Restaurants

Here you will find local and global restaurants with lots of photos and mouth-watering descriptions. The thing about blogs is that we can include as many pictures as we like! Perfect for showcasing gorgeous dishes and enticing you to visit ASAP!

If you are a PR or restaurant owner please get in touch via the PR/Advertising page.

Mr Jerk, thanks for spicing up my life!

Posted on May 5, 2008

[Top: Jerk Chicken, Above: Pineapple Jerk Chicken]

I’m going to squeeze in one more London review before returning my attention to the wonderful city of Sydney and it’s lovely Autumnal weather. Note: It’s warmer than Spring in the UK. (Sorry guys, it’s true).

The Bear and I were craving some Caribbean food during our last weekend trip to London and we knew we had to head straight to Mr jerk, because as far as I know (and someone correct me if I’m wrong), there aren’t any good places to get it in Sydney.

Mr Jerk is just off Oxford Street and famous for it’s delicious Jerk chicken, rice and peas and my absolute favourite fried plantain. (more…)

Where’s good to eat in Milton Keynes?

Posted on April 13, 2008

[Jaipur Restaurant, Milton Keynes]

I’ve only got 3 weeks left in Milton Keynes, a small town about an hour out of London, and have received a few emails asking why I haven’t reviewed any local restaurants? Well, good question people.

So, here’s a quick overview of the places we’ve been to, with a more detailed review of a few of them to follow in the next few weeks.

Loch Fyne – a really nice seafood restaurant with fishmonger counter that sells to the public. We ate salt and pepper calamari, mussels with Thai sauce and pan fried halibut with roasted fennel. Everything was very fresh and expertly cooked, plus the complimentary bread was warm, crispy on the outside and fluffy within. I was envious of the 3 tiered seafood platter the couple next to us were eating. I want to go back for that… (more…)

A little alcohol, a little Japanese food

Posted on April 7, 2008

[Photo by cia_b from Writing With My Mouth Full] – I didn’t have my camera handy]

After a few drinks at the pub with old work mates in London’s trendy Soho, our tummies started grumbling. We needed food, and fast. But not fast food. No way, not on my watch buddy. I’ve only been persuaded once to go to KFC late at night, and I was very, very drunk.

I regret it unreservedly because people always remind me of it. I am the healthiest eater in the world, but no amount of whole grains, greens, tofu and soy milk will make people forget my late night visit to the Colonel’s dirty bird chain. I maintain that I was peer pressured. End rant.

So last Friday night I got to choose the place that soaked up the booze and I headed straight to my old favourite haunt, Taro. I used to work in Soho and Taro was a regular indulgence because I was craving fresh Japanese food like the stuff you can get easily in Sydney, but not in London. Pre-packaged sushi is sold in the supermarket here – yuck, yuck, yuck. Sorry Tesco’s. (more…)

Dining at the Bistrotheque

Posted on March 15, 2008

[Photos taken from the Bistrotheque website]

Whenever I read restaurant reviews I always impatiently skim over the article first to find the dishes that were eaten. I’m going to presume everyone is like me and list these first before rambling on.

Eaten:
Crab cake with saffron hollandaise
Roast chicken with garlic butter and rocket
Steak and chips with bearnaise sauce
Confit of duck with asparagus and spinach
Seasonal roast veg – carrots with chervil

Bistrotheque is one of those places that you would never just walk into off the street. Why, you ask? Well it’s really hard to find, even if you know the address, which we did.

(more…)

Breakfast in Brussels

Posted on March 6, 2008

[Breakfast at Le Pain Quotidien]

If you’ve just started reading this week, then welcome to my tribute to lovely Belgian city of Brussels. Everyday this week is dedicated to sharing with you the delicious treats we found on our trip last weekend. Mussels and waffles have already been featured and today’s delight is a carbohydrate and sugar breakfast bonanza.

My friend Celine insisted that we go to Le Pain Quotidien for breakfast. We didn’t argue with her because we had just found out that she is 4 months pregnant (congrats!) and you should never argue with a pregnant woman. Never ever.

Le Pain Quotidien is a chain of cafes that bake their own organic bread, pastries and cakes as well as making various preserves and pickles. There are stores all over the world but the first ever one was opened in Brussels.

The cafes are famous for their communal dining tables which allow guests to share the many jams and spreads that are left open with spoons for serving. This concept sounds good in theory, but when I wanted more honey and the people at the end of the table had it, my warm and fuzzy sharing attitude was put to the test.

I don’t usually eat a large breakfast so this was a lot for me, but luckily I had a very hungry pregnant woman who really loves bread (she’s French) to help me out. We all ordered the traditional breakfast which was a large basket of bread (each!) served with a soft boiled egg, fresh orange juice, coffee and all the spreads you can eat.

The spreads are really amazing, so I’m going to take you through the ones pictured above so that you can know exactly what you are drooling over.

Clockwise Right to Left
Chocolate Spread – tasted like Nutella, but more chocolatey and not as sweet.
Plum Jam – was the consistency of vegemite but tasted like sweet plums.
Strawberry Jam – big chunks of fruit, exactly how I like it.
Milk Spread – tasted exactly like a Milky Bar that had been melted. Much too sweet.
Marmalade – I’m sorry to say that I didn’t even try it. I don’t like marmalade.

Eating breakfast at Le Pain Quotidien was a delight, and as I was leaving I spotted someone eating a fabulous open sandwich with aubergines and artichoke spread and I really want to try it. Actually, maybe I’ll try making one… keep your eyes peeled for the recipe!

Happy eating, Christie

Le Pain Quotidien
Brussels, Sablon
Rue des Sablons 11
B-1000 Brussels