Flesh and Buns

Flesh and buns my new favourite place to do brunch, fabtastic sushi, amazing soft shell crab and unlimited prosecco. What more could a boy ask for. 

Today I had the pleasure of accompanying my American posse to this fantastic venue, part of the bone daddies group, this place holds its own with its unlimited small plates, sushi, calamari, chicken wings , broccoli and the soft shell crab had my taste buds going crazy. 

Amazing service coupled with quality food makes this place a Sunday retreat.

 Ok I admit it despite my steak and steamed bun tasting a bit strange, those small plates of moorishness will see me taking a few friends back to enjoy what I would call Londons best Asian fusion brunch #bring it on. 

I will leave the dessert and Camden councils warning on the toilet doors for you to discover. 

Get booking as Sunday's will never be the same  

HKK

Hkk simply awesome, every plate perfectly presented. from the truffle dumpling, spiny lobster and pumpkin soup to the  roasted cherry Wood Peking duck with its unique flavouring and 1st class crunchiness left you wanting more.

We started our evening with cocktails at the bar before entering the understated dining space. We opted to go for the £88 tasting menu with paired wines for £48.

Our amuse bouche  was a rather elegant crab jelly with fig. 

Course 1, a pan grilled dumpling with black truffle vinegar paired with sake , we quickly progressed to the fantastic 2014 Neil Ellis Chardonnay from South Africa a perfect a compliment to our spiny lobster and pumpkin soup.

Course 3 saw us experience Dim sum heaven in the form of the trilogy,

Monkfish, lobster and caviar, Label Rouge chicken and foie gras accompanied by a gin cocktail.

Course 4, the roasted cherrywood duck perfectly paired with a Pinot Noir.

Course 5, Char grilled Black Cod in royal shacha sauce accompanied by a 2014 Soave-Pieropan La Rocca with its fresh nose, with citrus aromas, peach, and hints of exotic fruits.

after sampling 5 amazing plates of moorishness, Course 6 was extremely disappointing "the slow cooked veal with brown jasmine rice was lacking in flavour and cooked to death. The accompanying American Pinot noir failed to rescue it.

The dessert courses were heaven on a plate,Lemon peel brûlée with smoked apricot followed by chocolate strawberry and soya mousse. Paired with a rather nice Moscato.

The also have a vegetarian tasting option, which equally looked and tasted great. 

 

Dinner for 4, including cocktails,wine pairings for 2, water and service £545,94.

If you looking for London's finest duck, I would head to HKK"Duck will never be the same again"

Coq d'Argent

Coq d'Argent, infamously famous with the city folk and those who believe it a great place to dine. Having been a few times I was expecting great food, impeccable attentive service and and enjoyable evening with friends. 

Sadly the evening started with inattentive service as the wrong sparkling wine was brought to the table followed by a disagreement between the sommelier and waitron as to what was actually ordered. 

The days of introductions seem to be long gone as the waitress failed to build rapport or introduce herself.

The second time round she seemed more enthusiastic as she took our orders. 

Our starters left us slightly disappointed, a lacklustre  goats cheese parcel with its rubbery onion, peppers and light cheese folded in a crumbling  filo pastry.

 The salmon was equally bland and dull apart from the two flowers placed on the plate. 

Mains were ok, a warm lamb shank, served with mashed potato and a disappointing bordering on cold yellow fin tuna steak. 

Dessert was the saving grace of the evening, every single one of them crammed with flavour, texture and deliciousness. 

The petit fours were equally enjoyable especially the chocolate truffles.

Service overall was shoddy and un attentive, "surely if someone asks how was your meal was and you reply ok, you don't respond by saying I am glad you enjoyed it"

We retired to the terrace/gardens which was yet another highlight, I finally got a chance to enjoy the lawned garden and take in the far reaching views of the city. 

overall a great place to enjoy a dessert or two and a few glasses of bubbles. 

Sadly this time the place was let down by its food, service and washrooms.

100 Wardour London

Welcome 100 wardour street, a grown up version of Floridita which previously occupied this very space. Chilled music from a live DJ creates a relaxing atmosphere for the pre theatre diners , with live music setting the tone for a sophisticated dinner after 9.

A classy venue with fantastic service and ambiance. Course after course, you are left questioning it's great value, decent portions of mouth watering, simply plated but beautifully food. You will not be disappointed.

Our evening starts with a complimentary glass of Chandon to accompany the succulent robarta grilled pork,  2 generous skewers of prime pork belly with a pesto glaze leaves you wanting more.

We both opted to try the duck breast main accompanied by cabbage with bacon stack and some amazing fries on the side.

Being a lovely warm evening in London, we paired this with a pale fruity yet sharp rose with a strawberry nose , underlying notes of exotic fruits and a hint of basil.

Dessert was an unexpected triumph which left me feeling guilty, a decadent portion of salt caramel profiteroles, pistachio ice cream and a rich dark chocolate sauce.

A fantastic addition to the London scene with clean washroom that are masculine now my only issue two hand wash choices with no hand cream 🤔. I had to wash up twice as I applied the second one thinking it was hand cream. 

The 3 courses pre theatre menu is great value at £60 for 2, including the glass of Chandon, the bottle of cuvée John Paul rose £19, service £8,80.

What a bargain, next time I am going to enjoy pawing over the sumptuous main menu.

Go try it out for yourself 

M Restaurant Victoria National wine week

After a break, I am back at my favourite home from home celebrating national wine week , Martin and his amazing M restaurant continues to live up to the high standard that I have come to expect and tonight it delivered on every level. 

From its opulent restrooms, decadent yet understated copper interiors and amazing food and service, my guest are truly pleased. 

The Snack: 

Edamame, puffed beef with a perfectly paired Viognier "lalinda Bosca"

Our Starters :

We were spoilt for choice between the Beef empanadas or my favourite of the evening a Fantastic refreshing Sea Bream Tiraditos. This dish had my palette singing, fresh citrus cured sea bream beautifully plated and paired with a blended Spanish white 'Telero Bianco'

Mains:

Choices choices, Succulent rump with Malbec onions, potato fries or the Guinea Fowl with its pea purée  and green beans perfectly matched with a robust Argentinian Malbec  from Mendoza "Tinto Negro" both equally fantastic, melt in the mouth morsels of food synonymous with M and all it stands for. 

The sweet stuff:

 

Dessert was an easy choice for me, Syrah poached pear with lemon Verbena and blueberries, my guest opted for the intriguing and inventive white chocolate ice cream with cucumber and olive oil paired with a very unusual Italian red 

"Giacomo Fenocchio Dolcetto D'Alba" 

An assortment of coffee and a cinnamon donut like petit fours, brings another national wine week at M to a close. 

The family of M special deal price £35 a head plus service and coffee makes you question why you've not been there yet.. 

Become part of the M Family check it out for yourself ...

Hakkasan Hanway ling ling lounge

Hakkasan is deliberately deceptive,  hidden off the side streets of Hanway place, you enter this unassuming oriental Jewel with its It's beautiful, lavish yet understated interiors. 

 It has a magical ambience, wood panelling embellished in gold, carved oriental timber screens, hues of blue and mood lighting that transports you to another world. 

The welcome cocktail hits the spot and prepares you for the culinary experience that awaits.

If Sunday's were made for DimSum then this is were you should be heading, top notch food that speaks for itself from the Crispy duck salad with pomegranate, scallop shumai, dumplings, crispy puffs and golden turnip and crab meat roll , but each morsel of food well balanced and packed with flavour.  Washed down with Louis roderer champagne 

The mains of stir fry rib eye of beef cooked in Merlot was rich and had a certain level of depth, a slightly underwhelming xo seafood dish with sweet corn, green-beans, and squid did little to excite my palette. Followed by more champers. 

This steamed rice and garlic asparagus went down a treat. 

The dessert of macaroons and a chocolate bomb each had their own merits however the suggested paired cocktails tasted like something out of a medicine chest.

'Cocktails trying too hard hard to be a dessert wine' 

Overall great ambience, food, service and fantastic fizz  left me making another booking for a group of friends

Sunday's just got better thanks to Hakkasan, get booking 

Whilst it appears expensive for 3 people, the drinks alone justify the bill. 

Off to Roka for post lunch cocktails...

Sushi Samba London

Media hype or truly a great place to dine.

Having seen the pictures, queues to get in and hearing about the waiting list for tables, I decided to go check this place out for myself.

Perched on the 38/39th floor of the Heron tower this bar/restaurant has some of Londons greatest views. The interiors and washrooms are slightly tired if somewhat underwhelming. Bright orange seating, suspended lights, a tacky tree that lights up all a bit kitsch. 

Thankfully I am here for the food and boy oh boy was it great. 

Plate after plate of deliciousness, friendly efficient service. Peruvian, Brazilian, Japanese inspired dishes that leave you wanting more.

From its SALT AND PEPPER SQUID dry miso, shichimi, sea salt, crispy garlic, smoked soy to the unusual quirky & the surprising little dish MAE TERRA tiny seasonal vegetables, tofu, truffle, beetroot, yuzu, sesame @£15 the food was definitely hitting the spot. 

Washed down with a bottle of proseccco at a decent @£39 we continue on the culinary journey. 

The ceviche NIKKEI salmon, tamarind, sesame, seaweed, macadamia @£14 was an orgasmic explosion of flavour. 

My vegetarian companions were not disappointed with the amazing selection, veg tempura @£11, veg taquitos @£10, MUSHROOM TOBANYAKI poached egg, japanese mushrooms, garlic chip @£16, the Egg plant with mustard Miso @£8 per portion was yummy, we had two. The veggie maki roll @£7  was crunchy and packed with contrasting flavours. 

Roll on the Sushi, a great selection that is out of this world,  SÃO PAULO scallop, masago, red onion, tuna, salmon, shrimp, white fish, avocado, truffle, hatcho miso soy, chive oil @£16. TOKYO SKY TREE spicy bigeye tuna, tempura crunch, lotus root, aji panca, spicy mayo  @£14 TIGER MAKI takuwan, wasabi tobiko, crab meat, tempura prawn, tiger prawn, wasabi mayo, beetroot yogurt, unagi tare 16.00and my least favourite the Negi Toro @£16 

Completely stuffed we still manage to find room for a dessert. With such exciting names you would struggle to say no. 

PASSION FRUIT CAKE green tea and white chocolate ganache, raspberry sorbet, coconut tuile, fresh raspberries, passion fruit @£10

WITH LOVE FROM RIO valhrhona macaé 'pure brazil' dark chocolate ganache, coffee mousse, tonka bean ice cream, caramelised macadamia @£12

ORGANIC RED CHOCOLATE CHILI PEPPERS peruvian chili mousse, red pepper tuile, raspberry-red pepper sorbet, chocolate crumble @£11,50

CHOCOLATE BANANA CAKE maple butter, plantain chip, vanilla rum ice cream @£10

Coffee, service, drinks and water for 5 £317,81 

The verdict 

The food and service is top notch, great ambience but definitely ready for a refit. 

Toilets look like the belong in a Shoreditch retro bar, dark poky and not fitting with the glamour and sophistication of the place