Monday 15 July 2013

The Dairy: Old Town Charm


Let's talk about The Dairy in Clapham... This innovative modern European restaurant is one of the latest openings in Clapham, in prime location neighbouring the Common in Old Town.

I loved everything about my meal at The Dairy, but I sit asking myself why after a 5 star review in Metro, near on four months after opening people still haven’t realised this restaurant is set to be a big deal. I certainly perked up my ears when it first opened just by reading Robin Gill's credentials and about his contemporary style The Dairy would adopt.

Sunday 14 July 2013

Patty and Bun: a great pair

The list of trendy burger places in London is growing steadily which often makes it hard to differentiate the MeatLiquors to the Shake Shacks and Honests around town.



Patty and Bun stands out from its contemporaries. The menu is  just creative enough, offering a nice variety in style with the Smokey Robinson, Lambshank Redemption and Hot Chick chicken burger all offering something completely different.

Wednesday 12 June 2013

Story


A lot of heart and soul has gone into Tom Seller’s first restaurant, Story. The beautiful menu is derived from his reputable training (Per Se and Noma) and also that from his own life and family. The 6 and 10 course tasting menus are very much in line with the current trend; a blend of incredible technical execution, a bit of quirk and earthy, well crafted small morsels of food. What you can expect from your plates at Story is in style with that of Roganic, Dabbous and Nuno Mendes.

Tuesday 28 May 2013

Heaton butler & bayne




Heaton Butler and Bayne received some nice press following it’s opening, yet unfortunately this new restaurant shows a great example of when a PR is almost too good at their job, knowing all the right buzz words, but nothing about the restaurant he/she is promoting.

Monday 27 May 2013

Fried Chicken: Converted!


Ok, so Wishbone isn't new news, but it has taken me a while to go to. Opened late last year, Wishbone is the chicken arm of the MeatLiquor, MeatMarket, MeatMansion enterprise.

Following suit; the burgers at Wishbone are dirty, the sides are dirtier and the cocktails are straight up.  I've never been a fan of dirty fried chicken, but I think I can safely say I'm converted.

Thursday 25 April 2013

Sunday 21 April 2013

New York Restaurant Recommendation - Number 37: Momofuku Ssam Bar & Booker and Dax Bar


At least one of the Momofuku sites should be visited while in New York, and for me it had to be the Ssam Bar. Not only is Momofuku Ssam Bar sitting comfy at number 37 on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list while holding a Bib Gourman award from the Michelin Guide 2012, but it is also accompanied by the Booker and Dax bar which serves up some of the best (and strongest) cocktails I tasted while in the States.

Monday 25 March 2013

Bone Daddies Again


It's extremely unlike me to blog about a restaurant twice, especially without a dramatic change to style or menu, however after visiting Bone Daddies again, and again I find myself here singing its praises, well, again.

Wednesday 20 March 2013

Pollen Street Social


Pollen Street Social was the perfect location for our quarterly girls lunch. 7 of us piled in off the street on a freezing cold Saturday to find the restaurant to be not only warm and welcoming but also buzzing with atmosphere. It is clear that Jason Atherton has succeeded at realising his ideal social space where people are welcomed with open arms to spend their day/evening.

Tuesday 19 March 2013

Two Stars: The Ledbury


4 of us, all Australian, visited The Ledbury on Australia day earlier this year. There had been so much anticipation before visiting this two Michelin Star restaurant that we had literally been counting down the days for the past three months. We may have been excited, however generally The Ledbury keeps somewhat quiet, you know it's there but there isn't a lot of current media attention of hype surrounding the restaurant. That said, its quality stands for itself.

Monday 18 March 2013

The Bucket List Update

Since posting my London Foodie Bucket List almost a year ago I have been working my way through it like a woman on a mission, and can honstly say I've nearly finished the list. Most places I have posted about indipendently, however I have had a long list of restaurants on my 'to do' list for some time.

Wild Honey

Wild Honey on Urbanspoon

We went to Wild Honey for my lovely boyfriend's birthday last September. The booking was actually made on his request, which I am glad about because admitidely I would have kept pushing it down my list otherwise.


I can honestly say this was one of my favourite meals of 2012. I ordered the duck foie gras terrine to start followed by the bouillabaisse. William had the pork belly starter followed by the lamb with vegetables and dauphinois potatos. Although each sounds relatively simple what was delivered to us was not only two beautiful crafted meals served up over a number of individual stunningly attractive dishes, but also dishes that were rich and warming in flavour. Every mouthful we ate at Wild Honey was a joy to take.

Yauatcha

Yauatcha on Urbanspoon

We visited Yauatcha randomly while out one night in Soho. I think this is the best way to go; no hype, no anticipation, just rock up and pay a little more than you want to on a large selection of dim sum.


Don't get me wrong the dim sum at Yauatcha is nice and I thoroughly enjoyed my evening, but to me it was a little over manufactured like they type of food you get at Ping Pong. We ordered a selection of what sounded like the more exciting dumplings and dim sum bits, however regretfully nothing was memorable enough to stick in my mind. Each of the dumplings we did have were packed full of filling and there certainly wasn't a shortage of crab meat or char siu pork. The restaurant and bar are cool, the clientele usually in suits are fine to dine next to however there really is nothing special to me about Yauatcha. I would go again for a quick bite when I get a dim sum craving, however I wouldn't make it a special occasion.

Pitt Cue Co

Pitt Cue Co on Urbanspoon

I first visited Pitt Cue Co in its pop up meat van on the soutbank and was pleased to see that it's incarnation in its permanent soho spot it just as good. The pulled pork from Pitt Cue Co is still delicious with its smoky BBQ flavours. Old favourites like the ribs and pickled slaw are still on the menu and still just as good.


The Soho location is fast, affordable and is still of the same excellent meaty quality that made PCC famous.

The Riding House Cafe

The Riding House Cafe on Urbanspoon

The Riding House Cafe is a very cool place, and it's location lends its self perfectly for accessibility for any meal.

I visited for a business lunch with a large group of colleagues. We were seated quickly. The wait staff were courteous and friendly, yet let us be to 'talk shop' before taking our orders. I was hungry, but I could tell my superiors appreciated it.


I ordered the smoked haddock kedgeree, it was delicious. The curry flavours were strong but did not over power the smokiness of the haddock. The soft eggs were a nice touch and added creaminess to the disk. I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch at Riding House, and hope to go back soon with a group of people it would be more appropriate to try more of the menu with.

Sunday 17 March 2013

Perth Breakfast Recommendation: Mrs. S


So maybe Perth, Western Australia isn't big enough to qualify for one of my 'Big City' reviews, but it certainly is worth a mention when it comes to food. The small Summer Bay-esque city is booming with contemporary new restaurants and is really turning heads for its innovative and creative style.

One of the best parts about holidaying in Australia is the chilled out weekend brunch culture. Everyone knows the Aussies do coffee better then most, however they are also known for setting new standards when it comes to late morning dining.

Saturday 16 March 2013

More Perth breakfast: Sayers Sister


Another hot breakfast spot in Perth is Sayers Sister. I visited the original Sayers in Leederville on my last visit to Perth, but this time decided to try the newest baby Sister. The menu is failry similar to when I last visited, holding on to some favourites like the Potato Rosti, Poached Eggs, Bacon, Onion Jam and Lemon Wilted Spinach. I was however delighted to find the buttermilk pancakes had been re-vamped and now come with delicious berry compote and white chocolate cream on the side. A nice new addition was also the salt beef hash with fried eggs. 

Sunday 10 February 2013

Bone Daddies

London has done a full circle when it comes to asian street food, specifically ramen. Although this craze feels like the newest, hottest thing lets remember a handful of years ago, before the burger vans, pulled pork, American fast food and small plates craze there was the Asian street food trend steer-head by Wagamamas (of all places!). Wagamamas may now be just another chain restaurant, but ramen is back in full swing in a number of indipendent restaurants popping up around London.


Bone Daddies has just joined Soho's gastronomic scene and is gathering queues for what I can claim is the best ramen I have had in London. The menu offers 8 different kinds of ramen, a variety that its neighbour Tonkotsu lacks. I went for the Tantanmen, which was fragrant, smokey, and almost coconutty. Absolutely delicious! 

Monday 4 February 2013

About time we went to Bob Bob Ricard

I fell in love on my first visit to Bob Bob Ricard, with it's grandeur, it's art deco and art neavou interior and it's super lux Champaign on demand button.

I can firmly say the Russian and Eastern European with an American flare cuisine that Bob Bob plates up is authentic and delicious. The dishes were rich, flavorsome, and for what is traditionally a very stodgy and full fat style of cooking, everything we ate at Bob Bob tasted expensive. The tartares, both venison and tuna were divine, I recommend these for a melt in your mouth experience, but perhaps even more exciting were the soufflĂ© desserts.

As the vodka continued the flow, and the dishes continued to wow us, we easily decided Bob Bob Ricard was a new favourite in Soho.


Saturday 2 February 2013

Cuzco, Peru restaurant recommendation: Fallen Angel

We visited Fallen Angel in Cuzco on a recommendation from a friend of a friend, but this quirky, stylish and at times plain mental restaurant exceeded all our expectations.


The decor is out of this world. You step off the hectic streets of Peru into a weird haven of the bizarre. The walls are sky blue with fluffy white clouds. The tables are bath tubs filled with gold fish and as you walk for room to room you stumble further into this mad world.

Friday 25 January 2013

Left with a bad taste: The Kitchen Table at Bubbledogs&


I've shelved this post for some months, it's not my way to publish a bad review or in my nature to endeavor to tarnish someone's reputation however, when myself and 4 friends all came down with food poisoning after eating at the Kitchen Table at Bubbledogs& and the restaurant did nothing, I thought I best let you all know.

We went to the Kitchen Table, hidden in the back room of Bubbledogs& just a few months after its opening. The entire evening was lovely. Although the "tosserati" (Marina O'Loughlin) were out in full form the five of us managed to sift through the pretension and engage in only a handful of ego feeding conversations with our neighboring guest, to enjoy a wonderful experience.

The meal was lovely. It was presented in a logical narrative as the plates went from light to rich, raw to cooked, seafood to red meat to dessert in what seemed to be a natural transition of cold to warm to hot, back to cold. The arrangement was flawless.



It wasn't long after eating at the Kitchen Table, that one by one each of our group of five fell ill with what could only be pinned as food poisoning.

Thursday 24 January 2013

Prague restaurant recommendation: Cafe Savoy

At first glance you're left breath-taken by the grandeur of the lovely art nouveau Cafe Savoy in Prague. The high-ceilinged 19th century interior is stunning, and the food is excellent. This  popular dwelling for the cliques of the affluent, intellectual and expats offers a classic and rich menu that makes subtle nods to traditional Mediterranean fare, including the likes of crayfish soup, escargots, foie gras, steak tartare and veal entrecĂ´te. 

Every fine detail at Savoy is perfect, from the presentation of a bowl on your table before having your waiter poor the thick soup into it, to the delicate little pastries available from the bakery. The staff speak English and are eager and willing to offer recommendations. The sommelier is also very knowledgeable and approachable. 

My recommendations: the steak tartare and chicken liver dumpling soup.


Tuesday 22 January 2013

New York restaurant recommendation: Katz's Deli


Katz's Deli is my number one foodie recommendation in New York City, and well worth the visit to the East Village.

You arrive to the manic deli and are given a small pink ticket that you are advised to hold on to with your life as it is necessary for paying your bill. Don't lose it, basically. There are two options, wait for a table where a waiter will take your order, or line up at the take away counters and shuffle through the canteen style arrangement until you have everything you could want wrapped up in your brown paper bag. However exciting it is watching the guys heap sauerkraut onto hotdogs and salt beef sandwiches, we thought it would be a whole lot easier and neater to join the queue and wait for a table. While waiting for a table the feast for your eyes that is this place unfolds in front of you. Rammed from wall to wall, the tables are full of people feasting on the biggest sandwiches you've ever seen.