Ekachai Showcase their Brand New Spot in Flat Iron Square

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Smack bang in the middle of Bankside you’ll find brand new foodie hub, Flat Iron Square, and we think this is just the tonic Bankside needs. With a fresh, urban in/out vibe, this is a spot you’re more likely to find in East London but now it’s accessible South of the river too making it handy for all the city dwellers looking for a unique and vibrant new hangout. Made for pretty much everyone with a good appetite, Flat Iron Square will feature food stalls and trucks from well established and quality kitchens from around London as well as a flea market which will run alongside it on the weekend. We were lucky enough to have a tour around the site prior to opening and as you can imagine we are met with… a building site but amongst the hubbub of vendors frantically fixing up signage and getting their kitchens in order, there is one kitchen which is ready for business.

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Ekachai, the kitchen famous for South East Asian cooking have been operating a truly Zen ship since 1999 and it’s no different today. Opening their first site in Liverpool Street, more and more outlets have opened throughout the country and it’s no surprise really. Speaking to one of the co-owner’s, he explains the ethos is to create honest and authentic cooking which is true to South-East Asia and moving away from mixing five different kinds of Asian food into one take out box. Well we think the proof is in their fluffy Bao Bun’s, this has certainly warmed up our cold October morning and with a simple but varied menu, they want customers to enjoy quality cooking which promises to be evocative of the street vendors of the Far East. From what we’ve tried the Dim Sum is absolutely dreamy and a refreshing take on street eats so try for yourself. Ekachai is now open for business at Flat Iron Square but also operate outlets in Selfridges London and restaurants in Wandsworth and Liverpool Street.

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www.ekachai.co.uk

www.flatironsquare.co.uk

Flat Iron Square
68 Union Street
Borough
London, SE1 1TD

Secret’s out Heliot Steak House serves up a Feast worthy of Kings

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Voted The Best Steakhouse in London by the customers of Bookatable 2015 we had high expectations for Heliot and boy did they live up to them. Known as West-End’s secret, we wondered why the secret? As the food is outstanding we would want to be on the rooftops shouting about it

Tuna Tartare

Tuna Tartare

Located in London’s Hippodrome Casino, perhaps this wouldn’t be the first place you would think of going for dinner, but trust us on this, the food really does speak for itself. On the subject of Steak, the restaurant serves up to it’s hungry customers USDA Prime Steak. Basically a Steak Lovers fantasy, USDA is meat that has been approved by the US department of Agriculture, and the Prime cut Heliot serve is the superior grade. Nothing but the best here, Head Chef, Ioannis Grammanos, is the master or serving up a decent bit of meat and the reputation is built on his ability to grill a steak to perfection. We must admit when the Steak arrived, I opted for the 7oz Fillet, I was slightly worried that I should have ordered larger, but a little certainly goes a long way here and Grammanos certainly delivers flavour and quality by the steak load.

Flaming USDA Steak

Flaming USDA Steak

With such a varied and well versed menu, we decided to pick the most indulgent options to accompany our Steaks. Think Lobster Tails, Roasted Bone Marrow and the ultimate indulgence, Millionaires Mac n Cheese with Poached Duck Egg and Truffles. Each of the heavenly and luxurious side dishes complimented the steak just as you think it would. The Roasted Bone Marrow was sweet, caramel but meaty with a herb crumb and the Mac and Cheese was unctuous, sumptuous and every bit as fit for a King as it sounds. But don’t take our word for it the only way to know is to get the full experience yourself.

Steak with all the Sides

Steak with all the Sides

Overlooking the bustling Hippodrome Casino, we went on a Sunday night and it was buzzy and alive and a little bit of Vegas in the heart of London, with a wine list which is just about as extensive as the different steaks being served, we paired our steak with a 2008 Malbec because we really were pulling out all the stops for this meal, a sublime and full-bodied choice for any Steak Lover, our tummies and hearts were full. Finishing off with Baked Alaska and Irish Coffee, it really is surprising to think that two skinny ladies could have eaten as much as we did but with such a triumphant menu and did I forget to mention, the best Espresso Martini ever, this will be somewhere i’ll definitely be visiting again for a good feeding. The piéce de la resistance is that the enigmatic restaurant dishes up fine dining at fast food prices. Prices start from just £13 for a rump steak with the priciest item just £29 for the 23oz T Bone. The menu is simple but delicious after all there’s nothing better than your traditional and old favourites cooked to absolute perfection and that’s all you need. No more secrets, book a table and thank me later.

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Heliot Steak House can be enjoyed as a destination in its own right, or as part of an unforgettable 24-hour ‘night out’.

Opening Times; Monday-Friday from 5pm until late

With American Brunch from 12pm until late on weekends.

For Bookings Call;

0207 769 8844

or visit; London_reservations@togrp.com

Keep your eyes peeled for more exciting events coming up at Heliot Steak House including their unique 24hour Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding fest for St George’s Day. More info on the way…

Spice Market at the W Hotel Restaurant Review.

Spice Market is located in the fashionable and trendy W Hotel. One of the places to be seen in London. This is not the only Spice Market, there are now 4 of them located everywhere from Dubai to New York.

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The food is South East Asian and is very good. They have a menu with variety which left me needing quite a while to choose what I wanted. It all looked so good and had some great twists. Eventually we ordered and our starters came with poppadums and chutney. Here is what we had.

Crab Dumblings

Sugar Snap Peas, Aromatic Spices

This starter was tasty. Great dumplings with a choice of three great sauces to dip into.

 

 

Crunchy Squid Saladphoto (73) Ginger, Papaya and Cashew.

I loved this starter. It was a very generous portion and all of the flavors worked well together. The squid was fried and the combination of the ginger and papaya went brilliantly with the crunchiness of the cashew nuts. A delicious starter that is just a bit different. Was spicy but not too much. This was also the only time I have had rocket on a plate and it has added to the dish rather than just being a plate filler. Was well marinated.

Red Curried Duck
Pineapple Sambal

This curried duck was amazing, The best dish of the evening. It was served in a beautiful pot. The sauce was creamy and tasty the duck was well cooked and the little cubes of pineapple burst in your mouth giving you a delightful shot of sweetness. Both our mains came with little bowls of perfectly cooked rice.

photo (74)Tempura Salt and Pepper Soft Shell Crab.
Thai Basil and Lime Sauce.

I liked this main but it was a bit similar to my starter and I would have liked some variety. This was completely my fault of course. The crab was well cooked and the sauce was tasty.

Ovaltine Kulfi

Caramelised banana, Spiced Mike Chocolate Sauce

This was like a deconstructed Banoffee pie. The waiter said it was rich and it was. It was very heavy. It tasted amazing though. If you love rich chocolate or banoffee pie. The caramlised bananas were perfect and the chocolate tasted amazing.

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Fruits with Crushed Coconut Ice.

This is Spice Market’s specialty. It is a wonderfully refreshing dessert. Exotic fruit on top of crushed coconut ice. Heavenly. A delicious and visually spectactular dessert.

Cocktails

We went through quite a lot of their cocktails just because they are so well made. They all have a twist on a classic, or are just purely original.

Ginger Margarita
Sauza ‘Hornitos’ Reposado Tequila, Ginger, Lime, Ginger Salt

This take on a Margarita is yummy. Will leave you wanting more.photo (70)

Passion Whiskey Sour
Bulleit Bourbon, Passion Fruit, Ginger Ale

This is strong but amazing.

Thai Smash
Belvedere Vodka, Grapefruit, Thai Basil

Refreshing and different. Tasted great.

Lychee Raspberry Bellini
Bristol ‘Jeio’ Prosecco, Lychee, Raspberry

Sweet and delicious.

Kumquat Mojito
Bacardi Light Rum, Kumquat, Mint photo (69)

Exotic and wonderful.

The Spice Market is a good place to eat in London. Our waiter was amazing (they all were) giving us recommendations on food and telling us about the dish, the decor is trendy and fresh and our banquet seats were super comfortable. The manager was also very helpful answering my questions.

I give the Spice Market full marks on food, style and service. Oh, and their cocktails which are to die for.