30 October 2011

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.

20 October 2011

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.

19 October 2011

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.

18 October 2011

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.

15 October 2011

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.

14 October 2011

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?

10 October 2011

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.

09 October 2011

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.