The Sea, The Sea
…It was with a heavy heart that I dined at Londrino for the last time in February this year. It was one of my favourite new openings in London, as it stood apart from the mass market IG-friendly model, here was a Chef interested in…
Category: British
Sorrel Restaurant, Dorking
There were many highlights in my 2018 calendar, though the one that stands out is without a doubt Sorrel. Steve Drake is someone whose been round the block, yet because he has operated outside of London for most of his career as head chef, he…
Perilla – March 2019 GBM Blackbird Special
Pictures and descriptions from a revisit to Ben Marks’ ever improving Perilla. This time, I asked Ben if he would make his Blackbird dish which he entered for GBM 2019, to which he kindly obliged. I’ve been thoroughly impressed by the young Chef’s progression ever…
Brat
Tomos Parry’s Basque inspired BBQ restaurant, with British produce. Named after the mighty turbot, expectedly the star attraction here is the slow-grilled whole turbot, in the style of famous restaurants, such as say Elkano in Getaria, Northern Spain. I’ve been three times now, and I…
Perilla, Mar/Apr 2018
Since my first visit, I have become very fond of this restaurant in Stoke Newington and have visited them on average once every two months in the past year. Opened by two passionate young guns, who I feel are at the very beginning of a…
Lyle’s 2018/2017
When I last wrote about this restaurant, James was then the latest Young Turk to successfully transition into his own permanent setup, which takes his mother’s maiden name. Just under 4 years later, Lyle’s now finds itself in That list, holding a michelin star, and…
Core by Clare Smyth
It’s a wonderful thing that in 2017, the cult of Le Chef is pretty much consigned to history. Restaurants today work harder to make the dining room, a place in which the punter can feel truly at ease. In London, at ease also sometimes means…
Angler Restaurant
During the last days of The (Old) Square, Gary’s style was becoming evident, which I find to be rather more elegant on the plate, with tidy compositions and precise cooking applied where necessary. Of course he had to do it within the confines of having…
Lorne Restaurant
I really like the way 2017 is shaping up for new London openings as there have been more than a handful of bright sparks that strike a good balance between casual ambiance without having to dilute substance on the plate. I certainly think Lorne is…
Elystan Street – July 2017
Other visits: Sept 2016 , Oct 2016 My 3rd visit to Phil Howard’s new digs and it is better than ever and in fact, I ate one of my best meals in 2017 so far. Phil’s head chef Toby Burrowes and his merry band have…
The Crown Burchetts Green: Voyage de la Mer
Other meals: Feb 2017, Jan 2017, Oct 2016 This would be my fourth pilgrimage to Chez Bonwick’s merry one man band, and for this meal, I kindly asked if he could make us an all-seafood Choisi menu. Seafood is close to my heart as I…
James Cochran EC3
Be wary of the giant mound of coats on the sturdy single rack at the reception of the restaurant… there’s no system, they chuck yours in the pile willy nilly. While this made for an interesting treasure hunt scenario at the end of my lunch,…