• Added: 2nd of January 2008
• Area: Covent Garden
• Category: Restaurants

London WC1A 1NH
020 7580 9730

DrAlchemy said
Konaki Greek Restaurant
Friendly, good value family Greek Restaurant. Close to British Museum.

We enjoyed the £12 set dinner menu comprising Houmus/Taramasalata, Moussaka and a Greek desert. Good value for a home-cooked style of meal - washed down with the enjoyable House Red, the bill came to around £40 for Dr and Mrs Alchemy.

• Added: 19th of August 2007
• Area: Guildford
• Category: Restaurants

Guildford GU4 8SE

DrAlchemy said
Italian Trattoria by the Surrey Downs
Carlo's Trattoria has been serving excellent Italian food for many years, located a short walk from Newlands Corner, Surrey (where Agatha Christie mysteriously disappeared in 1926). Newlands Corner is a popular destination for walkers as well as a chance for bikers from London to compare their mighty machines on sunny weekends.

Carlo's specialises in fresh fish and sea-food - so keep an eye on the black boards. Dr Alchemy and his companion started with Prawns Funghetti and Fresh Sardines. This was followed by sea-bass and Lamb with a Balsamic reduction. Another member of our party pronounced the Tagliatelli and crab a resounding success. We succumbed to temptation and enjoyed the luscious deserts. For two people with wine, our three courses cost 75 including tip.

The staff are friendly, and the service is efficient. The ambiance is simple and non-fussy and a chance to enjoy good Italian cooking.

• Added: 13th of August 2007
• Area: Plomodiern
• Category: Restaurants

Plomodiern 29550
02 98 81 52 32

DrAlchemy said
Gourmet Treat in Brittany
DrAlchemy and Mrs Alchemy were delighted to find a Michelin one star restaurant tucked away in the delightful Breton village of Plomodiern.

After enjoying a day's exploring the delights of the coastal footpath, we walked a few minutes from our gite to l'Auberge des Glazicks. Olivier Bellin, local boy made good, presides in the kitchen and makes use of the local sea-food and ble noir to inspire his creations.

We chose the Menu Plaisir for 70 euros. After a delightful "free" course (macaroons with foie gras creme brulee) to whet our appetite, we proceeded to the Langoustine Rouge "Crousti-fondante" which teamed shelled langoustine, with a small piece of sausage and shaved pineapple to provide exciting contrasts.

The steamed lobster that followed was perfectly moist and complimented by a fried potato and tomato.

The tender, lightly roasted lamb with ble noir crust was equally delicious, and Dr and Mrs Alchemy reached further gastonomic heights with the chocolate tube with basil foam and creme brulee.

Words cannot do justice the creativity and imagination that produced so many interesting and beautiful food combinations. The presentation was artistic and it almost seemed wrong to destroy each elegant arrangement of form and colour.

The staff were attentive, and took the trouble to explain each course (and even the best order to eat the various parts).

Well worth a considerable detour if you are in western Brittany. Excellent value too - this meal would be double in London!