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ravelda

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Posts posted by ravelda

    Wild Honey, London

    in United Kingdom & Ireland: Dining

    Posted

    "Not exactly exciting then (given that we've seen it all before at Arbtus) but another good mid priced restaurant in London is always welcome and there can be little doubt that it will do very well."

    I tend to aggreee - it will be interesting to see what reviews get published, as there is not the novelty factor that we had when Arbutus opened and many of the dishes have already been well written about.

    Best Thai in London

    in United Kingdom & Ireland: Dining

    Posted

    I haven't seen a thread on the bst Thai restaurants in London, so thought I would start this one off. I have always found that some of the best Thai places are actually off the beaten track or not widely known about, so would love to hear about any gems that you know in London?

    Wild Honey, London

    in United Kingdom & Ireland: Dining

    Posted

    Caught in the act - Andy, you are spot on, it was said person who, incidentally, had just polished off a bento box from Nobu (what can I say, I like my food!).

    I have to say, I was overall very impressed with Wild Honey, much more so in fact than Arbutus! For an opening night they did a really did well - the service was a tad panicked, but our waiter Anthony was friendly, polite and quite knowledgeable about wines (his 2 year stint as bar manager at Fifteen has clearly done him well!).

    The room itself is, as Matthew says, much more opulent than Arbutus, with plenty of character and a real sense of warmth. Again, as at Arbutus, the bar is used to good effect, allowing for more covers to be accommodated than the restaurant would otherwise allow.

    On to the food... as commented on above a number of the dishes have been transposed directly from the Arbutus menu, with a few new additions in a similar style being added to the menu. Will said that this is largely how the menu will remain as the concept of WH is clearly meant to be in the same spirit. I started with both the braised pigs head which, accompanied by a wonderful pomme puree and caramelised onions - as perfect as it always is at Arbutus, and then a very delicate rabbit and foie gras boudin blanc with broad beans, peas and a light jus. The boudin was very good, although the foie added more to the texture than the flavour, and the accompanying greens were perhaps a little under-cooked. Overall a very impressive start for a first night.

    My wife started with the brisket of corned beef with toast and green vegetables (a light salsa of cucumber and tarragon from memory - and yes, I did get a few nibbles of this dish too!). Overall, this was also a very accomplished dish, with lovely moist beef and the light, fresh greens just adding that little burst of freshness with a slight aniseed undertone.

    For mains, my wife had the fish of the day, which was a lovely piece of plaice accompanied by the excellent pomme puree and crispy cabbage (which to be honest was not really crispy but lovely none the less) and a brown butter, anchovy, brown shrimp and caper sauce. The fish was perfectly cooked and seasoned and the sauce really lifted the overall dish, cutting through the rich pomme puree and adding the edge that the plaice needed.

    I had the blade of beef with roast bone marrow which was served with shredded green beans and a bordelaise sauce. An accompanying cocotte with a well seasoned Lyonnaise potatoes accompanied the dish. This was a really satisfying dish, if perhaps a tad better suited to the winter. The beef had a good meaty taste and in the main a good texture, however there were parts which were a little over-chewy.

    To follow, Nat had the crème caramel which was a little over-cooked and as Matthew noted above, a little too eggy. Overall not a bad dish, but it really did not compare to the deserts that I have had at arbutus. I had the bouillabaisse for desert (well, why not!) which was as good if not better than any versions that I have had at Arbutus, or indeed any other restaurant in London. The dish was served in the traditional Marseille style with the rouille and aioli on the side, the broth served in a lovely mauviel pan and a very generous portion of fish served in a separate pan. There were (from memory) six different types of fish including plaice and red mullet, and the addition of a wedge of braised fennel and braised leek. The flavours of the dish really were excellent, with the rouille having just the right hint of heat and the aioli being fantastically garlicky without overpowering the overall dish. Croutons were replaced by little crisp breads on the side.

    As at Arbutus, there is a well thought out wine list, with most wines available by the carafe.

    Overall a very enjoyable meal - being so close to work I can definitely see me visiting fairly regularly!

    Yes Chef Magazine

    in United Kingdom & Ireland: Dining

    Posted · Edited by ravelda (log)

    Ooh, Jay, harsh! Can't disagree too much with you though - particularly since even one of the magazine's writers was already slagging the mag off and predicting its demise at the launch party! Some interesting features, but not sure if it will last.

    IMHO only of course!

    Bournemouth, Christchurch - that bit of the coast

    in United Kingdom & Ireland: Dining

    Posted

    The Haven hotel in Sandbanks has recently had a refurb and was, the alast time I was there, serving out some good food, not fantastic, but ok mind you. Similar thing at Oscar's at the Royal Bath hotel. Cafe Shore in Sandbanks has also recently recruited a new chef so may be worth a visit - beatiful setting if nothing else. Ocean Palace was fantastic for chinese last time I went (about 6 years ago now). Amalfi is a lovely Italian Tratoria - nothing fancy but extremly well executed Italian food at incredibly reasonable prices - good wine list too! Amalfi is in the Wessex Hotel. Finally, very good fish and chips from Chez Fred, probably the best I have ever eaten.

    Clapham Junction

    in United Kingdom & Ireland: Cooking & Baking

    Posted

    I went for dinner on a Saturday night a few weeks ago and had a good, albeit not stellar meal. I was booked in for 9.30pm but arrive only to be told that our table was not yet ready. We were finally seated at 10.15pm and informed that we would not be able to have the tasting menu as some of the components were finished. At this point Adam came out and explained that as he has invited me down that he would create something off piste for us so we would still be able to have a tasting menu, and I have to say he did a good job.

    Not all the courses were a resounding success, but there were a couple of stellar dishes, one of which was a gratin of razor clams, with a shot of the razor clam broth, a second dish was sent to accompany this and was a seared carpaccio of tuna with guacamole puree and a basil-balsalmic reduction.

    The meal ended on another excellent dish - Adam's apple tarte tartin - a dish so huge that it could easily have filled up 4 people, let alone the two of us.

    The room is rather buzzy and acoustics but all in all a pleasant experience. I would certainly go back if I was in the area, but not sure I would make the journey just for the food - especailly as they are planning to hike the prices at some point soon.

    The Fat Duck 2007

    in United Kingdom & Ireland: Dining

    Posted

    Sadly the W4 forum is one full of people with too much time on their hands. There is a real clique that has formed on there where people do their damndest to damage businesses and pick arguaments with people. It is one of the most synical and negative forums that I have had the displeasure to know. Not that I have an opinion on the matter of course!

    World's Top 50 Restaurants 2007

    in United Kingdom & Ireland: Dining

    Posted

    Scott - I did start to respond to your comments, but to be honest, I have better things to do in my life. You clearly seem to opine that you are correct on this matter, so no one is going to convince you that you are not. To be honest, I am suprised that Joe has continued for so long.

    I don's disagree that there are some bad restaurants on the list, or at least very mediocre ones, but the fact is the list is there, it was compiled on the basis of an extensive panels views, and there are clearly defined criteria. The list will go on, people will continue reading it, a clearly people will continue to debate it (at this rate we could be debating the point until the next list is published!). As I have said before, I personally find the list interesting and feel that it fulfils a role more than simply to heighten the awareness of Restaurant Magazine (which it does very well).

    World's Top 50 Restaurants 2007

    in United Kingdom & Ireland: Dining

    Posted

    I have so far remained out of this as this is the same thing that we see every year, but now I am going to add (very briefly) my penny's worth:

    1) If the awards were such rubbish as some here are suggesting, then why does it have such a large following from some of the most respected people in the industry? (They certainly wouldn't have had people like Keller and Adria there if they did not feel it had some merit, they have plenty of opportunity to big their ego's and drink free booze on other occasions!)

    2) Have you ever known any list to be perfect - we have all taken issue with Michelin on numerous occasions for some of the restaurants they choose to award stars and indeed some who have not - this is not a perfect science

    3) If you don't like it, don't buy it, personally, whilst I don't think the list is by any means perfect - far from it in fact, the list has been compiled by a large international pannel and clearly reflects a general trend of their views.

    At the end of the day, a lot of bloody hard work goes into the list each year and personally I find it interesting and thought provoking, especially in areaas where I am suprised or where I disagree with the rankings. I would certainly much rather we had this than not. I certainly feel that Restaurant Mag is one of the better publications in this country for people who are actually interested in the trade.

    I am sure to face some form of retribution for saying this, but some people on here seem more than ready to attack publications like this or the Observer FM when they disagree with their views or articles written, criticising their integrity or their worthiness to be published, but I rarely see them praising them when they have particularly enjoyed a piece. It would be nice to see a bit more balance.

    IMHO of course!

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