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

New Wedding Venue - Indian Restaurant!

Saturday 27th June, 11 – 3pm

Admission Free

cocktails • canapés • wedding suppliers

Before the dress can be made, the suits tailored and the rings sized, choosing the perfect wedding venue can be the first major hurdle for a happy couple. For those searching for a stunning backdrop with a spice-infused twist, fine-dining Indian restaurant, The Cinnamon Club, is a wedding licensed destination with a difference, and host to My Restaurant Wedding Show 2009.

Wander through the Cinnamon Club’s range of beautiful and historic events spaces, including the main dining room, mezzanine floor and subterranean bar, whilst picking up invaluable tips and contacts. Each room will showcase a handpicked selection of the best wedding suppliers from florists and photographers, to calligraphers and makeup artists, cake decorators and interior stylists.

Cinnamon Club Executive Chef Vivek Singh, will further enhance the day by providing guests with a complimentary menu of delectable cocktails and canapés, revealing why he is considered an authority on exciting and innovative modern Indian cuisine.

This unique opportunity to meet and greet exceptional suppliers whilst exploring one of the capital’s most desirable alternative wedding and civil partnership venues makes My Restaurant Wedding Show 2009 a must for those looking to tie the knot.

To apply for a ticket simply email the Cinnamon Club’s Head of Events Priyanka Sharma

including ‘My Restaurant Wedding’ in the subject header

priyanka@cinnamonclub.com

spaces are limited

The Cinnamon Club, The Old Westminster Library, 30-32 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3 BUY

Cling Film Hell's Kitchen at Claridge's

I loved this article I read in The Telegraph - maybe Gordon should cling film his mouth to curb his incessant swearing!

Food safety officers are investigating one of Gordon Ramsay's London restaurants after a reality television star claimed to have been left choking on a piece of cling film.
 
Noelie Klineberg said that she pulled an inch-and-a-half long piece of plastic from her mouth while chewing on a lamb main course at the Michelin-starred eatery in Claridge's Hotel.
Miss Klineberg, who was dining with her millionaire fiancé Robin Goforth, also claims to have felt unwell later that night.

The Doncaster couple, whose ostentatious lifestyle featured in Wife Swap and an ITV programme called Flash Families, were staying at Claridges on a short trip to London to pick up an engagement ring at Harrods.
They retired to their room after complaining about the meal and later refused to pay the £170 restaurant bill when they checked out of the hotel the next day.
Westminster City Council confirmed that it had received a complaint about the restaurant and would be sending an inspector to investigate.
"I started with scallops which I thought were a bit chewy but I didn't want to say anything because I didn't want to cause a scene after Robin had taken me there," said Miss Klineberg, 38.
"Then I was shocked to find cling film in the lamb.
"We complained to the waiter and later when we went to our room I began to feel unwell."

Gordon Ramsay Holdings, which operates the restaurant, said complaints were taken very seriously adding that it would like to discuss the matter with Miss Klineberg.

Chinese Restaurant in London

Looking for a good Chinese Restaurant in London?  Then look no further!  I have listed below a number of popular Chinese restaurants in London that are also on The London Restaurant Review.

Bam-Bou Restaurant, Percy St

Fashionable Bam-Bou hides four floors of pan-Asian elegance behind its elegant Georgian façade, all furnished in handsome colonial style. The urbane menu blends Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese influences to produce dishes such as baked mackerel in banana leaf and mutton massaman curry with quince. Three private rooms are available, while the top floor bar is a hideaway from the hectic pace of central London.

Indo-Jin Restaurant, Clerkenwell Rd

Set in the heart of trendy Clerkenwell above the Cosmo Bar, Indo Jin serves Pan-Asian dishes in its softly lit Asian Canteen style interior with large wooden tables and benches set with simple white napkins and wooden chopsticks. The menu ranges from Indo-Japanese Soupy Curries to a traditional selection of Maki Rolls. There?s a large selection of dishes inspired by a combination of Japanese and Indian flavours such as battered Chilli Squid and Pork Katsu, Soy and Honey Sweet Potatoes, Prawn Curry and a Yuan Miso Salmon Fillet. The Express Lunch menu offers Miso Soup and a Savoury Rice Bowl or Donburi with tofu, beef, or chicken.

Kym's Restaurant, Wilton Rd

The name comes from the maiden name of the current proprietors' grandmother, and Kym's is still very much a family affair. This composed, affable restaurant serves hot and spicy cuisine rooted in its regional Chinese heritage - with a dim sum menu for lunch - to a hectic crowd of politicians, ambassadors and locals drawn to its bustling Victoria location.

Umu Restaurant, Bruton Place

The only Kyoto-style restaurant in the country, sophisticated Umu brings kaiseki cuisine to upmarket Mayfair couched in its elegantly luxurious interior. Said to be the ultimate in Japanese eating, the menu is reassuringly exquisite, while over 160 sake labels and 600 wines are listed as accompaniments. Private dining for up to 12 guests.

For all Chinese Restaurant Reviews, please click here

Indian Restaurant in London

I am always getting asked to recommend a good Indian restaurant in London so I have summarised below some good Indian restaurants in and around London.

Indian Restaurants in London.....

Benares Restaurant, Berkley Square House - BOOK NOW

Having recently received its first Michelin star (the second for chef-patron Atul Kochhar), Benares delivers acclaimed modern Indian cuisine as chic as its location in central Mayfair. The vibrant menu explores delicately flavoured dishes from all corners of the subcontinent, with sophisticated modern presentation from the food down to the elegant décor. The restaurant offers a fully inclusive set menu for lunch and pre-theatre, and all food served is Halaal.

Bhatti Restaurant, Great Queen St - BOOK NOW

A bright, cheerful restaurant within a 17th-century listed building, Bhatti is a well-established and critically acclaimed Covent Garden restaurant. Pale woods and colourful walls give a contemporary backdrop to the menu of traditional Indian favourites, while the friendly buzz contributes to this restaurant's enduring popularity.

Chowki Restaurant, Denman St - BOOK NOW

Close to Shaftesbury Avenue in the heart of the West End, bubbly Chowki is a convivial Indian restaurant specialising in home-style regional cuisine. The homely atmosphere is heightened by strong modern décor and a refectory-style layout which creates a friendly, lively ambience. The imaginative and well-priced menu champions a changing selection of cuisine from three different regions of the subcontinent.

Nutmeg Restaurant, Lupus St - BOOK NOW

Tucked away close to the riverside in Pimlico, Nutmeg is a smart white-walled restaurant specialising in modern Indian cooking. The chic, modern lines of the interior embrace a cosy bar area, pavement seating and a bright terrace garden. With a chef trained in north Indian, Goan and Bengali cuisine, the regional menu is awash with gently spiced dishes from old favourites to classics with a modern twist, and there are even some Western specials for the unadventurous.

Rooburoo Restaurant, Chapel Market - BOOK NOW

Hidden in Islington's Chapel Market is Rooburoo, a modern Indian restaurant serving up samosas with style. An inventive menu features dishes from across the subcontinent, all lightly and simply prepared, with imaginative ingredients giving a new twist to many old favourites. Popular with locals, the restaurant buzzes in the evening with diners eating 'rooburoo' (or face to face) with the dramatic portraits which line the walls.

Taste of India, Catherine St - BOOK NOW

A bustling Indian restaurant in the heart of Covent Garden, Taste of India is a well-established dining institution which has been open for more than 25 years. The cheerful dining room with its yellow walls and bright lighting has an upbeat feel, while the menu of curry favourites and classic regional dishes attracts a buzzy mixed crowd of shoppers, locals and theatre-goers.

For all the Indian restaurants available on The London Restaurant Review, please click here

How to Book the Very Popular London Restaurants

Booking popular London restaurants, such as The Ivy or Le Gavroche as never been easier, thanks to online booking facilities that are now prevalent across many websites.

Gone are the days of taking forever to get through to the restaurant, only to be greeted by a snooty voice on the other end telling you there is no available for 6 months but they could squeeze you in a couple of days after next Xmas at 10.45pm but they need the table back by 11.30pm.

Now you can book at your leisure, easily check what days and times are available and avoid all that phone nonsense.

Here are some of London's most popular restaurants that you can now book online:

The Ivy, West Street, London - BOOK ONLINE

The legendary Ivy needs no introduction. Beloved of stage and screen luminaries as well as lesser mortals, its ninety-year-old position in the London dining circuit is unassailable. The eclectic menu nods to intercontinental cuisine, while the genteel dining room scatters guests across the buzzy main floor and into private booths. Centrally located and perfect for a pre-theatre meal.

Asia de Cuba, St Martin's Lane Hotel, London - BOOK ONLINE

A hip clientele and a cultured menu makes Asia de Cuba a high-energy and popular pitstop at the Starck-designed St. Martin's Lane hotel in London's West End. Blending elements of Asian and Cuban cuisine, the food is served sharing-style under the bare bulbs of the contemporary white interior. Its famously generous portions have also been adapted for bento boxes aimed at the lunch and pre-theatre crowd.

Dover Street Restaurant, Dover St, London - BOOK ONLINE

Lovers of jazz flock to Dover Street restaurant and bar, where the Mediterranean flavours are dished up side by side with the syncopated beats. The interior is scattered with atmospheric black and white photography, while a spacious wooden dance floor and bar areas establish the venue's party credentials. Set menus offer lunchtime diners a good deal for the Mayfair locale, while group menus and live bands and DJs keep the late-night buzz upbeat.

Fakhreldine, 85 Piccadilly, London - BOOK ONLINE

Named after a Lebanese Prince, Fakhreldine is a stylish well-established restaurant overlooking the leafy spaces of Green Park in central London. The chic dark tones of the interior keep the mood modern, while the cuisine is traditionally Middle Eastern, with daily special meze and signature dishes such as five-spice lamb and bukhari rice. A late-night bar offers shisha, backgammon, cocktails and canapés.

Galvin at Windows Restaurant, Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, London - BOOK ONLINE

The spectacular 28th floor panorama over the London skyline may have made this a destination restaurant, but its inspired menu of modern French haute cuisine makes it impossible to overlook. Acclaimed chef-patron Chris Galvin has prepared an uncluttered range of classic dishes that are ideally suited to the elevated Mayfair surroundings. The next-door bar boasts an impressive collection of whisky and cognac.

Le Gavroche, Upper Brook  Street, London - BOOK ONLINE

The first UK restaurant to be awarded one, two, and then three Michelin stars, Le Gavroche remains a class apart. Since opening in 1967, this Mayfair bastion of French cuisine has been very much a family affair, and chef-patron Michel Roux Jr continues the tradition today. The elegance of the menu and the ambience is impeccably tailored, while the discreet service has won its own plaudits.

Quaglino's, Bury Street, London - BOOK ONLINE

This dazzling restaurant and bar was built on the site of the old Quaglino's in the exclusive St. James area of the capital, and it's still one of London's places to see and be seen. Sweep down its marble staircases to the bustle and glamour of the restaurant floor, where you'll find classic brasserie cuisine with a British twist on the menu. Dishes change on a weekly basis to reflect seasonal ingredients, with seafood a serious speciality of the house.

Book London Restaurants Online

We have now introduced online booking to The London Restaurant Review.

Now you can book your favourite London restaurants online with our new online booking facility.

It's really simple to use and there is no need to register an account like other restaurant sites.

Simply find the restaurant you want to book, choose your preferred date and time and your booking will be confirmed to you by email.

Click here to see the London restaurants available to book online.

10 Popular London Restaurants

Every so often I review the London restaurants that people are looking at the most on The London Restaurant Review.

Here are ten London restaurants that are viewed and reviewed regularly but not always positive!

1. Boisdale Restaurant, Victoria(Scottish)

2. Cafe Des Amis Restaurant, Covent Garden (European)

3. Chutney Mary Restaurant, Fulham (Indian)

4. Floridita Restaurant, Soho (Spanish)

5. J Sheekey Restaurant, Soho (Fish)

6. Le Gavroche Restaurant, Mayfair (French)

7. Quaglinos Restaurant, Mayfair (European)

8. Sugar Reef Restaurant, Soho (European)

9. The Ivy Restaurant, Leicester Square (British)

10. Thai Square Restaurant, Putney (Thai)

London Restaurant News - May 2008

THE RAW CHEF HITS THE CAPITAL

There’s nobody in the UK that hasn’t heard of the ‘Naked Chef’, but fresh to our shores this week comes the ‘Raw Chef’ for the opening of the Capital’s first exclusively botanical fine-dining restaurant, Saf in Shoreditch.

Don’t raise your eyebrows or roll your eyes, the food at Saf is seriously good and is destined to change our perceptions of vegan food. With chefs like Charlie Trotter adding raw menus to their repertoire, this gastronomic trend is here to stay.  Banish any thoughts of minimalist cafes frequented by sandal-wearing, hippy-dippy, health-obsessed diners, Saf is seriously stylish, serving food that is more haute than hot.

Whilst the menu is 100% botanical with no animal products, dairy, wheat, sugar or refined ingredients, the food looks and tastes more Michelin than macrobiotic.  Everything on Saf’s menu uses only the purest seasonal plant ingredients, locally sourced and organic where possible.  The result is dishes that simply burst with real, natural flavour and nutrients.

Saf, 152 – 154 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3AT  Tel: 020 7613 0007
www.safrestaurant.com

PHO FEVER

Pho fever hits Noho with the opening of a brand new street food restaurant, specialising in Vietnam’s national dish, from which it takes its name

Named after the delicious, healthy rice noodle soup, Pho on Great Titchfield Street, W1, is the realisation of husband and wife team Stephen and Juliette Wall’s dream. Whilst travelling in Vietnam, they came across pho (pronounced as the French feu), often described as ‘Vietnam in a bowl’ and eaten by over 80 million people a day.  Little did they know that the country’s obsession was already becoming a phenomenon Stateside where there are now over 1000 pho restaurants in operation.  What they did know was that they had discovered a delicious, nutritious dish that would appeal to anyone looking for great tasting, authentic food so they decided to bring it to the UK, but serve it in a modern, modish manner, relevant to today’s diner
Just as they are on the street stands of Hanoi, all of the dishes at Pho are made from scratch using the highest quality, fresh ingredients by their team of Vietnamese chefs.  At the heart of the all day informal dining menu is the restaurant’s speciality – pho.  With over 15 varieties, diners can choose from tempting beef brisket, steak, chicken, prawn and vegetarian as well as hot and spicy versions. Diners are invited to DIY, building their own pho with a choice of stocks and toppings, and seasoning it at the table with fresh herbs, chillies and sauces.   

So, use your noodle and get down to Pho – you’ll be bowled over.

SHAY COOPER SHAKES UP NEW BINGHAM RESTAURANT

With the recent arrival of executive chef Shay Cooper (former AA rosette-winning head chef of Olga Polizzi’s Hotel Endsleigh and senior sous chef at Michelin starred Juniper in Altrincham) the elegant riverside Bingham Restaurant is destined to be Richmond’s finest destination eatery for seasonal British cuisine.

Reopening this March after an extensive refurbishment, the new interior of this Georgian property is the perfect setting for Shay’s sensational cuisine. The restaurant serves à la carte lunch and dinner alongside a delicious breakfast and fantastically priced set lunch menu. Dishes are fresh and lively, with the majority of ingredients being sourced from local suppliers.

Complete with breathtaking riverside views, an alfresco balcony, extensive wine list and a
calendar of invigorating food events, the Bingham is Richmond’s ultimate boutique restaurant.

Bingham Restaurant,
61 – 63 Petersham Road, Richmond upon Thames, London TW10 6UT
Tel: 020 8940 0902
www.binghamrestaurant.co.uk

TREAD THE BOARDS AT THE NATIONAL THEATRE’S NEW DECK

This summer will see the arrival of The Deck, an inspired new functions space atop one of the National Theatre’s highest Thames-facing terraces. Open from May to September with breathtaking views of London’s skyline from the South Bank, The Deck stands high above its competitors.

Combining an utterly unique, ultra-modern glazed structure with retractable walls and capacious 120sqm timber-decked terrace, The Deck has a distinctive inside-outside feel. Flooded with natural light, The Deck can be opened to, or protected from, the elements to ensure a spectacular event, whatever the weather.

The Deck’s talented in-house function team are experts in devising memorable events, project managing a function from start to finish, whilst fabulous food, creative cocktails and fine wines come courtesy of the National Theatre’s accomplished catering team, headed by Executive Chef Simon Flint (previously of Caprice Holdings).

So for a stunning summer event that may include exclusive backstage tours and customised creative workshops, The Deck is the perfect stage. 

The Deck, National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX
T: 020 7452 3796
www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/thedeck

MYHOTEL BRIGHTON OPENS

“where Freddie Mercury meets the Maharishi”

This April sees the opening of myhotel Brighton, the group’s third property and first new build outside of London. Positioned in the city’s regenerated North Laine area, this unique 80-guestroom hotel, spread over four floors with two event spaces, Zilli restaurant and café and the stunning merkaba bar is the shared aesthetic ideal of Andy Thrasyvoulou and New York designer Karim Rashid.

Juxtaposing sexy cutting-edge design and state-of-the-art technology with serene spirituality and the principles of feng shui, myhotel Brighton is an exhilarating experience waiting to be explored. From the brilliant white façade to the achingly cool interiors, the hotel offers the very latest in modern comforts with a vibrancy and life echoing that of this seaside destination.

myhotel Brighton, 17 Jubilee Street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1GE
t: 01273 900 300
www.myhotels.com

PING PONG OPENS IN HAMPSTEAD AND ST KATHARINE DOCKS

Ping Pong, the 21st century teahouse and dim sum emporium, founded in 2005, is going from strength to strength with two recent additions to the group. The first has just opened in the heart of Hampstead village, with their second in St Katharine Docks.

Both restaurants offer Ping Pong’s signature range of over 40 hand-made dim sum and specials with an enviable cocktail and fruit cooler list. New to both restaurants is the introduction of breakfast; dishes include baked puffs of ham, cheese and mushroom served alongside offerings such as black and white coconut and cranberry sticky rice, fresh fruit and a range of exotic fruit teas. Popular with a chic urban crowd, visit Ping Pong and see why dim sum translates to ‘hearts delight’

Ping Pong, 83-84 Hampstead High Street, London, NW3 1RE. Tel: 0207 433 0930
Ping Pong, Unit 3 Tower Bridge House, St Katharine Docks, London E1W 1BA
Tel: 0207 680 7850
www.pingpongdimsum.com

CULTIVATED CUISINE AT THE CINNAMON CLUB

This May, green is the new black at London’s most innovative Indian restaurant, The Cinnamon Club, with the launch of a botanically inspired five-course garden menu. Celebrating Spring and rejuvenation, this blossoming collection of vegetarian dishes has been carefully cultivated by executive chef, Vivek Singh.

Available throughout Vegetarian Week (19-25 May) and over the Chelsea Flower Show (20-24 May), the garden menu sees exotic flowers and herbs expertly combined with aromatic spices to create wonderfully complex flavours. Diners will indulge in nature’s delicacies including marigold, banana and sweet Syrian borage flowers, fragrant jasmine, mint and saffron.

Available from 1st – 31st May 2008 the garden menu is £60 per person
The Cinnamon Club, The Old Westminster Library, 30-32 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BU
www.cinnamonclub.com t.020 7222 2555

CHELSEA’S CLAWS ARE OUT…FOR AWANA’S LOBSTER FESTIVAL

Honouring the king of crustaceans, from the 14th – 28th May 2008, Awana on Sloane Avenue is tempting diners with a series of succulent specials from starters to mains at eminently affordable prices. Lobster dishes include Udang Galah Kukus - half lobster steamed with lemongrass, ginger and chilli, garnished with a noodle salad or Udang Galah Panggang - chargrilled half lobster coated in a sesame barbecue sauce, served with a sour tomato salad. Seafood lovers won’t want to eat anywhere else.

Crafted by executive chef Mark Read celebrate the most sumptuous of seafood. Indulge in a lobster feast or if something tempts you from Awana’s a la carte menu then simply mix and match to experience a taste of Malaysia in the heart of Chelsea.

Available from 14th – 28th May 2008
Awana, 85 Sloane Avenue, Chelsea, London SW3 3DX
www.awana.co.uk t.020 7584 8880

TO MARRAKECH AND THE MEDINA VIA KENZA

Enjoy two new fabulously decadent new nights of Moroccan hospitality at Kenza, the city’s hottest restaurant and lounge bar.  On offer at both are belly dancers, DJs and live drummers whilst tarot card readers and henna tatooists create an irresistible atmosphere amid sweetly perfumed incense, rose petals and candlelight reminiscent of the souks of Morocco.

Rock the Casbah: every Monday, 6pm – late
Begin the evening in Kenza’s opulent lounge bar where a complimentary magnum upgrade awaits you. Simply order a bottle and receive a magnum at no extra cost. Alternatively, indulge in a fabulous feast and receive a complimentary bottle of champagne for every four diners or bottle of Chateaux Ksara for every pair.

A Night in Marrakech: every Saturday, 6pm – late
Relax among the silks and muslin drapes of Kenza’s stunning restaurant and enjoy a special Souk Feast for just £25 per person. For those at Kenza for the party, order a round of cocktails in the lounge bar and indulge in one of Kenza’s signature mezze platters with their compliments.

Kenza
10 Devonshire Square, London EC2M 4YP
T: 020 7929 5533
www.kenza-restaurant.com