Irifune + Tuna + Thoughts on Seasons of Sushi

Bragging and knowledge.. (I don’t know everything so any comment/correction/exchange of knowledge is mostly welcomed). Last year I wrote a lengthy blog post about Japan (very) fine dining. And I’m...

Beagle: Quality British in *Hip* London

Not too *hip* but rather good.. I don’t take pride in my knowledge of East London, but most recently, the word “hip” has become synonymous with its restaurant scene. Beagle, conveniently situated...

The *New* Chinese Round Up: Bao London + Yum Bun + A Wong

BAO LONDON RATING: 4/5 Bao London stands for the new breed of quality “street food” in London, serving up “xiao chi” (小吃), traditional Chinese street snacks found at market stalls. The fare here is...

Kitchen Table at Bubbledogs&: Gastronomy behind the Curtain

Auto-correct “put of date!” My first meal at Kitchen Table dated back to its very first opening slots in October, but given a long meal and many returns, dishes had piled up; my taste memory was...

London Round Up: Little Social + Brasserie Chavot + Ametsa + Outlaw’s + Sketch (Lecture Room)

AMETSA WITH ARZAK INSTRUCTION RATING: 2/5 Replacing David Thompson’s Nahm at the Halkin Hotel is Ametsa, a spin-off restaurant by 3-Michelin-starred Arzak from San Sebastian, Spain. The team,...

The *New Generation* Chinese Round Up

YUM BUN RATING: 3.5/5 Yum Bun – formerly a stall at Broadway Market, Eat Street and many good festivals – has now turned stationary as a takeaway shop annexed to Shoreditch’s Rotary Bar & Diner. On...

Balthazar London: The New “It” of Covent Garden?

What’s in the name.. Keith McNally. Balthazar. These are a couple of names that could give (some) restaurant scenesters a very sturdy erection. In NYC Balthazar has been one of the city’s *top*...

Sakuranabe Nakae “Horse Meat Hot Pot” 桜なべ 中江 Tokyo

Is horse meat good for you? In some countries (obviously the UK) horse meat consumption can create quite a stir in news headlines. In others, it can create a stir in appetite. China (of course who...

Balthazar Bakery: NYC Haunt Finds Home in Covent Garden

New kid on the block.. The ever popular Balthazar brasserie has been THE place-to-be of New York City and recently emulated its uber-glam vibe to Covent Garden occupying the Flower Cellars, the...

An Intermediate Guide to Fine-Dining in Japan (Tokyo/Autumn)

Why not for the beginners… This is an “Intermediate” guide for aspiring fine diners visiting Japan. My “Intermediate” means something between knowing the basic (i.e. different types of Japanese...

The Quality Chop House: Great British Quality in Central Location

The one.. This might be offensive and untrue. But, as a foreigner living in the haunt of tourists (AKA Central London) and often asked for restaurant recommendations, I have found properly good and...

HKK by Hakkasan: Tasting the Chinese Banquet in City

City, culture(s) and HKK Despite my being harsh – you will see – I actually like HKK very much. I am talking a new concept modern Chinese restaurant in the City by Hakkasan Group that, contrary to...

Lima: Delicious Splash of Peruvian Colours in London

The blend of two cultures Lima is a cheerfully casual restaurant that emulates the fun and pride of South America. The cuisine is playful, beautiful and, to a great number of Londoners, exotic....

Naamyaa Cafe: Urban Thai Treats in North London

Enter the new chain.. Collaboration usually brings about awesomeness and when I heard of highly acclaimed restaurateur Alan Yau’s recent partnering with internationally lauded Thai chef David...

London Round Up: The French

THE RITZ RATING: 3.5/5 The Ritz Restaurant is one of those *institution* places that are full of codes of conduct – ties, shirts, jackets, shoes, no trainers, no jeans, no sportswear – and the only...

London Round Up: The Burgers

*TASTE DISCLAIMER* I have a preference for clean-tasting, not so greasy burgers and used to be on the hunt for them. But, ever since the arrival of much trusted Burgerac and Burgerapp! I just eat...

London Round Up: The Innovative

JOHN SALT RATING: 4/5 In London restaurant scene, chef Ben Spalding has become synonymous with “young” and “talented” and holds an extensive CV that contains many internationally renowned kitchens....

London Round Up: The Brixton

Where else in London can you find a display of salmon-fed shark and big cardboard boxes where dwell gigantic and still creeping snails. Or? Many shelves of stamina conquering root tonic!?? IT IS...

London Round Up: The Asian(s)

The London restaurant scene moves forward at the speed of light. Even some of the good restaurants don’t survive the test of time, and for those that do live on, I think they need some extra...

London Round Up: The Ramen

Ramen… in London Ramen is essentially a bowl of yellow noodle, most often served in boiling hot soup. Despite its Chinese origin, ramen is one of the best known and most influential food categories...

Electric Diner (and Donuts): The Retro Glam of Notting Hill

The reclaimed retro Electric Diner is an appendix to Electric Cinema – one of London’s most *vintage* cinema – and Electric House – a swanky private club by Soho House Group. This, by itself, is a...

The Shiori: Authentic Kyoto Experience via Bayswater

The Sushi of SHIORI Sushi of Shiori on Drummond Street is closed down. The lovely, talented duo of husband-chef Takashi and wife-manager Hitomi has moved on and re-launched Shiori without the...

Bo London: From Hong Kong With *Sex* and Caviar

Imported XTREME Alvin Leung of 2-Michelin-starred Bo Innovation in Hong Kong is a self-taught chef best known for serving condoms, second-best known for re-interpreting and pushing the boundaries...

Sukiyabashi Jiro Honten, Tokyo

A brief meal.. Jiro Ono is, now, the world’s best known sushi chef, especially after “Jiro, Dreams of Sushi”, and his 10-seater sushi counter, literally, in Ginza Metro Station has drawn crowds...

Michelin London 2013 (Leaked?)

Another year (2013) When I feel Michelin (and the other Best Restaurant list) has become a little bit of banality, there is an explosion of findings on Twitter via Michelin’s own website of the...

Michelin London 2013

Another year (2013) When I feel Michelin (and the other Best Restaurant list) has become a little bit of banality, there is an explosion of findings on Twitter via Michelin’s own website of the...

Lima

Cassis Bistro: Funky Italian Settles on Brompton Road

Relocation, relocation!! Cassis Bistro was meant to be firmly French when it was launched. But, with the recent appointment of chef Massimiliano Blasone (long name innit?), formerly of...

The Begging Bowl: Truthfully Thai in South London

Minor non-Thai issues There were a few issues that annoyed me at The Begging Bowl. Firstly, there was a soup bowl placed on top of my plate in a manner that resembles what the Chinese do in a...

Bubbledogs&: The Hot Dog & Champagne Front To Fizz Up London

Bubbly and pretty hot! Bubbledogs& is the two-part venture by husband-and-wife team James Knappett and Sandia Chang, both from the prestigious kitchen clans of Redzepi and Keller. The full frontal...