• Added: 4th of November 2008
• Area: Helsinki
• Category: Restaurants

Helsinki 00130

fommil said
Finnish (Suomi) Tapas = Sapas
A modern (and miniature) take on traditional Finnish dishes, tapas style. Definitely worth trying, especially if you're just visiting Helsinki.

• Added: 3rd of November 2008
• Area: Funchal
• Category: Restaurants

Funchal 9060 291

fommil said
Best in Funchal
If this were a restaurant in a big city, I'd probably give 4 stars... but given that it's in the holiday town of Funchal, Madeira, I'm giving 5 because it is the best restaurant on the island.

The thing about Funchal is that all the restaurants have the same menu, the same badly cooked fish, the same vegetables that have been boiled within an inch of evapouration, the same dessert source, and the same aggressive waiters who will literally run down a street to hound you into dining at their establishment... except O Jango.

At O Jango, you can expect fresh fish cooked perfectly, decent side dishes of local vegetables and desserts made on the premises (although, please ignore the hilariously misplaced "cottage pie" below the seasonal tropical fruits on the menu). You can't really ask for more than that when you're on holiday.

Expect to pay around €60 in total for 3 courses and wine to share for two.

On more general Funchal advice... the area around O Jango (the old town, which is 100m east of the cable car in the centre of town) is home to the best dining area. Don't even think about eating anywhere else unless you're desperate.

• Added: 6th of April 2008
• Area: Dublin
• Category: Restaurants

Dublin

fommil said
Fast real food
Eddie Rockets is a 50s/60s American Diner that serves fast food made from real ingredients. It's not exactly a goumet burger bar, but the ingredients taste fresh and the malt milkshakes are unique.

I must admit, the non-functional jukeboxes annoy me a little, and the music collection is more like "movie nostalgia" rather than atmospheric... if they'd stuck to era rock and roll it would have worked with the image, but unfortunately they've opted for boring pop hits that have been totally overplayed thanks to Tarantino movies.

This used to be my favourite restaurant as a free and loose student, but I must admit that I was disappointed at my most recent visit. I don't think the restaurant has changed at all in the last 10 years... not even a single noticeable addition to the menu.

• Added: 6th of April 2008
• Area: Dublin
• Category: Arts and Culture

Dublin

fommil said
Lunchtime opera, excellent
"Bewley's Cafe Theatre, located in the former Oriental Room of the Grafton St Cafe, is Dublin's foremost stage for lunchtime drama & one of the city's most exciting venues for evening cabaret, jazz & comedy."

Bewley's has a lunchtime performance and when I was in town, it was Pagliacci, the opera with clowns in it. I was totally blown away by the quality of the performers and because it is such a small audience, they take some liberties when it comes to crowd interaction (don't worry, nobody gets picked on!).

Absolutely a highlight of Dublin... the lunchtime opera is a must see! It comes with a side of soup :-)

• Added: 6th of April 2008
• Area: Cambridge
• Category: Restaurants

Cambridge CB2 1UJ
01223 448620

fommil said
Great steak and wine
I had a perfectly cooked "Onglet" cut of steak and it was one of the best steaks I've ever had in the UK. Highly recommended, and a restaurant where you can trust them to cook anything rare... although I tend to go for medium/rare.

Don't feel too bad about going for the cheapest wine on the menu, the Shiraz, I found it went great with the steak.

Also, very nice ambient lighting and the wine collection in public view beside the tables... I like that sort of thing.

• Added: 6th of April 2008
• Area: Cambridge
• Category: Take Aways

Cambridge CB1 7AW
01223 579279

fommil said
Very fresh
The freshness of the ingredients is the thing that struck me the most about this restaurant. Almost everything comes with herb leaves that feel like they will plucked seconds before being served.

Unfortunately I made a very bad decision and went for a sweet lamb curry dish which was a bit too sweet. However, from the tasters of my friends' dishes... this is a pretty good curry house.

• Added: 29th of March 2008
• Area: Edinburgh
• Category: Restaurants

Edinburgh EH2 4JY
0131 260 9896

fommil said
Nice burgers, but not the best in town
As good but not better than Wannaburger... although the menu is certainly more extensive.

This burger restaurant has classic burgers or a wide range of more exotic burgers including mango and ginger, chorizo, venison and falafel. However, the chips are school canteen quality and the "order at the bar" policy is a little inconvenient.

All in all, it's a very pleasant meal but lacking in atmosphere and they possibly think a little bit too much of their burgers.

• Added: 23rd of March 2008
• Area: Dublin
• Category: Restaurants

Dublin DUBLIN 2

fommil said
nothing special
I actually went to the sister cafe on South Great Georges St, round the corner from this one.

Candlelit atmosphere, and a really good pesto/hummous and bread starter. However, both my main (pizza) and the dessert were a big let down. The salad selection looked quite good.

• Added: 10th of March 2008
• Area: Edinburgh
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Edinburgh EH2 1DR
0131 220 1208

fommil said
Lots of potential
Taking over the Tijuana Yaught Club premises, The Dogs has a lot of potential to be a great traditional (but not gastro) restaurant. The menu was all very simple (boiled salt beef, poached coley, etc) but cooked perfectly. I'm looking forward to returning in a few months when they've had time to find their feet and become something amazing.

• Added: 9th of March 2008
• Area: Edinburgh
• Category: Restaurants

Edinburgh EH2 1DR

fommil said
Restaurant closed
I've never been, but it has sadly closed down due to the death of the owner

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topstories/Restaurant-goes-to-the-dogs.3696538.jp

A new restaurant, "The Dogs" is actually quite good.