Category: London

Menier Chocolate Factory – Just Dessert

The Menier Chocolate Factory,  (so named because the building is a former chocolate factory), just does not make enough of its name.  The building incorporates a gallery, a small theatre, a bar and a restaurant.  Post theatre we stopped for dessert. There was a limited choice, but at least now they do have a couple of chocolate options and make more of an effort on the presentation.

On the food front the Restaurant has gone down hill over recent years.   The matching of menus to what is on at the theatre does not really work, i.e., a 70’s based play merits 70’s style food.

There are some pluses – they do have an ok selection of inexpensive wines and the staff are friendly.

Marks out of 10

Food 4

Service 4.2

Ambience 4.5

 

UPDATE : November 2010. Definately still sliding down that hill, had a dreadful meal pre theatre.  Next theatre trip I must remember that Brindisa is just 2 minutes away.

Return to top page

RSJ – Neighbourhood restaurant on the South Bank

RSJ is a good pre theatre venue, not just for the Old and New Vic, but also for the Imax.  It is a cosy neighbourhood style restaurant which delivers homely cooking and good wine from the Loire valley.

There is a reasonably priced set menu and a small number of à la carte dishes on offer.   RSJ also provides a range of wines by the glass, chosen to compliment the menu.

Marks out of 10

Food 5.5

Service 5

Ambience 5

 

Return to top page

Inamo – for high tech gastronauts

Inamo is a rather unusual restaurant, that gives you a taste of “Living in the Future.”  The main attraction is off course the rather fun interactive tables, where you can select everything you need – food, drink, table cloth! You can also view the Kitchen CAM and order a taxi.  It can get expensive as everything looks so good, and there is a very interesting selection of Sake’s.

The food when it arrives (within 15 minutes of ordering) is beautifully presented and prepared.

The dishes are designed for sharing and arrive when ready,  just like Wagamama – but Wagamama the Next Generation!.

The food highlights for me, were the Hamachi with soy mirin truffle, the Hot Stone Rib Eye served on a hot stone with 3 sauces, nam jim, soy and truffle, and the desserts – Macaroon and white chocolate mousse (pandan macaroon and yuzu flavoured white chocolate mousse with lemongrass and coconut sorbet, and milk chocolate sauce) and Thai Basil Pana Cotta served with coconut foam, tropical fruits, and coconut tuile.

This place defines Geek Chic. It may be a novelty, but it’s one that’s worth returning too.

Marks out of 10

Food 6.2

Service 7

Ambience 6.4

 

 

Return to top page

Fig & Olive – a find in Islington

The Fig & Olive in Islington is a busy venue with a nice friendly buzz. The cakes displayed by the door (which are also available as take away), look stunning, and if the bakewell tart I had was anything to go by, tasted good too.

This is not just a venue for Coffee and Cakes though. They also have a varied menu covering everything from English Breakfasts to Sunday Roast, and a selection of wines and cocktails.

Food 5

Service 4.5

Ambience 5

 

Return to top page

La Dolce Vita

La Dolce Vita , the annual Italian festival at the Business Design Centre in Islington is a celebration of all things Italian. Which off course includes Food and Wine.

The ticket price on the door is £16.00, but really this is only an event you would only do if you got free tickets. The layout was not very effective, all the busy stands (the ones giving away food and drink samples) were generally in areas where there was barely space for one row of people – a recipe for instant traffic jams.

The cookery displays in the Teatro del Gusto looked interesting.   I was certainly looking forward to attending the one Theo Randall was scheduled to do. The seating was free (accept for the front row, so seemed like an option.  No chance! – the small area was packed even before Theo’s session. The people from the earlier session were not moving, paying customers even had to have chairs brought in.

The Wine Academy was another wash out for us. Despite directions, we  just could not find where the £5.00 tickets were being sold in time to join the planned session.

No plans to attend next years event.

 

Return to top page

Almeida – again

I made a return visit to Almeida for a friends birthday celebration (Happy Birthday Chris).  My last visit was during chocolate week, see post:- Almeida – not just for chocoholics

The restaurant is a very popular pre-theatre venue, so it was a bit more difficult on a Saturday night to get a seat in the bar area. The room is fairly large, but perhaps not ideal for big groups, our table was a bit cramped for 8 people.

On the food front the highlight was the charcuterie trolley service, which several of my companions ordered. This is something the Almeida is famous for reviving, it includes home made rillettes, terrines and patés served with homemade pickles and I must say that it provides for a fairly substantial starter. One I wished I had ordered. My venison salad was very nice, but it did not have the wow factor of the trolley service.

For my main course I had the rib eye steak with lovely fluffy pommes pont neuf – certainly the best Jenga chips I have had for a while!

The rest of the menu was fairly classic for this type of venue, it included oysters, duck, beef and suckling pig.

To finish the meal I had a surprisingly light pineapple tarte tartin. This dish takes 20 minutes to prepare as it is created from scratch – its worth the wait.

UPDATE : March 2010 – made a return visit and ordered from the charcuterie trolley; highly recommended.

 

 

Return to top page