THEGAYUK

Tag: London Restaurant Reviews

The best and gay-friendly restaurants reviewed in London and the surrounding areas. Reviewed by our team of experts from THEGAYUK.com

  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | The Hayden, London

    RESTAURANT REVIEW | The Hayden, London

    ★★★★ | The Hayden, London

    There are lots of pubs in London that serve food but only a small handful where the food is excellent. The Hayden is one of these.

    The Hayden is serving classic pub and is well worth the trip to Westbourne Grove. Their menu is a superb take on many classics, but of higher quality.

    The slow-cooked BBQ Ribs were perfect! 2×6 pork ribs (12 in total) where the meat literally was very easy to tear off from the bone with a fork (no need to get your fingers messy), was very succulent, tender, and came with sumptuous bourbon BBQ sauce (tasty and yummy), and were the best ribs I’ve had in years. The ribs came with a large bowl of skin-on fries and a small salad for a bargain £17. I have been craving ribs for a long time and these filled the bill! My dining companion had the Pan-Fried Sea Bass. They were two smallish chunks served over tomato & mascarpone sauce, with asparagus and saffron braised fennel, and for him, it was a nice summer dish – not too heavy and no bones which made it easy to eat (£17.50). A man at the table next to us had the mouth-watering looking Sirloin 8oz steak – it was nicely grilled and nicely sized – and he looked like he was enjoying it (£19.50)!

    We actually started the meal with, I failed to mention, starters, and both were just perfect. The Original Popcorn Shrimp, well cooked and plentiful, served with sweet chilli sauce, is highly recommended (£9). Very tasty and very good quality. The Pulled Chicken quesadillas – four, nicely-sized, browned all over and not too cheesy (mature cheddar), with a few jalapeños (not spicy), and a side of guacamole was a large portion, (and cheaply priced at £7), and was also very very good.

    At times cocktail menus at pubs all blend into one, however, The Hayden has a special cocktail that will satisfy your thirst and knock your socks off! You have to, have to, try the Chora (it’s NOT on the online menu but on the drinks menu at the pub). It’s a beautiful-looking vodka drink made with lime juice, egg whites, cinnamon & almond syrup (producing a luscious foam froth) with Skinis Mastiha Liqueur (white Greek spirit made from resin). The Chora was just divine. The little flower on top of the foam added to the beauty of the drink (it was almost, I say almost, too beautiful to drink). Very sweet, beautiful burst of colours, delicious, refreshing and superb to say the least (£10.50). I also had the Watermelon Refresher (£7.50) and it tasted more icy and watery then watermelony (is that even a word)? My companion had the Red Pinot Noir with his dinner, he said it was fine, and a small glass is nicely priced at £7.25).

    Now on to the desserts. My companion is an expert at cheesecake – and he simply devoured his. It was light and lively and a nice size, served with raspberry jam (£5), while I had the Eton Mess which had chunks of strawberries and chunks of meringue. It was cream heavy which I find most desserts are (£6). I long for the days when I will see healthy desserts (fruit dish & sorbet anyone?). Desserts are always creamy, dairy, and very full of chocolate, but the desserts at The Hayden were again, very good.

    The Hayden has a cool pub look; dark interiors, with plenty of tables, a nice size fireplace – and a private area if you have a semi-large party and want some privacy. The night we were there there were lots of customers with American accents – I guess being in the vicinity of Notting Hill it’s a bit of an American enclave. But the pub is not just for locals. It’s on a strip where there are lots of cheap dining options (Nando’s is next door, Tinseltown Diner a block away, and a Gourmet Burger Kitchen across the street). Just bypass these and go directly into The Hayden.

    I guarantee you The Hayden will have better chicken (Half corn-fed Rotisserie Chicken @ £16.50), better burgers (various types at between £14.50 and £16.50, with skin on fries), and The Hayden will sure beat the diner food they serve down the road.

    And if you go to The Hayden Mon-Wed, you get 30% off your food. Or there is a set menu Mon – Fri until 7 pm where you get 2 courses for £16.50. And there are 2-4-1 cocktails from 5-7 pm Mon-Wed and Thurs & Friday 12 noon to 7 pm.

    There is plenty on the menu at The Hayden to keep wanting to go back for more. It’s a cool pub that’s also a perfect spot for drinks at the bar – but eating there is a must. With very staff, a trendy but not too trendy vibe, and great food and drinks – what more from a pub could you ask for?

    https://www.haydennottinghill.com

  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | Bōkan, London

    RESTAURANT REVIEW | Bōkan, London

    ★★★★ | Bōkan, London

    Three floors of great food, drinks, and a spectacular view is what Bōkan is all about.

    Located across the water from the Heron Quays DLR stop in the Southwestern section of Canary Wharf, Bōkan is on top of the Novotel hotel building – it’s a bit hard to find and a bit in the middle of nowhere, but once you arrive you will be rewarded.

    Bōkanis on the 37th, 38th and 39th floors of the hotel, and as you can imagine, the views facing west (and south and north) are simply stunning, with the Thames almost literally at the foot of the hotel, and the buildings of the Shard and the City, along with Tower Bridge, straight ahead, and the new high rises of Vauxhall in the distance. The views are superb in either cloudy or sunny weather, day or night. The early evening we were there it was still light on a cloudy day but as it got darker the clouds added a cool effect to the view.

    Start your evening with a cocktail in the bar (38th floor). Their cocktail menu is limitless. We had two amazing drinks – the delicious Flying Dutchman (orange in colour, with unique ingredients including mandarin with ginger beer, and Peroni, with lime and corn wine topped with a cherry and a lemon skin twist), and the other was the Dark Whale – which was a notch better than the Dutchman and included rum, lime, mandarin, mint, ginger beer, and aromas of cinnamon, dark chocolate and unmistakable Angostura aromatic bitters for an explosion of flavours. Their cocktails are unique and tasty and very affordable in a bar that is laid back and not stuffy at all – very cool, just like the drinks!

    We were given a filo pastry over a mix of beetroot and apple as a pre-meal treat – it was interesting and inventive and tangy. One starter was a chilled dish, light and fresh: steamed organic hen’s egg which was well complemented by fresh tomatoes and creamy goats cheese and perfect for a summer evening, and was a beautiful looking and very colourful dish, while the courgette cannelloni with a small slice of watermelon was adventurous and quite different, but the bisque foam sauce did not enhance the dish.

    Dinner was a struggle to chose. Bōkan offers a sunset menu (£37) and an a la carte menu. We chose the Sunset menu (served before 6 pm every night) and we were glad we did as it’s excellent value with three courses. My main course of Osso Bucco (Short rib) was just perfect. Tender and succulent meat was accompanied with perfectly cooked mash and was topped with gorgeous baby carrots and strips of lemongrass. Every bite was mouthwatering. My dining companion had the Josper grilled cod with vegetables. The sugar snap peas contrasted perfectly with the saltiness of the samphire, all further enhanced by the rich butteriness of the hollandaise sauce. The dish was chunky, juicy and very flavoursome.

    As one would expect desserts were fantastic. The creme brulee with fresh blackberries and ice cream was one of the best – a thin caramel shell to break over the creamy brulee filling combined with a fruity coulis and the burnt toffee flavour of the sugar shell made it special. Meanwhile, the Ivory chocolate mousse, crunchy coconut, pineapple & ginger compote with coconut sorbet was a perfect way to end a dinner – it was not heavy and the crunchiness was a nice change – and it was not that filing.

    With Bōkan being an upscale modern European restaurant, the wines are très fabuleux! We were served the Asiato wine – Portuguese wine – which was a bit sweet but not too much – it went down very well and was a great accompaniment to our main courses. Other wines Bōkanserve include wines from every region imaginable – UK, Italy, New Zealand, Spain – the list goes on. The Graham’s port is a great way to end the meal – they have several so pick one – anyone!

    After our dinner, we retired to the 39th floor which is the outdoor space, and the very top of the building. It’s nice and cosy and, as you can imagine, it’s all about the views. If you do nothing more when you go to Bōkan and just have a drink in the outdoor terrace then you’re missing out on a great experience of both the 37th and 38th floors.

    Executive Chef Guillaume Gillan (protégé of the late Joël Robuchon) succeeds in bringing delicious dishes to Canary Wharf, with the added pleasures for cocktail lovers to enjoy the 38th-floor bar and 39th-floor rooftop terrace for a tranquil escape from the buzz of city life. Bōkan is a true experience in dining and drinking, with each floor a destination in itself. It is a place I want to experience again.

    Bōkan
    Floor 37-39, 40 Marsh Wall, London E14 9TP
    T: 020 3530 0550E: hello@bokanlondon.co.uk

  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | The National Cafe, London

    RESTAURANT REVIEW | The National Cafe, London

    ★★★★ | The National Cafe, London

    Tucked inside the National Gallery is the National Cafe which is serving amazing food at realistic prices in a very very central location.
    Peyton & Byrne’s venture is a definite winner. The food is what you’d expect from a restaurant company that also runs The Wallace Restaurant and The Keepers House in the Royal Academy of Arts. The menu runs the gamut from British and modern European dishes – It’s food that is stunning, original and healthy.

    The National cafe now has a new all-day brunch menu that’s affordable and delicious. Available every day from 9.30am right through to 5.00pm, the menu is perfect whether you are checking out the gallery or just passing by the building, it offers something for everyone, from vegan food to something a bit sweeter if this is what you fancy. Toasted almond pancake with berries and maple syrup or Avocado on sourdough toast with organic feta, chilli and tomato are what you’d typically find on brunch menus, however, go for something different and sumptuous and you will be pleasantly surprised.

    I can’t rave enough about the Summer Courgette Fritter, grilled halloumi, fresh basil and orange dressing. It was stunning, radically different and absolutely delicious. Meat-free, it’s a dish that bursts with flavours and is very colourful. It’s topped with bits of carrots, celery, onion, and littered with sunflower and pumpkin seeds, and the orange dressing gives it the zing that is so unique. And it’s a dish that could hold you over for the rest of the day – it’s that filling. I highly recommend it. Also radically different is The National Reuben Sandwich: salt beef, cheddar, gherkins, sauerkraut, Russian dressing on Rye. While on the small side and not as filling as the Fritter, the ingredients are all nice and compacted in between the bun. At £11.50 it’s not cheap but where else can you find a dish like this on a London menu?

    In addition to the brunch menu, there is also lunch and dinner menu – served from 12:00 to 2:00 – that, while a bit limited, also includes dishes that are very good. Among the items on the menu include a beautifully tasty Cold Tomato Soup – their version of Gazpacho. It was one of the best I’ve ever had (£6.50). Also, the Burrata, Isle of Wight tomatoes, basil and extra virgin olive oil was of good quality but a bit on the pricey side (£9.50). Items on the menu include Chicken Kiev (£14.50), Ribeye Steak (£15.50), and Chicken and Avocado Salad (£10.50/£15.50). Sides to go with the mains include Chips, Broccoli, and Polenta Chips – all at £4.00.

    If you still have room for dessert (I didn’t), definitely try the Jaffa Cake (dark chocolate cake) – a circular dessert topped with powdered sugar and coconut and comes with orange sauce.

    The National Cafe offers up a very popular Afternoon Tea, which at £22.50 per person (£31.50 with Champagne) includes the usual sandwiches, scones and cakes, and of course tea.

    The interior of the cafe is not much. Dull grey walls don’t provide much burst of colour to the room, while the carpeting is the same. And many people use the door of the cafe (facing Charing Cross) as a passageway into the museum, so expect lots of people traffic to flow by, bypassing the bar on the right and the dining room on the left as they walk in. It’s also a bit unclear where to check-in when you arrive, the day we were there no one was there to greet us. But the staff, once you are seated, are top-notch. They cater to your needs and explain the dishes to you as they put them on your table.

    The lovely manager explained to us that the menu changes along with the exhibition, so come September there will be a new menu. But in spite of the actual look and feel of the restaurant, the food is top-notch. It’s amazing quality at realistic prices, and it’s central location doesn’t hurt.

    https://www.peytonandbyrne.co.uk/venues/national-cafe

  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | Romulo Cafe, London

    RESTAURANT REVIEW | Romulo Cafe, London

    ★★★★★| Romulo Cafe, London

    There are many undiscovered restaurant gems in London, but I’ve found one that will perhaps not be undiscovered for very much longer.

    Romulo Cafe, a restaurant that is a taste of the Philippines in the heart of Kensington (and London), has food that I guarantee you can’t find anywhere else in London. It’s Filipino food that is unique, flavorful, sumptuous and excellent value for the money. But don’t let the name fool you – Romulo Cafe is not really a cafe but a proper restaurant, beautifully designed and perfectly replicates Filipino food and culture, filled with the Romulo family history of General Carlos P. Romulo, hence you feel like you are in his home, with great staff who take care of you like you are family.

    But the food – wow the food – it’s just incredible, and at times indescribable. Romulo food is full of recipes passed down from generation to generation, and in Filipino style, sharing is the tradition. But I didn’t want to share the Sizzling Chicken Inasal Sisig – Jack Brand Diced Chicken thighs marinated in annatto sauce, ginger, green chilli, garlic, and lemongrass. Arriving sizzling to your table, it’s the aroma that hits you first – it’s a mix of sweet, nuts and pepper (annatto) – and a dish that has a perfect balance of all ingredients all in harmony – and was simply delicious. My dining companion and I were just simply amazed at how good it was! We carried on with more sharing plates – including the Dingley Dell Pork Belly Adobo which is slow-cooked in soy sauce, garlic and cane vinegar, and this too was simply delicious. Five large pieces of pork swimming in the sauce which tasted a bit like bbq, with a mixture of different coloured potatoes – this is a main course in itself – and so so good. Also so so good was the Kensington Fried Chicken. Four large pieces perfectly cooked (they are marinated with Romulo’s very own adobo mayonnaise and catsup sauce), and nice and brown on the outside, white on the inside, and crunchy. They are just the best! And best of all is that these dishes are great value at less than £8.75 each! Yes, excellent value.

    We, of course, had to have rice with our meal, and the large Garlic Fried Rice was just absolutely perfect, with only a hint of garlic which made the ride back home with my friend bearable! We were also suggested to try the Young Jackfruit and Coconut Stew as our vegetable. It was plentiful and was a liquid-like stew with loads of jackfruit, green beans with a small number of chillies but it was the sauce that made the dish absolutely amazing!

    And now on to the desserts. I can’t recommend enough the Banana Turon. It’s five banana fritters served warm with a side of toffee sauce. A fritter is, if you don’t know, made in the shape of a spring roll in a hard pastry shell – and inside was the best part-baked banana and jackfruit – for an absolutely yummy experience. Wow! And on the side is jackfruit ice cream – yes, it’s too much but I ate them all! We also had to try the Ube Cheesecake (ube is purple yam, hence the cheesecake is purple) with a graham cracker crust, topped with coconut and served with ice cream – exotic colour and a good flavour! And we also had the Sans Rival – a hard dessert made with dulce de leche and buttercream, cashews, chewy and sweet meringue – while good it did not, and could not, match the cheesecake nor the Banana Turon (which is a steal at £5).

    And I can’t finish this review off without mentioning Imelda’s High Heels cocktail. It’s strong (thanks to the Stolichnaya Vodka) with strawberry puree, Crème de Framboise, Crème de Mure and topped with Prosecco. And the kicker – it’s served in a high heel shoe! Ha! Also recommended is the Pinoy Mai Tai – a rum drink with Amaretto, Gran Marnier and pineapple – and it comes in a flaming (literally) Tiki mug! Don’t do what I did and panic and blow it out – let it burn, it’s part of the experience.

    Romulo Cafe is also a cafe in front, and there is a private dining room downstairs with a bar and karaoke machine, and the venue is licensed for both marriages and civil ceremonies.

    And the experience of eating at Romulo Café is an excellent one. It’s not just the food but the history of the restaurant, which is in the family name Romulo. In 2009, The Romulo family opened up its first cafe in Manila to celebrate the legacy of grandfather General Carlos P. Romulo. The London restaurant honours his memory with a large photo of him (and one of his wife) in the dining room. Meanwhile, their grandfather’s tastes were legend, and cultivated during years following a distinguished war career when he served as Philippine Ambassador to the United States, as President of the United Nations General Assembly (his signature is on the UN charter) and finally as the longest-serving Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines. He was also the first and only Filipino to win a Pulitzer Prize and awarded the highest American civilian award, Medal of Freedom. And he loved food, and Romulo cafe London is a fitting tribute to his memory, with its extremely delicious food, nice and friendly staff, very comfortable surroundings, and a warm welcome from owners Rowena and her husband Chris – the nicest people this side of the river. Romulo Cafe is just simply a perfect place.

    Romulo Café London,
    343 Kensington High Street
    London, W8 6NW
    020 3141 6390
    www.romulocafe.co.uk

  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | Pasta Nostra, London

    RESTAURANT REVIEW | Pasta Nostra, London

    ★★★★ | Pasta Nostra, London

    Excellent tasting homemade pasta and very very reasonable prices? It’s Pasta Nostra.

    Only open for a couple of months, Pasta Nostra, located on a strip of Old Street between the station and Goswell Road, in an area that sorely needs good and good valued places to eat, is a welcome addition to the neighbourhood.

    It’s not a very big restaurant (though in the summer there is a conveniently locatedoutdoor space right next door), but the food is big – taste, portion and enjoyment! I highly recommend the Orecchiette dish. The pasta, in the shape of a very small ear, is green in colour because it is basil pesto and green beans mixed with potato. It’s absolutely delicious, and at £8 for a reasonably nice-sized dish, is a starter-priced but main course fulfilment! The Pappardelle – 12-hour braised oxtail and tomatoes, is also absolutely delicious, with the ragu lamb amazingly tasty and tender, the pasta fresh fresh fresh, and not too cheesy parmesan – perfectly priced at £12.

    The starters are also amazingly reasonably priced – so we decided to order three of them. The best of the three was the Watermelon, Mint and Feta Salad. At £5, it was a steal as there was plenty of watermelon while the mint gave it a zing, and just enough Feta to not overpower the watermelon. Excellent! Also worthy was the selection (9 slices) of three different types of Salami, and served with a Salame Bun, which was different but very good – and all for a mere £5! My dining companion wanted to try the Suppli – and I am glad he did! It was a large ball of dough with nice a nice crust of crunchy bread crumbs and stuffed with mozzarella and tomato rice – also £5, and a great deal for a dish we had never heard of!

    One can’t really eat ones way through a menu, but I wish I had the stomach and hunger for it because at Pasta Nostra there were other dishes we would’ve liked to have tried, including the Tortello Carbonara (with crispy cured pork cheek) and Bottonoini (filled pasta with mussels in a tomato sauce). I was very tempted to order the starter Gazpacho, but one of the ingredients was chilli, and the night we went was officially the UK’s hottest day ever, so I didn’t fancy eating anything spicy! But we did fancy dessert, and it was the Sicilian Cannolo(tube-shaped shells of fried pastry dough, filled with a sweet, creamy filling). Yummy! One for £4 so I would recommend ordering two! Give the Tiramisu a miss – it’s served in a coffee cup and it’s too much cream, too much dairy, and just too much.

    Pasta Nostra has a nice menu of drinks, including the usual Italian specialities of Negronis and Campana Spritz, along with wines, beers and soft drinks. It’s a nice small modern-looking restaurant with a small bar in the front and tables in the back and upstairs with a great £10 takeaway special (pasta, sauce, and dessert – though the pasta is uncooked). Pasta Nostra is on a mission, according to its website, to make the best pasta in town. Well, I say they are on their way to a great start! I’ll definitely go back!

    https://pastanostralondon.com

  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | Uli, London

    RESTAURANT REVIEW | Uli, London

    ★★★★ | Uli, London

    One of the most beautiful restaurants in Notting Hill is serving up Pan Asian food at very good prices.

    Uli, just 2 minutes walk from Notting Hill tube station, is very recognisable by its glass-enclosed front where once you walk in you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into another world. Dishes such as Triple-cooked Dover Sole with asparagus, garlic and spring onion; Crispy shredded chilli beef, Moo Shu pork, chicken or tofu, among others, give you food choices that are much better quality than what you would find in Chinatown. The night me and a friend went for dinner on a late July evening it was raining, so unfortunately the rooftop was closed – but that was fine because we felt cozy and warm and were well taken care of by the very friendly staff and manager, and treated like VIPs.

    For starters we had Peppercorn salted prawns (very good but for six a bit pricey at £12), Asparagus with black bean, chilli and ginger (fresh and wonderful – £9), and Chicken Gyoza (good – 4 for £7). The starters are a bit pricey – so choose carefully.

    The Sweet and Sour Chicken (£13) with Egg Fried Rice (£5.50) was nothing exceptional and was just as you would expect. We also had a bowl of delicious green beans (not on the menu!), crunchy, and just like the asparagus, a bit spicey, but very very good.

    The Crispy Aromatic Duck was the star dish of the evening. Nicely well-cooked, and served with pancakes, scallions, cucumber, and an amazing-tasting Housin duck sauce. The duck was well done – a bit crunchy, and tasteful, and it comes in three different price levels (£16 – 1/4; £29 – 1/2; and £48 – whole). Highly recommended.

    If you chose to have a cocktail, please go for the Lychee Martini – vodka, vermouth, lychee – and is sweet and delicious. Their Expresso Martini, however, did not have the flavour or kick that I’m accustomed to. If you are not a cocktail lover, try one of their many beers or Sakes, or wines which come from a variety of European countries.

    Desserts are in abundance but after all the food you’ve eaten you will want to something not too heavy. The Mochi Ice Cream (£3 per piece) is light, delicious, and is wrapped in a rice coating over the ice cream – just perfection.

    Uli, which is the Chinese word for tranquility, is just that. Soft music, sleek tables and warm-looking plates, great international staff, an upper middle class clientele the night we were there, all adds up to a dining experience, that while not a destination place, is a perfect place for the local area. And when you do go there, pick a seat along the windows in the atrium, so cozy and nice you’ll never want to leave. I didn’t.

    https://ulilondon.com

  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | Kalifornia Kitchen, London

    RESTAURANT REVIEW | Kalifornia Kitchen, London

    ★★★★ | Kalifornia Kitchen, London

    Do you want food that will make you look and feel beautiful? Well, according to Kalifornia Kitchen, their food will do just that!

    Located both in Fulham and on Percy Street right off Tottenham Court Road, vegan chef and influencer Loui Blake has opened Kalifornia Kitchen, a restaurant dedicated to all things vegan and it’s already known as a vegan lovers paradise. Concentrating on nutritious and sustainable food and drinks, utilising the power of plants and abstaining from any animal products or harmful plastics, a visit to Kalifornia Kitchen will be good for your inner organs if you’re not used to this type of food. And if you are strictly a vegan then more than likely you already know about this place as it’s gotten rave reviews.

    Extra nice but a bit confused staff made our visit on a Thursday night memorable. With no idea what to order, I threw caution to the wind and choose a few obscure dishes. The Banana Skin Tacos were amazing. Yes – banana skin was a bit of a substitute for meat, and we ate them up. With rainbow slaw & house mayonnaise and a delicious bbq sauce, this £7 dish is one I would order again. The Pickled Cucumber – spicy hummus with pickles and side crudite, and pita bread was also a delicious and yummy starter (£8).

    The mains were also very interesting. I was torn between the Chickpea & Date Tagine or the Mexican Beans, so I had the beans (!!). At a whopping £14, the beans were basically black beans served in two courgettes (called on the menu ‘boats’) with very very delicious avocado and mango salad – different, very good, refreshing, however, a bit expensive.

    My friend gobbled up the Classic (not Klassic?) Kalilfornia Burger. Served on a pretzel bun, it looked like a real burger! However, the flavour, though not for me, was a bit raw, probably only because it was vegan, and it was served with gouda, caramelised onion, red cabbage, romaine lettuce and a special burger sauce. Served with ‘normal’ fries that were extremely tasty, the dish is worth the £13.50 price. Spicy Kale Chips, though not very spicy, were strange tasting with its cashew cheese sprinkled on top of each chip before it’s baked – different. Perhaps an acquired taste.

    Drinks are definitely something to rave about there. Very healthy smoothies, juices (with names such as Healing, Balanced, Immunity) are super tasty and you feel healthier the more you drink, with ingredients including quinoa, pineapple, tumeric, ginger, mint, etc…

    I have to point out that other dishes on the menu sounded very tempting – including the Rainbow Bowl (cherry tomato, cauliflower couscous with pomegranate, activated seeds, roasted butternut squash, organic coconut yoghurt, fresh avocado and falafel), Butter Curry, and the Fish & Chips that would be good for a second visit.

    We didn’t have a chance to try their dessert as the Percy Street location closed at ten on the night we visited, but we were too stuffed anyway to try the Matcha Cheesecake, Pecan Pie and the Sticky Toffee Pudding.

    Dinner for two at Kalifornia Kitchen won’t set you back more than £60 (if you order starters and mains) – I’m not sure where you’ll find a cheaper vegan meal this central. The restaurant itself is beautifully designed with California style colours (lots of pink with whitewashed walls) with picnic style tables for a very calm, soothing and relaxed atmosphere. It does feel a bit like you are in California. There is an upstairs area that has the feel of great aunts sitting room. For a truly adventurous (for meat eaters) meal, Kalifornia Kitchen is a very unique and lovely dining experience.

    https://www.kaliforniakitchen.co.uk

    19 Percy Street W1T 1DY
    Fulham Market Hall, 472 Fulham Road, SW6 1BY
    info@kaliforniakitchen.co.uk
    +44 (0) 207 504 4444
    Opening Times
    Tues-Sun / 11:00-22:00 (19:00 Sun)

  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | STK Restaurant, London

    RESTAURANT REVIEW | STK Restaurant, London

    ★★★★ | STK Restaurant, London

    The food at STK Restaurant, on Aldwych, is all in the name – steak, and it does it very well.

    As part of the One Group, a global leader in the hospitality industry and the creator of the international restaurant brand STK, with locations all around the globe, including Mexico City and Ibiza, the STK name is synonymous with great cuts of meat – basically a meat lover’s paradise. With Sirloin, New York Strip, and Rib Eye, among others on the menu, you really can’t go wrong when ordering any of them. One

    STK has a DJ playing from Thursday – Saturday, so if you don’t mind a club-like vibe with your meal, with music that gets louder and louder as the night goes on, then you’ll love it there. However, if you are at a large table then good luck trying to hear, and speak to, other people who are sitting right next to you.

    But STK is worth the trip for the steak of course. I had the 350 USDA Grain Fed Rib Eye, and it was superb. Cooked medium well, to perfection, and a bit darkened on both sides, I was in heaven with every bite. It was so juicy that I really didn’t need the accompanying sauce (sauces from mild to spicy are on offer at no additional cost). And the old adage – you get what you pay for – rings true here. At £45, the Rib Eye is not cheap, and nothing comes with it, but it was worth every penny. Other meats on the menu include the small range (up to 250g including Rump Steak and New York Strip), to Medium (up to 350g including Fed Sirloin and Dry Aged Fillet) to Large (up to 600g including Fed Sirloin and T Bone) to Extra Large/Sharing (from 700g to 950g including Tomahawk and Aberdeen Angus).

    My friend had opted for the Seared Salmon Fillet. At a relatively low £20, he said it was one of the best salmons he has ever had, and it was excellent value for the money because of its size, and it also came with peas in a Beurre Blanc Sauce and with bits of potato Gnocchi. The presentation of the food on the dish was actually beautiful, stunning actually. Other dishes on the menu include Atlantic Sea Bass, Corn Fed BBQ Chicken Breast, Pork Belly, among others.

    Backtracking a bit, our starters were very good. I had the Compressed Watermelon Salad, a huge chunk of watermelon that sat on oil with creamed feta cheese on top sprinkled with what tasted like basil leaves – it was oh so different and oh so refreshing. My friend ordered the Kent Green Asparagus – four large sprigs with truffle cauliflower puree, hen egg yolk, and very tasty.

    Sides were needed and wanted – and we ordered three. The Broccolini, with Chilli, delicious pine nuts & pecorino was very very good, as was the Green Beans covered in almonds. The Mushroom pot pie, rarely seen on a menu as a side, could pass for a main dish. For me, it was too milky, and I could not eat it, though my friend liked it.

    Nothing really jumped out at us from the Dessert menu (there is always at least a couple that stand out at other restaurants), so I decided in the cheesecake, which was good, and with honey Kataifi and Coulis made for a nice touch. My friends Panacotta had a massive dollop of mango on top, which was a nice touch, and he absolutely loved it.

    At the beginning we decided to have STK’s signature cocktails – so I went for the STK Sparkling Sangria – which was a massive drink with Moët and Chandon, St. Germain Mint & Lime Juice, and soda and I liked it so much it’s going to be my new drink of choice. The STK New Era had a strong taste of rum with added peach flavour, and it was a bit sweet for those who like their drinks with a strong kick. I also had a Martini Expresso like I always do and their version did not disappoint.

    STK, while like a loud disco on Thurs- Saturdays, is so trendy it hurts. The room is beautifully decorated, with subtle lighting and beautifully designed furniture and a large dining room with an attached bar area on the Aldwych side of the restaurant. Sitting on the ground floor of the modern and stylish M Hotel, STK has excellent service (our waiter was managing several large tables at the same time and we never felt neglected) and is ideal for young and youngish cool (and preferably rich) people/parties.

    STK is very friendly, with stylish decor, and the steak is just delicious!

  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | Brasserie of Light, London

    RESTAURANT REVIEW | Brasserie of Light, London

    ★★★★★ | Brasserie of Light, London

    The second you walk into Brasserie of Light, (the recently opened restaurant in Selfridges) you are wowed. And the wows don’t stop there.
    Located on the east side 1st flr of the building in a space that used to be a loading bay, Brasserie of Light is not just an amazing looking restaurant, the food is also exceptional.

    Bathed in chrome, glass and some glitter, the room is absolutely stunning (think the Delaunay or the Wollesley, and then crank it up by 100%). But what’s most noticeable is the Pegasus in the room, yes, literally. It’s a behemoth piece of art, created by Damien Hirst (to the tune of £6 million). It’s a 24-foot crystal encrusted statue with a 30-foot wingspan that soars over diners – it’s simply stunning.

    Though Brasserie of Light feels a bit cramped and claustrophobic, once you start eating your way through the menu these thoughts quickly disappear.

    The Starters are amazing. Choices such as King Crab with Avocado and Watermelon (£17.95), and the Chicken Dumplings with Truffle and Citrus (£9.50) are unique to any menu, but it was the Sesame Fried Chicken with a delicious Avocado dip and the Popcorn Shrimp that won us over. The chicken, at an amazingly good £8.50 price, comes with about 10 medium size crunchy chicken nuggets with strips of celeriac sprinkled on top. Divine. Also yummy was the popcorn shrimp (about 10 pieces), which was bathed in a creamy but not very spicy sauce, and for an added Instagram ready photo, a leaf-littered with sesames stuck out on the side. These two starters I would absolutely order again.

    The main courses only upped the ante. While I wanted, and was looking forward to, the Rib Eye Steak, the Thursday me and my friend went, at 7:45 pm, they had already run out of the Rib Eye – very disappointing. So I opted for the Fillet Steak (7oz at £29). It was tender, moist, perfectly cooked and very delicious. My friend had the Pan-fried Sea Bass Fillet, and at £22.95 it was good value for the money. It was served over tomatoes and black olives and fennel, with a warm tomato chickeree, paste on top. She was thrilled about it! Our sides were also very good. Green Herb Salad with Avocado was just that, and my Sprouting Broccoli with Lemon and olive oil (both £4.50 and both very good), but the Steamed Rice and Red Quina was a bit dry (£3.75). But all in all our choice of mains was perfect. Other items on the menu include a delicious sounding Moroccan Spiced Sweet Potato, Aubergine Baba Ganoush with Coconut Yogurt (£13.95), Glazed Swordfish (£19.75) and Chicken Milanese (£17.50).

    The Desserts were filled with light. My Butterfly Flutterby – iced passion fruit parfait with pistachio meringue and vanilla cream bursting with unique flavours was presented beautifully. My friend had the Chocolate Bubbles which was all about chocolate, chocolate (with vanilla ice cream), served in a bowl with a wafer on top.

    Cocktails were exceptional as well. The Passion Fruit Cosmopolitan, one of three drinks highlighted on the main menu, was in a generous large glass (£9.85), while my Immunity Smoothie – non-alcoholic – is one I highly highly recommend (9 healthy ingredients, including ginger and turmeric). It was just refreshing and very delicious, so delicious that my dining companion also wanted to have one. At the end of the meal, I had the classic Expresso Martini, and it was perfectly chilled and just sublime – pure perfection.

    What left is there to say about Brasserie of Light? The service is very good, the ambience trendy (there is a DJ Thursday – Saturday nights if you like to have your meals in a club-like element), and the food, as mentioned above, is absolutely delicious. Brasserie of Light is the next generation Wollesley, with its signature and unmistakable quality and ambience, classic British menu and internationally inspired dishes, style, flavours and service. The Richard Caring Group has delivered another gem of a brasserie.

    Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – midnight
    Saturday: 9:00 am – midnight
    Sunday: 9:00 am t 11:00 pm

    Selfridges, 400 Oxford St, Marylebone, London W1A 1AB

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  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | Harlem Soul, London

    RESTAURANT REVIEW | Harlem Soul, London

    ★★★★ | Harlem Soul, London

    Harlem has come to Old Street – kind of.

    When one thinks of restaurants in Harlem you think about soul food – food that can’t be found elsewhere in London. Food that is rich and delicious, southern comfort food (for example catfish, grits, cornbread, BBQ ribs, collard greens, buttered corn, okra, etc…). Well new restaurant Harlem Soul, on City Road and minutes from Old Street Tube Station, bills itself as ‘urban American dining to share a celebration of urban America with London.’ Their menu, based on American classics and NYC inspired fusion, is as close to Harlem-style food you’re going to get unless you hop on a plane to NYC and go to the holy grail of Harlem Soul food – Sylvia’s restaurant.

    Harlem Soul has a massive menu that’s sure to satisfy your craving for this type of food – their menu has a good variety of typical Americana dishes that will, almost, make you feel like you are dining in Harlem. As you walk in you are instantly mesmerized by urban wall graffiti paintings by several artists, including world-famous NYC born Enrique Torres who used to, illegally, spray paint NYC’s subway cars. The murals are a sight to see; bold, colourful, ethnic, and just beautiful.

    And now the food. If you are a fan of hamburgers, well, you won’t be spoiled for choice. Any and all combinations of hamburgers are at your selection. Their signature burger – The Harlem – is a doozy. Grilled beef patties, shredded short rib, mac & cheese, house pickle and thousand island dressing – it’s definitely a mouthful. And at £14 it’s a relative bargain considering all the food you’re getting. There are nine other burgers on the menu, so there is definitely something for everyone.

    I, however, had to try the Buttermilk Chicken and Waffles. This dish seems to be appearing on lots of London menus – and having never tried it, it was the obvious choice for me, and I was not disappointed. The chicken was crispy, soft and moist (delicious), while the waffle was just about perfect after I drenched it with two cups of syrup. I would highly recommend this dish at Harlem Soul – and at £12 a bit pricey but worth it. My lunch companion wanted chicken wings, and boy she got them – 12 of them (£12). There were four different flavours; BBQ, Buffalo, Hot Harlem Sassy (hot sauce with onion and coriander), and Gochujang (red chilli paste with seven spice blends). Not a bad deal – at a £1 each – and they all come with delicious coleslaw.

    We had to have several starters (all part of the job!). My friend really loved the Crispy Soft-Shell Crab – a substantially large portion served with lime creme fraiche & pickle chilli relish. I loved the Blackened Cajun Popcorn Shrimp – they were not quite blackened and could’ve been fried a bit more – but nonetheless, the large portion was very good, but the roast red pepper ketchup didn’t seem to be a perfect match for the shrimp. The Mac & Cheese Bites were just that – bites – five of them in little rolled up balls with the mac & cheese inside. All the above £7.50 each.

    Tacos are not quite Harlem soul food, but this restaurant has them on the menu. We had the Braised Short Rib Taco – and the three we got (for only £8.50) were excellent value and they were excellent tasting. Served with BBQ sauce (a little dribble), and topped with a mixed bean salad and crispy onion – they were delicious as the short rib was tender and flavorful.

    There is so much more to the menu – Mac & Cheese dishes, three types of nachos dishes, and salads, that multiple visits still wouldn’t get you through the menu.

    Plus there is that all important drinks menu. There are cocktails that include all sorts of alcohol, from gin (The Harlem) to whiskey (El Barrio Fashioned), and scotch (Lodge Negroni), to rum (96th Street Mojito), and of course tequila (Soul Side), it’s a plethora of drinks that, after two, will make you tipsy. I wish I would’ve had the Jungle Iced Tea (Harlem Soul special mix, with sugar-lime and lemon) but I stuck to the non-alcoholic drinks menu (the New Yorker was just about perfect – Lime, Apple, Mango, Mint and Ginger Beer). Also, their Southern Quenchers (Fresh Lemonade, Classic Iced Tea, Arnold Palmer) look nice for a hot day (if summer ever arrives in London). Milkshakes are also a must – again in several varieties.

    Harlem Soul is a two-story complex, with the main restaurant on the ground floor, and downstairs another bar with a large room that will be used for private parties, community events, all set to a soundtrack to urban rhythms of soul, funk hip-hop, jazz and R&B. They also host live music comedy, DJ’s, and urban poetry events.

    Harlem Soul is as cool as its name, it’s food is delicious, and its central location means it’s worth a visit after work, and definitely on a weekend where you can try all of their delicious sounding cocktails.

  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | The Halal Guys, London

    RESTAURANT REVIEW | The Halal Guys, London

    ★★★★ | The Halal Guys, London

    The restaurants in and around Leicester Square are there mostly to feed people on the way to the theatre, movies, clubs, or whatever. But there is a new guy in town that will make your journey on to somewhere else quicker, friendlier, faster and more delicious.

    The Halal Guys have arrived. Taking up a spot at 14 Irving Street (the street which shoots off Leicester Square that leads to Charing Cross and to the National Portrait Gallery) is where the yellow and multi-colored The Halal Guys is located. You can’t miss it – it sits next to the usual dull and unexciting restaurants that pollute this street. The Halal Guys bring something new to this area – it’s original and tasty and great value for your money – and you can be in and out in 30 minutes.

    It’s simple how it works. Just chose whether you want a gyro sandwich or platter (choices of chicken, beef gyro, combo Chicken & gyro – or the vegetarian – falafel). Me and a friend were on our way to the theatre and dropped in, and we both had to have the Combo platter – how could you not! It looked like it had the best of everything – and it did! A ‘special’ yellow rice came with the dish, along with the assorted salad condiments, and the icing on the cake was the choice of sauces – we both had a bit of hummus, baba ghanoush and BBQ sauces, with plenty of pita bread. We also nipped a side of fries (purely just for sampling purposes!) and luckily found a table to eat. It all looked so much and too much and very good, however, after eating we both agreed that it was delicious! It gives a new name for fast food – but this is not fast food – The Halal Guys are street food – street food served quick, street food served very tasty, and street food that I want to definitely go back and try again.

    It’s a very simple process, and you can add unlimited beverages, and Baklava for dessert.

    From humble beginnings as a New York City hot dog cart to a world-renowned international restaurant chain, The Halal Guys story is the quintessential American Dream. The Halal Guys is defining a new, thriving segment for the restaurant industry: American Halal Food! The Halal Guys legend began in 1990, when the three founding partners opened up a hot dog cart on West 53rd & 6th Avenue in New York City. As the business grew, they recognized a huge demand from Muslim cab drivers looking for a halal food quick and cheap meal. That is when the famous platter of chicken and gyro over rice was born. And let’s not forget about the famous sauces! Fast-forward 25 years, five carts, two New York City restaurants, and millions of diverse customers served, The Halal Guys is growing yet again. Fans no longer have to be in NYC to experience The Halal Guys as they look to share American Halal Food all over the country and the world.

    The Halal Guys are now expanding globally and can now be found, besides in their home base in NYC and all over America, but also in South Korea, The Philippines, and Indonesia. But London is lucky enough to have its first European shop – and I urge you to give it a try. The night my friend and I were there everyone looked so happy eating away, with the staff all very friendly and wanting to give you more sauce (I took more!). It’s perhaps one of the best places to eat at near Leicester Square, whether you are on your way somewhere or just want to have dinner before heading home – The Halal Guys will satisfy (and more) your hunger.

    https://thehalalguys.com