London Appetizer

Loving Annie's True Travel Treasures

You'll be hard-pressed to find a blog as beautifully designed as Loving Annie's True Travel Adventures. It is a delight to look at and a delight to read, packed full of foodie delights.  Her restaurant reviews are highly detailed, wonderfully descriptive and always contain plenty of lovely photos to help you live through the experience.  Nice!

Click here to visit True Travel Adventures.

Are you a foodie related website that wants a Blatant Plug?  Then contact me with your website info and I'll see what I can do..

Chocolate Online from The Chocolate Trading Company

Chocolate, oh glorious chocolate - don't you just love it?  My favourite is rich, dark slabs of chocolate, cocoa content around 70% is ideal, but to be honest, I'm not fussy. French chocolate, Belgium chocolate, Swiss chocolate or English chocolate (huh?), I don't mind.

One of my favourite places to order chocolate online is from The Chocolate Trading Company.

Chocolate Trading Company is the largest independent online chocolate shop in the UK, specialising in the finest chocolates from around the world. 

Founded in 2002, the company has grown rapidly to become the best source of fine chocolate in the UK and with highly competitive prices to match we have received many endorsements from the UK media.

Check out their site now

Their chocolates really are delicious.

Are you a foodie related website that wants a Blatant Plug?  Then contact me with your website info and I'll see what I can do..

Cafe Des Amis Du Vin, Covent Garden, London

Another visit to Cafe des Amis and it did not disappoint. Two of us pitched up around 8pm on a Thursday night without a reservation and were lucky to bag one of 2 remaining tables.

Service is consistent here and so is the food, although the bill seemed slightly higher than usual - mind you we did have a couple of aperatifs and I finished off with a Cognac, so that always bumps up the total.

My tuna starter was excellent but a little on the meagre side - I filled up on bread. The main of lamb with sweetbreads and associated 'bits' was excellent - gamey, tasty and filling. We skipped pudding and coffee.

The wine was a South Western France Syrah, priced at about £28. The wine list overall could be improved but you can generally find something worthwhile.

In summary, it still remains a favourite of mine and also remains very un-touristy, which considering it is right next to Covent Garden station (admittedly tucked away) is a pretty amazing thing!

You can book Cafe Des Amis online here and read more reviews

Cafe Des Amis Du Vin
11-14 Hanover Place
Covent Garden
WC2E 9JP 

Boisdale Restaurant, Victoria, London

Boisdale Restaurant has been a favourite of mine for more than 10 years.  It offers a consistently good selection of dishes, with steaks, game and haggis all specialities.  The Angus steak is hung until beautifully tender and the game changes based on seasonality and availability - try a noggin of whisky with it as a starter although the Scots are divided on whether you should pour the whisky over the haggis or sip it on the side.

Top tip - make sure you get a table in the main restaurant if you want to see and hear the jazz band - there is live jazz every night and it is well worth the small cover charge added to the bill.

Service can be a little erratic but is always charming.  The wine and whisky selection is phenomenal and on a cold winter night, there are few better restaurants to be in.

If you like the occasional cigar then you are also in luck because this is the only restaurant I know of in London that you can smoke 'in' after dinner. I say 'in' because technically it is on a covered terrace upstairs, but with bunsen burners, tartan rugs for your legs and a large dram - who cares!

You can book Boisdale online here and read more reviews.

15 Eccleston St
Victoria
SW1W 9LX

Restaurants and the Credit Crunch - London Evening Standard

I had this published in the London Evening Standard on Tuesday 9th December 2008, commenting about how restaurants might survive in the current credit crunch:

The dire economic situation will definitely affect London's restaurants, but in different ways:

Established local restaurants that have a proven formula and a regular clientele will not be significantly affected. They will tweak their offering, reducing dish prices and offering more set menus, but they will survive.

Established 'famous' restaurants, such as The Ivy, Le Gavroche etc, will also be fine. They will relax booking policies, making it easier for diners to book and increase their booking channels by making use of online booking platforms like LiveBookings.  Whilst they might see a drop in business from locals, I expect this to be more than made up for by an increase in bookings from overseas customers.  With near pound to euro parity and a dollar fifty buying a pound, London is getting cheaper and cheaper for tourists.  Ten years ago, 70% of visitors to The London Restaurant Review website were from outside the UK.  Nowadays it is more like 10-15% but we expect this to switch to 50/50 over the next 12 to 18 months.

Finally, the newly opened restaurants will struggle.  They will have built business plans on trade estimates that are now out of date and will therefore take longer to recoup initial outlays.  With no loyal customer base, they will have to rely on PR and advertising to get the word out and ensure that the first impression is a great one.  If it is mediocre then customers will not be prepared to give them a second chance in these tough times.

Brasserie Roux introduces the perfect gift for the food connoisseur

Next time you are stuck for a present then alleviate those worries with a set of exclusive Gift Vouchers from Brasserie Roux at Sofitel London Heathrow. This is not just a token gesture to give to your loved one, relative or significant other but is a great way to spoil the foodie traveller in your life when they fly out from Terminal 5.
 
Beautifully presented in compact wallets, Brasserie Roux Gift Vouchers come in £25 and £50 denominations that can be exchanged for drinks or meals in the restaurant. As the vouchers are flexible, diners have the opportunity to select a variety of dishes and delights from the extensive food and wine menu, including signature dishes such as Albert Roux's duck leg confit with sautéed potato and caramelised onion.   Diners short of time but who do not want to compromise on quality can choose the RouXpress menu.   All served at once, diners can enjoy a delicious meal with four dishes served within 20 minutes.
 
All this while relaxing and enjoying the outstanding contemporary interiors designed by Kuan Chew and water feature by award winning sculptor David Harber.
 
Gift vouchers are available either directly from Brasserie Roux or by calling the restaurant on 0208 757 5029. When making a booking guests should mention the voucher and present it to their waiting staff on arrival.
 
The Brasserie Roux Gift Voucher is the perfect excuse for the recipient to indulge in the highest level of French gastronomy provided by Albert Roux.
 
To order vouchers or for  more information call: 0208 759 5029 or www.brasserierouxheathrow.co.uk

Sushi Hiroba, Kingsway, Covent Garden

I come to Sushi Hiroba for lunch twice a week because I love it.  The conveyor belt sushi is top quality and you can see the chefs preparing the sashimi right in front of your eyes.

I drink green tea which keeps the price down but there are plenty of beers on offer and an OK selection of wines.  You can fill up on sushi and sashimi for under £20 per head if you drink green tea, which they top of as often as you like for free.

The prawn tempura is also excellent - light and crispy batter and juicy prawns.

Only downsides are that it can get a bit smokey if the chefs are going crazy behind the conveyor belt and because it gets busy you often have to queue for a seat after 1pm most days.

Overall though, highly recommended.  You can find more reviews on The London Restaurant Review

Sushi Hiroba contact details:

50 Kingsway
Holborn, WC2B

Tel: 0207 430 1888

 

The Corner Store, Wellington St, Covent Garden

We had our Xmas party at The Corner Store - around 35 of us up for a great night out with the promise of a 3 course dinner served upstairs in the GastroPub followed by a couple of hours of stand up comedy downstairs.

The evening did not disappoint. We were extremely well looked after all night, by on-the-ball, attractive waitresses that did an amazing job keeping us all fed and watered.

It could not have been easy for the kitchen getting 35 starters, mains and desserts out the door at the same time but somehow they achieved it. OK, the food wasn't top notch, but everyone was happy. The majority went for the steak as main course and were rewarded with a thick and succulent cut of beef. I had Turkey with trimmings which was ok but a little dried out. My Panna Cotta pudding was A grade though - creamy, good consistency and served beautifully in a large cocktail glass.

We chose a £22 bottle of New Zealand Sauvignon and a £15 bottle of South West France Red, both of which were well received and we effortlessly got through at least 15 of each!

The comedy club downstairs was a great after dinner treat and we were lucky to have Steven Amos headlining. Overall a thoroughly enjoyable night with the service standing out as a real high point.

Vapiano Restaurant, Great Portland St, London

Newly opened on Great Portland Street, Vapiano is an innovative restaurant that has a brought a new concept of dining to London. Spread over two floors, Vapiano specialises in fresh Italian made-to-order foods combined with fast and easy self-servicing cards, making this a relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere and the perfect place to dine.

The communal, spacious design and open kitchens combine an air of relaxation with theatrical buzz. The restaurant’s clean lines and large windows, the light wood and marble create a fresh, airy atmosphere that is perfectly complemented by the pots of fragrant basil on each table, the herb garden and the living olive tree. The bar and lounge areas have a sophisticated air, and are clearly marked with the use of red leather, a fire and low seating.

The dining experience at Vapiano is quick and straightforward. Presented with a swipe card upon entering, guests choose their dish combination from the menu, present their card at the food station, and watch the food freshly prepared before their eyes. When diners are ready to pay, they simply take their card to the cash desk and pay their own personalised final bill. This simple and swift method not only makes this restaurant perfect for larger groups with different tastes, but ideal for quick business lunches and meetings.

The Italian cuisine at Vapiano is uncomplicated yet varied, centring around fresh ingredients and vibrant flavours. The different menu options mean that diners can pick the type of pasta, favourite pizza toppings and preferred salad combinations. With pasta and pizza bases made fresh onsite and dishes prepared and cooked by specialist chefs in front of the customer, diners are able follow their bespoke dish from start to finish, enjoying a culinary performance that delights all the senses.
Adding to the personal touch is the herb garden upstairs and fragrant pots of thyme and basil on each table, encouraging customers to customise their dishes using the freshest seasoning. The menu contains all the Italian favourites extending from Antipasti and Dolci to Espresso and Peroni.

Examples from the menu include:

• Insalata Nizza - £6.50
Mixed leaf salad, tuna fish, onions and egg
• Aglio E Olio - £5.50
Choice of pasta, garlic, chilli, olive oil
• Salcissia Con Fichi - £8.50
Choice of pasta, spicy Italian sausage, figs, Tomato Sauce.
• Crudo Pizza - £ 7.50
Prosciutto de Parma, Parmesan, tomatoes, Mozzarella
• Crema di Fragola - £3.75
Mascarpone cream with fresh strawberries

Vapiano is not only aimed at diners, but is also ideal for those seeking to unwind with a refreshing drink. The venue boasts large, comfortable sofas downstairs to lounge in beside an open fireplace, whilst the upstairs bar area has a sleek energetic atmosphere. Vapiano’s bar boasts a fantastic selection of beers, a classic cocktail list and an extensive Italian wine list.

Vapiano Is Open From 11am – Midnight, 7 Days A Week

You can read reviews of Vapiano on The London Restaurant Review

Vapiano
19-21 Great Portland Street,
London,
W1W 8QB
020 7268 0080
www.vapiano.co.uk

Christopher's - Restaurant of the Month - December 08

Restaurant Details

Christopher's Restaurant

18 Wellington St

Covent Garden

London WC2E 7DD

w: http://www.christophersgrill.com

t: 0207 240 4222

tube: Covent Garden Tube

Book Online Here

Why is it my restaurant of the month?

Because it is a great place to go for a big winter's evening dining experience. Start off in the cosy bar
downstairs with a beautifully created cocktail and then head up the sweeping staircase to enjoy a thick
steak with crispy fries and seasonal veg.

Christopher's is a grown up restaurant, just right for a special Xmas treat with your loved one, or a slap up
lunch with your favourite colleagues.

What they say

A classic choice for Covent Garden dining, Christopher's is as boldly stylish in its cuisine as its
silk-panelled dining room with grand views to Waterloo Bridge would suggest. Delicious modern
American dishes bolster the inventive menu, which caters to a relaxed and buzzy professional crowd.

A fixed price pre-theatre menu is deservedly popular, while the weekend traditional American brunch is
great for big appetites.