tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73807099639947004922024-02-06T19:53:01.898-08:00London LarderLondon Larderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925047232685698752noreply@blogger.comBlogger158125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380709963994700492.post-7832947501669419682014-04-29T06:10:00.002-07:002014-04-29T06:17:09.625-07:00W Does BrunchW Hotel Leicester Square<br />
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There’s no denying that brunch is one of Sunday’s ultimate indulgences – aside from long lie-ins and roast dinners (with giant Yorkshire puddings - naturally), but until visiting <a href="http://www.wlondon.co.uk/">W London</a> in Leicester Square, we were feeling pretty at ease about what brunch was all about. It turns out brunch is a much more extravagant affair than we previously realised.<br />
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All hail the ultimate <a href="http://www.wlondon.co.uk/en/w-hotel-bar">W Does Brunch</a>.<br />
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You’ve experienced afternoon tea. You’ve experienced brunch. Now mash those two together, add in a sweet shop, slippers, a live DJ, (lots of) sofa, the Sunday newspapers and classic Brit sitcoms on loop, bottomless bloody Marys and Grade-A service and you have got brunch at W London.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu89TOB_M7a9kBJ9DhnftyN9DCbqoeyk0mxxVCZ2MVEIkyO-07HhiQSeZx_oCdQHvlbaU9PExO7BTxg2bF14El_97bBkhrk3qAvoPrN-OKk29U87ZekNylF_j0bQUWOPT69X5LnSACKIY/s1600/W+Does+Brunch+Mary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu89TOB_M7a9kBJ9DhnftyN9DCbqoeyk0mxxVCZ2MVEIkyO-07HhiQSeZx_oCdQHvlbaU9PExO7BTxg2bF14El_97bBkhrk3qAvoPrN-OKk29U87ZekNylF_j0bQUWOPT69X5LnSACKIY/s1600/W+Does+Brunch+Mary.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>Served every Sunday between 12-5pm and a steal for just £25 (cheaper than you average afternoon tea in London), <a href="http://www.wlondon.co.uk/en/w-hotel-bar">W Does Brunch</a> is the ultimate in lazy Sunday dining. And what’s more, you’re not required to chill out, eat up and move on to make room for the next guests. You arrive any time between 12pm and 5pm and that space is yours for the afternoon (and you’ll need it!).<br />
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Feeling ravenous, we gulped down a perfectly blended bloody Mary – one of the best we have had (…well OK– 45 Park Lane is pretty awesome too…) and quickly ordered another while we were brought a charmingly presented jar of natural yoghurt layered crispy granola and red berry compote. This was followed by a magnificent presentation of our first savoury course; smoked haddock and salmon scotch egg, chicken Caesar salad, Welsh rarebit (we have no idea what the cheese was but my goodness we could have eaten that all day!), and two halves of a mini bagel with whipped cream cheese and thick strips of smoked salmon. All absolutely divine: heaven on a plate.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkjm2atbOZfHi1vw6jKrbcaKDkANPFAHiM026_VjNxkm4FYBw3_yJo9u0Liwe9Xjfg7wD5yhamGtbsMuGUgfv5iqsiAyO-cePnVgDq9Mo4mzAPKWwioh2b8Eap-pPzBIlY15VoLsNBA0/s1600/W+Does+Brunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkjm2atbOZfHi1vw6jKrbcaKDkANPFAHiM026_VjNxkm4FYBw3_yJo9u0Liwe9Xjfg7wD5yhamGtbsMuGUgfv5iqsiAyO-cePnVgDq9Mo4mzAPKWwioh2b8Eap-pPzBIlY15VoLsNBA0/s1600/W+Does+Brunch.jpg" height="320" width="272" /></a>Coupled with our third Bloody Mary of the afternoon, we were feeling pretty full, which fortunately, the staff had already pre-empted, so they gave us some time to digest. So we laid back, kicked off our slippers and spent an hour reading the papers and listening to the DJ playing chill out house and dance (this is not a quiet brunch), before being served a hearty Yorkshire pudding filled with slices of roast beef, mash and veg and a creamy truffle macaroni cheese.<br />
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As if that wasn’t enough (yes…there’s more), <a href="http://www.wlondon.co.uk/en/w-hotel-bar">W Does Brunch</a> offers up a retro sweet stall where you can help yourself at any time and fill up candy stripped paper bags with home-made biscuits, jelly cola bottles, pink shrimps, Black Jacks and sherbet flying saucers.<br />
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If you’re feeling a bit fancy, you can top up your brunch (like we did) with a bottomless bloody mary or Prosecco for an additional £25 and by the time you have had two glasses, it is totally worthy it – although one word of warning – after two bloody marys and a massive brunch, you will be struggling to fit in any more. We recommend opting for the Prosecco if you fancy taking advantage of this great offer.<br />
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<a href="http://www.wlondon.co.uk/en/w-hotel-bar">W Does Brunch</a> is £25 per person every Sunday from 12-5pm.<br />
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<b>10 Wardour Street, W1D 6QF</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.wlondon.co.uk/en/w-hotel-bar">WEBSITE</a> / <a href="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=W1D+6QF&ie=UTF-8&ei=BqJfU4WWB4HHPP3TgJAO&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ">MAP</a> / <a href="http://assets.wlondon.co.uk/lps/assets/u/WLondonLeicesterSquare-WLounge-WDoesBrunch.pdf">MENU</a></div>
London Larderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925047232685698752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380709963994700492.post-24005813902889890972014-03-26T06:53:00.002-07:002014-03-26T06:53:57.457-07:00The Crown and Sceptre <i>Gastropub</i><br />
Fitzrovia<br />
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We've all got favourite pubs (or sanctuaries) where we can hide away from the hustle and bustle of the city and chill out with friends, cold pint in hand. Yet, often you’ll find that most of London's best boozers are away from the tourist heart of the city, away from watering-holes teaming with tourists and day-trippers, taking up all the tables and preventing us from getting to the bar. That's the problem with living in one of the world's best cities - everyone else wants to visit and it seems they all want a drink.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVq3hx70cBep2zAW1m2Y2RhnfXnxvMyCllXJ5J_SWYKfOiUNJjv7bACvwIbov5LAztE4IwlS2X3vDopfaC9eW-osQtJfXGa64ez8ixYXDJlJuTZ8DOexh-No9nWjgxpo8M29leFZxnvI/s1600/Crown+and+Sceptre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVq3hx70cBep2zAW1m2Y2RhnfXnxvMyCllXJ5J_SWYKfOiUNJjv7bACvwIbov5LAztE4IwlS2X3vDopfaC9eW-osQtJfXGa64ez8ixYXDJlJuTZ8DOexh-No9nWjgxpo8M29leFZxnvI/s1600/Crown+and+Sceptre.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a>When you find a central London pub that is not colonised by tourists, it's worth making it your 'local' and becoming a regular. You may not live anywhere near it, but if it's in a central location between your house and that of your friends, what better reason could you have to visit.<br />
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<a href="http://www.thecrownandsceptrew1.co.uk/">The Crown and Sceptre </a>in Fitzrovia is one such pub, too far north of Oxford Street for the visiting hordes, and too far west of Charlotte Street to have been taken over by media luvvies. It exists in the perfect location where it is easily accessible, but hidden away enough to remain secret. Telling you all about it in this feature may not help us get a table next time, but it's too good to keep secret.<br />
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We visited <a href="http://www.thecrownandsceptrew1.co.uk/">The Crown and Sceptre</a> one Thursday evening after work for dinner and drinks. We arrived at 7.30pm and it was already packed to the rafters with a vibrant young crowd, so if you plan to eat, book ahead. The menu at the pub is pretty extensive, throwing up a few difficult decisions as we read through, and the food is well presented and served in very large 'Man v Food' sized portions. We were in a sharing mood so opted for the meat board for two, complete with cured meats along, garlic-flavoured mixed olives, cornichons and crusty fresh bread.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdKtDmK896D6cEtrQ2R6vA8jYsYOT1kq86UDEChbHMR_jTtBaeaGu4vC66A32nGYIWVCsfeaWysDm4jauMBKuyLZFaG48k57v0L6LSbR8Jm-jjSnXkyomLMZLjA27HACtMiTI2Rib0fM/s1600/Crown+and+Sceptre+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdKtDmK896D6cEtrQ2R6vA8jYsYOT1kq86UDEChbHMR_jTtBaeaGu4vC66A32nGYIWVCsfeaWysDm4jauMBKuyLZFaG48k57v0L6LSbR8Jm-jjSnXkyomLMZLjA27HACtMiTI2Rib0fM/s1600/Crown+and+Sceptre+2.jpg" height="253" width="320" /></a></div>
We then plumped for the southern fried chicken with fries and grilled sea bass with spinach and sautéed potatoes, and (ambitiously) a side order of mac 'n cheese. The chicken was delicious; four giant pieces coated in a crunchy, softly peppered coating served in a presentation fryer basket. The portion size was huge and contained more meat than any fast food family bucket. The chicken alone would have filled us up, but the accompanying ‘skinny’ fries were addictively moreish. The macaroni was, in hindsight, overkill and perhaps the one negative of the meal, with more garlic than the dish really needed.<br />
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The sea bass was much lighter, but still a huge portion that left us struggling to finish it. Again, a little too much garlic masked the delicate subtleties of the fish, but it was very well cooked, along with a generous portion of potatoes and green spinach.<br />
Far too stuffed for a dessert, we finished our meal with a shot of Patron: a coffee flavoured tequila that isn't half as harsh on the throat as it sounds.<br />
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The food at <a href="http://www.thecrownandsceptrew1.co.uk/">The Crown and Sceptre</a> is very good (if a bit garlicky), but it was the exceptional service and vibrant atmosphere of the busy after-work crowd that will make us want to visit again and again. Paradoxically, despite the liveliness of the venue, our little table tucked in a corner near the bar made it very it is easy to relax; a combination which is pretty unusual in central London. Well worth a visit.<br />
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<b>86 Great Titchfield Street, W1W 6SD</b><br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999;">Average price of main course: £12.00</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Food/drink: 4/5</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Value: 5/5</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Service: 5/5</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.thecrownandsceptrew1.co.uk/">WEBSITE</a> / <a href="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=W1W+6SD&ie=UTF-8&ei=h9oyU7bFI_Ou7AaKq4DIDw&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ">MAP</a> / <a href="http://www.thecrownandsceptrew1.co.uk/food/">MENU</a>London Larderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925047232685698752noreply@blogger.com0London W1W 6SD, UK51.5193573 -0.1406822000000147551.5190483 -0.14131270000001475 51.519666300000004 -0.14005170000001474tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380709963994700492.post-39572091380211587782014-03-24T06:14:00.004-07:002014-03-24T06:14:47.249-07:00Bianco 43<i>Italian</i><br />
Trafalgar Square<br />
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London is not short of Italian chain restaurants. There seems to be a Zizzi, Strada, Prezzo or a Bella Italia on every corner, with many of the menus at these outlets being very samey. Wouldn't it be great if another, more genuine line of Italian restaurants started proliferating around the capital? Well, as it happens we are in luck, as one of the stars of South East London, <a href="http://www.bianco43.com/">Bianco 43</a>, has opened the doors of its latest branch, and its right by Trafalgar Square. What could be more convenient?<br />
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<a href="http://www.bianco43.com/">Bianco 43</a> claims to be London's 'most authentic Italian pizzeria' and they may well be entitled to do so. Serving Italian staples alongside delicious, doughy pizza, the menu has a solid range of pasta and an impressive meat and fish section, including a rather creative looking Italian beef burger, which proved sorely tempting before other choices won out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2nCNWwxCTducr-QKd57T8hDSWy7IWxTGY0o3gtIW1sg1tYK-MvGPuyaBIlNhzi_jGwcF0NHeyZK6lS32-wasA6EQE65d-x_A67h4iA5mNUaPiJs4lYa_C2Z7zSofjj1s7uGbxbkNdGc/s1600/BIANCO+43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2nCNWwxCTducr-QKd57T8hDSWy7IWxTGY0o3gtIW1sg1tYK-MvGPuyaBIlNhzi_jGwcF0NHeyZK6lS32-wasA6EQE65d-x_A67h4iA5mNUaPiJs4lYa_C2Z7zSofjj1s7uGbxbkNdGc/s1600/BIANCO+43.jpg" height="297" width="400" /></a></div>
We chose the calamari and the bruschetta to start, both of which were very good, but the topping of the bruschetta only consisted of tomatoes, olive oil and garlic, and could have possibly benefitted from a few extra ingredients such as an onion to break up the flavour a little more.<br />
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For main course we selected from the pasta menu and extensive pizza selection, plumping for the Gnocchi alla Sorrentina and the Cotto e Funghi (ham and mushroom) pizza. The gnocchi was baked beautifully in a tomato sauce and covered with balls of melted fresh mozzarella which you could have probably stretched for miles. The pizza was reminiscent of the type you would expect to get in Naples and southern Italy. It was extremely thin and crispy, cooked very quickly at a high temperature in the stone oven, contributing to a feeling of freshness that came with every bite. It even managed to win over a staunch fan of the thicker American style of pizza, which is high praise indeed!<br />
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For dessert we tried the Torta Con Crema al Cioccolato, which was sadly a bit dry for our taste, and the Fruttini, which despite its name, is not a colourful cocktail; ‘shells' of fruit and nuts had been scooped out, flash frozen and filled with similar flavoured sorbet. It was a very unique and attractively presented dessert: we wouldn’t have imagined that we would enjoy a nut sorbet!<br />
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The main courses were all very reasonably priced, as were some of the starters. By contrast the dessert was a little overpriced, as undoubtedly delicious as the Fruttini was. However, it would be fair to expect that, if the right menu choices were made, that two people could easily enjoy a two course meal at Bianco 43 for about £30 before drinks. Not bad considering the price of a similar meal in one of the more prolific Italian chains, and even better when you consider the location. The rustic, home-made food seemed like it would be much more at home in a whitewashed, simple location in Greenwich, where Bianco 43 usually plies their trade, than in a marble pillared room with hanging chandeliers and a richly decorated ceiling just up the road from Whitehall, but any thoughts we had about the décor of the restaurant did not detract from the high quality of the food.<br />
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The new <a href="http://www.bianco43.com/">Bianco 43</a> is definitely worth a visit if you feel your tummy rumbling after a trip to the National Gallery and similar nearby tourist destinations, and if you fancy some reasonably priced, top-quality, authentic fresh Italian food, but if you want the real trattoria atmosphere to go with it you might be better served by paying a visit to one of their two original venues in the south-east.<br />
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<b>8 Northumberland Avenue, WC2N 5BY</b><br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999;">Average price of main course: £10</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Average price of glass of wine: £5.50</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Food/drink: 4/5</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Service: 5/5</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Value: 4/5</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.bianco43.com/">WEBSITE</a> / <a href="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=WC2N+5BY&ie=UTF-8&ei=qy8wU_jtOrCB7QbNtICgBg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ">MAP</a> / <a href="http://media.wix.com/ugd/800bf3_79952f7b1a41a8c7657057f2653ae1ea.pdf">MENU</a></div>
London Larderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925047232685698752noreply@blogger.com0London WC2N 5BY, UK51.5071885 -0.1269979999999577651.505953 -0.12951949999995777 51.508424 -0.12447649999995776tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380709963994700492.post-34586383383417078402014-03-17T06:58:00.003-07:002014-03-17T06:58:21.232-07:00Benito’s Hat<i>Mexican</i><br />
Farringdon<br />
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<a href="http://www.benitos-hat.com/">Benito’s Hat</a> is a fast-food Mexican restaurant now in five locations around London. We went to check out the new restaurant in Farringdon, full of hope for a tasty, quick bite to eat before heading on to the pub. We were greeted on arrival by a friendly waitress and given menus to browse before we ordered two frozen margaritas. Frozen margaritas, however, were off the menu (we assumed the blender was broken) and we were told classic margaritas were available. These were tasty enough, although perhaps not as strong as we usually like.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCH4q8hBBYI5M6ZEBX4yu8JyKGEwCKPzHV8yyTa0JSaHOiBlNffGDaay9jx0m-wt9CcAUkOutxhAJ-fRKP8OScfCJGj9OzUq9RceppgAwiRmAok67t6f41Mon62jZDUb8Xo85MDi4If2k/s1600/Benit's+Hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCH4q8hBBYI5M6ZEBX4yu8JyKGEwCKPzHV8yyTa0JSaHOiBlNffGDaay9jx0m-wt9CcAUkOutxhAJ-fRKP8OScfCJGj9OzUq9RceppgAwiRmAok67t6f41Mon62jZDUb8Xo85MDi4If2k/s1600/Benit's+Hat.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a>We ordered food from the counter and chose two burritos; slow braised pork and steak. Steak was off the menu so brisket was offered instead. We were happy and took our seats again and where we were served some tortillas and a selection of salsa from the salsa bar. The plain tomato salsa was delicious and before we knew it we had devoured half the bottle. The pineapple salsa was an interesting concept but a bit too sweet for our taste.<br />
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We waited half an hour and after no indication of our food arriving anytime soon, we decided to check, only to be informed they had lost our order, so we had to order again. We were concerned because we thought we might have confused the staff by ordering from the counter instead of the table, but to their credit, the food turned up in two minutes. We had requested one of the burritos to be dairy-free (so no cheese or sour cream), but upon biting into the burrito, we quickly realised we had been given an incorrect order.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVbUANrlg-8KJeLRltoYLj473gv3ZAvLC-fcKpfuJGG-fdtswCQVMvqJfyAGevnYpq3GvNl4wEgWKTnk6o5liuxWOukXwUdJ5iFmrYccOhi1xYT9Uib4fCcOWJSflkzq9hah0noMk-Cc/s1600/Benito's+Hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVbUANrlg-8KJeLRltoYLj473gv3ZAvLC-fcKpfuJGG-fdtswCQVMvqJfyAGevnYpq3GvNl4wEgWKTnk6o5liuxWOukXwUdJ5iFmrYccOhi1xYT9Uib4fCcOWJSflkzq9hah0noMk-Cc/s1600/Benito's+Hat.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><br />
When we finally got the correct meals, we found that the burritos were very tasty. The meat was tender and the guacamole was fresh. We had opted for the extra hot ‘salsa diabla’ and it punched a fair kick and suitably complemented the remainder of the salsa from the tortillas earlier.<br />
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Feeling in the mood for something sweet, we ordered a serving of fried tortillas to share, coated in sugar and cinnamon and dished up alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream. In contrast to the former, this was a bit underwhelming; we couldn’t work out if the tortillas were supposed to be crispy or soft like churros - they were neither) and ultimately gave the effect of coming over a bit stale.<br />
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Overall, <a href="http://www.benitos-hat.com/">Benito’s Hat</a> has potential, but we found our experience mixed. The service is friendly but not very efficient service and the food is good (with the exception of dessert). For a fast-food establishment, the over-arching sentiment is that it is just not very quick!<br />
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<b>12-14 St John Street, EC1M 4AY</b><br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999;">Food/drink: 2/5</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Service: 2/5</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Value: 3/5</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.benitos-hat.com/">WEBSITE</a> / <a href="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=EC1M+4AY&ie=UTF-8&ei=iP4mU6z-JubW0QXdzoHYAg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ">MAP</a> / <a href="http://benitos-hat.com/menu/">MENU </a>London Larderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925047232685698752noreply@blogger.com0London EC1M 4AY, UK51.5203205 -0.101450500000055451.519703 -0.1027110000000554 51.520937999999994 -0.1001900000000554tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380709963994700492.post-2352442642309789762014-03-12T06:31:00.001-07:002014-03-12T06:31:01.752-07:00Rodizio Lebanon<i>Lebanese</i><br />
Fulham Broadway<br />
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We love meat. We also love Brazilian food. So, it’s no surprise that we can sometimes be found taking advantage of London’s share of churrascos (Brazilian barbecues) serving up mountains of beef, pork, lamb, chicken and various other meats, many of which are served rodizio style, where waiters bring huge skewers of meat to each table to serve you what could essentially be a never-ending feast. Rodizio Rico is one such example, with branches in Islington, Notting Hill and at the O2, but its branch in Fulham Broadway has recently been transformed from ‘Rodizio Rico’ to ‘<a href="http://www.rodiziorico.com/">Rodizio Lebanon</a>’; a departure not just in name, but also in cuisine, with Brazilian dishes substituted for Lebanese food.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSbuZ8h96B6UMDaNdxqyNkVLDjvtsuOoGoRORPN12LQrXEi-uIbOdvCGGofhVBbYzO8SwSBGJnZuW8XlcSyhHNe5k3LS8cyriFHkt4DsXey-mWpfeAuaOeuzbRirPmmq5LvxyhOWF2Ag/s1600/Rodizio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSbuZ8h96B6UMDaNdxqyNkVLDjvtsuOoGoRORPN12LQrXEi-uIbOdvCGGofhVBbYzO8SwSBGJnZuW8XlcSyhHNe5k3LS8cyriFHkt4DsXey-mWpfeAuaOeuzbRirPmmq5LvxyhOWF2Ag/s1600/Rodizio.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a>Lebanon? And Brazil? Together? Sounds a little crazy but it’s important to note that this is not a fusion restaurant serving some sort of South American/Middle Eastern hybrid. This is an entirely Lebanese menu, cooked by a Lebanese chef, except it is served in a Brazilian style - rodizio style. Once we stopped to think about it, it begun to feel entirely logical. Lebanese meat is often cooked on skewers (a shish kebab for example), and so serving in this way makes perfect sense.<br />
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So, for a fixed price, customers at <a href="http://www.rodiziorico.com/">Rodizio Lebanon</a> can have an unlimited amount of food, with waiters serving meat for as long as you want it. All customers are issued with a double-sided card, one side being green to indicate to staff that they can continue to side to load your plate, the other side being red, meaning you would like a break.<br />
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The meat was delicious, and so we were tempted to leave the card green side up all night. We enjoyed crispy chicken wings and chicken legs, smoky steak, marinated chicken breast, garlic bread and squeaky soft chunks of halloumi. Our highlights were the spicy chicken sausages (with real chillies bursting through) and the lamb cutlets, both real treats that we could eat all night. The lamb was barbecued to perfection, slightly pink in the middle and melted in the mouth. There were two types of sausage, the second being bright red lamb. Both had a kick to them that tingled the tongue in a very pleasant way and are the first things we’ll be looking out for when we next visit.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnzLipqzGfsXRE3Fk0NLnPx63EELNXzOw47Hpo55EkZUKGlNULOBozU2t6BnUtlWG-Ag_yZMSU7M5AWXgsO0t3MppiZSg0yFUbkcKvv2xmIVzBRc6Yd300MeuPc1AM1PDT2Sz-2kFN8c/s1600/Rodizio+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnzLipqzGfsXRE3Fk0NLnPx63EELNXzOw47Hpo55EkZUKGlNULOBozU2t6BnUtlWG-Ag_yZMSU7M5AWXgsO0t3MppiZSg0yFUbkcKvv2xmIVzBRc6Yd300MeuPc1AM1PDT2Sz-2kFN8c/s1600/Rodizio+2.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></a><br />
Alongside the rodzio, customers are also encouraged to help themselves to the large mezze selection in the centre of the room. A huge range of cold dishes from tabbouleh and houmous, to tahini and stuffed vine leaves. There’s also a number of hot dishes, including lightly spiced chicken stews and vegetable dishes. Much as we loved the meat, the mezze provided a necessary counterweight. Luckily, we had a little room left for dessert and enjoyed a few cubes of sweet baklava to round off the meal.<br />
<br />
As a brand new concept, it may take a little while for the public to understand what
<a href="http://www.rodiziorico.com/">Rodizio Lebanon</a> offers. We visited early one midweek evening and guests were few and far between, although it did begin to fill up later which helped develop the atmosphere. Churrascarias need a lively atmosphere, and so next time we visit we’ll be going for a weekend evening instead. Ultimately, the food is excellent and unlimited meat can never be a bad thing. Maybe more cuisines need to be served rodizio style…<br />
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<b>11 Jerdan Place, SW6 1BE</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Food/Drink: 4/5</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Service: 5/5</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Value: 5/5</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Rodizio: £25</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.rodiziorico.com/content/menu/menu_fulham.php">WEBSITE</a> / <a href="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=SW6+1BE&ie=UTF-8&ei=2l8gU769M4rX7Aa9-oAI&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ">MAP </a>London Larderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925047232685698752noreply@blogger.com0Fulham, London SW6 1BE, UK51.4808177 -0.1978552000000490851.401706700000005 -0.35921670000004907 51.5599287 -0.03649370000004909tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380709963994700492.post-67529126482589244532014-03-06T05:50:00.003-08:002014-03-06T05:50:24.244-08:00Tommi's Burger Joint at the Princess of Wales <i>Pop-up</i><br />
Primrose Hill<br />
<br />
High quality burger joints have been proliferating London in recent years, thanks in no small part to Adam Richman’s antics on Man vs Food. Whereas four or five years ago you'd be lucky if the best burger you could find in the city was a Big Mac. Nowadays, names like MEATliquor, Patty & Bun, Lucky Chip and Bleecker Street are on everyone's lips. Or at least they are on our lips at every possible opportunity…<br />
<br />
So, good burgers are in fashion, but one of the things that doesn’t seem to have made the leap across the pond in the high popularity stakes are the eating challenges that accompany this sort of diner food. They do pop up occasionally; take Hoxton’s Red Dog Saloon for example, but it is with some rarity that they do, and it certainly isn't guaranteed when a new place springs up. So, when we heard that as part of its monthly residency at <a href="http://www.lovetheprincess.com/" target="_blank">The Princess of Wales</a> in Primrose Hill, <a href="http://www.burgerjoint.co.uk/" target="_blank">Tommi's Burger Joint</a> would be offering a 'Man vs Food' challenge, we felt obliged to check it out.<br />
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Tommi's has been in residency at the Princess of Wales for a while now, popping up on the third Thursday of each month. We arrived at 7.30pm on a Thursday night and it was already full: a testament to just how popular this residency is. We sat down and enjoyed a couple of delicious cocktails; a Ginger Ninja and a Breakfast Margarita from the frequently rotating menu of unique cocktails, to ignite our Dutch courage and got ready for the challenge.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdXY_5CyBsqJHWLnwA8fNJyffBBLITYfspm5zMNr6-_Ynl8ZzhlFJjDoiNYCJBzCheykYzGEBJiXwAXyc6Sb014ZElKGotcmp7Cj4Us_UUpallbkFmbQ-uvDvHsSa0JWT3_Tfu90O0zw/s1600/Tommi's.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdXY_5CyBsqJHWLnwA8fNJyffBBLITYfspm5zMNr6-_Ynl8ZzhlFJjDoiNYCJBzCheykYzGEBJiXwAXyc6Sb014ZElKGotcmp7Cj4Us_UUpallbkFmbQ-uvDvHsSa0JWT3_Tfu90O0zw/s1600/Tommi's.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a><br />
Once we had built up the confidence, we prepared ourselves. The burger that we had to consume consisted of three 7oz patties, each separated by a bun, slathered with homemade horseradish mustard and topped with pastrami, Monterey Jack cheese, deli pickle and onions. We thought, 21oz of beef doesn't sound that much (it's 'only' 1.25lbs) and when you consider that the majority of the challenges undertaken by Richman consist of upwards of 3 or 4lbs of beef, this challenge sounded like it would be a walk in the park.<br />
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It wasn't.<br />
<br />
The rules of the challenge state that you have to eat it ALL in under five minutes. So, imagine having to knock back a quarter pounder burger (not forgetting the toppings) once a minute for five minutes. We girded our loins as we were seated at the special challenge table. The burgers were put in front of us, and the timer was set off. We went out of the blocks like a shot, separating the layers into three. Burger one was down in under a minute, but burger two really took its toll, and we spent most of the remaining five minutes on it. Our companion on the other hand took a more measured approach. If we were the hare, he was the tortoise, and we’ll spare you the gory details and simply tell you that in this case, the tortoise won and the hare did not.<br />
<br />
The burger itself was good. The beef was good quality, and the bun was nice and light. The toppings for the challenge were unusual. It is a scaled-up version of Tommi's special; the New York Burger, and it really made for an interesting flavour. Overall, it was very good, but frankly, we have had better burgers in London. This is a very subjective statement, and the circumstances of our eating it were admittedly unusual, but we would certainly be very interested in giving it another go under slightly less stress.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.lovetheprincess.com/" target="_blank">The Princess of Wales</a> is really a great setting for the residency. Pubs often work well as bases for pop-up burger joints and this is no exception. Like the pub's cocktail menu, <a href="http://www.burgerjoint.co.uk/" target="_blank">Tommi’s Burger Joint</a> keeps a rotating menu of specials that change regularly (the New York Burger is not on the standard menu) so the two seem to be a dream partnership. They'll be back working in combination on 20 March, so start building your appetite.<br />
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<b>The Princess of Wales, 22 Chalcot Road, <a href="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=NW1+8LL&ie=UTF-8&ei=HHwYU6PEJaWf7AaajIDICA&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ" target="_blank">NW1 8LL</a></b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Average price of main course: £9 </span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Average price of glass of wine: £4.50 </span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Food/drink: 4/5 </span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Service: 4/5 </span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Value: 4/5</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #ea9999;"><a href="http://www.lovetheprincess.com/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a> / <a href="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=NW1+8LL&ie=UTF-8&ei=HHwYU6PEJaWf7AaajIDICA&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ" target="_blank">MAP</a></span>London Larderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925047232685698752noreply@blogger.com2London NW1 8LL, UK51.5402733 -0.1537456999999449251.539656300000004 -0.15500619999994492 51.5408903 -0.15248519999994492tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380709963994700492.post-48780905153317700112014-02-25T05:26:00.001-08:002014-02-25T05:32:59.573-08:00Pancake Day Pancake Day has almost 'creped' up on us again (4 March) and not only is it time to use up all our incredibly <strike>good</strike> bad jokes, it's also a good time to make the most of what we believe to be one of the best (and should be more celebrated) gastronomic days in the calendar.<br />
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So, if like us, you're not the remotest bit religious, but want to embrace all things edible and pan-shaped, here's a rundown of some of London's 'increpeible' (sorry!) menus featuring on Tuesday 4 March:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcn-1s0bUl1k2HCeNSyx2rNmO6G2reKKQrqLPic0nVzsAprsJdD_7Es0PjLjaXVCB4twj8jtmD4Vu0tI5Hck0XVUaNfwOCsrQ8KOtZB4Wdy0gKNYdp3VnUCsFe0j-Uc4CgkNt-Rjz6Bo/s1600/Pancakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcn-1s0bUl1k2HCeNSyx2rNmO6G2reKKQrqLPic0nVzsAprsJdD_7Es0PjLjaXVCB4twj8jtmD4Vu0tI5Hck0XVUaNfwOCsrQ8KOtZB4Wdy0gKNYdp3VnUCsFe0j-Uc4CgkNt-Rjz6Bo/s1600/Pancakes.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a><br />
<b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">45 Park Lane</span></b><br />
Mayfair<br />
<br />
The cream of the crop! Whilst not traditionally celebrating pancake day, this is a must-visit either for a leisurely brunch, or if you're a bit more canny, an 'important' client breakfast. The thick buttermilk pancakes are a batch of thick, soft-centred, creamy loveliness, and coupled with whipped maple butter and streaky bacon, you will be skipping your way around London for the rest of the day. Bloody Marys mixed directly at your table make this one a hard-earned dollar well spent.<br />
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<i>Buttermilk pancakes, whipped maple butter, seasonal berries with sausage or streaky bacon £20</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.dorchestercollection.com/en/london/45-park-lane/restaurants-bars" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a><br />
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<b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">The Gun</span></b><br />
Canary Wharf<br />
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Flip any idea of a traditional pancake on its head and head to The Gun in the Docklands, taking the concept of a pig in blanket one step further and filling their 'pancake' batter with hog roast, apple, watercress and smoked paprika.<br />
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<i>Smoked salmon, chive and cream cheese crêpe £8.50</i><br />
<i>Hog roast pancake, apple, watercress, smoked paprika £11</i><br />
<i>Pancakes, strawberries, chocolate, whipped cream £6</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.thegundocklands.com/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a><br />
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<b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">The Botanist</span></b><br />
Sloane Square<br />
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If you're west this Shrove Tuesday, The Botanist is going super-luxe with a Shorthorn fillet pancake ‘Wellington’ with seared foie gras, truffle and bone marrow sauce. You can double up at dessert with the mind boggling strawberry soufflé pancake - we'd be interested to see how this turns out.<br />
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<i>Shorthorn fillet pancake ‘Wellington’, seared foie gras, truffle and bone marrow sauce £28</i><br />
<i>Strawberry soufflé pancake £7</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.thebotanistonsloanesquare.com/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwokTrZgioeffbJUHdIxYZNpdkW9QyuKnelxs08g3E4o4nF4QYuPPI72Sj6zWaVy9WLC3iEtZsilZrhAEezNSwDKevAVPmXKw-bG6d7GZ6TDACv7G-pgBr6KOJHoLc0yA2iM9mGAzsaYE/s1600/Blueberry-Buttermilk+Pancakes-+CUT+at+45+Park+Lane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwokTrZgioeffbJUHdIxYZNpdkW9QyuKnelxs08g3E4o4nF4QYuPPI72Sj6zWaVy9WLC3iEtZsilZrhAEezNSwDKevAVPmXKw-bG6d7GZ6TDACv7G-pgBr6KOJHoLc0yA2iM9mGAzsaYE/s1600/Blueberry-Buttermilk+Pancakes-+CUT+at+45+Park+Lane.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a><br />
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<b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Automat</span></b><br />
Mayfair<br />
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Another consistent favourite amongst the regular breakfast crowd is Dover Street's Automat, which serves up another triumphant dish of buttermilk pancakes, mixed berries and maple syrup; soft, fluffy, moreish and delightfully naughty. The service can suffer during busy times, but if you're out for a leisurely brunch, who cares. Just sit back, relax and eat.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Buttermilk pancakes, mixed berries and maple syrup £10.50</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.automat-london.com/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a><br />
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<b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Chiswell Street Dining Rooms</span></b><br />
Barbican<br />
<br />
Seafood lovers can journey central and tuck into some crab and sweetcorn pancakes with lobster sauce, or if your struggling to choose between land and sea, go mid-way with pancakes filled with roast mallard breast and spring onion pancake with star anise jus.<br />
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<i>Crab and sweetcorn pancakes, lobster sauce £9</i><br />
<i>Roast mallard breast, confit leg and spring onion pancake, star anise jus £28</i><br />
<i>Valrhona chocolate and Cointreau pancakes, vanilla ice cream £7</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.chiswellstreetdining.com/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a><br />
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Other suggested locations: <b><a href="http://www.waterpoet.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Water Poet</a></b>, Shoreditch; a variety of booze infused pancakes served with everything from beer through to spirits, from £6; <b><a href="http://www.thejuggedhare.com/" target="_blank">The Jugged Hare</a></b>, Barbican; brown crab and sea vegetable pancake, lemon and chive cream £9; Pan fried Herdwick mutton loin, braised leg pancake, roasted parsnip, mint jus £26; Valrhona chocolate and Cointreau pancakes, vanilla ice cream £7<br />
<br />London Larderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925047232685698752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380709963994700492.post-63971766524086065492014-02-24T05:20:00.001-08:002014-02-24T05:20:29.712-08:00Bunnychow<i>South African</i><br />
Shoreditch<br />
<br />
South African food is not as commonplace in London as you might think, so <a href="http://www.bunnychow.com/">Bunnychow</a>’s expansion from event and street truck to pop-up diner was immediately of interest.
The diner sits in the Boxpark: an urban culture-port housing East-end-chic stores, restaurants and bars just off Shoreditch High Street. There’s a bustling and lively feel to the place, adjacent to a tailor and a gaming pop-up, offering what we believe to be a welcoming street-food atmosphere.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bunnychow.com/">Bunnychow</a> takes its name from its signature dish: a hollowed out piece of bread with a saucy filling, the origins of which trace back to the Indian migrant community of Durban during the 1940s looking to keep their lunch intact at work. Henceforth, the bunnychow was born.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25kQbhNOh7ydHrnAd_73ICRevVQvFgnW2EwDHXgGvkoR-2OMEciarAT2uIBz9TSTAcqWIux8jib9mp6KUzSvx_ClUptyNhMxd9uTqVn9Q13wfM7hs_b20ofIrSsR-ECCNHeE-AF8kPvA/s1600/Bunnychow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25kQbhNOh7ydHrnAd_73ICRevVQvFgnW2EwDHXgGvkoR-2OMEciarAT2uIBz9TSTAcqWIux8jib9mp6KUzSvx_ClUptyNhMxd9uTqVn9Q13wfM7hs_b20ofIrSsR-ECCNHeE-AF8kPvA/s1600/Bunnychow.jpg" height="222" width="400" /></a>An interesting menu boasts a unique range of fillings, from traditional dishes such as the Monkey Gland Meatball or the Flat (Bobotie) Burger, to more European or Italian style dishes with salami and mozzarella. Whilst none were made with ‘real’ monkeys, Monkey Gland Meatball had to be sampled and did not disappoint. Fresh, crunchy vegetables and juicy meatballs were an indicator that these guys care about the quality of their food. The artisan bread was too, a delightful experience, soaking up the sauce to leave an almost nostalgic feeling you only get from home-cooked food.<br />
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The Ginger Chicken bunny (a Thai spin on the Bunnychow classic) was equally tasty - an unusual combination, but it worked really well. As with any good Thai food, the quality of the ingredients shone through.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bunnychow.com/">Bunnychow</a> is a great little diner, serving up great quality, unique food perfect for a hearty lunch or evening bite to eat. My guest and I left very happy ‘bunnies’.<br />
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<b>Boxpark, 2-4 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6GY</b><br />
<br />
Average price of a bunny: £6<br />
Food/Drink: 5/5<br />
Service: 5/5<br />
Value: 4/5<br />
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<a href="http://www.bunnychow.com/">WEBSITE</a> / <a href="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=E1+6GY&ie=UTF-8&ei=sEULU8WIIMnN7AbSkoH4Dw&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ" target="_blank">MAP</a>London Larderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925047232685698752noreply@blogger.com1Shoreditch, London E1 6GY, UK51.523381099999987 -0.07573070000000825526.001346599999987 -41.384324700000008 77.045415599999984 41.232863299999991tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380709963994700492.post-23364523285568200462014-02-20T06:01:00.002-08:002014-02-25T05:29:45.662-08:00Bidoche<i>Supperclub</i><br />
Walthamstow<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdKtRRV5jDLYpstdT5YBKlPDUXeJDwhN1_D8vg6aBslsEPkANTRiRQ2c6_gmibJLJ16T86q_WDWQaYhg0uVhDhIuyynfDluKHEuKFEscvNxt6tS_OGCB9vmINXtFwlc9VE6ZydXQDGPg/s1600/Secret+SUpper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdKtRRV5jDLYpstdT5YBKlPDUXeJDwhN1_D8vg6aBslsEPkANTRiRQ2c6_gmibJLJ16T86q_WDWQaYhg0uVhDhIuyynfDluKHEuKFEscvNxt6tS_OGCB9vmINXtFwlc9VE6ZydXQDGPg/s1600/Secret+SUpper.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a>This month sees the debut of a brand new superclub, with Bidoche bringing meaty treats to Walthamstow. Fans of all things meaty, their menu promises to be a carnival for carnivores. A fusion of French cuisine and classic British home-style cooking, the one-off event kicks off with a starter of duck rillettes with cornichons and homemade piccalilli, before introducing the main course of slow cooked pulled pork, cauliflower cheese and corn on the cob. The meal is completed with either cherry or apricot clafoutis, a classic baked French dessert. Classic comfort food with a gourmet twist, it’s a menu to satisfy any appetite.br />
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As if this menu wasn’t enough, the event is being run to raise funds for the Whizz Kids charity, an organisation helping disabled children to lead independent lives, so it will be an evening of nourishing your conscience as well as your stomach.<br />
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Bidoche is a one-off event taking place on Friday 28 February from 7.30pm and tickets can be booked by visiting <a href="http://grubclub.com/bidoche-bidoche-for-the-love-of-meat/985">grubclub.com</a>. Tickets are £25 each. The location is a closely guarded secret and will only be revealed nearer the date, although we hear it will be a chic café environment in the Walthamstow area. The event is BYOB, so don’t forget to bring your own wine!<br />
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<b>Book your tickets now at <a href="http://grubclub.com/bidoche-bidoche-for-the-love-of-meat/985">grubclub.com</a>.</b>London Larderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925047232685698752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380709963994700492.post-54334779096930547202014-02-12T05:48:00.002-08:002014-02-12T05:48:18.868-08:00Rosa’s Thai Café<i>Thai</i><br />
Soho (Carnaby)<br />
<br />
Thai food is pretty ubiquitous in 21st century London. From fancy fine dining at Crazy Bear or Bam-Bou, right through to local neighbourhood pubs with extensive Thai menus, you’re never far away from a pad thai. But while exclusive upmarket restaurants are great for special occasions and the pub is ideal for a swift lunch, we would still like, now and again, somewhere that meets us in the middle. Somewhere that won’t break the bank, but still feels pretty authentic; that has more to the menu than just green curry, but doesn’t focus on stir-fried lobster.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyP-aOznN8mSk7mLDHtNILuBdvdDMoybvLYiS1ikSL8wggCRC3pFVri7hging-goqQVM6TDrAtdsjxHh59jjhDfpIWse0q_Pt8NSvvONc9e3XB5oQu-NXcBYo0AKPhkmNBBpMlbiXYR1Y/s1600/Picture21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyP-aOznN8mSk7mLDHtNILuBdvdDMoybvLYiS1ikSL8wggCRC3pFVri7hging-goqQVM6TDrAtdsjxHh59jjhDfpIWse0q_Pt8NSvvONc9e3XB5oQu-NXcBYo0AKPhkmNBBpMlbiXYR1Y/s1600/Picture21.jpg" height="273" width="400" /></a><a href="http://www.rosaslondon.com/" target="_blank">Rosa’s</a> is a Thai restaurant that perfectly encapsulates the best of both; a convenient middle ground with great food at affordable prices in pleasant surroundings. We recently visited the newly-opened branch just off Carnaby Street, the fourth in its mini-chain encompassing Westfield Stratford, Soho and its original branch in Spitalfields. This new outpost is Rosa’s largest yet with an extended menu to match. A bright, modern looking restaurant, the emphasis is on relaxed casual dining: the perfect place to meet with friends, to shelter from the winter rain and catch up for a gossip after work over dinner.<br />
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We first got stuck into a dish of Thai calamari and a plate of soft shell crab. Unlike most calamari, Thai squid isn’t battered. Instead it is marinated in herbs and grilled without the usual crunchy coating. Delicious and no doubt healthier, it’s incredibly moreish. The soft shell crab is equally delicious, with a sprinkling of fresh chillies giving it a piquant kick.<br />
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A wide range of salads, stir fries and curries are available as main courses. We tried two dishes that we had not tasted in a Thai restaurant before; grilled smoked duck breast and spicy scallops. The duck breast was beautifully grilled; rich, smoky and packed full of flavour. A naturally fatty meat, the accompanying steamed veg and jasmine rice prevented the meal from being overly rich. The spicy scallops are noted on the menu as being very spicy, and when they say spicy, they really mean it - a dish for lovers of real fire in their food. The scallops were fried with ginger, green peppercorns and red chillies, giving every mouthful three different kinds of heat. Luckily, our side-order of coconut rice provided a cooling accompaniment.<br />
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We were too full for dessert but we couldn’t leave without sampling the Thai-rish coffee for dessert. Irish coffee includes a shot of whisky, so naturally Thai-rish coffee includes Mekong Thai whisky. Whether it measures up against a single malt scotch is a moot point, as it certainly makes a cracking boozy coffee.<br />
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So, if you’re looking for a relaxed, informal place to shelter from the madness of central London with some excellent food, you’d struggle to find somewhere better than <a href="http://www.rosaslondon.com/" target="_blank">Rosa’s Thai Café</a>.<br />
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<b>23 Ganton Street, W1F 9BW</b><br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999;">Average price of main course: £10.00</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Average price of glass of wine: £4.75</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Food/drink: 4/5</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Service: 4/5</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Value: 5/5</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.rosaslondon.com/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a> / <a href="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=W1F+9BW&ie=UTF-8&ei=Oi76UvrVDZCRhQeeqYHoAQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ" target="_blank">MAP</a> / <a href="http://rosaslondon.com/carnaby/menus/" target="_blank">MENU</a><br />
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London Larderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925047232685698752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380709963994700492.post-25723767417325458862014-02-10T05:41:00.002-08:002014-02-10T05:41:45.403-08:00Valentine’s Day. You can't ignore it.In case you've been asleep since new year, it's Valentine’s Day this coming Friday (14 February, if you weren't sure) and there are a lot of restaurants vying for your attention. Here is a run-down of three in the local area;<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_2Je05Jo1AISdU5tR3JnimgtwlnQGe2gtImZHqNo04BGjRZzsHdXvjTmhSjPsP5-XC9ux_V7kiWWYnFMLUPzVNxYo_Pk0TiBtMCXQIz_TaQoKkWR7FlmRUppsTxBBc2bec6mIx2Z92k/s1600/Valentines+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_2Je05Jo1AISdU5tR3JnimgtwlnQGe2gtImZHqNo04BGjRZzsHdXvjTmhSjPsP5-XC9ux_V7kiWWYnFMLUPzVNxYo_Pk0TiBtMCXQIz_TaQoKkWR7FlmRUppsTxBBc2bec6mIx2Z92k/s1600/Valentines+Day.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a><b><span style="color: #e06666;">Steal</span></b><br />
Giraffe<br />
If you are still feeling the pinch in your pocket, check out these low-cost dining options:<br />
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Visit <a href="http://www.giraffe.net/" target="_blank">Giraffe </a>between 10-17 February and if you ‘Pucker for your Tucker’ (to you and I, that’s upload a photo of your most show-stopping smooch via twitter @giraffetweet or facebook.com/girafferestaurants using #puckerforyourtucker) for the chance to win ten free meals for two.<br />
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Not so lucky? Enjoy Giraffe’s two course (£17.95) or three course (£21.95) specially bespoke Valentine’s menu (available 14-16 February) serving up buttermilk chicken tenders and roasted provencale vegetable and basil tartlet; rubbed with ‘love’ jerk spiced chicken breast with sweet potato mash and teriyaki glazed, rump steak with grilled green onions, flat mushrooms and wasabi fried rice; finally with a sweet serving of passionate pancakes with fresh strawberries, passion fruit and very vanilla ice cream or chocolate tart with cherry ripple ice cream.<br />
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<a href="http://www.giraffe.net/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a><br />
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<b><span style="color: #ea9999;">Budget</span></b><br />
<b>Shaka Zulu</b><br />
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Stuck between a meal out or a fancy drink for Valentine’s Day? Opt for the latter and head to Camden’s <a href="http://www.shaka-zulu.com/" target="_blank">Shaka Zulu</a> for a Wild Love cocktail (£20). Made to share, this powerful concoction has a heady mix of vanilla vodka, homemade blueberry jam, fresh lemon juice, lavender syrup and freshly squeezed apple juice infused with lemongrass, all served with rose petals and chocolate covered strawberries. Available on Friday 14 February only.<br />
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<b>Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AB</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.shaka-zulu.com/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a><br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999;"><b>Break the bank</b></span><br />
<b>Alyn Williams at the Westbury</b><br />
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Feeling flash with your cash, but never one to turn your nose up at a good offer? Michelin starred, award winning chef restaurant, <a href="http://www.alynwilliams.com/valentines.html" target="_blank">Alyn Williams at the Westbury</a>, is serving a specially created indulgent seven-course menu for just £90. Fall in love over a luxurious selection of dishes including: hand dived scallops with Datterini tomato, monks beard and salted ricotta; poached and roasted guinea fowl with white onion angolotti and an apple and kohlrabi salad; rib of Galloway beef, salsify and a broccoli custard; capellini with truffles and parsley; and a fabulously indulgent apple tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream for two. The menu is available for two dinner sittings on 14 and 15 February, the first from 5.30-9pm and the second from 9pm onwards.<br />
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<b>37 Conduit Street, W1S 2YF</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.alynwilliams.com/" target="_blank">WEBSITE </a></div>
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London Larderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925047232685698752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380709963994700492.post-86313106173847409562014-01-20T05:50:00.003-08:002014-01-21T01:57:41.462-08:00Celebrate Chinese New Year at YauatchaShould you ever need a reason to dine at Michelin-starred Chinese dim sum teahouse <a href="http://www.yauatcha.com/soho/" target="_blank">Yauatcha</a> (and let’s be honest, you'd be a fool to think about it for very long), we have one for you here now. <a href="http://www.yauatcha.com/soho/" target="_blank">Yauatcha</a> has been getting in the seasonal spirit and teamed up with luxury retail brand, Harvey Nichols, to welome in the Chinese New Year (31 January).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7TZPy0KTq1thItqFL11jkKxmTL8A6z3bjJY16_NgffHYiiwrlp77cYQE7pUWZz2nYUHK3s2x04byZG-pxmE9FmBU-MI5CKJUlv9If_yC0atNboVmjJ82qT6b9_BSxi193BRo7Zq02jo/s1600/Yauatcha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7TZPy0KTq1thItqFL11jkKxmTL8A6z3bjJY16_NgffHYiiwrlp77cYQE7pUWZz2nYUHK3s2x04byZG-pxmE9FmBU-MI5CKJUlv9If_yC0atNboVmjJ82qT6b9_BSxi193BRo7Zq02jo/s1600/Yauatcha.jpg" height="218" width="320" /></a></div>
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This new year we enter the Year of the Horse – brought to life with an elaborate window and restaurant display of red origami perspex and paper horses. Inspired by the Chinese tradition of spreading luck by giving gifts to each of your friends and family, each guest at <a href="http://www.yauatcha.com/soho/" target="_blank">Yauatcha</a> will receive a red envelope containing vouchers for fashion and beauty treats, along with a bespoke Chinese New Year cocktail, until 10 February,<br />
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If that’s not tempting enough, eight special golden tickets will be given to guests at random, containing lavish prizes such as meals and cocktail masterclasses at <a href="http://www.yauatcha.com/soho/" target="_blank">Yauatcha</a> and makeovers at Harvey Nichols.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGqd-7DZnc-SUV25Cq7lswmvyA3U3zVcskxEeXZ0K3o6TKWJnitH4E3r_ildRmPDgh-25geVvgKOhesqnjimwnwlXUv1Ft39e7HwqK8VH7956e57Nt12tV1da3hzOOjkV8zTUMyqXmnU/s1600/Yauatcha+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGqd-7DZnc-SUV25Cq7lswmvyA3U3zVcskxEeXZ0K3o6TKWJnitH4E3r_ildRmPDgh-25geVvgKOhesqnjimwnwlXUv1Ft39e7HwqK8VH7956e57Nt12tV1da3hzOOjkV8zTUMyqXmnU/s1600/Yauatcha+2.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a>If you are finding that your new year budget is not stretching as far as you would like however, you can still enjoy some of Yauatcha’s chef mastery with a drop in at their patisserie counter. Hakkasan group’s executive pastry chef, Graham Hornigold, has created bespoke macarons and petits gateaux, which will be added to the existing array of award-winning sweets. The limited edition flavours include:<br />
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Red Macarons; filled with mandarin ganache and mandarin pâte de fruit. (£1.60 each, £9 per 6 pieces, £18 per 12 pieces)<br />
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Red Petits Gateaux; a jasmine mousse filled with a honey panna cotta centre, with caramelised mandarins and sesame brittle, all created in the shape of a traditional Chinese New Year lantern. (£5.90 (retail), £8.50 (a la carte))<br />
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Happy new Year of the Horse to you all!<br />
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<b>15-17 Broadwick Street, W1F 0D</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.yauatcha.com/soho/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a> / <a href="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=W1F+0DL&ie=UTF-8&ei=JSndUpqNI82EhQeSwoDQCQ&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAg" target="_blank">MAP</a>London Larderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925047232685698752noreply@blogger.com0London W1F 0DL, UK51.5135252 -0.1352701000000706751.5129077 -0.13653060000007067 51.514142699999994 -0.13400960000007067tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380709963994700492.post-88744113622559097752014-01-07T05:36:00.001-08:002014-01-07T05:36:21.304-08:00Our favourite restaurants of 2013Trying to name one restaurant as our favourite above all others is an impossible task. Different types of restaurants are almost incomparable - classic cuisine done well is always enjoyable, but sometimes a down'n'dirty burger joint is preferable on those occasions when nothing else but fried food will do. We have therefore picked the top 10 restaurants that we have most enjoyed visiting this year. Whatever the type of restaurant, whether it’s a Michelin- starred restaurant featuring starched-tablecloths-and-silverware or an everyday kitchen with simple ‘man’ food, these were all taken into consideration. All ten on this list (and plenty more that didn't make the final cut) are places that we have considered to have delivered exemplary food along with good-quality service, atmosphere and value for money.<br />
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It must be said that this list covers only the restaurants that we've been to this year, so if your personal favourite isn't on this list, please feel free to let us know where we need to visit next year and maybe it will be on our list this time next year...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86_IZ0ng4bxTywRn6ky-PzDZuJECUk9FMKN03W2RDnS76AF1kWIXbSLyJougbEOarZpAUSJpFbZpDM2vSAhavP-MZkFpbvlVFQNCBhOOtD1Td2vqDcOwwZDmYzPMLJPnhc0y397O-CVg/s1600/W8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86_IZ0ng4bxTywRn6ky-PzDZuJECUk9FMKN03W2RDnS76AF1kWIXbSLyJougbEOarZpAUSJpFbZpDM2vSAhavP-MZkFpbvlVFQNCBhOOtD1Td2vqDcOwwZDmYzPMLJPnhc0y397O-CVg/s200/W8.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><b>10. Kitchen W8</b></span><br />
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<i>English/French</i><br />
Kensington<br />
Michelin-starred neighbourhood restaurant in Kensington serving up exquisite fine dining. Particular highlights of our visit included the scallops starter and rabbit three ways. Slightly too expensive to be considered an everyday restaurant, it's certainly worth visiting for a special occasion.<br />
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We said: "We wish we could afford to eat at Kitchen W8 every day of the week... Every neighbourhood should have a restaurant as good as this."<br />
<a href="http://www.kitchenw8.com/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a> / <a href="http://www.london-larder.com/2013/04/kitchen-w8_9.html" target="_blank">REVIEW</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswwHlf8dF6Ai6t9Z039SA4ZZAEqtGfJ9p6MfYDrIBiJvWnXg6dEOTReXpmErQjqjlhs3Uz9cF-MbJLjt5bwIj4mmX3PUh8lECKyuAEseia2bdVD2D3v3Xj4gW1WETJf10vfuxuzm1yAY/s1600/Bodeans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswwHlf8dF6Ai6t9Z039SA4ZZAEqtGfJ9p6MfYDrIBiJvWnXg6dEOTReXpmErQjqjlhs3Uz9cF-MbJLjt5bwIj4mmX3PUh8lECKyuAEseia2bdVD2D3v3Xj4gW1WETJf10vfuxuzm1yAY/s200/Bodeans.jpg" height="138" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>9. Bodean's</b></span><br />
<i>American </i><br />
Various locations<br />
Sometimes, you need meat, and you need to eat it with your hands often resulting in sticky, sweet sauce smeared over your face. It's a primitive urge that we can't resist. Bodean's has four branches in London, serving up ribs, pulled pork and burnt ends to satisfy all our caveman cravings.<br />
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We said: "Few places do [BBQ] as well as Bodean's... The ultimate in 'dude food'."<br />
<a href="http://www.bodeansbbq.com/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a> / <a href="http://www.london-larder.com/2013/09/bodeans-cocktails-in-city.html" target="_blank">REVIEW</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcqPilVs0KMEgvAUo_xZh5VflcmSAq85vnkO34YE5OqdNYsCU7d1uNSYsyq22qJ_Bz5wIVYsjt6rb94wDvRbBKzYx_USPHzKjyooLDl5uQL5ggMaKubTgVDzaQ3IELeIFpeXrzz62J_g/s1600/Harrissons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcqPilVs0KMEgvAUo_xZh5VflcmSAq85vnkO34YE5OqdNYsCU7d1uNSYsyq22qJ_Bz5wIVYsjt6rb94wDvRbBKzYx_USPHzKjyooLDl5uQL5ggMaKubTgVDzaQ3IELeIFpeXrzz62J_g/s200/Harrissons.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><b>8. Harrison's</b></span><br />
<i>British </i><br />
Balham<br />
Re-launched this year and low looks as good as the food tastes. Another fantastic neighbourhood restaurant, serving up perfect steaks, grills, fish and salads to the people of Balham. It's not just about the food though, the cocktail bar downstairs is certainly worth checking out too.<br />
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We said: "Great ideas, executed superbly... Red meat heaven."<br />
<a href="http://www.harrisonsbalham.co.uk/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a> / <a href="http://www.london-larder.com/2013/02/harrisons.html" target="_blank">REVIEW</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkORAFW5ltjX0BCcdQGXSYmqRLgkz2Je3r54irJ6zfK6mJPE-p1Du4C6ovAO1_czjPKN26W9D5W40Wo_KCE8VUZTc-VaOCQRgwt_Eh3ZVMeNZrCj37AUqaY2NdOOLEsEXBOxFAqWk-tY/s1600/Spainards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkORAFW5ltjX0BCcdQGXSYmqRLgkz2Je3r54irJ6zfK6mJPE-p1Du4C6ovAO1_czjPKN26W9D5W40Wo_KCE8VUZTc-VaOCQRgwt_Eh3ZVMeNZrCj37AUqaY2NdOOLEsEXBOxFAqWk-tY/s200/Spainards.jpg" height="162" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><b>7. The Spaniard's Inn</b></span><br />
Hampstead<br />
There's pub food, and then there is serious pub food. The Spaniard's Inn, hidden away between Hampstead and Highgate is definitely the latter. The history and heritage of the place gives a great foundation, but the food elevates The Spaniard's Inn above other gastro pubs. The selection of beers is outstanding too, and worth dropping into for a pint.<br />
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We said: "A creative menu shows why dinner has been in demand here for 400 years... If it's good enough for Keats and Dickens then it's good enough for us!"<br />
<a href="http://www.thespaniardshampstead.co.uk/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a> / <a href="http://www.london-larder.com/2013/03/the-spaniards-inn.html" target="_blank">REVIEW</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxbSAHzFogKhDIOazv7mqqBWAI2ACRbjVOBBAK3WORowSMev7rO0x4SLWNjFMbGpXj5yHYHGUVraZAf0ukRpmXHiMSxoJQ4uyAY4BwmT9Ye9p8-RLbBMyFKEJO2KVN3ZBIfAIIl9WCnw/s1600/Sophies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxbSAHzFogKhDIOazv7mqqBWAI2ACRbjVOBBAK3WORowSMev7rO0x4SLWNjFMbGpXj5yHYHGUVraZAf0ukRpmXHiMSxoJQ4uyAY4BwmT9Ye9p8-RLbBMyFKEJO2KVN3ZBIfAIIl9WCnw/s200/Sophies.jpg" height="154" width="200" /></a><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">6. Sophie's </span></b><br />
<i>American steakhouse</i><br />
Covent Garden<br />
An old favourite that never let's us down, Sophie's is one of very, very few restaurants in town with a 'no reservation' policy that will always find room for guests, even on busy Saturday nights. It's the sort of place that's always bustling with a great atmosphere, yet will always find a decent table whenever you turn up. And more places should give complimentary salami while we peruse the menu, always a winner.<br />
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We said: "Consistently brilliant, never lets us down. We will be back again and again."<br />
<a href="http://www.sophiessteakhouse.co.uk/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a><br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><b>5. Hakkasan</b></span><br />
<i>Asian </i><br />
Mayfair and Fitzrovia<br />
Super-luxury is the word here, every element of the dining experience is simply first class. The food is breathtakingly good, the service is exemplary. It's not cheap here, but it's worth treating yourself to something very special.<br />
We said: "Save up. Sell something on eBay. Rob a bank. Just do whatever it takes to make sure you experience Hakkasan at least once."<br />
<a href="http://hakkasan.com/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a> / <a href="http://www.london-larder.com/2013/10/hakkasan.html" target="_blank">REVIEW</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenSA_nX4pDC33wZlAZ0a0jFFyoTTq-m0QTEPKi1qpQAaHW56rqLq4WV71b72OKuHoZrzzsVdopJpC_dF3_zMV83h6XGrMtrOKhga0d2ol38wZgYwL1tMMfBW16fmNXrjBCTiTpYnaNBY/s1600/Tramshed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenSA_nX4pDC33wZlAZ0a0jFFyoTTq-m0QTEPKi1qpQAaHW56rqLq4WV71b72OKuHoZrzzsVdopJpC_dF3_zMV83h6XGrMtrOKhga0d2ol38wZgYwL1tMMfBW16fmNXrjBCTiTpYnaNBY/s200/Tramshed.jpg" height="170" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><b>4. Tramshed</b></span><br />
Shoreditch<br />
If you want steak or chicken, Tramshed is the place to visit. If you're a vegetarian, perhaps not so much. A limited menu has allowed them to perfect the chicken and steaks though, it's a meaty paradise.<br />
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We said: "Faultless food, great service and at a price that won't break the bank... Simplicity is bliss."<br />
<a href="http://www.chickenandsteak.co.uk/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a> / <span id="goog_2123817632"></span><a href="http://www.london-larder.com/2013/06/tramshed.html" target="_blank">REVIEW</a><span id="goog_2123817633"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3bkdrnONkxJugULKz69N-Mu1riFn4SwQwbFeKofFbfKUlkJ39DaL0OHu9pFePr6FCfocsukV-dpE7SfTuNGNJUTQwLMdFX4sos9LZSal09QfWOOpI0O9PekaUiAciQ345PXnYbxoxAM/s1600/Maze+Grill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3bkdrnONkxJugULKz69N-Mu1riFn4SwQwbFeKofFbfKUlkJ39DaL0OHu9pFePr6FCfocsukV-dpE7SfTuNGNJUTQwLMdFX4sos9LZSal09QfWOOpI0O9PekaUiAciQ345PXnYbxoxAM/s200/Maze+Grill.jpg" height="165" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><b>3. Gordon Ramsey's Maze Grill</b></span><br />
Mayfair<br />
Regular readers of our blog will know how highly we rate red meat, and Maze Grill delivered the best steak we had all year. There is a risk when visiting restaurants with names of famous executive chefs above the door that the restaurant will rely on reputation, but nothing could be further from the truth here, with first class food and fantastic wines.<br />
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We said: "Sophisticated and classy, Maze is a joy from beginning to end.<br />
<a href="http://www.gordonramsay.com/mazegrill/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a><br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><b>2. Kua 'Aina</b></span><br />
<i>Hawaiian </i><br />
Soho<br />
While not being the most sophisticated restaurant in this list, few have bought us as much joy as Kua 'Aina, Carnaby Street's Hawaiian burger joint. Competition is tough for premium burgers, but in our opinion Kua 'Aina stands new pretenders like Shake Shack and Five Guys and even old favourites like Meat Liquor.<br />
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We said: "[Kua 'Aina is] in the very top category of gourmet burgers... Somewhere we'd be delighted to go back to on multiple occasions."<br />
<a href="http://www.kua-aina.co.uk/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a> / <a href="http://www.london-larder.com/2013/02/kua-aina.html" target="_blank">REVIEW</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZWCfBt2l877UB1OxuVTaV7j7x7uJeLNLEtVZ_sYCsCcdmB-hz5ooGdwIIdwkBr7Jo91I_OE_a_apKw_sybks075idhtjrKIpFbeQk5iyanNNbhMvH0tJsxIicQzEiVoOwKPBoWcU_4w/s1600/Balthazar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZWCfBt2l877UB1OxuVTaV7j7x7uJeLNLEtVZ_sYCsCcdmB-hz5ooGdwIIdwkBr7Jo91I_OE_a_apKw_sybks075idhtjrKIpFbeQk5iyanNNbhMvH0tJsxIicQzEiVoOwKPBoWcU_4w/s200/Balthazar.jpg" height="155" width="200" /></a><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">1. Balthazar</span></b><br />
<i>French</i><br />
Covent Garden<br />
Want somewhere to impress a date? Check. Somewhere to take a business associate for lunch? Check. A refined bistro to unwind with friends over a few bottles of wine? Check. Balthazar is all things to all people. Quite simply exceptional in every aspect.<br />
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We said: "Balthazar isn't cheap, but it is exceptional. One of the best restaurants we've been to."<br />
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<a href="http://balthazarlondon.com/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a> / <a href="http://www.london-larder.com/2013/11/balthazar.html" target="_blank">REVIEW</a></div>
London Larderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925047232685698752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380709963994700492.post-52827645184595378582013-12-31T05:09:00.003-08:002013-12-31T05:09:41.405-08:00Salaam Namaste<i>Indian</i><br />
Bloomsbury<br />
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<a href="http://www.salaam-namaste.co.uk/" target="_blank">Salaam Namaste </a>is tucked away in the back roads of Bloomsbury in a quiet, residential road close to Russell Square tube and even closer to Holborn.<br />
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First impressions were of a friendly, family-run place and, as I was sitting next to the Christmas tree, I felt right at home. <a href="http://www.salaam-namaste.co.uk/" target="_blank">Salaam Namaste</a> owner, Sabir Karim, opened the restaurant in 2005 and refurbished it this year. The menu also had a make-over; it is suitably varied and a step away from your standard curry house. After careful deliberation and help from our waiter, we decided on the Goan spiced scallops with mango salsa and the Chukandari Venison from the tandoor. There is a comprehensive wine list, should you want to match wine to your food, but there is something about Indian cuisine that makes me want a beer. Looking around the restaurant it seemed most other diners had the same sentiment.<br />
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Both starters were delicious. For me it was the venison that really stood out (maybe because I was feeling seasonally festive next to the Christmas tree); really tender and a great match to the accompanying beetroot. I was surprised by the addition of mustard, but it worked well.<br />
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I came close to ordering the crab vindaloo as a main, but was put off by the effort (and mess) of dissecting a whole, curried crab. Instead my friend and I opted for the North Indian goat curry (Dhaba Gosht) and the Mint Lamb Tikka with a side of Tarka Dhal and rice. The Tarka Dhal was completely unnecessary given the volume of food we had inadvertently ordered, but absolutely delicious. The goat curry was served in a traditional pot and was certainly not a stingy portion size. The goat had evidently been cooked for a long time as it was melt in the mouth soft. The lamb was also tender, served with a fresh-tasting mint sauce and more mustard, which seemed to serve a decorative purpose in adding more colour to the dish.<br />
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Overall, the meal at <a href="http://www.salaam-namaste.co.uk/" target="_blank">Salaam Namaste</a> was fantastic; great food and a really warm and welcoming restaurant. Although it has some traditional dishes on the menu, this is not a place for a standard curry as you’ll be paying a premium. If you want a nice meal out and good value for quality of food and ingredients, then I would highly recommend <a href="http://www.salaam-namaste.co.uk/" target="_blank">Salaam Namaste</a>, just make sure you don’t order a lot of sides if you’re going for the goat curry.<br />
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<b>68, Millman Street, WC1N 3EF</b><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Average price of main course: £13</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Food: 5/5</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Service: 5/5</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Value: 4/5</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.salaam-namaste.co.uk/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a> /<a href="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=WC1N+3EF&ie=UTF-8&ei=98DCUpOfFZSThgfy-IHQAQ&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAg" target="_blank"> MAP</a> / <a href="http://www.salaam-namaste.co.uk/menu.php" target="_blank">MENU</a>London Larderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925047232685698752noreply@blogger.com0London WC1N 3EF, UK51.5234791 -0.1177669999999579951.5234791 -0.11776699999995799 51.5234791 -0.11776699999995799tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380709963994700492.post-9160600364901529522013-12-31T04:20:00.003-08:002013-12-31T04:20:49.524-08:00Pieminister Cattle Drive<i>Pies</i><br />
Farringdon<br />
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<a href="http://pieminister.co.uk/events/cattledrive/" target="_blank">Pieminister</a> has been taking the country by storm since its launch in Bristol in 2003, and today you can even find a shop peddling its pastry encrusted wares in the Netherlands. We recently checked out <a href="http://pieminister.co.uk/events/cattledrive/" target="_blank">Pieminister</a>’s latest initiative, the <a href="http://pieminister.co.uk/events/cattledrive/" target="_blank">Pieminister Cattle Drive</a>, which has been set up to help raise £40,000 for a Bath based charity working towards building 30 new farms for 30 families in various countries throughout Africa.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxD3pfsR3UG1v7X_pEQr2q-QTkxERxT1XBo-sjfHwnVE_NxGYefx1Jmivl5o1SyRLBbFeaJbmOpXjTlQB1rYemNcQteuiITLXqZZ42yRx0PQ8g-v6gyLd_-TBChk9AurQaHWIIf44M30/s1600/Bristol---Pieminister-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxD3pfsR3UG1v7X_pEQr2q-QTkxERxT1XBo-sjfHwnVE_NxGYefx1Jmivl5o1SyRLBbFeaJbmOpXjTlQB1rYemNcQteuiITLXqZZ42yRx0PQ8g-v6gyLd_-TBChk9AurQaHWIIf44M30/s400/Bristol---Pieminister-001.jpg" width="400" /></a>Part of this campaign was previously focused at the Cattle Market pop-up shop located on Chalk Farm Road in Camden. Here, you could get a delicious pie for FREE… Well, not quite for free, as the team asked for donations in return, but all of the proceeds of the shop went direct to the campaign. Sadly, it has now shut up shop, but plenty of other venues around town still serve up its delicious pies all year round.<br />
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Anyone who knows the name <a href="http://pieminister.co.uk/events/cattledrive/" target="_blank">Pieminister</a>, will know that they are in for a treat whenever they visit. Although a reduced menu is available at the Cattle Drive pop-up, we were still spoiled for choice. We plumped for a classic Moo Pie and a Heidi Pie, both with a side-serving of mash and gravy - of course. The Moo Pie, one of their many beef variants, is <a href="http://pieminister.co.uk/events/cattledrive/" target="_blank">Pieminister</a>’s take on the classic steak and ale pie, whilst the Heidi Pie, one of the options available to herbivorous pie lovers, came with a delicious combination of goat’s cheese, sweet potato, spinach and red onion.<br />
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Both pies were excellent as always, and combined with the mash and gravy proved a thoroughly delicious and filling treat. We were a bit sceptical about how the gravy would work with the filling in the Heidi, but honestly, it added to the experience, lubricating the pastry and working its magic on the sweet potato within.<br />
There really is something for everyone in the <a href="http://pieminister.co.uk/events/cattledrive/" target="_blank">Pieminister</a> range and with part of the purchase of any of their pies bearing a velvet cow going to such a good cause, it would be rude not to take advantage. So get involved, help change some lives and vote for the one minister we can all believe in!<br />
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<b>91 Leather Lane, EC1N 7TS</b><br />
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<a href="http://pieminister.co.uk/events/cattledrive/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a> / <a href="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=ec1n+7ts&ie=UTF-8&ei=GrbCUo6fHtGrhQfn6IGABw&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAg" target="_blank">MAP</a>London Larderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925047232685698752noreply@blogger.com0London EC1N 7TS, UK51.5213987 -0.1102994999999964451.5207812 -0.11155999999999644 51.522016199999996 -0.10903899999999644tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380709963994700492.post-41922576106296751442013-12-03T05:58:00.003-08:002013-12-03T05:59:34.628-08:00KIMCHEE<i>Bar</i><br />
Holborn<br />
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Korean food has been becoming steadily more popular in London over the years. Our first experience was at the wonderful <a href="http://www.london-larder.com/2012/03/koba.html" target="_blank">Koba</a>, before discovering <a href="http://www.kimchee.uk.com/" target="_blank">KIMCHEE</a> in Holborn, and over the past few years, <a href="http://www.london-larder.com/2013/05/kimchee-to-go.html" target="_blank">KIMCHEE</a> has flourished into launching two takeaway branches and now a bar underneath the original restaurant in Holborn.<br />
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Taking its name from the Korean national dish of pickled cabbage, the food at <a href="http://www.kimchee.uk.com/" target="_blank">KIMCHEE</a> is excellent and we can particularly recommend the Bibimbap. Our most recent visit however was to simply explore its new menu of drinks and cocktails now available downstairs. This part of town, situated between the City and the West End, is not littered with good bars and has been crying out for a quality cocktail venue for some time, and the area will certainly benefit with a new choice now available.<br />
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As with the restaurant upstairs, the bar is subtlety understated and stylish, decorated with dark wood, dim lighting and dark leather furnishings. One side of the room is lined with booths while the back in edged with soft leather sofas. Nearer the bar area, leather cube stools and low tables are positioned, which could all be cleared away if a dance floor was ever needed.<br />
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Our favourite cocktails were the refreshing Nabi Dance; a mix of white rum, sparkling wine, lychee and pink grapefruit; and the zesty Lychee Love, which mixes Finlandia grapefruit vodka with pomegranate and lychee juice. We also sampled the One Hundred Years, named after a traditional Korean toast to good health which mixes traditional bek se ju with cognac and green tea. One drink that worked less well however was the Kimchee Mary, the house version of the Bloody Mary which uses Korean spices rather than Tabasco, giving it a flavour closer to gazpacho than to the traditional brunch cocktail.<br />
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Overall, we enjoyed our experience at <a href="http://www.kimchee.uk.com/" target="_blank">KIMCHEE</a>, the service was excellent and the drinks on the whole were excellent. We would certainly drop in again for an aperitif before eating upstairs, although it is not quite a destination bar that would draw us in for a whole evening.<br />
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<b>71 High Holborn, WC1V 6EA</b><br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999;">Average price of cocktail: £8</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Drinks: 3.5/5</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Value: 4/5</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Service: 5/5</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999;"><a href="http://restaurant.kimchee.uk.com/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a> / <a href="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=WC1V+6EA&ie=UTF-8&ei=b-OdUqeyHYyRhQetioDoBA&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAg" target="_blank">MAP</a></span>London Larderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925047232685698752noreply@blogger.com0London WC1V 6EA, UK51.518470500000006 -0.1160996999999497351.517235500000005 -0.11862119999994973 51.519705500000008 -0.11357819999994974tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380709963994700492.post-42989647632307244162013-11-20T05:25:00.003-08:002013-12-31T05:10:03.416-08:00Balthazar<i>French</i><br />
Covent Garden<br />
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Opened earlier this year to much fanfare, we’d been meaning to try Keith McNally’s <a href="http://www.balthazarlondon.com/" target="_blank">Balthazar</a> for some time. We finally got around to it one gloomy Saturday evening, and it did not disappoint. Already a huge success in New York, we were keen to see whether their fine French cuisine would stand the transatlantic move. Many have attempted to launch sister restaurants in new cities around the world: sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t. The reviews for London’s <a href="http://www.balthazarlondon.com/" target="_blank">Balthazar</a> have been generally positive so far, so we visited with optimism and with the hope that a little New York glamour could become a permanent London fixture.<br />
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Every table in the venue was packed with many different types of people – younger couples on dates, older people meeting friends, even a table of women on a hen night (the classy-dinner type - not the plastic L plates-and-butler in the buff type… luckily). Watching the other restaurant-goers was almost as entertaining as the menu and we had prime position in the corner of the room. And what a room; huge with heavy-looking mirrors dominating the walls, seemingly straining under their own weight; brass is buffed and the wood furnishings are dark and highly polished. This is no regular bistro, this is high-class cuisine.<br />
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The wine list is long and detailed, but seemed to omit any suggestion of bottles of rosé, but a friendly and knowledgeable sommelier was on hand to recommend a bottle not listed. An excellent recommendation; we enjoyed a medium, crisp wine with our meal. Luckily the food was much easier to find. To start, we ordered mushroom ravioli served juicily in a creamy sauce, and steak tartare; two exquisite dishes that whetted our appetite. The pasta was stuffed with mushrooms and very moreish, with a perfectly balanced sauce. The steak tartare was chilled, but not too cold, and melted on the tongue, served alongside a healthy portion of crispy bread, which warmed up our taste buds ahead of the main course.<br />
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The lapin a la moutard (or rabbit in mustard sauce for those of you that don’t speak French) was simply outstanding, the meat falling from the bone with the merest touch of a knife. The sauce was bursting with flavour (delicate and not too rich) and complemented the subtleties of the meat. The roast rack of lamb was equally delicious, succulent in the centre with a crispy, herb-encrusted exterior. The portion size was smaller than the rabbit dish, but with a side order of sautéed spinach and creamy potato dauphinoise to complete the meal, it stretched our stomachs to near bursting point. It did mean that we were too full to order a dessert, but that’s a great reason for us to go back another time.<br />
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<a href="http://www.balthazarlondon.com/" target="_blank">Balthazar</a> isn’t cheap, but it is exceptional. While for most of us it’s far from an everyday restaurant, it’s certainly worth considering for special occasions. It’s ideal for a partner’s birthday, or perhaps impressing the in-laws when they’re in town. We can say in all certainty though, that the London launch has been a success, this was one of the best restaurants we’ve visited in months and definitely one of the frontrunners for our restaurant of the year. Well done Mr McNally, you’ve done it again.<br />
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<b>4-6 Russell Street, WC2B 5HZ</b><br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999;">Average price of main course: £20</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Average price of glass of wine: £9</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Food/Drink: 5/5</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Service: 5/5</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Value: 4/5</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.balthazarlondon.com/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a> / <a href="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=WC2B+5HZ&ie=UTF-8&ei=RLeMUqXpDOK80QXo-YGYAQ&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAg" target="_blank">MAP</a> / <a href="http://balthazarlondon.com/menus/" target="_blank">MENUS</a></div>
London Larderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925047232685698752noreply@blogger.com0London WC2B 5HZ, UK51.5123082 -0.121556599999962651.5116907 -0.1228170999999626 51.5129257 -0.1202960999999626tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380709963994700492.post-24910653137338435792013-11-18T05:56:00.002-08:002013-11-18T05:56:34.239-08:00Restaurant Story<i>British</i><br />
London Bridge<br />
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On the approach to <a href="http://www.restaurantstory.co.uk/" target="_blank">Restaurant Story</a>, you can’t help but feel a little bit impressed that the building used to be a public toilet block. Inside, the interior is minimalist and unassuming and we felt hopeful as we looked forward to a ten-course Michelin standard dinner (Story has been awarded one star this month). During our particular visit, we could see Chef owner, Tom Sellers, tirelessly working away in the kitchen, getting us excited about what was to come and making for a fun inclusive touch.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh10qY4jpZTQcxJQdSlwKZTb6IyfrKTMhEm2CPXL11fBNOiFW8Ds41THxpKokuaNQ2szMZ3VcXeq3Ft3Ot0X2cWX7BFvw1sS0y8nsp8InfqKWh53IwDxEUxV6ZFo0hb4v-caydtsdT9cU/s1600/Restaurant+Story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh10qY4jpZTQcxJQdSlwKZTb6IyfrKTMhEm2CPXL11fBNOiFW8Ds41THxpKokuaNQ2szMZ3VcXeq3Ft3Ot0X2cWX7BFvw1sS0y8nsp8InfqKWh53IwDxEUxV6ZFo0hb4v-caydtsdT9cU/s320/Restaurant+Story.jpg" width="320" /></a>A few tasters arrived, which were quite pleasant and varied, and then our ten course meal began. The first course was bread and dripping with dripping coming in the form of a candle, which we were very eager to try. Unfortunately, the dish was all too gimmicky and didn’t deliver on taste. The next few courses were also rather dull with an onion course (and little else) followed by scallops, cucumber and dill ash and then a Heritage potato course. The scallops were okay, but the potato course was rather uninspiring and overly buttery. The courses that followed were equally disappointing. On the other hand, there was one dish that was very good; the venison. The desserts could have saved the day, but were, in our opinion, the worst of the bunch; almond and dill followed by prune tea, loveage and milk and finally pumpkin, crème fraiche and sorrel. The flavours were too bitter and just plain wrong.<br />
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On to the service; this also was not great. It just seemed that there was no love for the customers or appreciation from the staff who were working for an amazing chef in a Michelin starred restaurant. In such a relaxing environment you would expect smiling service and pleasant conversation, but there was no joy in the way guests were dealt with. I commented in private to the manager that our two courses at the start of the meal had taken over an hour to be served but was informed that when guests leave the table, however briefly, service is stopped. Another couple were complaining outside which didn’t make the experience any better. They were hurried along apparently, not great when the meal takes over three hours. In an effort to keep ourselves occupied, we ordered a lot of wine.<br />
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All in all there just wasn’t any love and care taken in any part of dinner. At £110 a head, we expected more from <a href="http://www.restaurantstory.co.uk/" target="_blank">Restaurant Story</a>. What a disappointment. Our opinion? Dabbous would be a far better choice for anyone looking for a Michelin starred experience with modern British cuisine.<br />
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<b>201, Tooley Street, </b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.restaurantstory.co.uk/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a> / <a href="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=SE1+2UE&ie=UTF-8&ei=TRyKUuiALaah0QX2wYHwBg&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAg" target="_blank">MAP</a> / <a href="http://www.restaurantstory.co.uk/index.php/menu" target="_blank">MENU</a></b></div>
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London Larderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925047232685698752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380709963994700492.post-54479214755784850342013-11-11T05:33:00.002-08:002013-11-11T05:33:53.699-08:00Wigwambam at Queen of HoxtonWinter's here again and so is <a href="http://www.queenofhoxton.com/rooftop/" target="_blank">Wigwambam</a> on the roof of the <a href="http://www.queenofhoxton.com/" target="_blank">Queen of Hoxton</a>. Ironically, when we visited recently, it was balmier than it was for the launch of their summer roof garden in April, but it did not deter the buzz of people from the rooftop, gathering both inside the warm wigwam and outside by the numerous little campfires. We were greeted with a glass of warm spiced punch from the bar hosted inside the wigwam, where a variety of hot alcoholic drinks can be found. Then we opted to try the hot buttered rum, purely on the basis that it sounded like the butterbeers that Harry Potter drinks. Sadly, it did not taste like a butterbeer, mostly due to the surprise addition of Star Anise giving an aniseedy flavour (fine if you like aniseed). We decided it was time to move on to some ‘normal drinks’ from the outside bar and onto the food.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZO3CpTfiPh3ttYiaPP9t3oqCk36m16arujjg_V47EfQFyXVutTIb90C9RGyyDnuTtPLewfRAI7i_e5qfG_DPAhl0V-Qao21bFkM5zoY9BI2xHf5xftY358iL6mv_9ITw4FPoHIli7WLo/s1600/Wigwambam.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZO3CpTfiPh3ttYiaPP9t3oqCk36m16arujjg_V47EfQFyXVutTIb90C9RGyyDnuTtPLewfRAI7i_e5qfG_DPAhl0V-Qao21bFkM5zoY9BI2xHf5xftY358iL6mv_9ITw4FPoHIli7WLo/s400/Wigwambam.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The food is cooked in the middle of the wigwam on an open grill, adding to the atmosphere and warmth inside. We would have happily eaten any of the dishes on the menu and, after a struggle, chose the leg of pork and leg of lamb, served in buns with a delicious chestnut and herb stuffing, potato and dill and pickled red cabbage salads. The food was quick, uncomplicated and extremely tasty. If you fancy something sweet for pudding, try the marshmallows which you can toast on one of the open fires, or one of the cocktails; the Cheeky Chocolate Monkey seemed to be a popular choice - hot cocoa with a cheeky shot of Monkey Shoulder Whisky topped with whipped cream, sweet syrup and vanilla biscuits.<br />
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<a href="http://www.queenofhoxton.com/rooftop/" target="_blank">Wigwambam</a> is a lovely evening all round, but for us it is the atmosphere and cosy little fires that makes us want to go back. This is a fantastic place for Christmas drinks, although this time we'll make sure we don't pick the smoky seat downwind from the fire – I don't fancy washing the bonfire smell out of my scarf again just yet.<br />
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<b>1-5 Curtain Road, EC2A 3JX</b>London Larderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925047232685698752noreply@blogger.com0London EC2A 3JX, UK51.5222659 -0.081188600000018651.5219574 -0.0818191000000186 51.5225744 -0.08055810000001859tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380709963994700492.post-61539097511524758972013-11-07T05:54:00.000-08:002013-11-07T05:54:37.305-08:00Ffiona’s<i>British</i><br />
High Street Kensington<br />
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Brunch is one of the most criminally under-taken meals of the week. Who doesn’t love brunch? But how many of us truly make the time for it? Sure, the majority of the week is spent getting up every morning trying to get to work on time, getting in the way of any chance of a nice leisurely brunch, but even at the weekends we never get to eat brunch as often as we’d like. And no, having a bowl of cereal when you wake up at midday does not count. A real brunch is indulgent and relaxing, a time to kick back with the Sunday papers and eat some ‘proper’ food, usually while desperately trying to chase away a hangover with a Bloody Mary or two.<br />
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For a truly relaxing brunch, it’s best to go out and avoid both the cooking and the washing up, and where better than a local neighbourhood café/restaurant. Every neighbourhood has at least one hidden gem, somewhere that cooks food like your mother used to, is reasonably priced, and, ideally, within staggering distance of your front door. You could head into central London and pay top dollar at a fancy restaurant, but brunch is best enjoyed in a cosy café with friendly service.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmS0G4YiKFLxvBtxy5Nr4ReXnKJodOq5l2KTMq_pXgOrgwB5e1ToFRjF7XUagh4CFrGHPcSwFahxFAnme4PoiSinqVjkwxE7r8jNNI6Cz6Xk81BG8ktXUBLASlQOw_xOd6r3_-a0pKalQ/s1600/Ffiona's.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmS0G4YiKFLxvBtxy5Nr4ReXnKJodOq5l2KTMq_pXgOrgwB5e1ToFRjF7XUagh4CFrGHPcSwFahxFAnme4PoiSinqVjkwxE7r8jNNI6Cz6Xk81BG8ktXUBLASlQOw_xOd6r3_-a0pKalQ/s400/Ffiona's.JPG" width="400" /></a>One such place is <a href="http://ffionas.com/" target="_blank">Ffiona</a>’s, just of Kensington High Street. Homely and comforting, the dim lighting soothes your inevitable weekend hangover before the strong black coffee even begins to flow. We visited one Sunday morning and the relatively small venue was packed with locals meeting with friends and enjoying large portions of home cooked comfort food. We were greeted by Ffiona herself, a charismatic matriarch who made us feel right at home and for whom nothing was too much trouble.<br />
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To eat, we opted for a lumberjack brunch of buttermilk pancakes, maple syrup and bacon joined with a cumbersome serving of midly spicy chorizo hash packed with Spanish sausage, red onions, sweet potato and topped with two poached eggs. The pancakes were thick and fluffy, just like I wish I could make at home, topped with crispy bacon and sticky, sweet maple syrup. It was filling, satisfying and set us perfectly for the lazy Sunday ahead. The chorizo hash was from the specials menu, and it was indeed very ‘special’. Frying together some of our favourite ingredients (we can never get enough chorizo and sweet potato) and with two poached eggs topping it off, it made for a first class brunch. If we were being picky, our only comment would be that the pancakes could have benefitted from an extra rasher of bacon, but we were still left completely satisfied after our meal.<br />
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We accompanied our food with a Bloody Mary each; the official cocktail for Sunday mornings. We like our with a good tabasco kick and these certainly packed a punch fighting off our mild touch of hair of the dog, altogether leaving us to leave <a href="http://ffionas.com/" target="_blank">Ffiona</a>’s feeling a million times better than when we had arrived.<br />
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<a href="http://ffionas.com/" target="_blank">Ffiona</a>’s is the sort of atmosphere that we would enjoy spending all day in, poring over the broadsheets and mainlining coffee. It’s comfy and relaxing and the sort of place that we wish was in our neighbourhood. The people of Kensington certainly have a first class brunch destination right on their doorstep.<br />
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<b>51 Kensington Church Street, W8 4BA</b><br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999;">Average price for mains: £11</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Average price for cocktail: £8</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Food/Drink: 4/5</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Service: 5/5</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Value: 4/5</span><br />
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<a href="http://ffionas.com/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a> / <a href="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=W8+4BA&ie=UTF-8&ei=QZd7UoWTBqOR0AWwnIH4Ag&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAg" target="_blank">MAP</a> / <a href="http://ffionas.com/ffionas_brunch.html" target="_blank">MENU</a>London Larderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925047232685698752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380709963994700492.post-33451267581948064322013-10-31T06:24:00.002-07:002013-10-31T06:24:59.482-07:00The Earl Derby<i>Gastro pub</i><br />
Kilburn<br />
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The Earl Derby has recently opened its doors on the Kilburn High Road and from first impressions promises to be a proper modern pub with all that such a tag entails.<br />
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We visited <a href="http://www.theearlderbykilburn.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Earl Derby</a> and were immediately impressed by the place. The bar area really looked the part, and we could tell that a lot of effort had gone in to making the atmosphere warm and cosy, and fun and vibrant.<br />
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The music was lively and the lights were low, but it wasn't so loud that it precluded the ability to sit and have a nice chat over a pint of one of their many tap beers.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iwF3bOIZXWoSDotRPZOGktI3Ig1v1AwAlpaS4EOtWrrAe8Rw6uKSaYCdt8bx_3wkcvF_60vZxFld33oP6xAV3H_OuUhM5Big7ESpZ0cC7SZJUgJzFSaFY7rT-PWn4XWqn5enrrGlHMU/s1600/The+Earl+Derby.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iwF3bOIZXWoSDotRPZOGktI3Ig1v1AwAlpaS4EOtWrrAe8Rw6uKSaYCdt8bx_3wkcvF_60vZxFld33oP6xAV3H_OuUhM5Big7ESpZ0cC7SZJUgJzFSaFY7rT-PWn4XWqn5enrrGlHMU/s320/The+Earl+Derby.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
The selection at the bar really was something else. We tried the Meantime Brewery Yakima Red (a delicious, fruity red ale) and the Addlestones' cloudy cider, both of which had a really unique flavour. There were many, many more on offer.<br />
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A decent selection of wine was also available and a mind boggling collection of spirits sat invitingly behind the bar, just calling out to be sampled with friends.<br />
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Throughout the evening, several of the companies that provide <a href="http://www.theearlderbykilburn.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Earl Derby</a> with its unique selection of brews were on site. It's refreshing to see a pub rely almost exclusively on smaller breweries and spirit makers when even the hippest of pubs in Shoreditch or Camden are likely to have a strong reliance on the international brands.<br />
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The food was also excellent. A lot of care had clearly gone in to the preparation of the menu, and the small selection that we sampled suggested much promise in the rest of the dishes on available. And, with a menu that changes daily, you can guarantee that the food will be fresh.<br />
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The real seller however, is the selection of beers and ciders on tap. Even connoisseurs will have their hands full here with trying to pick what pint to have and it's great to see a pub staffed by people who care about the drinks they're serving. If you're in the area, check <a href="http://www.theearlderbykilburn.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Earl Derby</a> out, and then go back again the week after, because if you try and drink all the beer on offer in one go you might be leaving on a stretcher!<br />
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<b>155 Kilburn High Road, NW6 7HU</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.theearlderbykilburn.co.uk/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a> / <a href="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=NW6+7HU&ie=UTF-8&ei=RFlyUriyM4eM0AWH6YCwDA&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAg" target="_blank">MAP</a> / <a href="http://www.theearlderbykilburn.co.uk/food/" target="_blank">MENU</a></div>
London Larderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925047232685698752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380709963994700492.post-17196469557191494622013-10-22T05:58:00.005-07:002013-10-22T05:58:49.079-07:00Queen Adelaide<i>Gastropub</i><br />
Putney<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfh8khsKgqP-yzkhqforUw7jBtWBSOPk67dcLcpciGtKW5B7PyNxt8v1EL6Tj3XhFYy1iBJVkfV3k3Iw7NvMJ5Lx4WUSxcb-d2l_hjepUdCWr9yHPE0UrIdfQYFj7rZsT_lLlq-YIFM0/s1600/Queen+Adelaide.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfh8khsKgqP-yzkhqforUw7jBtWBSOPk67dcLcpciGtKW5B7PyNxt8v1EL6Tj3XhFYy1iBJVkfV3k3Iw7NvMJ5Lx4WUSxcb-d2l_hjepUdCWr9yHPE0UrIdfQYFj7rZsT_lLlq-YIFM0/s320/Queen+Adelaide.JPG" width="320" /></a>Whether it is down to the interesting array of fine China displayed on homely aged shelves, or the spacious outside seating area, the <a href="http://www.thequeenadelaide.co.uk/" target="_blank">Queen Adelaide</a> certainly stands out on first impressions. The public house has recently undergone a stylish makeover, so the question on the tip of our tongues was ‘would the food and drink also reflect this transformation?’<br />
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Considering the <a href="http://www.thequeenadelaide.co.uk/" target="_blank">Queen Adelaide</a>’s close proximity to the old Wandsworth Brewery, it was no surprise to find some traditional ales on the menu and a Young’s Bitter certainly was a great way to start the proceedings. Once we had finished our smooth and tasty pint, we tucked into a perfectly cooked venison slider and another staple of any London gastropub, a pint of Meantime Pale Ale.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3RMc1bLMdAf6ucOWWxz2a_avjpDOrzTPPFUlaRr_g0rTRxgN6xVK6MJopy_LysXQx_v0vNNWKp47ALjWJZukZoWULPliZ7wXG1k_14RhYu_1XlUydfQ9s_u0pSf64Gdn3WEtX_YUBsI/s1600/Queen+Adelaide+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3RMc1bLMdAf6ucOWWxz2a_avjpDOrzTPPFUlaRr_g0rTRxgN6xVK6MJopy_LysXQx_v0vNNWKp47ALjWJZukZoWULPliZ7wXG1k_14RhYu_1XlUydfQ9s_u0pSf64Gdn3WEtX_YUBsI/s320/Queen+Adelaide+2.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Next we opted for the pale ale-battered haddock with tripled cooked chips and mushy peas and the ruby beetroot, fennel and pumpkin risotto. Both dishes were impressive and great value at £11 and £10 respectively. The haddock batter was neither too greasy nor heavy, which is ideal when paired with triple cooked chips. The ingredients of the risotto came together well but lacked a little flavour, although it worked will matched with a glass of South African Chenin Blanc, priced at £6.<br />
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Finally, we tried a delightfully light blackberry pistachio panna cotta quickly followed with a fruity Aspall’s hot cider.<br />
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All in all the food at the <a href="http://www.thequeenadelaide.co.uk/" target="_blank">Queen Adelaide</a> is pleasant and the atmosphere is vibrant. The simple but well put together menu and drinks selection fits well with the new stylish surroundings.<br />
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<b>35 Putney Bridge Road, SW18 1NP</b><br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999;">Average price for a main course: £12</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Average price for a glass of wine: £6</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Food/drink: 4/5</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Service: 3/5</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Value: 5/5</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999;"><a href="http://www.thequeenadelaide.co.uk/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a>/ <a href="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=SW18+1NP&ie=UTF-8&ei=xHRmUsmZK_H20gWY6IGoDg&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAg" target="_blank">MAP</a> / <a href="http://www.thequeenadelaide.co.uk/assets/pdf/sample-dinner.pdf#view=fit" target="_blank">MENU</a></span>London Larderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925047232685698752noreply@blogger.com0London SW18 1NP, UK51.4604614 -0.2009603999999853825.9384269 -41.509554399999985 76.9824959 41.107633600000014tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380709963994700492.post-21549705459163820292013-10-21T05:52:00.004-07:002013-10-21T05:52:54.629-07:00D'ussé<i>Cognac</i><br />
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Cognac has a reputation as a fancy liqueur, popular with rappers and the more ostentatious drinkers. Remy Martin, Hennessy and Courvoisier have all been popular with American singers and artists and a new name is about to join this list.<br />
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Jay-Z, one of the kingpins of the American music scene, has lent his support to the newly launched cognac: <a href="http://www.dusse.com/" target="_blank">D'Ussé</a>. He has been seen holding its distinctive bottle and has been known to mention it onstage, so we were keen to see if we shared his taste.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDToJOOKzqMEuMZ3K4lXj285YNKUkpFQoq3sNdFZhwlbqQ6VA9gh5XmMvWu04_bHLohodxkqvMRwLBzwmdMXdr3iXzFk2aOtcLl8taV9qk8Pzsq4vPT3Lu-sRFADdzrsMMfwMWwsbibrc/s1600/d'uss%C3%A9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDToJOOKzqMEuMZ3K4lXj285YNKUkpFQoq3sNdFZhwlbqQ6VA9gh5XmMvWu04_bHLohodxkqvMRwLBzwmdMXdr3iXzFk2aOtcLl8taV9qk8Pzsq4vPT3Lu-sRFADdzrsMMfwMWwsbibrc/s320/d'uss%C3%A9.jpg" width="320" /></a>Jay-Z's performances at the O2 in early October gave the brand the perfect platform to launch in the UK. At present, <a href="http://www.dusse.com/" target="_blank">D'Ussé</a> isn't available to buy in supermarkets or off licences, or even specialist spirits suppliers. The only place currently serving it is <a href="http://www.hakkasan.com/hanwayplace" target="_blank">Hakkasan</a>, one of our all-time favourite Asian restaurants.<br />
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<a href="http://www.dusse.com/" target="_blank">D'ussé</a> is quite unlike any cognac we've ever tried before. Previously, we had only drank cognac after a meal as a digestif, and always found it to have a little fire to it. However, unlike our previous experiences, <a href="http://www.dusse.com/" target="_blank">D'Ussé</a> lacks the harsh fieriness, making it a much smoother drink and more similar to a single malt scotch than a normal cognac. Either on the rocks or straight up (our personal favourite), it’s a great sipping drink.<br />
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If neat spirits are not for you, then it also works well in cocktails. We tried a simple, refreshing Cognac Tonic, where the spirit is mixed with tonic water and orange; a Black River Pearl with cognac mixed with sherry, bitters and Benedictine liqueur, making this a short, mildly sweet drink that was dangerously drinkable; and the very popular Violetta, a fruity mix of <a href="http://www.dusse.com/" target="_blank">D'Ussé</a>, triple sec, lemon and cranberry. If we didn't know better, we would not have been able to identify the final cocktail as a cognac-based drink. This is very much a cocktail for people who don't yet know that they like cognac.<br />
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It's rare to find a drink that works equally well straight as it does in fruity long drinks or more masculine short cocktails. The versatility makes <a href="http://www.dusse.com/" target="_blank">D'Ussé</a> a remarkable spirit, smooth, pleasant on the palate but still punchy and drink that can be served in so many different ways. Looks like Jay-Z just might be on to something here...<br />
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Read our review from <a href="http://www.hakkasan.com/hanwayplace" target="_blank">Hakkasan</a> <a href="http://www.london-larder.com/2013/10/hakkasan.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>London Larderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925047232685698752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380709963994700492.post-64630435472555287772013-10-17T05:46:00.002-07:002013-10-17T05:46:22.501-07:00West Cornwall Pasty Co.A few weeks ago, we tweeted about the limited edition <a href="http://www.westcornwallpasty.co.uk/" target="_blank">West Cornwall Pasty Co.</a>'s Sunday lunch
pasty, and eventually we were too curious to not investigate and see if it
could recreate the most quintessential of British meals. A fleeting addition to
the menu, the limited edition Sunday lunch pasty was launched to coincide with
British Roast Dinner Week.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJERPNVOP_rpgIqbl2cSR20eeUGmbCt5ZLhlxWeYBAliHZKNPVp7mj668KYQ8-KjfV0VLzV8rBce6KjwJVteZwwJwfFx09Ry8-Km2HJwMvnyDPH3I6Cn_gxsftvaFpEyslUA6kUy5sFg/s1600/HBCornish-Pasty-14k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJERPNVOP_rpgIqbl2cSR20eeUGmbCt5ZLhlxWeYBAliHZKNPVp7mj668KYQ8-KjfV0VLzV8rBce6KjwJVteZwwJwfFx09Ry8-Km2HJwMvnyDPH3I6Cn_gxsftvaFpEyslUA6kUy5sFg/s320/HBCornish-Pasty-14k.jpg" width="320" /></a>Essentially, a roast beef dinner already contains most of the same
important ingredients as a classic Cornish pasty, so the leap to a Sunday lunch
pasty is not a great one. Rather than minced beef, the meat in the Sunday lunch
pasty is distinctly thicker cut, but mixed with a serving of peas, chopped
carrots and potatoes all covered in gravy, the resemblance to the original
pasty is uncanny. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Being a fan of classic Cornish pasties (and pretty much anything else baked
in pastry), it’s no insult to say that we struggled to tell the difference
between the Sunday lunch and classic versions. The Sunday lunch pasty is a novelty
and a talking point. Sadly, it is not destined to be a regular option at West
Cornwall Pasty Co. given that it is not different enough from existing variants
to make it a viable long-term part of the menu.<o:p></o:p></div>
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However, you'd have to go a long way to find a pasty that we didn't
like. If you're looking for a quick snack or lunch on the go, you could do far
worse than a <a href="http://www.westcornwallpasty.co.uk/" target="_blank">West Cornwall Pasty Co.</a> pasty. The classic recipe isn't broken, and doesn't need
fixing. Gimmicks like the Sunday lunch pasty will come and go, but Cornish
Pasties are a way of life.</div>
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<a href="http://www.westcornwallpasty.co.uk/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a>London Larderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925047232685698752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380709963994700492.post-21270506540567893472013-10-15T05:55:00.001-07:002013-10-15T05:55:11.175-07:00Trader Vic's<i>Polynesian</i>
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Mayfair<br />
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The nights are drawing in and the weather is getting colder and wetter. London is no fun in the winter. Luckily there are places to go to escape the wind and rain, places that will transport you far away to happier, sunnier places.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjociFAoFFxU2DaIKR2WgrKjeR7qMEdwBfXgUPcE4ew19owgilX8zL9NKetef8-r5IkpRGQ8nq-4sS1JRhptzyhosMy2SxSiWRxCPPDo2wAq4nZ8UoDWmZogiNuQkuezqzcVt7w3MPGfds/s1600/Hawaii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjociFAoFFxU2DaIKR2WgrKjeR7qMEdwBfXgUPcE4ew19owgilX8zL9NKetef8-r5IkpRGQ8nq-4sS1JRhptzyhosMy2SxSiWRxCPPDo2wAq4nZ8UoDWmZogiNuQkuezqzcVt7w3MPGfds/s320/Hawaii.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
One of which is <a href="http://www.tradervicslondon.com/" target="_blank">Trader Vic's</a>, a Polynesian themed tiki bar beneath the Park Lane Hilton. Drinking rum cocktails to the sound of hula music should immediately transport you to the Pacific islands, a paradise world of relaxation and about as far away from the hustle and bustle of Central London as it is possible to get.<br />
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<a href="http://www.tradervicslondon.com/" target="_blank">Trader Vic's</a> has been in London for many years, but has now been renovated to ensure it still looks the part. The heyday of tiki bars was the 1950s and 60s, a period now enjoying a resurgence thanks to shows like Mad Men, and during our visit there were more than a few drinkers that could have passed for Don and Betty Draper.<br />
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Cocktails are rum themed (as they should be in a tropical bar) with plenty of fruit juice and coconut to mix things up. The music started out with 'Blue Hawaii' era Elvis and Californian surf pop, but after the mid-point of the evening, moved towards more contemporary dance music.<br />
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<a href="http://www.tradervicslondon.com/" target="_blank">Trader Vic's</a> is a great fun night out where you can dance, drink and pretend it's 1969 in Honolulu. And that has to be much better than a grey winter in London.<br />
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<b>London Hilton, 22 Park Lane, W1K 1BE</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.tradervicslondon.com/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a>London Larderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925047232685698752noreply@blogger.com0London W1K 1BE, UK51.505596 -0.1501763999999639151.5049785 -0.1514368999999639 51.506213499999994 -0.14891589999996391