recipe doesn't require an ice cream. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This is one of the best way to get your mangoes to last the season and beyond. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Even though the heat has cooled off this refreshing sorbet is the perfect summer treat. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The recipe is in my bio - hop to it and treat yourself with this mango sorbet! 🥭⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#mangosorbet #mangoseason #summerdesserts #londonfoodphotographer #srilankanfoodphotographer #recipecreator
It was about a year ago I made my way to meet Glen It was about a year ago I made my way to meet Glen and take photographs of this soon-to-be new pub/restaurant on the North London scene.

Glen and his business partner Prince had just taken up residence in this pub a ten-minute walk from Highbury & Islington tube, a stone's throw from the Caledonian Road overground. 

I kind of knew the area. Back in the late 90s, this is where I hung when Upper Street was a thing, the epitome of cool, and Brit-pop rode the waves. 

The freshly painted pub with its elegant minimal decor was being prepped to throw open its doors to the public.

This was the @tamilperince 

But a year ago, nobody knew how this pub would fare. 

Dishes were being fine-tuned, the staff were given their pep talk, and excitement, apprehension and trepidation were palpable. 

The Tamil Prince serves good, solid South Indian fare. Prince, the talented chef is from Tamil Nadu. No one does a roti throw-down quite like Prince. Put this into a London pub and you're on to a winner.

Out of the tiny kitchen comes a small menu of hefty portions. 

Giant prawns asking to be peeled, teeth sunk into juicy flesh and consumed with satisfaction. Pulled beef pressed down onto a crispy dosa is begging you to pull it apart with your fingers and share it with friends. 

The menu, a year on, is tried and tested and continues to delight those making their way to N1 to chomp on lollipop chicken and scoop up their dal makhani with the crispiest, flakiest of rotis. 

The Tamil Prince opened to roaring success, critics piled in tried the food and left with their full bellies returning home to tap out glowing reviews.

The Tamil Prince is about, bundling up to N1 for a curry in a London boozer with your mates. You can't get more London than that. 

Congratulations on your first year and it was a privilege to see this all happen! #londonfoodphotographer #restaurantphotographer #commericalphotography #londonfoodie
Over the last year, I have been testing this no-ba Over the last year, I have been testing this no-bake mango cheesecake. After many tries, I have a recipe that’s easy to make and works. And to top that, it’s a show-stopper cheesecake.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This recipe contains white chocolate and double cream, therefore you can call it as a white chocolate mango dessert, a treat, a decadent treat! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This no-bake cheesecake takes a little organisation, but there’s no gelatin and no baking. What’s not to love! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It’s a case of pouring the contents from pots into a bowl and mixing, popping in the fridge to set and there you have it a deliciously easy, creamy cheesecake.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
A decidedly wicked cheesecake that’s ready to eat.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I have used Sri Lankan-inspired flavours to create this no-bake mango cheesecake recipe. The mango and lime are a winning combination and so very Sri Lankan. The lime cuts through the almost too-sweet Alphonso mango.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
And cardamom, a feature of so many Sri Lankan recipes, is made for white chocolate. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The flavours are simply special and together, I hope, will be one of the best mango cheesecake recipes you can find!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Enjoy! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Jump to my bio to grab the recipe! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#mangocheesecake #whitechocolatecheesecake #cheesecakerecipe #nobakecake #londonfoodphotographer #londonfoodstylist #foodphotographerandstyling #nobakecheesecake #recipecreator #srilankancuisine #srilankanfoodblogger #srilankanfoodphotographer
What’s the difference between taste and flavour? What’s the difference between taste and flavour? Is there a difference? Or is it just one and the same? This was the topic of this week's newsletter.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
They are different. And come together when we eat. It’s the two senses of smell and taste that give us that pleasure when we eat a divine meal with the memories that linger thereafter. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Last week, last Tuesday, I tuned into a talk hosted by the @booklarder. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
@cynthia.uma interviewed @nikisegnit author of the Flavour Thesaurus. I bought a copy of the first volume of the Flavour Thesaurus when I started writing about food and creating recipes.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It’s a book that yields so many flavour combinations, many of you may not have thought about. The book is part history of food, gastronomy, stories, science and recipes - if you are a food geek like me, it’s invaluable.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The first volume was published in 2010, it covered 99 flavours and 481 combined flavour pairings. The second volume of the Flavour Thesaurus has been published it covers 92 mostly plant-based flavours, from Kale to Cashew, Pomegranate to Pistachio.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I’ve been playing with Sri Lankan flavours and one I’ve become hooked on is curry leaf cooked in butter with a touch of chilli. It’s a winning combination.  I’ve been trying to recreate a chicken liver dish, which involves marinating the chicken livers in curry leaf butter, chilli and yoghurt - the taste and flavour are out of this world. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
At the moment, the recipe isn’t working.  My poor husband has had to eat my mistakes (four times and counting). I’m tweaking the recipe, I’m determined to make it work. And when it does, it’s dropping to my newsletter community first. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
To join my newsletter community go to my bio & sign up. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#londonfoodphotographer #recipecreator #foodwriter  #srilankanfoodphotographer #srilankancuisine
Follow
I’ve written about Shonda Rhimes and her book ‘A Year of Yes’. ⁣
I read the book ago and it’s message still resonates with me. 
 
Shonda was known for saying no to things. Her family and friends stopped inviting her to do things because they knew she wouldn’t go.
 
This was a wake-up call - what had she missed? When she dug deep, she realised it was more about confronting her fears. 
Shonda vowed to say yes to things that scared her. And say yes to more of the right things.
 
The result was life-changing.
 
When an opportunity came my way, I pushed past the self-doubt, fear and imposter syndrome and grabbed the opportunity with a big fat YES!
 
I’ve collaborated with Hi!! Magazine (@hi_online_lk). It's Sri Lanka's glossy luxury lifestyle magazine for the island community and the diaspora. It celebrates Sri Lankan culture, fashion, travel and food. It's an honour to be in their pages! 
 
Over the summer I headed into the kitchen where I was in full recipe creation mode: researching and developing new recipes, cooking, testing, re-testing, writing and photographing these delicious dishes.
 
Some dishes are more traditional with a twist on an authentic recipe - think slow-cooked jaggery beef rib. Others are more traditional. My jackfruit biryani is a vegan crowd-pleaser. It's a great recipe for a gathering of friends that will please those that eat meat and those that don't. And some, are more fusion-style recipes such as jaggery meringues.

I hope you are excited and I have whetted your appetite.

Join my mailing list and the recipes drop into your inbox. DM me or drop a comment - I'll send you the link. 

#srilankanrecipes #londonfoodphotographer #recipedeveloper #foodcontentcreator #londonfoodstylist
Supper clubs are a thing, a scene, a food movement Supper clubs are a thing, a scene, a food movement. Supper clubs are where you find great people cooking great food.

I got to know Sohini, host of the @smokeandlime supper clubs.
 
We initially met for dinner at a small Peruvian restaurant in the Elephant & Castle, in a nondescript building, where the Formica tables wore paper tablecloths, a giant TV blasted South American football and they served the best ceviche you’ll find South of the Thames.
 
At the end of May, I ventured down Walworth Road to experience one of Sohini’s supper clubs.
 
Smoke and Lime is cosy. Eight of us gathered around Sohini’s dining table where we were treated to a feast of home-cooked Bengali cuisine.
 
Sohini’s has pioneered a no-waste kitchen. She uses every scrap of every ingredient in her cooking. Cauliflower leaves are transformed into cauliflower pate. She’s a genius at turning local ingredients into delicacies - you have to try her rhubarb pickle.
 
The two stand-out dishes were the whole deep-fried sea bass and dhal with shaved fennel.
 
The star of the evening was the puchkas. Flavour bombs, mouthfuls of intense joy. I first tasted these in Darjeeling Express, small round pastry shells filled with spiced chickpeas and potatoes, dipped into a tamarind chaat sauce. Hot, sour, sweet flavours burst in your mouth as you gobble your puchka whole.

Now I have experienced the Smoke and Lime supper club, I’m ready to try more.

What are your favourite supper clubs?

#londonfoodphotographer #supperclublondon #srilankanfoodphotographer #londonfoodwriter #foodwriter #londonfoodie #foodstories
The Alphonso mango season is nearing its end. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I got so excited about Alphonso mango season, that I ran out and bought myself a box of 12 mangoes. Way too much  to eat in one sitting. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This year I have been busy making fresh mango lassis, which my husband and children slurped to the bottom of the glass.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The no-bake mango and white chocolate cheesecake was a big hit with friends and family. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
And finally with the last of the mangoes I made this Alphonso mango sorbet. The it's the perfect summer dessert.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This super easy to make sorbet is a recipe doesn't require an ice cream. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This is one of the best way to get your mangoes to last the season and beyond. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Even though the heat has cooled off this refreshing sorbet is the perfect summer treat. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The recipe is in my bio - hop to it and treat yourself with this mango sorbet! 🥭⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#mangosorbet #mangoseason #summerdesserts #londonfoodphotographer #srilankanfoodphotographer #recipecreator
It was about a year ago I made my way to meet Glen It was about a year ago I made my way to meet Glen and take photographs of this soon-to-be new pub/restaurant on the North London scene.

Glen and his business partner Prince had just taken up residence in this pub a ten-minute walk from Highbury & Islington tube, a stone's throw from the Caledonian Road overground. 

I kind of knew the area. Back in the late 90s, this is where I hung when Upper Street was a thing, the epitome of cool, and Brit-pop rode the waves. 

The freshly painted pub with its elegant minimal decor was being prepped to throw open its doors to the public.

This was the @tamilperince 

But a year ago, nobody knew how this pub would fare. 

Dishes were being fine-tuned, the staff were given their pep talk, and excitement, apprehension and trepidation were palpable. 

The Tamil Prince serves good, solid South Indian fare. Prince, the talented chef is from Tamil Nadu. No one does a roti throw-down quite like Prince. Put this into a London pub and you're on to a winner.

Out of the tiny kitchen comes a small menu of hefty portions. 

Giant prawns asking to be peeled, teeth sunk into juicy flesh and consumed with satisfaction. Pulled beef pressed down onto a crispy dosa is begging you to pull it apart with your fingers and share it with friends. 

The menu, a year on, is tried and tested and continues to delight those making their way to N1 to chomp on lollipop chicken and scoop up their dal makhani with the crispiest, flakiest of rotis. 

The Tamil Prince opened to roaring success, critics piled in tried the food and left with their full bellies returning home to tap out glowing reviews.

The Tamil Prince is about, bundling up to N1 for a curry in a London boozer with your mates. You can't get more London than that. 

Congratulations on your first year and it was a privilege to see this all happen! #londonfoodphotographer #restaurantphotographer #commericalphotography #londonfoodie
Over the last year, I have been testing this no-ba Over the last year, I have been testing this no-bake mango cheesecake. After many tries, I have a recipe that’s easy to make and works. And to top that, it’s a show-stopper cheesecake.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This recipe contains white chocolate and double cream, therefore you can call it as a white chocolate mango dessert, a treat, a decadent treat! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This no-bake cheesecake takes a little organisation, but there’s no gelatin and no baking. What’s not to love! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It’s a case of pouring the contents from pots into a bowl and mixing, popping in the fridge to set and there you have it a deliciously easy, creamy cheesecake.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
A decidedly wicked cheesecake that’s ready to eat.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I have used Sri Lankan-inspired flavours to create this no-bake mango cheesecake recipe. The mango and lime are a winning combination and so very Sri Lankan. The lime cuts through the almost too-sweet Alphonso mango.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
And cardamom, a feature of so many Sri Lankan recipes, is made for white chocolate. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The flavours are simply special and together, I hope, will be one of the best mango cheesecake recipes you can find!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Enjoy! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Jump to my bio to grab the recipe! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#mangocheesecake #whitechocolatecheesecake #cheesecakerecipe #nobakecake #londonfoodphotographer #londonfoodstylist #foodphotographerandstyling #nobakecheesecake #recipecreator #srilankancuisine #srilankanfoodblogger #srilankanfoodphotographer
What’s the difference between taste and flavour? What’s the difference between taste and flavour? Is there a difference? Or is it just one and the same? This was the topic of this week's newsletter.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
They are different. And come together when we eat. It’s the two senses of smell and taste that give us that pleasure when we eat a divine meal with the memories that linger thereafter. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Last week, last Tuesday, I tuned into a talk hosted by the @booklarder. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
@cynthia.uma interviewed @nikisegnit author of the Flavour Thesaurus. I bought a copy of the first volume of the Flavour Thesaurus when I started writing about food and creating recipes.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It’s a book that yields so many flavour combinations, many of you may not have thought about. The book is part history of food, gastronomy, stories, science and recipes - if you are a food geek like me, it’s invaluable.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The first volume was published in 2010, it covered 99 flavours and 481 combined flavour pairings. The second volume of the Flavour Thesaurus has been published it covers 92 mostly plant-based flavours, from Kale to Cashew, Pomegranate to Pistachio.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I’ve been playing with Sri Lankan flavours and one I’ve become hooked on is curry leaf cooked in butter with a touch of chilli. It’s a winning combination.  I’ve been trying to recreate a chicken liver dish, which involves marinating the chicken livers in curry leaf butter, chilli and yoghurt - the taste and flavour are out of this world. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
At the moment, the recipe isn’t working.  My poor husband has had to eat my mistakes (four times and counting). I’m tweaking the recipe, I’m determined to make it work. And when it does, it’s dropping to my newsletter community first. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
To join my newsletter community go to my bio & sign up. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#londonfoodphotographer #recipecreator #foodwriter  #srilankanfoodphotographer #srilankancuisine
Follow on Instagram
Lifestyle Blog & Magazine WordPress Theme
Logo
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Contacts
Logo
  • Home
  • About Tooting Mama
  • Contact me
About Me

Ranji Thangiah

Food writer, recipe creator and photographer

I'm Ranji! I am a food photographer, recipe creator, lover of Sri Lankan food which I want to share with you.

Most Popular

How to make an authentic South Indian dhal, my ultimate comfort food

dhal_aubergine_1

A spiced leek recipe that’s deliciously fragrant and delightful

A quick and easy spiced leek recipe perfect for a mid-week supper

Quick and easy leftover chicken recipe – chicken biryani

easy chicken biryani recipe
Our site uses cookies. Learn more about our use of cookies: cookie policy
I accept use of cookies