I learnt a valuable life lesson this weekend. Don’t go to Portobello/Notting Hill hungry on a Saturday. At approximately 2pm yesterday there was a 45 minute queue at the four different places we tried to get into on Westbourne Grove. Continue reading
Pizza Pilgrims – Soho, London
Pizza Pilgrims. How to begin writing about such a wondrous place… It was a cold Hallows’ Eve… Continue reading
Just Falafel – Baker St, London
Is it really just falafel? No, it isn’t. They have soup. They have salads. They even have desserts. Nevertheless, the name is fitting given that 99% of the menu involves falafel. Continue reading
Roti Chai – Marylebone, London
Usually when I leave an Indian restaurant I feel unpleasantly stuffed and vow only to eat lettuce for the next few days (obviously I don’t end up sticking to it). Roti Chai, however, is quite different. Continue reading
Myung Ga – Soho, London
Just as Harper Lee was rumoured to have had help from Truman Capote in writing To Kill a Mockingbird, I have decided to write this review with the help of a guest reviewer. Guest comments will be indicated by italics. This is a first for dinner with jo. Continue reading
Chotto Matte – Soho, London
Chotto Matte is the sort of restaurant where you’re asked by your waitress, “have you been to Chotto Matte before? No? Would you like me to explain the concept?” I must admit I find this ever so slightly pretentious. It’s 7.30pm on a Tuesday night, I had lunch 7 hours ago and I’m quite peckish, surely the concept is just pick something you like the look of, hopefully enjoy your food and your dinner company, and be on your way. Nevertheless, there is a concept at Chotto Matte, a sharing concept. Don’t get me wrong readers, I’m always up for sharing so you get to try more than one dish, but is it really necessary to call it a concept.. Continue reading
XO – Belsize Lane, London
XO has all the chicness of Mayfair but it’s local enough that the thought of going there on a cold Sunday night isn’t daunting. Local is of course subjective, but for those who don’t live in or near the area, luckily XO is part of the Ricker group of restaurants (http://www.rickerrestaurants.com) so has sister pan-Asian restaurants, namely Great Eastern Dining Room in Shoreditch and e&o in Notting Hill. I recently became aware that La Bodega Negra is part of the same group but the vibe, not to the mention the food, is very different. Continue reading
Trullo – Highbury and Islington, London
Two of my closest friends and I gave up on tangible birthday presents a few years ago. We opted instead for taking the birthday girl out for the evening; this once involved a life drawing class but it tends mostly to revolve around food. Tonight I was the (belated) birthday girl. Continue reading
The Salt House – Abbey Road, London
When I go out for dinner with my family, we aren’t very adventurous. Where we choose to go with friends/woo dates/conduct professional meetings etc is one thing, but as a group, we have a fairly regular restaurant (restaurant X) that we seldom stray from. Restaurant X has been one of my favourites for as long as I can remember; the food is excellent and the atmosphere unrivaled and it will continue to be one of my favourites indefinitely. However, two or so years ago a new restaurant came into the picture that has threatened the go-to status of incumbent restaurant X… Continue reading
Mamacita – West Hampstead, London
West End Lane has been in need of something new and exciting for quite some time. Sure, there’s Nandos and who doesn’t love Nandos, but I’ve often felt that it could do with a few more non-chain, good quality restaurants. Continue reading
dinner with jo 