Notes from Fiena

The journal

From our kitchen and bar to the best of King's Cross, Bloomsbury and Euston: what to eat, what to drink and where to wander.

145 stories

4 min read

Where does cheesecake come from?

Creamy, cool and served with a bright fruit sauce, cheesecake is one of the desserts our guests mention most at Fiena, our family-run Italian cafe, bar and restaurant at 4 Medway Court, Judd Street, London WC1H 9QX, a few minutes' walk from King's Cross St Pancras. It has a lo...

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4 min read

What is prosecco?

It's in our spritzes, it tops up our French 47, and it's what most people reach for when there's something to celebrate. There are two proseccos on the drink...

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What is a Campari spritz?

Bright red, bittersweet and fizzing with prosecco, the Campari spritz is the spritz for people who like a bit of bite. It's one of four spritzes on the drink...

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4 min read

What is pollo alla Milanese?

Crisp golden breadcrumbs on the outside, tender meat inside, and a plate of pasta alongside: Pollo alla Milanese is one of the most comforting dishes on the ...

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4 min read

What is sea bass?

In Italy it's branzino or spigola, in France loup de mer, in Greece lavraki, and on British menus simply sea bass. Our Sea bass with capers sauce is one of t...

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What is a French 75?

Gin, lemon juice, a little sugar and a glass of something sparkling: the French 75 is one of the most elegant classic cocktails, and one of the simplest. At ...

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What are Padrón peppers?

A plate of small green peppers, blistered in hot oil and scattered with salt, is one of the simplest starters there is, and one of the most moreish. Padrón p...

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5 min read

What is a Cosmopolitan?

It's pale pink, it's served in a martini glass, and in the 1990s it took off around the world. The Cosmopolitan, or "cosmo", is on the cocktail list at Fiena...

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4 min read

Mussels the Italian way

A pan of glossy black shells, a sauce worth mopping up, and a slice of toasted bread to do the mopping: mussels are one of the great sharing starters. They'r...

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