Casa D'Lydia, Lagos

It's frustrating for me not having all my kitchen utensils and tool around. this means that I have to eat out a lot. The day I had dinner at Casa D'Lydia was one of those days I didn't mind so much I wasn't able to cook.

Lo' suggested we go to Casa D'Lydia for dinner a few days, I wasn't really keen because I had a bad experience last year when I went there for lunch. The waiter was very impatient and tried to get us to order an easy dish. The food arrived late and tasted so bad that a couple sitting next to me asked for what I ordered so they could avoid it after seeing the expression on my face! 

As a believer in second chances I agreed to go (I was hungry and tried - it wasn't to far from mine). As soon as we entered the restaurant there was someone to greet us and ask us where we would like to sit. I noticed they had done up the place quite nicely, there was a comfortable feeling about it which I didn't notice before. Even it was quite busy it still felt relaxed and quiet. About five minutes after we had browsed the drinks menu, our waiter Michael come to get our order. I ordered a "Virgin Mary" and Lo' ordered "Safe Sex on the Beach" - we are good girls! When Michael brought our drinks he also took our main dish which was  the Spicy Seafood Platter. This platter consist of two snails, fish, jumbo Mozambican prawns and calamari all grilled and skewered. Served with rice or fries. As we were going to share this platter we ordered both the rice and fries because we thought the platter would not be enough.

 After the drinks had arrived Michael came to ask if we were happy with them, Lo' gave him a thumbs up (razz girl!) and I complained that drink was too peppery. He said he would change my drink. When he brought the second drink, he waited until I had tasted it and asked how it was. I didn't want to make a fuss but he realised I wasn't impressed and asked what was wrong with it. He insisted on giving it a third try! I was really impressed. I had planned to lie to him anyway to say it was good even if it wasn't, he was going through a lot to make me happy. The third try was just perfect.

My past experience with sea food is that it is never enough but when our main dish arrived, it was overwhelming. A third person would have had enough to eat. The platter was well presented and made you want to dive in immediately. The rice was very well cooked and the fries were crispy on the outside and nice and mushy on the inside. Did I mention it also came with some Greek salad that wasn't mentioned on the menu? It felt like the vegetables were washed in spring water, the tasted crispy clean! 

The Cajun sauce complimented the snails well. They were very succulent. The prawns were real "Jumbo", I could hardly finish a whole one. The fish tasted very fresh. At a point Lo' goes "They lied to us! This platter is meant for five people not two!". I laughed out loud. I asked them to pack the rest of the food for us to take home. Even after two days it still tasted lovely.

I really enjoyed my dinner and I was very impressed with the customer service in particular Michael our waiter. This new management definitely works! I would recommend Casa D'Lydia any day now and if you go make sure you ask for Michael!

Location: No. 19 Glover Road, Ikoyi

Phone: +234(0)1-820-9239
Email: info@casalydia.com

  

Hello From Lagos, Nigeria

I have recently moved continents, Africa to be precise. I can tell you it’s not for the faint hearted! First I had to deal with packing all the things I have acquired in the last 13 years. I had to decide what to keep and what to throw away or give to charity. Wifey was quite brutal when it came to things to keep. I wanted to keep some things just for sentimental reasons but she was having none of it. She seemed quite detached, like she had no heart. Then again they were my belongings not hers.

I found saying goodbye quite hard so the way I dealt with that was not to make a big deal about my move. I didn’t have a certain date until the very last minute. I tried not to have a proper send off party or leaving do drinks. I just couldn’t deal with it all. As I sit here typing, I realized what a good idea it was for me not to make a big deal about my move. I miss Aberdeen though. Terribly! After all the UK was my home for 13 years. It’s the simple things I miss. Taking a walk home or the shops without being harassed by traffic, okada drivers and flies! Sitting in Starbuck and just staring idly and of course Marks and Spencer. Sigh! And let’s not get me started on the people I miss. Sob sob sob…

I miss having my things around me. The cookbooks, rack of spices and Kofo. You know what I mean, familiar things around. I am currently living out of four suitcases. Highly annoying! Some of my things are with my parents in Abuja and my whole kitchen is in a friend store.

Moving to Lagos has its perks though. I was going to say weather but right now I am not convinced this kind of heat is a perk! I am amongst good friends and family so it’s less lonely. Cheap fuel and at this very moment I am eating yam (4 thick slices) and egg sauce that cost me less than a pound! At this rate I might need to employ the services of a personal trainer.

Opposite the office there is Falomo Bridge where I hear they sell huge prawns and fresh fish underneath it, somewhere I look forward to going to because a few days ago I went to a supermarket to buy prawns for the pasta I was craving. I thought it was a joke when I saw the price. I substituted the prawns with chicken instead. I will go to Falomo Bridge with my camera and share the pictures with you guys.

I need you guys to bear with me as I try and settle down. I am still very much committed to this blog and I will try and share my food experiences as I explore Lagos.

Pasta in Tomato Sauce

Ingredients:

500g of Spaghetti (A packet)

1½ of plum tomatoes – chopped

300g of chicken fillet – diced

1 green pepper – chopped

8 sprigs of spring onions

3 scotch bonnet (fresh chilies) - chopped

½ cup of sunflower oil

4 Knorr cubes

1 tablespoon of mixed herbs

Directions:

In a large pan, boil the pasta as per packet instructions, rinse and drain. While the pasta is boiling, heat the oil in a large saucepan including one Knorr cube for about a minute and fry the diced chicken until they are golden brown. Removed the fried diced chicken and keep aside. Add all the vegetables and cook for about 15 minute, add the mixed herbs and 2 Knorr cubes. Then add the boiled pasta and simmer for about 5 – 10 minutes. Add the remaining Knorr cube if needed after tasting for salt.

Enjoy!