Ever eaten something so incredibly good that you’ve caught yourself thinking about it days later? Guilty. I’ve been having daydreams about the crisp, moreish masala dosa at South Indian restaurant Chennai Srilalitha in Kenton, which were as good as the ones I had a few years ago while travelling through Kerala. The spice-rich, sticky onion-lacedContinue reading “The best dosas outside of India at Chennai Srilalitha”
Category Archives: Restaurant review
A taste of Ethiopia in north-west London
It’s best to give your hands a good wash before you sit down to eat at authentic Ethiopian restaurant Abyssinia, because if you’re embracing the dining experience, you won’t be getting any cutlery. The restaurant in Cricklewood, north-west London, prides itself on being the first and oldest Ethiopian restaurant in the city. As first-timers toContinue reading “A taste of Ethiopia in north-west London”
Going loco for Lobos Tapas in Borough Market
Tucked away in a corner of Borough Market, this tiny Spanish tapas restaurant is in the heart of foodie land – and its offering tantalises the taste buds just as you’d hope. Lobos Tapas brings a meat-heavy menu and a good wine list to boot. Considering that the restaurant was started by former Brindisa employeesContinue reading “Going loco for Lobos Tapas in Borough Market”
Misato’s chicken katsu curry is better than Wagamama’s
The long queue outside Japanese eatery, Misato, suggested that the food must be good, yet, looking inside, my confidence waned. Diners were crammed tightly together on basic wooden tables and chairs, and the plain beige walls lining the small space desperately needed some cheering up. It seemed to lack ambience, especially for a ChinatownContinue reading “Misato’s chicken katsu curry is better than Wagamama’s”
All-you-can-eat sushi in Soho
Now that you’ve seen the words “all you can eat”, I bet you’re fired up and ready to go. Before you do, here’s the small print: the bill at Sushi Eatery must be paid in cash, you’ve got an hour and a half to be in and out and drinks are paid on top. NowContinue reading “All-you-can-eat sushi in Soho”
Sri Suwoon is the Thai gem hiding in Pimlico
Discovering an excellent independent Thai restaurant hidden alone in the quiet residential streets of Pimlico was a bit like finding treasure – I was pleasantly surprised, yet uncertain about who else knows it’s there. You probably wouldn’t find cosy two-floor restaurant, Sri Suwoon, if you weren’t looking for it (or without Google Maps). It appearsContinue reading “Sri Suwoon is the Thai gem hiding in Pimlico”
A colourful, feel-good vegetarian dinner at Casita Andina
Friends and colleagues always swoon at the mention of Peruvian food, so Ceviche and Andina have been knocking around on my restaurant list for a while. I’ve never visited South America and have no knowledge of the cuisine, so I’m not sure what to expect as we arrive at Casita Andina in Soho. It’s aContinue reading “A colourful, feel-good vegetarian dinner at Casita Andina”
El Parador is the veggie-friendly tapas joint you’ve been searching for
When a friend suggested we dine at an “insanely good” (his words) family-run tapas restaurant in Mornington Crescent, I didn’t need much more convincing. Giving it a hasty Google a couple of hours before visiting, I was excited to see that El Parador was winning in the reviews too – always rated at four out ofContinue reading “El Parador is the veggie-friendly tapas joint you’ve been searching for”
Munch on Indian tapas at Talli Joe
Cast aside everything that comes to mind when you think of an Indian restaurant – i.e. piles of poppadoms, giant pots of curry and stacks of naan – because Talli Joe is nothing like its counterparts. Specialising in small plates (read: Indian tapas) and cocktails, this Shaftesbury Avenue restaurant does things with a twist. InContinue reading “Munch on Indian tapas at Talli Joe”
Cook your own dinner at Hot Pot in Chinatown
A new restaurant dedicated to the ancient Chinese communal dining activity known as ‘hot pot’ has opened in the heart of Chinatown. The appropriately named Hot Pot, a Bangkok-based chain, has opened this first London outpost on Wardour Street. Hot pot is a process of cooking ingredients in a boiling broth, then seasoning them with aContinue reading “Cook your own dinner at Hot Pot in Chinatown”
Mercato Metropolitano: the Italian-themed foodie space in Borough
Pictures don’t do Mercato Metropolitano any justice. Neither does its website. Nor does its unassuming entrance, which is merely lit up by a string of fairy lights come nightfall. You’d miss it if you didn’t know it was there… And that would be a shame. What is it? Mercato Metropolitano is an Italian-themed casual foodie space slash indoorContinue reading “Mercato Metropolitano: the Italian-themed foodie space in Borough”
Beer and Buns in Liverpool Street
Japanese beers (and sake) and fluffy buns (and wings) are the order of the evening at Beer & Buns. And they come with an extra side of fun – foosball and pinball tables… and sake bombs. Sake bombs (pictured left) require a little bit of explanation – a shot of sake arrives balanced on chopsticks aboveContinue reading “Beer and Buns in Liverpool Street”
Scoffing sourdough pizza at Franco Manca
It comes as no surprise that sourdough pizza chain Franco Manca has been named the best Italian restaurant in the UK by Yelp users. It was only earlier this year that I was introduced to the restaurant myself – yet it’s rapidly become one of my favourite places to eat out, and I’ve been ravingContinue reading “Scoffing sourdough pizza at Franco Manca”
Take yourself back to Asia at East Street
I felt like I’d been transported back to the bustling streets of Bangkok when I entered East Street. Illuminated signs screaming “Asahi” or “Coca Cola” hang from the restaurant’s ceiling, jostling for attention, while a fragrant spiced aroma – reminiscent of the faraway street food bazaars of Asia – fills your nostrils. East Street serves up a variety ofContinue reading “Take yourself back to Asia at East Street”
A chocolate lover’s paradise: Said in Soho
Word on the street is that Said serves up one of the best hot chocolates in London. It’s true. A cup of heavenly thick, rich molten chocolate, it is best devoured with a spoon. The taste of pure, melted, quality chocolate comes through with every mouthful – and between them it’s so satisfying to dip and swirl a spoon in theContinue reading “A chocolate lover’s paradise: Said in Soho”
Tapas at José Pizarro in Liverpool Street
It’s a Tuesday evening at José Pizarro’s all-day tapas restaurant in Broadgate Circle and there are suits aplenty. Detracting slightly from his cosier Bermondsey outposts, José and Pizarro, the Spanish chef has created this restaurant, his third, in a sleek, airy style, so it matches the City worker crowd well. An extensive wine list featuringContinue reading “Tapas at José Pizarro in Liverpool Street”
Slurp noodles at the new Ichiryu Hakata Udon House
A brand new “Udon House” has opened its doors on New Oxford Street. Ichiryu, the brainchild of Take Tokumine, the CEO of Shoryu and Japan Centre, prides itself on its thick, chewy white udon noodles, which are handmade on site and served up either hot or cold with toppings such as prawn tempura, fishcakes and beef. The menu also features sushi, tempura (cod,Continue reading “Slurp noodles at the new Ichiryu Hakata Udon House”
Ekachai: South East Asian dining in Wandsworth
The vibe: A new authentic South East Asian restaurant specialising in street food dishes from Malaysia, Thailand and Hong Kong. Think: creamy curries, crunchy stir fries and oodles of noodles. What’s cool: A lot of attention has been paid to the décor in Ekachai, which gives the restaurant an authentic feel and transports diners fromContinue reading “Ekachai: South East Asian dining in Wandsworth”
Shoryu: Japanese dining in Soho
The vibe: a loud sit-down Japanese restaurant famous for its generously portioned ramen dishes, located behind Piccadilly Circus. What’s cool: Shoryu’s menu includes a glossary on the last page, which helpfully simplifies the Japanese terms you find dotted through the descriptions. Plus, this particular branch has the largest selection of sake, shochu and umeshu, with over 130 toContinue reading “Shoryu: Japanese dining in Soho”
Neapolitan café RossoTerrazza pops up on John Lewis rooftop
Escape the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street at the John Lewis roof garden, which is welcoming visitors back with Italian street food and cocktails this summer. Soak up the sunshine atop the flagship store, where you can enjoy a variety of small plates, wine, cocktails (£10 each), Italian desserts and gelato at the RossoTerrazza caféContinue reading “Neapolitan café RossoTerrazza pops up on John Lewis rooftop”
/// The Curious Londoner 