UK – Page 31 – No Expert …but I know what I like

Rex Whistler @ The Tate

Had afternoon tea in Tate Britain’s Rex Whistler Restaurant. It is actually a real bargain at £6.50 – just work out what the equivalent cost would be in the cafeteria next door to see what I mean.

The afternoon tea is not grand in the way it would be in a top hotel, but it’s a pleasant way to spend a hour or so.

The sandwiches were presented on individual cake stands, which also held a tiny but rather delicious piece of chocolate cake. While good value it was not something to go out of your way for.

They also have a breakfast menu. We made a return visit for the Full English breakfast, which is substantial but pricey.

Marks out of 10

Food 5

Service 5

Ambience 5.5

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The Foliage without Chris Staines

Felt a bit odd returning to the Foliage our favorite restaurant following the regime change. Alex Marks is now the Head Chef, he was Chris Staines Sous chef for a couple of years and had formally worked at The Square. The menu still retains a number of Chris’s dishes, and a few new ones from Alex. One of Alexs’ dishes the gnocchi was a particular success, which although it contained no meat, seemed to deliver the essence of Sunday lunch.

The new Heston Blumental restaurant is yet to be named and is due to open in October 2010 with perhaps as many as 200 covers. Time will tell if all these changes are for the best. One thing is for sure is that we will miss Chris Staines and the Foliage once it goes for good. I just hope the staff are kept on under the new regime as Heston would be unwise to lose the talent in the kitchen and front of house.

Marks out of 10

Food 7.8

Service 8

Ambience 7

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Bibendum – Home of the Michelin man

Had lunch in one of my old favorites, the Bibendum Restaurant and Oyster bar in Chelsea. The Restaurant is located in one of London’s most interesting buildings – the Michelin Building. I just love the look of the place.

The food style is more comfort than cutting edge. The lunch menu which changes every day is just under £30 for 3 courses, this is an OK price for the sort of food they do here. They also have a really good wine list.

Bibendums does seem to be one of those places that can always be relied on to deliver good food and service. The locations not bad either.

UPDATE: October 2016, new chef is Claud Bosi.

UPDATE: August 2025 – Closed

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5th View Bar & Food @ Waterstones Piccadilly

5th View Bar & Food is a standout for a cafe/restaurant.
Surprisingly it is also located in a book store. It does really good inexpensive cocktails. We spent a couple of hours there relaxing over cocktails, sharing a meze plate and finishing with coffee and cakes (the carrot cake has to be one of the best I have had – sweet, light and moist).

The menu choice is limited, but what they do provide is simple, good quality, nicely presented food.

There are two dinning areas, one of which has a lovely view over the roof tops.

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What’s coming in September

This month we have plans to revisit some of the restaurants covered in this blog :-

London

Foliage – to see what has changed following Chris Staines departure.
Osteria Dell’Angolo – to try out their new menu.
The Berkeley – for Afternoon Tea.
Tom Aikens – to see if we can visit and not over order.

Barcelona

Cinc Sentits – to support one of our all time favorite restaurants.
Comerc 24 – to see if it can deliver on a return visit.
Cuines Santa Caterina – for the Catalan sausage with foie gras.
El Jardi – to chill out.
Moovida – to enjoy their excellent bar food.
Tram Tram – to eat top quality food at a reasonable price
Tragaluz – because it’s open on a Public Holiday!

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Thailand Festival at Secretts

A departure from the normal theme for this post, to cover a food festival rather than a restaurant, the 7th Amazing Thailand Festival at Secretts to be specific.

Secretts farm in Milford, Surrey is a stunning location, especially when the weather is as good as it was today. This is a very well organised and popular event, focusing on both Thai food and culture.

The event included cookery demonstrations from celebrity chef Ob-oom “Mini C” Chutrakul.

The Festival takes place every two years so plenty of notice for the next one.

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