aliak's Profile
Le Gavroche Dinner [London]
Hi,
I have a dinner coming up here and wanted to find out what the house specialities are? What should one order / not miss?
Ambassade de l'Ile [London]
This is opening soon, what have people heard about / expect from it?
Opinions on Jean-Christophe Ansanay-Alex?
Jean-Christophe Ansanay-Alex & Ambassade de l'Ile
Hi,
Jean-Christophe is opening Ambassade de l'Ile in London next week, with a soft opening this week.
I was curious as to what we can expect from him.
How is he regarded in France? What are his signature dishes?
Comptoir Gascon, Clerkenwell, London
I'm quite sure it's duck.
I ate there recently and there are c. five foie gras courses offered (they are not shown on the menu downloadable from their website) and include foie gras terrine with ouzo and toasted brioche, pressed foie gras with crab claws and a tomato jus and foie gras (chaud) with grapes.
Le Gavroche - Prices?
Thanks Monty, but I am already aware of that offer. I was actually more interested in dinner.
I am quite sure that there is a tasting menu as, on the website, there is a Menu Exceptionnel, shown under the sample menu section.
Thanks again!
Le Gavroche - Prices?
Has anyone eaten here recently?
If so, what is the price of the tasting menu?
Additionally, how is the a la carte structured i.e. 2 courses for £x, 3 courses £y, 4 courses £z or is each dish individually priced?
Cheers!
Club Gascon - Opinions/Thoughts?
Hi,
Has anyone dined here recently?
What are peoples' thoughts/feelings/experiences?
London - Efes Restaurants: Your Thoughts
Curious to hear what made the meal so awful, loobcom?
Also, AlexJames, regarding the liver, I believe, though I am not certain, that they use Raki when cooking the dish. I think, the sumac is more a coating for the onions and not really a powerful flavouring.
21, Rue Mazarine, Paris - Paul Minchelli...What are your opinions?
Well, now I deeply regret that I never went!!
I shall, however, definately make sure not to miss it next time I'm in Paris.
Cheers.
London - Efes Restaurants: Your Thoughts
I'm glad to hear it's still popular.
The ambience and decor is staided unarguably, but the food is still great.
I also love seeing those old waiters who have been working there since I was a child...
Personally, I always order the Liver (Arnavut Ciger) starter and the special mixed kebab, plus sides of chips, hummus and yoghurt.
The chicken in the mixed kebab is probably the best chicken I have eaten anywhere! lol
London - Efes Restaurants: Your Thoughts
Hi,
This is a Turkish restaurant with two premises, one on Great Portland St and the other on Great Titchfield (I prefer the Titchfield address).
I was just curious as to what peoples' opinions and experiences of it were.
London - Best fine dining experience? Special dinner, no budget
Is Sally Clarke's 'glamorous' enough?
The meal is for a birthday and my I would want the whole evening to really blow my guest away and leave a lasting impression i.e. food/presentation/ambience all to be top notch.
p.s. I really didn't rate Nobu very highly at all. Maybe my expectations were set too high (it is surely one of the most hyped-up restaurants in London), but I was left rather disappointed.
London - Which is the best Italian Restaurant? No budget
Thanks for the recommendations everyone...they have been very informative.
Still not certain where to pick...I will let you know the outcome.
The reservation would be for August, by which time, River Cafe should have reopened.
Awesome dinner at Gaucho, London
Thanks for the sympathy....
It wasn't a big deal though as it's not a sin if you are unaware you are doing it!!
London - Best fine dining experience? Special dinner, no budget
Hi,
I have read the very thorough Bill Hunt review thanks.
All three are definately restaurants on my list, but I think Ramsay@RHR will be my choice this time round. I have just eaten at my first 3* in Paris (L'Arpege) and was absolutely delighted with the whole experience. Now I am interested to see how London compares!
On another note, are there any other restaurants that you recommend I must try?...personal favourites?
Awesome dinner at Gaucho, London
Hi,
Sorry Bigtigger, but I am going to have to disagree with you. My experience of Gaucho's differs significantly to yours....
I went to the Piccadilly branch for dinner last month and was extremely disappointed!
From the starters, I was able to sample the mixed cerviche and chicken sausage, while from the mains, I tried the platter (Gran Parrillada) and fish soup (Zarsuella?).
The starters were fine, in fact the sausage was tasty, however, the mains were an immense let down. The bouillabaise-style soup was minimal - literally a handful of various seafood morsels (fish, mussels, prawns...) - and didn't really taste like much of anything. The platter - lamb chop, chorizo, beef steak (cuadril), chicken and sweetbread - could be summed up in a word: dry! The chop and sweetbread were alright, but the chicken and steak were barely touched. Being a fames steakhouse, the bad steak was unacceptable. Additionally, although only of minor note, I was led to eat pork accidently (I am a Muslim) by the waitress, who incorrectly pointed out some of the meat (I was careful to make sure she explicitly pointed out the pork on the platter).
For desert, we sampled pretty much everything on the menu (there were 6/7 of us) and the churros and cheesecake are all I can actually recall.
Overall, over-rated and over-priced! One fellow diner described it as the "worst meal she has ever paid for", although, another swears by Gaucho's and is a loyal patron.
Since my visit, I have been informed that the menu has changed. Apparently, the fish soup and many of the desserts are no longer served.
London - Which is the best Italian Restaurant? No budget
Thanks for all the replies so far!
It looks like either LL or Zafferano's will probably get the nod....However, although I have read some excellent reviews of Assaggi, no one has brought it up. Has anyone dined here?
London - Which is the best Italian Restaurant? No budget
The dinner will be in August when a friend is visiting from NYC, so reservations shouldn't be an issue.
The River Cafe will be open again then too.
Thanks for the suggestions Robin, but does the quality of the ingredients / cooking technique / presentation / TASTE compare to the other restaurants of higher 'repute' .
London - Best fine dining experience? Special dinner, no budget
Thanks for the suggestions.
i. I would prefer to keep it in London though.
ii. Regarding Le Gavroche, this is a restaurant I really am very excited to try, but want to save this for another occasion I have in mind.
iii. Blakes is a great shout actually. I was going to dine there a few months ago, but it didn't happen. Who is the chef here?
iv. Some ideas of my own - Capital, Petrus, Square, Ramsey at RHR, Joel Robuchon
Affordable Tartare in London
The Wolseley serves a very tasty Steak Tartare. I am not sure what your budget is, but at £9.25 (with toast) it's well worth it. One can also order the dish large with salad and frites for £18.75.
London - Which is the best Italian Restaurant? No budget
Cheers for the suggestion.
I have done a little research and it seems Locanda Locatelli, Zafferano and Assaggi are the stand out options.
What's the concensus and has anyone any experience/indepth knowledge regarding these?
London - Best fine dining experience? Special dinner, no budget
My brother and I are looking to take our mother to dinner to celebrate her birthday.
Looking to go somewhere really special. Deciding factor is food quality and presentation. Price and wine list are really not factors.
Thanks
London - Which is the best Italian Restaurant? No budget
Can anyone suugest London's best Italian restaurant. Preferably fine dining. Thanks
Monday Paris Lunch - No Budget
Are you the author of www.julotlespinceaux.com?
That's quite amusing, I have been reading your blog a lot over the last couple of weeks.
Really enjoyed it, so merci!
Monday Paris Lunch - No Budget
i am not going to look at prices or scales on this trip!
it's a shame though, i have managed to chose one of the worst times to visit. So many of the restaurants are closed over the period!
21, Rue Mazarine, Paris - Paul Minchelli...What are your opinions?
Hi, I'm considering dinner here in a couple of days, but it has been difficult to find out much about the restaurant.
What have people head/know of it? Has anyone else dined here?
Monday Paris Lunch - No Budget
Thanks everyone for the advice,
Looks like L'Arpege first night for dinner. Maison Blanche for lunch next day, then either L'Ami Louis or 21 for dinner. Saturday dinner at Aux Lyonnais, Sunday dinner at Mon Vieil Ami and then lunch at Le Bristol on final day.
