YUMMEI

Koba - Fitzrovia - London

This has been the worst Summer so far.

Normally by now I'm frolicking around half naked and attending more barbecues than I can count.

It's now mid-June and I have barely gone to one.

This is an outrage on so many levels.

Luckily for you, I've got many alternatives; so we can have gourmet BBQ's together :P

One of my go-to favourite Korean BBQ Restaurant's is Koba.

He's located in Fitzrovia, hidden just off Tottenham Court Road.

Koba, isn't the largest restaurant but the high ceilings give it an airy/relaxing atmosphere.

So you can gaze up to the sky and shake your fist at the rain clouds.

Viet Grill - Shoreditch- London

Everyone knows that Kingsland Road is THE place to go if you want some Vietnamese food.

It's not called Pho Mile for nothing.

Viet Grill is a part of the growing empire that also encompasses the two Cay Tre restaurants, and Keu café.

Step inside and you are welcomed into the Jungle Book courtesy of all the banana tree leaves painted on the walls, and the oak wood furnishings.

In comparison to the other Vietnamese restaurant's further down the road that all seem to have a 'canteen' vibe; VG is pretty swish.

The tables are situated considerably close to one another. This makes peeping over at what everyone else is eating that much easier. Everyone does this. I know you do too ;]

Patty & Bun - Bond Street - London

Holy mother of cheese.

Mark my words you will be screaming those exact same words.

How do I know this?

Because that was my reaction when I took my first bite of what-so-far is the mother of all burgers that has hit London.

Along St. Jame's Street just off Bond Street is Patty and Bun.

London's worst kept secret.

With burgers named like The Ari Gold (those who watch Entourage will understand), and The Lambshank Redemption; you really cannot walk by without stopping just to stare.

There are only 6 burgers on the menu.

Each one a character in their own right. (And rightfully named.)

Choose wisely.

We went for The Lambshank Redemption, The Jose Jose, and The Smokey Robinson.

The Liebster Blog Award

Recently the gorgeous Lulu Johnson, from the Berry Diaries; nominated me for the Liebster Award.

Soho Joe - Soho - London

I don't normally tell people these things, but...I have a new lover.

Want to meet him?

Say heyyyy to Soho Joe.

I was warmly welcomed into the arms of Soho Joe after ambling around Dean Street; the seduction of the candle light illuminating from within was just too much to resist.

Dark, warm, and sensuous.

That's my Soho Joe.

Pepper Lunch - Hong Kong

There are some things that the Asians' just do better, and one of those things is their Fast Food.

Food is gourmet in Asian Food Courts compared to the West.

So move over Mcdonald's, Burger King and KFC and meet Fast Food Asian Style.

If I had to sit here and list it all to you, you would just faint at the sheer magnitude of the selection.

One of my favourite places to eat in the Food Courts in almost every shopping mall, is Pepper Lunch.

Pepper Lunch, is an ingenious concept from Japan.

Think- your own personal Teppanyaki, where you cook your food on a hot, sizzling plate.

Genius.

You can choose, either beef, chicken, or salmon and they all come with rice plus extras depending on your combo deal.

For ~£6.50 I ordered the Pepper Steak.

Is this a dream!?

The steak arrived leisurely lying upon a sizzling hot plate, so you have to cook it quick and rest it on the bed of vegetables - if you like to keep your steak medium rare like I do.

For ease of cooking, the steak is already cut into strips

Pepper Steak served with beansprouts, sweetcorn, green beans and an bowl of rice.

Shiro - Faux Japanese Restaurant

Having spent aeons of time in Asia, you'd think I'd tire of Oriental food by now.

Passing by the newly refurbished restaurant, Shiro, (formerly known as Niko Niko) just off Tottenham Court Road; I was summoned inside by the simple and minimalist decor AND my craving for anything teriyaki.

It was empty at the time S. and I strolled in.

Ishtar - Turkish Restaurant and Bar - Baker Steet - London

My love affair with Ishtar began yesterday when I stumbled across her whilst I was wandering aimlessly around Marylebone/Baker Street; after an intense shopping trip in Bicester Village.

Shhh... please don't tell my boyfriend; Tas, in Bloomsbury.

Ishtar stole my heart.

It was love at first bite.

Let me show you how she swept me off my feet.

Eat Tokyo - Charing Cross - London

After gorging myself to death in Marrakesh on tagines, I swore if I saw another one I was going to go break something.

I needed another cuisine, you know something more close to home.

Besides after a holiday, it is almost certain that I was going to have absolutely no food except for that dusty old pot of ramen noodles in my cupboard, so locating a delicious yet cheap restaurant is a must.

It's time to whip out another one of my emergency local cheap-eats.

So hello Eat Tokyo.

Madd - Mango Desserts - Soho - Central London

As you all should know by now is that I have a bit of a sweet tooth. So when a friend suggested that we go to MADD Soho, I jumped at the idea.

They pride themselves on being an exotic mango heaven, with the dessert menu consisting of mango-based desserts ranging from fruit tarts, to mousses, cheesecakes, fools and crème brûlée; all reasonably priced from £4.50 - £6.00.

Tas Restaurant - Bloomsbury - London

The other day I had major cravings for Turkish food, you know those urges that you just have to satisfy otherwise you'll become moody? ...Just me?

Anyway I could not think of any better place to gratify my desires than my local favourite, Tas.

I simply love this place, when in need of good quality Turkish food, that won't blow a hole in your wallet. This is the place to go. So come and join me!

Let me walk you through what I had.

Upon arrival you are given complimentary olives, and hummus with crusty bread.

I went for the utterly cheap Sahan set menu for £9.95. For starters I had the red lentil soup. Main course; lamb shish with cous cous and a chilli salsa.

Kula Cafe - Heartbreak Waffle - Bond Street - London

Don't you just hate it when a 'bitchy' waitress/waffle lady just ruins your evening by being overtly rude, for no apparent reason.

Since I was in a waffle/ice-cream parlour, I unfortunately WRONGLY assumed that the waffle lady working there would have a weakness for ice cream. I mean who doesn't like ice cream!? That's just criminal.

How did I know that I got it so wrong ? Well asking the waitress what her recommended ice-cream flavour resulted in her reply being 'I don't eat ice-cream so I don't know.'

Awkward.

Anyway - after much deliberation and hovering over the ice-cream counter oohing and arrr-ing at their 'selection' - I decided to play it safe and try their pistaccio and praline&cream ice cream

Oh you must be wondering what I mean by 'selection,' well unfortuately, I happened to come here on a thursday afternoon, when they were restocking their ice-cream half way through the day - so many ice-creams were unavailable. Since 2.30pm is an inconvenient time obviously so HALF their ice-creams were unavailable.

Moving on to their milkshakes, since I wanted a refreshing milkshake - I opted for their grapefruit yoghurt concoction.

Hakuba - Wasabi Mash? - Tottenham Court Road - London

UPDATED

Hakuba: ‘Japanese food with Californian influences...’

I'm going to leave you with that statement.

.

I know, I know, you’re all probably thinking - not another restaurant serving Asian food with ‘WESTERN’ influences!?

Countless times I've been left rather unimpressed with restaurants that deem to be able to ‘infuse’ Asian flavours with a ‘Western’ twist; and I usually try to avoid such places that claim they can inject the 'contemporary' into Asian food. Simply because, the food is often bland, over-cooked, and a Frankenstein of the original dish.

Little Persia - Queensway - London

Lured by the sweet shisha smoke, underneath a heated theatrical tent is Little Persia's Shisha lounge, where you're welcomed to enjoy the Eastern waterpipes accompanied by a vast selection of cocktails. Perfect whatever the weather.

Little Persia instantly whisks you away to the Middle East.

Navigating through the shisha lounge you enter a cosy dining area where the dimmed romantic lighting, different coloured lanterns, plush velvet pillows, and mosaic-topped tables, creates a very laid-back exotic atmosphere.

Naan bread is freshly baked in a stone oven next to the entrance, as soon as you step through the door you are instantly greeted with the warming aroma of freshly baked bread. I felt very much at home as I lounged lazily amongst the pillows. Time felt very slow, so be very aware that you can spend long indulgent hours here, without even realising.

Bar Caffe Ciao - After Eight Ice Cream Waffles?! - Leicester Square - London

This little Italian ice-cream parlour, located south of Leicester Square perching on Charing Cross Road is Bar Ciao; and is quite simply the only place for desserts.

After Eight Ice Cream Sundae

Shanghai Blues – Green dumplings? - Holborn - London

We all know service in China town for dim sum can be a rushed affair, but hey it’s China Town we expect it, and usually we can’t fault the food nor the price for those precious dumplings.

But where Shanghai Blues with its intimate dark décor, glossy tiles, and deep mahogany wooden furniture fails despairingly in service, it (kind-of) makes up for with the food.

The service was a mishap of wrong orders, lost orders, dishes that never came and being over-charged for dishes we didn’t order, and dishes being flung onto the table that a dumpling jumps from the clutches of the plate. You know service is bad when even the dumpling tries to escape.

If you are one of those people where bad service can really ruin your afternoon (it was lunch after all) maybe Shanghai Blues isn’t for you.

Po Cha : Seafood Beef Bibimbap - Tottenham Court Road - London

Situated on London's Korean Street bang in the middle of Centre Point is Po Cha. As soon as you step foot into this dinky family run restaurant, without a doubt there will be Korean diners at ever corner from opening to closing time.

You know it's good when a Korean restaurant is filled with Koreans customers itself. Definitely a testament of how delectable the food is.

Despite being a bit cluttered and cramped, it has an intimate feel, due to the dim lighting throughout the restaurant. What Po Cha lacks in it's environmental ergonomics it makes up for with the food.

I do apologise for the photo quality - as you can see I got a bit overexcited and savaged my Bibimbap with my spoon, before I could take a picture of how beautifully presented it was.

Byron Hamburgers - Covent Garden - London

Now I don’t know about you, but I’ve been on the hunt for ‘THE ULTIMATE BURGER.’ A quest that has yet to be successful but with the growing number of American diners/restaurants popping up around London; my journey has only really just begun.

Normally I am quite sceptical about chain restaurants; however Byron is actually pretty damn sexual.

The clean simple décor of Byron lead to a chilled out atmosphere, and I fell comfortably into the sofa seat. Definitely a place for a relaxed evening with friends, the staff were friendly and not at all pushy unlike some you find in other dare-I-say ‘fast food restaurants.’

Street Food : Takoyaki Churros? - Brunswick Centre - Russell Square - London

Having stumbled ungracefully into Brunswick Saturday Food Market, I began my hunt by mincing around the stalls having what one could only describe as a ‘full-on ogle’ at the worldly delights they had to offer. Burritos, paella, rib-eye steak burgers, polish hot dogs, noodles, curries, and many more.

Eat Street: Kimchee Cult and Luardos' Burrito - Kings Cross - London

Eat Street, is only open Monday-Friday's from 11.30am-2.30pm. Each day there are 4-6 stalls open, alternating for variation, it so happened on this day there was Luardo's, Kimchee Cult, Anna Mae's, and Tongue n' Cheek manning their stalls.

I trekked here on a freezing December afternoon, and after almost contracting frost bite; it was obvious that I needed to indulge my tastebuds with some much needed TLC.

YUMMEI

19/06/2013

Koba - Fitzrovia - London

12/03/2013

Viet Grill - Shoreditch- London

04/03/2013

Patty & Bun - Bond Street - London

26/02/2013

The Liebster Blog Award

20/02/2013

Soho Joe - Soho - London

04/01/2013

Pepper Lunch - Hong Kong

01/11/2012

Shiro - Faux Japanese Restaurant

15/07/2012

Ishtar - Turkish Restaurant and Bar - Baker Steet - London

25/06/2012

Eat Tokyo - Charing Cross - London

30/05/2012

Madd - Mango Desserts - Soho - Central London

29/05/2012

Tas Restaurant - Bloomsbury - London

18/05/2012

Kula Cafe - Heartbreak Waffle - Bond Street - London

25/02/2012

Hakuba - Wasabi Mash? - Tottenham Court Road - London

05/02/2012

Little Persia - Queensway - London

26/01/2012

Bar Caffe Ciao - After Eight Ice Cream Waffles?! - Leicester Square - London

06/01/2012

Shanghai Blues – Green dumplings? - Holborn - London

05/01/2012

Po Cha : Seafood Beef Bibimbap - Tottenham Court Road - London

Byron Hamburgers - Covent Garden - London

04/01/2012

Street Food : Takoyaki Churros? - Brunswick Centre - Russell Square - London

02/01/2012

Eat Street: Kimchee Cult and Luardos' Burrito - Kings Cross - London