Latest reviews for Food & Drink in Kings Cross, 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.

Smooth Juice Ltd - Healthy and Tasty by faders321

faders321 — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:41:51 +0000

Review by faders321

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 3119 1081

Tags: healthy, fresh, quick bite

I think that one of the most refreshing drinks you can have is a smoothie and they are much healthier than fizzy drinks as they are made from fruit. Thatâ¬"s why I try to drink them as often as possible. I came across Smooth Juice the other day and decided that I just had to try one of their smoothies. These are freshly made so you know that what youâ¬"re drinking is good. I have bought several smoothies from here over the past couple of months and have always found that they taste amazing. Also you can chose what it is you want to go into your smoothie so youâ¬"re definitely going to like it. Fruit Juice contains a lot of antioxidants so it will help you to feel better physically as well as mentally. This little juice bar is well worth a try.I think that one of the most refreshing drinks you can have is a smoothie and they are much healthier than fizzy drinks as they are made from fruit. Thatâ¬"s why I try to drink them as often as possible. I came across Smooth Juice the other day and decided that I just had to try one of their smoothies. These are freshly made so you know that what youâ¬"re drinking is good. I have bought several smoothies from here over the past couple of months and have always found that they taste amazing. Also you can chose what it is you want to go into your smoothie so youâ¬"re definitely going to like it. Fruit Juice contains a lot of antioxidants so it will help you to feel better physically as well as mentally. This little juice bar is well worth a try.

Gran Sasso - tacky red checks - great coffee by ricoeurian

ricoeurian — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:07:36 +0000

Review by ricoeurian

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7837 4080

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

Tags: italian, free wifi, cheap

I give this one 5 stars purely from affection. The food - a mix of Italian sandwiches and pastas - is good but nothing special (although a LOT better than an M&S dullwich).

I love it because the coffee is tasty, the latte's foamy, and you always get a strong little macaroon with it. The tables are far enough apart for a legitimate meeting to be held there - much more relaxed than a meeting room in the office building!

And I have a soft spot for the tacky plastic tablecloths with red checks, and black vinyl chairs with chrome hooped backs - it's like a dream of an Italian coffee shop seen through a London lense.I give this one 5 stars purely from affection. The food - a mix of Italian sandwiches and pastas - is good but nothing special (although a LOT better than an M&S dullwich).

I love it because the coffee is tasty, the latte's foamy, and you always get a strong little macaroon with it. The tables are far enough apart for a legitimate meeting to be held there - much more relaxed than a meeting room in the office building!

And I have a soft spot for the tacky plastic tablecloths with red checks, and black vinyl chairs with chrome hooped backs - it's like a dream of an Italian coffee shop seen through a London lense.

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.

King's Cross Continental Stores - Old School Authenticity by littlevegemite

littlevegemite — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 15:16:35 +0000

Review by littlevegemite

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7837 0201

Tags: mediterranean, rare finds, delicatessen

This is one of the gems of this end of Cally Road - the most amazing cheeses, incredible tinned tuna (Delicioso brand... nothing else will do once you've tried it), pastas and sauces. Well worth a regular visit to stock up on gourmet pantry essentials.

The elderly couple who run it have managed to preserve a sense of community with their customers, so be ready to wait a few minutes while family news is shared, and practice your Italian phrases when you can.

Closed Sundays.This is one of the gems of this end of Cally Road - the most amazing cheeses, incredible tinned tuna (Delicioso brand... nothing else will do once you've tried it), pastas and sauces. Well worth a regular visit to stock up on gourmet pantry essentials.

The elderly couple who run it have managed to preserve a sense of community with their customers, so be ready to wait a few minutes while family news is shared, and practice your Italian phrases when you can.

Closed Sundays.