VIET GRILL, SHOREDITCH, LONDON

Guess where I went for dinner last night? Yet another Vietnamese (shock horror).. on.. yes you've guessed it Kingsland Road home to all things Vietnamese and great. I have pretty much tried all the places on that street over the years and decided on something new and pretty. Viet Grill is probably one of the more smarter ones and I've always been a tad put off by that. So in we rolled and we were pretty much all blown away with the choice on the menu, so much good stuff on there, by that I mean choices like Ginger Roast duck, Coconut Red sea prawns, Lobster curry (hello!), Saigon pork belly.. I could go on, but I will stop there at saying I went with the Spicy Pho with chicken (whaa? I was cold) with the house platter of prawn summer rolls, dumplings and other nibbles. We will definitely be stopping by again and next time I will WILL try that Lobster curry..

PHAM SUSHI, BARBICAN, LONDON

So I debated with my soul as to whether to put this photo up or not. I was so sad that I couldn't get a better photo for you, but I blame those pesky lights and the two beers I had before. BUT I just had to tell you how good it was. After walking around for an hour looking for sushi restaurants in East London (they all close in the city on the weekend) I remembered a friend telling me this one was worth trying. To start I had the soft shell crab sushi roll and for my main my favourite friend Mr.Bento (box) with beef teriyaki and the usual suspects miso soup, pickle and rice. I opted to have more sushi with 6 pieces of salmon cut roll. I asked for my beef to be cooked rare and it melted in my mouth like butter... incredible. I'm so going back and this time I promise I'll take a better photo. Forgive me.

TARO, SOHO, LONDON

I'll be the first to confess to being a bit of a Ramen snob, but how good does this one look uh? It wasn't that bad either I must confess. Soon after sitting down it didn't take long for the soup to arrive, a steaming bowl of fresh of noodles served in chicken broth with teriyaki chicken which was sticky and flavorsome just as nature intended, let's not forget the dried seaweed, kamaboko, green onions too. I do love a bit of value and for £6.70 it was bang on the nose. As lovely as it is, I wouldn't take Japanese vistors here, it's just a simple, quick, cheap and decent Japanese restaurant which won't break your wallet.

BUSABA, CONVENT GARDEN, LONDON

I've been coming here for 10 years... well not this one but the first and original Busaba on Wardour Street and my my hasn't it changed? It's become a chain (open in Brighton if you are reading this Mr. Busaba) and the portions have got smaller which is a shame. As far as fusion Thai goes it's not bad at all, I just keep coming back. Some of my favourite dishes include the Green chicken curry, which depending on who is cooking for the day is just perfect, spicy hot, lots of coconut and stunning chargrilled chicken, a winner with coconut rice. Other awesome dishes include the Ginger beef (I like to ask for it rare) with Thai pepper spring onion and chill AND just don't go there without having the famous Thai calamari with ginger and peppercorn, alittle bit of heaven in your mouth. OoooOOo if you go to their website they even reveal some of recipes and you can have a go at home recreating some of your favourites.

NAMO, VICTORIA PARK VILLAGE, LONDON

Ok ok, I know this is possibly the worse photo yet... BUT I had to let you know how rocking this squid and mango salad is. It came with chargrilled squid (you can also choose chicken) which was so zesty and smoked, it practically melted in my mouth. Tossed in a salad with fresh rocket, warm vegetables, toasted crispy cashews nuts and grilled mango was the way this dish rolled. This local restaurant is a firm favourite of mine and expect it to pop up from time to time.

PEMBURY TAVERN, HACKNEY, LONDON

If you go to the website of this pub you would probably run a mile without looking back, plus my photo doesn't sell it. Nothing new about the concept, pizza in a pub. But hey it was great pizza and very cheap. I went with the parma ham and rocket salad pizza on a lovely doughy base and it was perfect washed down with a cold beer. The place was full to the bream with locals, on their laptops (of course) waiting for their pizza's and that is a dead giveaway in my book on a good local (which happens to sell good pizza).

HARRY'S, HOVE, BRIGHTON

This place has been here for over 20 years, so they must be doing something right. It serves good home cooking and with a British twist. To start I had a wonderful butternut squash soup with lots of cracked pepper, I was then craving a steak with skinny fries and that is what I got! The 'minute' steak was cooked to perfection and with a dollop of ketchup (sue me) it went down a treat. Gotta love a simple British gaff.

HAPPY KITCHEN, LONDON FIELDS, LONDON

On a grey drizzly morning, I swung by the railway arches in London Fields to this little gem. With the East London Line rumbling over your head, it felt exactly how a rustic organic cafe should feel. Now 'organic' is the key word here, along with 'healthy', 'gluten free', 'sugar free' and 'hearty'. I, of course opted for the naughtiest thing I could find on the menu, this being their weekend pancakes. The 'fruity' option consisted of apple compote, yought, bananas, raspberries, granola and a super food berry who's name fails me. Yes it was lovely if you wanna eat uber healthy, but I need something with alittle more va-va-voom for breakfast (especially on the weekend). The caffè latte was pretty perfect though.

BOHO MEXICA, SPITALFIELDS, LONDON

It was my birthday and I was craving something Mexican, so 9 of us decamped to a pre-booked table and bantered about what each of us was having and why. After agreeing we started with various cocktails, Mexican beers and shared the amazing Tacos. Wow what a selection, sautéed Scottish beef with habanero onions, pork marinated with chiles and grilled pineapple, sautéed sea bass and shredded chicken breast cooked in a roast tomato and chipotle chile sauce. Dribbling yet? You should be, they were just awesome and I would have eaten them for my main course all by myself. I was also tempted to try the 'Caldo Tlapeño' a smoky chicken broth with avocado and chipotle to you and me, it was perfect, smoky hot and spiced with lots of paprika and a rich puréed thang going on.

You'd think that would be enough, but hey it was my birthday and the portions aren't super big.. Main dishes included sautéed calamari and baby octopus with chipotle chile and onions and grilled Paillard pork marinated for 24 hours in a mix of chiles, served with a black bean puree, rice and sweet plantains. As you can see alot of words, but quite frankly there are ALOT of flavours and few words would not do it justice.

HEMINGWAY, VICTORIA PARK, LONDON

This old boozer transformed into a swanky 'gentleman's club' style gastro pub, opened it's doors last year. I love a good roast and today was one of those days where it was a necessity after a drinking session last night. As good roasts go this was average, the beef was amazing, super rare and so tender but it was the potatoes and vegetables that didn't sing, alittle seasoning wouldn't have gone a miss. Pah, I'm willing to go back and try again as other dishes I've had there have been top notch.

TARO, SOHO, LONDON

Hurrah for sushi, hurrah for sushi in a box. These have to been the best value bento boxes around. I went with the chicken teriyaki bento with edamame, beansprouts and roll sushi. Prawn and salmon sushi followed with tuna and salmon sashimi. Bit of a mouthful I know, but it was lovely, fresh and quite frankly I could eat it all over again.

WILTON WAY CAFÉ, LONDON FIELDS, LONDON

On a chilly Autumn's day I pottered past this café and popped in for a builder's. With the cooking smells that were coming my way, I couldn't help myself and ended up having this wonderful smoked bacon on avocado bap too. Decent coffee complemented the free WiFi and they even have their own radio station. Couldn't believe how busy it was mid week and it was nice to have a break from the madness that is Broadway Market.

KEU! OLD STREET, LONDON

In London's East End’s Vietnam Town you can find this little black box of a gem. You would never think of the words bread and Vietnamese in the same sentence, let alone the same sandwich. I had the baguette stuffed with cripsy barbecued belly of pork, pickled daikon radish, coriander and mayonnaise. It was ace! They also do soups, a selection of rice dishes and with the option to eat in or take away it proves very popular with the locals.

LUCKY CHIP, NETIL MARKET, LONDON

So I did it. I sampled the famous Lucky Chip burger today at Netil Market. I've been meaning to try it for months and finally got round to tasting it today and it was totally worth the wait. I went with the bacon burger with naked fries and it was up there as one of the best burgers of all time. The meat was juicy and oozing with yellow mustard, heinz ketchup and big gherkins. I loved it.

POMPOKO, BRIGHTON

Extremely good value Japanese, on the go in Brighton and actually it's pretty good. Tori chilli don chicken in a spicy tangy sauce served on rice and washed down with a miso soup. All of this for under £6, no wonder it's a favourite of all the locals.

LEFORK ON FACEBOOK

Hurrah, so LeFork has it's own little page on Facebook. Come and 'friend' us and join the fun. It's also the place where new dishes will appear on the move.

CAFÉ DE ROUEN, LUNERY, FRANCE

This is possibly one of the best things I have ever put in my greedy little mouth. An amazing rare steak with a creamy potato gratin, toppled with a parsley and butter sauce. I know this is in France but I have yet to find a dish like this one in England. Any recommendations please?

LOAFING, VICTORIA PARK VILLAGE, LONDON

You know when you just fancy cheese on toast? Well, today was one of those days. Melted cheddar on sourdough toast. Lush. This is a little gem of a café, tucked away in Viccy village. Try the salmon and cream cheese sandwich on sourdough with a rocket salad, wash it down with an organic cola.

TAYYABS, WHITECHAPEL, LONDON

Curry is a very personal thing. This is without a doubt the best curry house in London, the hourly queues reflect this. But wow, wait and you will be rewarded. I always go for the lamb ribs and tikka chicken then onto the lamb karahi with rice, the lamb is so tender and your taste buds will go wild. It's bring your own booze, which helps keep the bill down when there is a group of you. Everyone is a winner.

CAFÉ OTO, DALSTON, LONDON

Anyone that knows me will know that I am partial to a beer. Especially a fruit beer and Früli hits that spot. Café Oto is a really cool place to meet after work and relax in Ercol chairs. They have a wide selection of special beers and this has become a favourite new haunt.

COUNTER CAFE, HACKNEY WICK, LONDON

I come in here most Sundays with a hangover and the paper. Nothing screams Sunday more than the bacon and egg baguette with homemade tomato relish.  The coffee's aren't bad either. The smoked salmon with potato cakes and a poached egg are wonderful and very tasty. Oh and the view of the canal and the back-end of the Olympics is pretty cool too.

THE BRITANNIA, VICTORIA PARK, LONDON

Pub fish and chips sometimes doesn't cut the mustard. These however, did the job. Fresh fish, beautiful potato skinned chips and that must have 'mushy' peas and homemade tartar sauce. If you come on a quiet day then the beer garden overlooking Victoria Park is a must.

NAMO, VICTORIA PARK VILLAGE, LONDON

Nothing gives me more pleasure than a warming spicy bowl of Bun Hue noodle soup. This one was particularly fresh with lots of chicken, chilli, vegetables and coriander. Try the crispy squid and summer rolls and you won't go wrong. The setting is perfect and as it's off the beaten track, you are almost always sure to get a table.

A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT YOU FANCY, DALSTON, LONDON

It took a while to find this place, but it was well worth it when we did. Of all our party 6 out of 7 of us had the beautifully cooked duck sitting on a bed of purple broccoli. My only complaint was that there wasn't more. We drunk red wine from wine carafes and enjoyed the stripped down industrial environment.

ALBION CAFF, SHOREDITCH, LONDON

Thank god for an English breakfast which in my opinion is one of the best in the world, especially if they are as good as this one. Not many are as brave as here and the standard breakfast comes with black pudding. There is nothing complicated about British food, but get it right and you are onto a winner. Love the bakery and British goods which are all available to buy.

LA BOUCHE, BROADWAY MARKET, LONDON

This deli on fashionable Broadway Market is renowned for it's coffee and nibbles. Highlights include their wonderful quiches and salads. I love the chocolate brownies and latté coffee. They have a wonderful selection of cheese, olives and meat to take away. This is the place to people watch and pass the afternoon.

GOURMET SAN, BETHNAL GREEN, LONDON

This gritty East-End location is a must for Szechuan fans. It had the biggest menu I have ever seen. I whittled it down to a handful of dishes including this hot sizzling spicy beef which fed 5 of us. A lovely flavour, the meat came away from the bone and was so tender. There is something for everyone here, good luck reading the bill which was written in Chinese.

SHOREDITCH HOUSE, SHOREDITCH, LONDON

What can be a better place to have a good burger than on the roof terrace of all roof terrace's? These burgers were not the biggest but lovely in taste and they came in cute little trays complete with a tasty salad and wait for it.... crisps. This made me sad for half a second but who needs chips when you have a view to die for?

I GIGI CAFÉ, HOVE, BRIGHTON

This Brightonian favourite haunt is located above the wonderfully chic i gigi store. The ethos is "meals from our childhood" so basically it's their personal take on simple, authentic and well-known dishes. All ingredients are locally sourced and they sure know how to present in a quirky and cool style. I had the falafel platter with a "teacup" of fresh tomato & rich feta cheese salad. Another best-seller is Alex' Welsh Rarebit. I have to taste that next time.

SHANGHAI, DALSTON, LONDON

Happy hour dim sum with jasmine tea can't be bad. Especially when they are as fresh and delicious as these. Try the scallop & spinach dumplings. A firm weekend favourite. I visit time and time again.

THE MODERN PANTRY, CLERKENWELL, LONDON

Crispy belly of pork with couscous salad, tomato chutney and rocket salad. Lots of flavour, beautiful texture, every mouthful was a joy. Lovely surroundings too.

RAMEN-SETO, WEST END, LONDON

Wonderfully fresh salmon sashimi and juicy chicken gyoza. Flavourful miso soup and cold Asahi beer. Simple as it should be. Prices are very affordable for a cuisine that uses expensive ingredients.

BILLIES CAFÉ, BRIGHTON

In my mind this frankly has to be the best English breakfast going. Simple elements come together to create a truly memorable experience. Sausages were particularly tasty.

HUONG-VIET, DALSTON, LONDON

Coal grilled Lemongrass chicken with salad and rice. Tasty, tender and full of flavour. My friends had grilled pork and spring rolls on rice vermicelli, which were also amazing. I also recommend the BBQ spareribs with chilli and fresh herbs, marinated with a 'special seasoning' & the fried squid. A little gem hidden behind the hoo-ha of Kingsland Road.

LOAFING, VICTORIA PARK VILLAGE, LONDON

Home-made Lemon drizzle sponge cake with meringue top and lemon curd middle. Toppled with the perfect latte (on full fat milk of course!) Perfect afternoon indulgence.

THE BRITANNIA, VICTORIA PARK, LONDON

Home-made beef burger with double fried chips complete with crispy skins. Perfect in size. Better in taste.