Tag Archives: restaurants

Brunch at The Biltmore – a review

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Start your Weekend off in the most fabulous of ways with the newly launched Brunch Menu at The Biltmore Mayfair. 

Headed up by the esteemed Jason Atherton, The Biltmore Brunch is certainly an elegant affair. This is a brunch worthy of getting your glad rags on and treating yourself or someone special and you’ll be guaranteed excellent service, ambiance and of course a brunch worth bragging about. 

When it comes to decent brunch in London, it’s like navigating a minefield. There is just so much on offer but when you really investigate what you’ll end up finding is there’s just heaps of bottomless and not enough brunch if you know what I mean. So if like me you’re thinking, what sets The Biltmore apart from all the other brunches in the City? Well, let me tell you… their ‘USP’ is for sure the food. They also had an incredible setting and a stunning band but I don’t ever recall raving about the food after a brunch especially not a boozy one. Café Biltmore certainly dazzles with their dishes making this a foodies brunch heaven. Offering up a number of different brunch and lunch plates, they of course have the classics, eggs, pancakes, etc… but the menu also featured a number non typical brunch dishes but this is what made it so brilliant. I would say, you could even convince the biggest anti-bruncher to brunch along with you after you show them the menu because who could turn down Porthilly Oysters, Wood fired pizza and Fish and Chips to name a few? In fact Paul Walsh, Executive Chef, commented, “Weekends are made for brunch and our menu is guaranteed to have a dish everyone will want to eat on it…” If you’re doing 2 courses or more there is the option to add the free-flowing bubbles package for an extra £25. Rarely are you left thinking I just had a ruddy good meal after a bottomless brunch but Café Biltmore can certainly win this accolade. 

So, what’s included;

So on offer you have the choice of 2 courses for £32 or 3 courses for £38 and of course the free-flowing bubbles upgrade. What you will quickly realise is that this is an absolute steal when you realise the quality and the service which are second to none. We recommend doing the whole sh’bang so make sure you go light on your breakfast that morning. To start there are a number of different Egg dishes, we tried the Confit duck leg with Kimchi and Fried Egg and Calamari to start. For our mains I tried one of the veggie options Sweetcorn and Saffron risotto, Scottish girolles and Parmesan and we also tried the Buttermilk chicken sandwich and I can honestly say, that was the best damned risotto I have ever tasted. Both utterly luxurious and more-ish so much so, that I got distracted writing this thinking about how delicious it was. Of course, if you opt for 3 courses the dessert choice covers all bases with a cheese plate for those who aren’t much of a sweet tooth. The bubbles were certainly flowing thanks to the attentiveness of the waiters who’s service went above and beyond. The setting was just gorgeous, we dined on a cold autumn day but so kitted out with heaters and blankets, the outdoor terrace more than adequately catered to its guests comfortably making it the perfect little secret brunch oasis. Notable mention must go to the talented jazz band who provided the afternoons entertainment with their mellow muzak and dulcet tones. 

 

What’s more is those wishing to dine with their furry friends, Cafe Biltmore’s terrace is dog friendly and pets will be treated to their own treats while you dine. The Biltmore Brunch will really make you wish the weekend couldn’t come fast enough.

The Biltmore Brunch will be available every Saturday from 11:00 – 17:00

For more info or reservations visit;

www.cafebiltmore.com

Grand Trunk Road – A Foodie Voyage through Old India

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As we all start to awaken from our Lockdown slumbers and start to venture out into the wild and back into our favourite eateries, there’s no mistaking my social media has certainly being hijacked by people enjoying their socialising and dining experiences. Recently, this little gem, Grand Trunk Road kept popping up on my feed followed by nothing but praise from the numerous amounts of people I have seen posting about it. This spot looks particularly special and before the fomo kicked in I had to check it out for myself.

If Grand Trunk Road is the hidden gem of Woodford this is certainly the Koh-I-Noor of restaurants. Many of us can rattle off a host of fabulous Indian restaurants at the drop of a hat, but the most memorable ones are distinguished by giving their guests an experience to remember and that is exactly what Grand Trunk Road has done. It’s not surprising everyone seems to be raving about this place. 

Owned by the esteemed Michelin star winner Rajesh Suri, he tells me he wanted to create a dining experience which took guests on a  journey through India by taking a signature dish from each stop along the Grand Trunk Road. An educational one at that, he explained the origins of dishes that have somehow got lost along the way and his quest to bring the dishes back to their roots. 

 

Before we get stuck into the food, I must give a shoutout to the drinks list which is extensive. So if like me you prefer something a little more fancy than beer or house wine… look no further, the cocktails are a dream and also follow the journey of the Grand Trunk Road. We tried the Afghani Silk and a particular favourite, Masala Smash. We were told that the cocktails were specially created to match the flavours of the dishes with some spirits infused onsite to create the unique flavours that can only be achieved by tending to the process yourself. There is no doubt Suri is a stickler for detail and this shows through every stage of the guest experience. 

Our journey began where every Indian foodie does, Poppadum’s with a variety of accompaniments made fresh on site with seasonal ingredients. The Summer menu we’re told includes a carrot and raisin relish and one made with apricot and the unmistakable spices of cumin and coconut. A tropical delight and not a chunky onion in sight! Phew. This is definitely Indian food amplified and refined, beautiful and elegant and we haven’t even got to the appetisers yet. 

We sampled a few of the standout dishes from the appetisers, Sago Potato Cakes, Scallops and a Chapli Kebab. Each were served with their own signature chutney balanced by only someone with an extremely well versed palate. The flavours are subtle yet bold, yin and yang. The ingredients are quality there is no mistaking that. This is certainly quality over quantity with each mouthful delivering you a little gift each time.

The mains were outstanding too with chef making sure they wanted to balance the spices correctly instead of slapping you across the face with chilli. A plus for me as i’m not a huge fan of spicy hot food. This is Indian cuisine at its finest. We tried the Amritsari Butter Chicken and a Malai Prawn dish and both were out of this world. However, the standout dish had to be the Dal Bukhara essentially overnight Lentils with spices and fenugreek in a creamy sauce. The simplest dishes are most often the most delicious. Creamy, spiced well and comforting. I could have eaten a vat of it. Order this and thank me later. 

My guest was particularly impressed with the labelling of allergens on the menu itself. Speaking as someone with a wheat allergy this is still surprisingly hard to come across. This added a level of ease for the guests when looking for something Gluten or Dairy Free. We’re told GF Naan will be added to the menu in the future something which we will be certainly going back to try. 

The fine balancing continues not only with the way the food is flavoured but in the entire experience. The  quality of the food mixed with ambience of the restaurant is where the magic lies. Suri makes a point of delivering old school hospitality throughout his restaurant by having a dialogue with customers and hosting them the way you would have expected from days of yore. This, we witnessed was well received by the customers dining around us and left everyone feeling that extra bit special a task which Suri appears to have taken in his stride. With a Michelin star under his belt, expectations were always going to be high and you will most certainly not be disappointed.

 

What’s more, we noticed they had an outdoor dining area so if you’ve just come for a few cocktails with small plates, your wish is their command… 

 

I know i’ve said it before but i’ll say it again we will be back and i’m sure you will too. What a truly wonderful time we had at Grand Trunk Road and thank you to all of the staff who made everyone feel safe in their surroundings as restrictions start to lift once more. So here’s to hospitality and all of those who welcomed us back. 

Grand Trunk Road is located in South Woodford

For more info or to make ressys check out…

https://www.gtrrestaurant.co.uk

CUBANA WATERLOO  – RESTAURANT REVIEW    

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The amazing city of London, which we’re lucky enough to live in, is known for its celebration of cultures and Cubana celebrates culture like no other.

Just a stone’s throw from Waterloo station, Cubana is pretty tricky to miss when you pass it on the street due to its wall murals, brightly coloured outdoor seating area, authentic Cuban music blasting from its speakers and the traditional food stand out front (which you can purchase at insanely low prices). As soon as you head inside, you feel like you’ve been transported from London to Cuba, with Mother Mary statues and bold bright colours covering every single surface.

The highlight of Cubana, aside from its décor, has to be the food. Cubana does everything from main stand out dishes through to sharing tapas and individual bites and sweet, delectate desserts. You could definitely manage a few sides to go with your main and given the flavours are so good here, I’d definitely recommend it. The chorizo croquettes, lime covered chicken wings and yukka chips (a bizarre texture to grasp if you’re unfamiliar but incredibly tasty!) and the Pollo Criollo (free-range chicken, seared and casseroled in fresh orange, onions, garlic and sherry) was sweet and delicious. Definitely order yourself a side of their slaw too. It’s creamy, well-seasoned and goes with everything.

We ordered a few of our bits as starters and were getting a little nervous when we were waiting a while but it turns out everything was brought over as art of the main so definitely be really clear if you want your food staggered. In all honesty though, we really didn’t mind because it meant more of a feast to pick at!

The drinks menu is really reasonably priced and they do a two for one happy hour which even holds on a Saturday (quite difficult to find in the City!) which is from 4pm – 7pm and offers two for one on certain cocktail glasses and also jugs. A great bargain which we found drew the crowds in as soon as 4pm struck. If you fancy embracing the Cuban culture I’d recommend the strawberry and mango colada which genuinely just tastes like a smoothie (so drink responsibly!) but you also can’t go wrong with the jug of mojito to share. Absolutely packed with mint (and rum!) this is insanely refreshing and quite easily one of the best mojitos in town.

The venue is really open with high ceilings and is staggered across two floors which are split into three rooms. If you can, we suggest trying to get one of the podium tables. They’re both raised up and are really secluded so you have your own, sectioned off taste of Cubana (you’ll need to book these though because they only have two in the venue).

Don’t just consider Cabana as a daytime eatery though. We’re told the weekend evenings get LIVELY with live music and salsa dancers. Should you be heading down there soon, expect to see us back there!

You can book Cubana here: https://www.cubana.co.uk/

We were guests at Cubana restaurant and asked the owner to describe what’s good about the venue in his own words. He said: Cubana is London’s freshest, juiciest bar-restaurant, where you can enjoy authentic Cuban and Latin-American dishes, freshly-prepared with free-range produce, the very best Mojitos and fresh tropical cocktails and late night live Salsa – all at reasonable prices

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

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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.

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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

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

Celebrate the Night Tube with Late Night Dining at Gaucho

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The nation’s favourite Argentine Steak restaurant are about to make Londoners a whole lot happier. As if we didn’t have enough to celebrate with the arrival of the night tube, FINALLY, Gaucho Piccadilly will be the first to give you one incredibly important reason to stay out late. Executive Chef Jamie Robertson has curated a tantalisingly, tasty new menu of sharing dishes to celebrate the occasion. Available between 10pm-1am Weds-Saturday, this feast will feature signature Gaucho beef empanadas, tuna ceviche spoons, chunky truffle chips and of course, no Gaucho feast would be complete without their winning steak. The feasting menu will be priced at £25 per head, so with a selection of delicious morsels to try, Gaucho might just be your new late night hangout. Of course the cocktails and plethora of fine Argentine wines will also be on offer until closing.

The Late Night Menu at Gaucho Piccadilly will launch on Friday 26th August, and will be offered from Wednesday to Saturday nights.

For more information, visit: www.gauchorestaurants.co.uk

Re-charge your Sunday nights at The Piano Works Farringdon

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Everyone knows Sundays are the new Saturdays and we have just the solution for a much needed Sunday night elixir. London’s popular late-night, live music venue The Piano Works have come up with the perfect excuse to reclaim your Sunday evenings by launching live music performances by the legendary Patrick Alan and his Righteous Ten.

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If you would like to spend the evening with the man who helped launch the careers of Amy Winehouse and Christina Aguilera then Sunday nights at The Piano Works are just for you. We were lucky enough to attend the launch and were instantly transported to what can only resemble a funky Manhattan Jazz Club. The Cocktails were a perfect accompaniment to bobbing along at the bar to some of the most perfectly executed soulful hits finished off with a mesmerising tribute to Prince. The energy and soul that oozes from the band was infectious throughout the venue with many punters up on their feet by the end. We simply couldn’t resist. Feel free to really indulge in a little Sunday night therapy and order a dish or two from the menu. From tapas-style dishes to a variety of filled rolls and salads you will not go hungry here. Everything is well-made, fresh and satisfying, we recommend the Soft-Shell Crab Roll. All in all, we couldn’t think of anything else we’d rather be doing on a Sunday night, the ambience is uplifting and we will definitely be back for more. Patrick Alan will continue his residency on the first Sunday of every month.

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For listings or more info visit

http://pianoworks.bar

Heliot Steakhouse present Weekend Brunch

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Voted London’s best Steakhouse we jumped at the chance to try out the Weekend Brunch on offer at Heliot. Located inside London’s prestigious Hippodrome Casino, Heliot Steakhouse offers an array of popular and traditional Brunch items served with some refreshing and boozy cocktails so we were keen to see how the Steakhouse did Brunch.

As a venue, we were bowled over when we experienced a late dinner here a few weeks ago, the ambience is very reminiscent of a metropolitan New York bar so having been invited to Brunch I was intrigued to see how it would fare. What is striking is that there is something very exclusive about the place and intimate despite the fact it’s set in the midst of a casino and this is most welcome especially if you are wishing to escape the hustle and bustle, noisy teenagers and highly strung side of the Capital. Expect velvet red ropes, unique low lighting and of course a very laid back atmosphere, you almost forget you’re in the heart of busy London.

We’re presented with a very classic Brunch menu alongside their famous USDA Steak options and we must admit it’s very tempting to opt for one of their tasty steaks, but we stick to Brunch and decide from a varied menu comprising of items such as Pancakes, Croque Madame, Eggs Benedict, Eggs Florentine, Eggs Royale etc. as well as Seared Scallops and the impressive Jack Stack which is a pancake, waffle and french toast covered in Maple Syrup. All items are priced fairly from £5-9 and with American style portions this is an absolute steal.

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We start with a Passionfruit Bellini to help make our minds up and we are informed that there is a Bloody Mary bar as well as a selection of Bellini’s on offer as part of their Brunch cocktails. Heliot delivers an impressive drinks service offering up unique and inspired cocktails to an impressive list of wines to accompany their menus. You will be spoilt for choice on that front with the bartenders also making your favourite classic cocktails off menu.

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We go for the Country Fried Steak which is served with Sausage Gravy, Eggs and Fries and the Croque Madame. Both are generous and hearty and if you’re looking for a real satisfying meal, this is definitely the place to be. Flavoursome, appetising and indulgent this is highly recommended if you’re looking refuel the morning after with just the perfect balance of a good traditional brunch in a swanky, chic and private location.

The staff are a delight from start to finish and with a backdrop of the Pokerstars Live Tournament this is the perfect place to people watch.

The Weekend Brunch menu is available from 11:30am – 4pm
with a lunch service commencing at 12pm

…and for a limited time only (every Saturday until Jun 4th)

The Hippodrome Casino present

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