How to manipulate on-line web-site reviews Wednesday, July 11th, 2007
How to manipulate on-line web-site reviews. Despite their flaws, the on-line sites are driving the print guides out of business: RAC Guide and Les Routiers are no more.
How to manipulate on-line web-site reviews Wednesday, July 11th, 2007
How to manipulate on-line web-site reviews. Despite their flaws, the on-line sites are driving the print guides out of business: RAC Guide and Les Routiers are no more.
Theo Randall v Zafferano Saturday, July 07th, 2007
An Italian week: Theo Randall v Zafferano. At the lower end, Chiswick gains an authentic pizzeria. One more terrible hotel meal makes me wonder what they get up to in hotel kitchens, but Royal China's dim sum almost makes up for it. Finally, is Whole Foods over-priced and over here?
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.
Summer fun at the Taste of London festival Friday, June 22nd, 2007
Summer fun at the Taste of London festival
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?
Some good value Indian meals Saturday, May 26th, 2007
The Brilliant continues to live up to its name, and I manage to break the £10 a head barrier at Diwana Bhel Poori. I also return to Arbutus. On another subject, Marcus Wareing 0, Jill Dupleix 1.
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.
A trio of Paris 3 stars Saturday, May 12th, 2007
Meals at The Square, Zafferano and Haandi all delivered, but then it was time to up a gear. Off to Paris and dazzling meals at Meurice, Ledoyen and Astrance, although Pre Catalan was hugely disappointing. London has nothing to fear on ethnic foods though, based on my poor Japanese and Vietnamese meals in Paris.
Manoir au Quat Saison revisited Saturday, May 05th, 2007
Manoir aux Quat' Saison produces a superb meal, and Tom Aikens also delivers a high quality experience. I venture into the world of fusion cuisine at Providores, and have an erratic meal at Michael Moore.
The weirdness that is Suka Saturday, April 28th, 2007
A busy week, with an erratic and costly meal at Suka, an excellent dinner at Roussillon and another at the Ledbury. I even ventured out of London to the Vineyard, and found time for a deeply mediocre curry in Hammersmith. At which place was I sat next to a movie star?
Chez Bruce purrs along Saturday, April 21st, 2007
Chez Bruce purrs along. Smiths of Smithfield wisely sticks to serving top class meat without too many distractions. Sadly chef Mark Jankels is no longer at the stoves of the Notting Hill Brasserie, and it shows. The Waterside Inn shows a few imperfections, though both the view and the bill are spectacular.
Manicomio opens Saturday, April 14th, 2007
Ex chefs at Zafferano cooking at Manicomio produce a pleasant meal, and then Zafferano itself shows how Italian cooking should be done. Tangawizi produces another excellent meal; I don't usually get excited about lentils, but the dhal here is fabulous.
Tantris is tantalising Saturday, April 07th, 2007
A superb meal at Tantris in Munich, though a poor one at Acetaia. Back in London, Boxwood Cafe is disappointing and a chain burger beats its signature dish. I have an "Invasion of the Bodysnatchers" moment in Chiswick.
Munching in Munchen Saturday, March 31st, 2007
Munching in Munchen. A superb meal at Konigshof in Munich. By contrast Aubergine in London disappoints but the Brilliant in Southall is as reliable as ever.
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 recently refurbished Gordon Ramsay revisited Saturday, March 10th, 2007
The recently refurbished Gordon Ramsay purrs along. A room with a view is the Petersham Hotel dining room. The new chef at Caprice hasn't changed the formula. I had an excellent tasting menu at Foliage and a cynically poor one at l'Escargot.
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.
A tale of two curries Saturday, February 24th, 2007
A tale of two curries: fine Indian food in darkest Twickenham, and a return visit to Agni. Zafferano delivers once more, and a mixed bag of tapas in Richmond. Also, the Michelin France 2007 results est arrive.
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.
A week of fine food in Goa Saturday, February 03rd, 2007
A week of fine food in Goa.
Classy South Indian food in Chennai Saturday, January 27th, 2007
Blogging from India! Some classy South Indian food in Chennai in particular. Also, Michelin makes some surprising choices in the UK.
Bonds stock is high Saturday, January 20th, 2007
Bonds does a good meal despite a bear market in customers. A new tapas bar in Twickenham works well. Haandi continues to impress.
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
Nearly there. You will receive an email from andy@emails.andyhayler.com shortly, within which will be a link that you need to click on to confirm your subscription. If you don’t receive the email to your inbox shortly then please check your Junk folder and I’d suggest adding my email address to your Safe Senders List to ensure you receive future emails into your inbox.