Review: Duck & Waffle

So it has been on my London bucket list to make a visit here in the early hours of the morning - just because it's open. It's a novelty of having a restaurant open at 3am. Oh and the amazing view of London obviously, being on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower, Duck & Waffle is a place everyone needs to visit at least once.

I made a visit on a rainy early morning so my picture isn't that good (but I quite like the fact the kitchen is reflected in the mirror amongst the rain drops).

Of course I ordered the signature dish of Duck on Waffle - duck confit, fried duck egg on a bready waffle with maple syrup. It shouldn't work, but it does.

We also ordered the Roasted Octopus - chonzo (or chorizo), potato, lemon and capers. I love octopus, tentacles and all but I found the chorizo to be very overpowering, or there must have been an accident with the salt pot, because it was overly salty to the point where it wasn't that enjoyable.

Duck & Waffle on the left. Roasted Octopus on the right.

Staff are very friendly and helpful. We were given the white wine instead of the red we ordered, which was rectified and allowed to keep the white wine - why anyone would, or could, drink red AND white wine in one sitting is a bafflement, but that's what happened. The waiter even gave us a hug for no apparent reason, random but fun. I guess it just added to the atmosphere of a 3am restaurant call...

Like its neighbour downstairs, Sushi Samba, it's an upmarket place and you basically pay for the view, with the food secondary. That doesn't mean the food wasn't good, it's good quality, simple and effective. Everyone should try the duck and waffle - because why wouldn't you? You won't forget this place in a hurry.

4 out of 5 for the overall experience.

ED's Brunch!

Don't you just love it when your friend called Emma cooks you Eggs Benedict at their house with their retro dining table and chairs?

Delish!

I guess it's my turn now...

That's Cranberry and Raspberry juice by the way...

See? Sushi!

I discovered a lovely sushi place near my office the other week called See Sushi - how I have never made a visit during lunch (they do bento boxes at lunchtime) or even a cheeky after work outing, bamboozles me.

The exterior of this place is very unsuspecting, and it's not located in the most obvious place, but I think  that's why I like it. There is a little sign with its green logo and an arrow however directing you to its restaurant. Behind the post office on Praed Street in Paddington/Edgeware Road, you wouldn't think it was anything special. Step inside and it's a lot like the Tardis - much bigger and better on the inside.

They have an extensive menu, with lots to choose from. For any sushi novices, there are explanations and descriptions of each dish - hot and cold, cooked and raw. Special mention goes to the tofu, of which we ordered 2 rounds of.

Our sushi platter

Prices are average, what you would expect when ordering fish. There were 4 of us and 2 bottles of Prosecco and thought we got a very good deal and value for money. Don't expect too much from the drinks menu, just simple wines and beers on offer.

Like any oriental or asian cuisine, service is service. No frills but helpful enough, something I'm very used to, so if you're not, expect it.

I would definitely come here again. 3.5 out of 5.

Barú: It's so FLUFFY

I was recently sent some Chocolate wrapped 'Clouds' by Barú - the contemporary confectionery brand. In other words, marshmallows covered in luxurious chocolate.

The signature marshmallows are made using a carefully developed recipe that includes real honey and ground vanilla pods to create a soft, light, melt-in-the-mouth experience. Complemented with a generous coating of luxurious milk or dark Belgian chocolate. Some are plain, some have a rich Sea Salt Caramel top. Each piece is individually wrapped. They are available from Waitrose RRP £2.99.

I tested these in the office and asked everyone to give me a one word review - the main consensus was that it was quite chewy, I think the word 'robust' was used. I think the description of it being a 'cloud' may have given the impression that it was to be a light treat, soft and would dissolve in the mouth. I found that it was quite a 'chunky' bit of confectionery, which is by no means a bad thing. The flavours are delicious, especially the Sea Salt Caramel one, after a minute the caramel really takes charge of the dark chocolate and marshmallow. 

It's a nice treat for after dinner, and one of these bad boys really will be enough. A Work Colleague (alias Angry Aubergine as she would like to be known) even went as far as saying she may even re-think leaving the minty chocolate treats in favour of the Cloud. 

Sophisticated packaging and even more sophisticated ingredients, the Barú range of treats are definitely ones to think about for those special dinner occasions. There is also a Christmas range - ideal as any gift! Be sure to add these to your shopping list!

Sunday lunch review: Browns, Kingston

I discovered a 'new' place the other day - Kingston. Lovely place with shops (for those wanting to avoid Oxford St), food and the river. It's still in London for those Zone 1 snobs (easy to get to from Waterloo) and lots of places to eat on the riverside.

I made a visit to Browns (a chain - shock horror) and ordered the lamb roast, whilst Food Companion (FC) ordered the fishcake salad (a slight difference in appetite). My lamb and plate of veg was delicious. The mustard cauliflower needs a special shout out too, as well as the Raspberry Lemonade - light and refreshing for a summer's day...

National Vegetarian Week 2015 dates announced

Get those dates in your diary!

National Vegetarian Week 2015 is from Monday 18 to Sunday 24 May 2015. 

Keep up to date with news of the week through www.nationalvegetarianweek.org

It will be its twenty-third year celebrating all things veggie and is a great time to talk about food and its impact on health, animals, people and the planet. The ideal seven days to share meat-free recipes, promote veggie products, showcase menus and launch new ranges.

The week is also perfect for veggie events large and small, from pop-up themed veggie dining experiences to large scale foodie festivals.

If you're a business, educational establishment, community group or individual, there are lots of ways to join in and use NVW to your advantage. If anyone is interested in the many benefits that come with being a sponsor or official partner for NVW, contact Ben Orlowski-Hatton on benjamin@vegsoc.org or0161 925 2000.

The Vegetarian Society, founded in 1847, inspires and supports people to be vegetarian. The charity organises National Vegetarian Week, runs the Cordon Vert vegetarian cookery school, and provides services to support those pursuing a vegetarian way of life, including the Vegetarian Society Approved trademark scheme. Find out more at www.vegsoc.org  

Summer Appetite Festival - on an island in E17

This July a special summer edition of Appetite Festival will take place in Waltham Forest's Lloyd Park as part of Walthamstow Garden Party, a free two-day festival produced by the Barbican and Create. 

Showcasing local food businesses and growers, the Appetite tents will be set up on Lloyd Park's moated island on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 July. 

The perfect mini art & food festival, Summer Appetite will magic-up the ideal chill-out space, complete with deckchairs, vintage vehicles and the opportunity to taste and buy from stalls set up by our favourite E17 foodies - everything from Walthamstow-grown organic vegetables to mouthwatering gourmet food delights, gin palaces and pop-up tea rooms. 

With a focus on local artists, designers, writers and performers including poetry and spoken word performances, a very special Art Stall and some grown-ups-only liquor-lubricated evenings. 

Entry to the Walthamstow Garden Party is free, from 12 noon - 8pm daily. 

Check out www.appetitefestival.co.uk for more details 

Fever Tree pop up gin & tonic bar

If you get a chance to visit the pop up bar at 16 Hoxton Square from Fever Tree (the guys who do those fancy tonic waters) - then do.

Around 150 gins to choose from, 4 tonics to choose from - what's not to like? Everyone there is really friendly and helpful.

Hurry though it's only around for another week, and they do workshops too. Wahey.

Foxdenton raspberry gin with lemon tonic. Delish!

Review: Sushi Sambaaaaa!

Sushi Samba, Heron Tower, Floor 38/39, where the giant orange ambiguous sea animal hangs...we decided that it would be a robotic tadpole. 

Sushi Samba is exactly what it is - Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian fusion mixed with London glamour. Don't be put off with the 'sushi' in the title, they do hot, sizzling plates too with cooked meats if you're into that sort of thing, but I would definitely give the raw fish a try. There is so much choice and everything looks so delicious.

The menu is quite extensive so prepare yourselves, but luckily the friendly waiters are all on hand to talk you through each section and recommendations. It basically works tapas/dim sum style, so each person picks 2 or 3 dishes each depending on your numbers and you share. But don't share your dessert, because they are divine, but more about that later.

Pork Belly (left) was also another highlight

The highlight for the table was the DUCK BREAST which had many different flavours. We all had our different sushi picks, so I thought I would just tell it to you through pictures. But each individual sushi is full of different ingredients and flavours that don't overpower each other, so in the end you get an individual explosion of the different elements. My personal highlight was the IBODAI TAMARI - the caramelised brown sugar is unexpected but surprisingly goes well with the foies gras.

Sushi came together on a slate

Foies gras

I decided to pick a different dessert to the rest of the table and went for something I have tried in the past and didn't like. The RED CHOCOLATE CHILLI PEPPERS is probably one of the best desserts I have ever tasted. It's different and I was a bit worried beforehand, but once I had that first bite I did not regret it. The chilli is not overpowering, in fact there is just a tangy hint of it in the mousse, and as we all know chocolate and chilli really does go together (said Rydell High). The raspberry sorbet compliments the chilli chocolate mousse oh-so-well and I could have eaten it by the bucket loads.

There's always room for dessert

It's quite a pricey eat out, but let's be honest you pay for the beautiful view of London (when it's sunny of course) and for the whole experience. The food is almost a secondary option. The cocktails are also very good.

I don't have much to fault, except that we had to wait a bit for our sushi after our warm plates but once it arrived all was forgotten. And not too sure on the 'smart casual' dress code they have - I mean, what does that even mean? Service was great, friendly and helpful, plus we had a funny waiter which was a bonus. The dinner experience was a delight.

RATING: 4 out of 5

Orange Tree in the patio area

Review: Hache Burger (Shoreditch)

Pronunciation: Hash-ay

Having raved on about Hache Burger since last year, it came to me that I've never actually reviewed the place. It must have been that good because I can't think of any other reason why. 

Camden is the original branch but I'm so glad they opened one in Shoreditch because that means I can pop in whenever I am having burger withdrawal symptoms. 

I've been 3 times previously and I'm making it my mission to try a different burger each time. I definitely recommend the Steak Milano with the sun-dried tomatoes and the Steak Catalan (it's quite meaty though). I took my cousin here once, and having travelled along America a few months before, his exact words were "probably the best burger I've ever had". Now that's saying something. 

Steak Canadian.
Picture courtesy of Hache Burger.

Always go brioche with the burger, once you go brioche you won't go back, the sweet and meat is a match made in heaven. The burgers are meaty, soft, crumbly but well made. The choice on the menu is not too much for your eyes but enough to carefully pick which one you will try this time round. You even get some 'salad' on the side (a chicory leaf and bits of tomato). I have to mention the wedges and garlic mayo. It's the best garlic mayo I've ever tasted - how do I know? Because I was still tasting and smelling of it the next day. Even though I was full, I was still reaching out for them, I couldn't bear the thought of leaving them. 

To be honest if you can have a burger and a whole side to yourself, you're a machine. It was only on my fourth visit that I had learnt my lesson and ordered sensibly (burger each and a side to share between 2 of us), so that I was able to order a dessert. Admittedly, I went for a hard shake (an alcoholic milkshake, folks), but it was just what was needed - Oreos, Baileys and Tia Maria a perfect combination I think! 

Prices are at a reasonable price, good choice of burgers as well as extra toppings. Drinks are also a bonus as my favourite Belgium beer, Hoegaarden is available and my fave Argentinean Malbec red wine. 

I'd recommend booking if you're more than 3 people but seats are available by the bar if needs must. 

I definitely recommend this place. Come here.

RATING: 4.5 out of 5 (not quite the 5 just because of the slight non attentiveness of service).

Sunday Roast Review: Hawksmoor Spitalfields

Probably some of the best beef you can have.

There's only one choice of meat on offer but that's no biggie because the variety of beef that is available is enough. I've made a visit to the Spitalfields branch before for dinner. It was very good, with the exception of the triple cooked chips - they were nothing special but to be honest you don't really come to Hawskmoor to taste the chips.

A Sunday roast however is a different ball game entirely. The tradition that is the roast dinner, you expect not just a good portion of meat, it's equally important counterpart is the roast potatoes, equalled out with the gravy and the amount of gravy available, equalled with that all important Yorkshire pudding, and some may argue, equalled with the type of vegetables and its crunchiness.

Well, I can say for one thing, that there was no complaint with the Yorkshire Pudding (see picture). I think it's the biggest one yet, it wasn't soggy (one of my dislikes - nothing worse than an oily and 'soggy bottom').

A Yorkshire Pudding with a side of Roast...and horse radish.

For the price of £19.50 a pop it's pricey, but I could probably go again for a quarterly treat. I asked for my meat medium and it came perfectly medium, sliced not too thin but not too thick so it allowed for a good meat/yorkshire/bit of potato sized bite.

The vegetables were not too soft - which was to my liking, although I wasn't too keen on the whole roast garlic (don't even think about eating it if you're out on a date...or going to a work meeting the next morning - you'll still be sweating it out) and the cabbage leaves but that's only due to a bad childhood memory.

I've had better goose-fat potatoes I must admit, but they weren't too shabby and they fitted perfectly into my humongous Yorkshire. They weren't cut too big either and there was a good portion on my plate.

I could have done with a little bit more gravy, but liked the fact I was given our own gravy pot to pour on when and how I wanted.

I was totally stuffed by the end of it but still went for the peanut butter shortbread dessert - seriously, you need this in your life. It was more like a crunchy, soft cookie with some yummy ice cream on top.

Service was fairly quick seeing how busy it was, the bar area was also full. Being seated inside the dining area is better for a more intimate setting, tables were a tad too close for my liking (I was seated in between 2 couples) and my seat may have stuck out a bit as my chair getting knocked into as people walked past but once my food had arrived it was not important in the grand scheme of things.

Sunday Roast rating: 4.5 out of 5

Review: Bleeding Heart, French bistro, Farringdon

I command you to make a visit here.

The French Bistro is open at the weekends, with the restaurant open on weekdays - they have different menus and I've had different opinions with the restaurant prices slightly more, but I went to the Bistro and have to say I would definitely come here again.

Tables get fully booked pretty quickly which tells you all you need to know really. Just off Farringdon Road in its own quirky courtyard, it is located in an unassuming place, which for me, makes me like it already. Greeted by authentic French employees, all friendly and attentive, this place just gets better.

Bleeding Heart has just started running set menus - 2 courses for £18 or 3 courses for £21. We shared starters of muscles, snails and salmon blinis. It was the first time I tried snails, and really, the texture is like a mushroom...but I don't like mushrooms, but I didn't mind the snails.

For the main, I had the Confit duck which was delicious, strangely, it wasn't the duck that stuck out - I really enjoyed the savoy cabbage mixed in with the sauce. They also serve rabbit that comes in a cute pastry shape, the steak burger is a pretty decent size with a healthy portion of 'frites', and the pumpkin risotto looked also very appealing - even to a non-vegetarian.

Pastry is made fresh on-site, with the tarts sold out by 8pm on Saturday. We decided to share the dessert amongst five, so came the last lemon tarte, the last raspberry tarte ('tarte du jour'), crème brûlée and profiteroles. All divine, but I would have to say the tarts are the ones you should pick.

Prices are justified for the food we received. It's not the most pocket-friendly for those who want to enjoy a quick dinner, it is definitely something to be enjoyed slowly for the whole evening to soak in every bit of its decor, food, wine and relaxed atmosphere - and for that, I would make a visit to the bistro again, so that I can try out the dishes I didn't have.

4 out 5 eggs.

http://www.bleedingheart.co.uk/

Burritos are easy!

I think this must be the easiest thing I've ever made.

All you need:
rice
onions/peppers
tortilla wraps
leftover meat
spices
cheese
natural yoghurt - optional

For quick, hassle-free cooking - quarter your onion and peppers and grill. Then chop. Cover in bbq sauce and spices depending on your taste buds.
Cook your rice (20 mins should do it) & drain. Season with salt & pepper & spices.
Lay out foil and tortilla wraps.
Spoon out your rice to one side of your tortilla.
Then lay a strip of the veg.
Next to that lay your meat.
Grate a bit of cheese.
Using the foil, wrap the, err...wrap - the trick is not to be scared and hesitate.
Twist the foil at both ends and bake in the oven for 20 mins, or put in the freezer for another day.
Serve with some yoghurt or guacamole.

Delish!

Review: Jamie's Diner

Open the door, get on the floor, everybody walk the dinosaur. 

Or dinersaur in this case. Get it?

That's the theme at Jamie's Diner from the menu to the décor, a dinosaur hangs like a chandelier at the entrance, the walls look as though the painter forgot to come back from his tea break, food is served on plastic, uneven trays, and there's a range of 'vintage' chairs and sofas. I think the main, real point of the diner though is that it uses sustainable ingredients to make a quirky American diner because, let's face it, that's what's trendy nowadays - there's even a takeaway bit next door. This is an important point to remember, which I'll come back to.

I went for the chicken burger - added topping of guacamole, just because I wanted it. A Cucumber Number cocktail (lovely by the way, I could have had more) and shared a pot of crinkle cut chips. It's not the best burger I've ever eaten (that title is still held by Haché) but the brioche bun was pretty soft, toasty and complimentary to the meat. The chicken was actually cooked to my liking, it was slightly over-cooked (nothing more worrying that it being under-cooked) but not to the level of Nandos so I liked that. The only thing was that when I halved my burger, one side was completely chicken-less. Most of the minimal items on the menu comes with homeslaw and a pickle. I love coleslaw but found this one to be a bit bland and nothing to it, and well, a gherkin is just a gherkin isn't it? The chips were good however, we only ordered one portion to share between 2 as the waiter said that it's "the size of a large McDonald's portion" but I thought I could have easily had one to myself.

Before going, I read a lot of reviews on various sites but I wasn't put off by it. Having now been there myself, I feel a lot of the more negative reviews are a bit unfair. I think people assume because Mr Oliver's name is attached to it, it's going to be fine-dining, superb food. It's not. Don't get me wrong, I am a big fan of Jamie Oliver, but just because he's on TV every other night doesn't make him the only great chef in the world and everything he touches will be 'pukka'. People should judge Jamie's Diner on what it is - a quick, convenient and fun place to grab a bite to eat before the theatre or shopping. It's based in Piccadilly Circus on Shaftesbury Avenue so it's obviously a tourist trap, but I went just before 6pm on a Friday pre-theatre and there was no queue whatsoever - lucky for me as there is a no booking rule here. Service was good, prices are also good for a Central London hotspot.

Here is where I go back to my original point, this menu was made because of the ingredients that are used. I don't think it tries to be anything it's not. It never said it was going to be the most authentic and best American diner in the world - it's typically Jamie Oliver - happy-go-lucky, making popular foods using sustainable ingredients. And for this, I think it does exactly that. I don't think people should mistake this place for Barbecoa. It's a bit of fun for the tourists. A bit kitsch. And I for one quite like the trays food is served on and the whole dinosaur/rustic theme. I'd give it a 2.5 stars out of 5.

Although there is one sad thing about the diner, it replaced Adam's Ribs - a fond food memory of mine. I remember my aunt took my cousin and I when we were children visiting London for the summer holidays. I had the hugest portion of fries and spare ribs which was all over my hands and my mouth. But hey, nothing lasts forever in this fickle food industry.

Easy peasy chicken wings

By far the easiest sauce I've made, inspired by Jamie Oliver (he calls it the Gangnam style chicken wings, Gangnam is actually a place in South Korea, and I think these ingredients are more influenced by Chinese cooking).

All you need is:
chicken wings
honey
soy sauce
chilli sauce (if you don't fancy spice - use ketchup and fresh chilli - manly for decorative purposes)
garlic
ginger
spring onion
sesame oil
lemon juice
sesame seeds

I haven't put down amounts because, quite frankly, do it to your taste and how many wings you're cooking and the amount you want on your wings.

Preheat oven at 160 degrees. Give your wings a bit of a wash, and stretch each one so they are not so compact (this will help the wings cook evenly). 25-30mins should be enough but check the meat around the bony areas to double check. If you like your skin a bit crispy, turn the heat up in the oven for the last 5 mins.

Whilst that's cooking, chop garlic, ginger and chilli into tiny edible pieces. In a bowl, mix in all the rest of the ingredients, including your chopped goods - keep tasting to find your perfect match. Remember soy sauce is salty so don't add too much in all at once. I quite like the sweet taste on chicken wings, so I added more honey and chilli to mine.

Once happy, pour the sauce over your chicken wings making sure it goes into every nook and cranny of your wings. You can leave a bit to one side to serve as part of your dish if you want to dip your wings in. Put back into the oven for 5 mins, or until you are happy with the colour of your wings.

Serve with boiled rice and some pak choi.

And as they say at home "sek fan" (literally translated - "eat rice") and tuck in!

Rick Stein's India starter spice set

I don't know about you but come end of August/September I immediately think of Winter, but every cloud does have a silver lining, as Winter is the time to start cooking again (it's been known that I hardly do any kind of cooking during the summer months...unless a barbecue is involved). The dark, chilly afternoons are the best times to have lots of ingredients laid out with great big pan heating up (with a hot chocolate/mulled wine of course - delete as appropriate). So with this in mind, Spices of India, the UK's leading online Indian grocery store, has only gone and created a spice starter pack for us curry enthusiasts inspired by the ledge that is Rick Stein. Who needs Brick Lane ay?

Following the huge success of Rick Stein’s India TV series and cookbook, Spices of India, has pulled together a selection of the harder-to-find spices to create the Rick Stein’s India Starter Spice Gift Set (£39.50). It has been designed with home-cooks in mind, looking to recreate authentic Indian flavour in their kitchen.

The set includes a hardback copy of Rick Stein’s India together with 11 Indian spices and ingredients, which feature extensively in many of the recipes in the cookbook. For more information just visit www.spicesofindia.co.uk The set includes: 

Amchur (Mango) Powder, adds a pleasing sourness to many Northern Indian dishes.

Asafoetida powder – Hing Vandevi, a pungent ground resin which tastes like garlic and onions.

Black Salt (Kala Namak powder), often sprinkled over nuts and snacks.

Black Cardamom, often used in rice and dal dishes and has a smoky flavour.

Kashmiri Chilli Powder, milder than most chillies and adds a rich deep-red colour to many curries.

Millet (Bajra) Flour, the key to making authentic flat breads.

Kokum, a dried fruit which has the same flavour-balancing technique as adding vinegar or lemon juice.

Mustard Oil, very hard to buy in the west and is essential for truly Indian chutney’s.

Mustard Seeds, often used at the spice tempering stage of most curries.

Screwpine (Kewra) Water, a fragrant essence of the pandan leaf which is often poured on rice to perfume it.

Tamarind, used to add a sweet tartness to many dishes.

                                                                                              

Spices of India is listed in Rick Stein’s India as a supplier of spices and ingredients, including the harder-to-find ones that feature in the book and the programme, such as black salt, black cardamoms and chapatti flours, which can be bought online. It's as easy as that.

Also, check out BBC Good Food for a hearty potato and pea curry. 

Review: Bread St Kitchen

Sunday Roasts.

Enough said.

Another mission of mine whilst living in London is to find the best Sunday Dinner.

So far, The Princess of Shoreditch has given me the best 'special occasion' Sunday dinner, and The Water Poet does a lovely veggie roast (okay, so it's probably the only veggie roast dinner I've had, but as a meat eater I thoroughly enjoyed it so that must speak volumes, right?).

Bread St Kitchen at One New Change by Gordo Ramsay himself was a lovely little place to hang out on a Sunday. The first impression of it doesn't quite give it the justice it deserves, 'ooh yes it's fancy', 'Gordon Ramsay ay?' but once inside it's decked out very casually and quirky (like the hanging wires of the lightbulbs over the open ceiling work and vintage lamps), I think the East-ish side of the location probably had an influence. On Sundays, they have live music which was perfect to relax in with a glass of red and bread.

The atmosphere was relaxed and airy. Families (kids get special offers), the elderly, the young uns. The staff were also very friendly, helpful but not in your face.

Most importantly, I got 2 Yorkshire puddings with my beef roast, Friend had the chicken, and I devoured it all including the bread and even had room for a Rasberry Parfait - which was so light and refreshing.

The food quality is probably worth its price tag - I mean it's not the most expensive meal I've had, but I wouldn't call it on a budget. But overall, I would definitely come again, even try out the bar downstairs. Nice little place to hang out at the weekend - it's not full of City workers for one thing, so you're certain to get a seat.

4 out of 5

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

Seafood Banquet anyone?

When Chinese people say they're going to celebrate with a meal, what we really mean is a banquet, a 14 course banquet across several large round tables with the turning table in the middle.

I thought I'd say it with less words for this post. Enjoy. I certainly did.

1: the cold seafood platter - crispy pork, chicken, octopus, seaweed

2: Bird's nest (edible of course), chinese veg & squid

2 & 3: 2 different types of cooked scallops 

4: 'Shark fin soup' (crab substitute of course)

5: LOBSTER!

6 & 7: Sea mushrooms and veg & Chicken

8: the fish course

 9 & 10 were the noodles and rice courses but you've seen them all before.

11: CAKE!

12: There's always the fruit course 

13: Mango and coconut jelly cubes

14: Chinese buns with egg yolk filling

THE END. Phew.