Review: Flat Iron, Covent Garden

I do like a cleaver

I've been wanting to try this out for a while - I mean, £10 steak, who wouldn't. But the only issue was that the sites only offered waiting times of 2 and a half hours, so I was extremely happy when I heard they had opened a Flat Iron in Covent Garden which seats a hell of a lot more people.

I'd never heard of the flat iron cut I must admit so was intrigued as I usually like my steak with a bit of fat on it. But the steak was very lean and tender. Very easy to eat which is good for someone like me, as my arms often end up aching cutting up meat (although this meat came already sliced - bonus point). I had mine with horseradish cream.

The beef dripping chips were flavoursome and I could have eaten more. They did remind me slightly of McDonald's chips but in a fresh way - that's not meant as a bad thing, but they did remind me of them (sorry).

The wine I had was also very nice - a red wine I've never heard of before, I usually go for the Argentinian Malbec but it wasn't on offer unfortunately.

I had the Spicy Italian Negroamaro, the Black Cherry was also very smooth

I would also recommend looking at the special's board as a rump heart was on offer, as well as a burger.

The surprising thing was that they offered ice cream at the end... for FREE. Salted caramel with a tasty cone to go with it, with chocolate from the Mast Brothers. It was really good - even on a cold evening.

Cool pepper mill, although I was a bit clumsy with it and ended up with an uneven bit of pepper...

I would definitely come here again, easy, quick and full of flavour. Even with a limited menu there should be enough to keep everyone happy.

RATING: 3.5 out of 5

Review: Steak & Co, Leicester Square

OK, so I seem to have a lot of 'don't's' concerning eating out in London - one of them is avoiding tourist traps such as Leicester Square.

However I was proven wrong on this occasion. After a trip to the pop-up bar, Roofnic (an amalgamation of 'roof' and 'picnic' which is, actually, just a rooftop bar) on Oxford Street, we all fancied some steak. We narrowed it down to two places, and we simply decided to go to the one closest to our location, so off we trotted to Flat Iron in Soho, which consisted of a two hour wait, so we swiftly turned back out the door, and onto our next closest destination which was Steak & Co.

My friend had given us a glowing review of the place, which seemed very interesting, I was just slightly concerned we were heading towards Leciester Square on a Friday evening. However, I shouldn't have been.

Even though the majority of tables were with diners, we were seated straight away. The menu was reminiscent of one you would see at Angus Steakhouses which was slightly alarming, but if you just focus on the steak section, you'll be fine. Choose your pick of any steak, weight, as well as your choice of seasoning, butter AND sauce. This may not be the best place to take the indecisive, but it's a fun place to go to if you want something a bit different.

Each steak comes on a hot stone plate, my sirloin steak was sizzling to the point I was choking slightly on the smoke, but it was well worth it. The smell is divine (although likely to get your hair smelling of smoke too). The method is to slice your steak, put a bit of your chosen flavoured butter on the stone, infuse the sliced steak with the butter, season, and maybe dunk into your chosen sauce for good measure.

The novelty didn't wear off surprisingly, though I did find I didn't need the butter AND sauce, and then once the butter starts melting in your pot, it gets a bit messy and fiddly.

Having said that, the meat was of good quality, if I knew what I was really ordering, I probably would have asked for my meat rare, rather than medium as it obviously cooks pretty quickly once you replace it on the stone.

I went for the sirloin steak with whole grain mustard butter, seaweed salt and red wine sauce. I prefer quite a strong mustard taste which I didn't find with this butter, the seaweed salt was just for fun really - seaweed doesn't taste of much when there's so little of it. I probably could have done without the red wine sauce, which I used mainly to dunk my chips into, it probably overpowered the other two combinations - but then I have no one else to blame but myself. The chips are lovely though - they tasted fresh.

I would go here again - it's a fun place to take friends and family. It might not be the steaks of all steakhouses but the concept is brilliant and the food is pretty good depending on your own personal choices of flavour. It's reasonably priced for steak and Central London. And for a place in the heart of tourists, it is probably a bit more understated and not overflowing with people, so it gets my vote.

RATING: 3.5 out of 5

Cocktails in London

It's not just food I'm into, oh no, I can't resist a good cocktail. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a cocktail connoisseur or anything like that, but I'm interested in how different ingredients can be infused together in the mix, as well as in presentation, to create a refreshingly different type of drink.

My cousin came to visit London the other weekend, and we ended up having a random day out after our glass floor experience at Tower Bridge and came upon many new places for food and drink, here are the drink highlights...

Tanner & Co - Bermondsey St. Would probably come here again for food and drink - a great little place, and a very good cocktail.

Mele e Pere, Soho - very good menu of cocktails and small plates actually. Would recommend booking if wanting food during peak times. We went just around 5pm and was fairly quiet, come 6pm, people had to be turned away. 

The selection of glass fruit at Mele e Pere

Basement drinks at Hix's Bar, Soho - be warned they have one of those licences where you have to order food - but there is chicken flavoured popcorn!

The Zombie

The food platter

Hix Soho

Cocktails at Polpetto, Soho - good gin!

Review: Polpetto, Berwick St, Soho

An offshoot of Polpo, don't underestimate Polpetto's small menu of tapas style dishes. Each one is unique, and deliciously tasty! It's a cosy little place and gets pretty busy for an hour but is very quick service. Plus, they have Frangelico - one of my favourite after dinner drinks (along with Limoncello) as I gave up ordering dessert when I eat out for Lent (weird, I know).
RATING: 4 out of 5

Grilled focaccia Planeta extra-virgin olive oil (so tasty) and Beetroot, goats curd, pink sorrel

Pink raddichio with mustard and orange, it might not look like much but it tastes strangely good!

Clams, sea purslane linguine - the linguine was made to perfection, fresh and chewy

Pork belly, Jerusalem artichoke, parsley - because you just have to order the pork belly - the parsnip mash also went very well

Pink fir potatoes, which were not so pink

My lovely little Frangelico to round off a great day out in London

The other two went for Maple Tart and Chocolate Flan - judging by the 'yum' noises from both, I can safely assume they were very good desserts. 

Review: Heliot Steakhouse, Hippodrome Casino, Leicester Square

If there was one thing I missed as a vegetarian for a month, it was steak. And I mean a good piece of steak, so when I heard about the Heliot Steakhouse I just couldn't resist.

Lovely Argentinian wine was served

What we had:
Starters: 
Smoked salmon with avocado and crab
Tomato mozzarella
Main:
Rump steak
Sirloin steak
hand cut chips
Dessert:
Chocolate pudding with strawberry shake
Lemon creme brulee



The casino wouldn't have been my first choice when choosing steak to be honest, but the best places are always the ones where you would least expect it. We started with cocktails, which were made especially to our personal tastes, RR, my dinner date for the evening, had a lovely little glass of something with cucumber, which was perfect in the warm Sunday evening. Being a Sunday, the place wasn't full but there was enough people around to feel the quiet, unassuming atmosphere with a hint of excitement as a few small groups rubbed their hands and blew a kiss for good luck on the tables below. The Steakhouse has a choice of tables - quieter areas or ones overlooking the whole casino.

My starter of smoked salmon was absolutely divine. It tasted quite fresh, and was a decent size for the first course. I have a bit of an obsession with avocado at the moment and it had just the right amount of seasoning to complement the crab and salmon.

Presentation was very 'pretty'

Next, RR went for the sirloin - well done, and I had the rump - medium cooked. We both agreed that the steak was just right to our liking. My steak was juicy, chewy; I had mine with red wine sauce which was a great combination. The sizes were more than generous, and for that price, I thought it was well worth it. I've been to more 'well-known' steak houses where the meat portions and quality really don't represent the price. How did I know that it was a good quality meat? Because you don't need your plate to be covered when you already start to feel full but want to carry on eating all at the same time.

The rump steak and red wine sauce

For dessert, both waitresses recommended the chocolate pudding, so of course we had one of those, and it was easy to see why it was their favourite. The strawberry milkshake came in a kooky little jar with straw.

RR and her dessert

My dessert, however, was not the best. I think starters and steak is where the Heliot really excels. All in all, the Heliot Steakhouse was a success. I like the fact that it is in a casino and is a place you wouldn't automatically think to go for just a quality meal if you are a local Londoner, but on the right days of the week, this could be a 'right little gem' just to eat. The prices are reasonable for its quality and location, I've seen higher marked prices for steak, but the Heliot is definitely worth your money. You do have to be over 18 to even enter the Hippodrome but that's reasonable. Service and hospitality was friendly and helpful but not too much of a bother to your evening which I like. I'd definitely come here again for a good bit of steak...and possibly for a cocktail or two.

Steak - 4 out 5.

The mozzarella starter

Definitely my cup of tea

For those tea lovers, I recommend a place called Amanzi Tea.

Situated on New Cavendish Street, W1G 8TG, behind the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street, this place is a real gem in Central London.  It's got everything from hot tea, cold tea, tea based mocktails, coffees, frappes, bubble tea, tea bags, tea leaves, teapots, nibbles and a cosy lounge area downstairs (although you can't purchase the furniture).  The extensive menu gives you a variety of choice and all at extraordinary good prices.

Amanzi Tea launched in February 2013 and is its first international tea bar and retail space in London, having found success over in America.  It is definitely a high quality drink with great, new and a lorry-load of choices.

Menu

As you walk in, you will notice the 40 different teas attached to the wall covering ceiling to floor, with choices of tea leaves, tea bags, or just a smell of what Lychee and Pomegranate could be like.  The shop itself spans over two floors, the ground floor offers the bar, retail shop and quirky Victorian tile flooring.  The basement features a cosy lounge area perfect for a bit of 'quiet time'.

The downstairs lounge

For those who want to escape the chaos of Oxford Street for a while and want to have some proper tea that is value for money - I totally recommend Amanzi Tea.  Spread the word.

The tea wall

A fact for you: did you know, amanzi means 'water' in the Southern African dialect of Zulu?

Amanzi Tea will be open Monday to Friday from 8am to 7pm and Saturday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm.

Ready to Wok & roll?

 

Kate & Hayley's visit to School of Wok (brilliant name), cookery school in Central London. 

The following post may include parts which may be unsuitable for people with a nervous disposition...or vegetarians.

Unsuspecting right in the heart of London is this place.  From the outside it looks like some sort of homeware store, very neat and clean, except for the group of adults all sat round a big square wooden table on wheels, making chinese lanterns. 

Hayley the Spice Kitchen...

We were lucky enough to be invited to go to one of the Chinese New Year workshops put on at the School of Wok.  We arrived just in time to see the lanterns being made - ready for the next part of the workshop - cooking.

On the menu today:
Crispy Gold Bucket Wontons
'Longlife' Lobster Noodles with ginger and spring onion
Braised Fortune Mushrooms with pak choi
Chilli and garlic 'Wealthy Clams'

The prep involved all standing round with cleavers and vegetables - simples.  Jeremy Pang, Head Chef and Founder gave us all some handy tips on using knives and small chef skills to improve everyday cooking.   Did you know, for example, it is less wasteful to peel ginger with a spoon?  It's surprisingly easy, and garlic literally pops out of its skin by dipping it in just a bit of water.  Easy peasy.

Arguably, the most exciting part of the day was when the lobsters were brought out.  I was surprised to be honest that we were to be allowed to effectively (and kindly) kill and cook, not one but two, lobsters.  I mean, they're high end stuff, I only ever have lobster at special occasions.
  

The quickest and least painful way to effectively prep the lobster.

Next came the cooking in the 'spice kitchen' on the snazzy hobs (much more modern than The Little Kitch's), and to round it off - the feast round the table with our fellow cooks.

Showing how it's done. Good luck everyone...

For those who really want to hone in on some Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese and Japanese foods, then the School of Wok is the place for you.  They have a whole kitchen full of different classes and even dim sum making ones.  Can't make up your mind?  No worries, they have demonstration classes - for free.  It's an authentic and genuine place, where you get to really be hands on with what you are doing.  The facilities are great, and you do come out of their feeling like you've just accomplished a great menu, and of course, feeling full.  I think it's well worth the time and price.

Kate cooking up a storm

Chef's turn

Feast time!

Clams and wontons

Taster wines introduced by A Grape Night In

Review: Blue Lagoon, Haymarket

I was pretty excited about this evening.  Dinner Companion (DC) and I had done a bit of research before deciding on Thai food at the Blue Lagoon.  The reviews on Taste Card (of which I have, being a lover of food and all) seemed pretty good and it was in Central London. Perfect.

On arrival, the outside looked decent, and was definitely more appealing than the Pizza Hut round the corner.  However, as soon as I stepped into the porch area all I could smell was toilet.  It was unsavoury to say the least.  I mean I have quite a good sense of smell (to make up for my short-sightedness I figure) so I’m not sure whether this was just me, but I refrained from venturing down to use the bathroom while I was there.  The décor needs some work too.

DC ordered the red curry with chicken and plain steamed rice (which came separately) and I ordered the noodles with beef; fishcakes to share, glass of house white wine each and tap water. 

What we received was watery red curry and old rice in small bowls, a reasonable sized bowl of noodles (but with no broccoli which was one of the reasons why I ordered the noodles), average fishcakes, okay wine and lukewarm water.

Admittedly, we have high standards, but as a paying customer everyone should expect high standards, right?  I was willing Blue Lagoon to do well as it had been my suggestion to come here, unfortunately things just didn’t improve.

My bowl of noodles (without broccoli) was extremely spicy, so hot I had to swap dishes with DC.  Of course, this was my own fault, but it didn’t really add up as the red curry was the same spice rating as the noodles and I ate the curry just fine.  I also found it a bit strange eating with a spoon and fork throughout our courses…but I guess that’s just a personal thing. 

DC asked for cold water again, the result was a bowl of ice and a spoon.  He explained the boiler had broken so there was no cold water (I’m no expert in plumbing but that doesn’t make sense to me…)  Even The Couple very close to us on the next table asked if they could use some of our ice cubes for their water. 

The service was terrible.  I don’t think I have ever received such bad service.  The waiter was very awkward taking our order and stood a table away from us (this was before The Couple had arrived).  DC was constantly ignored when trying to ask for a napkin throughout the meal. 

When we received the bill, our discount was added (from the Taste Card) however we were charged for mineral water and service charge added on.  We explained to the female waitress (who didn’t serve us throughout our hour or so there) that the bottle of sparkling water on our table was generously given to us by The Couple next to us (who had now left).  Okay simple mistake, we then asked for service charge to be taken off.  At this point, the waitress looked at us and said no, it was mandatory, it’s stated on the menu.  The waitress then continued to argue that ‘it’s not very nice’ of us and that they had already given us a discount.  The discount was part of the deal, we are willing to pay for the food that we had but for service, what service?  I’m sorry, but I usually pay service charge, even when service is mediocre but this time it was poor, we felt that it just didn’t deserve anything for this.  The fact that the waiters then disputed this only reinforced this point.  The other waiter, who then actually stood next to our table this time, with card machine in hand, then said he gave us mineral water; we made our point that if this was the case he should have told us and it should have come in a bottle. 

Anyway, after we were left at our table for a few minutes not knowing what was going on, the waitress returned, DC had to re-calculate the total for us and we paid.  Technically, we should have received 55p change but they disappeared into the kitchen without another word, and we just wanted to leave the place and never come back. 

All in all, I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone.  It was not a good experience.  I mean, the food itself was average, if you have to go, then the noodles (if you can handle the spice) are more worth your money than the curry; I’ve had better and for good prices, the fact that it’s based in a very good location means that they will still continue to get the unknowing tourists coming in.  Which is a shame as Chinatown is not very far away where you get brilliant food and excellent service. 

Overall rating: 1 out of 5

Review: Sartori Restaurant, Central London

What I had: a ‘Casereccio Panuozzi’ (Mozzarella, Italian greens & Italian sausage)

What Dinner Companion (DC) had: ‘Bistecca al gorgonzola con spinaci saltati’ (Rib eye steak with melted blue cheese & sautéed potatoes)

Unsuspecting in the busy area of Leicester Square/Covent Garden – this is a gem of a place I (luckily) stumbled across whilst browsing through various websites to find somewhere to eat that evening, desperately ignoring all the ‘expresses’ and 'huts’.

I ordered what was basically a thin slice of pizza dough with the filling (with splatterings of cheese and not overloaded with it) with another thin, crisp layer of dough on top served on a wooden board.  Before ordering my dish I had already pre-decided that I would not go for a pizza (due to the fact I have had way too many pizzas in the January month) but when you arrive at the restaurant, it’s difficult to resist the wood fire oven.  It was crisp, not over-cooked, not oily and was a delight to eat to be honest.  I am usually a self conscious eater when it comes to pizzas, but this one came in an oblong shape cut into squares and I was so happy to tuck into it, all my qualms were forgotten – even with the fact another diner duo were sat literally a whisker away.  I overheard (okay, so I may have eavesdropped a bit) one of them saying that her Italian friend had recommended Sartori to her, so that is always a good sign. 

DC basically ordered steak and chips, but the steak was a big slab cooked perfectly to the way DC likes it (rare-medium), the potatoes were also cooked just right. 

The menu selection is vast (that’s the only thing – it requires some studying, but lots of options such as pasta, fish, salads, various pizza types and a wide range of vegetarian options…), but the wine menu also has a great collection for you to peruse. 

The place itself is just off the busy road which I like, it’s close enough to everything but not obvious enough for tourists to fill the place – though I would recommend booking.  All the staff are Italian and helpful – especially to top up your glasses.    

Overall, this authentic Southern Italian restaurant is definitely one to keep in mind.  The prices are not too over-priced and I would come here again just to try all the other dishes I wish I could have had. 

Rating: 4 out 5.

http://www.sartori-restaurant.com/  

One of the 2 foot long pizzas you can order...to share (if you wish).

Image courtesy of Sartori.