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

The Convenience Shop - Support this charming old fashioned shop by Hugo

Hugo — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 10:55:33 +0000

Review by Hugo

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7580 1350

Tags: rare finds, fresh fruits & vegetables, helpful staff

This is an usual review, as I only bought a single banana from this shop. However, I felt compelled to write a review because it was the best service I have had in a shop ever and I guess that is what TrustedPlaces is all about.

The shop itself is a wonderful throwback to a bygone era, a bit like stepping into 1970's film set. Charmingly old fashioned and the lady (proprietor I suspect but I wasn't sociable enough to ask) behind the till was unfeasibly friendly.

My banana was absurdly good value, served with a captivating smile and a painstakingly found napkin. What more could I ask for?

Sadly this shop is not a local for me but if you are local it then I suggest you try it out and hopefully find it the same as I did. This shop needs support as it is a dying breed.This is an usual review, as I only bought a single banana from this shop. However, I felt compelled to write a review because it was the best service I have had in a shop ever and I guess that is what TrustedPlaces is all about.

The shop itself is a wonderful throwback to a bygone era, a bit like stepping into 1970's film set. Charmingly old fashioned and the lady (proprietor I suspect but I wasn't sociable enough to ask) behind the till was unfeasibly friendly.

My banana was absurdly good value, served with a captivating smile and a painstakingly found napkin. What more could I ask for?

Sadly this shop is not a local for me but if you are local it then I suggest you try it out and hopefully find it the same as I did. This shop needs support as it is a dying breed.

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.

Peyton and Byrne - Have your cupcake & eat it by Niamheen

Niamheen — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 18:03:20 +0000

Review by Niamheen

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7580 2522

Website: http://www.peytonandbyrne.com

Tags: patisserie, savoury - pies, sandwiches

Peyton & Byrne is a treasure trove of cupcakes and other sweet & savoury delights nestled between Heals & Habitat on Tottenham Court Rd, London. Owned by Oliver Peyton, a Mayo born London based restaurateur, it opened in September 2006 along with Meals in Heals next door. This is not Peyton's first venture, far from it, he started with nightclubs which he proclaimed a means to an end, dallied with the import/export of Japanese beer & absolut vodka and then moved into restaurants with the opening of the critically acclaimed Atlantic Bar & Grill in Picadilly. Since then he has opened Mash, Isola, the Admirality restaurant at Somerset House, Inn the Park at St James Park, The Wallace Restaurant, Peyton & Byrne, Meals, The National Dining Rooms & finally The National Café.

Peyton has always championed the use of quality ingredients and British cooking and this is obvious in his establishments. He is well known as one of the judges on the Great British Menu, a BBC show where top UK & Irish chefs compete to cook part of the banquet for the Queens 80th birthday in the first series and to the British Ambassador to France at the British Embassy in Paris for the second series.

At Peyton & Byrne, the intent is to reproduce old favourites the way our mothers used to make them, specifically Peytons mother whose maiden name was Byrne - hence, Peyton & Byrne. Her recipes are, in fact, the inspirations for the produce at the bakery.

Award winning chef Roger Pizey aims to put a modern twist on old classics and I think he does this quite well. These include savoury staples like tarts, pies, scotch eggs & fresh sandwiches (done well - lancashire cheese & picallili anyone?) and sweet treats like bakewell tart, victoria sponge, chocolate cake and amazing cupcakes, my personal favourite is the frou frou cupcake (raspberry & coconut), but there are 5 flavours in total to try and you should!

It's done so well, it's difficult to fault them. The design of the shop itself is lovely, fronted by a large window with gold lettering displaying their wares with the cakes on charming cake stands, it's all so pretty and inviting. The packaging is also fantastic, pretty pastel cake boxes with bold lettering. It shouldn't matter, but it does.

I've been a few times now, it's a must for the cupcakes alone, and it's been consistently good. It's on the pricey side, mind, at £10 for 5 cupcakes, but they're so good it's worth it.Peyton & Byrne is a treasure trove of cupcakes and other sweet & savoury delights nestled between Heals & Habitat on Tottenham Court Rd, London. Owned by Oliver Peyton, a Mayo born London based restaurateur, it opened in September 2006 along with Meals in Heals next door. This is not Peyton's first venture, far from it, he started with nightclubs which he proclaimed a means to an end, dallied with the import/export of Japanese beer & absolut vodka and then moved into restaurants with the opening of the critically acclaimed Atlantic Bar & Grill in Picadilly. Since then he has opened Mash, Isola, the Admirality restaurant at Somerset House, Inn the Park at St James Park, The Wallace Restaurant, Peyton & Byrne, Meals, The National Dining Rooms & finally The National Café.

Peyton has always championed the use of quality ingredients and British cooking and this is obvious in his establishments. He is well known as one of the judges on the Great British Menu, a BBC show where top UK & Irish chefs compete to cook part of the banquet for the Queens 80th birthday in the first series and to the British Ambassador to France at the British Embassy in Paris for the second series.

At Peyton & Byrne, the intent is to reproduce old favourites the way our mothers used to make them, specifically Peytons mother whose maiden name was Byrne - hence, Peyton & Byrne. Her recipes are, in fact, the inspirations for the produce at the bakery.

Award winning chef Roger Pizey aims to put a modern twist on old classics and I think he does this quite well. These include savoury staples like tarts, pies, scotch eggs & fresh sandwiches (done well - lancashire cheese & picallili anyone?) and sweet treats like bakewell tart, victoria sponge, chocolate cake and amazing cupcakes, my personal favourite is the frou frou cupcake (raspberry & coconut), but there are 5 flavours in total to try and you should!

It's done so well, it's difficult to fault them. The design of the shop itself is lovely, fronted by a large window with gold lettering displaying their wares with the cakes on charming cake stands, it's all so pretty and inviting. The packaging is also fantastic, pretty pastel cake boxes with bold lettering. It shouldn't matter, but it does.

I've been a few times now, it's a must for the cupcakes alone, and it's been consistently good. It's on the pricey side, mind, at £10 for 5 cupcakes, but they're so good it's worth it.

Smooth Juice Ltd - A great way to get your fruits and vegetables in by Sami

Sami — Sat, 19 May 2007 12:04:34 +0000

Review by Sami

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 3119 1081

Tags: healthy, fresh, quick bite

Love it!

At the same price for an Innocent smoothie, you can get a fresher and made-to-order version of your daily fruit servings at this fab juice bar, tucked into a miniscule store front on King's Cross Road.

The shop might not be fancy, but it's the quality that counts: contrary to a lot of juice bars in London, the juices at Smooth Juice are all made from fresh as opposed to frozen, fruits.

I spoke to the proprietor for a minute while I was waiting for my juice and she said that while she's been open for the past 15 months or so, business is really starting to pick up as Londoners become more open to "healthy eating" and understand the importance of fresh food. Fruit is packed with natural nutrients and anti-oxidants, and contrary to most people's assumptions, a freshly blended juice is so much better for that pounding hangover of yours than a full English breakfast. I absolutely promise you that and if you don't believe me, go Google it ;)

Even more importantly, the price is right. In North America we've had juice bars for at least the past 10 years but certain things are slower, much slower to make it across the ocean - the concept of the juice bar being one of them. Here the prices for a small are around 2 pounds, a medium at 2.40, and a large at 3. Most things will be more expensive here but I am so happy to say that they've got it bang on!

They also have snacks there; crisps, sandwiches, energy bars, etc - but go for the juice. Fresh juice is a cure-all and if you're feeling miserable or it's raining, this will bring a little bit of sunshine to your life :)

(Shut up, I know how cheesy that is but it's so tasty and filling and healthy...)Love it!

At the same price for an Innocent smoothie, you can get a fresher and made-to-order version of your daily fruit servings at this fab juice bar, tucked into a miniscule store front on King's Cross Road.

The shop might not be fancy, but it's the quality that counts: contrary to a lot of juice bars in London, the juices at Smooth Juice are all made from fresh as opposed to frozen, fruits.

I spoke to the proprietor for a minute while I was waiting for my juice and she said that while she's been open for the past 15 months or so, business is really starting to pick up as Londoners become more open to "healthy eating" and understand the importance of fresh food. Fruit is packed with natural nutrients and anti-oxidants, and contrary to most people's assumptions, a freshly blended juice is so much better for that pounding hangover of yours than a full English breakfast. I absolutely promise you that and if you don't believe me, go Google it ;)

Even more importantly, the price is right. In North America we've had juice bars for at least the past 10 years but certain things are slower, much slower to make it across the ocean - the concept of the juice bar being one of them. Here the prices for a small are around 2 pounds, a medium at 2.40, and a large at 3. Most things will be more expensive here but I am so happy to say that they've got it bang on!

They also have snacks there; crisps, sandwiches, energy bars, etc - but go for the juice. Fresh juice is a cure-all and if you're feeling miserable or it's raining, this will bring a little bit of sunshine to your life :)

(Shut up, I know how cheesy that is but it's so tasty and filling and healthy...)

Well Dressed - by lou1982

lou1982 — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 17:08:27 +0000

Review by lou1982

Rating: 3.00

Tags: closed down

Used to love the hot wraps for my lunch - now has been replaced by another shop :(Used to love the hot wraps for my lunch - now has been replaced by another shop :(