London Appetizer

Daddy Donkey - Spicy Burrito Eating Contest

I recently interviewed the owner of Daddy Donkey.  This is a video of a recent Burrito eating contest the team organised - hilarious!

Simon Duff takes over at National Dining Rooms

Champion of British produce Oliver Peyton has newly appointed Executive Chef Simon Duff, to bring his wealth of experience to the National Gallery restaurants, The National Dining Rooms and the National Café.

Duff, who trained under Marco Pierre White, is making a conscious effort to ensure both menus showcase the finest locally grown produce Britain has to offer. Having personally visited each producer to source the most diverse ingredients available and, with many specialist ingredients exclusive to The National Dining Rooms and Café, Duff’s new ever-evolving menus offer diners a real gastronomic treat.

Duff’s dedication to home-grown products is inspiring and The National Dining Rooms’ completely new quintessentially British menu is bursting with seasonal fare from unsurpassed artisan producers and rare breed farmers.

The National Dining Rooms is the only UK restaurant to offer the delicately flavoured grass-reared White Park beef of Bickleigh Farm. A past favourite of Sir Winston Churchill - during the war he sent a number to the USA in case of invasion.  Hung for 28-days, Duff butchers and carefully prepares the beef in The National Dining Rooms’ own kitchen, creating special dishes each day depending on the cut.

The exceptional high quality calves liver available from the Guernsey and Holstein pedigree from Bocaddon Farm are so rare that Duff only receives one piece of offal a week. Reared in small groups in open air, loose straw yards with plenty of fresh air and room to run around, the calves liver has a rich texture and flavour that Duff ensures is complemented by the finest seasonal ingredients.

Also on the menu is the award-winning is the Cornish Terras duck, from a farmer who spent years crossing breeds of duck to optimise flavour, alongside the traditionally reared creamy, flavoursome Meadows lamb from Meadows Home Farm, both handpicked by Duff due to the succulent taste and unmatchable quality.

Guests will also enjoy the wholesome, sustainably farmed native Brown Trout from the crystal clear waters of the Bibury Spring, Bibury Farm. Founded in 1902, by the famous naturalist Arthur Severn, the native Brown Trout is a local Cotswolds delicacy.

Throughout July and August diners can also take a culinary tour around Britain without leaving the table with Duff’s bespoke ‘County of the Month’ menus. The menu continues to showcase his commitment to regional produce, with July using seasonal ingredients native to Gloucestershire and August to Devon.

With a plethora of unique and inspiring ingredients at Duff’s fingertips, urban foodies will be delighted by the unique and sophisticated dishes on the daily-changing menu at The National Dining Rooms.

National Dining Rooms, Sainsbury Wing, The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN

www.thenationaldiningrooms.co.uk

T: 020 7747 5942

Opening hours: daily, 10am until 5.30pm excluding Fridays 10am – 9pm

Ramadan at Awana Restaurant in Chelsea

Reflection, patience, prayer and fasting are some of the practices observed throughout Ramadan, the ninth month and one of the most holy in the Islamic calendar. From the 24th August to 19th September, Chelsea’s fine dining Malaysian restaurant, Awana, is celebrating the end of each day’s fast with a delicious seven-course menu for just £23.50. With all meat dishes being halal this is an ideal destination for Ramadan or simply a great excuse to indulge in some of the restaurant’s finest dishes at an unbelievable price.

The fasting is intended to help teach self-discipline, self-restraint and generosity whilst promoting sympathy for those who are less fortunate. Everyday, throughout Ramadan, believed to be the month in which the Qur’an began to be revealed, Muslims around the world get up before dawn to eat and perform their first prayer of the day. The fast ends at sunset with a fourth prayer.

With the skills of executive chef Mark Read and Malaysian born head chef Lee Chin Soon at the helm, traditional Malaysian street food is elegantly served with a contemporary twist. An ideal evening for those fasting or simply an occasion to enjoy some of the capital’s finest dishes, including the specially crafted date korma to honour the end of the Ramadan daily fast, Awana’s menu is sure to tempt.

Awana’s feast menu is available every evening from 24th August to 19th September

85 Sloane Avenue, London, SW3 3DX

T:0207 584 8880
www.awana.co.uk

Putting the Art back into London Cooking - Dinner at Artisan Restaurant, London

Some of the most popular London restaurants can be found within top London hotels and one of the finest London hotels, The Westbury in Mayfair, has a rather good restaurant hidden behind the lobby.  Artisan Restaurant has not made it on to the trendy London hotel restaurant list and probably never will, but that is not a bad thing.  It is peaceful, professional and welcoming, and on the Thursday night I dined there, had a good sprinkling of young and old and families and friends, creating an atmosphere that was most definitely smart but not stuffy.

The staff are all smiley and friendly without crossing the line.  They know their menu inside out.  Running front of house is Ricardo Mimoso, the restaurant manager.  He told me that the restaurant had been refurbished 18 months ago and that business was still good, despite the economic downturn.  Judging by the hotel guests floating in and out of the reception area, there was no shortage of cash in this establishment.

Artisan restaurant is certainly not cheap, but I felt that it was fairly priced given the quality of the food and the surroundings.  Head Chef Andrew Jones prepares a regularly changing menu that takes advantage of the freshest local produce and creates dishes that tease the eye and water the palate.  Expect to pay around £15 for a starter and between £20 and £30 for a main course.  Amuse bouches and palate cleansers between courses add value to the experience and help justify the prices.

 

Prior to our starters arriving we were treated to petite foie gras burgers and a tomato and bazil milkshake - innovative, tasty and delicious with a champagne chaser.

Having just returned from a trip to South West France, I was keen to see how the Foie Gras starter stacked up against the excellent local French version and so I went for the Terrine of Vendee Foie Gras garnished with 70% Guanaja chocolate crisps and marinated anchovies (£14.50).  The Foie itself was very good but the dish was a little disappointing.  I just didn't feel that the chocolate and anchovies went together well.  I probably should have gone with the Seared Foie Gras starter instead. 

 

My friend tried the enticing Ham, Egg & Chips starter, which was actually 5J Jambugo ham served with a poached duck egg and parsnip chips.

Main courses were better received.  My friend's Aberdeen Angus (£22.50), ordered rare, was cooked to perfection, creamy and succulent.  My Devonshire Lamb was excellent.

Louise Gordon, the Sommelier, recommended some fantastic wines to accompany our choices including a Marlborough Riesling 2007 that went very well with my Foie Gras starter. The wine list is huge, regularly changing, with something for everyone.  There are around 10 wines of each colour by the glas and hundreds of bottles of wine. Expect to pay around £40 or more for something decent.

We finished with cheeses, all British, from the huge cheese trolley.  I wasn't tempted by the puddings (all priced at £7.50) although I will try the Roasted fig and blackberry Pávlova with Crème de Mûre sorbet next time I come to visit.

I really enjoyed dining at Artisan.  The service was so slick and the food presentation and quality so good that it felt like a real treat to be eating here.  I would probably book again on a Friday or Saturday night, when it is bound to be a little busier.

Highly recommended for a smart meal.

Book Online Now

Artisan
The Westbury
Bond Street
Mayfair, London
W1S 2YF
Direct Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8382 5450
E-mail: artisan@westburymayfair.com
www.westburymayfair.com

New London 18 Hole Golf Course for Foodies

The City’s Devonshire Square has gone a 'fairway' to ensure it's 'putt' on the map this summer by hosting an 18 holes mini golf course. Offering suits and secretaries the chance to swing into action throughout the day, urban players can raise a glass at the 19th hole, courtesy of drinking destination, Anise, or celebrate with a meal at adjacent Indian restaurant, Cinnamon Kitchen.

The covered courtyard of Devonshire Square, within easy reach of Liverpool Street Station, is the prefect pitch for a mini golf course. Providing one of the most popular past times come rain or shine, City dwellers can now slice their way through meetings, chip through brainstorms or pin down a group of friends for a round or two. From just £5 a game, and with various corporate packages available, this new addition to the Square Mile is sure to score highly.

With the course open Monday to Friday, 10 am to 10 pm, golf pros and novices can savour a pre-game spice-infused breakfast, take a well-deserved lunch or tee-up before a decadent dinner of Indian delights at the Cinnamon Kitchen. However, for those seeking just a little light refreshment, the 19th hole bar offers beer, rosé and mojitos. What better way to break the monotony of money making!

To book a round and a pre or post game meal at Cinnamon Kitchen
call Cinnamon Kitchen Events on 020 7397 9612
events@cinnamon-kitchen.com

Cinnamon Kitchen and Anise, 9 Devonshire Square, London EC2M 4YL
www.cinnamonkitchen.co.uk

Win a Month of Fine Dining with Gekko

Fancy living the life of a restaurant critic for a month? Gekko.com, a website which gives you personalised hotel and restaurant recommendations, is giving you the chance to win four meals for two at top restaurants in your local area.

All you have to do is write a review of a hotel or restaurant on Gekko between the 1st and 31st July, and you'll be entered into a prize draw to win. Sign up to Gekko here to write a review You can read the terms and conditions here

£5 Cocktails at The ICA

To celebrate the ‘Films We Love’ season running throughout July and August at the ICA on The Mall, talented head mixologist, Danny Choy, has developed a list of delicious, contemporary cocktails
designed to perfectly complement the cinematic gems. With 14 in total each one has been paired with a film to perfectly balance and match screen with palate, available until 31st August in the ICA bar the cocktail of the day will be at the wonderfully quaffable price of £5.00 each.

If you’re watching the exuberant and captivating musical ‘Meet Me In St Louis’, why not devour the delightful, uplifting Peach Julep? The subtle blend of Makers Mark Bourbon stirred over crushed ice with peach puree, fresh mint leaves, sugar syrup and Angostura bitters will transport you back to the deep South.

Enjoy an enchanted night out with friends and watch the magical ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’
followed by a visit to the ICA bar to relive the romance. Sipping on a fresh and fruity Singapore Sling, a concoction of Plymouth Gin, shaken with fresh lemon juice and sugar and laced with Crème de Mure will whisk you back to the moonlit forest.

If your penchant is for thrillers, lounge in the bar sipping the dramatic Dark ’n’ Stormy. The sultry
combination of Goslings Black Seal rum with fresh lime juice and sugar and topped with ginger beer, is a long drink designed to enhance the mystery and trepidation of ‘Point Blank’ - a film often described as the most influential of all time.

Enjoy these special cocktails at the edgy, cool ICA bar only on offer throughout the ‘Films We Love’ season, which started on 10th July and runs until 31st August.

The ICA Bar & Cafe, The Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Mall, London SW1Y 5AH T: 020 7930 8619 www.ica.org.uk

Family friendly dining at Westfield's Southern Terrace

Family friendly meals can be enjoyed all over the Southern Terrace at Westfield Shopping Centre as there are so many restaurants here that cater to children and adults with a variety of menus to please any palate. What's more, the restaurants at Westfield's Southern Terrace can be accessed externally from outside the mall  so you don't have to go shopping at Westfield to enjoy a great meal here!

Balans restaurant is a perfect eatery for families as it has an American diner style menu with fun food options and a terrific array of both sandwiches and salads. Service comes with a smile at Balans which serves customers breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner in a trendy atmosphere that is hospitable to diners of all ages.

Expect a great selection of eggs (omelets, steak and eggs, eggs Benedict) and healthy salads, sandwiches, pancakes, quiches, and even a full English breakfast. Mains here include steak, fish, seafood and burgers all from the grill. The desserts are really worth saving room for, especially the banoffee pie and the New York style cheesecake. Balans also has a full wine list selection.

Hankering for some delicious pasta or a wonderful pizza for lunch or dinner with the kids? Then Kitchen Italia is the restaurant for you and your hungry brood on Westfield's Southern Terrace. Kitchen Italia is a pasta and pizza restaurant with bench style seating that kids will appreciate for its informal vibe. The pasta selection hails from different regions of Italy and each are paired with distinctive regional sauces. Pizzas here are char grilled, authentically Italian and served with a variety of toppings for both vegetarians and meat eaters. 

There is a full children's menu at Kitchen Italia, and lots of decadent Italian desserts such as the bombaloni (Tuscan doughnuts filled with Nutella), tiramisu, and Italian ice creams. Kitchen Italia is also opened for breakfast so if you want to grab a cappuccino and an almond croissant or even a full Italian breakfast, head here for a fantastic morning treat.

Kids and adults will love Gourmet Burger Kitchen for its amazing variety of beef burgers and veggie burgers and it's lively but modern atmosphere. There are about 30 different burgers on the menu and there is also a kid's menu with smaller portions of hamburgers and chips (fries).

When you taste what Gourmet Burger Kitchen does with its beef, chicken and veggie burgers you'll never eat normal, greasy fast food hamburgers again. The toppings here are imaginative and the buns and fillings are always the best quality, too. Kids will adore the smoothies and the milkshakes at Gourmet Burger Kitchen. It's a surefire family favorite!

Wagamama is one of the best choices for dining out any time of day and through the evening with the family.  The service here is always is enthusiastic and you won't wait ages for your food.  Diners sit communally at long wooden tables and the food is fresh tasting and filling.  More than just an Oriental restaurant or noodle bar, Wagamama has a diversified menu of Japanese inspired food that the whole family will love. There is an extensive children's menu too, with lots of great noodle choices for the little ones.

Whether you choose from one of many delicious vegetable side dishes, miso-based soups,  ramen noodle mains, exotic rice dishes, and inventive salads, Wagamama will not disappoint even the fussiest of eaters. Wagamama is also open for breakfast offering  a full English, a selection of pastries, smoothies,  Japanese omelets, coconut porridge, bacon sandwiches, eggs on toast and a wide selection of teas.

Harry Morgan celebrates new refurbishment and menu with half price offer

Harry Morgan, the most famous New York Style Deli Restaurant in London, will celebrate its new menu and refurbishment with an amazing 50% off discount offer*.

The offer runs at the St John’s Wood High Street restaurant from Monday 20th to Sunday 26th July.  Diners can enjoy the new interiors and expanded menu, then following their meal, watch as their bill is halved.

Established in 1948 by Harry Morgan, a local butcher, this once tiny takeaway deli is now the largest and most famous New York Style Deli Restaurant in London.  With seating inside for 100 and a further 18 outside, it has become a North London legend.

New menu includes: Harry’s House Salad (Tuna, baby gem lettuce, cherry tomatoes, baby artichokes, black olives, shallots & soft boiled egg with parmesan dressing), and a brand new range of Harry’s Burgers including Harry’s Swiss burger and Chicken burger. Regular customers will be pleased to know however that Harry Morgan’s world famous Salt Beef is still a best seller and stays firmly on the menu.

The interiors have been updated with new flooring, lighting and seating which has seen the customer capacity grow by 20. 

Harry Morgan was voted ‘The Best Chicken Soup in London’ by the Sunday Times and also nominated two years running (2004 & 2005) in the Evening Standard Restaurant Awards for best value restaurant in London.  As its reputation has grown, Harry Morgan has almost become as well known for its celebrity clientele as for its famous salt beef.

Harry Morgan celebrity fans include Jude Law, Rachel Stevens,  Mark Ronson, George Michael, Kate Moss,  Roman Abramovich, Emma Thompson, Liam Gallagher and Dustin Hoffman to name but a few.

*Offer valid at St John’s Wood restaurant from 20th-26th July. Parties of up to eight people will receive 50% off the total bill.

Harry Morgan
29-31 St. Johns Wood High Street
London NW8 7NH
T: 020 7722 1869
www.harryms.co.uk

Free Pint at The Stonhouse Pub, Clapham

Don’t we all love a free pint? For the remainder of July, neighbourhood favourite, The Stonhouse in Clapham is offering everyone a free pint. All you need to do is provide proof that you live in SW4 and your thirst will be quenched.
For non-beer drinkers you can swap the pint for a glass of house wine (175ml).

The Stonhouse, 165 Stonhouse Street, Clapham, London SW4 6BJ
T: 020 7819 9312  www.thestonhouse.co.uk
Terms and Conditions:
Offer valid throughout July 2009. Not valid in conjunction with any other offer, subject to availability and only on proof of address that you live in SW4. Only one free pint or glass of wine per person throughout the promotion .