I try Helene Darroze at the Connaught Saturday, July 26th, 2008
This week I try Helene Darroze at the Connaught, and revisit the Red Fort. The “Scores on the Doors” yields some surprising results.
I try Helene Darroze at the Connaught Saturday, July 26th, 2008
This week I try Helene Darroze at the Connaught, and revisit the Red Fort. The “Scores on the Doors” yields some surprising results.
Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder Saturday, July 12th, 2008
I try l’Absinthe, and revisit Petrus, Ambassade de l’Ile, Zafferano, Kiasu and Tarantella
In praise of pata negra Saturday, July 05th, 2008
This week I try Annie’s, Cha Cha Moon and Randall and Aubin, revisit the Brilliant and Diwana Bhel Poori, and pig out on some pata negra
Ambassade de l’Ile opens Saturday, June 28th, 2008
I finally try Latium, and am excited about Ambassade de l’Ile. I also revisit La Trompette and Haandi
Pantechnicon reviewed Friday, May 23rd, 2008
This week I try Pantechnicon and Rooburoo, and revisit Rhodes W1, Roussillon, the Ledbury and Haandi
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.
I try the newly re-launched Launceston Place Saturday, April 12th, 2008
This week I try the newly re-launched Launceston Place, revisit the Devonshire and the Brilliant, and bump into Albert Roux
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.
This week I revisit Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea Friday, March 28th, 2008
This week I revisit Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea, try Bord’eaux in Park Lane and revisit Haandi.
The Carpenter's Arms serves up tolerable food but hilarious service Saturday, March 15th, 2008
The Carpenter's Arms serves up tolerable food but hilarious service. Roka is still on form, as is local pizzeria Tarantella. Also, the Michelin waifs and strays.
A week in the deep south of the USA Saturday, March 08th, 2008
A week in the deep south of the USA. Also, Udit Sarkhel resurfaces, and other news.
A fishy experience at Tom’s Place Saturday, March 01st, 2008
I try out Tom’s Place, and revisit Cambio de Tercio and Tangawizi.
Urban Turban reviewed Saturday, February 23rd, 2008
I try Urban Turban, and revisit Hibiscus, the Devonshire, the Brilliant and Diwana Bhel Poori.
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 try Rasoi Vineet Bathia Saturday, February 09th, 2008
I try Rasoi Vineet Bathia, Clos Maggiore, Dehesa and the Grill Room at Browns, and return to Diwana Bhel Poori.
A week in Goa Monday, January 28th, 2008
I enjoy some lovely Indian food while on holiday in Goa.
I visit Angelus Saturday, January 19th, 2008
I visit Angelus, compare Michelin starred Benares with Madhu’s in Southall, and enjoy the new menu at Zafferano.
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
I try the new Landau at the Langham hotel Saturday, December 29th, 2007
I try the new Landau at the Langham hotel, and return to Kastoori in search of top vegetarian Indian food now that Sabras has closed.
My 2007 culinary highs and lows Saturday, December 22nd, 2007
I revisit Hawksmoor, and return to old favourites Zafferano and Haandi. Also, my 2007 culinary highs and lows.
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.
Alan Yau turning Japanese Saturday, December 08th, 2007
I venture to Alan Yau’s new venture, Sake No Hana, and mix with the celebs. I return to Madhus in Southall, and to Tarantella in Chiswick.
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.
Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester on its opening night Saturday, November 17th, 2007
I try Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester on its opening night. I find Semplice to be an impressive Italian restaurant, and have very enjoyable meals at Yauatcha and Haandi. Michelin Germany 2008 comes out, and arrives with a bang.
Diwali in Southall is princely Saturday, November 10th, 2007
I spend Diwali in Southall and meet Prince Charles. Cambio de Tercio seems transformed, and Pizzeria Rustica is all too rustic, at least in its staff hygiene training.
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.
Vacherin revamped Saturday, October 20th, 2007
This week a revamp works wonders for Le Vacherin, I have another excellent curry at Haandi and try two Italians: my old favourite Zafferano and new kid on the block La Trenta.
Sichuan food near Boston Saturday, October 13th, 2007
In Boston, I enjoy the vibrant spicing of a real Sichuan restaurant, but am uninspired by two of the highest rated restaurants there. Back in London, Zaika shows how to make proper biriani.
The Ledbury sails serenely on Saturday, October 06th, 2007
The Ledbury sails serenely on. Indian cuisine meets Austin Powers at Mantra. The Brackenbury continues to set the standard for a top quality neighbourhood restaurant.
Normal for Norfolk Saturday, September 22nd, 2007
My foray to Norfolk is a culinary let-down, but a really promising restaurant opens in London at last. Diwana Bhel Poori and Zafferano continue to excel in their very different ways.
The Phoenix Palace rises from the ashes Friday, September 14th, 2007
The Phoenix Palace delivers a capable meal, which is more than can be said for the much-hyped Wahaca. La Trompette and the Brilliant were also on form. I go to a rice tasting, the new Good Food Guide comes out, and I'll be on telly on Monday.
Tasty Thai food from the Fulham Road branch of Patara Saturday, September 08th, 2007
This week saw a fine meal at the Brackenbury, tasty Thai food from the Fulham Road branch of Patara and another excellent curry at Madhu's in Southall. I also have a new toy.
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.
Roussillon revisited Saturday, August 25th, 2007
Roussillon delivers another enjoyable meal, and an excuse to eat the gorgeous chocolate desserts here. Tangawizi continues to set a standard for Indian cooking that few in London can match, and Royal China continues serenely along.
Dreamy malai chicken tikka Saturday, August 18th, 2007
I revisit Madhu's and have a malai chicken tikka that dreams are made of. My monthly visit to Zafferano is as good as ever, but Matsuri disappoints. My TV appearance firms up.
I judge a TV dinner Saturday, August 11th, 2007
Pearl serves up a slightly inconsistent, though mostly good, meal. E&O seems busier than ever, and the cooking seems a little sharper to me than on previous visits. Haandi is as consistently excellent as ever, and I judge a TV dinner.
Petite Maison comes to Mayfair Saturday, August 04th, 2007
Does London need yet another over-expensive yet carefully marketed bistro? Le Gavroche delivers a solid, if imperfect meal, while the Brilliant is a rock of reliability and value in Southall.
Hof van Cleve and Oud Sluis - serious food Saturday, July 28th, 2007
A busy week. Haandi, Zuma and Yauatcha all deliver reliable meals, but the week was really all about comparing Le Manoir au Quat Saisons with Hof van Cleve and Oud Sluis.
Umu revisited Saturday, July 21st, 2007
I revisit Umu, the controversial Japanese restaurant. Another excellent meal at Zafferano, but a poor burger experience at Ground. Tangawizi in Richmond continues to impress me. Also, a new site feature, some food quizzes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.