Latest reviews for Food & Drink in Barbican, London, United Kingdom

Brindisa - Fantastic independent Spanish deli by Niamheen

Niamheen — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:11:15 +0000

Review by Niamheen

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7713 1666

Website: http://www.brindisa.com

Tags: spanish, delicatessen, rare finds

I have a mild obssession with Brindisa. Ok, it's not so mild, it's a full on bona fide obssession. I start to think about it, and I can't think about anything else, I want to go there. This happens several times a week.

It all started quite innocently with a hunt for judion beans many years ago, those giant butter beans used in Spanish cooking. Even in a great sprawling city like London they are hard to find. Until you find Brindisa that is. A quick dash around the shop revealed many types of pulses, spices, meats, cheeses, chorizo, morcilla, even paella pans. I was hooked.

Then I discovered the stew and the sandwiches, the homemade tortilla and the gazpacho and for a while it was game over for all other lunch options. The staff are so friendly and knowledgable, it's a pleasure to shop there. Some of the produce is very expensive, but it's a worthwhile spend for most of it. For lunch you can't really go wrong with takeaway options like a fabulous roll with jamon iberico & *good* tomatoes for Â£3.95, or, chorizo & chickpea stew with bread for Â£4. They also support small time independent producers, ethically they've got things covered.

It's worth going for their cooking chorizo alone, it's my favourite by far and delis in the know also stock it. I love it there and I'll continue to go there as often as is reasonable. I'll probably be explaining it to a heart surgeon in years to come, but it will have been worth it*.

* Disclaimer: I hope this doesn't happen and if my future heart surgeon is reading this, sincere apologies and feel free to slap me around the head.I have a mild obssession with Brindisa. Ok, it's not so mild, it's a full on bona fide obssession. I start to think about it, and I can't think about anything else, I want to go there. This happens several times a week.

It all started quite innocently with a hunt for judion beans many years ago, those giant butter beans used in Spanish cooking. Even in a great sprawling city like London they are hard to find. Until you find Brindisa that is. A quick dash around the shop revealed many types of pulses, spices, meats, cheeses, chorizo, morcilla, even paella pans. I was hooked.

Then I discovered the stew and the sandwiches, the homemade tortilla and the gazpacho and for a while it was game over for all other lunch options. The staff are so friendly and knowledgable, it's a pleasure to shop there. Some of the produce is very expensive, but it's a worthwhile spend for most of it. For lunch you can't really go wrong with takeaway options like a fabulous roll with jamon iberico & *good* tomatoes for Â£3.95, or, chorizo & chickpea stew with bread for Â£4. They also support small time independent producers, ethically they've got things covered.

It's worth going for their cooking chorizo alone, it's my favourite by far and delis in the know also stock it. I love it there and I'll continue to go there as often as is reasonable. I'll probably be explaining it to a heart surgeon in years to come, but it will have been worth it*.

* Disclaimer: I hope this doesn't happen and if my future heart surgeon is reading this, sincere apologies and feel free to slap me around the head.

Sweet - Staff Anything But! by Litro_K

Litro_K — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:04:06 +0000

Review by Litro_K

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7713 6777

Website: http://www.sweetdesserts.co.uk/

This place has some of the best cakes I've eaten in a while.

It also has some of the rudest, most disinterested staff I've ever encountered.

We had our order taken inside and it took the waitress foooooreveeeeer to make two cappuccinos and a hot chocolate. Then, when we were two minutes into drinking them outside, an angry looking different waitress came and took our cake plates moments after the last bites had made it into our mouths, clinking loudly as she went. A startled cry of 'we weren't finished!' did nothing to dissaude her. She was determined to hustle our plates and cups away from us. And the cakes were marvellous. Really. I had one of the best pasteis de nata ever. It's a crying shame to have to give it one star, but there you go.This place has some of the best cakes I've eaten in a while.

It also has some of the rudest, most disinterested staff I've ever encountered.

We had our order taken inside and it took the waitress foooooreveeeeer to make two cappuccinos and a hot chocolate. Then, when we were two minutes into drinking them outside, an angry looking different waitress came and took our cake plates moments after the last bites had made it into our mouths, clinking loudly as she went. A startled cry of 'we weren't finished!' did nothing to dissaude her. She was determined to hustle our plates and cups away from us. And the cakes were marvellous. Really. I had one of the best pasteis de nata ever. It's a crying shame to have to give it one star, but there you go.

Kipferl - Best coffee in London? by subterranean

subterranean — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:15:07 +0000

Review by subterranean

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7796 2229

Website: http://www.kipferl.co.uk/

Tags: rare finds

If you've ever spent any time in Vienna (or Austria for that matter) you will no doubt have sampled and enjoyed the tremendous cafe culture that abounds - the scent of fresh roasted beans emanating onto the back streets, the customers - packed in with newspapers and paperbacks at the ready. Never rushed, never intimidating - just places to sip amazing coffee and relax with an equally inspiring read...

Kipferl perfectly captures that tradition - whilst integrating some of the key features of it's West Smithfield postcode. It's small, it's a tight fit, but it's perfect. Nestled between a few French brasseries and takeaway sandwhich joints, Kipferl offers more than just coffee - including a fine selection of handmade sandwhiches (try the salmon bretzel or Austrian pate sandwhich!), cakes, and even takeaway beers and wines.

But the coffee - that's the real gem here. The authentic grosser brauner and melange are not to be missed. Leave the lattes and cappucinos for Costa or Nero's - at Kipferl authentic Austrian coffee is on exhibit...and the melange in particular may just be the best coffee in the city.

So bring a book, bring a paper - savour a salmon bretzel sandwhich, a grosser brauner - and enjoy a true cafe find in the heart of the city. If you've ever spent any time in Vienna (or Austria for that matter) you will no doubt have sampled and enjoyed the tremendous cafe culture that abounds - the scent of fresh roasted beans emanating onto the back streets, the customers - packed in with newspapers and paperbacks at the ready. Never rushed, never intimidating - just places to sip amazing coffee and relax with an equally inspiring read...

Kipferl perfectly captures that tradition - whilst integrating some of the key features of it's West Smithfield postcode. It's small, it's a tight fit, but it's perfect. Nestled between a few French brasseries and takeaway sandwhich joints, Kipferl offers more than just coffee - including a fine selection of handmade sandwhiches (try the salmon bretzel or Austrian pate sandwhich!), cakes, and even takeaway beers and wines.

But the coffee - that's the real gem here. The authentic grosser brauner and melange are not to be missed. Leave the lattes and cappucinos for Costa or Nero's - at Kipferl authentic Austrian coffee is on exhibit...and the melange in particular may just be the best coffee in the city.

So bring a book, bring a paper - savour a salmon bretzel sandwhich, a grosser brauner - and enjoy a true cafe find in the heart of the city.