Snufflehound's Profile
Hedone [London]
Firstly - Chiswick W4 is in West London...District Line
We went to Hedone a few weeks ago and can honestly say that our meal was completely fabulous. The service was wonderful - professional but friendly and unpretentious. Atmosphere just right. The food was excellent. I tend to be a bit conservative, and as usual was a bit ambivalent about a fixed menu, but was totally impressed. My co-diners went for the lot. None of us was disappointed. It's great to watch the kitchen at play as well.
My only grumble (very slight) was that the wine list although an excellent selection, was overpriced.
Co-Snuff can be very picky but was totally impressed, both with menu, provenance of ingredients, as well as the food itself.
Cannot speak highly enough of Hedone. Go wild and come to Chiswick! (Nearest tube station Chiswick Park.) Incidentally Chiswick is a bit of foodie heaven with excellent deli, greengrocers, fishmongers, butchers and a host of other very good gastropubs and restuarants.
Great value Sunday lunch [London]
Being a huge fan of Terriors, I just had to try Brawn in Columbia Road. It's a completely different vibe, but we enjoyed our Sunday lunch enormously.
Great Value: For £20 for 2 courses or £25 for 3, you actually get a generous helping of their set lunch menu, sufficient for my partner not to be able to manage the dessert course.
Set Menu: Last Sunday for our Starter we enjoyed a pig plate (hams, terrine, cornichons), 4 sprats with gorgeously seasoned/flavoured horseradish cream, and a whole globe artichoke with dipping sauce. Then came the delicious chicken with divine jus, together with heritage varieties of pots, carrots and broccoli. (veg cooked just right). The aforementioned dessert was a heavenly chocolate mousse with creamy topping. Even fusspot agreed that it was excellent! Oh, and homemade bread.
Wine List: Again a terrific choice. just like Terriors, and Including sherries and prosecco.The glass of Beaujolais selected for fusspot's main was just right, although my choice of Verdicchio didn't work (my fault - what was I thinking?)
Service: efficient but unobtrusive. Needed to cope with large sudden influxes of parties of 6+ but didn't seem to flap.
I even adore the piggy logo (saddo). Can't wait to go back? You betcha!
Ledbury? Launceston Pl? Other? [London]
The Ledbury
We ate here last night and it was simply gorgeous. The service was totally great and understated, no precious behaviour. The sommelier was utterly charming (and very funny) and most helpful without ever being patronising.
AND most imporantly, the food was excellent. Divine amuses bouches (particularly the puree with a hint trufflIe and the quail egg with thin thin strudel texture pastry. ) I enjoyed a delicate crab dish with parmesan and courgettes (could have had a little more seasoning but that's so minor) and the fussy one had rabbit lasagne with girolles. Then lamb - a mix of the most melt-in-the mouth fillet (could have cut it with a fork, and just the right 'pink') and roasted, with green tomato juice puree and spinach, and roe deer for the fussy one, including a redcurrant reduction to a powder over puree. Divine. Both in raptures, and then a perky little passion fruit jelly with froth, followed by desserts. One banana galette and one figs dish.
Only wish that we could afford to eat there all the time? Not a bit like Polpo, but a must. (I also love eating at Polpo and also Teriors and Barrafina.)
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Barrafina
54 Frith St, London, Greater London W1D 3, GB
Ledbury
127 Ledbury Rd, Kensington, England W2 5, GB
Durango and Telluride
On Main Street in Durango.
Fabulous restaurant in the historic downtown area, with bar and restaurant. We liked the relaxed ambiance - totally professional but with a great atmosphere and groovy decor.
Snufflehound minor enjoyed (and she's very fussy) - a Mahi Mahi fish dish (a Panamanian fish) panroasted in brown butter with gnocchi, grilled asparagus and kalamata olives with a vinagrette butter and poached snowcrab and basil $29.
This was beautifully cooked and not dependent upon the butter for the richness. The dish used lovely seasonal ingredients and the gnocchi was clearly made by the chef. Beautifully balanced was the decision.
I went for (what must be) the chef's signature dish - Seafood with saffron Cappellini $37
Half a lobster tail braised in butter with sea scallops, wild salmon, shrimp, snow crab, roasted peppers and calamari in a tomato fennel saffron broth.
The seafood in this dish was beautifully prepared (the lobster just fell out of its shell,) cooked and presented. Served in a tomato saffron and fennel broth, it had more of a bisque depth about it as opposed to just a broth. The dish also included a bulb of fennel and vermicelli - the perfect pasta accompaniment . Cream to finish over the top. As you will gather this was hugely rich but utterly delicious and the best dish that we tasted during our 3 week roadtrip through Colorado and the Southwest.
The bisque reduction base was finished with butter and cream. It was just so perfectly balanced. It would have been really easy to overdo the amount of saffron and drown out the delicate flavours. We just kept on uncovering different layers of flavour and groaning with delight!
Our delightful server also recommended the ideal white wine to accompany these dishes Hernando Cortes Napa Sauvignon Blanc.
Can't report on the dessert course as we were both completely sated, and really felt that to have dessert would have diminished our enjoyment of these fabulous mains.
Durango has many eateries, bakeries, coffee shops and restuarants. We enjoyed ourselves at Steamworks for a casual lunch, and the coffee from Durango Coffee, and didn't have the time to try The Mahoghany Room at the Strater Hotel, but please don't miss Cosmo. It's worth a special trip to Durango, and even some fellow travellers we met who lived in Denver said how excellent it is, and seemed to think that there might be a sister restaurant in Telluride.
You'll leave completely sated with a soppy grin and the self-satisfaction that you've discovered somewhere very very special. Enjoy
Prickly Pear Juice or Syrup - Does anyone know how to get hold of this in UK?
A Chowhound challenge -
Have just returned from a USA roadtrip - wow, so much to say on other boards. The result of my personal odyssey to find the best margarita was at a bar in Sedona Arizona which served a prickly pear margarita. However, couldn't bring the syrup home (imagine everything covered in burst pink syrup mix in suitcase) and couldn't buy at Denver airport.
Does anyone know how to get hold of this stuff in the UK (preferably London or online?)
Good eats in Oban, Scotland
Try Eeusk on the waterfront - great seafood and friendly service. (Take rainwear as it rains every time I go to Oban, and plenty of midge repellent)
Denver to Monte Vista trip
Hi there. Does anyone have recommendations for both lunch and dinner, between Denver and Monte Vista CO? We're staying in MV for one night and don't know the area at all? Not fussy about cuisine.
Thanks
Chicago O'Hare 5 hour stopover - suggestions?
Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I reckon by the time we've cleared US immigration that leaving the airpoirt environs might be a bit risky. We're flying into 5 and out of 3 on AA if that helps?
I'm beginning to worry that I won't even be able to get a beer ?!
Chicago O'Hare 5 hour stopover - suggestions?
Hope someone will have some suggestions - I have a dilemma
We are travelling from London to Denver and as our connecting flight has been rescheduled we find that we now have a 5-hour stopover at O'Hare airport? Am I right to be too nervous to risk going downtown and leaving the airport to make check-in back for the Denver flight?
Does anyone have any good late lunch or early dinner recommendations at the airport itself?
New Mexico wineries
I've heard that NM has a growing wine industry? Whilst not (yet) on the scale of California, can anyone share any info on wineries/brands to try? We like very dry whites or roses - no oaked chardonnays - and full-bodied reds.
Thank you
Lake Powell
Hi Chowhounds
Planning a roadtrip this summer to take in Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Sedona, Santa Fe and Taos. Am looking for some help with recommendations for a day and overnight stop in the Lake Powell / Page areas? Lunch and dinner obviously but if anyone also has any lodging suggestions that would be great too?
Thank you
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Grand Canyon Cafe
110 E Santa Fe Ave, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Chacoli / Tzakoli white wines from Basque area northern Spain - to buy in London
Thanks everyone - Kew is nearby so I will trot along posthaste!
Chacoli / Tzakoli white wines from Basque area northern Spain - to buy in London
Hi Hounds - help!
Have just spent at least an hour fiddling around on Google trying to find a London-based wine merchant specialising in Spanish wine that stocks the unusual but delicious Chakoli wine from the Basque area of northern Spain around San Sebastian.
Am happy to buy on-line if London merchants don't stock it, but if anyone's got any ideas I'd be grateful?
Thanks - very thirsty!
Aberystwyth - birthday dinner?
Aberystwyth is not a well-known foodie destination I'm afraid. However, some the local produce is truly great, particularly Cenarth cheese (Caws) from the southern end of the county, as well as fresh seafood and the increasingly rare sewin. If anyone offers you laverbread, it is seaweed which is generally served fried with bacon for breakfast - I urge you to try it.
I am planning a trip to the area myself next month and have booked for dinner at The Harbourmaster in Aberaeron which has a great reputation. The town in itself is very pretty set around a harbour and a taxi there from Aberystwyth. (But why oh why do local hoteliers insist on a two-night minimum stay?)
I am completely biased I admit coming from a Cardi family, and can give you some more recommendations further south towards Cardigan / Newport (Pembs) if useful?
NW and NE England Must Eats - Produce and Restaurants
My recommendations are really more about produce and pubs rather than fine dining, but having spent a lot of time in the Lakes, as well as some v good New Year's in the NE and work trips to Edinburgh here's my pennyworth:
Lakes -
Drunken Duck Inn at Barngates nr Ambleside www.drunkenduckinn.co.uk
Pop by The Sun Inn at Coniston for Sticky Toffee pudding
If you're after fine dining then propbably best to look out for some of the hotels with good reputations such as Sharrow Bay
Jennings is the local brew but I think there are many better options?
North East
Newton by the Sea - great National Trust owned pub The Ship Inn (go early to avoid queue)
Kippers from Craster
Bamburgh has a great butcher who also sells pies and pasties
Edinburgh
Foodie heaven. So much to choose from including the Leith area now that it's been gentrified. Particularly like Martin Wishaw and The Shore pub in the docks - have never had a bad meals there ever. Oloroso was also good. A lot of folks rave about The Witchery but personally I've never really understood the attraction - maybe it never weaved its magic on me?
Enjoy! Sounds like a great trip. What time of year are you going?
Staying in Kensington. Where would you go for dinner? [London]
How about straying into High St Kensington territory and trying out Kitchen W8 in Abingdon Road?
Re the tip - 12.5% seems to have crept in and become the norm (used to be 10%). Nobody in the UK should ever pay this service charge unless they believe that the staff deserve it. It is not compulsory (yes I have been chased after leaving without paying it which left the waiter sobbing that the manager would fire him which made me wonder why he wanted to work there) and is absolutely at the diner's discretion. Having said all that, how many times have you eaten somewhere and really felt that they deserved nothing because the service had been so bad.
So legally, you don't have to leave anything, and if you feel that 12.5% is a bit steep or not quite deserved you can change it - you can even change it upwards if you've had a fantastic time?!
Brick Lane / Whitechapel curry recommendations - looking for Bhatura
Hi there Hounds
Looking for any recommendations for curry houses in this area that include Bhatura bread on the menu? I've only come across it before at The Brilliant in Southall but long to have it again and since we will be in this area soon it seemed a good opportunity to try and have it again? (Deeeelicious if incredibly calorific fried puffy bread.)
Thanks
Aberaeron - west Wales
Thanks for the tips. I wanted to stay at the Harbourmaster but they insist upon a two-night minimum booking over weekends, and we need only one, so we'll try Pen Cei and eat at the Harbourmaster.
Aberaeron - west Wales
Anyone out there have any recommendations on both accomodation as well as eating out in Aberaeron? If memory serves me correctly the choice will be Harbourmaster v Feathers Hotel but am eager to have my mind changed?
Thanks
Christmas shopping - top tips please
Waitrose are selling a gorgeous soft Italian cheese with truffles in it at the moment? (Sorry can't remember the name as the wrapper is always torn off greedily and consigned to bin as the entire thing is gobbled up immediately) It's round, and the cellophane is held in place with raffia.
Carluccio's is always good for treats - particularly the torrone and small panettones? Or the Finnochiola salami with fennel
If you're into mail order, Inverawe's smoked fish ranges absolutely knock the socks off anything else, and their smoked salmon pate is excellent as well. Good selection of hampers and gift presentations
Or Mas Amiel a red dessert wine available from Lea & Sandeman - gorgeous - my find of the year
My other find of the year Sipsmith London-distilled gin made in copper stills
All available in Chiswick if you're heading west? If you do check out Mortimer & Bennett and Whisk Cooking Solutions for great ideas. Might compensate for lack of Heston's Xmas pudidngs in Waitose?
Happy shopping
Anyone tried Brawn in Columbia Road yet? [London]
Curious to know how it compares to Terriors (from the same team) which we thought was utterly fabulous!
Ryder Cup Weekend in Cardiff
You could also try Woods which is in the Bay in the old Pilots building dating from the old Cardiff docks era? Haven't been for a while but the last time was an outing for about 25 of us which they handled amazingly well.
[London - Shepherd's Bush] Suggestions for neighbourhood eats/drinks
Friends rave about The Patio Polish restaurant on the Goldhawk Rd? Personally I'd trot down to The Anglesea Arms in Wingate Road in Brackenbury Village.
Otherwise jump on a 94 bus and come to Chiswick - loads to choose from. or alternatively head to The Havelock Arms in Brook Green or Indian Zing near the Polish Centre in Hammersmith
Re takeaways - does Tiffin Box deliver to Shephers Bush? Great Indian food.
Bush Bar & Grill always had a decent reputation but I don't know what happened to it?
Special birthday lunch (a Monday) Central/West London recommendations
Looking for recommendations for a special birthday lunch in either Central or West London. Type of previous thumbs-up experiences have been Fat Duck, St John, Polpo, Petersham Nurseries? I've been asked to find something new and exciting - no pressure then?!
Dog-friendly in London
If you are prepared to come west there are a few options. Our local park at Chiswick House has a great cafe run by Company of Cooks and there is sheltered outdoor seating - dogs on leads but v welcome (in fact there's a free dog show on Sunday Sept 26th see www.chowgroup.co.uk)
Also there are quite a few dog-friendly pubs in the area - Duke of Sussex on South Parade; Bollo House on Bollo Lane; and The Swan on Evershed Walk. Carpenters Arms in Hammersmith ditto and The Brown Dog in Barnes. Would recommend any of them. There's also a dog-friendly cafe at Marble Hill?
Newbury, Berks area recommendations
Crab at Chievely - follow-up
We plumped for The Crab in the end ..... I can only assume that everyone who raved about it was visiting on an expense account? The service was perfunctory at best and I have to say overpriced, especially in the wine department. Great list but seriously overpriced, and in the end we reverted to pouring our own wine as clearly the waiting staff had given up.
Our group enjoyed their meal on the whole. I was rather taken aback by the menu describing the crab as 'Action Crab'. Forgive me being such a charalatan, but I'd never heard this description before, and as I asked the maitre'd about it I had the Captain Scarlet theme tune running around my head. (For those of you equally plebian, this describes a crab in whichthe meat has been dressed inside the shell, but not extracated from the claws etc.) Needless to say I couldn't resist and was presented with the biggest crab I've seen this side of Bergen or Alaska.
Basically to return to my usual chant - if you're going to be pretentious and overcharge then you have to get all the details absolutely right. I'm not suggesting for one minute that the Crab was aiming at silver service standard, but you've just got to do better than this for the prices you charge?
If staying avoid themed rooms! They're no-way as cool as you think!
Southall....? [London]
I haven't been that recently, but have always been a fan of The Brilliant on Southern Road (not to be confused with Madhu's Brilliant) - always unusual things on the menu, served at big tables - no frills or pretension here but always packed! (Think they close on Mondays).
Newbury, Berks area recommendations
Thanks Simon - not sure about short pheasant eggs, but on the other hand to paraphrase you "it's only a bloody rabbit" ... happy days!
Newbury, Berks area recommendations
Thank you all. Vineyard is completely beyond budget in terms of rooms, but will look at the Crab and also the Carnarvon Arms.
