Briciole, 20 Homer Street, London W1 4NA

Briciole, 20 Homer Street, London W1H 4NA
13/05/2012
www.briciole.co.uk/restaurant

She said…I read that a local pub had been turned into a neighbourhood Italian so in an effort to support local business we dropped in for a weekend lunch. Set on a corner near the edge of Marylebone, Briciole has a welcoming, casual feel. Wooden floors, a deli counter at the entrance which you pass by to enter an open, contemporary dining space with exposed brickwork, lots of windows to let light in and dark wooden furniture. The concept seemed focused on smaller dishes so we ordered a mix of cheese, vegetable and bread-based dishes. The breads were disappointing and stale to taste (not great for an Italian with a focus on ‘fresh’) – I had gone for a bruschetta with aubergine and cheese, and the goats cheese, walnut and beetroot salad was surprisingly plain – lumps of hard beetroot and a few bit of tasteless cheese. The saving grace was the tagliatelle with artichokes which was simple but the pasta well cooked and the flavours of the artichoke worked well. At £33. for 6 small dishes and a medium plate of pasta the prices were okay but I wouldn’t be rushing back to Briciole unless I was in the immediate area. It’s a nice enough setting but the food was a let down – plain, edible but unmemorable.

He said… I don’t really see what all the fuss is about. Yes, Briciole is right on trend with the small plates formula and gastro-pub vibe. But for me Italian food is simple dishes made with the best, freshest ingredients. I couldn’t shake the feeling that some of my dishes had been prepared earlier and in some cases  microwaved.  Either that or there simply wasn’t much love coming out of the kitchen. But the owner/manager is clearly passionate and hopefully he will crack the whip. It would be a nice addition to the neighbourhood, if it worked.

Lime Wood Hotel, Beaulieu Road, Lyndhurst, Hampshire, SO43 7FZ

Limewood Hotel, Beaulieu Road, Lyndhurst, Hampshire, SO43 7FZ
09/05/2           
www.limewoodhotel.co.uk

She said…We had been looking forward to our mid-week break in the New Forest for a while.  The peace and natural beauty was to be the idyllic escape from the daily grind. We picked the Limewood Hotel – a stunning, boutique residence with such exquisite rooms, social spaces, health facilities and service to make you never want to leave. When we arrived, it was soon apparent that the constant rain meant we’d be involved in more indoor activities that we had anticipated so we literally decided to make a feast of it.

In the afternoon we took our lunch in the ‘Scullery’. A casual yet stylish room with a country home feel, the menu offered a good range of British fare and reasonable prices. I was drawn to marmite mushrooms on toast which I accompanied with a goats cheese salad which was delicious. The desert menu was less engaging so we decided to get on some mountain bikes and brave the weather to take tea in a random place several miles away – but that’s a different story. (The following day we went back for lunch and the fish pie was very good although a big serving: satisfying blend of cream and cheese for the sauce and tasty smoked fish with a fluffy potato topping).

In the evening we dined in the main restaurant which was a both classic and contemporary dining room, comfortable and chic. The service was immaculate and everything I ate was beautifully presented and perfectly produced. The Cornish Mackerel starter was a delicious opener but South Coast Gunard and Plaice stole the show and was perfectly roasted and poached with a beautiful pesto and gnocchi (thought I gave most of this to him since I am not a big gnocchi fan). The atmosphere in the Dining Room was sophisticated without being pretentious and is the sort of space you can take your time in. The prices are central London fancy restaurant prices without being silly – and worth it given the outstanding experience.

He said… There is no way that I can be objective about The Dining Room, given that it is at the Limewood Hotel – for my money the best English country hotel right now. It is so good that I really don’t want anyone else to know about it, and go and ruin it. So I will simply say that I had the wild smoked salmon to start, and the  wild garlic and foraged flowers risotto to follow. I know they’re genuinely foraged because the following morning, cooling-off outside after a run, I saw one of the sous-chefs picking herbs and flowers in the garden. I suppose that, compared to the hotel, the restaurant was just really good, as opposed to great. As in most country restaurants the vibe was a little muted, and the waiting staff was too young to match the confidence displayed in spades by the kitchen. The food and room were both excellent, but nothing you haven’t experienced in any number of really good restaurants; the plating, however, was genuinely striking and beautiful. We were there mid-week so we didn’t see many, but this place deserves to be full of appreciative locals.

Saf, Whole Foods Market, 63 Kensington High Street, London W8 5SE

Saf, Whole Foods Market, 63 Kensington High Street, London W8 5SE
07/05/2012

http://www.safrestaurant.co.uk/

She said…After appearing as interested bystanders for an episode of Antiques Roadshow who were filming at Kensington Palace, we headed for Saf in the former Barkers Building which I had read about as a choice vegetarian restaurant. Indeed it was. Set on the first floor – annexed from the wider food court, this smart, bright, modern restaurant offers a great variety of vegetarian dishes which offer more creativity than the usual vegetarian suspects. We shared a spinach and date gyoza to start which was delicious and I had a pumpkin risotto which was made with pearl barley and included fried sage and cinnamon which was also very good. The portions were satisfying and the flavours smooth. There is a wide choice of healthy juices and cocktails (I recommend the Prima Vera) and deserts – although I didn’t have enough room to try one. I would definitely go back to Saf; it’s a great place for a relaxing lunch with an excellent vegetarian menu at reasonable prices (total bill £36 for one starter, two mains and two drinks). I recommend a table by the floor to ceiling windows.

He said… Another soggy day in London. If you’re looking for comfort there really is no better place than Whole Foods on Kensington High Street, the ultimate temple to gluttony, with its endless aisles stacked high with all sorts of goodies, all familiar but with a California spin that makes the most mundane totally irresistible. If you have no will power then best leave your credit cards at home. I’d been there a few times before, but never twigged that there’s an upstairs food-court. She had Saf on her radar, but I had no idea what to expect, which is actually a nice way to eat. It reminded me of a meal I had in a Japanese restaurant in Brussels, where you simply put your faith in the chef and let him bring out whatever is best that day. This definitely ramps up the expectation and turns up the taste buds to 11 when the food actually arrives. Anyways, today I picked but the menu was so unfamiliar – mostly raw vegan cooking – that it was a similar feeling for me. I went for the vegan Banh Mi (the bloody version is ubiquitous in London this year) with a side of  Kimpura (aka carrot ‘fries’ in a sesame and agave marinade), with a start of gyoza. If you’re anything like me you hear the word ‘vegan’ and you just roll your eyes back and utter a groan of frustrated boredom. But this is the second vegan place I’ve been to that totally rocks (the first is Gobo, in New York) and delivers really flavourful, satisfying food. The only thing I can fault, really, is the mall food-court feel of the place. But if you’re not bothered about the ‘special place’ factor for once, and just want good, unusual food that you’re not going to find anywhere else, then Saf’s the spot.

Bluebird Café, 350 Kings Road, London SW3 5UU

Bluebird Café, 350 Kings Road, London SW3 5UU
26/06/2012
http://www.bluebird-restaurant.co.uk/

She said: After a trip to the movies we were hungry and wanted something quick and easy for dinner. Having wandered into a few duds (local Byron said we had to wait for a table and a pizza place nearby said they were too busy despite empty tables) we liked the look of the Bluebird Café which had a chic diner feel to it. Boy were we wrong. We should have known to turn around when no-one bothered to seat us and we had to seat ourselves, collect our own menu, go up to waiting staff who seemed to be ‘hanging out’ and give our food order and then find them again to pay our bill (and yes they did still charge service). I haven’t witnessed such awful or should I say lack of service in a long time. I ordered a gorgonzola, pear and walnut and chicory salad which was as described but the spectacular lack of service and some cackling fellow female diners combined to ensure I never return.  

He said:  We happened to be in the area, hungry, and remembered a nice meal in the restaurant upstairs. We should have walked on. The food was fine; sometimes you just want a meal, not an epiphany. But the service was by a long shot the most indifferent I've experienced in London. Don't reward the owners with your hard-earned cash. The King's Road is not short on alternatives.

28-50 Wine Workshop and Kitchen, 15-17 Marylebone Lane, London W1U 2NE

28-50 Wine Workshop and Kitchen, 15-17 Marylebone Lane, London W1U 2NE
22/06/2012
http://www.2850.co.uk/

She said…Having opposed planning permission for outdoor drinking at this new local (and succeeded) we didn’t want that to stop us trying this wine bar-cum-bistro one early Friday evening. The menu has a good selection of standard European dishes – though describes itself as serving ‘French bistro style food’. Feeling nostalgic, I started with a prawn cocktail which was as to be expected: prawn, lettuce and a cocktail dressing – fine. The onion tart I had for mains was more memorable – thin, light pastry with a decent topping of caramelised onion and a simple side salad. This left room for desert; as expected I opted for the chocolate tart which again was fine but not outstanding probably due to a lower grade quality of chocolate. The service was friendly and the room -  which is an open, wood-furnished space around a central bar with warm lighting and lots of windows is a comfortable space to relax and socialise in. This is a reliable local bistro, probably good for wine lovers with food that is good enough at mid-range prices (£60 for three courses each plus one glass of wine for him).

He said: I was a little apprehensive going into this new restaurant at the back of our place: the previous week I  sent the council their way for a friendly chat about noise. Will revenge be on the menu? Evidently not, because this all went swimmingly. 28-50 is some cryptic reference to wine (the latitude at which vines grow) which I'm sure is lost on almost anyone expect the wine buffs who come here to hold up the bar and savour the tipple. And while the restaurant is small and intimate, the bar lends it a really pleasant buzz, and overall 28-50 has the elusive feeling that awesome special secret place that's only for you. I had a gazpacho and then couldn’t resist an Icelandic fish stew just to see what it was about. Both were packed with flavour and very fresh tasting. Desert was an almond cake which I also really liked. At £60 for three courses for two this is definitely a find. Go, just remember to be quiet on the way out!

10 Greek Street, London W1D 4DH

10 Greek Street, London W1D 4DH
16/06/2012
http://www.10greekstreet.com/

She said…Wow. I had read the glowing reviews but there have been many a glow for the barren, skinny looking dining rooms around Soho that have left me underwhelmed. But not 10 Greek Street which is absolutely deserving of its praise. Taking a chance on not reserving we turned up for an early lunch on a Saturday afternoon and found ourselves in a narrow but bright and chic space with industrial style décor. The menu was written on blackboards on either side of the room and prices were very reasonable – especially given the creativity and quality of everything we ate. The complimentary fresh bread was fresh and contained various mixes of herbs and fruits and I kicked off with mackerel which came with a blueberry jelly and horseradish sauce which I could spread on some toasted bread; the whole thing was bursting with flavour. To follow, I had the Hake which was a succulent piece of fish in a dish surrounded by fennel, dates and fresh, crunchy cucumber. All the flavours of this main dish complimented each other to create a unique tasting experience. Despite a lack of room I made way for a chocolate terrine accompanied by a pot of tea. The high quality chocolate was creamy and thick and melted in my mouth. I could not believe what a special place Greek Street turned out to be – the food is spectacular and the setting, though intimate (it was full when we were leaving) feels friendly and comfortable. One to come back to – especially given the changing menu. Ten out of ten.

He said... What a nice surprise this was. We'd been to enough of those trendy no-reservation Soho joints to know not to expect more than a lot of hot air. The aesthetic here is much the same, you know the kind: boho minimalism, tunes played through a turntable, etc. But there the similarities stop. The blackboard echoed the passion that was wafting out of the kitchen, and the vibe was genuine, mellow and warm. I kicked things off with a rigatoni with chili and crab, and followed with a really good hake. What can I say other than eat early, like an American, to make sure to get a table. This one really works, though I'm not sure how: it came to just £58 for three excellent course, and there are not many covers. You get a great sense of discovery eating here. Save it for one of your know-it-all friends and blow them away with your inside track on foodie London's beating heart

Cote, St Christpher’s Place, London W1U 1ND

Cote, St Christpher’s Place, London W1U 1ND
05/06/2012
http://www.cote-restaurants.co.uk/

She said…We noticed this new restaurant opening near us on our way to the Jubilee celebrations and discovered they were providing free dining as part of staff training before the restaurant formally opened so we booked for the next day ready to give our constructive feedback. The deal was, we could pick one main and one dessert and mine and his had to be different; we also got a flat bread with cheese and only had to pay for our drinks. We had the full a la carte to choose from. The flat bread was delicious – thin, perfectly cooked and juicy. For main I ordered the roasted seabass which came with braised fennel and a champagne butter and tomato ‘concasse’. The portion of fish was generous but the sauce was forgettable. The side of minted peas and glazed carrots were good accompaniments. For desert I got the chocolate fondue with vanilla ice cream along with a generous sized cup of latte. Cote passed the test of bringing dessert and coffee together as requested and the coffee was hot (not luke warm) as requested which was impressive since most restaurants fail in this test/request. My fondant was delicious – warm, tasty chocolate, soft and chewy sponge but I couldn’t help but keep shoving my spoon into his tarte tartin which was amazing – so we ended up ‘sharing’ our desserts (i.e. I ate much of his then mine). As for the trainee staff – service was good, attentive but not fussy. As we were responsible for providing feedback – maybe our plates could have been cleared more quickly and our table was right by the cash register, route to the toilets and where the food comes out so a bit busy but we will definitely be going back to this smart, value-for-money chain (even when not eating for free) which has something for everyone on the menu and great desserts. The seating in the front half of the restaurant with windows onto the passage by Christpher’s Place is particularly good. I do like this dine free for feedback concept!

He said... Chances are that there's a Cote not far from where you live, so I'm not going to say much about this one, other than go. If there's a high street chain restaurant out there better-value than Cote then I haven't been there yet. The setting, menu and price are all bang on. They could easily charge more for what they serve up, and still get away with it. The fish pie was as good as anything Sheekey's might serve up, and the tarte tatin is top notch.

Pret a Diner, 50 St. James’ Street, W1F 9JP, London

Pret a Diner, 50 St. James’ Street, London
01/06/2012

http://www.pretadiner.com/

She said…Having somehow got onto the appropriate mailing list, he was sent an e-shot invitation to this ‘pop-up’ restaurant posing as an uber-cool, exclusive dining experience in the heart of Mayfair. Yes it may be £75 for said experience but the promise of something completely different that tantalises the various senses with Michelen starred cooking seemed absolutely worth it. Unfortunately, the reality proved absolutely not. If I had to pick one word to sum up Pret a Diner it is GREEDY. Yes the capitals are to emphasise me screaming loud and clear for the avoidance of doubt. The initial impression was very positive; a chirpy chap greeted us warmly at the door, he gave us a tour of the first floor dining space – a contemporary, buzzing room transformed from a former private members’ club in a beautiful neoclassical building of the many that exist in Mayfair – which the capitalist entrepreneurs of Pret a Diner had seized on during its dormant period. We were informed we would be eating in the ‘celebrity’ dining room – a side room to the main one but nevertheless a trendy yet romantic space; but almost immediately the hopeful anticipation was squashed like a big rotten tomato. A young girl put some ‘amuse bouche’ down and muttered something; we asked her to repeat what it was but quickly realised she just wanted to get the whole waitering experience out of the way. She graced us a few times during the meal with equal eloquence. We were presented with the set menu of various meat dishes; we had checked beforehand that fish or vegetarian options would be available and this was confirmed but it took a series of pass the parcel like experiences from one waiter to another before anyone would admit to actually knowing how to obtain any knowledge of what the possibilities were. Finally a waiter said he could tell us but needed someone else to listen to him telling us because he was new. For £75 we would be getting: a salad of lettuce and tomato – which bore a strong resemblance to the instant salad in a bag you can get from Tesco; followed by pene pasta with overcooked vegetables in a bland tomato sauce; followed by another pasta dish – this time chunks of lasagne sheets with unidentifiable overcooked vegetables in a bland cream sauce.  If we wanted desert we had to pay extra. For drinks – I asked if there were cocktails and was told if I wanted one I had to go downstairs to the bar to order it, which foolishly I did. The bar staff were indifferent, took £15 from me for a tiny glass of fizz with honey which I had the pleasure of then having to carry back up the stairs to my table (they did still charge me service for the drink). At the end of the meal when one of the several changes of waiters we had asked how our meal was and we said disappointing – explaining that pasta followed by pasta was not very creative he responded ‘I like pasta so I would have been happy’. Now there’s customer service. In a competitive world of dining I love seeing entrepreneurs combine their love of food with creativity to offer something different but Pret a Diner is a complete farce – greedy people offering sloppy food and useless service with absolute delusions of grandeur. Greedy, greedy, greedy. This is a pop up that should just pop off.

He said... This was a swish pop-up with pedigree which you can't even go to anymore, so I'm going to be as lazy as the organisers and give it a one word review: disappointing. Big time.