All posts filed under: Restaurants

Meatballs at The Quality Chop House

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One of my earliest memories of dining out in London, before I even dreamed of moving here, was my dad taking my brother and I to a Victorian dining room in Clerkenwell to eat a roast dinner for lunch. I can’t remember what the restaurant was called but I walked into the dining room, with it’s high ceilings, and was surrounded by men in suits talking business while drinking ale from metal tankards. I was infatuated. I loved the setting – the old wooden pews, the creaky floors and of course the food. So I was delighted when I was invited to the launch of Meatballs at The Quality Chop House last night. The Grade II listed building was built in 1870 and has operated as a restaurant for almost 150 years. Many times have I walked past and marveled at the building but never stopped to wonder what was inside. The Quality Chop House was traditionally a working men’s chophouse and was later favoured by the kind of businessmen that I mentioned earlier. But, …

Santa Maria Pizzeria

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Is Santa Maria REALLY the best pizzeria in London? I first heard about it in Time Out when it was voted the best. I have been three times now and can safely say that whilst it is up there, I prefer a couple of other London pizza establishments. Each time I have been, the service has bothered me a little. I have never experienced service with a smile, which is very important to me. I don’t like to be made to feel that the waiting staff don’t want you there, or see that they don’t even want to be there themselves. This time I ordered a Santa Bufalina pizza (Tomato sauce, Buffalo D.O.C. mozzarella, extra virgin olive oil, parmesan, and fresh basil – £8.75). I usually order the San Daniele (Italian mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, Parma ham, wild rocket, shaving of Parmesan, extra virgin olive oil and fresh basil – £10.95) but decided that I wanted a change this time, partly because I’m not overly fond of the grated Parmesan that they add to the top …

Bistro du Vin Soho

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The Du Vin Group is expanding. And fast. The first stand alone restaurant opened in Clerkenwell at the beginning of the year and now, opposite the sumptuous Dean Street Townhouse on Dean Street, the second stand alone bistro from the Du Vin group stands proud. I entered and walked past the cosy pewter topped bar and booth seating through to The Salon at the back to meet the group that I would be dining with. I was invited along with a few fellow bloggers to sample the menu. I was pleasantly surprised to find a large venue with high ceilings and a New England style decor. The open plan kitchen is enticing and the many empty bottles of wine that decorate the room add to the bistro atmosphere. We started the evening with a Chase Summer Berry Fruit Punch (£9) before moving over to our table. I perused the menu and was fully aware that I could roll out of there if I wasn’t careful. So I opted for 4 Maldon oysters (£3.50 each) to …

The Zetter Townhouse

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I really like Clerkenwell. If I could (and realistically I can’t) choose where I bought my first property, Clerkenwell would be high up the list. I don’t think you’d hear too many people saying that but I would for the following reasons. It is one of the only areas of London that you can get a feel for ye olde London with the cobbled streets, pokey alleyways and age old buildings whilst being amidst some excellent modern architecture. And over the last few years there have been some truly fantastic restaurants popping up. Many are situated around the historic Smithfield meat Market, where they source their meat, which guarantees good quality. I became familiar with the area after my dad took me to Smiths of Smithfield for my 18th birthday. My boyfriend and I then ran a club night for a year, appropriately titled ‘Beef Boogie On’ at a pub underneath the meat Market. Clerkenwell is famous for St John, Hix Oyster & Chop House, Vinoteca, The Modern Pantry and Fabric nightclub, where I have …

Shoreditch Grind

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Another post, another new London coffee establishment. I welcome Shoreditch Grind. Situated on Old Street roundabout, Shoreditch Grind has a beautiful interior, indoor window seating, rather good coffee and not a bad range of grub. Think indulgent morning pastries, chunky lunch time sandwiches, muffins and cakes to satisfy the sweet tooth. We enjoyed a silky flat white whilst trying to get comfortable on the beautiful but slightly impractical stools. A few things made me think that they were not quite ready for opening. The toilets were ‘under construction’ and there were no proper cups or plates. All food that we ordered was brought over to us in a closed paper bag – a tad unnecessary and wasteful. The honey and almond cake was good without being great, the almond and honey topping deliciously moist but the middle quite dry. The cheese croissant that we shared was gone in 10 seconds flat, very delicious but small. And at £2.95, probably too expensive. Our toasted parma ham and mozzarella baguette was good but I forgot to get …