Blog Feed: Hungry in London

PIZZA EAST (Shoreditch)

Published on 2012-05-24 14:37:01

A lot of food @ Pizza EastCategory:  Bistro (££) The reason why I must be the last person with any kind of interest in food, who has never been to Pizza East before is that I usually don’t like pizza.  Out of the blue however I was overwhelmed by a sudden pizza craving and Pizza East seemed like an obvious choice.I took my friend Uyen with me, which usually doesn’t bode well (our last few meals together were highly disappointing, such as at Ceviche or Hix at the Albemarle or [..] > read more

BRICIOLE (Marylebone)

Published on 2012-05-18 06:07:53

Finocchiona Toscana £3 @BricioleCategory: Le Budget (£)When I heard about the opening of Briciole I knew I had to try it in my desperate and thus far not successful search for a decent and non pretentious neighbourhood Italian.Briciole is located in the non-fashionable part of Marylebone, close to Edgware Road tube station, and even with Sat Nav not very easy to find.  You enter in a small deli/wine bar area which opens into a rustic dining room. Initially we were rather unsure about Briciol [..] > read more

Ute cooks: MADAME TUYET’S CHICKEN SKEWERS with RICE (Hello Fresh)

Published on 2012-05-16 04:43:38

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CEVICHE (Soho)

Published on 2012-05-14 06:22:15

Don Ceviche £6.75Category: Bistro (££+) I love ceviche but no, I didn’t like Ceviche.  Ceviche, a recently opened Peruvian restaurant in Soho, is the new darling of the London foodie scene, equally loved by food bloggers and food critics.  Peruvian cuisine is predicted to be the new food trend of 2012 (as suggested in Huffington Post and The Telegraph) and apart from Ceviche, 2 more Peruvian restaurants are to open in London in the coming months.I had Peruvian food only at a few oc [..] > read more

POILANE (Chelsea)

Published on 2012-05-08 15:02:40

Australian Tartine @ PoilaneCategory: Bistro  (££)The decision to give a very positive review to the all day breakfast/ tartine/French boulangerie place Cuisine de Bar by Poilane just off busy King’s Road is largely based on the fact that I am absolutely in love with their Australian Tartine (?£8.5).  Ripe mashed avocado is generously layered onto a slice of deliciously fresh crisp artisan brown bread which has before been spread thinly with vegemite, the Australian version o f marmi [..] > read more

HIX AT THE ALBEMARLE (Mayfair)

Published on 2012-05-01 16:07:12

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HELLO FRESH – assisted home cooking for busy people

Published on 2012-04-29 10:08:22

Recipe Card @Hello FreshHello Fresh “ is the smart way to prepare easy and healthy meals for yourself and your family. Say goodbye to unhealthy fast food and repetitive meals and rediscover the joys of cooking.”Curious?  I shall explain to you how Hello Fresh works:1. You get a box of ingredients with recipe cards delivered to your door once a week (you can choose a 3 or 5 meal plan and also a vegetarian option is available)2. All the ingredients are measured for the respective m [..] > read more

RHUBARB RHUBARB!

Published on 2012-04-28 05:07:29

Rhubarb with Greek YoghurtIt’s this long-awaited rhubarb time of the year, and there is nothing better than desserts based on this tangy vegetable combined with something smooth and sweet.The good thing about rhubarb, even when transformed into a high-caloric dish, is that is has been shown to have substantial health benefits.  It is rich in antioxidants protecting against cancer and apparently baking the rhubarb for 20 minutes INCREASES the concentration of  substances that are good for [..] > read more

BISTRO BRUNO LOUBET (Clerkenwell)

Published on 2012-04-25 12:54:34

Beetroot Ravioli @ Bistro Bruno LoubetCategory: Brasserie (£££)Bistro Bruno Loubet is a distinctly French restaurant located in stylish boutique hotel The Zetter in the middle of the Golden Restaurant Triangle that is Clerkenwell/Farringdon (within a short walking distance you also find the excellent restaurants The Modern Pantry, St. John’s Restaurant, Vinoteca, North Road, Fox and Anchor and St. Ali).  The dining room is bright and generous, the waiters as Gaelic as can be (ours look [..] > read more

LA BODEGA NEGRA (Soho)

Published on 2012-04-21 06:51:11

La Bodega Negra > read more

NORTH ROAD (Clerkenwell)

Published on 2012-04-15 14:59:25

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HAWKSMOOR SPITALFIELD BAR (Spitalsfield)

Published on 2012-04-14 12:55:02

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MELE E PERE (Soho)

Published on 2012-04-11 15:29:54

Fried Whitebait @ Mele e Pere (Soho) > read more

MARKET CAFE (Hackney)

Published on 2012-03-30 13:53:15

Spaghetti, Clams, Chili Garlic - starter portion (7) > read more

C+R CAFE (Chinatown)

Published on 2012-03-28 04:58:03

Malaysian Style Nasi Goreng (6.50) > read more

Ute cooks: ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH CARDAMON AND NIGELLA SEEDS (Ottolenghi)

Published on 2012-03-27 06:41:56

Roasted butternut squash with cardamom and nigella seedsButternut squash, the quintessential winter vegetable,  is strictly speaking in season only from November to December.  I love it all year around and for me it works in warm comforting winter soups, stews and curries as well as in summary and light salads.Looking at nutrient’s value of squash, we should be eating it all year around at least once a week.  It has about half the calories of potatoes (40 kcal per 100 g to be precise), [..] > read more

Ute travels: CHARLESTON and a Lowcountry Breakfast at POOGAN’S PORCH

Published on 2012-03-21 17:48:20

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Ute travels: The epiphany of Lowcountry Cuisine at HUSK and MCCRADY’S (Charleston, S.C.)

Published on 2012-03-18 17:42:02

Fried Green Tomatoes @HuskThe “Holy City” Charleston in Southern Carolina is a rising star as a tourist destination.  It has, for the first time, won the Conde Nast Readers’ Choice Award for the best city in the US, pushing funky San Francisco from the top.Spanish Moss @CharlestonThat by itself would not pose enough justification for me to visit Charleston, however there is the food…Last year, when we were holidaying in Mauritius, my me and my boyfriend obsessed about t [..] > read more

Easter at HOTEL CHOCOLATE – win a giant dark chocolate egg…!

Published on 2012-03-17 07:49:11

Guess what arrived for me in the post today? > read more

BISTRO DU VIN (Soho)

Published on 2012-03-15 07:15:19

Sardines on Toast @Bistro du VinCategory: Brasserie (£££)My dinner at Bistro du Vin has been a largely unpleasant experience and the food could be summarised with the two words “Dry” and “Bland“.  On top of this, the service personnel was truly annoying (such as 3 waiters  asking the same question within the space of 2 minutes and fake friendliness that seemed very insincere) and a waiting time of 45 minutes for the starter of the pre-theatre menu.Should my expect [..] > read more

BIBIMBAP (Soho)

Published on 2012-03-13 14:24:53

Beef Bulgogi @BiBimBap (6.95) Category: Budget (£)Bibimbap is not only the famous Korean national dish, but also the name of a small Korean eatery in the midst of Soho.  It is one of the places that, once discovered, you will keep coming back to for your quick, cheap, tasty and filling Korean fix.Unsurprisingly, Bibimbap specialises in bibimbap.  Hot rice served in a sizzling stone bowl topped with your ingredients of choice, such as vegetables, strips of beef and egg (fried or raw).   T [..] > read more

Ute cooks: Aromatic and Fragrant PILAF RICE

Published on 2012-03-01 15:18:41

Pilaf RiceA few days ago I read this post about how to make Pilaf rice on Hungry and frozen, a New Zealand food blog that I follow.  It sounded so easy and so delicious that I immediately attempted my version of this Persian classic.  I have made it 3 times the last week because I like it so much and in addition it is so quick and straight forward to prepare.   You only need one pot, it makes great use of leftover vegetables and it works by itself as well as a side for chicken or lamb.  Who [..] > read more

TAMADA (St John’s Wood)

Published on 2012-02-28 11:17:06

Borsh (5.50)Category: Bistro (££)The visit to the small restaurant Tamada in St. John’s Wood was my first encounter with Georgian cuisine.  Georgian, my lunch companion who has visited Georgia on many occasions told me, is one of the most interesting cuisines of all the states formerly comprising the USSR.  It is rich in vegetables and influenced by  Mediterranean, Europe and The Middle East.Some Russian friends recommended Tamada as  ”a cheap and wonderful little restaurant [..] > read more

The London Foodie’s JAPANESE HOME COOKING (Supperclub – Islington)

Published on 2012-02-22 13:40:12

Matcha Crème Brulée @The London FoodieSupperclub, 30-35 pounds per head, BYO  I admittedly got a bit tired of supperclubs of late.  However, when I learned that the lovely Luiz aka The London Foodie had ditched his high flying city career to devote himself fully to cooking, nothing could hold me back.Luiz spent a few months last autumn in Japan to deepen his already profound understanding of Japanese cuisine.  In London, he found a mentor in Reiko, the lady who does wonderful Japanese cooki [..] > read more

Ute bakes: TARTE TATIN

Published on 2012-02-19 12:11:31

Tarte TatinI always thought making Tarte Tatin,  the famous French tarte invented by the Tatin sisters in the late 19th century, would be very difficult.  It is however surprisingly easy and I succeeded in my first attempt making this beautiful caramelly dessert bliss.  I don’t think there is any other dessert with minimal preparation effort that will result in so much happiness of your dinner guests.I got a lot of guidance from Felicity Cloake’s how to cook perfect tarte tatin a [..] > read more

ROGANIC (Marylebone)

Published on 2012-02-13 06:39:36

Dessert Heaven @RoganicCategory: Haute Cuisine (££££) Finally it was my turn to dine at the 2-year pop up restaurant Roganic in Marylebone.  I was taken there by the lovely Skinny Bib who has been a Roganic regular since the restaurant opened last summer.  Roganic is owned and overseen by Simon Rogan, who has earned his reputation with L’Enclume in the Lake District.According to The Skinny Bib, the food by the not only amazingly talented but also surprisingly young Roganic  h [..] > read more

Ute cooks: BULGUR WITH AVOCADO AND POMEGRANATE

Published on 2012-02-11 08:29:27

Serve topped with Pomegranate SeedsThis is an excellent dish for leftovers to be taken into work the next day.  In addition, it works as a starter, a main or a side dish, very volatile indeed!  What I love about it is that it’s so fresh and healthy while it fills you up at the same time.  For me it’s the perfect dish to combat the winter blues with some Mediterranean flavours and vibrant colours.The main ingredient is bulgur, a whole wheat grain partially pre-cooked and dried.  [..] > read more

ALMEIDA (Islington)

Published on 2012-02-08 11:29:02

Wild Mushroom and Truffle Risotto @AlmeidaCategory: Brasserie (£££)Almeida, a French brasserie just opposite the outstanding Almeida Theater, does a very good value pre-theatre menu: 2 courses for 16 and 3 courses for 19 pounds.We went to see The House of Bernarda Alba, a Llorca play with a pure female cast, transferred from catholic Spain to rural Iran.  I liked it a lot, while my boyfriend found it depressing and hated it.  I suggest you believe me and go see it, it’s on until 10th [..] > read more

Ute cooks: SPICY INDIAN POPCORN

Published on 2012-02-05 12:17:51

Spicy Indian PopcornThis weekend I spent at home, having a beautiful and highly recommended date with The Killing DVD box set.  Caught between subtitles, unsmiling Danish faces, intrigue, murder, thick knitted jumpers and funny Scandinavian names, I suddenly felt the urge for popcorn.  I craved not the normal kind of popcorn, but a healthy, non-greasy variant with exotic spices and I came across this intriguing sounding recipe of Curry Popcorn.  I adapted it a bit and called it Spicy Indian P [..] > read more

Valentine’s Day at HOTEL CHOCOLATE

Published on 2012-02-04 10:14:00

Hearts and more Hearts @ Hotel ChocolateThere we go again.  Another year has passed and here we have another occasion to disappoint your partner with a bad present, a rubbish restaurant (or no restaurant at all because you have been too late and everything is booked out) or wilting flowers.I dislike Valentine’s Day with a passion.  I have an allergy to pink hearts, ribbons and kisses, and suffer an anaphylactic shock when I come across massively overpriced Valentine’s Day menus, pr [..] > read more

Ute cooks: LEMON AND GOAT’S CHEESE RAVIOLI

Published on 2012-02-02 13:10:50

My first attempt of making pastaI have to apologise to my readers who are actually in possession of Ottolenghi‘s earthshatteringly wonderful cookery book Plenty (probably most of you) and who must be very bored by me currently obsessing about this book.But let me tell you – I am in love and here the reasons why this recipe collection stole my heart like none before.1. Everything I cook from Plenty turns out delicious – it doesn’t only taste great but also looks rather pre [..] > read more

MISHKIN’S (Covent Garden)

Published on 2012-01-24 05:54:43

Menu @MishkinCategory: Bistro (££)I absolutely love Spuntino, have enjoyed Da Polpo, feel rather indifferent towards Polpo and haven’t yet been to Polpetto. This, in one sentence, summarises my experience with the restaurants owned by Russell Norman and Richard Beatty, undoubtedly the most interesting and most influential restaurateurs to have appeared in the London gastronomic scene over the past few years.Mishkin’s, opened in November 2011 in Covent Garden, just next to the high [..] > read more

Ute cooks: SOUP OF JERUSALEM ARTICHOKES

Published on 2012-01-21 02:58:28

 Jerusalem artichokes (or Topinambour) is an unbelievably ugly vegetable, wrinkly and dirty and reminiscent of a bad looking ginger root.  On top of this, their name is misnomer as they have no relation with the conventional, handsome globe artichoke and don’t origin in Isreal but are native to North America (more about the history, season, nutrition and preparation here).When I saw Jerusalem artichokes at Waitrose I bravely put them into my shopping basket, immediately followed by a [..] > read more

TINELLO (Pimlico)

Published on 2012-01-16 16:24:56

TinelloCategory: Bistro – Brasserie (££-£££)It is a hard job to be an amateur restaurant critic.  Always rushing off to the newest openings, which means, thanks to the new non-booking trend, queuing for hours in the cold, eating mediocre food in places hyped for inapprehensible reasons and then there is the constant fight against personal bankruptcy, alcoholism and obesity.Every zealous amateur restaurant critic needs a restaurant to rest, to regain his/her strength and to put the c [..] > read more

GALOUPET (Knightsbridge)

Published on 2012-01-12 12:45:30

Scallops, Garlic, Chili (11) @GaloupetCategory: Brasserie (£££) And another small plate restaurant.  I remember when these restaurants started to pop up everywhere I was thrilled. Now I have reached a point of saturation where all I want once in a while is a normal menu!Galoupet is a posh small plate restaurant and wine bar just next to Princess Diana’s favourite Italian San Lorenzo on Beauchamp Place.  This is an area that clearly needs new and inventive restaurants and and Galoupet [..] > read more