One of London’s most anticipated and exciting new openings is Five Fields restaurant, in Chelsea just off the King's Road. Chef-owner Taylor Bonnyman who worked at two Michelin-starred Corton, in New York has an army of bright, young chefs now working with him. Names such as Marguerite Keogh (of Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley) and pastry chef Chris Underwood (previously at Tom Aikens Restaurant).With Taylor having such an accomplished history, it was no surprise that the restaurant was full when we arrived...
The restaurant was quiet when we arrived, only one other table. A warm welcome and the lovely aroma of fresh spices made us feel quite at home, as for some reason, I always do in an Indian restaurant. I have a real love for the food. The usual poppadoms quickly arrived at the table which were lovely and fragrant. The accompanying mango chutney, mint sauce and lime pickle were very good. I'm not a big eater of the pickled relish that most people leave when it arrives at their table, but I soon polished this one off...
Just opened in the Royal Exchange Building is the new Italian restaurant, Panino Giusto. All the way over from Milan this outlet has been providing the chic Milanese residents excellently source products for over thirty years. Its now opened up in the City and I can definitely see this place doing well where it is, especially with lunchtime trade and those delicious Paninis...
Quite literally at the top of my road, Eight Over Eight sits on the Kings Road, in the Worlds End area (shabby part) as most of my friends put it. It’s been serving food to the locals here since 2003 and every time I walk past it's completely jam packed. Both in the restaurant and at the cocktail bar located at the front. Why I had only managed to visit now is beyond me...
Garnier restaurant is run by Didier and Eric Garner. Didier is still the proud owner of Le Colombier in Chelsea Square and Eric owned Racine in Knightsbridge. The food has a touch of classic bistro style but with more of a modern approach. The décor inside exudes class and sophistication - it's all very grown up...
Red Pocket Restaurant in Battersea is the new venture that’s just opened up in the Hotel Verta. Sitting right next to the London Helipad, with great views over the Thames, and outside seating, it’s a unique feature to rival other restaurants along the river. Sitting down for a meal and a helicopter landing right next to you, that’s pretty impressive, no? ...
Frantoio on the King’s Road has been providing the Worlds End locals with Italian fare for years now. But mainly to its devout Chelsea senior citizens. This is your typical Italian trattoria, from the décor, to the staff it all reminds me of being back in Italy, dated and a bit 1980’s...
Nathan is known for having some of the best and freshest seafood in Cornwall. With him being such a huge success it was only time till he came to London, along with everyone else. He’s now taken over the restaurant at the Capital Hotel in prestigious Knightsbridge. I've been meaning to try it since it opened but only got round to it now. It has a very attractive selling point too, its set-menu...
Cotidie, which translates as ‘everyday’ in Latin is one of Marylebone’s new arrivals from 2012, which should be named 'the year of the restaurant' because every single person who had a little money and some cooking skills seemed to open a restaurant, apart from me. Sadly my cooking skills are not good enough and neither is my bank balance...
Chicken, chicken, chicken, it’s the staple for most meals, too often than not cooked until it’s as dry as a bone. Wine, being the only way to wash it down. Clockjack Oven in Soho is hoping to change all that, it wants to bring us free range chickens, sourced from small co-operatives in Brittany. Apart from the chickens being delicious it’s mainly all down to Clockjack Ovens secret marinade recipe...
Kitchen W8 opened its doors to the community of Kensington & Chelsea in October 2009 aiming to become the local, go-to place. Two years later in 2011 the restaurant was awarded a Michelin star, a great achievement in such a short space of time. The restaurant strives to use only excellent ingredients which are sourced from small, reputable suppliers, how it does this and still serves up set-menus at rock bottom prices amazes me, I couldn’t even do it that cheap at home for this quality...
We went to Lima on a Monday lunchtime, the restaurant was fairly quiet but we did start early at around midday, it had started to fill as we were leaving, mainly couples, not the office crowds I was expecting. The waiter must be mentioned, he is incredibly helpful and explained everything on the menu, which was a great help because quite frankly, none of it made any sense, it would have been a game of roulette otherwise...
The décor at both the casino and restaurant are bordering low key Las Vegas tackiness. But I think that is the charm of the place, it’s all about the flashing lights and flowing alcohol to keep you inside, and of course the food. There really is no reason to ever go home, right? Unless you run out of money of course. We started our evening with a cocktail from the bar which has been developed by the well-known Tony Conigliaro. The American Sour is particularly good and I would definitely make an excuse to come here again for cocktails...
It was cold and raining and I’ve just finished sipping on cocktails and gambling away in the hippodrome casino waiting for my table at their restaurant Heliot. Come 5:30pm I suddenly get a call from the hostess telling me that unfortunately the restaurant will not be opening this evening. Very frustrated I go on an aimless walk around Soho looking for an alternative. Thirty minutes later and I’m on Marylebone high street still no better off. Then i stumble upon the recent michelin star awarded Trishna, somewhere I have been meaning to try, so why not now?...
Everyone I know has heard of Bluebirds, which is located on the King's Road in Chelsea, either by word of mouth, a stroll past or from the E4 TV programme Made in Chelsea as ‘the place to be seen’. During the week this place is pretty quiet but at the weekends it’s completely full with the Chelsea locals or tourists wanting a slice of this ‘exclusive’ hang-out. The fact that this place does have an amazingly large alfresco setting for central London is definitely its biggest attraction.
I have had breakfast here a couple of time and the full English is very nice utilizing good quality products and some delicious oven roasted tomatoes. The courtyard is a lovely spot in the summer for sipping cocktails and a great place for small groups, just be prepared to queue. The Café itself is also in some need of updating, uncomfortable chairs and most of the tables are a bit wobbly...
When I first started writing this blog I had ideas that I would be talking a lot about burgers, you can never have too many burgers, right? Wrong, I think I've currently hit a bun wall, as I'm starting to crave anything but. It was much more exciting six months ago, when a couple of burger restaurants popped up, now I can't keep track of them all, still when I finally sit down to enjoy a burger I realise why I became obsessed with them in the first place...
The new face on the block is Zoilo, focusing on Argentine tapas, or sharing plates as they call it. It's exciting to get a new restaurant in the area serving up something different, especially as most Argentine restaurants I have been to always disappoint. The great thing about Zoilo is for the quality of the food you get, the prices are very attractive...
An Italian restaurant with a difference has just opened up on the King’s Road and no one seems to be noticing it. Opening its doors around two months ago the restaurant serves Italian cuisine from the Abruzzo region in central Italy. Most widely known for its Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wines, picturesque mountains and of course, its food.
To my knowledge it’s the first of its kind in London serving up food from this region, it’s nice to see a unique Italian menu, a far cry from the lasagne I’ve eaten a hundred times. Polpo is another good option for unique Italian cuisine in London; I have not been myself but have heard great things about it...
The question I ask is do we really need any more steak restaurants in London? I'm not entirely sure, and neither is Hawksmoor by the looks of it. The new Air Street restaurant is serving an equal choice of both meat and fish. And not any old fish, but meaty varieties caught from the shores of the UK and sourced from renowned Brixham Market in Devon. Their meat sourced from the famous Ginger Pig butchers, my favourite butchers in London...
I am very partial to a good Indian and I probably eat it more than any other cuisine, at least once a week, if not more, yet I never seem to write about them. I think I find the cuisine so comforting that I completely forget about analysing every single dish and snapping away photos on my poor 5 megapixel camera, which normally causes my food to go cold. But since I’ve started blogging I realised it’s about time I did, especially considering there are very little reviews on curry houses in London...
There are so many Italian restaurants in Marylebone, or London for that matter so choosing where to eat can be a complete hit or miss, more often than not I end up regretting spending my hard earned cash on mediocre Italians. So with Caffe Caldesi just around the corner from my work I decided it was time to give it a go. Every time I walk past it’s completely jam packed, so they must be doing something right...
I think I was one of the lucky ones, only a four month wait for my table at Dabbous. Upon arriving I spoke to front of house who informed me the next available table for dinner is November 2013! It's crazy, a wait I have only heard for the likes of Noma. Dabbous have a great PR company and have recently been awarded a Michelin star I’m not surprised. Ollie Dabbous, Head Chef has done a great job here, in under nine months his restaurant and him are now one of the most talked about subjects in London...
I am probably the last person getting round to reviewing MEATmarket, so one early saturday morning (11am is early); I dragged myself out of bed to be there for 12 sharp! The idea was to beat the manic queues MEATliquor is so famed for, but there was no queue. Only two more diners had arrived by 1pm, it was eerily quiet compared to its bigger brother, but I must say, I did like it this way...
Stepping inside your transported back to France, feeling though you’ve fallen into a cafe in Paris. The decor has been executed extremely well which feels like it’s been lived in, everything has a place and attention to detail has not been spared...
I wrote about 28:50 on Marylebone Lane a while back now, which you can read here. But being the burger fanatic I have turned into I’m now on the hunt around London searching for the best burger in town. You just never know where you might find it, so if it’s on the menu, ill order it!
The burger is presented on a beautiful wooden board, which unfortunately is much too small and all the juices from the meat just run out onto the table making a mess, I constantly had to wipe a tissue round the sides of the table to prevent it from dripping onto my lap. A pot of light mustard is served on the side. The burger is £11.95, fries are extra...
Tucked away next to the guildhall, Hawksmoor is very easy to walk past, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for. If you spot a swarm of city bankers in white shirts then you’re probably heading in the right direction.
Stepping through the enormous door you’re transported into a grand entrance, very dimly lit and manned by extremely quirky staff, who fit in with the restaurant well. Head down the stairs and you arrive at a lovely tiled bar where you can sip on delicious cocktails before you head into the main restaurant...
Hunt around Earls Court for as long as you like, but you will fail to find speakeasy bar Evans & Peel… until you spot a group of people waiting outside an inconspicuous building while onlookers wonder what's going on. A buzz at the black door, followed by a short wait until someone greets you on the intercom. A bit of interrogation and the door pops open...
Salt yard, located a short walk from Goodge street station has tough competition these days with so many new restaurants opening in the area, Barrica and the newly opened Bubbledogs to name a few. Despite all this competition they are always packed, booking is advised.Salt yard opened its doors in 2005 and since then expanded with Dehesa and Opera Tavern, the group now collectively known as, salt yard group...
The Jam Tree Chelsea is a neatly packed away gastro pub located on the top end of the king’s road, lingering between Chelsea and Fulham, very near the Chelsea football stadium, far too near if you ask me. For a gastro pub in London beer gardens in SW6 are rarity but the Jam Tree boasts a good sized, sun trapped hangout lingering over the railway, inclusive of outdoor BBQ used to make their well known Friday hog roast (which is amazingly FREE!!), as long as you buy drinks of course...
Tommi’s Burger Joint has finally opened In London. The renowned burger joint which started up in Iceland around eight years ago decided it was time to set up in the UK and sink its teeth into a city going through a food boom. One, which in ten years time is bound to make us all obese. Tomas Tomasson, the founder of Tommi’s has apparently eaten a burger every day for eight years, impressive, and he does not have an ounce of fat on him...
On the way home after the weekend I decided to visit EAT.ST in Kings Cross for lunch, unfortunately I came to discover that only one street food trader had turned up, which was very disappointing. Luckily, I stumbled upon Shrimpy's on the gritty goods way. I had read a few reviews previously so had a good idea what it looked like, very unique and stands out like a sore thumb hanging over the canal. It’s actually a converted filling station that has been turned ultra-modern, sporting neon signs and outside seating, some say it’s a piece of art, I disagree...
Verru sits on the small but bustling Marylebone Lane, which is just off the main high street. With the likes of the Golden Hind with its BYO booze and L’Entrecote with its famed steak frites there is a lot of competition for this tiny restaurant. Verru opened its door back at the start of 2011 occupying a premises seating only 26, being so small the restaurant retains a cosy atmosphere but well polished decor in a modern setting.The restaurant is headed up by chef and owner Andrei Lesment who decided it was time to inject some Estonian flavours into London which he was brought up on, combining Scandinavian influences too...
I’m probably the last person to blog about Meat Liquor and having eaten there far too many times then my stomach can take I decided it was time to throw another opinion into the blogosphere. The good thing about having eaten here so much and not blogging about it till now is I’ve had the chance to see the much talked about queues, let you know when you can avoid them and it has also given me time to see if the quality and service have been consistent.
The first time I went to meat liquor was a week after it opened and I was very excited, I had heard all about the food truck and the famed owner Yianni but never found the time to catch the food truck it started the company off with on its travels. Meat Liquor is located on Wigmore Street in Marylebone and is very inconspicuous, with passersby wondering if it’s a nightclub or an extended queue for the strip club around the corner. The main giveaway is the aroma of burgers which can be smelt half way down the street. Tip; head down at around 2-3pm weekday lunchtimes for fast service and no queues...
Tapasia sits on Old Compton Street in Soho and has been open now for around 2 months. I know these premises have had quite a few different establishments opening here in the years and never managed to survive, generally because they serve bad food, and restaurateurs seem to think this road is only for cheap vegetarian buffets of chains. Therefore, with the opening of Tapasia I was looking forward to some good grub near my drinking Haunts in Soho.
If you haven’t already guessed by the name the restaurant focuses on Tapas sized Pan-Asian dishes. I understand Pan-Asian food is Fusion cooking from Southern Asia but I felt some of the dishes here had too much of a European influence...
Seagrass opens up Wednesday to Saturday evenings from 7pm taking over the premises of the old pie and mash shop, Manzes. It sits on the run down Chapel Market in Islington and is a wash away from anywhere you would expect to be sitting down for a three-course meal, but after all this is Islington. They operate only one menu, three courses for £30...
Medlar sits on the Kings Road in the Worlds End area, where shoppers wouldn’t venture about two or so years ago, but with new shops and restaurants opening up frequently this is turning into good place to eat and drink, especially now they have shut down the conservative club, which means no drunks falling out onto the pavement! Just Riley’s left to go.
I’ve passed this place before and always assumed it was another typical Chelsea restaurant, overpriced and with no substance, but I was wrong...
Pitt Cues Trailer is like a small version of Willy Wonkas chocolate factory, but on wheels, containing lots of goodies and only full of meat, not sweets, which in my opinion is much better! I’m sure you’ve heard the hype about Pitt Cue in Soho and believe me there is a reason why everyone is talking about this tiny place (it really is tiny inside). But this review is solely about the trailer...
Entrée, is described by the trusted Wikipedia as a dish served before the main course. This is interesting, are Entrée saying that there starters are the main feature? We will come back to this question very soon...
Pintxos are typical Basque country snacks, which are mainly a great way of socialising, eating slowly, drinking and having a chat. And that’s exactly what PIX does. It does not feel like you are in the Basque country in this restaurant, with modern music playing in the background, a hip crowd and the set up/decor is very modern...
28:50 which after its huge success at its Fetter Lane branch has decided to open up in Marylebone Lane, which I am not surprised about, as this road seems to be the place to open up on at the moment, and keeping near its renowned Texture restaurant, which I still have not been too! It’s also just round the corner from my work, which I know is going to be dangerously addictive...
I have always been a fan of Gordon Ramsay’s Foxtrot Oscar, a friend of mine from work introduced me to the place and I just fell in love with its good quality food in relaxed atmosphere, well-priced menu and the fact that it doesn’t try to be pretentious, only the customers do.They also offer some fabulous offers from ‘bring your own wine’ on a Tuesday, ‘Steak sharing’ on Thursdays, Competitively priced Sunday roasts and of course there weekday set menu, which is a steal...
The Five Fields | REVIEW: The Five Fields, Blacklands Terrace, Chelsea
One of London’s most anticipated and exciting new openings is Five Fields restaurant, in Chelsea just off the King's Road. Chef-owner Taylor Bonnyman who worked at two Michelin-starred Corton, in New York has an army of bright, young chefs now working with him. Names such as Marguerite Keogh (of Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley) and pastry chef Chris Underwood (previously at Tom Aikens Restaurant).With Taylor having such an accomplished history, it was no surprise that the restaurant was full when we arrived...
Haandi | REVIEW: Haandi, Cheval Place, Knightsbridge
The restaurant was quiet when we arrived, only one other table. A warm welcome and the lovely aroma of fresh spices made us feel quite at home, as for some reason, I always do in an Indian restaurant. I have a real love for the food. The usual poppadoms quickly arrived at the table which were lovely and fragrant. The accompanying mango chutney, mint sauce and lime pickle were very good. I'm not a big eater of the pickled relish that most people leave when it arrives at their table, but I soon polished this one off...
Panino Giusto | REVIEW: Panino Giusto, Royal Exchange Building, Bank
Just opened in the Royal Exchange Building is the new Italian restaurant, Panino Giusto. All the way over from Milan this outlet has been providing the chic Milanese residents excellently source products for over thirty years. Its now opened up in the City and I can definitely see this place doing well where it is, especially with lunchtime trade and those delicious Paninis...
Eight Over Eight | REVIEW: Eight Over Eight, King
Quite literally at the top of my road, Eight Over Eight sits on the Kings Road, in the Worlds End area (shabby part) as most of my friends put it. It’s been serving food to the locals here since 2003 and every time I walk past it's completely jam packed. Both in the restaurant and at the cocktail bar located at the front. Why I had only managed to visit now is beyond me...
Garnier | REVIEW: Garnier, Earls Court Road, Earl
Garnier restaurant is run by Didier and Eric Garner. Didier is still the proud owner of Le Colombier in Chelsea Square and Eric owned Racine in Knightsbridge. The food has a touch of classic bistro style but with more of a modern approach. The décor inside exudes class and sophistication - it's all very grown up...
Red Pocket at Hotel Verta | REVIEW: Red Pocket Restaurant, Bridges Wharf, Battersea
Red Pocket Restaurant in Battersea is the new venture that’s just opened up in the Hotel Verta. Sitting right next to the London Helipad, with great views over the Thames, and outside seating, it’s a unique feature to rival other restaurants along the river. Sitting down for a meal and a helicopter landing right next to you, that’s pretty impressive, no? ...
Frantoio | REVIEW: Frantoio Ristorante, King
Frantoio on the King’s Road has been providing the Worlds End locals with Italian fare for years now. But mainly to its devout Chelsea senior citizens. This is your typical Italian trattoria, from the décor, to the staff it all reminds me of being back in Italy, dated and a bit 1980’s...
Outlaw's at The Capital | REVIEW: Outlaw
Nathan is known for having some of the best and freshest seafood in Cornwall. With him being such a huge success it was only time till he came to London, along with everyone else. He’s now taken over the restaurant at the Capital Hotel in prestigious Knightsbridge. I've been meaning to try it since it opened but only got round to it now. It has a very attractive selling point too, its set-menu...
Cotidie | REVIEW: Cotidie, Marylebone High Street, Marylebone
Cotidie, which translates as ‘everyday’ in Latin is one of Marylebone’s new arrivals from 2012, which should be named 'the year of the restaurant' because every single person who had a little money and some cooking skills seemed to open a restaurant, apart from me. Sadly my cooking skills are not good enough and neither is my bank balance...
Clockjack Oven | REVIEW: Clockjack Oven, Denman Street, Soho
Chicken, chicken, chicken, it’s the staple for most meals, too often than not cooked until it’s as dry as a bone. Wine, being the only way to wash it down. Clockjack Oven in Soho is hoping to change all that, it wants to bring us free range chickens, sourced from small co-operatives in Brittany. Apart from the chickens being delicious it’s mainly all down to Clockjack Ovens secret marinade recipe...
Kitchen W8 | REVIEW: Kitchen W8, Abingdon Road, Kensington
Kitchen W8 opened its doors to the community of Kensington & Chelsea in October 2009 aiming to become the local, go-to place. Two years later in 2011 the restaurant was awarded a Michelin star, a great achievement in such a short space of time. The restaurant strives to use only excellent ingredients which are sourced from small, reputable suppliers, how it does this and still serves up set-menus at rock bottom prices amazes me, I couldn’t even do it that cheap at home for this quality...
Lima | REVIEW: Lima, Rathbone Place, Fitzrovia
We went to Lima on a Monday lunchtime, the restaurant was fairly quiet but we did start early at around midday, it had started to fill as we were leaving, mainly couples, not the office crowds I was expecting. The waiter must be mentioned, he is incredibly helpful and explained everything on the menu, which was a great help because quite frankly, none of it made any sense, it would have been a game of roulette otherwise...
Heliot at The Hippodrome | REVIEW: Heliot, Hippodrome Casino, Leicester Square
The décor at both the casino and restaurant are bordering low key Las Vegas tackiness. But I think that is the charm of the place, it’s all about the flashing lights and flowing alcohol to keep you inside, and of course the food. There really is no reason to ever go home, right? Unless you run out of money of course. We started our evening with a cocktail from the bar which has been developed by the well-known Tony Conigliaro. The American Sour is particularly good and I would definitely make an excuse to come here again for cocktails...
Trishna | REVIEW: Trishna, Blandford Street, Marylebone
It was cold and raining and I’ve just finished sipping on cocktails and gambling away in the hippodrome casino waiting for my table at their restaurant Heliot. Come 5:30pm I suddenly get a call from the hostess telling me that unfortunately the restaurant will not be opening this evening. Very frustrated I go on an aimless walk around Soho looking for an alternative. Thirty minutes later and I’m on Marylebone high street still no better off. Then i stumble upon the recent michelin star awarded Trishna, somewhere I have been meaning to try, so why not now?...
Bluebird Café | REVIEW: Bluebirds Cafe, King
Everyone I know has heard of Bluebirds, which is located on the King's Road in Chelsea, either by word of mouth, a stroll past or from the E4 TV programme Made in Chelsea as ‘the place to be seen’. During the week this place is pretty quiet but at the weekends it’s completely full with the Chelsea locals or tourists wanting a slice of this ‘exclusive’ hang-out. The fact that this place does have an amazingly large alfresco setting for central London is definitely its biggest attraction. I have had breakfast here a couple of time and the full English is very nice utilizing good quality products and some delicious oven roasted tomatoes. The courtyard is a lovely spot in the summer for sipping cocktails and a great place for small groups, just be prepared to queue. The Café itself is also in some need of updating, uncomfortable chairs and most of the tables are a bit wobbly...
Patty & Bun | REVIEW: Patty & Bun, James Street, Marylebone
When I first started writing this blog I had ideas that I would be talking a lot about burgers, you can never have too many burgers, right? Wrong, I think I've currently hit a bun wall, as I'm starting to crave anything but. It was much more exciting six months ago, when a couple of burger restaurants popped up, now I can't keep track of them all, still when I finally sit down to enjoy a burger I realise why I became obsessed with them in the first place...
Zoilo | REVIEW: Zoilo, Duke Street, Marylebone
The new face on the block is Zoilo, focusing on Argentine tapas, or sharing plates as they call it. It's exciting to get a new restaurant in the area serving up something different, especially as most Argentine restaurants I have been to always disappoint. The great thing about Zoilo is for the quality of the food you get, the prices are very attractive...
Terra Vergine | REVIEW: Terra Vergine, King
An Italian restaurant with a difference has just opened up on the King’s Road and no one seems to be noticing it. Opening its doors around two months ago the restaurant serves Italian cuisine from the Abruzzo region in central Italy. Most widely known for its Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wines, picturesque mountains and of course, its food. To my knowledge it’s the first of its kind in London serving up food from this region, it’s nice to see a unique Italian menu, a far cry from the lasagne I’ve eaten a hundred times. Polpo is another good option for unique Italian cuisine in London; I have not been myself but have heard great things about it...
Hawksmoor Air Street | REVIEW: Hawksmoor Air Street, Air Street, Piccadilly
The question I ask is do we really need any more steak restaurants in London? I'm not entirely sure, and neither is Hawksmoor by the looks of it. The new Air Street restaurant is serving an equal choice of both meat and fish. And not any old fish, but meaty varieties caught from the shores of the UK and sourced from renowned Brixham Market in Devon. Their meat sourced from the famous Ginger Pig butchers, my favourite butchers in London...
Star of India | REVIEW: Star of India, Old Brompton Road, Kensington
I am very partial to a good Indian and I probably eat it more than any other cuisine, at least once a week, if not more, yet I never seem to write about them. I think I find the cuisine so comforting that I completely forget about analysing every single dish and snapping away photos on my poor 5 megapixel camera, which normally causes my food to go cold. But since I’ve started blogging I realised it’s about time I did, especially considering there are very little reviews on curry houses in London...
Caffe Caldesi | REVIEW: Caffe Caldesi, Marylebone lane, Marylebone
There are so many Italian restaurants in Marylebone, or London for that matter so choosing where to eat can be a complete hit or miss, more often than not I end up regretting spending my hard earned cash on mediocre Italians. So with Caffe Caldesi just around the corner from my work I decided it was time to give it a go. Every time I walk past it’s completely jam packed, so they must be doing something right...
Dabbous | REVIEW: Dabbous, Whitfield Street, Fitzrovia
I think I was one of the lucky ones, only a four month wait for my table at Dabbous. Upon arriving I spoke to front of house who informed me the next available table for dinner is November 2013! It's crazy, a wait I have only heard for the likes of Noma. Dabbous have a great PR company and have recently been awarded a Michelin star I’m not surprised. Ollie Dabbous, Head Chef has done a great job here, in under nine months his restaurant and him are now one of the most talked about subjects in London...
Meatmarket | REVIEW: MEATmarket, Jubilee Market Hall, Covent Garden
I am probably the last person getting round to reviewing MEATmarket, so one early saturday morning (11am is early); I dragged myself out of bed to be there for 12 sharp! The idea was to beat the manic queues MEATliquor is so famed for, but there was no queue. Only two more diners had arrived by 1pm, it was eerily quiet compared to its bigger brother, but I must say, I did like it this way...
Colbert | REVIEW: Colbert, Sloane Square, Chelsea
Stepping inside your transported back to France, feeling though you’ve fallen into a cafe in Paris. The decor has been executed extremely well which feels like it’s been lived in, everything has a place and attention to detail has not been spared...
28°-50° Marylebone | REVIEW: 28:50, Marylebone Lane, Marylebone
I wrote about 28:50 on Marylebone Lane a while back now, which you can read here. But being the burger fanatic I have turned into I’m now on the hunt around London searching for the best burger in town. You just never know where you might find it, so if it’s on the menu, ill order it! The burger is presented on a beautiful wooden board, which unfortunately is much too small and all the juices from the meat just run out onto the table making a mess, I constantly had to wipe a tissue round the sides of the table to prevent it from dripping onto my lap. A pot of light mustard is served on the side. The burger is £11.95, fries are extra...
Hawksmoor Guildhall | REVIEW: Hawksmoor Guildhall, Basinghall Street, Bank
Tucked away next to the guildhall, Hawksmoor is very easy to walk past, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for. If you spot a swarm of city bankers in white shirts then you’re probably heading in the right direction. Stepping through the enormous door you’re transported into a grand entrance, very dimly lit and manned by extremely quirky staff, who fit in with the restaurant well. Head down the stairs and you arrive at a lovely tiled bar where you can sip on delicious cocktails before you head into the main restaurant...
Evans & Peel | REVIEW: Evans & Peel Detective Agency, Earl
Hunt around Earls Court for as long as you like, but you will fail to find speakeasy bar Evans & Peel… until you spot a group of people waiting outside an inconspicuous building while onlookers wonder what's going on. A buzz at the black door, followed by a short wait until someone greets you on the intercom. A bit of interrogation and the door pops open...
Salt Yard | REVIEW: Salt Yard, Goodge Street, Fitzrovia
Salt yard, located a short walk from Goodge street station has tough competition these days with so many new restaurants opening in the area, Barrica and the newly opened Bubbledogs to name a few. Despite all this competition they are always packed, booking is advised.Salt yard opened its doors in 2005 and since then expanded with Dehesa and Opera Tavern, the group now collectively known as, salt yard group...
The Jam Tree | REVIEW: The Jam Tree, King
The Jam Tree Chelsea is a neatly packed away gastro pub located on the top end of the king’s road, lingering between Chelsea and Fulham, very near the Chelsea football stadium, far too near if you ask me. For a gastro pub in London beer gardens in SW6 are rarity but the Jam Tree boasts a good sized, sun trapped hangout lingering over the railway, inclusive of outdoor BBQ used to make their well known Friday hog roast (which is amazingly FREE!!), as long as you buy drinks of course...
Tommi's Burger Joint | REVIEW: Tommi
Tommi’s Burger Joint has finally opened In London. The renowned burger joint which started up in Iceland around eight years ago decided it was time to set up in the UK and sink its teeth into a city going through a food boom. One, which in ten years time is bound to make us all obese. Tomas Tomasson, the founder of Tommi’s has apparently eaten a burger every day for eight years, impressive, and he does not have an ounce of fat on him...
Shrimpy's | REVIEW: Shrimpy
On the way home after the weekend I decided to visit EAT.ST in Kings Cross for lunch, unfortunately I came to discover that only one street food trader had turned up, which was very disappointing. Luckily, I stumbled upon Shrimpy's on the gritty goods way. I had read a few reviews previously so had a good idea what it looked like, very unique and stands out like a sore thumb hanging over the canal. It’s actually a converted filling station that has been turned ultra-modern, sporting neon signs and outside seating, some say it’s a piece of art, I disagree...
Verru | REVIEW: Verru, Marylebone Lane, Marylebone
Verru sits on the small but bustling Marylebone Lane, which is just off the main high street. With the likes of the Golden Hind with its BYO booze and L’Entrecote with its famed steak frites there is a lot of competition for this tiny restaurant. Verru opened its door back at the start of 2011 occupying a premises seating only 26, being so small the restaurant retains a cosy atmosphere but well polished decor in a modern setting.The restaurant is headed up by chef and owner Andrei Lesment who decided it was time to inject some Estonian flavours into London which he was brought up on, combining Scandinavian influences too...
Meatliquor | REVIEW: Meat Liquor, Welbeck Street, Marylebone
I’m probably the last person to blog about Meat Liquor and having eaten there far too many times then my stomach can take I decided it was time to throw another opinion into the blogosphere. The good thing about having eaten here so much and not blogging about it till now is I’ve had the chance to see the much talked about queues, let you know when you can avoid them and it has also given me time to see if the quality and service have been consistent. The first time I went to meat liquor was a week after it opened and I was very excited, I had heard all about the food truck and the famed owner Yianni but never found the time to catch the food truck it started the company off with on its travels. Meat Liquor is located on Wigmore Street in Marylebone and is very inconspicuous, with passersby wondering if it’s a nightclub or an extended queue for the strip club around the corner. The main giveaway is the aroma of burgers which can be smelt half way down the street. Tip; head down at around 2-3pm weekday lunchtimes for fast service and no queues...
Tapasia London | REVIEW: Tapasia, Old Compton Street, Soho
Tapasia sits on Old Compton Street in Soho and has been open now for around 2 months. I know these premises have had quite a few different establishments opening here in the years and never managed to survive, generally because they serve bad food, and restaurateurs seem to think this road is only for cheap vegetarian buffets of chains. Therefore, with the opening of Tapasia I was looking forward to some good grub near my drinking Haunts in Soho. If you haven’t already guessed by the name the restaurant focuses on Tapas sized Pan-Asian dishes. I understand Pan-Asian food is Fusion cooking from Southern Asia but I felt some of the dishes here had too much of a European influence...
The Seagrass | REVIEW: Seagrass @ Manze
Seagrass opens up Wednesday to Saturday evenings from 7pm taking over the premises of the old pie and mash shop, Manzes. It sits on the run down Chapel Market in Islington and is a wash away from anywhere you would expect to be sitting down for a three-course meal, but after all this is Islington. They operate only one menu, three courses for £30...
Medlar | REVIEW: Medlar, King
Medlar sits on the Kings Road in the Worlds End area, where shoppers wouldn’t venture about two or so years ago, but with new shops and restaurants opening up frequently this is turning into good place to eat and drink, especially now they have shut down the conservative club, which means no drunks falling out onto the pavement! Just Riley’s left to go. I’ve passed this place before and always assumed it was another typical Chelsea restaurant, overpriced and with no substance, but I was wrong...
Pitt Cue Co | REVIEW: Pitt Cue Co Trailer, Hungerford Bridge, Southbank
Pitt Cues Trailer is like a small version of Willy Wonkas chocolate factory, but on wheels, containing lots of goodies and only full of meat, not sweets, which in my opinion is much better! I’m sure you’ve heard the hype about Pitt Cue in Soho and believe me there is a reason why everyone is talking about this tiny place (it really is tiny inside). But this review is solely about the trailer...
Entrée | REVIEW: Entrée, Battersea Rise, London
Entrée, is described by the trusted Wikipedia as a dish served before the main course. This is interesting, are Entrée saying that there starters are the main feature? We will come back to this question very soon...
Pix | REVIEW: Pix-Bar, Soho, London
Pintxos are typical Basque country snacks, which are mainly a great way of socialising, eating slowly, drinking and having a chat. And that’s exactly what PIX does. It does not feel like you are in the Basque country in this restaurant, with modern music playing in the background, a hip crowd and the set up/decor is very modern...
28°-50° Marylebone | REVIEW: 28:50, Marylebone Lane, Marylebone
28:50 which after its huge success at its Fetter Lane branch has decided to open up in Marylebone Lane, which I am not surprised about, as this road seems to be the place to open up on at the moment, and keeping near its renowned Texture restaurant, which I still have not been too! It’s also just round the corner from my work, which I know is going to be dangerously addictive...
Foxtrot Oscar | REVIEW: Foxtrot Oscar, Gordon Ramsay, Chelsea
I have always been a fan of Gordon Ramsay’s Foxtrot Oscar, a friend of mine from work introduced me to the place and I just fell in love with its good quality food in relaxed atmosphere, well-priced menu and the fact that it doesn’t try to be pretentious, only the customers do.They also offer some fabulous offers from ‘bring your own wine’ on a Tuesday, ‘Steak sharing’ on Thursdays, Competitively priced Sunday roasts and of course there weekday set menu, which is a steal...