Tag Archives: London restaurants

Rudy’s Soho – Proper Pizza and Proper Good Times

Posted on by

Freedom is finally here and what better way to celebrate then Pizza and Spritz. 

We’re here to remind you:  there’s no need to get holiday fomo as we have the taste of Naples slap bang in Soho. Whilst Soho has been known as the place to be to keep spirits high, the arrival of Rudy’s, voted the 5th Best Pizzeria in EUROPE!!! has been bellissima indeed. With a successful string of restaurants in Manchester it was about time Rudy’s paid London a visit and trust us, we will all be welcoming you with open arms. 

Rudy’s serves up real good Neapolitan Pizzas – no fancy base, stuffed crust, gold leaf pretentiousness necessary. This is proper honest pizza. The dough is made with Caputo ’00’ Flour which is made daily and left to ferment for 24 hrs then topped with a San Marzano tomato base typical of an original Neapolitan Pizza. Then finally a quick blast in the wood fired pizza oven and presto – happiness bite after bite. 

We rocked up on a Tuesday night and the atmosphere was buzzing, full of the best kind of vibes. The place is super relaxed and has a real ‘holiday feel’ to it bustling with groups of friends, lovers, families and all. The decor is industrial chic – completely open plan so you can see your dinner straight outta the oven. But for me the winning factor is that this isn’t the kind of place to kick you out before you’ve even sat down, which i’m finding has started to be the norm here in London. I’m a big fan of a long, slow dinner and we did not feel rushed at all. That is all down to the incredibly welcoming and attentive staff. This particular branch has 140 covers which is a lot of space but still, after so long of not being able to socialise I really got the sense of being welcome here without a time limit. The time flew by whilst we enjoyed many a spritz over long overdue catch ups and a good deal of people watching. 

The starters are exactly what you would hope for from a proper Italian pizzeria with a selection of olives, breads, meats and of course a big sexy Burrata, this whets your appetite nicely for the main event. We took our time and savoured the experience just like the Italians do and of course, we enjoyed their Campana board, a mixed platter of breads, salamis and cheese with some tasty spritz cocktails. The above also came in a veggie version too. I thoroughly recommend taking your time to look through the drinks list as there are a lot of solid favourites to make your way through including Espresso Martinis and Aperol Spritz to name but a few but honestly their signature cocktails hit the spot nicely. We recommend the “Sospiri” to kick off your evening. 

When it came to the mains… a pizza which is relatively simple and a tried and tested favourite internationally has little margin for error. Trust me when I say I have done the leg work in pizza tasting and Rudy’s by far exceeds any i’ve tried in the UK and is much deserving of one of the best pizza joints in Europe accolade. The menu selection has all the best varieties, from the humble Margherita to the more elegant white base pizzas. We went for the “Cinghiale” which is basically a spicy, sexy pizza of deliciousness with wild boar salami. Definitely a solid 4 stars. I went for the “Portobello” and it had to be on white base. For those of you who haven’t ventured into the foray of white base pizzas, they’re made with olive, garlic, cheese and salt instead of a tomato base so for any garlic lovers out there this one was absolutely heavenly. The flavours were perfectly balanced and not too heavy or creamy which was actually pretty impressive for me as I easily demolished the whole one and didn’t feel like a big ball of dough afterwards something i’m quickly finding is an important factor when reviewing a pizza ;-) 

Let’s face it, it’s not a decent Italian unless there’s Tiramisu on the menu and as much as I was looking forward to the pizza i’ve gotta admit that the Tiramisu was the star of my show. Again, the portion was just the right size and the coffee:booze:spongefinger:cream ratio was bang on. We also got the affogato which was delish but I recommend not sharing the Tiramisu. Get one for yourself. Treat yourself. Oh and while you’re at it, don’t forget to end your meal with a nice shot of Rudy’s very own Blood Orange Orangecello and if you’re not leaving the place recreating the street scene of ‘Call me by your name’ you should probably consider having another one because, well hey, anything goes in Soho especially Rudy’s.

I’m positive once you’ve been there this will be your next solid go to. Overall the entire experience was exceptional and the quality you get for the price you pay just goes to show you don’t need to break the bank to have a decent meal in Central London. Rudy’s isn’t just another fancy pizza chain, they are standout for both the quality of the food and the quality of your experience. 

For more info and Ressy’s

Rudy’s

Flora Indica Review

Posted on by

Flora Indica second shoot

A delicious love story of east meets west set in a sexy, unique backdrop.

Inspired by the Scottish Botanists who voyaged through India during the Victorian period, Flora Indica certainly carries the theme of florals, spices and the love affair that has always been Indian flavours with British produce throughout their restaurant. There has always seemed to be a romanticism surrounding the rich history of Britain and India throughout time, whether it be in art, literature and of course through food and Flora Indica is certainly a celebration of the two cultures. 

From the cocktails to the food, the skilled bartender mixes up their take on classic cocktails with a spicy twist. Chillitini went down exceptionally well and you will definitely want to try a few as the flavours are subtle, well balanced and fresh. If you are particularly passionate about enjoying a fabulous drinks menu alongside your meal, then you will be in for a treat. The drinks list is extensive and with a quality selection of wines and spirits which even features everyones favourite, Whispering Angel. I mean, you can’t really go wrong here. Their Amber Ale was of their own brew which came bottled with their own branding. A really nice touch and oozes class. 

Flora Indica is Indian Fine Dining at its most sensual. The location, a very smart establishment just off of The Old Brompton Road. We dined on a warm sunny day and the front shutters were open for guests to dine indoors/outdoors whilst watching the World go by. The decor is a friendly nod to British culture featuring a gorgeous blue phone box… the perfect place for a photo op and opulent green furnishings. I mean this is simply the perfect date night spot. 

When it came down to the food, we tried a number of dishes including small plates as well as their mains. I cannot recommend Okra Fries enough. In fact, I would go as far to say, this will probably beat any variation on fries I’ve ever had, not to mention they are actually good for you ;-) Don’t forget to add the lemon, this simple little addition will take your palate next level. 

The plates were presented to an impressive standard and thankfully you can say, the looks definitely match up to the flavour. Even though our food was presented like a work of art, what was most outstanding was the aroma that danced in the air once the plates had arrived at the table. We tried the Yellowfin Tuna and a 12 hr Braised short rib. Both were delicious, well portioned with balanced flavours, the short rib was rich and tender with the yellowfin tuna being fresh and subtle. A perfect example of how an experienced hand with spicing can elevate even the most delicate ingredients. 

Our mains were just as elegant, a few nods to tried and tested Indian favourites such as the humble Rogan Josh but again using only the best of British, Suffolk Lamb. We also tried a stunning Slow Cooked Duck Leg on the bone. The dishes are not fussy and no nonsense but executed with gastronomic precision and served with panache. I really adored the way that simple ingredients were presented in the most sophisticated and eye-catching way, a feast for your senses. The whole experience was sexy from beginning to end. It’s not pretentious it’s just downright fabulous and the proof is in the pudding which, by the way, ended off the meal in the most perfect of ways. The Shahi Brioche Tukda was heavenly and rounded the evening off nicely. A sweet end to a perfect dining experience. 

This is most definitely the date night spot that will hit all of the buttons. We highly recommend. 

To check out their menu and to make reservations

http://www.flora-indica.com

Celebrate Bastille Day at Brasserie Blanc with Boeuf Burger’gnon

Posted on by

Salut… and do we have a Bastille Day treat for you!

From 8-19th July, Brasserie Blanc have a special main course of pure culinary genius to help celebrate. They have transformed their top rated Boeuf Bourguignon sauce into a delicious burger aptly named ‘Boeuf Burger’gnon’ and will be serving it up to willing diners across all of their sites this month. 

We tried the twist on the traditional French dish for ourselves in the Chancery Lane branch of Brasserie Blanc slap bang in the lunchtime rush and we were blown away. A perfect blend of bold, upfront flavours of a burger balanced well with the slow cooked spices of their famous Boeuf Bourguignon served alongside some tasty skinny fries. 

We decided to start our meal with a quintessentially French dish, a cheese soufflé, which was like eating a delicious cloud.  But what I must say is that although the special, nicknamed the “dirty burger”, appears petite and unassuming at first glance, this packs the punch of a rich fillet steak. The burger itself is deliciously tender and well seasoned. The meat is top notch and the Bourguignon sauce which subtly brings it together is not overwhelming at all. We did have to get our knife and fork out for this one to break up all the components equally but the burger was not uncomfortably packed to the brim. The onion rings were well cooked and the bacon naturally salted the burger. As for the bourguignon sauce, i’m surprised it’s taken this long to come up such a concept as the two are so well suited. As for the case of Man V Food, food certainly won us over – but nicely. I definitely regretted filling up on bread for this meal but if you’re hoping for bang for your buck you will not be disappointed and you will not leave hungry. This is something that has to be tried for yourself though and we can honestly say “Bravo” to this novel and inventive treat. If you still have room for dessert, Brasserie Blanc’s summer menu is full of decadent treats that it’s hard to pick just one thing. One thing’s for sure, they’ll definitely execute it well and with a fine French finesse. 

Boeuf Burger’gnon is available from now until the 19th July at all Brasserie Blanc branches and what’s more – if you decide to dine on July 14th Bastille Day itself and are dressed in the famous red, white and blue colours of the French flag, you will get your Boeuf Burger’gnon for HALF PRICE(£7.50)

You will be foolish to miss out so make sure you make those reservations now.

http://www.brasserieblanc.com

HEAD TO HAKKASAN FOR CHINESE GOLDEN WEEK

Posted on by

Yesterday saw the start of the Chinese National Holiday, Golden Week. The seven day festival celebrates travelling at a prime time in the country but for those in London, there are still plenty of ways to get involved.

Top of our list? Taking a trip to Hakkasan, two of Central London’s Michelin star Chinese restaurant.

Hakkasan is embracing the holiday and has launched a limited edition, exclusive eight course golden menu. Guests will walk through a ‘river of gold’ as they enter and the menu incorporates gold dim sum and a gold dessert. Scrummy.

A highlight of the exclusive menu is the Golden dim sum trio which begins the eight courses, featuring a crispy lamb puff, chilli crab dumpling and har gau covered in gold leaf.

Also gracing the golden menu is Crispy suckling pig with spiced soy sauce and steamed black kingfish fillet with saffron sauce in addition to Salted egg yolk fried rice. The Golden Week menu finishes off with a Touch of Gold, an exclusive black and gold dessert featuring poached kumquat, sesame crumble, black sesame tuile and a Venezuelan chocolate foam. YUM.

Fancy some liquid gold? Try the Golden Week cocktail, featuring Diplomático Planas white rum, pomelo, lemon and five spice, topped off with Louis Roederer Champagne and sprayed with gold mist.

Whilst Hakasan’s golden menu isn’t something to try on a budget break, it’s definitely worth splashing out for at £88 per person. (Keeping in tradition with China’s lucky number eight) for parties of two or more.

It’s available at both Hakkasan Hanway Place and Hakkasan Mayfair until 7th October.

 

Pasta Remoli – A Must for Italian Food Lovers

Posted on by

There is nothing more satisfying than hearty Italian food especially as the nights are getting a little more chilly. Personally, finding a good pasta restaurant is surprisingly quite the challenge in London and i’m still making my way through the catalogue of recommended Italian restaurants. One of the things I look for is a menu specialising in specific regional food. Currently, Pizza is having it’s renaissance, so it’s about time that pasta had its time to shine and no place says that more than Pasta Remoli.

You may have walked past the store in the Great Eastern Market in Westfield with an array of fresh pasta displayed tempting you to grab a bite or take home and experiment yourself. This is the beauty and simplicity of the place, you choose your pasta the style you want it, your sauce and finally your cheese. Pasta like many things is a personal experience, and Pasta Remoli ensures you get to keep it that way. They can recommend different combinations but the end course is down to you. Needless to say, the success of the Westfield branch led them to open Pasta Remoli in Finsbury Park and we couldn’t wait to get stuck into their appetising menu.

Trained in the art of traditional Roman cuisine, Remoli has taken all that he has learnt and made sure that his passion for the Slow Food movement is also reflected in the menu. The food is honest, traditional and encompasses the authenticity of Italy, particularly Rome with a good list of traditional Roman dishes alongside the pasta.

For starters we tried the Burrata Cheese & Parma Ham and the Mussels and Clams. Simply named and simply delicious, there are no frills and flounces on the menu. The dishes and ingredients do the talking and when the food arrives there is a moment of silence as we get immersed in to the Italian eating experience before sharing everything between us. Burrata (literally meaning buttery), is melt in your mouth good. The Mussels and Clams are served in traditional Italian fashion inside a broth of garlic chilli and fresh parsley and fill the table with smells of the Med.

For our main, we tried bestseller Truffle ravioli in a creamy mushroom sauce with lots of Parmigiano. In true Italian style, this is exactly how pasta is meant to be cooked. It takes a real expert to balance flavours such as high quality truffle daringly against the creamy sauce and the Parmigiano but the indulgent trio makes for a great, satisfying dish. Best for big appetites and loose trousers.

We then went for a traditional Roast Chicken a staple on any Italian menu. The chicken is marinated for 24 hours in paprika chili and herbs and served alongside veg and roast potatoes. Simple on the menu, I must tell you this was out and out Soul Food. The Chicken was cooked well, retaining its tenderness but it was the roast potatoes that won me over, if they could accompany any future meals I would be very happy. They were crispy in the right places soft in the middle, seasoned to complete perfection. A great lesson on how simple dishes done well produce the best food.

The finale was a dessert worth waiting for, Gluten Free Tiramisu Remoli, the biscuits being the gluten free part! This was surprisingly light and a delight. I’ve never really been a fan of tiramisu but this was far from the boozy affair. Served with a shot of Limoncello this was the perfect end to an incredible Italian experience. I will be back and order everything else I didn’t get to try and the same things all over again.

The restaurant is unpretentious and warm. We saw groups of friends, couples, singles and the restaurant had large enough tables to accommodate a large group planning a surprise birthday. Feeling comfortable in a restaurant is all part of the experience and thankfully Pasta Remoli is set over a great enough area where you can move around freely without bumping into/being trapped by the next table. The service was excellent, they navigated the menu well and were attentive without being too fussy. Three courses for two diners with wine came to around £70. Unbelievable value considering the quality of the food we had just had in a London restaurant. Searching for a quality Italian restaurant is no longer a challenge now I have found Pasta Remoli.

Want to learn how to perfect your pasta?

Simone Remoli will be hosting a series of Pasta Masterclasses at the Bellavita Academy every Tuesday in November. With four masterclasses to choose from dealing with different types of pasta making. You can take part in a single evening class, or a four week course where you’ll learn Simone’s top tips and enjoy your dishes after every session. For more information and to book visit www.pastaremoli.co.uk

Saturday Brunchin’ at Gaucho

Posted on by

image003

The Electro Brunch Menu is back with a bang and Gaucho have ensured all your brunchin’ needs are met. Every Saturday across nine of their sites, customers can treat themselves to a two hour session of unlimited Gaucho food and drink, yes, that means two whole hours of Gaucho steak on tap. If that’s not all, the menu has something for everyone and not just the steak lovers. May we tempt you with smashed Avocado on toast… we thought that might get your attention. That’s still not even the best part, the updated menu comes with the introduction of french toast with dulce de lece and Gaucho Benedict with salt beef to name but a few and we simply had to see for ourselves.

fullsizeoutput_ecc

Having brunched here at the launch of Electro Brunch, Gaucho seems to have build itself quite the reputation with the brunch crowd. From humble reservation numbers when launching, Gaucho revellers have truly spread the word with almost every session fully booked full of anticipating diners soaking up the luxury and ambience of the enigmatic Gaucho. I have to admit, I haven’t stopped raving about this place since they launched Electro Brunch and even convinced a few to cancel their reservations elsewhere in favour of Gaucho… needless to say they are solid converts to the unique brunch style Gaucho have to offer and we believe you will be too. What we love the most about Electro Brunch is that aside from their excellent flowing drinks menu, a must at any bottomless brunch, the real star of the show is the food and quality of food. I have to say, so many brunch deals seem to overlook this when they are offering a menu of flowing drinks however, Gaucho are leading the way with an outstanding food menu to match. They deliver on every dish in the same way you would expect to get your meal when ordering off the à la carte and with a focus on the food, the kitchen have made sure you get to try each and every dish by making their portions just the right size for you to make your way through everything.

fullsizeoutput_eca

Once you are seated, within minutes your host will be at your every call for the next couple of hours anticipating your every need so that you’re never without a plate of tasty goodness or an empty glass. The service is everything. Food is made to order, fresh and in abundance. Of course, it wouldn’t be Gaucho without their incredible steak and if you like it, order it again. No need to worry about diets in Gaucho, there is enough protein going around to supplement Arnie and if you order smartly there doesn’t have to be a carb in sight. However, we recommend you experience absolutely everything you possibly can. The menu is completely varied and each dish complements the next.

Gaucho Benedict with Salt Beef

Gaucho Benedict with Salt Beef

To give you an idea of what is on offer, drinks include; unlimited Aperol Spritz, Gaucho Bloody Mary’s, Domaine de Chandon, Pilsener Lager and a selection of fresh juice from the juice bar. The food on offer; French Toast, Beans on Toast with Chorizo, Fried Provoleta, Steak and Eggs, Gaucho Benedict, Eggs Benedict, Eggs Florentine, Eggs Royale to name but a few… we suggest you take a look for yourself. This entire deal comes in at under £50 per head and if you have a large appetite, this will not be a wasted trip! The updated menu have few more sweet additions with a selection of medialuna or mini croissants with peanut butter dulce de lece, french toast and of course, their famous banana pancakes just in case you want to balance out any of the savoury but our real showstopper was the Gaucho Benedict with salt beef. A Saturday well spent, we guarantee you will not be disappointed with your Electro Brunch rezzies. This is not just your average boozy brunch, if you are a real foodie, this is the place to be.

Reservations Here

fullsizeoutput_ecf

Cheers.

EatFirst x Kra Pow LDN; Thai Street Food Fresh to You

Posted on by

fullsizeoutput_e7f
Londoners… just when we thought take away’s couldn’t get any more tempting, accessible and down right delicious, we now have revolutionary delivery service EatFirst to add to the list.

To give you an idea, EatFirst does not sit in the category of Deliveroo or Hungryhouse. EatFirst is an online restaurant delivering chef-made meals around London. Serving everything from Mac Cheese to Beef Jerky, EatFirst are now starting a very special residency with Kra Pow LDN to serve you up some fine, tasty tasty Thai treats.

Get to know Kra Pow LDN. Their food will do the talking. Formed by two pals inspired by their love of Thailand, they planned to bring the fiery taste of Chang Mai Street food to London. Feeding hungry Londoner’s since 2016, the pair have been serving up their take on Thai Street food in markets around the Capital and for the very first time, you can try their menu at the click of a button. Frost were lucky enough to try out some of the menu at their rooftop launch party and we can safely say, there are some pretty mind-blowing dishes to choose from. We recommend the Kra Pow a delicious Pork and Basil stir fry, with rice and poached egg. We could’ve eaten this all day long but we’ll let you try for yourself.

fullsizeoutput_e7b

The full menu is available NOW from EatFirst which you can view online;

EatFirst

Delivery is also available from the EatFirst app via Android GooglePlay and iOS App Store

Obicà Celebrate New Creative Chef, Alessandro Borghese

Posted on by

sagoma-80x160_definitiva

Obicà, the restaurant who are advocates for sharing and of course mozzarella, have recently appointed kick-ass chef Alessandro Borghese as their new creative chef. He is certain to firmly cement the reputation of Obicà on the map by developing a creative and delicious new mozzarella bar menu with small plates to mix and match with friends, family and colleagues.

Obica - Zeppole - Credit Tim Atkins

If Borghese himself is an evocation of what he is serving up to you be prepared for a dazzling array of spectacular little feasts. Alongside their unique array of Campania Mozzarella we recommend trying the Supplì Al Telefono, Mozzarelline and Zeppole, we guarantee this luxurious Italian Doughnut will keep you coming back to Obicà for more. As well as this Obicà also serve up an assortment of Pizza’s, Pasta and Salad for you too with quality ingredients and a focus on freshness Obicà literally means ‘Right Before your Eyes’. For a very modern and vibrant new dining experience do check our Borghese new menu at an Obicà near you.

http://obica.com