Saturday, 14 August 2010
Afternoon tea between showers
Friday was a very wet day, but between showers l decided to investigate Maison Bertaux on Greek Street East. It is a very distinctive cafe/bakery with blue and white striped awnings and lots of small pavement tables made rickety by long spindly legs. Not knowing whether it was waitress or self service I hovered around the doorway until I was invited in by a friendly blonde haired woman who told me that the menu was visual i.e. look, see what you fancy and order. The window was full of lots of beautiful cakes, tarts, and pastries and I plumped for a slice of a apple pie with a crumble topping and a pot of tea. Its a very quirky place with two rooms, a larger one with large arrangements of garden flowers, Aztec art and huge swags of bright pink chiffon draped around the walls. I took my place in the sun and soon tea was served in functional white china but with an individual tea pot, jug of hot water and huge strainer. The pie was absolutely delicious with sweet plump raisins in it. A very pleasant, but not cheap experience (£6.40) and definitely one for girls with a sweet tooth.
Monday, 9 August 2010
Time for a stock take . . .
I decided that as it's just been two months since I started my challenge, it was time for a stock take to see if there had been any changes since my lists were compiled. Actually what I mean is, have any closed down and not re-opened so that I could claim some quick wins. Now I know some of you will think this is cheating, but if it's not there, it's going to be claimed as a hit.
Cafe Italia (listed from Street Sensation) is not sandwiched (or perhaps it should be paninied?) between Little Italy at 21 Frith Street and Bar Italia at number 22.
Stanza on Greek Street West has now been turned into the Fox Poker Club (opening shortly).
The enticingly named Tangier Wine Bar on Greet Street East is, contrary to Street Sensation, part of Maison Toureg which I have already visited.
Kaffee Automat and Pendulum Bar which should have been next door to each other on Frith Street West no longer exist.
Clutching at straws, but the address of Ba Shan is technically 24 Romilly Street, so that's crossed off.
Then there are the ones which may not be quite appropriate.
Although Moonlighting Eclipse www.moonlightingnightclub.co.uk/ does still exist on Greek Street East, I'm afraid it only opens after I've gone to bed and so I definitely won't be going. However, if I start work early enough it will probably still be open then.
The same can be said for Club 49 Soho www.club49soho.com/ on the opposite side of Greek Street, Ku Bar www.ku-bar.co.uk/#/bar/frith and Karaoke Box www.karaokebox.co.uk/soho/whatson/ both on Frith Street East.
However, just so you don't think I've completely given up, I'll tell you about lunch time and Moolis http://www.moolis.com/ on Frith Street West. It's really unusual with wholemeal rotis stuffed with either a meat of vegetarian filling. I plumped for a small Goan Pork mooli with pomegranate salsa. It was easy to eat, not too large, very spicy and good value at £3. There was also plenty of seats if you wanted to eat inside. They also have a license if you'd like a drink with your roti. Will definitely return as it makes a change from sandwiches and paninis.
Cafe Italia (listed from Street Sensation) is not sandwiched (or perhaps it should be paninied?) between Little Italy at 21 Frith Street and Bar Italia at number 22.
Stanza on Greek Street West has now been turned into the Fox Poker Club (opening shortly).
The enticingly named Tangier Wine Bar on Greet Street East is, contrary to Street Sensation, part of Maison Toureg which I have already visited.
Kaffee Automat and Pendulum Bar which should have been next door to each other on Frith Street West no longer exist.
Clutching at straws, but the address of Ba Shan is technically 24 Romilly Street, so that's crossed off.
Then there are the ones which may not be quite appropriate.
Although Moonlighting Eclipse www.moonlightingnightclub.co.uk/ does still exist on Greek Street East, I'm afraid it only opens after I've gone to bed and so I definitely won't be going. However, if I start work early enough it will probably still be open then.
The same can be said for Club 49 Soho www.club49soho.com/ on the opposite side of Greek Street, Ku Bar www.ku-bar.co.uk/#/bar/frith and Karaoke Box www.karaokebox.co.uk/soho/whatson/ both on Frith Street East.
However, just so you don't think I've completely given up, I'll tell you about lunch time and Moolis http://www.moolis.com/ on Frith Street West. It's really unusual with wholemeal rotis stuffed with either a meat of vegetarian filling. I plumped for a small Goan Pork mooli with pomegranate salsa. It was easy to eat, not too large, very spicy and good value at £3. There was also plenty of seats if you wanted to eat inside. They also have a license if you'd like a drink with your roti. Will definitely return as it makes a change from sandwiches and paninis.
Sunday, 8 August 2010
Stylish and elegant Love Birds
This has been a lean but delightful week with only one visit, but it was rather a special one. RM and I met up with the Mr and Miss Love Bird to celebrate Miss Love Bird's well deserved promotion. Unfortunately I have now run out of new bars and so we met at The Crown and Two Chairmen (Dean Street East) which wasn't one of my favourites when I visited previously, but I arranged it in a rush and got confused.com! Anyway the good news is that it was right next door to 'elegant and stylish' Quo Vardis http://www.quovadissoho.co.uk/ and we felt it was time to be upmarket because as well as celebrating a promotion, Mr Love Bird had just being made a school governor, RM is hoping to become a pensioner and as for me, well I was looking forward to a makeover the following day for the Christmas edition of the Boots Health and Beauty Magazine (order your Boots Advantage cards now and then you won't have to pay a £1 to see me!). We started as befits any celebration, with a bottle of champers and then all had something different to start with: squid, sand eels, steak tartar and a scotch egg (albeit an upmarket one). Mains were very meaty: pork belly, neck of lamb and beef ribs which were huge slabs of beautifully cooked meat. We were too full for dessert, but three of us were able to manage a snifter of port. And with that, the love birds flew off into the night to dream of becoming Mr and Mrs Love Bird.
PS: I did hear from two independent sources, that Miss Love Bird had a slightly bad head the next day.
PPS: Lots of offers flooding in volunteering to test out Sunset Strip with RM!
PS: I did hear from two independent sources, that Miss Love Bird had a slightly bad head the next day.
PPS: Lots of offers flooding in volunteering to test out Sunset Strip with RM!
Friday, 30 July 2010
Bikini clad girls with A. Guest . . . .
Lunch on 29 July was from Café Shelley’s on Dean Street West http://www.shelleys-cafe.com/. It was a small busy, independent looking, café which specialises in making things before your eyes. From the board it wasn’t totally clear what I'd get when I asked for a chorizo special (£4.50). It turned out to be a toasted ciabatta with thin slices of chorizo, basil, tomato and mozzarella: all very delicious and there was free chunks of pineapple and water melon while you wait.
On my way back to the office I happened to peer into Sunset Strip. I’m glad I made a decision not to include it on my list as, peering into the darkened room, I could just make out bikini clad girls sat up at the bar. If it’s like that at lunchtime, I’d hate to imagine what it would be like in the evening!
The evening out was with A. Guest. We started the night in LVPO, Dean Street East http://www.lvpo.co.uk/ tempted by happy hour offers of £10 off a bottle of champagne and wine from £7.50. Unfortunately most of the huge extensive bar at the back was closed due to a private function (although no one arrived before we left at 6.45). However it was beautifully decorated with lots of shiny purple and silver helium balloons. We were therefore restricted to the small bar at the front (where a table was reserved as well).
We decided that champagne cocktails were appropriate (£4.50) and tried a traditional cocktail with Courvoisier, Sugar Cube soaked in bitters and Pommery Champagne and a French 75 which was Gordon's, Citrus Juice and Pommery Champagne. Beware, depending on what else is happening it could be a good or bad choice.
Whilst walking up Dean Street, we both peered in to Sunset Strip and we managed to spot a girl in a white bikini who also appeared to be wearing black stockings and suspenders!
Rather than a big meal we do like to graze when we’re out together and so ventured into Kaslik (Greek Street West), http://www.kasliksoho.com/ which we tried a number of years ago when we just wanted a quick drink. This is a small Lebanese restaurant with benches and comfy cushions around the outside and low highly polished brass tables. We had a bottle of Lebanese wine Ksara Blanc De L’Observatoire which was fine for £14.75. Unfortunately they didn’t have the Ksara Sunset Rose which I became very fond of when I was in Beirut earlier in the year.
We chose tabbouleh, hummus, grilled haloumi and kibbeh (minced lamb balls) and with bread, it was just the right amount! And the bill came to a reasonable £35.
We finished off the night drinking champagne with RM, but not in Soho. Needless to say A. Guest missed a couple of trains home!
On my way back to the office I happened to peer into Sunset Strip. I’m glad I made a decision not to include it on my list as, peering into the darkened room, I could just make out bikini clad girls sat up at the bar. If it’s like that at lunchtime, I’d hate to imagine what it would be like in the evening!
The evening out was with A. Guest. We started the night in LVPO, Dean Street East http://www.lvpo.co.uk/ tempted by happy hour offers of £10 off a bottle of champagne and wine from £7.50. Unfortunately most of the huge extensive bar at the back was closed due to a private function (although no one arrived before we left at 6.45). However it was beautifully decorated with lots of shiny purple and silver helium balloons. We were therefore restricted to the small bar at the front (where a table was reserved as well).
We decided that champagne cocktails were appropriate (£4.50) and tried a traditional cocktail with Courvoisier, Sugar Cube soaked in bitters and Pommery Champagne and a French 75 which was Gordon's, Citrus Juice and Pommery Champagne. Beware, depending on what else is happening it could be a good or bad choice.
Whilst walking up Dean Street, we both peered in to Sunset Strip and we managed to spot a girl in a white bikini who also appeared to be wearing black stockings and suspenders!
Rather than a big meal we do like to graze when we’re out together and so ventured into Kaslik (Greek Street West), http://www.kasliksoho.com/ which we tried a number of years ago when we just wanted a quick drink. This is a small Lebanese restaurant with benches and comfy cushions around the outside and low highly polished brass tables. We had a bottle of Lebanese wine Ksara Blanc De L’Observatoire which was fine for £14.75. Unfortunately they didn’t have the Ksara Sunset Rose which I became very fond of when I was in Beirut earlier in the year.
We chose tabbouleh, hummus, grilled haloumi and kibbeh (minced lamb balls) and with bread, it was just the right amount! And the bill came to a reasonable £35.
We finished off the night drinking champagne with RM, but not in Soho. Needless to say A. Guest missed a couple of trains home!
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
A lovely lunch
After a quiet week so far, lunch today was a reunion with three lovely people I worked with over 10 years ago. They were all very sensible and stopped working well before retirement age and have become, what I can only describe as Golden Globetrotters. They travel the world, do charity work, visit the gym, swim, go to the Proms and generally seem to have a fabulous time. Anyway, I'd booked a table at Prix Fixe on Dean Street East (www.prixfixe.net/london/restaurant/index.asp) as they advertised a two course lunch for the bargain price of £8.95 and I was thinking about the 'poor pensioners'. There was a good choice of starters and mains but I decided to be vegetarian with 'chick pea falafels'. Personally I thought they were always made with chick peas so thought the description a little long winded although I am sure someone will tell me they can be made with other things. Or maybe they did it in case people didn't know what a falafel was and so thought they'd provide a clue. Anyway they were lovely and crisp and served with hummus, aubergine shakshuka (I had to check the website for this one) and tahini. My main was a huge bowl of pasta which I couldn't finish. With house wine at £13.95, you really can't go wrong. The service was good and a lovely time was had by all. I am now just counting the days until I can join them!
NB: I am pleased to report another follower at last: and an international one at that. It's just a shame her mother doesn't follow suit and sign up too!
NB: I am pleased to report another follower at last: and an international one at that. It's just a shame her mother doesn't follow suit and sign up too!
Sunday, 25 July 2010
This week I've been to . . . .
. . . Vietnam, France and the Mediterranean!
Drinks on Monday were in the Green Carnation, Greek Street East http://www.greencarnationsoho.co.uk/. The happy hour pomotion 4pm to 10pm every night except Friday/Saturday meant that wine was £10 a bottle. And I was pleasantly surprised to find they had a Sauvignon Blanc and not the Chardonnay I’d expected and dreaded. Luckily it was a warm evening and we were able to sit outside as I’m not sure it’s the sort of place I’d like to sit in, as it was a bit dark and clubby, not really us. But it’s worth noting that it is one of the few places in Soho where the outside tables are big enough for four to sit round (they usually just manage two side by side facing outwards). We then decided to try a small Vietnamese restaurant that’s always packed at lunchtime, but suspecting (correctly as it turned out) that it wouldn’t sell alcohol, we decided on a final drink: a glass of champagne for £8 each with a packet of crisps at an exorbitant £1.55! I always think that Cheese & Onion crisps and champagne are a sign of class don't you?
Viet on Greek Street West at 6.30pm was half full although they were queuing by the time we left. It was fairly small and had simple wooden furniture with tables close together. Our shared starter of spring rolls, not the deep fried variety, were light and summery and the main courses of pork and beef with noodles and vegetables were fresh and well spiced. We had Vietnamese lemonade (sweetened lime juice with Perrier water) and the total bill came to £20.
The week ended with a late birthday celebration for The Lady and our friend, The Blonde Bombshell. We'd arranged to meet in The French House http://www.frenchhousesoho.com/ not realising how tiny it is. Although we'd managed to get leaning space outside, later we became trapped between the ledge and the people who were squashing themselves into the roped off area on the pavement. We decided that after a small glass of white each at £3.60, we'd move on to the The Golden Lion two doors away (http://www.goldenlionsoho.com)/ where we found high tables and comfy well padded stools. Although there were huge TV screens showing cricket, the sound was turned off and so they didn't interfere with our racous laughter. And best of all, one of my favourite Sauvingon's (Nobilo from New Zealand) was only £15.60 and the glasses were more upmarket than normal pub glasses.
Dinner was at Le Bavoir on Greek Street East (http://www.lebavoir.com/). It's a light, airy restaurant with a large picture window that had been completeley removed. We shared a platter of Mezze and then I had a chicken tagine, whilst the ladies plumped for the lamb variety and RM had beef stroganoff. All were very good which is more than I can say about the house white, which was of an acquired taste. The company was charming and we spent time chatting about how worried they were about their over 60’s bus passes being withdrawn! I can't believe they qualify! Needless to say, RM and I don’t have to worry about this for some time! A bill of £102 was good value for a good night!
Drinks on Monday were in the Green Carnation, Greek Street East http://www.greencarnationsoho.co.uk/. The happy hour pomotion 4pm to 10pm every night except Friday/Saturday meant that wine was £10 a bottle. And I was pleasantly surprised to find they had a Sauvignon Blanc and not the Chardonnay I’d expected and dreaded. Luckily it was a warm evening and we were able to sit outside as I’m not sure it’s the sort of place I’d like to sit in, as it was a bit dark and clubby, not really us. But it’s worth noting that it is one of the few places in Soho where the outside tables are big enough for four to sit round (they usually just manage two side by side facing outwards). We then decided to try a small Vietnamese restaurant that’s always packed at lunchtime, but suspecting (correctly as it turned out) that it wouldn’t sell alcohol, we decided on a final drink: a glass of champagne for £8 each with a packet of crisps at an exorbitant £1.55! I always think that Cheese & Onion crisps and champagne are a sign of class don't you?
Viet on Greek Street West at 6.30pm was half full although they were queuing by the time we left. It was fairly small and had simple wooden furniture with tables close together. Our shared starter of spring rolls, not the deep fried variety, were light and summery and the main courses of pork and beef with noodles and vegetables were fresh and well spiced. We had Vietnamese lemonade (sweetened lime juice with Perrier water) and the total bill came to £20.
The week ended with a late birthday celebration for The Lady and our friend, The Blonde Bombshell. We'd arranged to meet in The French House http://www.frenchhousesoho.com/ not realising how tiny it is. Although we'd managed to get leaning space outside, later we became trapped between the ledge and the people who were squashing themselves into the roped off area on the pavement. We decided that after a small glass of white each at £3.60, we'd move on to the The Golden Lion two doors away (http://www.goldenlionsoho.com)/ where we found high tables and comfy well padded stools. Although there were huge TV screens showing cricket, the sound was turned off and so they didn't interfere with our racous laughter. And best of all, one of my favourite Sauvingon's (Nobilo from New Zealand) was only £15.60 and the glasses were more upmarket than normal pub glasses.
Dinner was at Le Bavoir on Greek Street East (http://www.lebavoir.com/). It's a light, airy restaurant with a large picture window that had been completeley removed. We shared a platter of Mezze and then I had a chicken tagine, whilst the ladies plumped for the lamb variety and RM had beef stroganoff. All were very good which is more than I can say about the house white, which was of an acquired taste. The company was charming and we spent time chatting about how worried they were about their over 60’s bus passes being withdrawn! I can't believe they qualify! Needless to say, RM and I don’t have to worry about this for some time! A bill of £102 was good value for a good night!
Saturday, 17 July 2010
. . . . the celebrity end
The weather changed on Thursday and it was rather chilly at lunch time so something warming in Bar Italia (Frith Street East) was called for http://www.baritaliasoho.co.uk/. It was warm and cosy and had a long bar to sit up at. The tomato, basil and mozzarella panini for £5.50 cut into four looked huge, but I manfully managed to finish it. In warmer weather there are small tables outside. Another excellent choice!
The evening was spent with Mr L, my informal recruitment consultant, who I was thanking for finding me such a lovely job in Soho. We started with large glasses of Sauvignon Blanc in The Three Greyhounds (Greek Street East) http://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/thethreegreyhoundssoholondon/ To be honest we were too busy catching up to take too much notice of the place, but it seemed OK and was just a short step away from the main event: The Gay Hussar just a little further up Greek Street http://www.gayhussar.co.uk/index.asp. It serves Hungarian food and has been in Soho for years. I'd actually visited a couple of years ago, just before a weekend in Budapest. We shared Hungarian Hors d'Oeuvres, a platter with a pate, herrings, salami and something to do with beetroot. We both chose pork dishes: gypsy quick dish and brassoi both served with lots of lovely paprika potatoes. We decided that a Hungarian wine was called for and chose a bottle of Tuzko Tolna Traminer which was very fruity but dry. As we were rather full we settled on trying glasses of sweet and dry Tokaji which provided a lovely end to the evening.
RM and I both had Friday afternoon off and headed to our favourite bar (The Forge). Although it's not in Soho, we wanted to see Camron off before he went on his travels (see blog 3 July). It was here I met Trevor Sorbie the hairdresser who had popped in for lunch from his salon opposite. He was very down to earth and was telling us about his early career and the work he is now doing with his new charity http://www.mynewhair.org/ which supports a network of salons providing a wig styling service for cancer sufferers. He came across as a really, caring person and I'm not just saying this because he said I had a lovely smile, young face and offered to cut my hair for free!!!
The evening was spent with Mr L, my informal recruitment consultant, who I was thanking for finding me such a lovely job in Soho. We started with large glasses of Sauvignon Blanc in The Three Greyhounds (Greek Street East) http://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/thethreegreyhoundssoholondon/ To be honest we were too busy catching up to take too much notice of the place, but it seemed OK and was just a short step away from the main event: The Gay Hussar just a little further up Greek Street http://www.gayhussar.co.uk/index.asp. It serves Hungarian food and has been in Soho for years. I'd actually visited a couple of years ago, just before a weekend in Budapest. We shared Hungarian Hors d'Oeuvres, a platter with a pate, herrings, salami and something to do with beetroot. We both chose pork dishes: gypsy quick dish and brassoi both served with lots of lovely paprika potatoes. We decided that a Hungarian wine was called for and chose a bottle of Tuzko Tolna Traminer which was very fruity but dry. As we were rather full we settled on trying glasses of sweet and dry Tokaji which provided a lovely end to the evening.
RM and I both had Friday afternoon off and headed to our favourite bar (The Forge). Although it's not in Soho, we wanted to see Camron off before he went on his travels (see blog 3 July). It was here I met Trevor Sorbie the hairdresser who had popped in for lunch from his salon opposite. He was very down to earth and was telling us about his early career and the work he is now doing with his new charity http://www.mynewhair.org/ which supports a network of salons providing a wig styling service for cancer sufferers. He came across as a really, caring person and I'm not just saying this because he said I had a lovely smile, young face and offered to cut my hair for free!!!
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