foreignmuck's Profile
Options near Paddington Station
Bonda Cafe - A great, cheap Malaysian joint on corner of Sussex Gardens and Spring Street.
late dinner near wilton's music hall
If a decent curry in a rather boisterous environment would fit the bill, both Tayyabs and Needo Grill are fairly nearby...
Mexican tacos de pastor in London?
No, Boho Mexica is definitely NOT worth a try. Ranks as probably one of the most disappointing meals of the year - and because someone else chose it, i went without expectations.
flautas de barbacoa - tasteless pappy lukewarm meat .
Guacamole - no tang, no flavour.
The vibe - pretentious end of 'trendy'.. ugh.
The staff - slow a pretty clueless. we were a big party and orders got mixed up / forgotten.
Cocktails were pretty decent though, so i guess that's something.
I don't usually like slagging off restaurants on here for the sake of it, but Limster you gave me the opportunity.. :)
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Boho Mexica
151 - 153 Commercial Street, London E1 6BJ, GB
Where is the best fried chicken?
Could be a onto a winner here... Yet to try but if Yanni's other products could be anything to go by, i'm hopeful...
http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/venue/2:30725/meat-liquor
The Young Turks [London]
indeed went to the Clove Club a year or so ago, when they did them in their Dalston flat. Isaac's food is sensational. Well worth a visit..
[London] - Ducksoup, Soho
Taking over the narrow space that was the vegetarian Zilli retaurant on Dean Street (next door to Cay Tre), Ducksoup quite literally exploded onto the scene a few weeks ago. Run by ex Staff from Hix, the place was positively buzzing when we arrived, and despite the no reservations policy we luckily managed to nab a table in the narrow bar/dining room.
There is so much I want to love about this place. Very bare, casual décor (think Morito meets St John). The hand scrawled menus the waitress hands you add a personal touch. A short selection of small and larger plates that all sound very appetizing. A broad list of well sourced biodynamic and organic wines, along with a lager called ‘F**king Hell’! . Cool, knowledgeable staff that at the same time are completely unpretentious and super friendly. The patrons are sophisticated to match. I was trying all throughout my meal work out if it was hip because of the food, or hip because it’s hip…
The food that came out was competent. I won’t go as far as to say it was mindblowing, but with all things considered, it was a very positive experience. We start with a selection of starters – fried baby squid in fennel seed and salt. A small portion, which was slightly under seasoned, rustically fried in a slightly greasy batter. Thinly sliced courgettes again encased in a robust batter, served with a very tasty tahini and yoghurt dip – very Turkish/Mediterranean tasting with a lemon zing. Excellent smoked anchovies –something that I’ve never had before, served on top of slices of beautiful beef tomatoes garnished with onions. A generous serving of foie gras on top of a thin slice of toast – very reminiscent of the version at St John B&W and equally tasty, although I do find the thicker toast at St John more satisfying.
Mains (all at £14) came in the form of a Frito Misto – decently fried pieces of mackerel (boy do I love mackerel and this was fantastic) Sea Bass (I think), squid and artichokes along with a home made mayonnaise. Nothing to write home about but it was simply a selection of very decent quality fresh ingredients on a plate. The other dish we chose was slow roast lamb served with braised fennel and salsa verde. Good flavours all round, heavy on the capers and the strong flavour of decent olive oil worked pretty well with the tender yet satisfying lamb. Dessert was a crème brulee – which sadly came as a disappointment . If we’re talking in tofu terms, a good crème brulee should in my mind be akin to the silken type. This was slightly overcooked and was more in the form of ‘firm’ variety. A slightly tough skin over the top sadly made it a flawed dessert.
This place is fast becoming one of the hottest joints in town right now, and it has all the elements for it to be a roaring success. A lot of thought has gone into all aspects of the concept, and I’m sure multiple visits will prove rewarding as the menus change daily.
Moqueca @ Barraco, Kilburn, London
ah, never seen a Moqueca in London. i had some cracking ones in Bahia...
might have to give it go!
also enjoyed the thicker but similar bobo de camarao too! did you notice that on the menu by any chance?
[London] Yum Buns and more @ at Broadway Market (New area)
i've never had the walnut miso at koya so cant comment
The mushrooms are sauteed in butter and put in a steamed bun. Then the special sweet miso based sauce is slathered on top with crunchy toasted walnuts tossed in separately.
[London] Yum Buns and more @ at Broadway Market (New area)
These guys seem to be doing really well and getting about - saw them at the Thames Festival last week with a super cool customised steamer cart!!
The merchandise was as yummy as ever - the original pork buns are as good as ever, but the meaty portabello mushroom one with miso and walnut glaze are a winner too (and im not one to often choose the non-meat option!)
They are now part of Eat Street, so expect to see them around and about!
Pitt Cue Co! WHERE ARE THEY GOING!?
i heard that they have a backer for a full time restaurant.. not 100% sure, but keep an eye out
Jerk Chicken [London]
Try Negril on Brixton Hill - the chicken is a cut above the rest..
otherwise, if you really want to go off the beaten track, try Tasty Jerk. search for it on this board.. outstanding - especially the Jerk Pork..
Recs for student visiting Camden Town?
indeed - but go on monday, tuesday or wed for half price dimsum.
also the Pho at the vietnamese place in Parkway is decent. a few doors from Wholefoods.
London - BBQ Recommendations
Yumbuns are absolutely banging... I think they are £3 each and £5 for two - and are a pretty decent size. I've spotted Nuno Mendez (of Vaijante fame) down there a few times i've been. He's a bit of a fan by all accounts...
London - BBQ Recommendations
not strictly true. I've had the pulled pork at 7 or 8pm. sometime they run out of certain stuff though, so depends on your luck. They never had the brisket when i go..
London - BBQ Recommendations
Pitt Cue Co has always been top notch for me. By far the best in London. (anna Mae's Pulled pork sandwich comes a close second)
i've heard the brisket at Pitt Cue Co is a bit vinegary (i've never had this) but the ribs and pulled pork are always really tasty (ive been 4 times now)!
Cheap eats in London
Franco Manca is now open in Brixton for dinner on Thursday to Saturday evenings i believe. Less queuing in the evenings, which is good.
Sushi of Shirori and Harwood arms are both fantastic restaurants that I would highly recommend but I wouldn't classify them as 'cheap eats'... A main at the Harwood costs around £15.
For decent yet relatively cheap Sushi, would recommend the Atariya take away (with a few seats) in St James St, or http://www.atariya.co.uk/shops/james_st.html - this is very much an 'in and out' kind of a place, but the fish is always of a high quality.
other suggestions in the Area:
Bonda Cafe, (malaysian) Sussex Gardens, near paddington
some of the lebanese places on Edgeware Road..
Iranian place Patogh - 8 Crawford Place - fantastic breads along with grilled meats.
Gold Mine on Bayswater Road (Chinese, good for Crispy pork and BBQ duck)
Staying in Shoreditch area of London....need some great inexpensive restaurants
Hey there.
a great area to be based: here are some suggestions:
Vietnamese - there's loads but Cay Tre is a good choice on Old street, or Song Que, one of the many on Kingsland Road are the two I favour.
Chinese - Gourmet San does really great North Eastern Chinese dishes - on Bethnal Green Road. not your average Chinese. Go for the lamb skewers..
Columbia Road has some great looking places - Brawn is supposed to be great, and Laxiero - not been myself but walked past there yesterday and the menu looked fantastic - Rustic Spanish.
a mile or so up Kingsland Road and you're in the heart of the Turkish community on Dalston. A small sidestreet off Kingsland rd called Arcola Street hosts one of the best Turkish joints in town. Mangal 2.. I was in Istanbul last weekend, but the food here is up there with some of my standouts in Istanbul.
Other than that, some great stalls on Broadway market (in Hackney) on a Saturday - good to check it out if you can.
Never been to Texture, but a lot of people who I know and trust RAVE about Viajante - so would not hestitate going there. Its up there on the top of my wishlist of places to go.
Enjoy!
Something in Pimlico (London)
Cyprus Mangal is a pretty solid option for turkish/cypriot food. well grilled meats and mezze..
casual and inexpensive.
http://www.london-eating.co.uk/maps/27657.asp
St Johns doughnuts, eccles cakes and bread, the best in London?
Talking of amazing bread - has anyone tried the sourdough loaves from Wild Caper in Brixton market? always sensational.. made from the same starter as the Franco Manca Pizza dough i believe.
well worth a trip down for that bread...
Agree St John's Bread is top notch too... and the doughnuts are superb..
Squid Ink in London
You can buy it in my local fishmongers - Le Petit Poissoniere, on Gloucester Avenue, Primrose Hill. Its a nice part of town to visit too, esp if you walk up primrose hill itself..
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=15+Edis+St,+London,+NW1+8LE,+UK&aq=1&sll=51.540023,-0.151877&sspn=0.007581,0.020792&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=15+Edis+St,+London+NW1+8LE,+United+Kingdom&ll=51.54025,-0.151556&spn=0.00758,0.020792&z=16
What food/food experience does London do better than any other city?
I would highly recommend St John Bread and Wine.
A great example of British food at it's best. i've never been dissappointed.
Just go...
Meat Easy - New Cross [London]
Burger fanatics will be happy to hear about the new "chop-up" speakeasy cocktail and burger bar at the Goldsmiths Tavern in New Cross. Its a 2 month temporary venture by Yanni of Meatwagon fame, who sadly had his van nicked last year.
Went to the pre-launch last night - which saw an extended menu of meaty stuff along with world class cocktails from Soul Shakers. Sure its going to be a big hit..
more details here
http://www.themeatwagon.co.uk/?p=491
Buying Uni (Sea Urchin) and Ikura (Salmon Roe Eggs) in UK?
La petite poisonniere, on Gloucester Avenue, Primrose Hill sells whole icelandic sea urchins but only in season as i haven't seen them recently. They were pretty decent the couple of times i bought them, and 3 were enough to make a decent Uni pasta for 1.
4 Days in Fulham, London
The Atlas on Seagrave Road is a great pub that does really decent food. Not as refined as the Harwood perhaps, but a great local choice if you're based in Fulham.
http://www.theatlaspub.co.uk/
[London] Yum Buns and more @ at Broadway Market (New area)
Ah, never noticed the LL offering - will have to try them soon. Be under no illusion that the Yum Buns are trying to be 'authentic'. These are more Asian-American style, but done well, i thought. Good for munching whilst wandering the market.
Roast meats @ Four Seasons (Wardour street branch), Chinatown, London
Thanks for the great tip on Goldmine, and in particular the grandma style siu yuk.. Just my kind of dish. The waiter was a bit surprised I knew about it as it's not on the menu and only Malaysians really order it...
But also eager to try their roast meats au naturel some day soon too, as they did look stunning..
[London] Yum Buns and more @ at Broadway Market (New area)
Broadway Market seems to be a really thriving these days and I recently discovered a whole new market has sprung up in the school yard at the London Fields end.. There are about 6 new stalls there, selling a variety of things including great looking steak sandwiches from the Argentine restaurant A La Cruz, some gourmet sausages, cupcakes, Churros and a stall selling Mexican fajitas.
The one that really caught my eye however was the 'Yum Bun' stand.. Inspired by the much hyped Momofuku pork buns in New York, a voluptuous slab of tender slow roast belly pork, crunchy cucumber and spring onion is enveloped in a moist, pillowy steamed bun, embellished with a choice of sauce (i found the classic hoisin to work best, although there were other options including a chili sauce which worked well too). You've got the best of both worlds between a crispy duck pancake and a steamed Chinese pork bun. So addictive I think I'm going to have to go back for more next week.
Looking forward to trying some of the other stuff on offer too..
Great Takeout or Delivery in Chelsea
Number 10 on Hogarth Road (near Earls Court) is a very decent szechuan restaurant that does delivery. Probably in your catchment area.
Best Sushi in London 2010
Apparently the owner of sushi Hiro sold up to Atariya. I think he went back to Japan.
they seem to be building a mini empire.
Was at Atariya Swiss cottage the other day. the £10 chirashi sushi is amazing value.
