All posts tagged: restaurant

On the Bab, Shoreditch

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Where On the Bab, Shoreditch What On the Bab is a Korean street food restaurant and takeaway. A place for casual dining where typical Korean drinks and popular dishes can be enjoyed together in a Korean tradition known as “anju”. The experience On one particularly raininy Sunday evening, I met my friend Joe at On the Bab. We were meant to be doing a tour of Chinatown on that day, but as plans sometimes do, it went a bit squiffy and we ended up having to choose an alternative venue. Enter On the Bab. It was Joe’s suggestion – he fancied Korean and neither of us had tried it, but had passed with intrigue a few times. “You know a good Korean restaurant when most of the clientele is Korean”, said Joe as I sat down in my seat. I agreed as I looked around and saw a restaurant full of smiling Koreans, all seemingly enjoying their dinner and soju cocktails. The menu is split into sections – Smalls Plates, On the Bab, Traditional, Korean …

Bloody Mary Pizza at Mayfair Pizza Co

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Where The Mayfair Pizza Co, London What Mayfair Pizza Co is nestled in Lancashire Court, one of London’s most famous districts. The restaurant serves a range of Italian dishes, including a rustic pizzas, which have been created by Executive Chef Michael Lecouteur, formerly of Bird of Smithfield and Smiths of Smithfield. The experience The first time I stumbled upon the narrow streets of Lancashire Court, I was with scouring the Mayfair streets with fellow bloggers as part of a competition to win a place on a press trip to Hong Kong. As I literally ran through the streets of Mayfair, past thousands of fashion revelers enjoying the Vogue Fashion Night Out, a huge smile emerged across my face as I wound through the nooks and crannies of Lancashire Court. A few years later I was back, but this time to sample the Bloody Mary pizza at the Mayfair Pizza Co. Now, I’m a self confessed Bloody Mary hater; but before you go asking why on earth I would want to subject myself to it in …

BIRD, Shoreditch

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Where BIRD, Shoreditch What Fried chicken inspired by all of the places that restaurant owners Paul and Cara have visited – Logan Square in Chicago, Sansom Street in Philadelphia, a couple of great places in Brooklyn and not forgetting Asia. The ‘Free Range & Fried’ describes the food and how it’s prepared, but it also describes the restaurant’s attitude to what they do – naughty but nice. The experience Fried chicken is having a moment in London. Everywhere I turn I see a new opening here, a new opening there. Not that it is a problem, of course, because I love the stuff. I recently visited one of the ‘talk of the town’ burger establishments and I was smug munching on my buttermilk fried chicken burger, while my friend chowed down on an unappetising looking cheese burger. So when I visited BIRD for lunch a few weeks ago, anticipation was high. I visited during my lunch hour as I work on Old Street and it was the perfect working day treat. I was there to …

Chicken, Steak and Art at Hixter Bankside

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Where Hixter, Bankside What The newest restaurant from Mark Hix. The concept is simple – chicken or steak to share. Mighty-marbled Himalayan salt dry-aged steak from hand-selected cows and barn-reared chicken from Swainson House Farm in Lancashire. Starters and puddings change with the seasons. Mark’s Bar, the latest outpost of Mark Hix’s award-winning cocktail bar is located in the basement, serving cocktails that champion British drinks’ producers. The experience A few years ago I worked on the PR team for Hix, so I know the concept of the restaurants well. Since I was on the scene, Mark’s portfolio has increased to include Tramshed, HIX Mayfair, Hixter City and now Hixter Bankside. The food concept is pared back and simple dishes, cooked well with excellent quality ingredients. What sets Marks restaurants out from other steak and chicken restaurants is the stylish surroundings. It’s no secret that Mark is friends with the art crowd, and as a result, beautiful and let’s just say interesting artwork adorns the walls. My favourite was in the loos. As I was leaving …

Vapiano, Soho

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Where Vapiano, Soho What The third Vapiano site in London follows the same concept – homemade pasta, pizza and salad dishes cooked fresh in front of guests. Each dish is ordered using a smart card system, which is tapped onto the till every time you order, meaning an easy and efficient paying system as you leave the restaurant. The experience I bet you think I’m going to talk about a big, juicy pizza here, don’t you? Well, guess again folks; I managed to restrain myself from ordering a pizza and instead opted for a pasta dish and a salad. We arrived on a Thursday evening at 6.30pm and grabbed a seat on one of the tall communal tables straight away. The friendly host asked if we were familiar with the Vapiano system and provided us with our payment cards. For those who aren’t familiar with the system, you order what you want to eat from one of the three stations – pizza, salad, or pasta, and touch your card on the reader. When you are …