The Scribbler was recently approached to recommend a few west end eateries for a colleague.
There are of course several that need no introduction in the vicinity the most prominent being Galvin at windows (I also highly commend the Galvin brothers new venue) and the increasingly footballery but reliably sumptuous Nobu. In addition Maze and Maze grill is a carnivorous delight - not perhaps the definitive steak in London (see next blog) but an excellent example and very good value for the onglet at £10.
These were my other recommendations in the Marble Arch and Mayfair area.
Corrigans
http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/london/view/101319/Corrigan
Scott’s
http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/london/view/81184/Scott
L’Autre Pied
http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/london/view/84702/L
Kiku (Japanese)
http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/london/view/80783/Kiku
The wild card for informal but good food
The only running footman:
http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/london/view/84681/The_Only_Running_Footman
Monday, 11 January 2010
Friday, 8 January 2010
Favourite places
Two new eateries the scribbler heartily endorses following a most enjoyable December jaunt to St Ives in Cornwall.
Cornwall is developing into a british California with a plethora of local produce including artisan cheese, ham, smoked fish and even tea!
The scribbler revelled in an exemplary bouillabaisse at the Alba (lovely quayside views) and a selection of fresh mezze and seafood at the Porthminster cafe (quite literally on the beach).
www.thealbarestaurant.com
www.porthminstercafe.co.uk
Breakfast and rooms at the chic green boutique Primrose Valley hotel also come highly recommended www.primroseonline.co.uk/ although the views from the newly refurbished Porthminster hotel are hard to beat www.porthminster-hotel.co.uk .
The last stop before the stunning train journey between St Ives and St Erth (where we join the main line to Paddington) was of course the Tate gallery. Quite simply a brilliant space and their current Dark Monarch exhibition is something else www.tate.org.uk/stives
Cornwall is developing into a british California with a plethora of local produce including artisan cheese, ham, smoked fish and even tea!
The scribbler revelled in an exemplary bouillabaisse at the Alba (lovely quayside views) and a selection of fresh mezze and seafood at the Porthminster cafe (quite literally on the beach).
www.thealbarestaurant.com
www.porthminstercafe.co.uk
Breakfast and rooms at the chic green boutique Primrose Valley hotel also come highly recommended www.primroseonline.co.uk/ although the views from the newly refurbished Porthminster hotel are hard to beat www.porthminster-hotel.co.uk .
The last stop before the stunning train journey between St Ives and St Erth (where we join the main line to Paddington) was of course the Tate gallery. Quite simply a brilliant space and their current Dark Monarch exhibition is something else www.tate.org.uk/stives
Thursday, 5 November 2009
The Scribbler likes 1#
A series of things and places which cheer your scribbler and warm the very cockles of his heart.
Predictably they are mostly food and drink based but there is a nod to my other passions en route.
Old Hat
Old Hat in Fulham is where Jeeves would encourage Betram Wooster to shop if he were not "rolling in the stuff". A shop for those that favour their vintage 'tailored-elegant' rather than 'retro-scruffy'. Inside awaits an incredible array of tailored Saville Row suits (£150 each for a suit which would have cost ten times that originally), tweeds, smoking jackets, waist coats, moleskins and evening wear.
Durham Cathedral and Palace Green
Sunday evensong in the quire of Durham Cathedral listening to one of the best choirs in the land is an oasis of beauty and calm in an otherwise vibrant student town. Palace Green sits loftily atop the bailey peninsular between the cathedral, Durham Castle, the university library and the debating chambers.
To declare my interest I am perhaps less than objective on this as I spent three years in the shadow of Durham cathedral as a student of St Chad's College (Durham University).
In the words of Bill Bryson
"Durham, I think, as anybody who has ever stepped out of the railway station and looked across the valley will appreciate, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
"The view of the cathedral is just absolutely stunning. I will never forget my first moment 30 years ago seeing it and it has been almost as exciting every time since.
"So there is all of that, a huge amount of history, a huge amount of beauty and a great deal of friendliness.
"If you have never been to Durham, go there at once. Take my car. It's wonderful."
Predictably they are mostly food and drink based but there is a nod to my other passions en route.
Old Hat
Old Hat in Fulham is where Jeeves would encourage Betram Wooster to shop if he were not "rolling in the stuff". A shop for those that favour their vintage 'tailored-elegant' rather than 'retro-scruffy'. Inside awaits an incredible array of tailored Saville Row suits (£150 each for a suit which would have cost ten times that originally), tweeds, smoking jackets, waist coats, moleskins and evening wear.
Durham Cathedral and Palace Green
Sunday evensong in the quire of Durham Cathedral listening to one of the best choirs in the land is an oasis of beauty and calm in an otherwise vibrant student town. Palace Green sits loftily atop the bailey peninsular between the cathedral, Durham Castle, the university library and the debating chambers.
To declare my interest I am perhaps less than objective on this as I spent three years in the shadow of Durham cathedral as a student of St Chad's College (Durham University).
In the words of Bill Bryson
"Durham, I think, as anybody who has ever stepped out of the railway station and looked across the valley will appreciate, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
"The view of the cathedral is just absolutely stunning. I will never forget my first moment 30 years ago seeing it and it has been almost as exciting every time since.
"So there is all of that, a huge amount of history, a huge amount of beauty and a great deal of friendliness.
"If you have never been to Durham, go there at once. Take my car. It's wonderful."
Friday, 9 October 2009
Tipples of the week
This week the Scribbler has mostly been enjoying:
Beer of the week: Young's Kew
Tasting note: The aroma has spicy hops, a light herbal note and gently-toasted malt. Tart citrus fruit, juicy malt and hop resins vie for attention in the mouth while the superb, quenching finish has rich malt, peppery hops and tangy fruit. A vaguely summery/ mild autumn beer before we can move onto the winter warmer/
Chosen venue: The Coach & Horses, Barnes Village
Scotch of the week: The Singleton of Dufftown 12 years old
Tasting note:
Waters from Jock’s Well in the Conval Hills. Nose: Dry, aromatic.Palate: heavy, syrupy, malty.Finish: Medium oily finish.
Chosen venue: The American Bar, East India Club, St James'
Beer of the week: Young's Kew
Tasting note: The aroma has spicy hops, a light herbal note and gently-toasted malt. Tart citrus fruit, juicy malt and hop resins vie for attention in the mouth while the superb, quenching finish has rich malt, peppery hops and tangy fruit. A vaguely summery/ mild autumn beer before we can move onto the winter warmer/
Chosen venue: The Coach & Horses, Barnes Village
Scotch of the week: The Singleton of Dufftown 12 years old
Tasting note:
Waters from Jock’s Well in the Conval Hills. Nose: Dry, aromatic.Palate: heavy, syrupy, malty.Finish: Medium oily finish.
Chosen venue: The American Bar, East India Club, St James'
Thursday, 1 October 2009
Tipples of the week
This week the Scribbler has mostly been enjoying:
Beer of the week: Doombar
Tasting note: Named after an infamous sandbank at the mouth of the Camel Estuary in north Cornwall- quickly acquiring a cult following. A balance of spicy resinous hop, sweet malty and delicate roasted notes. A nice balance and complex blend of succulent dried fruit, lightly roasted malty notes and a subtle yet assertive bitterness.
Chosen venue: The Paris Hotel, Coverack, Cornwall or The Coat & Badge, Putney
Scotch of the week: The Glenlivet 15 year old French oak reserve
Tasting note: Infinitely quaffable but pricey not my normal taste at all...less peaty or smoky more smooth and nutty- a grower
Chosen venue: The Admiral Coderington, Chelsea
Beer of the week: Doombar
Tasting note: Named after an infamous sandbank at the mouth of the Camel Estuary in north Cornwall- quickly acquiring a cult following. A balance of spicy resinous hop, sweet malty and delicate roasted notes. A nice balance and complex blend of succulent dried fruit, lightly roasted malty notes and a subtle yet assertive bitterness.
Chosen venue: The Paris Hotel, Coverack, Cornwall or The Coat & Badge, Putney
Scotch of the week: The Glenlivet 15 year old French oak reserve
Tasting note: Infinitely quaffable but pricey not my normal taste at all...less peaty or smoky more smooth and nutty- a grower
Chosen venue: The Admiral Coderington, Chelsea
Riverside Watering holes
The Scribbler's top 10 Thames side watering holes:
10: The Dove, Chiswick
9: The Boathouse, Putney Wharf
8: The Ship, Wandsworth
7 The Angel, Henley-on-Thames
6 The Trout, Oxfordshire
5 The Duke's Head, Putney Embankment
4 The Founder's Arms, South Bank
3 The Rutland, Hammersmith
2 The White Cross Richmond
1 Ye White Hart, Mortlake
10: The Dove, Chiswick
9: The Boathouse, Putney Wharf
8: The Ship, Wandsworth
7 The Angel, Henley-on-Thames
6 The Trout, Oxfordshire
5 The Duke's Head, Putney Embankment
4 The Founder's Arms, South Bank
3 The Rutland, Hammersmith
2 The White Cross Richmond
1 Ye White Hart, Mortlake
Monday, 27 July 2009
Top 10 Hidden Travel Gems
Dear reader,
I ,like so many other discerning travellers, am an absolute slave to Trip Advisor. Why should I make a mistake in my arrangements when somebody else has made it for me?
Imagine my excitment when I discovered that Trip Advisor have published a series of top 10s.
It is with a sense of improper self satisfaction that I can personally endorse several of the following. I intend to blog on the best and visit the others!
Trip Advisor Awards
1.Anastasis Apartments
Imerovigli, Greece
2. Riad Zolah
Marrakech, Morroco
3. Golden Well (U Zlate Studne)
Prague, Czech Republic
4. Derwent House Boutique Hotel
Cape Town, South Africa
5. Hotel Vecchio Asilo
San Gimignano, Italy
6. Hotel Casa do Amarelindo
Salvador, Brazil
7. La Villa Marbella - Charming Hotel
Marbella, Spain
8. Loch Lein Country House
Killarney, Ireland
9. Killeen House
Killarney, Ireland
10. Arcadia Residence
Prague, Czech Republic
I ,like so many other discerning travellers, am an absolute slave to Trip Advisor. Why should I make a mistake in my arrangements when somebody else has made it for me?
Imagine my excitment when I discovered that Trip Advisor have published a series of top 10s.
It is with a sense of improper self satisfaction that I can personally endorse several of the following. I intend to blog on the best and visit the others!
Trip Advisor Awards
1.Anastasis Apartments
Imerovigli, Greece
2. Riad Zolah
Marrakech, Morroco
3. Golden Well (U Zlate Studne)
Prague, Czech Republic
4. Derwent House Boutique Hotel
Cape Town, South Africa
5. Hotel Vecchio Asilo
San Gimignano, Italy
6. Hotel Casa do Amarelindo
Salvador, Brazil
7. La Villa Marbella - Charming Hotel
Marbella, Spain
8. Loch Lein Country House
Killarney, Ireland
9. Killeen House
Killarney, Ireland
10. Arcadia Residence
Prague, Czech Republic
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