Restaurant Review: Paradise Garage

Clearly railway arches are the new place to be if you’re a restaurant. Robin Gill’s third restaurant sits under the railway arches of Bethnal Green, sat along next to gorgeous restaurant by Sager & Wilde, Mission. 

He is the chef who created and owns the well-renowned restaurants in London, The Dairy and The Manor.

Already completely enchanted by The Manor and The Dairy, I knew this would be good, but how could he possibly surprise me and surpass himself with this new venture?

Restaurant Review: Oldroyd

It was the day of the London Tube Strikes. I had a booking at Oldroyd at 7pm.  I had four options:

Option 1: Forget about the booking. But there was no way I was letting this one go. I was more excited to visit this restaurant than other in the past few months.

Option 2: Take a bike. I would have taken this option (even though I am scared stiff of riding on London roads - and haven't ridden a bike in 10 years) but I had two heavy bags with me, one bag on each handle? I would be never be able to balance myself.

Otion 3: Take a taxi. The last time there was a tube strike, the usual 30 minute journey took an hour in a taxi. I am not one to be late!!

Option 4: Walk. I walked 55 minutes from Soho to Islington with two heavy bags. All in the name of food eh? Definitely deserved the dinner after that.

Restaurant Review: Taberno Do Mercardo, Spitalfields

I'm going to lay my cards on the table right now. I am such a fan of Nuno Mendes. I loved Corner Room and I loved Chiltern Firehouse, so I was always going to look favourably on Taberno do Mercardo.

Portugese food intrigues me, I've never had it before and didn't know what to expect.

Taberno is probably the furthest you could get away from Firehouse, which I'm sure was a very conscious decision. The restaurant decor is very simple: whitewashed, wooden tables and spindly chairs. It's all about the food here.

The Manor, Clapham.

The end of December. That weird time of limbo between Christmas and NYE. I was working, not much else was happening, as we were all busy getting over Christmas and preparing for New Year. The Manor, sister restaurant to the Dairy opened at the beginning of December (if I remember correctly) and from the minute it opened, everyone was going crazy about it. And if the Dairy is anything to go by, I had no doubt the praise was well deserved.

Being bored around this time, I decided as this is the time for feasting and over indulgence, why not try booking a table. Unbelievably that night The Manor had tables free (may have changed now!). I booked without hesitation!! And trecked it down to Clapham.

We had a little amuse to start of of a cracker with nori.

A. Wong, Victoria.

There's Chinese food and then there's Chinese food. At A.Wong in Victoria, they are recreating Chinese food in fine dining, small plates form.

We were sat up at the bar, watching the good, the bad and the ugly unfurl at the heart of the kitchen.

Casamia, Bristol

We went for a weekend trip to Bristol a little while ago, a short trip for a little recharge. We probably didn't research as well as we should have to do some of the cultural, arty things Bristol has to offer, but what we did research (obvs) was what restaurants to go to!!

One that I've heard much about is the one-star Casamia.

Honest Burgers Breakfast, Liverpool Street

Those working in the City have a plethora of burger option breakfast, what with Patty & Bun and Street Kitchen and now Honest Burgers. Some may call it slightly copycat, but Honest Burgers, who have recently opened their latest outpost in Liverpool Street, have started doing breakfast till 10am. 

Chez Elles, Shoreditch

On a recent wander down Brick Lane in search of lunch, we found a cute French restaurant called Chez Elles, ran by three gorgeous girls.

The place has a feel of a neighbourhood bistro, instead of being on the busy, bustling Brick Lane.

We started with gorgeous garlic snails.

And a ham hock terrine.

Moules et frites!

Bavetter steak.

Along with the best chocolate moulleux I've ever had. So gooey and rich. Just delicious. Along with a scoop of homemade pistachio ice cream.

Not entirely groundbreaking, but for that cake alone I will be back.

A Weekend in Paris, Part Trois

Saturday was a very very long day. After seeing Dirty Dicks (a bar, people!) in Pigalle, we just walked around the areas and explored for a bit, taking in all the beauty of street corner here and a building there.

A Weekend in Paris, Part Deux

So we woke up far too early for breakfast that was scheduled in at 9am. I kid you not, we had an itinerary of sites to see so I could see as much of Paris as possible.

After breakfast at Claus (not the best, but the cakes were lovely) we headed straight off to the Louvre.

A Weekend in Paris, Part One.

I've never been to Paris before.

I know I know it's like 2 hours away (quicker to get to than where I went to uni in York), but I've just never made it over there. And it's like always been my dream to go. The romance, the beauty the chic women, the pastries and patisserie!! The Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe! Oh and stripes and moustaches of course. I wanted to see it all.

Finally, a few weekends ago, I ended up going. I was praying I didn't get that Paris Syndrome that Japanese tourists get when they go to Paris because they're so disappointed that it's not like the movies. I had however heard about, and prepared myself for shit-covered pavements and rude waiters.

Arriving Friday evening after work, I was swiftly whisked away for dinner at a gorgeous little wine bar/restaurant called O Divin! Found after hours spent perusing blogs about Parisienne restaurants (the reputation in London is that the food there isn't great) I decided on this one from the great Paris restaurant blog, The Paris Kitchen.

We sat outside in a little courtyard on a very balmy evening and ordered the 6 course set menu (which changes weekly) along with a delicious wine pairing.

So, I can't remember what this is (or most of the dishes, we didn't have a written menu) but what I do know is that the first two dishes were interesting and ok, but not outstanding. However what followed was the best food we had in Paris!!

The Modern Pantry, Clerkenwell

I had a bit of a failed brunch on my actual birthday (this was back in July), so I was determined to go for some proper good brunch on a gorgeously sunny Saturday. Where else but the Modern Pantry?

Fera by Simon Rogan, Claridge's

I was completely spoiled on my birthday. What started out as a picnic in Hyde park on a gorgeously sunny day turned into a surprise birthday dinner at a restaurant I've wanted to go to since it opened - Fera.

Everything felt so special - the walk in the main entrance of Claridge's, being greeted by top-hatted and tailed doormen, and being guided by the manager through to Fera. 

The dim entrance only served to make the room of the restaurant all the more impressive.

Sushi Tetsu

It starts like this.

Midnight Duck and Waffle Feast

There's a reason it stays open 24 hours and it's time we made the most of it.

The night of my birthday party, after all the celebrations, my boy and I headed for a midnight feast in Duck and Waffle - his first time too!

We started with lobster foie gras creme brûlée - possibly my favourite dish ever from D&W.

Octopus, potato, capers and balsamic.

City Social - The Highest Restaurant in Jason Atherton's Empire

Jason Atherton is pretty much everywhere right now. Opening up many restaurants in the past two years all over the world, not just London, with a few gaining Michelin Stars, he is the man of the moment. So his latest opening in Tower 42, one of the skyscrapers in East London was very anticipated.

You enter in a lift, but unfortunately unlike Duck and Waffle, there is no view.

The dining room is gorgeous. Huge lacquered woods, sexy reflective low ceilings, giant ghurkin-facing booths, and floor to ceiling glass offer the most incredible views.

Kurobuta, Chelsea

Can you believe it? Somewhere cool has opened in Chelsea.

Kurobuta, fronted by Scott Hallsworth, a chef who previously worked at Nobu, is doing something fresh and exciting with Japanese, fusion food.

A simple, small space with bare walls and open lights, we sat by the window to watch all the passers by.

The cocktails are delicious and the food even more so, with so many new and exciting flavours to try. We had to try as much as possible. In no particular order....

Pattty & Bun Breakfast!

My favourite burger joint now does breakfast in their Liverpool Street branch! From 7.30am-9.30am, they serve their brand of breakfast to those in need.

And it's really really good.

Here's a view inside the "P&B Bacon". Bacon, cheese, egg, green tomato salsa, ketchup and brioche.

Then the "P&B Sausage." Sausage patty, egg, cheese and brioche.

A Quick Weekend Getaway to Almeria, Spain

Desperately in need on sun and a recharge, we looked up flash holiday deals on Wednesday....and Friday that week we were away to Almeria in Spain. 

I immediately spotted the Central Mercardo, my favourite place in Valencia if you remember. I was once again in heaven. Jamon as far as the eye can see, boqueones, wines, salted fish and fruits as big as my face.

My boyfriend is such an addict to Jamon Iberico, he bought a shoulder of ham and took it home with him - as in back to England. In his suitcase. Hand luggage, I might add.

Arbutus. The good value set menu strikes again!

One of the best set menus to be had in London is the pre-theatre from Michelin starred restaurant, Arbutus in Soho.

Full of atmosphere and none of the stuffiness of a typical French restaurant, good conversation, food and wine was found in abundance!

Two courses of delicious food will set you back just £18.95 and three just £20.95. 

Go for three!! Just do it!!

We started with a most beautiful and delicate steak tartare.

Followed by fresh sheep's ricotta gnudi, broad beans, asparagus and parmesan.

Finished off with an incredible cold chocolate fondant and salted caramel ice cream. Just dreamy!

Booking is essential, click here to book.