Anyone For Tea?

Tea and Tattle, Bloomsbury London WC1B

A stone's throw from the British Museum, Tea and Tattle can easily go unnoticed save for the pavement sign outside Arthur Probsthain: Oriental and African Bookseller, the bookshop which hosts the teashop in it's basement.

A traditional tearoom which blends in seamlessly with more contemporary design. The walls are adorned with traditional pictures and older posters in modern frames and clocks ensuring that you don't miss any post-tea engagments. This concept also applies to the menu. Beside the selection of loose leaf teas and coffee and of course scones with clotted cream there is an inviting selection of sandwiches (made on the premises) and cakes.

A charming place and a worthwhile stop if you are in the area. The bookshop upstairs also deserves a browse.

Rating 4/5

Expect to pay around £8pp for tea and a snack. Open 9am to 6.60pm Mon-Fri, 12pm-4pm Sat

Tea and Tattle, 41 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3PE www.apandtea.co.uk

Powder Keg Diplomacy, Battersea London SW11

I have, so far, been to the Powder Keg Diplomacy twice. I know you will read on but you are thinking why didn't I write about it after the first visit. You know what it's like. Girl about town, one party too many and it now feels inappropriate to review it without going back a second time.

A relatively new addition to Battersea's St John's Hill, it brings a trendy note with it. Once inside and you are walking through layers of ambiance. The front, looking out on the main road, has low chairs and sofas inviting you in a for a coffee or a drink. Then the bar with it's booths of high tables and then at the back the larger dining area. A Victorian inspired theme with warm colours and a vintage feel makes everyone relaxed and comfortable. The menu varies seasonally with game a feature. As a bonus, there is a weekend brunch menu till 5pm alongside the lunchtime menu.

My starter of braised ham hock and poached egg was almost like the British cottage version of eggs benedict. Felt quite right actually and more hearty than the usual eggs benedict, with toast served on the side and the ham hock, surprising not overpowering but adding to the velvety texture of the poached egg.

Braised ham hock and poached egg

For mains the sunday roast is a good option although the horseradish horse lacked any kick. In fact it reminded more of a stubborn mule refusing to move instead of the much desired, in this instance, kicking horse. Minor maybe. Important definitely.

Pheasant

The dish of pheasant looked equally inviting and my mussels not only plentiful but just as I would expect mussels to be. The service is polite and efficient although the waiter did need to be reminded about the bread for my mussels. Admittedly, I think the chef was trying a bit too much here. I was delivered a designer portion of three small slices of some fancy-I think focaccia- bread with olive oil and the works. A word of advice. Keep it simple. The traditional crusty bread would have done splendidly.

The other thing about the Powder Keg Diplomacy is the drinks list. Exciting wines-we had one from India- with prices starting at just under £17. There is also a very respectable selection of ales. And for the cocktail lovers, you won't be disappointed. The cocktail list is even more respectable. The drinks list will keep you there at least another hour. That's a promise.

Irrespective of what comments I have to make for individual elements of a restaurant, my rule of thumb is 3 questions. Would you come back? Would you invite your friends? Would you stay for one more drink? Let me be honest. This isn't Michelin star standard. No matter. The answer to my questions: Yes, Yes and Yes; in that order. See you there..     

Rating: 4/5

Expect to pay around £28pp for 3 courses without wine- cocktails are around £7.50 each, you will be tempted to have at least two..

Powder Keg Diplomacy, 147 St Johns Hill, SW11 1TQ Tel: 0207 450 6457 http://www.powderkegdiplomacy.co.uk/

Chiswell Street Dining Rooms, London EC1Y

Mid-week, after a serious session at the gym, found me at one of the nearest places for dinner. The Chiswell Dining Rooms, part of the same group which runs such well-known places as The Botanist on Sloane Square.

The well dressed city crowd, looked every inch as relaxed as the surroundings and their professional attire would allow. Immaculately presented, with leather seats and flowers, it reminds more of hip and happening Chelsea hangout than a city bar/restaurant.

The wine menu is extensive although my initial reaction was of a slightly limited food menu. No fish and chips or burgers in sight. In this instance I skipped starters and just had a main: the stuffed pork loin, which came with black and white pudding apple sauce, pickle jus. A large portion, nicely presented and perfectly adequate. The flavours all worked to convince me that the whole menu is well-though out and a good meal is to be had here. I must say that I found it very amusing when I saw that they brought the bread with two radishes. Yes the question mark remains!

Stuffed pork loin

Bread and radishes?

I like London because each area has it's own distinct personality. I don't think that Chiswell Street Dining Rooms is quite what you would expect in the city. Nonetheless, relaxed in it's formality, it is a perfect choice for a business lunch or dinner, or even just a drink. It is also open for breakfast, so if you are looking for an excuse for a breakfast meeting, here it is.

Expect to pay around £40 for 3 courses without wine.

Chiswell Street Dining Rooms, 56 Chiswell Street, London EC1Y 4SA Tel: 020 7614 0177 http://www.chiswellstreetdining.com/

Dishoom, London, Covent Garden

Every so often you come across a place which is quite unique. Dishoom is one of those places. It's not unique for the food. Although the food is worth trying. It's unique because this is a Bombay cafe. Open all day, I have been back for brunch on two occasions. This is not local to me so my returning there says something. It's welcoming and relaxing. You could in fact spend hours reading the papers, drinking chai and having brunch, lunch or whatever meal you may choose during the day. For London I would say this is a refreshing take on Indian cuisine, not so much for the originality of the food but more for the refreshing aspect of the Indian dining experience. 

A great deal has been said and written about this place, So I'll keep this one short.

If you go for breakfast, I recommend the Bombay breakfast bake. Two eggs, baked on a lentil bhaji mash. I don't know if this may seem like a strange combination, but I can assure you it's  perfect start to a weekend.

The chicken roll, was nice but nothing spectacular, although the dessert of pineapple and black pepper crumble was more exciting.




Chicken roll

 

Pineapple and black pepper crumble

Although the service could have been more attentive; at times it seemed that the waitors were too busy entertaining each other, Dishoom is authentic in it's uniqueness. I don't know of any place quite like this in London. Then again, there are less than 30 left in Bombay.

Expect to pay around £15pp inlc chai

Dishoom, 12 Upper St. Martin’s Lane, London WC2H 9FB Tel: 020 7420 9320 http://www.dishoom.com/

202, Notting Hill London

I like early lunches at the weekend. It's a good excuse to get out and about early and enjoy the day. Brunch is even better. How better to cure the previous night's hangover: protein and more alcohol. I arranged one such brunch today.

202 is located on Westbourne Grove, with the concept of a restaurant in a clothes store, Nicole Farhi. They don't take daytime bookings which I quite like, get there early enough and you beat the queues, otherwise, well you just have to wait. The place has a very relaxed feel about it with, outdoor space if the weather permits. Sadly on our visit it didn't (typical!).

The crowd is not the the hippy, laid-back crowd to be found in nearby Portobello Road but a more well turned-out, either locals or groups of friends soaking up the less high street-more designer vibe of Westbourne Grove.

Brunch is served till midday. The menu has a varied selection. I opted for the eggs florentine while my friend had the granola with yoghurt. My eggs florentine were tasty and well, they hit the spot. Well almost. I had the buttermilk pancakes to follow which were also as good as they sound, although I did find the strawberry compote too sweet. The service is what you would expect, polite and efficient.

There is also an extensive lunch menu which makes me envious of the ladies who lunch.

Expect to pay around £17 per person for brunch and coffee.

202 202-204 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2RH Tel: 020 7727 2722 http://www.nicolefarhi.com/restaurants/

Bea's Of Bloomsbury, London EC4M

I tend to have lunch with a more determined cause of familiarising myself with the City and all the best places to eat and drink. Next to the magnificent St Paul's cathedral is the newer shopping centre, One New Change. My attention is always drawn to Bea's of Bloomsbury, a delightful looking cafe/cake shop.

I finally found the time to go insider and have a coffee. The blue and grey walls make this warm and welcoming, in an otherwise much advertised yet unspectacular shopping centre. There is a huge array of cakes displayed, which all look equally gorgeous and delicious, with the loveliest cupcakes making it an even more difficult choice. They also cater for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. With all the choice, I settled for a coffee.

Excellent coffee, for just £1.80, which was brought over to my table. I know it may seem unimportant but makes for a small luxury when most coffee shops these days expect you to pick up your own coffee.


This is a chic place with city people coming in for either a quick take-away or a pleasant change to the otherwise usually austere city surroundings.

I would however say that the experience was let down by the unfriendly waitress who, when I went to the till and asked if I could pay, was abrupt in telling me that she was serving another customer. I will certainly go back but a word of advice, a smile wouldn't hurt. Afterall I did ask to pay, not for a discount!

Bea's of Bloomsbury, St Paul's, 83 Watling Street, London EC4M 9AF http://www.beasofbloomsbury.com/

Staying local

Don't you sometimes find yourself with no plans for the weekend? You can stay in, catch up with your friends on facebook, read the papers, watch that film you downloaded weeks ago, call your friends. The list goes on and on.

Like all of us I too find myself waking up on a Sunday, no plans, faced with this list. I decide I will go out and read the papers over a cup of coffee and maybe a bite to eat. Thing is I just want to be able to go somewhere within walking distance. No trains, buses, cabs, just walking. I head out, aiming for one of my many, I'm lucky to say, local places. I ask for the papers and settle down. Having, ordered coffee, I browse over the food menu. In spite all of my best intentions and the fact that I am of course dieting, I decide to order something. What harm can it do anyway, seeing as I have no lunch or dinner plans. If I'm feeling extremely guilty from the previous night's food and alcohol intake I just might opt for a fruit salad, otherwise it's something sweet. You know the sort, something with a healthy twist: a ricotta cheesecake.

After I've skimmed through every page of my chosen Sunday paper and have very thoroughly read through the travel section, I ask for the bill. If the sun is out I will keep up the healthy start and take the scenic route, which is also the long(er) way home.
As I get up to leave, my phone alerts me to a message. A friend, who also lives locally, asks if I am free for lunch. Well of course I am free, which is why I am local! A couple of texts later and we are meeting up in 20 minutes at our local pub. Take note: we stay local, which makes it ok!

Three hours later I am finally walking home, having consumed infinitely more calories than originally intended. I take the short route. As for the original morning list I have at least been successful in reading the papers. Till the next 'free' day then..
On this note, one of my favourite locals worth a mention is a Moroccan restaurant/bar called Doukan. They serve the loveliest coffee and in the morning sweets and pastries. The decor is of course Moroccan but not overwhelmingly so. The service is very friendly- just the way a local should be. Even if you are not local but find yourself in the area I do recommend it, the food is also excellent. Coffee and sweet for one will cost around £6.
If you have any favourite locals then please share.

Doukan, 350 Old York Rd, Wandsworth, London SW18 1SS, Tel: 020 8870 8280