Latest reviews by Hugo

The Phoenix

Hugo — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:37:46 +0000

Rating: 2.5

Location: 14 Palace Street, SW1E 5JA, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7834 3547

Tags: relaxed, not gastro pub, gastro pub, beer garden, friendly

Rancid TunaOh dear, it is not often I do a stinker of a review but I feel forced to pull one out of the bag. The reason: The grimmest serving of Tuna I have ever had. I am naturally greedy (I fear), so it is rare if I don't eat up all my grub but, in my book, this was inedible. The tuna just tasted wrong, rancid if my imagination was not over-doing things, the risotto was suspiciously bland yet gloupy (sorry hard to explain) and the sauce was untouchable, a sickly yellow squidge that I wouldn't eat if you paid me.

To be fair other things about the Pheonix food experience were ok: the waitress was attentive and friendly (the main reason I feel slightly guilty for this review in fact) and others claimed some of their food was ok. Apparently the steak was pretty darn good but I got rather mixed reviews on the other dishes - salmon (same sauce as mine I noted) and a chicken dish.

In summary it seemed like it was trying to be a gastro-pub without the passion for the gastro. It sounds unkind but it seemed like they were going through the motions without the product at the end. Love to hear about any contrary and more uplifiting experiences. After all this is a potential local for me but one thing is for sure, I would never, ever, order the tuna here again.

The most popular feature of the Pheonix pub, I should note, is that it allows people to drink outside over an extensive area of the street (spilling out of a smaller beer garden type thing at the back).

Ulbster Arms Hotel

Hugo — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:06:50 +0000

Rating: 5.0

Location: Bridge Street, KW12 6XY, Halkirk, United Kingdom

Phone: 01847 831641

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

Tags: comfy, refurbished, scottish food, fisherman

Fishermans dream hotel & restaurantThe Ulbster Arms Hotel has built itself a reputation as the hotel for fisherman in Caithness and anyone else for that matter, pottering around Caithness.

The hotel itself is probably mostly used by fisherman on Thursoe (as stunning local Salmon river) but after a recent tasteful refurbishment, new management and a new chef, there is a diverse set of guests at this charming hotel/ restaurant.

I stayed here for 4 days and had some superb food including lobster, fresh haddock/ poached egg for breakfast, fresh lemon sole, venison casserole and much more besides.

The local area, especially up by the loch at the top of Thursoe is wild and utterly stunning.

The hotel caters across a range of options from some cheap cabins to some very pucca new double rooms with large baths actually in the rooms and views of the river, which is quite fun.

The Green Stag

Hugo — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:28:43 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: Dunrobin Street, KW8 6JA, Helmsdale, United Kingdom

Phone: 01431 821 102

Website: http://www.bridgehotel.net/cgi-bin/rez60load.pl?0001/ab0001.html

Tags: excellent, game, scottish, wild

Local Scottish FoodA delicious pit-stop meal, just passing through the Bridge Hotel in Helmsdale.

An excellent Red Deer Stew with mashed potatoes and beans. As simple as that and thoroughly delicious. If you are passing through this neck of the woods, either for a few days or on your way oop North to John O Groats then this is worth a pitstop.

They also seem to do a raft of other foods and have all sorts including fresh lobster.

They pride themselves on using local produce and there is some wonderful stuff around this neck of the woods.

Harrow Inn

Hugo — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:43:24 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: Steep, GU32 2DA, Petersfield, United Kingdom

Tags: relaxed, unspoilt, beer garden, traditional pub, local

unspoilt traditional country pubThe Harrow is a local country pub next door to where I went to school. It has always had a legendary status as a traditional and unspoilt local pub. What is rather remarkable is that nothing has changed, literally nothing: the loos, the menu, the owners, the garden, the parking....a time warp of unspoilt unkempt charm.

I just returned there the other day for a cricket match and was touched by its humble simplicity and stubborness to move with the times. Sadly a dual-carrageway has cut through the landscape within a stone's throw but despite this it remains a bastion of a British way of life and pretty much an-affected. Perhaps most remarkable is how the menu has been identical for decades: split-pea, lentil and ham soup, ham ploughmans, cheese ploughmans, cottage pie and, well, that is about it. Gastro-pub this is not. However, all the ales are served directly from the barrels and the tiny pub rooms are uncompromisingly....small and pokey: perfect.

The pubs notably stoic approach to maintaining its unspoilt charms do not go un-noticed as this year it won most unspoilt pub of the year award:
http://www.goodguides.co.uk/NationalWinners2008.htm

So, if you are in the Petersfield area and fancy a pint then pop-in to the Harrow. You should not be disappointed with your traditional pub experience to remember the good old days. You probably would not drive there to eat but after a pint or two the food seems excellent.

Le Caprice

Hugo — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 08:10:08 +0000

Rating: 4.4

Location: Arlington St, SW1A 1RD, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7629 2239

Website: http://www.le-caprice.co.uk/

Tags: lively, london institution, professional, excellent, tasty

Reputation DeservedThis establishment has a reputation for a reason: It is professionally run and has truly excellent food.

The restaurant is chocca in the evening and has a lively vibe. Whilst it may be a little noisy for those who don't like to raise their voice the quality of food and ambiance let that potential irritation pale into insignificance.

Le Caprice's food is so good that i think i could honestly eat it every day of my life. I had a light but exceptionally tasty meal: Cold beetroot soup with horseradish (mmm, perfect) and then arguably the best blue fin tuna I have had - luscious and thickly chopped tuna steak on a bed of cleverly spiced lentils that were astonishly complimentary.

Monitoring closely the other dishes around the table, the soft crab appetizer looked a winner, as did the juicy helpings of scallops.

All in all, highly recommended.

(Punters should note that doing anything as vulgar as photographing your dinner party is utterly banned, which I personally find a shade OTT and potentially pretentious but I am in a surprisingly forgiving mood after such tasty food.)

The Wheatsheaf

Hugo — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 20:56:06 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: Main Street, TD11 3JJ, Swinton, United Kingdom

Phone: 01890 860 257

Website: www.wheatsheaf-swinton.co.uk

Tags: friendly, scottish, traditional, tasty

Borders fine diningI got a word-of-mouth recommendation from several locals for this restaurant in Swinton. I believe that more than anything there just aren't that many tasty places to eat out in the Borders. Being an urbanite who is making strides to become more rural (at least part of the time) I am still slightly slow to drop my eating out tendencies...so was keen to try out The Wheatsheaf.

The entrance window of the restaurant leaves you in no doubt that they have their share of awards and the location is charmingly opposite the village green. The amosphere is quite formal but extremely friendly. We were sat down at the bar and our orders taken from there, which seemed pleasantly old fashioned. It was a Monday night and absolutely empty, so not really a fair test (worth bearing in mind on busier nights - don't blame me if v different!).

The menu was excellent, with a raft of staple local Scottish meats and fish. I ate a tasty timbale of cold 'hot smoked salmon', prawns and other bits-n-bobs. I then had a very tasty halibut. My fellow dining comrades ate local beef and lamb, which was by all reports quite good. Good presentation, in a modern style but not too intricate/ fancy so as to be irritating.

My inclination is to say great service, pleasant atmos, tasty food: probably a 3.5 star but erring on the side of 4 for goodwill (and the fact that there arn't many options around here).

Pilgrims Coffee Shop

Hugo — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 22:17:03 +0000

Rating: 5.0

Location: Falkland House, TD15 2SJ, Holy Island, United Kingdom

Phone: 01289 389 109

Website: http://www.pilgrimscoffee.com/

Tags: friendly, charming, amazing brew, garden, coffee, family run

Well worth a pilgrimage: coffee with passionPassion makes a difference and 'Pilgrims Coffee Shop' is a case in point. This family run tea room on Lindisfarne is a highly recommended spot to rest your weary feat and quench your thirst after a wander out to the castle or around the battered Abbey. Holy Island is a treat of the Borders region and if you make it here then you should remember to come here too.

The setting was wonderful as the cafe has a charming walled garden with plenty of seating that is a sun-trap (if you are lucky enough to have sunshine like us, remember you are not visiting the Borders for the weather - as a man in a local shop reminded me).

The family run cafe should surprise you with the quality of their coffee (truly excellent) and their home-made cakes are a winner too. Unfeasibly friendly you can just tell that the family team care about what they are doing. If you want convincing then take a look a their fun website as I did.

The Kelso Farmers Market

Hugo — Thu, 29 May 2008 18:12:38 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: The Square, , Kelso, United Kingdom

Tags: local, direct, borders foods, organic

Good but not excellentI really wanted 3.5 star option but erred on the side of generosity. I am a huge fan of farmers markets and this is a good one to know about. Somehow though I was not dazzled by the energy of the market (how do I measure that? just gut feeling really) but certainly worth a visit and I give it all my support. Kelso is a very pretty town and the farmers market nestles in the central square just in front of the Town Hall.

There is plenty of local veg, fish, meats, cheeses etc and a few novel stands too: a local cupcake maker (are they fashionable or what right now?) and one stand selling Rape Seed Oil (which it is claimed is the savvy oil to use and in many repsects more healthy than Olive Oil).

Only things to really know:
- Every 4th Saturday of every month except July and December (for some reason)
- Wide range of Borders products
- Open from 9.30am until 1.30pm

Uno

Hugo — Sun, 25 May 2008 09:11:20 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 1 Denbigh St, SW1V 2HF, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7834 1001

Tags: italian, modern, friendly

Numero Uno in Pimlico?I was impressed by my experience; I'm a huge fan of Italian food and this hits the spot. The restaurant has been completely renovated and now has a fun but not over the top modern atmosphere.

The food is carefully presented and seems lovingly prepared, but without too much fuss. The menu was rammed with Italian specialities and it was a menu that begs you go back before you have even completed your first meal. I had a simple faggioli soup and then grilled monkfish with potato and beetroot cake, which was succulent and tasty. I was especially intrigued by the wild seasonal mushrooms on toast and want to try that next time.

The staff could not have been friendlier, so all in all the package was a good one. This is likely to become a regular for me.

The Cardinal

Hugo — Mon, 19 May 2008 19:17:46 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 23 Francis Street, SW1P 1DN, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7834 7260

Tags: quiet, old-fashioned, traditional pub, local

A proper localThis pub ticks all the boxes as a tip-top local pub: quiet, always a seat, no music, great beer, a sense of community and fun characters to watch. I even spotted a chap drinking from his usual pewter mug (presumably in his usual seat too).

This is a Samuel Smith pub (nothing to do with John Smiths, despite the rumours) so everything is furnished with their traditional brand and quality. The Oatmeal Stout is well worth trying...close your eyes and it feels like slipping back into a bygone era.

Pub food looks pretty basic but traditional. Will report back on that one.

If its an old fashioned local you are after then this hits the spot. This is an endangered species.

Local Hero Deli

Hugo — Mon, 19 May 2008 18:57:35 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 640 Fulham Road, SW6 5RT, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7348 7994

Tags: cafe, rustic, charming, independent, garden

Potential Gem on Fulham RoadLocal Hero Deli has huge potential; charming atmosphere that elevates it from the dreary-ness of the chains and an ace up its sleeve of a pretty little sun-trap of a garden at the back with un-cramped seating.

On a further cheery note the coffee was delicious.

On the downside: the very appealing quiches were let down by the rubberising effect of being heated in a microwave (I assume), the slight nonchalance of the staff (who, for example, let it be known that splitting 2 quiches between two plates for the sake of variety was something they would rather we did) and the rather lame/ unloved salad that came with it. These downside issues almost reduced the review to a 3 stars but I think this place has too much potential/ charm not to highlight it to shoppers/ local dwellers.

Swaine Adeney Brigg

Hugo — Sat, 17 May 2008 19:14:24 +0000

Rating: 5.0

Location: 54 St James's Street, SW1A 1JT, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 0207 4097277

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

Tags: traditional, gentleman, hats, leather, umbrella, iconic, british

Iconic Umbrella? (or an Indiana Jones Hat)Ok, so this is a little over the top but I did hear on the grapevine that this was the ideal place from which to purchase the ultimate Umbrella. I have to say I have not been disappointed by my Swaine Adeney Brigg umbrella(s) and would highly recommend them.

I have been wanting to add this shop to TP for a while and was just browsing their website wondering what else to say about them. I'm delighted to say that a few notable bits of trivia leapt out. Firstly, I am pleased to say that The Brigg Umbrella has been selected by ICONS., a portrait of England, as an official British Icon. Apprently, this was the make of umbrella used by the memorable character Steed in the Avengers. Well, there you go. Certainly, it makes it hard to buy an umbrella anywhere else doesn't it? ahem. ;-)

Then I happened to notice that Swaine Adeney Brigg were the official makers of the original Indy hat (a special tweak on the 1890's original called The Poet apparently). There is a good page on their website describing the moment Stephen Speilberg pottered into the shop to talk about buying a hat for a new film he was making.

A classic British shop and an institution. Worth a potter about, even if you are not interested in purchasing anything. Save up, things you purchase here are for life (he said with his fingers crossed).

Le Pont De La Tour

Hugo — Sat, 17 May 2008 18:22:37 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 36D Shad Thames, SE1 2YE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7403 8403

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

Tags: french, traditional, modern, tasty, expensive

Conran Surprised Me
I have never really been very interested in the idea of eating at a Conran restaurant because the quote of his saying "if you want good food then eat at home" just sticks in my mind - not sure when and where he said it though. The impression I had was one of form over function, with irritating trendy-ness winning out over any substance.

I was a bit non-plussed therefore when I heard that I was heading to Le Pont De La Tour for dinner, imagining I was going to get a serious grump on. However, I was pleasantly surprised.

I couldn't quite figure out the staff, at first I thought they were being masters of not being intrusive but by the end of the meal i felt it may have just been a noticeable shade of inefficiency. It almost spoilt the meal, especially when deserts seem to linger in the kitchen for a suspiciously long period of time. It was around 11pm and I suspect the chefs were on a cigarette break or something by that time.

Anyhow, back to the food, which was the sole reason that I have gone for 4 stars. I began with a simply delicious lobster bisque - it was far better than I was expecting. A small but frothy soupson of a dish that hit all the right spots. I can feel bad withdrawal pangs already and worry that I will have cravings for it. Then I had an excellent Monk fish dish with aubergine paste and ratatouille (see photo). The fish was perfectly cooked, moist, tender and quite delicious.

I was surprised by the decor, it was traditional, with table cloths and a piano playing in the bar. Quite pleasant and not at all trendy. I guess I had misconceptions.

The food was expensive but I think it was just about worth it, especially for the dishes that I had (I may have been lucky, looking around the table). Deserts looked ok, but for c.Â£14 I would have expected something a little more dazzling, maybe my fellow diners didn't see the best ones or the chef was peeved at our noticeable irritation at their slowness.

James Hook & Co

Hugo — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:17:56 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 15-17 Northern Avenue, MA 02210, Boston, United States of America

Phone: (617) 423 5500

Website: http://www.jameshooklobster.com/

Tags: fish, lobster, helpful staff

The place to buy lobstersAn oddly placed and old style warehouse building right between the bridge to South Boston and next to the new parks which replace the big dig, is James Hook & Co - the place to get lobster, shell fish and all things fishy in Boston.

The shop itself is full of live critters that you can choose from. Perhaps the largest lobsters I have ever seen in my life and perhaps worth a visit in its own right.

I got a take-away lobster roll, which is highly recommended, but am waiting for the right opportunity to order the full monty from this excellent establishment.

Gio Rana's

Hugo — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:26:54 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 1220 Queen Street East, ON M4M 1L7, Toronto, Canada

Phone: (416) 469-5225

Tags: italian, international, fun, modern, quirky

"Really Really Nice Restaurant"...I agreeGiorana's slogan on the top of their menu's is Giorana's Really Really nice Restaurant. I agree.

I was recommended this fun restaurant by a local who said it was a top place to go.

The atmosphere is relaxed and breezy and the food is tasty. I had a very tasty parcel of prawns and an italian style salad to start.

The restaurant has a quirky atmosphere, starting with the giant nose above the door but it works well and I would return at a whisker.