I was at Hix Hotel in Belgravia a couple of weekends ago and was pleased to note that (during certain times) kids under 10 years old can eat for free. Here are the specific times: 4 - 6pm Monday to Friday 5 - 6pm on Saturdays 12 - 6pm on Sunday Here's a link to their kids menu. ...
Restaurant
The Arts Club, London [REVIEW]
Founded by Charles Dickens in 1863, and housed in a handsome Mayfair townhouse, Churchill, Rodin and Whistler have all graced its rooms. New owners property investor Gary Landesberg and restaurateur Arjun Waney (Zuma, Roka, La Petit Maison) re-launched the Arts Club in September this year and have all of fashionable London buzzing with its effervescent blend of artsy cool ...
Min Jiang – Kensington, London
Go for the Dim Sum. The rest of their menu is hit-or-miss, although they do have some hidden gems. Deep Fried Squid with chilli is not one of them. Pork Belly is interesting - not Canton style but flavourful and very rich (although I like the clay pot style with dark vinegar more, which I had at China Tang). This is a good place to take first-timers to London. It has ...
Ziani – Chelsea, London
This was once my best kept secret but it seems the cat was let out of the bag... Elbow room only at this joint but IMHO this is the best Italian restaurant in London with everything you expect: family atmosphere, funny and attentive waiters, eccentric owner, squashy seating, and fantastic food. A real neighbourhood joint. I've never had a bad evening ever since I started ...
Hunan – Chelsea, London
It's very hard to find Chinese cuisine in London that's non-Canto but here it is. And what a fabulous experience at that. This is home-cooked food. Managed by the second generation of the same Taiwanese ownership. This is a very family affair. You don't order from a menu. Instead, you will be served what the chef has prepared that day. And you will keep receiving dishes until ...
Bar Boulud – Knightsbridge, London
I really wanted to be impressed and amazed... but, alas, I wasn't. It has a great pedigree - established by French superstar chef Daniel Boulud, currently in residence in NYC with a rack of Michelin Stars. It has a great concept - charcuterie, terrines and Anglo-French comfort foods. But, somehow, it just doesn't come together. The place was certainly abuzz when I arrived. ...
Umu – Mayfair, London
I have dined here 4 times over the course of the past few years and have seen a noticeable improvement in service and the quality of the food. Hotate sushi is sublime and haunts my dreams. Kaiseki is inventive but exorbitant. Sake list is extensive and the sommelier is very knowledgeable. Toyobijin was a good recommendation for flavour and price. Decor is okay but not ...
Hakkasan – Mayfair, London
Hakkasan opened up another restaurant in Mayfair on November 18th, 2010 - capitalising on the magnificent success of their flagship in the West End. The West End Hakkasan, incidentally, is one of the top highest grossing restaurants in London (Zuma is number one at £24m+ per year, followed by Cipriani and, of all places, the Wolseley). If you have trouble finding it, it's ...
I Love Pho – Carlsbad, USA
All Pho All Stars. They have the classics but no surprises. Quality is decent but nothing really 'pops'. Pho itself was the highlight. Spring rolls were mediocre but acceptable. There appears to be a cluster of Asian eateries in this strip mall, so could be a good way to do a noodle hit-and-run. Visit the Dollar Tree or TJ Maxx afterwards for novelty value. There was a ...
Vivace – Carlsbad, USA
Carlsbad is a culinary wasteland. The Death Valley of fine cuisine...with Vivace as its oasis. Good food and a quality wine list (at decent prices). Ate with a large party but no one had anything remiss to say - and no plate envy either! My only qualm is with the decor. It's orangey-brown everywhere. It's dark (I went at night). If Batman grew mushrooms this might be his ...