monkeytennis's Profile
A couple of great new places in Liverpool
Just want to chip in here and say I must be a very lucky chappie because I loved everything I was served at the Monro in January. Unpretentious, honest food, friendly service and a real bargain. Can't wait to go back:
http://cheesenbiscuits.blogspot.com/2009/01/monro-liverpool.html
NYC Hound looking for best cocktails in London
My favourite cocktails are served at Claridge's Bar. Not cheap though!
Lounge Bohemia do have a commendably experimental list, my problem being not many of the experiments work... interesting place to visit though.
I would avoid the Sanderson because you'll end up waiting about 40 minutes to be served. And the cocktails themselves are nothing worth writing home about.
Nineteen Ten: The BEST Burritos in London at the Westfield London!
Went to Chilangos last night, and had a really lovely burrito. I've never been to Mexico, or even had Mexican food in the US, so I'm not sure exactly *how* good these things can be, but certainly for shredded pork inside a wrap with black beans and salad, it was very tasty :)
I believe they cook the pork sous-vide to keep it moist before frying it, and it certainly shows - the juiciest burrito in London, way better even than the wildly popular burrito van on Whitecross Street in the East End.
Somewhere you go to again and again (London)
Very similar story here. I got to Mirch Masala almost weekly and Hawksmoor when I want a steak. Neither has ever let me down.
A Dream Steakhouse
Just want to put in another word for Hawksmoor, which on Monday evening served up another massive, juicy steak with a beautiful char. I've tried Gaucho Hampstead, Black and Blue Borough, Popesye Earls Court (the worst of the lot) and Buen Ayre Battersea and none of them even come close. Hawksmoor is my idea of a perfect steak restaurant, with two caveats - the service is often shocking (I mean literally rude sometimes) and yes, it is pricey.
Best 5 Indian places in London?
I'm actually off to Kastoori tomorrow JFores so I'll let you know what the latest is. Certainly I had just as good a meal as ever a few months ago.
Best 5 Indian places in London?
I can only speak for myself, but I would trust Dos Hermanos and Andy Hayler above most professional food critics. They're always my first port of call.
Best 5 Indian places in London?
Yes, complete ripoffs. Went to Cinnamon Club before I started my blog, but here's Benares:
http://cheesenbiscuits.blogspot.com/2007/08/benares-mayfair.html
Best 5 Indian places in London?
1. Tayyabs (a cliché but still holds)
2. Mirch Masala, Whitechapel (close second - and worth it if Tayyabs is too busy)
3. Lahore Kebab House (have the garlic bread, if nothing else!)
4. Kastoori, Tooting
5. Tayyabs
Sorry, ran out of ideas, but none of the so-called "posh" places are worth bothering with (Amaya, Benares, Cinnamon Club, all crap) and the rule seems to be, the cheaper the better!
A Dream Steakhouse
Agreed. Another point I'd like to make is that the Maze Grill made a big fuss over their "genuine American" broiler which is supposed to achieve a better steak than anywhere else in London because it's "hotter". What nonsense - if I can do better steaks at home that any I've had anywhere else on my normal gas hob and a grill pan, then there's no excuse for anywhere else not doing the same:
http://cheesenbiscuits.blogspot.com/2008/04/steak.html
London - Gordon Ramsay
Objectively, I'd have to say that Maze is the best Ramsay place outside of RHR. But I have a special place in my heart for Claridge's :)
Galvin at windows
Yeah, it's good. I went on the Toptable deal (3 courses for about £30) which was great, because I think it can get a bit pricey if you're not careful.
If you have time, turn up a bit early for a drink in the bar first. Great cocktails and fantastic views!
[LONDON] Best place for a classic American sandwich
Agreed - I supposed I didn't mean authentic really, just that it was closer than other places. As you can tell from my review, I was hardly glowing about the place :)
Authentic French Onion soup in London
I fully expect to be ridiculed for saying this, but I really enjoyed the one I got from Eat yesterday lunchtime :)
[LONDON] Best place for a classic American sandwich
The Brass Rail in Selfridge's food hall will do you a Pastrami on rye (and tongue and something else). It's tasty and quite authentic although you do pay through the nose for it.
http://cheesenbiscuits.blogspot.com/2007/12/brass-rail-selfridges-food-hall.html
Salt beef you can find in the East End - my favourite is the Brick Lane Beigelry at the top end of Brick Lane. Delicious, and dead cheap:
http://cheesenbiscuits.blogspot.com/2007/11/salt-beef-beigels-brick-lane.html
I personally prefer the Salt Beef Beigels from Brick Lane to the pastrami I was served at Katz's in New York!
gluten-free vegan London
Saf, in Shoreditch, is the only vegan restaurant I've ever enjoyed eating at. Not much of a recommendation, you might think, but there you go :)
Ramsay's (Hartnett) new York and Albany
Doesn't sound that great:
http://www.doshermanos.co.uk/2008/10/york-and-albany-stand-and-deliver.html
London birthday celebration--alone!
I had a nice lunch on my own at Maze in Grosvenor Square. I believe it's the same menu served at the bar as in the restaurant, although I could be wrong.
Otherwise, if you need the company of a friendly foodie I'm sure there are plenty of people here who are happy to chow down with you. Get in touch via my website http://cheesenbiscuits.blogspot.com if you want to celebrate your birthday in true London style :)
Informal meal around Fleet St, London
The White Swan in Fetter Lane used to be good. Haven't been for years though.
Liverpool recs for Liverpool people ?
Thanks - yes I think that's the Matthew Norman review, I remember it well :)
What surprises me is that if you ask anyone in Liverpool what the Panoramic is like, they'll all say "Oh, it's not supposed to be very good", and yet I've found nobody who's actually been themselves to find out!
If anyone out there has, I'd be very interested in reading your thoughts.
Liverpool recs for Liverpool people ?
Has anyone been to the Panoramic? The menu looks nice on the website, and the view of course.
A couple of great new places in Liverpool
These may be news to some of you, they may be not, but I've had lovely meals/experiences recently at Delifonseca:
http://www.delifonseca.co.uk/
...up on Stanley Street, which sells the best pies in the UK (in my humble opinion) and is fantastic for eating in our out.
Also brilliant is Heart and Soul, recently refurbished and serving lip-smacking meals using locally-sourced ingredients:
http://www.heartandsoulrestaurant.co.uk/
I think anywhere that makes its own bread is a good sign. I can also particularly recommend the thai fish cakes and the suckling pig, when they have it. Ring ahead and check!
Oh, and I have no affiliation with either of these places in case you're wondering. I just happen to think they're great :)
Liverpool recs for Liverpool people ?
You might also want to try the newly refurbished Pumphouse in the Albert Dock. Haven't tried it myself but my parents went to the launch night and had some nice canapés! The chef was also there mingling so that's a good sign.
Pop into Vinea in the dock itself beforehand for some tapas and a glass of chilled Cava.
Good takeaway in Battersea/Wandsworth?
I tried Holy Cow actually, and it wasn't anywhere near as good as BBC or Spice Fusion! You should try those 2,
Good takeaway in Battersea/Wandsworth?
I'm after a good Chinese takeaway that will deliver in the Battersea/Wandsworth area of London. Does anyone have any recommendations? I've tried a couple of random ones in the past and they've been a bit disappointing.
I have however found a couple of really good Indian takeaways. The Battersea Kitchen (part of the Bombay Bicycle Club) and Spice Fusion are both excellent.
The Establishment, Parsons Green [London]
Yes I had a great meal here a couple of weeks ago:
http://cheesenbiscuits.blogspot.com/2008/06/establishment-parsons-green.html
It's a lovely little place.
Anything Good And Reasonably Priced In London?
Tayyabs, in Whitechapel. Handy for the tube, cheap as chips (if you spend more than £10 you're a better man than me) and the best Pakistani grill in London. Wins on all counts.
Outdoor seating - London
The Fox in Shoreditch has a nice outdoorsy courtyardy bit upstairs. It's pretty small though so make sure you specifically request it when booking!
I can also vouch for the Gun, a lovely terrace overlooking the O2 arena and the river.
My local Fox and Hounds in Battersea has a great garden too.
What's The Best Meal in London for under $200.00 US??
I'd go for The Square. The best food you can get in London, and if you go easy on the wine it should come in easily under £100 a head.
[London] Mead?
I think the honey shop on Northcote Road, Wandsworth sells mead. They sell everything else you can make from honey so I would be surprised if they don't, anyway.
