Bits and Bobs in Search of Inspiration

I've been at a loss for inspiration over the past couple of weeks or so.  Nothing has really tasted all that great to me (even my own cooking) and if I hear about another American style burger joint opening here in London, I'm going to jump out a window.  Perhaps extreme cheffing on the sailboat has ruined me, but it's all feeling very much the same this Autumn, like the burst of creative energy that brought us so many new gems over the past year or two is coasting along unchallenged.  Plus, the weather has jumped from summer straight to winter and the days are dark, just a hint of the many dreary months to come. But today I'm resolving to pull myself out of this funk and go in search of creative culinary treasures.  Here are a few ideas that might inspire you!This afternoon I'm off to see the elBulli exhibit at Somerset House before it ends on September 29th.  If that doesn't inspire me in the kitchen, I'm not sure what will. I plan to share my discoveries with you as this is as close to elBulli as I will ever get!  Stay tuned.The folks at House of Frasier (a department store on this side of the pond) have put together a video of how to set the table for a perfect dinner party.  If you too are planning to host a dinner party - I declared Dinner Party Season officially open last week -  this will help you sort out those little questions of which fork where.  My number one tip:  iron your linens people!In an effort to improve my health, I'm desperately trying to incorporate more leafy greens into my diet and everyone says kale is one of the best.  I can barely stomach it without adding all sorts of things that negate the good-for-you qualities of the kale.  Deb Perelman of Smitten Kitchen fame has given me a couple of healthy kale salads that I actually crave.  Her latest, Kale Salad with Pecorino and Walnuts is yummy and decadent tasting in spite of its main ingredient.  I'm actually meeting Deb at an event in Marylebone on Tuesday night (sorry, it's sold out - I was only able to snag a standing room ticket) and can't wait to see if she's as warm in person as she is on her blog.Finally, I have some great news for those of you in the neighborhood!  KERB, the street food cooperative that mostly hangs around Central and East London, is opening a permanent market on Saturdays from 10am to 3pm in Maida Hill.  Some of the most innovative culinary treats are coming out of these little trucks as I found out when they kicked off their initiative a year ago.    Starting on September 28th, I will most definitely walk over and see what's new and exciting.