20
Tuesday
Nov 2012

Burger & Lobster

When I first moved over to London a lobster roll was something that just did not exist. I sometimes joke with my British friends when we are discussing products or foods that have yet to make it across the pond from the USA, not to worry….. Crystal Pepsi? Oh you’ll probably get it in about 10 years. So it was to my absolute delight when Burger & lobster opened about a year ago in Mayfair, followed by one in Soho, and now their newly opened third location in Farringdon. The premise is simple. You can order a burger, a lobster, or a lobster roll all priced at £20. All are served with a simple green salad and a side of chips (french fries that require some serious restraint). On the number of times I have frequented the restaurant I have only ordered the lobster roll. I promise to branch out soon, but why mess with a good thing. My favourite of the three locations is the one in Soho (they also take reservations for parties of 6 or more). There is a nice openness to the space that does not make you feel quite so claustrophobic as all the locations tend to be quite packed. They have a large lobster tank and if you want to branch out from the menu you can order a 10lb lobster for £150 to share with your dining companions (maybe). I recommend showing up early, adding your name to the list at the door, leave your mobile number, and be ready to scoot when they ring you up with a free table. Cheers!

www.burgerandlobster.com

SOHO: 36 Dean St, W1D 4PS, Open Monday to Sunday 12pm to 10:30pm

MAYFAIR: 29 Clarges St, W1J 7EF, Open Monday through Saturday 12pm to 10:30pm, Sunday 12pm to 5:30pm

FARRINGDON: 40 St John’s St, EC1M 4AY, Open Monday to Friday 12pm to 10:30pm, Saturday 4pm to 10:30pm, Closed Sundays

21
Tuesday
Aug 2012

Les Trois Garcons

Posted in Restaurants & Bars

One of my favourite places to dine for a special meal in London is at Les Trois Garcons. It was recommended by my hair stylist in NYC who had been a Londoner for 12 years until we crossed paths, and lucky me because it is a true gem of an establishment. It was started by, you guessed it, three gentlemen (the same three behind Loungelover) in 2000 and is still a reservations recommended destination. The decor is eclectic & quirky chic with taxidermy animals encrusted with jewels, baubles, bags, statues (monkeys!), chandeliers and walls dripping with crystals. A true visual feast to accompany the delectable food. The menu is mainly French with a hint of British influences and there is always a dish with an unexpected element. The first time dining at the restaurant our dessert consisted of strawberries and tomatoes drizzled with a balsamic reduction and served with black pepper ice cream. It was delicious. They have an a la carte menu where you may order two courses for £39.50 or three courses for £47. They also have a six course tasting menu for £60.00 (optional wine pairing is £39). If you are looking for a more private dining experience they even have a chef’s table overlooking the kitchen to accommodate you and ten of your nearest and dearest. Bon appetit!

Les Trois Garcons website

Address: 1 Club Row, London E1 6JX

Telephone: 0207 613 1924

Hours: Lunch: Monday through Friday 12:00pm to 2:30pm Dinner: Monday through Thursday 6:00pm to 9:30pm, Fridays & Saturdays 6:00pm to 10:30pm. CLOSED on Sundays.

26
Tuesday
Jun 2012

Bob Bob Ricard

Posted in Restaurants & Bars

Bob Bob Ricard is one of my absolute favourite places to dine in London. Where do I even begin? When you walk through the door it is like stepping into the glamorous and elegant world of 1950′s Mad Men. All I want to utter is “Hello dahhhlings…. mommy’s home.” The menu boasts a variety of options at a range of price points. The food is tasty, some dishes more memorable than others, but they are all helped by the surrounding decor. They have caviar, Russian vodka, afternoon tea, an express lunch, a pre-theatre menu, and best of all…. a champagne button. Yes, an actual button that when pressed delivers champagne to your table (for a price). This is something I need installed by my bedside table. Then all I would need is a little monkey (wearing a hot pink waistcoat of course…. and matching hat) that I could train to fetch the chilled bottle and pop the cork but I digress…. If you are in town visiting go here, if you live here add this place to the rotation. It is divine indulgence. It is the perfect setting for any fabulous occasion, or just going to dine will be occasion enough.

The chic upstairs dining room (image courtesy of Bob Bob Ricard)

The downstairs booths complete with fold down seats (image courtesy of Bob Bob Ricard)

Crab Salad with Chili Avocado Mayonnaise, cherry tomatoes and croutons £11.50

Scallops, Black Pudding and Apple with baby watercress and truffle dressing £13.25

Lobster Burger £24.75

French Fries £3.75

Grilled Fillets of Sea bass £18.50

http://www.bobbobricard.com/

Hours: Tuesday to Friday LUNCH: 12:00pm to last tables sat at 2:45pm and DINNER: 5:30pm to last tables sat at 10:45pm

Saturday 12:00pm to last tables sat at 10:45pm

CLOSED Sunday & Monday

Telephone: 0203 145 1000

Address: 1 Upper James St, Soho, W1F 9DF

17
Tuesday
Apr 2012

Dabbous

Posted in Restaurants & Bars

I had read so many great reviews about Dabbous that I was eagerly counting down the days until the night of our reservation. (Yes, it is best to book a table in advance and “in advance” may mean waiting a month or two.) It definitely lived up to all of the hype. All of the elements that go into a dining experience from the atmosphere, to the service, to the food and presentation combined harmoniously together into a wonderful experience.

The restaurant has a very industrial feel to it with part of the space being divided by thin iron frames. It reminded me of a theatre set in the midst of construction, which lent itself beautifully to the drama that was about to unfold on our table. Rather than adopting a singular style of cooking, the chef Ollie Dabbous has created a signature style all his own. His influences hail from a range of different countries, but the cohesive theme throughout all of his dishes is: beautiful food, combined in a way to highlight all of the natural and wonderful flavours in “deconstructed elegance” (totally borrowing that from our wonderful server).

Speaking of the service, it was some of the best I have received in London. Friendly and attentive, the server even laughed at my lame joke. Shall I spare you? No… I asked him what the “iced lovage” was on the dessert menu and after his explanation I jokingly quipped, “Oh good, I thought it may be an ice cube that you just all blew kisses at.” (Thereby through love it was delicious!) Here all night folks!

As far as naming highlights on the menu, we honestly enjoyed everything. Some things that stood out though were the coddled free range egg (my husband wanted to order another after the first bite) and the chocolate dessert with dill sauce. Brilliant! As the dishes are small, I do recommend going with a friend who likes to share so that you can order a sampling of dishes and really experience the full range of culinary prowess on show. I am already plotting my next visit and am looking forward to experiencing Dabbous Act 2.

Mixed alliums in a chilled pine infusion £5

Coddled free range hen egg with woodland mushrooms and smoked butter £7

English asparagus, virgin rapeseed oil mayonnaise, meadowsweet & hazelnuts £6

Charred salmon with elderflower, spring onions & almonds £12

Squid with seaweed, radishes & toasted buckwheat in a light broth £12

Barbecued halibut, iodized sour cream, beetroot & watercress stems £14

Iced lovage £4 (An amazing palate cleanser that was a celery and herb sorbet.)

Chocolate and virgin hazelnut oil ganache, dill moss, and sheep’s milk ice cream £7

www.dabbous.co.uk

Address: 39 Whitfield St, London W1T 2SF

Telephone: 0207 323 1544

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 12:00pm to 3:00pm and 5:30pm to 11:30pm

10
Tuesday
Apr 2012

Pitt Cue Co.

Posted in Restaurants & Bars

Y’all get excited. BBQ has made its arrival onto the London scene. True, it all started last summer as a food truck under the Hungerford Bridge and has only been in a permanent space for the past three months, but I am just showing up to the party. Having grown up south of the Mason-Dixon Line in the South, BBQ was just a way of life. So much so that we had a pig roast the day after our wedding as a final Southern send off for guests. Pitt Cue Co did not disappoint. The ribs were amazing, as the meat was perfectly tender and fell right off the bone. The pulled pork BBQ itself was more of the sweeter variety, but oh so finger lickin’ good. The sides were delicious, and if you are seriously hungry or just take your BBQ by the pound, you have the option of ordering extra meat for only £5. Probably the most amazing thing about Pitt Cue (in my humble opinion) is the pickleback shots, which are a two part shot–the first being a shot of whiskey followed by a shot of pickle juice. I first had one in NYC at one of my favourite little bars, Whiskey Tavern, and when we first moved to London, I tried as eagerly as possible to introduce them at parties, but received many a raised eyebrow by the Brits at my so called American hijinks. However, with pickles being gherkins over here and the majority of them being sweet, it has been only as a firm devotee that I have been able to hunt down dill pickles in Polish grocers. At Pitt Cue they use sweet pickle juice which was a surprise at first, but not all that bad. At this point some of you may be thinking, it’s all bad! It is not for the faint of heart. If pickles are not your thing they also have a great list of American whiskeys and PBR! I highly recommend Pitt Cue for a full blown Americana experience but do take note the space is small and they do not take reservations, so I would stick to groups of 2. Cheers!

Wild Turkey & ginger ale (£4) The cow was my bar tab!

Pulled pork with mashed potatoes with the burnt tips of the meat, pickles & relish £9

BBQ ribs with baked beans, pickles & relish £9

Picklebacks!! (£4 each)

www.pittcue.co.uk

Address: 1 Newburgh St, London W1F 7RB

Telephone: 020 7287 5578

Hours: Monday through Saturday 12:00pm to 3:00pm and 6:00pm to 11:00pm (NOTE: the kitchen is only open during the evenings until 10:00pm). Also NO RESERVATIONS so show up first thing or be prepared to wait….. the space is tiny.