The food scene

I really don't know where to start. For someone who has been fortunate enough to be well traveled in Italy, I feel quite insulted that these fraudsters are actually trying to pass this abomination off as authentic Italian food. Unless I've been going to different regions to the San Carlo chefs, then this sadly fell well short. In actual fact it was quite awful. The only thing i I actually enjoyed (apart from the beer) was the burrata cheese. Apparently imported daily from Puglia. Although the team did there very best to ruin it by pairing it with aubergine absolutely smothered in garlic, so overpowering when all I had actually ordered was beautiful subtle creamy cheese, just black pepper and fresh tomato would have been sufficient thank you. The calamari was thick chewy and bland again disappointing. Sadly the main courses just got worse, the 'risotto San Carlo' well the less said about this the better, the fun thing about risotto is almost chasing it round the plate wi...

I've had a real craving for l'enclume for some time now, being from London it's always been some what of a long distant 'bucket list' restaurant. Something about this ancient countryside building, just had an air or romance and the strictly local produce is inspiring and intriguing. However much I enjoyed the tiny courses, i just was left feeling it was more canapés than dishes and I was slightly craving a bit more of a main course. This isn't to say I didn't appreciate the brilliance and creativity that went into the cooking because i really did. There was some outrageously brilliant 'canapés' black truffle pudding was great and the salted gooseberry tart. But the winner of this menu was certainly the turbot with shrimp cream and kale shoots, this being said the fish was small and you find yourself rationing your mouthful so you don't end up with a plate full of kale. The same must be said about the the 'lightly smoked lop eared pig' a v...

Well crafted 'pub grub' with an elegant twist. On entering this tiny little country pub I literally had to duck my head, which just adds to the romance and beauty of the old fashioned straw roof building. It's beyond cute. The bar stalls were taken up by bearded fifty something guys sipping on local craft beers with a few tables scattered round the tiny drinking area for snacks and bar food. Through the adjacent room, again you'll have to mind to your head you'll find the restaurant. To start we had grilled black pudding and seared Foie Gras with a beautiful apple and vanilla chutney accompanying. It's really hard to go wrong with these rich meaty flavours, creamy beautifully cooked well presented and a great starter. Also the twice baked Yorkshire blue cheese and Jerusalem artichoke soufflé was great however not the soufflé I am used to. A little flat in size although well executed tasty dish, with crunchy hazelnuts and spiced shallot chutney. The dish of the d...

Absolutely tremendous decor, this is the most stunning restaurant I've been lucky enough to visit. The creative design and bright colours are truly a work of art. It's when Asian architecture meets modern retro and bold colours, tantris would be the love child. Sadly i am quite uneducated with art, me being me I was more interested in things you could eat growing up. But there was some wonderful pieces both on the wall and on the ground, some great pieces appearing to be made from multi coloured fish bones. It just all felt like you was in a special place, everything there had a purpose and every member of staff played there part in this exquisitely run team, none more so than the head sommelier in a bright purple blazer and turquoise shoes. You then start to get an idea of the artistic influences that went into the creating of this breathtaking room. We opted for the 8 course tasting menu, staring with poached duck liver and smoked duck breast which was a very rich creamy way ...

To say I was impressed with some of the dishes would be understating some of the brilliant creations in this rustic shoreditch hangout. Typical decor from a eatery in this part of the east end of London, open revealed air con units and extraction fans all over the ceiling, canteen like flooring and no thrills wooden seating. But my god some of the dishes wow you, and you start to understand why, just last month this has been voted 54 In the 'worlds 50 best restaurant' awards. (51-100) A set menu of 4 dishes (£55pp) which appeared to be no compromise, so I'm guessing 'fussy eaters' are not welcome. However any dietary requirements would obviously have been catered for.  To start was pigs ears on toast, rich juicy sliced meat with a grained mustard sauce which sounds simple but was really a great way to start, followed almost instantly by a palate cleansing cold spring onion and asparagus soup which was fresh creamy and light all at the same time and worked like magic...

There isn't many restaurants in the surrounding areas that can really come close to the grand trunk road, and this is particularly great for me as I reside not too far and I've always described the local food scene as a culinary disaster, sadly the local Indian restaurants prior to this had an air of 'Englishness, about the dishes and overwhelming taste of masala curry paste, the abomination of south Asian cuisine in Britain. Well no longer! The team that bought you the first Michelin starred Indian restaurant in London Tamarind of Mayfair has once again produced Michelin standard food. The decor I wouldn't describe as thrilling but has a lovely long bar with a talented cocktail maker. The food certainly hit the spot, appetisers ranging from juicy tandoori king prawns, packed with flavour and just the right level of heat to pack a punch and peshawari ki lamb chops which I found very slightly over done and in turn the meat had dried out. Although the quality of chop and ...

Good but not great, there was a few mistakes in this modern contemporary Portuguese restaurant just opened in, to be frank the quite undesirable Barkingside. I think there was some good flavours but questionable service paired with some inadequate dishes left me wanting a little more. The cream of carrot soup with crispy fried bread was incredibly hot. So much so that it was pretty tasteless until it cooled slightly when the flavours picked up with the salty 'crouton' like bread lifting a slightly bland soup. The small sharing plates was probably the best course, with king prawns flamed in whisky or grilled with black pepper. Both really well balanced well seasoned dishes. Interesting use of fruits and chicken, grilled with pineapple and and passion fruit sauce. I didn't expect to be a massive fan but it just worked. Mixed main courses, unfortunately an average salmon dish, very slightly over cooked monkfish on a skewer however the flavours was good and came out looking pre...