All posts filed under: London

Big Fernand Finally Crosses the Channel

Published by

Where Big Fernand, London What Big Fernand has ventured to London to set up their burger workshop, focusing on French flavours and Parisian finesse. There are no hamburgers here, it is hamburgés that Big Fernand deals in. It marries the comforting American classic with French gastronomy to deliver the crème de la crème. Experience In 2013 I went to Paris with Food for Think’s very own Sarah Kemp. During our three day trip, our feasting would have given Marie Antoinette a run for her money; but one restaurant in particular remained prominent in our minds. Just before catching our Eurostar home, we embarked on an adventure to Big Fernand, a French-inspired (obviously) hamburgé bar with a queue of hungry Parisians spilling out of the door. We agreed we had possibly just eaten the best burger of our lives and calculated schemes to bring this unique idea across the Channel. Luckily we didn’t have to as the team at Big Fernand were already planning their next venture. I could not be more excited to try a …

Voltaire Takes to the Streets

Published by

Where Voltaire, Crown Plaza, London What Voltaire is a chic champagne bar located in the vaults of the Crowne Plaza, London. This Spring, Voltaire welcomes three food truck residencies, bringing London street food culture to the Square Mile. Experience First up on the bill is The Cheese Truck. These guys are a regular at Maltby Street Market, and a firm favourite of mine. They leave their yellow truck behind and enter the Voltaire kitchen to showcase the best of British cheese by packing the gooey goodness into a grilled sandwich. The Cropwell Bishop Stilton with sweet-cure bacon & pear chutney is a must-try. Ensure your napkin is at hand to catch any escaping stilton. The Cheese Truck is set to open their full time Cheese Bar in Deptford soon, so keep those eyes peeled. From 15 April – 1 May 2015, head down to the vaults to sample the delights of Bill or Beak. A refreshingly original choice of either spiced shredded duck or chicken (bill or beak) served up in a hand-crafted burger. The …

The Meat Co. Steakhouse

Published by

Where The Meat Co Steakhouse What South African influenced restaurant, The Meat Co, launched in London in 2008. It caters for meat lovers who yearn for a steak house with style. Experience It was a Thursday night and the weekend was fast approaching. I needed to go shopping all week and, as usual, the London hustle got the better of me. The Meat Co is situated ideally on the approach to Westfield Shopping Centre in Sheppard’s Bush. What better place to meet my friend for a steak dinner with an hour to spare to run my errands? I met my friend Kim, bags in hand, at the downstairs bar. The deluxe decor of rich patterned furniture and tribal hangings immediately took me away to somewhere exotic. The restaurant is situated upstairs via a grand staircase, but there is always the option of ordering snacks at the bar if you are just after a post-shopping bite. Our waiter for the evening, Professor, quickly recommended The Jungle Bear cocktail. It did just fine for a sweet toothed …

Fish & Chips by Des McDonald, City

Published by

Where Fish & Chips by Des McDonald, City What Fish & Chips by Des McDonald is a posh, modern-day, neighbourhood fish and chip shop. Besides the perfect cod & chips, you can order oysters, sea bass a la plancha, shrimp burgers and old fashioned fish finger butties. The Experience The new City location is tucked away in St Botolph Churchyard, just minutes from Liverpool Street, Moorgate and Bank stations. The restaurant recently opened for breakfast from 8am daily and, when invited, I couldn’t wait to sample the food. The menu in the bright floor-to-ceiling windowed dining room offers everything from a Full English Fisherman’s Breakfast to Boiled eggs and ancient bread soldiers, Cornish crab and chilli eggs, Manx kippers, and Sausage & egg butties. I was excited to see they had the classic breakfast Manx kippers on the menu – I have no idea why more places don’t offer these. The kippers came de-boned on toast with a poached egg and the perfect amount of horseradish. My breakfast buddie went for the full-blown Fisherman’s Breakfast …