February food news: editor's picks

Taquería Canalla, Nuevo Leon, Mexico  

Taquería Canalla - located in San Pedro, Mexico - has seduced us with its rustic charm, colourful tacos and top branding. Its signature sauces particularly caught our eye - beautifully bottled in medicinal-style flacons designed by Mexican design agency, Manifesto Futura. Three out of the five (the avocado, coriander and chilli sauces) are available to buy, the remaining two, a 'red' tomato salsa and a 'green' tomato salsa have top-secret recipes and are more closely guarded - they don't leave the restaurant, but are added to your order. Try the 'Bañado' taco, packed full of roast beef and chorizo, topped off with a dollop of the exceptional coriander dressing.

Rio Orinoco 101 L-1, Centrito Valle, San Pedro, Garza Garcia, CP 62220 Mexico; Tel: 52. 81 1934 8011; www.soycanalla.mx  

 Writer: Romy van den Broeke

Black Cow Vodka 

The clue is in the name: Black Cow Vodka is distilled from cowsmilk. Created by Jason Barber - a farmer from Childhay Manor, West Dorset - the vodka, much to our delight, looks and tastes like the real deal. The process involves the milk being split into curds and whey. While the curds are used to produce the farm's award-winning Barber's 1833 vintage reserve Cheddar, the whey is fermented and distilled to create the clear, creamy vodka. The century-old process of producing vodka from milk originates from the Siberian tribe, the Tuva, who use the milk from their harem of mares to create the highly revered Araka vodka. 

£27.85 for a 70cl bottle; www.blackcowvodka.co

Writer: Romy van den Broeke

'Nature' by Pauline Deltour for Shibafune Koide

 Parisian-based product designer Pauline Deltour has swapped furniture for confectionary in a new venture with Japanese brand Shibafune Koide, launched at last month's Maison et Objet. Stepping away from the durable materials to which she is used, Deltour assisted in the design and concept of a collection of traditional Japanese sweets. The sweets are sculpted to reflect natural elements like mountains, leaves and valleys, in delicate pastel colours. We trust that they taste as good as they look. 

www.paulinedeltour.com

Writer: Romy van den Broeke

Joseph Joseph

 London-based brand of brothers, Joseph Joseph, are known for their innovative approach to everyday kitchenware design - one of their most successful inventions being the chopping board-cum-colander device; a sturdy but foldable product that has proved a hit internationally for the duo. The new Spring Summer 2013 collection subtly breaks from their brightly coloured guidelines, thanks to sprinklings of wood and cream. With many of the products being entirely new designs - including a range of wooden spoons with weighted handles; a non-stick silicone pastry mat; and a kitchen roll holder that fits universal kitchen roll sizes (of which there are many, apparently) - there's no doubt this decade-old company is determined to keep revolutionising our kitchen accessories. 

Elevate Wooden Spoons, £9.50; Roll-up Silicone Pastry Mat, £18; Easy-Tear Kitchen Rolls, £25; www.josephjoseph.com

Writer: Romy van den Broeke

L'Éclair de Génie, Paris, France 

Heaven has officially opened on Earth courtesy of patisserie chef of the moment, Christophe Adam. His new concept store in Paris, L'Éclair de Génie, serves up elaborately designed éclairs - such as pistachio with orange - and a selection of chocolates. The interior is an amalgamation of glass and rustic wood, making the ideal backdrop for the vivid collection of chocolate truffles and buns. The Salted Butter Caramel éclair is already a Parisian favourite. 

14 rue Pavée, 75004 Paris, France; tel: 33. 1 42 77 85 11; www.leclairdegenie.com

Writer: Romy van den Broeke

Eighthirty 

Sustainable coffee makers Eighthirty only launched their business a few years ago but are already big players in the burgeoning Kiwi coffee game. They recently recruited the expertise of new local design company, Butcher & Butcher, to help refresh and redesign their coffee packaging and the result is right up our street: simple and direct, with a white and red colour scheme, and bold typography stating the blend, origin and flavour of the coffee within. Each bag is delivered by bike, if ordered within the city of Auckland. 

www.eighthirty.com

Writer: Romy van den Broeke

BYOC, London, UK

 Hidden deep in the basement of Covent Garden's newest health-drink joint, Juice Club, is a 1920's prohibition-inspired drinking den, B.Y.O.C. A play on the well-known Bring Your Own Booze concept, the Bring Your Own Cocktail bar invites guests to drink tailor-made cocktails. Punters are required to bring a bottle of their favourite tipple - no alcohol is stored on the premises - and, for £20, a mixologist will conjure up as many delectable concoctions as you desire during your two-hour slot. The bartenders come armed with all the tools of the trade, plus homemade syrups, juices, cordials and bitters, spices and herbs. This really is Bring Your Own Bottle at it's best. 

28 Bedfordbury Street, London WC2N 4BJ; www.byoc.co.uk

Writer: Romy van den Broeke

Double Drink Mug by Zenique 

Tea connoisseur, Zenique, is known for its contemporary take on traditional tea drinking. With a host of design-led tea accessories already under its belt, the Taiwanese company has launched the Double Drink Mug: a mug and a teapot in one. Its filter doubles as a tea-trapping device, allowing you to drink from the same vessel as you brew your leaves in. The mug's sturdy design - complete with a matte exterior neatly contrasted with a glossy interior - brings extra satisfaction to the experience. 

$35; www.zenique.net

Writer: Romy van den Broeke

The Gourmand Exhibition at 18 Hewitt Street Gallery, London 

The Gourmand is a beautifully illustrated, triannual new food and arts journal, founded by food-lovers Marina Tweed and David Lane. Now some of its most striking images, such as of a hungry crocodile mid-feed, shot by Robin Friend; a gluttonous butter smear shot by Gustav Almestal; and Paolo di Lucente's snaps of a serene New York diner, are on display at 18 Hewett Street in Shoreditch. The Gourmand - along with Rita's Bar and Dining and the Corner Room chef, Nuno Mendes - will be hosting a series of intimate supper clubs in the space to coincide with the exhibition. At the centre of the space will be the 'Table Man', a long dining table cutely conceived by graphic designer, Jean Jullien, to represent a man, complete with benches representing arms and legs. This is where guests will dine, and sip on premium Hendricks gin cocktails. Until 3 March. 

18 Hewett Street, London EC2A 3NN; www.thegourmand.co.uk

Writer: Romy van den Broeke