Latest favourites and wishlist by hsh

La Bottega Delle Langhe - review by mazphd

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 08:30:28 +0000

La Bottega Delle Langhe - review by mazphd

Rating: 5.0

Location: 36 Goodramgate, YO1 7LF, York, United Kingdom

Phone: 01904 622584

Tags: Italian, sublime, decadent, refined, top food, proper food, amazing brew, quiet & relaxed, crowded, tasty, lively, cultured, italian

The most wonderful of deli's just got better. La Bottega has now moved to Peasholme area of the city centre (opposite the black swan pub, and nextdoor to the quilting museum, joy)

this means the premises is of comparatively huge proportions to what it had been before. the outside cafe is more like a fully extended restaurant with spaces inside and outside. more popular than ever queues are looooooooong to get space to sit and relax, but well worth the wait. Plus the deli shop means that if you get bored you can buy delights as you wait for your table.

really wonderful to see such a successful business in york. we need more places like la bottega.

Cafe No 8 Bistro - review by zedowie

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:50:31 +0000

Cafe No 8 Bistro - review by zedowie

Rating: 4.7

Location: 8 Gillygate, YO31 7EQ, York, United Kingdom

Phone: 01904 653074

Website: http://www.no8-bistro.com

Went to Cafe No 8 on Sunday. The menu offers Sunday Brunch options such as full english breakfast, bacon or sausage sandwiches, toast or traditional roast sunday lunch or bistro style dishes such as meatball tagine, salmon steak. Our delicious lunch started with pea & watercress soup/ black pudding with apple, main courses of roast fillet of lamb and roast beef and yorkshire pud then lemon posset with vanilla ice cream. The quality of the ingredients is exceptional and they are treated with a lot of skill. We have eaten here several times and the food is always of a very high standard. Service is friendly and efficient. The restaurant is small, but has a very nice garden at the rear where you can also eat.

Sangthai - review by cmmort

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:30:03 +0000

Sangthai - review by cmmort

Rating: 5.0

Location: Church Cottage, YO19 6EX, York, United Kingdom

Tags: lively, thai, expensive

The Sangthai is a really REALLY good restaurant! Hidden away off the main road through Escrick, it feels exclusive and upmarket straightaway, and you are given a warm and friendly welcome by the staff as soon as you step in the door.

This is the perfect place to come with friends for great food and a catch up, or come for a romantic meal for two. We've spent the past two New Year's Eves at the Sangthai - and will probably do the same again this year. The food is absolutely delicious - we always go for the mixed starters to have a bit of everything on offer! And for main course ... well my other half and I have worked our way around the menu and finally come up with firm favourites - mine is the prawn yellow curry and his the beef, peanut and potato curry.

It is quite expensive (usually end up about Â£25-Â£30 a head with wine and starters) but totally worth it as both food and service are excellent - it's a real treat every time. Never had a bad experience here and while other restaurants come and go, this stays on our list of favourites. Always fairly busy (another good sign!), I would certainly recommend booking - especially Fridays and Saturdays.

Ubiquitous Chip - review by synky

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:47:02 +0000

Ubiquitous Chip - review by synky

Rating: 4.5

Location: 8-12 Ashton Lane, G12 8SJ, Glasgow, United Kingdom

One of the best things about the Chip is the decor inside. With fairy lights, glass panes and greenery, it really is like an outside garden inside, which is magical and different from the usual. The food is pretty good as well, which you might expect from owners of the Straviagan restaurants and the Liquid Ship. Though this place is really popular, so it can be hard to get a table, and you will pay quite a lot for the excellent scottish/french food. The service is friendly as well. I will definitely visit again for a special occasion, but when someone else is paying!

Ubiquitous Chip - review by Promethea

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 04:01:54 +0000

Ubiquitous Chip - review by Promethea

Rating: 4.5

Location: 8-12 Ashton Lane, G12 8SJ, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Tags: expensive, Scottish

You have to go here at least once if you live in Glasgow. The food is very nice but very expensive (the Sunday lunch is highly recommended if you feel like a treat, no fry up this). But really it's about the atmosphere which is THE quintessential West End restaurant and bar. You will often see people from the BBC or well known writers there - particularly look out for Alasdair Grey, author of Lanark, who lives nearby and painted the Chip's famous mural of local characters. Also check out the â¬Ümicrochipâ¬" the very small bar down the lane, just opposite the buskers.

Cafe No 8 Bistro - review by saffire

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:47:00 +0000

Cafe No 8 Bistro - review by saffire

Rating: 4.7

Location: 8 Gillygate, YO31 7EQ, York, United Kingdom

Phone: 01904 653074

Website: http://www.no8-bistro.com

Tags: cosy, top food, proper food, quiet & relaxed, good brew, quick bite, lively, cultured

Cafe no.08 is a tiny little place, with barely a handful of tables and a very pretty little garden. It is very easy to miss from the outside, but you juat have to try it!

I have been here far too many times to count, and have not yet been disappointed. They serve a great brunch/lunch menu, the breakfast is tasty and the soups and sandwiches are fantastic! The portions are very filling, much more than you would expect.

The evening menu, served from 6pm, is very impressive. There are just a few carefully chosen dishes to pick from, but they are all so good you wont know which one to pick!

The garden is lovely, so sit out there if you can! It is also fun for a coffee and some dessert.

Ubiquitous Chip - review by LupeGolightly

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 08:46:22 +0000

Ubiquitous Chip - review by LupeGolightly

Rating: 4.5

Location: 8-12 Ashton Lane, G12 8SJ, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Tags: romantic, expensive

Been at the Chip for two Christmas lunches.

Expensive (always good if your company is paying!), however the food is delicious (although, dont expect a plate full) and the staff friendly and accomodating.

The decor is fresh and the restaurant very hygienic. The toilets well maintained and kept clean. A fresh towel every time you wash your hands - i dread to think their cleaning bill, ha.

Warm atmosphere inside and i would recommend it to anyone going for a romantic meal. As i am sure it would accomodate for family's, i think the food is a little too posh for children.

As it is in the heart of the West End of Glasgow, it is easy to get too (subway stop is HILLHEAD) and have a great choice of pubs to follow on too after your meal.

Cafe No 8 Bistro - review by oogywawa

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:50:23 +0000

Cafe No 8 Bistro - review by oogywawa

Rating: 4.7

Location: 8 Gillygate, YO31 7EQ, York, United Kingdom

Phone: 01904 653074

Website: http://www.no8-bistro.com

Tags: cosy, top food, amazing brew, lively

Unassuming is how you would describe this place: both in attitude and appearance. The outside of this increasingly popular little culinary star gives little hint of the wonderful assualt on the senses it delivers inside...and out the back with the lovely garden.

There is a vibrancy and colour to the cooking and presentation that uses as much fresh local produce as possible such as the Yorkshire reared pork and home smoked salmon. It's terrific value as well and the cheerful staff keep you coming back for more.

I don't know whether it's deliberate to keep away the hordes but their website doesn't exactly trumpet their reputation from the rooftops - not telling people that they were featured in the national "Observer Food Monthly 2008" awards (again as in 2007) as highly recommended...

Four stars might seem a bit tight - but with J Bakers on 5 stars this is still a hair's breadth below that experience...

Cafe No 8 Bistro - review by Drinksinyork

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 13:01:19 +0000

Cafe No 8 Bistro - review by Drinksinyork

Rating: 4.7

Location: 8 Gillygate, YO31 7EQ, York, United Kingdom

Phone: 01904 653074

Website: http://www.no8-bistro.com

Tags: cosy, top food, quiet & relaxed

Amazing place but don't tell the tourists!!

La Bottega Delle Langhe - review by oogywawa

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:44:17 +0000

La Bottega Delle Langhe - review by oogywawa

Rating: 5.0

Location: 36 Goodramgate, YO1 7LF, York, United Kingdom

Phone: 01904 622584

Tags: cosy, top food, proper food, amazing brew, cultured

A genuine authentic italian delicatessan with a small cafe. Superb selection of meats & cheese as well as Italian produce that is imported and hard to find in your generic Superstores.

Would recommend to anyone who likes good food & advice from the italian owner who is by the way a seriously good cook as well - he caters at the York International Food Festival...

La Bottega Delle Langhe - review by mazphd

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 08:30:28 +0000

La Bottega Delle Langhe - review by mazphd

Rating: 5.0

Location: 36 Goodramgate, YO1 7LF, York, United Kingdom

Phone: 01904 622584

Tags: Italian, sublime, decadent, refined, top food, proper food, amazing brew, quiet & relaxed, crowded, tasty, lively, cultured, italian

Set on (another) of York's crowded, but cute city streets, La Bottega Delle Langhe a truly wonderful Italian deli. But wait that is not all, it has just recently expanded to include a petite, but perfectly formed cafe. Once only a compact two rooms cramped full of the best of Italy, now La Bottega is set over five floos! YUM! The narrow space that La Bottega occupies means that it is literally crammed of the best from Italy! And yes eerything's in Italian!

SO walk through the front door, past the tempting deli counter (if you can, don't worry you have to pass again on your way out!) and towards the back you will discover space for around seven tables in the newly refurbished courtyard setting. The menu is a mixture of real Italy with sublime and tasty offerings to share across mixed plates, salads, sweets and the freshest of fresh ingredients designed to tempt and make the mouth water.

Who could resist wonder such as 'drunken' mountain cheese, prosecco, fresh olives, hams, tomatoes and too many little delights to mention!

The owner Otto is from Le Langhe - hence the name, an area he has assured me is famed as much for its fresh mountain air as for the cheeses and wines (well naturally!).

Both Otta and his partner Heidi describe themselves as 'natural foodies' , and what could be more natural than the enjoyment of something Italian and rather splendid. So La Bottega has become my little w/e treat.

But why stop there, why not an all week treat too!

Ubiquitous Chip - review by Browners

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 12:55:28 +0000

Ubiquitous Chip - review by Browners

Rating: 4.5

Location: 8-12 Ashton Lane, G12 8SJ, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Tags: lively, british, good value

Last weekend I was lucky enough to be invited up to the Scotland vs. All Blacks up at Murrayfield in Edinburgh with work. The rugby itself was a non event. The mighty All Blacks destroyed the Scotts by about 40 points or so... The food on the other hand was brilliant.

Normally we all think of Scotish food as being atroious. Certainly, Scotland is leagues behind London when it comes to the hospitality and service industries... AA Gill's comments in his article about Dinings in this weekend's Sunday Times capture the mood well:

"Scottish food is even worse. It has become a self-perpetuating stand-up joke, a game of disgusting combinations and one-upmanship. I was offered a sausage and asked, in a get-you-if-youâ¬"re-so-clever sort of way, to guess the mystery ingredient. I failed. If Iâ¬"d gone through the Larousse Gastronomique from A to Z, Iâ¬"d have failed. It was Irn-Bru. Someone is making sausages with too much rusk and Irn-Bru. Why? Do you think weâ¬"re falling short of our E numbers?

What is the point? No, really, what is the point? Presumably, itâ¬"s the same one that inspired haggis lasagne, or a Scottish restaurant to advertise itself on television with the worldâ¬"s largest deep-fried Mars bar. Itâ¬"s a wilful and childish Glasgow kiss to all that poncified, southern, snobby, fine-dining, green-eating gastronomy. Scots are now racing Zimbabweans to an early grave â¬ cutting off their lives to spite their faces.

The Scottish diet might be mitigated if, in its relentlessly fried, sugary, saturated minced-meatiness, it were also dribblingly delicious, utterly McMoreish. But it isnâ¬"t. Itâ¬"s repellent, fouled with imbecilic flavours and mud textures, a thuggish poison with all the variation and nuance of a conversation between drunks on a bench.

And the staggeringly miserable truth is that itâ¬"s despite Scotland having the greatest variety of raw ingredients in the world: cold-water fish that trounce the Mediterraneanâ¬"s; vegetables that are incomparably tastier than Tuscanyâ¬"s; beef thatâ¬"s finer than any in France; lamb thatâ¬"s sweeter than in Scandinavia; game more varied and delicious than in Germany; and more varieties of fruit than Spain. It also has an unprecedented heritage of recipes, ingenuity and skill. Scottish cooks used to be in demand around the world, particularly for their baking and preserves. But all this has been infantilely discarded to make some collective, chippy, ironic joke. The death of Scots cuisine is the most inexplicable suicide in all of civilisation."

After a full day of drinking and a decent hospitality lunch of fillet mignon and salmon terrine we were looking forward to escaping Edinburgh and finishing the weekend off with a slap up meal in Glasgow. My boss Patrick had booked us into a restaurant dubiously titled the Ubiquitous Chip which he had visited 20 years previously.

It's an oasis in what is otherwise a culinary desert. The menu was rich with delicious scottish food. I chose an oxtail sausage followed by roasted pigeon on a pearl barley risotto.

The oxtail sausage was amazing... deeply flavoured and flakily textured with a dark, smooth sauce that caught the light. Only one was more than enough. Oli loved his smoked salmon cured in Laphroaig, whilst Patrick and Andy thought their mini venison haggis was top notch.

My pigeon came with loads of tiny mushrooms, a creamy sauce on one side of the plate and a damsony fruity sauce on the other. The pigeon flesh was so, so, so pink. Bouncy, firm and perfectly cooked. The rich sticky sauce worked perfectly. I savoured every moment hoping that it would last all night. Stunning. Some of the best food I've ever had.

If only the rest of Scotalnd's restaurants were as good as this!

http://aroundbritainwithapaunch.blogspot.com/2007/10/ubiquitous-chip-in-glasgow.html

Ubiquitous Chip - review by hsh

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 23:46:24 +0000

Ubiquitous Chip - review by hsh

Rating: 4.5

Location: 8-12 Ashton Lane, G12 8SJ, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Tags: lively, excellent loos., cozy areas, garden areas, british, family & home feel, business, good value, crowded, brasserie, friendly staff, expensive, romantic

having read about this institution in the good food guide i just had to call in on my 1st visit to Glasgow. 'the wee pub' was the first port of call . we had a starter of tatties and neaps this was excellent and more than enough for lunch. It was tempting to book in for supper but we decieded to bring alone friends for sunday dinner. the saturday menu looked interesting and a good deal at #29.00 for 2 courses image our surprise when we found sunday lunch #18.95 3 courses plus appetiser plus glass of fizz. One of the best meals we have had in a long time. Please make the ffort to visit the ambience is great, the decor lovely and the staff so very friendly.

La Bottega Delle Langhe - review by hsh

Wed, 04 Apr 2007 16:24:43 +0000

La Bottega Delle Langhe - review by hsh

Rating: 5.0

Location: 36 Goodramgate, YO1 7LF, York, United Kingdom

Phone: 01904 622584

Tags: quick bite, proper food, rare finds, delicatessen, mediterranean, crowded

Open regular shop hours only this has the best coffe in York. You walk into a small deli area that is packed to the ceiling with Italian delicacies, a fridge full of artisan cheeses and parma ham. Squeeze through to the tiny seating areas. the Italian menu is short but sweet, everything is homemade. The tarts such as Fig and pistacio are all just too good for the waistline. I really should be keeping this place a secret.

Cafe No 8 Bistro - review by hsh

Wed, 04 Apr 2007 16:10:26 +0000

Cafe No 8 Bistro - review by hsh

Rating: 4.7

Location: 8 Gillygate, YO31 7EQ, York, United Kingdom

Phone: 01904 653074

Website: http://www.no8-bistro.com

Tags: cozy, british, average brew, good value, friendly staff, lively

This has to be one of the best places to eat in York. The food is fresh and as local as possible. The range of food changes on a regular basis with a good daily specials board. In the summer the outdoor area is a hidden haven.