Category Archives: Reviews

Good Coffee in London

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Well, it’s been 6 months now and I have had the odd good coffee here in London. Bullet Coffee down the road does serve a good drop but it is a very fruity blend and doesn’t quite warrant the walk [lazy I know].

I have had a decent cup or two at Costas and even Pret Manger…but it’s not quite the same as  some of the really excellent coffees I’ve had in Sydney. Funnily enough they are only just catching on to the ‘cafe’ here. Cafes here are typically local little joints that sell fish and chips, burgers and full breakfasts – blue collar hang outs…(really cosy and typically English and I love them). But places like Monmouth are shooting up all over the place and I think they’re being well received. Apparently it’s all Kiwis and Aussie’s running these places, raising the standards of British coffee one cafe at a time.

I had heard the mention of a place called Monmouth Coffee, and I figured it’s just hype and hipster whispers and I probably don’t want to be there. But I recently met a friend there for a coffee, another Sydney-sider who misses the good stuff and I have to say that yes it was a hipster’s paradise, yes it was full of coffee wankers but yes it was also probably the best coffee I’ve had in London. The atmosphere is casual and crowded, a lot like Campos in Newtown.

We sat on a communal table which was terribly crowded and awkward, but we got over it. I don’t think the couple next us did however, they were silent the whole time they sat there. Something I really like here is the brown sugar all the places serve with the coffee. Big bowls of brown sugar that you can heap in at your leisure. It’s probably an OH&S non-compliance but I like it.  The waiters were nice and there were a lot bearded young men sipping lattes and using their laptops. The coffee was well priced, of a good size and I would go back there for all the right reasons. If it wasn’t so busy all the time it would be the perfect cafe in Soho.

How to Pick a Chinese Restaurant

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As most people in the western world, I’ve spent a good many meals chowing down at the local Chinese restaurant. I’ve also been into China town to try out some of the places in the heart of the Chinese population.

But I’m going to trump most of you when I can also say that I’ve eaten my way around China. With a local girl leading us by the hand, I’ve eaten Chinese food with Chinese people in Shanghai, Xian, Beijing, Changzhou and Wuxi.

I’ve eaten the smoothest cold silken tofu, the most wholesome, tasty mutton stew, the hottest of hot hot chicken, and I’ve had my share of deep fried snake, pig’s throat, chicken feet, eel and I can’t remember the various other nasties I’ve tried.

What I’ve learned on my travels is that the Chinese like food. A lot. And they are down to earth. They value family and they like to feel comfortable when they’re out to dinner. It’s not often you’ll find Chinese people dining in an upscale, Michelin starred Chinese restaurant. No, you’ll find them at a select group of restaurants that they know serves good food, and doesn’t mind kids running around.

Time and time again it has been proven that to pick the best place to eat amongst a big group of restaurants, like in China town for example, or a suburb with a large Chinese population, you go where the Chinese people are eating.

Back in Eastwood, where I used to live, there used to be 2 or 3 Chinese BBQ restaurants. Tiny little places with pork and ducks hanging in the window. There was always lines at one of these places. I’m not an expert, I didn’t grow up eating Chinese food every night, but the locals knew which shop served the BBQ meat and they went there. So did I. And I can prove it was the best because when I got sick of lining up I tried one of the other places and it simply was not as good.

Another way to tell a good Chinese restaurant is the decor and the tables. Don’t go in for anything too fancy. The best places don’t need to worry too much about looking trendy or fancy, their food brings in the customers. Look out for simple, humble table white table cloths, and not much else. And of course, look at the clientele. If you don’t see any Chinese people in there, chances are it’s not such a great choice.

I tried my first Chinese meal in Soho last week with AT. It was so hard to decide where to go, but we went with our instinct and picked the place that looked down-home and kind of like the places we used to go at home I guess.

It reminded me so much of BBQ King back in Sydney, so I knew it had to be good!

And it was. We had mixed greens, salt and pepper squid and BBQ pork. There was a mountain of food and it was all great. I knew we wouldn’t eat it all….we couldn’t, there was simply too much. But shamefacedly we left the place with our stomachs really full and the plates empty. Sign of a great meal.

It was Wan Chai Corner on Gerrard St in London. So if you’re ever in London looking for a good meal and great value for money, try it out.

 

 

Pierre Herme

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My Australian readers might not be familiar with the name Pierre Herme…we’re a little behind on the food front, besides the elusive Frenchman only has stores in France, England and Japan.

We might know him as the Master of Macarons but Pierre is known in France as legendary pastry chef with four generations of skill behind him. He was involved in the expansion of Laduree, another famous name in macarons and makes chocolates and cakes to die for. He is world renowned for his pastry and chocolate genius. It was pretty cool to meet him today. I asked him what his favourite is and he said his products are like his children, you can’t pick a favourite.  When asked about his inspiration, he said it comes from all over the place (spoken like any true artist)…from his mother’s rose hip jam to a saffron and licorice risotto he ate at a restaurant recently.

I was lucky enough to attend a little soire in his Belgravia store today for the launch of his Macarons cook book which has finally been translated into English. I sampled the classics and the seasonal delicacies on offer at the only boutique in London (aside from the stall in Selfridges).

The Classics are:

INFINIMENT ROSE – rose & rose petals
INFINIMENT CARAMEL – salted-butter caramel
INFINIMENT CAFÉ – coffee
PIETRA – hazelnut praline & crispy praline
MOGADOR – milk chocolate & passion fruit
INFINIMENT VANILLE – vanillas from Tahiti, Mexico and Madagascar
HUILE D’OLIVE & MANDARINE – Olive oil with Mandarin orange
INFINIMENT CHOCOLAT PORCELANA – pure origin Venezuela Porcelana dark chocolate

I tried a good deal of those with my favourites being the Creme Brule and Mogador. The rose petal macaron was so delicate and delightful and apparently their best seller!

I also tried some of the new season’s flavours like Truffle Blanche Noisette (white  truffle, roasted piedmont, hazelnut slivers)  Americano Pamplemousse (Orange, Campari, candied grapefruit) and Infiniment Cassis (blackcurrant & blackcurrant berries). Pierre is famous for getting saucy with his flavour combinations. Not all were on my wish list, like the white truffle for example. Call my palate ignorant but I just couldn’t dig it, it confused my brain just too much. But the orange and Campari flavour was one of my favourites with a bitter aftermath reminiscent of marmalade.

Needless to say I was all macaroned out and felt a little ill as I rode the bus home.

As ever, my Foodepedia experience was a worthwhile one. I met a nice girl from Hong Kong (Hi Tina!) and a lovely lady who wrote a book about chocolate, that I really should check out, Chocolate Unwrapped. Not only that but she  (her name is Sarah) is one of only 257 people ever to be awarded a Master of Wine since 1953 and wrote for the BBC Good Food magazine for 10 years. Pretty impressive, I’m meeting some wonderfully talented and interesting people on my journeys. And eating my way around London.

Ottolenghi Luncheon

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Mum has been wanting to take me to lunch at Ottolenghi ever since I got here (over 3 months ago now)…but with the constant companionship of my family, I wondered if the day would ever come where we could nip into Notting Hill have a quiet meal.

Finally today, we made it to our lovely, quiet luncheon at Ottolenghi. We had to wait about 5 minutes to get a seat at the communal table in the back of the store. It was a little crowded, but I could sacrifice personal space for this particular indulgence. Next to the sweets, the salads are the main attraction. They are presented in giant bowl-fulls in the front of the store and look delicious.

We all chose the same salads, which were delicately spiced with similar flavours and included roasted eggplant covered in a curried yoghurt, curried cauliflower with goat’s cheese and roasted peppers and butternut squash roasted with spices and seeds and sprinkled with corn and feta. And OMG they were amazing. We were each saying which bit we were savouring till last, and I wanted to save it all till last…I didn’t want the meal to end.

I knew however, that when we approached the window of Ottolenghi that salads would not be the pièce de résistance. I would not walk away from this place with salad in my heart.

I would leave this place with the lingering flavour of sweeties on my lips.

Look at them all, plated and piled high in the window.The one that caught my eye was the saucy little number in the bottom left. I saw cheesecake, I saw nuts and I saw caramel.

I was sold.

It is a sad day when I can say this and really mean it, but today, Cheesecake was Happiness.

This was one of the best damned cheesecakes I have ever tasted. Light in texture, delicately flavoured, topped with a disgustingly fabulous mound of caramelised macademia.

I can’t talk about it anymore. I need a quiet moment to reflect.

 

Flying Fajita Sistas

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I am a huge fan of Mexican food but I am usually disappointed whenever I go to a Mexican restaurant.

I have been to my fair share of Mexican eateries and often find them over priced, miserly with their portions and lacking in ambiance.

Until I discovered the Flying Fajita Sistas in Glebe, NSW.

I can’t even remember how I found it, a friend I think and I remember taking my playgroup mums there for our end of year party.

Needless to say it was a huge success and I have been back many times over the years.

It is a stand-out establishment for many reasons. It has a wonderful ambiance. The waitresses wear pretty, Mexican tunics and the decor is typically colourful and cheery but not in any way cheesy or contrived.

I just get the sense that when I enter this place, it is run with love and care and this makes all the difference.

Of course the food is excellent, consistently so. Every time I go I get the same quality food and every time I enjoy it with relish.

Stand-out choices on the menu are anything containing the Achiote pulled pork.  It is so tasty and succulent….

The Queso fundido dip  of charred tomato and ancho chile salsa melted with cheese is amazing.

The corn chips are specially made and super crunchy and they go so well with all the dips.

All of the dishes are generous portions and priced reasonably.

But wait there’s more…they serve THE best margaritas, here’s a taste;

The Sistas – Traditional margarita; house tequila, triple sec, lime juice shaken or frozen

The Classic – Sour Margarita with 1800 Blanco Tequila, shaken only

Top Shelf – Patron Silver Tequila, Patron Citronage, Fresh Lime, a bit of Lemon and some sweetness

And the desserts are also worth trying, if you can fit them in.

I am terribly sad that I won’t be visiting The Flying Fajita Sistas any time soon… this is definitely something I miss about Sydney.

Flying Fajita Sistas
Open 7 days 6pm until late
p. 9552 6522 f. 9552 6855
65 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe, 2037

Secret Tea Room

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AT and I got a night out on Friday night and after much speculation about which area, which pub, good food or good atmosphere, we decided to eat at a well reviewed pub.

I don’t mean a gastro pub (which is like fancy foodie pubs) I mean a normal pub that serves decent food.

We chose the Coach and Horses Pub on Greek St, Soho.

We had no idea that in fact we had picked a famous London pub, with a rich history and celebrity culture!

At first we were unsure because it was full to the brim with Friday’s after-work crowd and we couldn’t see any free tables. So we asked to sit in the upstairs dining room.

Up a rickety flight of spiral stairs we came into a lovely dining room with tables dressed in white linen and flowers on every one in a random asortment of vases and teapots.

There was love in this room. I could feel it. And three-tiered cake stands…was it tea time?

Apparently we had stumbled into Soho’s Secret Tearoom. And they serve tea and cakes until 9pm.

Something to keep in mind for the future.

Lucky for us they were also serving dinner. And while they didn’t have the beef burgers we had chosen from the small menu, they had my second choice; fish and chips.

A small menu in my mind is always a good sign. It means they might not do a lot of dishes, but the ones they serve are made well.

The Coach and Horses was no exception, serving up possibly the best fish and chips I’d had since coming to London.

It looked a bit over cooked but, it was all just fine. The batter was incredible, the fish was perfect and the peas were fresh. Just lovely.

As we dined, we looked out our little window, past the fushcias and into the street scene where men and women were de-briefing from a busy work week with beers in their hand.

After dinner we moved on to our favourite watering hole, The Bear and Staff in Leicester Square.

We love this pub because it’s in a great spot, that’s perfect for people watching, with crowds zig-zagging in and out of streets and cabs, coming out of the theatre and looking for a good time in Soho.

They play the best music and have a decent selection of ales and lagers. The food is nothing special, but it’ll do.