TWID (which stands for ‘That’s What I Do’) is a live music and cocktail bar in the heart of Battersea near Clapham Junction. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, it’s a bit tricky to find, as it sits in a slightly unattractive neighbourhood where there’s not much else going on. The vibe Once you venture from outside, you’re instantly transported to a quirky space, which has been designed to look like a vintage theatre complete with Romeo & Juliet style balconies and plush red velvet curtains. From their booths, guests have the perfect vantage point to watch the action unfold when the evening’s opera singer belts out popular opera hits several times throughout the evening. The tables even come equipped with a service bell, so your whims can be catered to without ever having to leave your seat. I haven’t been so excited by a bell on the table since I first discovered such joy at Bob Bob Ricard with its ‘push for champagne’ button! The cuisine focuses on sharing dishes, including vegetarian and vegan options, as well as raw vegan organic desserts made fresh daily in-house by their master patissier. My friend and I ordered a selection of small plates to share including the cod with Jerusalem artichoke and Serrano ham; the ox cheek with cepes, celeriac, carrots; a raw vegan sushi terrine; lamb cutlets with heritage beets and parsnip; and the scallops with kale, raspberries and hazelnuts. Our favourite dishes were the scallops (really fresh) and the ox cheek, which was rich and tender. The grilled cod was also lovely and perfectly flaky and the Jerusalem artichoke provided a unique twist and depth of flavour. For dessert, we had the raw, vegan, dairy-free strawberry cheesecake, a dense cake that was tasty, but reminded me of something you’d enjoy at breakfast, given its granola-like texture. Because one can never stop at just one dessert, we also tried a more sinful vanilla cheesecake (which was a gorgeous, tall, fluffy bit of heaven) and the salted caramel cake, which was nice, but the salted caramel flavour didn’t really come through. The sharing dishes were priced between £6.00-£12.00, which we felt was reasonable given the portions were generous, unlike some places where a sharing dish is so small you need to whip out a magnifying glass out to see it! Also, all of the inventive dishes were beautifully presented, making each dish feel like a treat. The entertainment Unlike many live music establishments that only have music on the weekend, TWID has live entertainment Monday-Saturday, with live opera classics from 7:30pm – 10:30pm and a DJ from 10:00pm onwards. I’ve never been to the opera but I’m always seriously impressed by someone with a good pair of lungs on them, and the performances didn’t disappoint. The singer who performed on the night of our visit was great fun and between performances she gave diners an insight into her previous years, which she spent performing The Sound of Music in London’s West End. The verdict This is a great place to bring a date if you’re looking for somewhere unique other than cookie-cutter style restaurants. Plus, if your date turns out to be boring, you can simply ignore them and concentrate on watching the performances! Win win.
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London town isn’t short of brunch spots, but it’s rare one finds oneself dining in St James’s. Situated within The Sofitel hotel, the grade II listed The Balcon may be a classic French brasserie, however, in recent months they’ve introduced a new weekend offering inspired by the classic British brunch. Combining The Balcon’s signature French cuisine with British influences, the team will merge culinary traditions from both sides of the Channel to offer ‘Le Brunch’. The vibe The Balcon oozes old school glamour; a little Gatsby-esque in its styling, the restaurant features double-height ceilings, statement spiral staircases and chic banquettes. The tables are a little too close together in some areas - it was a squeeze to get in to our table without knocking the table next to us! The food The menu features classic egg dishes, mains such as a rare breed beef burger and a rather delectable looking soft shell crab, as well as a grill, fruits and seeds (for those with a healthier palette) and a decent selection of sweets. The Weekend Brunch is a great option if dining for an occasion; £49 per person will give you free-flowing champagne, viennoisseries, a savoury main, a sweet dish or two Parisiennes pastries and a Bloody Mary. I started off with the Trealy Farm croque madame, with raclette cheese and a duck egg; a plateful of gooey, oozy, cheesy deliciousness. Do not underestimate the joy raclette can bring. My guest enjoyed the poached lobster and avocado eggs Benedict, though remarked that the portion could have been a bit more generous. The banana, coconut and blueberry pancakes served with hefty blob of dangerously moreish cinnamon mascarpone were perfectly light and fluffy. In fact, I was so impressed I’m going to try and recreate them myself for Shrove Tuesday! My friend sprung for The Brioche French toast with a mixed berry compote and lemon curd, which also went down a treat, thanks to a welcome juxtaposition of sweet and tart flavours. The verdict Aside from feeling at times that I was dining with those at the next table given we were so close in proximity, our food did take rather a long while to appear, waiting nearly 40 minutes for our second course. It certainly was a tasty treat, but the service could have been quicker - lazy Sunday or not.
We were first introduced to the Italian concept of aperitivo during a weekend jaunt to Milan. We loved enjoying the tasty small plates while sipping on sophisticated cocktails and lamented that we couldn’t replicate our experience in London. So, we were pleased to hear about the opening of Ritorno, a sophisticated lounge with an Italian kitchen in the heart of Chelsea specialising in Italian small plates. This 80-cover lounge is a gorgeous place to unwind with decadent cocktails and moreish nibbles in a stylish setting, while still being able to enjoy a conversation with your companions. The decor The décor reminded me of Roberto Cavalli's style - all sexy dark colours and opulent styling with its striking butterfly wallpaper from luxury Venetian brand Rubelli, olive green velvet chairs, and dark forest green booths, sleek black glass tables and illuminated faux marble pillars, which create a sumptuous environment. We later learned that the décor is the work of Milanese interior designer Ingrid Nardilli who used butterflies in the interior as they ‘represent lightness, beauty and elegance, which is what they'd like guests to associate with Ritorno’. The food Guests can choose from 40 small plates prepared by chef Filippo Salzano, all of which use high quality ingredients and the freshest produce possible. Even the mozzarella is made using the authentic Italian method, but prepared in the UK to ensure it’s as fresh as possible. During our visit we had the homemade artisan bread served with Lorenzo extra virgin olive oil (our new favourite olive oil); potato croquettes, fried mozzarella, arancina and fried artichoke; pan-fried Milanese saffron risotto, homemade taglioni with mini meatballs and the crispy pork belly with basil oil. All of the dishes were fresh, delicious, beautifully presented and not too heavy, which is exactly what you want when you’re enjoying cocktails as well. Being dessert lovers, we finished with the chocolate fondant, which was fab. The small plates range in price from £5.50-£10.50 and it’s recommended that two people sharing start with five small plates to share, which we found was more than adequate. The drinks Ritorno has a wide range of innovative cocktails, so it’s worth trying a few different cocktails during your visit. The cocktails range in price from £12.50-£13.50, on par with what you’d expect to pay in finer establishments. If you’re not sure what you’re in the mood for, the helpful mixologists can provide recommendations to suit your tastes. With head barman Paolo Viola behind the helm (formerly of Rivoli Bar at The Ritz), you really can’t go wrong. The Ritorno Milan Mule was a unique twist on a classic, featuring homemade clementine and cinnamon syrup, Campari bitter and ginger beer. If you’re looking for a show-stopping cocktail, however, then the Snow Kings is the only drink of choice. This winter cocktail has a white Americano base, soft hazelnut liquor foam, Mancino Bianco, Bitter Berto, Frangelico Liqueur and egg white and comes served with smoke from a burnt cinnamon stick, which is trapped in a glass dome and then wafted at the diner when presented at the table. If you’re not into alcohol, there’s no need to feel left out as their mocktails are also sensational. The service The staff here are exceptionally knowledgeable about the provenance of every item, which makes each drink and dish all the more special when you have the full back story to accompany it. Everyone at Ritorno really goes out of their way to make guests feel special, which is one of the reasons we can’t wait to go back. Group bookings For larger groups, there is a private dining room downstairs, which seats 10 guests, making it the perfect place for an intimate gathering. The verdict This is a great place to unwind with a sexy post work tipple and nibbles.
I LOVE meat, so when I was invited to The World’s End Market to experience what has been described as ‘one of the finest steaks on earth’ from world class meat connoisseur José Gordón, I jumped at the opportunity The Vibe The World’s End Market is situated on the stylish Kings Road in Chelsea in an iconic Grade 2 listed building that once housed the World’s End Pub. Today, it has been revamped in modern industrial chic style with white metro tiles, copper ceiling lanterns, black and white chequered floors and a rustic bar with reclaimed pallets all coming together harmoniously to create an intimate and inviting space. Interesting bric-a-brac lined the walls, with ceramic pots and jugs, an old wandering can and bundles of dried peppers hanging from the ceiling, all giving diners’ eyes an interesting place to rest when they’re not busy devouring the cuisine. The José Gordón menu The World’s End Market’s collaboration with José Gordón has resulted in a variety of delicious beef offerings on the menu including: tender cuts of Carpaccio from the Entrecôte, which is matured for 180 days in high-quality Spanish olive oil; Flank Steak from the Vacio de Buey; and Cured Premium Ox of the Cecina de Buey variety. A high quality and detailed process, the meat is dry-aged individually for at least 90 days to ensure the most succulent and flavoursome finish for a taste, texture and experience like no other. For starters, we went for the beef carpaccio - thin strips of bright red beef seasoned with large flakes of sea salt, which is a must for any carnivore. We also had the beef tartare, which was superb with a strong garlic flavour - a true classic done well. As we waited for our order to arrive, we enjoyed watching the barmen furiously shaking cocktails for those gathered round the bar to imbibe. After seeing several glorious cocktails being served, we couldn’t resist the temptation any longer and we sprung for a hibiscus pisco sour – one of their signature cocktails, which not only looked sublime thanks to its shocking pink colour and its dried rose petals and rosemary sprig garnish, but it was hands down one of the best pisco sours I’ve EVER had, and I’ve had a fair few pisco sours in my day! For the mains we ordered, what else - the Ox Flank Steak aka ‘Vacio De Buey’. The steak arrived with two strips of steak, rather than one slab of meat that you’d typically get with a sirloin or a ribeye, and it had a very rich, buttery flavour. The steak was accompanied by a simple gem lettuce salad with honey mustard dressing and a side of seasonal veg, ensuring that the meat was the star of the show. For guests who aren’t crazy about beef, they also have a great selection of fresh fish that you can choose from. The verdict We loved the laidback vibe and we were especially impressed with the cocktails. It’s definitely a great date place for carnivores looking for a chilled evening!
OXBO is a bustling, sophisticated dining room occupying the ground floor of the Hilton Bankside. The focus is modern British food with an occasional twist, while oozing that relaxed Sunday vibe we all hanker for. The vast dining room is notably on trend with exposed brick, white tiles, suspended lighting and industrial style partitions with the open plan kitchen providing a focal point for diners. A chap strumming on the guitar under the mounted animal heads art pieces adds to the laid back, anything goes feel. The Sunday we visited the restaurant was packed with couples and families with young children, all meeting up for a chilled afternoon. The food The interesting concept allows guests to choose from starters and desserts served buffet-style, while guests have three items to choose from for the main course. I decided not to do that terribly English thing of piling my plate high with clashing cuisines, and so opted for the sashimi. The array of fish bowled me over - salmon, swordfish, sea bass and varying cuts of tuna; I devoured three plates worth of the delicate fresh slivers doused in plenty of soy sauce and spiked with wasabi. My partner took one for the team and covered the rest – prawns dipped in mayo, smoked duck breast and salami, a variety of cheeses, salad and cutesy individual crab and mango cups. Now I would have presumed the roast sat at the helm of the main courses and who wouldn’t order blushingly pink sirloin of beef, but the Josper grilled chicken was just as gorgeous - smoky and charred with that salty crisp skin you imagine could only be achieved from a barbecue. I presume the cod cooked in that same beastly, indoor charcoal oven is equally as delicious. For vegetarians, a cauliflower and broccoli dahl provides a refreshing alternative to the otherwise quintessential Sunday roast. But for me, having had several sneak previews of the beef and marvelling at its on-point cooking, it didn’t disappoint. I find Yorkshire puddings as big as your face are always a welcome presence and the gravy was so tasty I could have drunk it from the jug! Dessert is served in the same fashion as the starters and when you’re as full as an egg that suits perfectly. A Polly Pocket-sized strawberry crème brulee and a salted caramel chocolate cup were among my favourites. The Rocky Road was a coup. Drink It’s not called a Bottomless Roast for nothing and to my delight, this extends to the libations. With three courses for £28 and only £40 for the addition of bottomless Cava, it’s well worth pushing the boat out. Where some bottomless servings feel slow and reluctant, this was attentive and generous. Service Casual, classy and confident.
Luci Lyne
While I used to be an East Finchley resident, it takes a lot to drag me up north these days, but the sound of Tootoomoo was just too tempting to resist. With four locations in Highgate, Whetstone, Islington and Crouch End, the pan-Asian restaurant fuses Malaysian, Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese influences to create a menu packed with mouthwatering dishes, combining a pinch of the ancient with modern cooking techniques from executive chef Ricky Pang. THE VIBE Modern, chic, but full of character. The Crouch End branch has red walls scribbled with quirky words, gorgeous tiled sections and plenty of greenery. It was empty when we arrived at 7pm, but within about 15 minutes the place was buzzing - we’d clearly hit their golden hour. with a menu of light bites and tapas-style small dishes, it attracted a crowd of locals popping in for a quick bite, groups on a post-Christmas catch up and even the odd date night couple. THE FOOD Tootoomoo boasts a very impressive tasting menu, with the Explorer (for 2 people, 6 dishes for £30) and Discovery (for 4,10 dishes for £50) both very cost effective options. We went for the former, choosing three dishes from the small Plates or Sushi sections and three from Sashimi, Salads, Tempura, Grill or Wok. Sampling the former, we started with some juicy plump chicken gyoza in an incredibly moreish black rice vinaigrette and perfectly crispy shichimi Japanese pepper and sweet chilli squid. The duck and watermelon salad is highly recommended, refreshingly summery and definitely one I shall try and recreate at home. The salmon sashimi was properly melt in the mouth and came with a fresh homemade wasabi, a pleasant - if fiery - change to the green sludge usually accompanying shop bought sushi. The Pad Thai was perfection and their satay chicken hands down some of the best I’ve ever tasted. Being January we stuck to mocktails, sampling the Virgin Orchid, the delicious combo of cranberry, apple and lychee, though it’s worth noting that if your postcode falls under one of their delivery areas they can deliver cocktails to your door… THE VERDICT For fast, fresh, affordable pan-Asian cuisine - you can’t beat it. I admit, I’m a bit gutted they aren’t south of the river. For the rest of January, you can also satisfy your cravings with a ‘£5 from 5pm menu’, saving up to 50%, available exclusively from 5pm – 6:30pm, Monday – Friday, so now there’s no excuse not to try it.
On a rainy Sunday morning, I wasn't keen to prise myself out of my bed and into the deluge, but the thought of a scrumptious brunch ahead propelled me to Noak, a laidback cafe in Brockley, South East London. Luckily for those lazy bones who can't bear rising before noon, brunch is served until 3:30pm, so there's no excuse to miss it. Their 'market-driven menu', which changes weekly, is lovingly prepared by their Head Chef who works with local suppliers to source local produce whenever possible and the make everything they can on-site including: preserves, butter, dressings, sauces, and cured fish and meats. THE VIBE The restaurant is very casual and the main focal point is a large, wood fired oven in the open kitchen where you can watch the chefs busily beavering away. The atmosphere here is very chilled out with the cafe becoming busy around 11:00 am with locals filing in for a hearty feed. THE FOOD The menu features typical brunch offerings (e.g. smashed avocado on thick slabs of sour dough bread, poached eggs and salmon, pancakes, etc. - with dishes priced from £6-£11) but they also have other treats on offer such as the baked banana bread with mascarpone, seasonal compote and nut crumble (£5.50), which was gorgeous and beautifully presented with a small edible flower. We also loved their baked beans, which aren't the typical English baked beans you get with a full English, but a hearty portion of mixed baked beans with a smokey flavour, which reminded me of something that I reckon cowboys would have eaten back at the ranch, but perhaps I've seen too many Westerns!
London al fresco dining undoubtedly comes into its own in the summer, but as the seasons change and the evenings become chilly once more that doesn’t mean we have to head inside completely, especially when the likes of Dalloway Terrace are available. Situated at The Bloomsbury hotel near Tottenham Court Road, the restaurant recently launched its festive new look on 8th November, transforming into a enchanted winter wonderland by master florists Wild at Heart by Nikki Tibbles. THE VIBE The heated and covered terrace, complete with sheepskin rugs, hot water bottles and complimentary shots of Génépi liqueur is difficult to resist. Surrounded by foliage, the terrace has a secret garden feel to it - one of those places you don’t want to tell everyone about lest it get too busy, but then on the same hand it’s too good not to share… The downstairs cellar-type space, awash with fairy lights, is a cosy alternative to the main terrace and is a great date spot. THE FOOD As I visited just in time for the end of the summer menu, our meal involved some wonderfully fresh flavours and light bites. We started with perfectly seared, melt in the mouth tuna, with soy & ginger dressing and pickled radish. The lobster and mango salad, finished with a tangy yuzu dressing, was an absolute treat to the tastebuds. My guest plumped for the absolutely succulent lamb cutlets, with broccoli champ, mint béarnaise and a hefty side dish of ridiculously good mash - proper comfort food. Obviously we couldn’t leave without pudding, this time a Valrhona & pecan slice with salted caramel ice cream. Trust me, you won’t regret it. Now that the new winter menu is in full swing, I’m definitely going to be making a return visit. With dishes including fondue (both sweet and savoury…) Jerusalem artichoke soup with girolles and black truffle, East Sussex game pie, Balmoral estate venison loin and apple crumble with sloe gin and custard, as well as an exclusive afternoon tea and hot chocolate cocktail menu designed by master chocolatier Maison Pierre Marcolini, you’d be a fool to miss it.
Any bottomless brunch is always a winner. Throw lobster in to the mix however and there’s a real risk you might never want to leave. The Big Easy’s weekend affair is one that’s not to be missed; available at all three branches (Covent Garden, Chelsea and Canary Wharf) with unlimited prosecco, Big Easy Brew, frozen Bacardi mojito or house wine for £29.50, it’s the perfect excuse for a weekend feast. THE VIBE If you like your brunch spots quiet and refined, The Big Easy isn’t for you. Covent Garden is big, brash and ballsy, with pumping tunes, a buzzing atmosphere and a plastic bib handed to you on arrival. So far so good. THE FOOD Being that it’s a lobster shack and smokehouse, you can guess what the menu looks like; heavy on the crustaceans, with a healthy (or maybe not…) dose of southern-style barbecue dishes and a veritable smorgasbord of sides. With dishes like deep fried pickle chips and chilled Atlantic crab claws, to dry-rubbed St Louis pork ribs and Texas slow-smoked brisket, you’ll be hard-pressed to make a decision. Everything that came out while we were perusing the menu looked - and smelt - utterly sublime. Word of warning - one visit won’t be enough. Being that this is somewhere famed for its lobster, we figured it’d be rude no to try the star of the menu. The Big Easy have been working with the same fishermen in Nova Scotia for the last 20 years. The blighters are flown in three times a week, with the Covent Garden restaurant housing almost 2000 live lobsters in specially designed tanks, so it’s pretty damn fresh. We plumped for The Big Easy Original, a 1 3/4lb lobster, served with salad and fries (if that’s a little much, there’s also The Pounder at a more modest 1lb). Fresh, juicy and with an utterly sublime jug of garlic butter, it was seriously delicious. The winning side dish takes the form of the trio of macaroni cheeses; not for the fainthearted, these three little dishes of joy - one with lobster, one with brisket and one with just cheese - are the ultimate comfort food.
THE VERDICT Suffice to say our meal was enjoyed; lobster and prosecco? It’s basically the perfect pairing. We left stuffed to the gills in a slight food coma with very big smiles and very tight belts. I’ve been back twice since, I think I’m converted. Food and drink ***** Ambience ***** Staff attentiveness/friendliness ***** Big Easy Bar.B.Q & Lobstershack 12 Maiden Lane London WC2E 7NA Laurel Waldron Pizza and margaritas, what more could one ask for?!Margaritas is a fabulous pop-up, which combines our two favourite things - Margarita cocktails and Margherita pizza!
From 7-9pm on Friday, 11th of November, Margaritas will be taking over Manzes Pie and Mash shop in Chapel Market, where low-lighting, leather-upholstered booths and a 1930's-style bar provide the setting for London's newest pizza party. Pie, mash & jellied eels will be replaced by pizza, tequila and limes for a fun - and scrumptious - evening. As well as the Margaritas cocktail menu, the bar will be serving pale ale, lager and wine. At only £10 for a pizza and cocktail, you can't go wrong. Tickets available at Design My Night. 74 Chapel Market Islington London N1 9ER |
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November 2020
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Bon Appetit!There's nothing more delicious in life than indulging in a sensational meal. |