Confusion at the Bar

Picture the scene: lunch-time snow showers, cross roads on Frith Street and Chinese restaurants on diagonal corners.  One called Bar Shu and one called Ba Shan. I knew one was still on the list, but couldn't remember which, so opted for Ba Shan on the East side as it looked more intimate. I ate in a small room designed like a Chinese tea house but I got the impression there were lots more similar rooms. The tables and chairs were dark rich wood and completely unadorned.  Although it was cold outside I opted for a starter of spicy salad with chicken slivers. The menu, with pictures of the dishes, contained a number of interesting dishes including ones with chopped pig ear, pig intestines, pig heart and every other piece of the animal.  The salad took a while to arrive but when it did it was huge and served in a lettuce leaf.  It was very spicy and was all finely chopped and really warmed me up.  A young Chinese couple who came in after me, were served huge amounts of dishes which were still arriving at suitable intervals as I left.  My meal with a beer was £10.90 which I thought was reasonable (I drank beer as I objected paying £6.90 for a glass of house wine).  Back at the office, I realised I'd discounted Ba Shan as the address is actually Romilly Street, but I've decided that it will count instead of Bar Shu!  http://www.bar-shu.co.uk/.

Breakfast today was at the Dean Street Town House, a trendy hotel on Dean Street West  http://www.deanstreettownhouse.com/.  The welcome was warm and friendly on a cold day and I soon had my coat off and was sat down in a large restaurant which had a long bar running nearly the length of it. The service was excellent and I was immediately offered water.  I opted for my very favourite breakfast of eggs benedict (but in the singular) but I could have had eggs florentine (with spinach) or royale (with salmon).  It was one of the best I've had with a pale, creamy hollandaise sauce. It was all so delicious I wished I opted for the plural!  Together with a pot of earl grey with lemon the bill came to £9.60 with service.  I'd definitely go again, as the staff are young, smart and willing and everything is beautifully served with juices being presented in individual small carafes.  Jams are in individual small pots and there was none of those horrendous packets of butter and sugar.  I walked out fully revived and all set for a hard day in the office.