Thursday 15 December 2011

Bistro The Walk, Potters Bar

The Bistro on The Walk has a nice bright, warm atmosphere with pleasant, welcoming, helpful and attentive management and staff. Lovely fresh crusty bread and butter were served whilst we decided on what we were ordering from the dinner menu. The feedback from my group was that all the food was tasty, well presented and decent sized portions. I particularly enjoyed the starter of Turkish Spicy sausage which came with a mixed salad garnish, and main of fillet of sea bream which came perfectly cooked served on a bed of mashed potato and superb saffron cream - served with a nice suprise garnish of a rolled piece of smoked salmon and a mixed salad. Also, others adviced that the lambs liver; aubergine, courgettes and mixed peppers; boeuf bourgignon; and kleftico were all very good and perfectly cooked. French fries I heard were excellent, but they could not finish the portion - their eyes had got too big when they saw the choice of mains + sides. Save room for dessert - the Tiramisu, Apple Tart Tatin and the Banoffee Pie were all fab ends to a wonderful meal. Reasonable prices. We will be back very soon!!!


http://www.bistrothewalk.co.uk/

88 High Street,
Potters Bar,
Herts. EN6 5AT.
01707 664 660

Friday 25 November 2011

Wallacespace, Covent Garden - a great venue

Fantastic venue for hosting events and courses. Went there with work for a course.

Nice crumpets with fresh marmalade and filter coffee for breakfast. Followed by biscuits and tea/coffee at mid-morning. Yummy lunch of smoked haddock and feta cheese tart with perfect pastry crust, and accompanied by lentil and beetroot, dill mayo new potatoes and a fresh mixed green leaf salad, and rounded off with a good creme brulee. A mid-afternoon treat of a variety of sweets that reminded me of my childhood was great way to finish the day.

Amazed with the level of service, food and overall attention to detail to cater for all our needs. Friendly staff.

Would strongly recommend.

Wallacespace - Covent Garden
2 Dryden Street, London WC2E 9NA
020 7395 1265

Cabana - the new churrascaria on the block

Went to this Cabana on the first day of their opening and it was very very busy, I would strongly recommend that you book esp on Fri/ Sat. It’s based on Brasilian churrascirias where they bring skewers of meat around to your table. We had the pamonahs for starters which were so sweet they tasted like a dessert and deep fried cheesy rice balls. I would probably skip these next time and head straight for the main event, the skewers.
Because we hadn’t booked they ended up seating us in the bar which was fine but it meant that the service was a bit hit and miss as it relies on the waitress bringing the skewers round to your table and we weren’t in the bit they were circulating through. I really enjoyed most of the skewers, especially the lamb which was soft and juicy and the baby back ribs, probably my favourite of the night as they were properly spicy with a decent kick. The only one I didn’t like was the chimichurri beef rump as it was quite chewy. I would also recommend getting a side of the cassava chips as these were great.
Desserts other than fro-yo are limited but the banana and dolce du leche cheesecake I tried was brilliant. Not fridge cold and impossible to cut as cheescakes often are but dense and crumbly with delicious candied nuts on top. A winner!
I would go back to Cabana especially now I know which of the skewers I like but I would make sure I book first!

Cabana

7 Central St Giles Piazza, London WC2H 8AD
020 7845 9730

Wednesday 5 October 2011

Big Easy - yummy shrimp on the King's Road

Big Easy, Chelsea, was a nice relax venue, which has a live band downstairs in the evenings. The all-you-can-eat shrimp was very tasty and good value for money. However, the full rack of baby back ribs was very dry - it was as if it had been already cooked and just reheated on the BBQ to order which unsurprisingly would have dried it out; not impressed. Overall, had a good time, nice food, pleasant service; and will return to try the Lobster feast.

Big Easy

332 - 334 Kings Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 5UR

Sunday 11 September 2011

Vivat Bacchus - on a quiet street near London Bridge.

Vivat Bacchus, London Bridge, is a bright, airy restaurant. The start to the meal was not impressive: Our waitress upsold us a bottle of wine (when we only ordered two glasses of South African Chardonnay)-& did not apologise. However, the manager resolved quickly (and did only charged us for the two glasses we ordered when we got the bill at the end). The leek & potato soup was lovely; though croutons arrived soggy in soup instead of served on the side. My friend's mentioned that her risotto with courgettes was good. Pork chop with sweet potato & pickled apples was nice, but the fat should have been rendered a bit more. My friend's Raspberry Eton Mess was reported to be good, & I had a lovely Creme Brulee with two crisp lang du chat on the side. Generally, pleasant waiting staff & reasonable food.

If you are around London Bridge and hungry, it is worth checking out as it has reasonable 2 & 3course menu prices.

Vivat Bacchus

4 Hayes Lane, London Bridge, SE1 2HB

Sunday 4 September 2011

The Living Room - York

It may be part of a chain and full of slightly screechy women but it actually has very nice views of the river and the sunday roast is lovely with perfectly done meat (where they offer you the choice of pink or well done) and veg that hasn't been boiled to death. Yorkshire puds are decent and crispy and the sticky toffe pud is to die for. They even had a singer. A nice place if you're not in a hurry, service can be on the slow side as they are so busy.

The Living Room - York

Merchant Exchange, 1 Bridge Street, York, YO1 6DD
4 People, 13:30, 28 August 2011
Offer booked (via Toptable) Sunday Lunch: 2 courses £11.25

31 Castlegate Restaurant, York - Modern European food under the shadow of the imposing Clifford’s Tower

Lovely warm room and very pleasant service. The food was OK, my duck confit didn't have the crispy skin I was hoping for but it was a generous portion and my fudge brownie was dry and uninspired. The sticky toffee pudding was nice though.

31 Castlegate, York, YO1 9RN 
http://www.31castlegate.co.uk/



Tuesday 12 July 2011

Gaucho Bank - located in a lovely old alley leading to a quiet inner courtyard

Gaucho Bank has a cool entrance down a black covered walkway. Reception and waiting staff are pleasant and helpful. Steaks are tasty, especially the Fillet de Lomo and Bife de Ancho. The waitress was knowledgeable when informing us about the various cuts of meat. The Rib Eye had nice marbling; though the best Bone in Rib Eye I have found is at Goodmans. As we had to wait for 24 mins for the bill the General Manager Richard made amends for this, which was done with no hesitation, so will return as impressed with the service overall.

Gaucho - Bank 

1 Bell Inn Yard, London, EC3V 0BL

Tuesday 31 May 2011

Ozer - the Turkish haven off Oxford Street / Regent Street

Ozer, Langham Place, Regent Street has a nice outside terrace area, which would be good during the summer months to people watch while enjoying your meal. It is just opposite the Langham Hotel, and near the All Saints Church (straight down from Nike Town). Inside, the restaurant is warm and welcoming, and have good, friendly service. The hummus, olives and warm bread were a nice way to start the meal, especially after just walking in a torrential downpour. Nice Scottish Rib Eye Steak; only had a couple of grissly bits. My friend advised her moussaka was good also.
A must = Baklava for dessert.

Address:

Ozer, 4-5 Langham Place, Regent Street, Oxford Circus, London, W1B 3DG

Thursday 19 May 2011

The Table Cafe - near London Bridge

The Table Cafe, Bankside (near London Bridge) has an amazing outside space and interesting layout. It is below an architect's office, and next door to the Mercure London City Hotel. Would recommend the Artichoke and Grilled Aubergine with excellent aioli, as well as the Oxtail risotto which was perfectly cooked and had loads of flavour. Finished with the milk chocolate parfait, and a summery strawberry and coconut cheesecake. Both a lovely way to end the meal.

Address details:

The Table Café

83 Southwark Street, Bankside, London, SE1 0HX

Sunday 27 March 2011

Great Punjabi and Pakistani cuisine pitstop in Wembley

Five Hot Chillies, Wembley, had pleasant service and delivers good Punjabi and Pakistani cuisine. Especially recommend the paneer, shish kebab and chilli chicken for starters, and fantastic fish and lamb karahis accompanied by fluffy butter naans for mains. Prawn Biriani, Urid Dhaal and Rotis are also very good. To round off your meal, go for the Malai (milk)/ Pistachio kulfis, or Gulab Jamans Would recommend dropping in if you are in the area.

Five Hot Chillies

875 Harrow Road, Sudbury, Wembley, HA0 2RH

Indian, Pakistani

: 12:00 - 23:30

+44 (0)20 8908 5900

875 Harrow Road, Sudbury, Wembley, HA0 2RH [Map]

£15.00 £20.00

(Avg Price is the average cost per person for two courses, coffee, half a bottle of house wine and tip/service)