Comments on: Europe Bound

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 02:57:16 +0000

Thanks guys for all the great suggestions. I think i’ll be posting up a new topic shortly, as the time is nearly upon me to go… Less than a couple of weeks now… and I’m hopelessly unprepared.

Kaya: I didn’t know you were over there, great to hear you’re having a good time. It sounds like Borough Markets are a must do now. I’ve been led to believe the coffee situation is dire in the UK, but good to know you’ve found some nice spots. I’ll give you a buzz if you’re still there when I am :)

By: Kaya McCarthy

Kaya McCarthy — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:09:00 +0000

Hi Matt,
There really is a lack of good quality coffee in London, but MonMouth Coffee Company at the Borough Markets is very good with an excellent range from around the globe, and have found a great little coffeeshop near Carneby Street named Fernandez and Wellz(43 Lexington street), that do the best flatwhites-strong and creamy(a rarity in London). Have been having an absolute blast over here, hope your trip is as fantastic as mine…

By: Catherine

Catherine — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 05:32:04 +0000

Hi Matt,
There is a cheesy bike tour you can do with a company called Fat Tyre (http://www.fattirebiketoursparis.com/) the night time ride is a great way to see the city and get your bearings whilst also finishing off with a cruise on the Seine with some cheap red wine in plastic cups. It’s quite a lot of fun.

I will try and find the business card from this little Bistro that we dined at twice it was so delicious. It was on boulevard Pasteur. It was very small but the food was lovely and there was only one waiter serving everyone.

Oh Paris…

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 07:48:32 +0000

So much to recommend in Paris…let’s see…

- Take in as much rosé as you can! They keep all the good stuff for themselves.
- I second a picnic along the Seine. Rue Cler in the 7e was where we picked up some pretty amazing ingredients.
- Had a couple of great dinners at La Maree Verte and Le Florimand. These are also in the 7e (can you tell which arrondissement we stayed in?).
- Non food: browsing through the Rodin Gardens near Les Invalides far outshone our experiences at the Louvre and the Orsay. It’s only 1 or 2 euro per person (going into the actual Rodin Museum is extra).

By: Helen

Helen — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:00:35 +0000

I know you already commented on my post to say you will put Borough Market on the list, but I just want to make sure that you do!! Just get there early…. I don’t know how many people live where you are but in London we have no concept whatsoever of personal space. This is very evident early afternoon at Borough Market! The restaurant ‘Fish’ in the market is bloomin’ fantastic too.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:52:24 +0000

There is a lot of rubbish food in London. Walking down most high streets in the city, you’re inundated with signs for big food chains, which is a common feature in any large city. However, if one is willing to do a bit of research and leg work, there are many gastronomic treasures to be found.

For something a little unusual, there’s a Ethiopian restaurant called Addis (http://addisrestaurant.co.uk). Rustic decorations, a little basic looking. But the food is really flavorful, especially the Ye Beg Wot: a spicy lamb cubes cooked with a fiery peppery sauce.

Or, there’s Jakob’s on Gloucester Road; a small eatery serving a mixture of Armenian, Iranian, Greek and Lebanese food. All ingredients are fresh and organic. Inexpensive and really tasty.

There are also two new players on the Chinatown restaurant scene, Baozi Inn, specializing in Northern Chinese cuisine and Leong’s Legend, specialising in Taiwanese cuisine. Both are reasonably priced, authentic renditions of regional classics.

Looking forward to seeing both of you in Sept!

By: Davy

Davy — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 15:26:44 +0000

No worries Matt, I’m from Scotland originally but spent 14 stupidly hedonistic years in London.

I just realised I said “catch the tram into town” when I meant “the tube”…I’ve obviously become indoctrinated into Melbourne life!

Anyhoo, have a fantastic trip, I’m mildly jealous. Don’t forget to buy the weekly Time Out magazine when you’re in London as well as the yearly “Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide”, essential. http://www.timeout.com/london/

Cheers!

By: Matt

Matt — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 14:23:21 +0000

Cheers Davy… that’s a load of cool sounding places. Didn’t know you were from ye olde country, so thanks for some first hand tips. I’m guessing the kind of people who bag out British food are the same ones who think Perth is boring, and drink soy milk… completely devoid of life :)

Ed, I think the best we may be able to afford is a London version of the Supper Inn at this rate. But i’ll be in touch shortly… Heston is sexy man…

By: Davy

Davy — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 07:20:04 +0000

I forgot…

LA TROMPETTE
Phone : 020 8747 1836
Fax number : 020 8995 8097
5-7, Devonshire Road
Chiswick
London
W4

Review here> http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/london/view/81342/La_Trompette

By: Davy

Davy — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 07:07:01 +0000

Hey Matt, I was back home in the UK in February, didn’t get a huge amount of time food wise but there’s a few places I’d like to recommend…

Mason Don Felipe, 63 The Cut, (020) 7928 3237 – Spanish, great vibe, sit at the bar and eat like a pig.

Anchor & Hope, 36 The Cut SE1 8LP. Tel 020 7928 989 – Gastropub, rough, bare environment but gorgeously rustic food that’s won accolades including Best Gatropub. Be organised if you go though, no booking policy. Best to avoid peak times.
Matthew Fort review here> http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/experts/matthewfort/story/0,,1617899,00.html
another here> http://www.tktaylor.com/?page_id=58

St John’s of course… iconic

The Ambassador’s, 55 Exmouth Market EC1R 4QL – Great wine list, go in the daytime for lunch, then have a wander round the market, once you’ve built up an appetite again head to…

Moro, 34-36 Exmouth Market, London, EC1R 4QE for dinner.

The Eagle, 159 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3AL – The original gastropub

The Atlas, 16 Seagrave Road SW6 1RX

All those band wagon jumpers who bag British food have absolutely no idea what they’re talking about. Some of the best food on the planet can be found in London, across all budgets. Like any large metropolis you just have to do your research. I was lucky enough to have lived in London through the food revolution in the 90′s when gastropubs brought top notch food to the masses.

Another recommendation is my old stomping ground…head west to Chiswick on a sunny day and meander along the Thames at Strand on The Green (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strand-on-the-Green & http://www.virtual-chiswick.ukonline.co.uk/strand_on_the_green/index.html), beautiful location with some great ancient pubs. You can then continue along the river to Hammersmith to catch the tram into town.

Enjoy!

P.S. I’ve also heard good things about Portal but haven’t tried it myself…
Portal
88 St. John Street
London
EC1M 4EH
020 7253 6950