West London favourites Saturday, May 17th, 2008
I revisit the Glasshouse, and go back to old favourites Zafferano and the Brilliant, new favourite Cambio de Tercio and my local the Brackenbury.
West London favourites Saturday, May 17th, 2008
I revisit the Glasshouse, and go back to old favourites Zafferano and the Brilliant, new favourite Cambio de Tercio and my local the Brackenbury.
Maze grilled Saturday, May 10th, 2008
I try the new Maze Grill, The Abingdon and revisit Amaya. I also try the best that Hampstead and Wimbledon have to offer.
Top 50? Saturday, May 03rd, 2008
I continue to be impressed by Zuma and Royal China, have a slightly below par meal at Bentleys and enjoyable dishes at Rasa Maricham and Tarantella. Also some Top 50 thoughts.
The highs and lows of Barcelona Thursday, April 24th, 2008
The highs and lows of Barcelona, and the Top 50 Restaurant list comes out.
I have “Christmas” at the Fat Duck Thursday, April 17th, 2008
I have “Christmas” at the Fat Duck, revisit E&O and Giusto, and have a dismal meal at Hunan.
Haozhan reviewed Saturday, April 05th, 2008
This week I try Haozhan, revisit Zafferano and the Fish Shop on St John Street, and am reminded just how bad service can get at the new Hammersmith Keralan restaurant Shilpa.
I visit Cheltenham Saturday, March 22nd, 2008
I visit Cheltenham and try Le Champignon Sauvage and Lumiere. Mint Leaf has a chef change and I have a fine meal at the Fat Duck.
A fishy experience at Tom’s Place Saturday, March 01st, 2008
I try out Tom’s Place, and revisit Cambio de Tercio and Tangawizi.
I venture to the wilds of Croydon to try Le Cassoulet Saturday, February 16th, 2008
I venture to the wilds of Croydon to try Le Cassoulet, sample newly Michelin-starred Quilon, and revisit Atelier Robuchon and Royal China.
I reflect on the Michelin UK guide Saturday, February 02nd, 2008
I try Champor Champor, Pearl Liang and The Duke of Sussex, return to Chez Bruce and reflect on the Michelin UK guide.
Dining in Harlow Saturday, January 12th, 2008
I try Tom Ilic and Yumi, return to the Fish Shop on St John Street and the Brilliant, and try eating in Harlow
Simple British cooking is alive and well and living in Hereford Road Saturday, January 05th, 2008
Simple British cooking is alive and well and living in Hereford Road. I return to The Devonshire and Royal China, and venture to darkest Pinner in the search for Indian food.
I go to the "other" restaurant at the Dorchester Saturday, December 15th, 2007
I go to the "other" restaurant at the Dorchester and enjoy it more than Ducasse. Tangawizi continues to impress but not even the Brilliant can rescue a turkey curry. Various Michelin guides come out.
Rowley Leigh’s new Cafe Anglais Saturday, November 24th, 2007
This week I try Rowley Leigh’s new Cafe Anglais, revisit Odettes, find a pizzeria with a difference in Giusto, and savour a remarkable special at the Brilliant. The Michelin 2008 Spain guide comes out with little change, but by contrast the new Michelin Tokyo Guide lands with a thump.
Hibiscus comes to London Saturday, November 03rd, 2007
This week I sample the newly opened Hibiscus, and revisit Gilgamesh, La Trompette, La Trenta, High Road Brasserie and the Brackenbury.
I venture to the wilds of Hoxton to try Bacchus Saturday, October 27th, 2007
I venture to the wilds of Hoxton to try Bacchus. Gordon Ramsay arrives in Chiswick in the form of a pleasant gastropub, while Gary Rhodes Brasserie disappoints. The Fish shop on St John Street and Rasa Samudra deliver as usual, but I encounter some dismal service at Bar Shu.
A good value Italian discovery - Trenta Saturday, September 01st, 2007
A good value Italian discovery in Trenta this week, along with excellent meals at Trompette and Rasa Samudra. I also forgive Racine for the dismal experience I had there when it opened, and find it has settled down just fine. Sadly Boys in Chiswick is a classic: "nice decor, shame about the food" experience.
Gary Rhodes W1 and Skylon compared Saturday, July 14th, 2007
Two new modern British places this week - Gary Rhodes W1 and Skylon. Also contrasting styles of Indian food at the Brilliant in Southall and Rasa Maracham in, er, Kings Cross.
Vendome has proper 3 star cooking Saturday, June 30th, 2007
I have a generally good meal at the Cinnamon Club, and I venture off the tube network, though only as far as the Hinds Head in Bray. I have a stunning meal in Vendome in Germany, but also meet Germany's answer to Basil Fawlty.
Geales is relaunched Saturday, June 23rd, 2007
The Geales relaunch does not fire on all cylinders, but the Brackenbury motors serenely on. Zuma produces another superb meal, while Salt Yard reigns supreme in tapas, even if it is run by Australians.
The Thai Bistro is replaced by Budsara Saturday, June 16th, 2007
The Thai Bistro is no more, but Budsara is born in its place. Hawksmoor produces a fine steak, while Deya serves up some terrific Indian dishes. I get a further lesson on why it is unwise to leave the tube network when eating, this time in Warwickshire.
Sonnys continues its return to form Saturday, June 09th, 2007
Sonnys continues its return to form. Two different Spanish experiences this week with Barrafina and Moro, while Kiasu is that rarity in London - a Malaysian restaurant. Canteen underwhelms but Zafferano makes up for it.
The finest of Knightsbridge reviewed Saturday, June 02nd, 2007
Meals this week at the Capital, Foliage, Hakkasan, High Road House, Madhu's and Agni. I also find the most expensive beer in London at a restaurant - £9 a bottle anyone?
Starry dining - The Fat Duck, Pied a Terre, Le Gavroche and Locanda Locatelli. Saturday, May 19th, 2007
Another busy week, with meals at the Fat Duck, Pied a Terre, Gavroche and Locanda Locatelli. After all that French and Italian food I needed a curry at Haandi.
Haandi shows up some of London's trendier venues Saturday, March 17th, 2007
A mixed week, with ever-reliable Haandi showing up some of London's trendier venues. Rocket in Putney has everything right apart from the kitchen, Green and Red in Shoreditch disappoints while I jump into the Deep end in Fulham. Also, a fine burger in W4.
The Brilliant is refurbished Saturday, March 03rd, 2007
The Brilliant is successfully refurbished, while St Alban struggles to deliver value for money. I had good meals at Pearl and Yauatcha, while a new Lebanese restaurant is erratic. For the revamped Gordon Ramsay stay tuned next week.
Scotts opens Saturday, February 17th, 2007
A fishy week, with meals at Scotts and the Fish Shop on St John Street. The under-rated Rousillon continued to show high class technique.
The Michelin results considered Saturday, February 10th, 2007
Good meals at the High Road Brasserie and Royal China. The Michelin results are (except France) mostly in, and an odd lot they are.
The sublime to the ridiculous of Italian food Saturday, January 13th, 2007
Two good bistro meals at Tom's Kitchen and High Road Brasserie, and from the sublime to the ridiculous of Italian food: Zafferano v Vino Rosso in Chiswick
Maze reviewed Saturday, January 06th, 2007
A generally good meal at Maze, despite dangling wine glasses.
Stephen Black leaves Berkeley Square Friday, December 01st, 2006
Tragedy as Stephen Black leaves Berkeley Square, but on the bright side a smart new Vietnamese restaurant opens in Smithfield.
Tom's Kitchen opens Friday, November 24th, 2006
Tom's Kitchen is a great success, and Zafferano continues to deliver top Italian cooking.
Sonnys in Barnes gets a new chef Saturday, November 04th, 2006
Excellent new chef at Sonnys in Barnes, top Indian food at Haandi and a sneak visit to the Gourmet Burger Kitchen.
The Brackenbury is the ideal local bistro Saturday, September 09th, 2006
The Brackenbury shows how to do local bistro when so many others disappoint. The Thai Bistro is simple but pleasant.
Pied a Terre reopens Sunday, August 06th, 2006
Pied a Terre shines after its reopening. Zuma shows why it is so popular, and Patara is the best Thai restaurant in London. High Road House opens in Chsiwcik, and the luvvies love it.
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