• Added: 12th of April 2008
• Area: Kensington
• Category: Food and Drink

London SW7 3EX
020 7052 0732

gastro1 said
The saviour of Italian Ice Cream in London
When the Owners of La Bottega del Gelato in Bayswater retired about 2 years ago I knew that Londoners who savour real Italian home made ice cream would be in serious trouble.

The outlet has allegedly been passed on to a relative; however what is being served is clearly industrial.

Some may remember a similar affair with the retirement of the owner and ice cream maker at Benigra on Tottenham Court Road some 8-10 years ago.

Thankfully Christian O'Ddonno and a friend who were students in London and could not satisfy their taste for the Ice Cream of their homeland saw a gap in the market. After undergoing on the job training back in Italy they opened a superb Ice Cream Parlour in South Kensington that also supplies some notable restaurants. The sorbets and Ice Creams are really outstanding!

Caramello and Panetone ice cream are my particular favourites.

Oh and if you have just had a shish kofte or donner round the corner at Bospherous this is the perfect Ying after your Yang - food on the move par excellence !

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

London SW10 0AJ
020 7352 3449

gastro1 said
Excelent Food and Great Lunch Value
I have been going to Aubergine since Gordon Ramsey was the launch chef and have carried on since he famously "walked out" with the majority of his "loyal" staff and set up at Royal Hospital Road on his own in pretty quick time.

The restaurant continues to produce great French Cuisine backed up by a super wine list.

William Drabble has a talent for procuring excellent seasonal, mostly local ingredients and turning out exceptional French influenced food.

Aubergine is great for a special occassion in the evening and still have one of the best bargain set lunches in London (at least for this end of the market)

• Added: 25th of March 2008
• Area: Sukhna
• Category: Restaurants

Sukhna

gastro1 said
Red Sea Haven
La Fiesta is part of the beautiful La Siesta Mountain Resort in Sukhna a superb spot on the hills looking down on the Red Sea.

It is beautifully and tastefully appointed and serves delicious Middle Eastern mazah , grills and sweets as well as great Shisha to provide the ultimate chill out zone !

The staff are kind and attentive and nothing is too much trouble.

If you are in the hood you should make every effort to visit this place.

• Added: 15th of March 2008
• Area: Battersea
• Category: Restaurants

London SW8 3RH
020 7622 0555

gastro1 said
Superb Value
Influenced by Sue's review I went to Tom Ilic last night as part of a party of 6.

The food and service was really excellent and Mr Ilic is not only a great talent but also a charming young man.

Food and wine is very fairly priced and in many ways reminds me of Ramsey at Aubergine pre his first star.

My only quibble is that some of the strters like Pig Cheek with mash are really main courses and in an attempt to keep thing economic the wine list is a little limited with no "great" wines to accompany the outstanding food.

in terms of food everything that passed my lips was beautifully prepared and seasoned from the Pigs Cheek to the Roast beef Fillet with bone marrow , spinach and roast crispy root vegetables.

Mr Ilic I will bring you some Slivovica on my next visit !

• Added: 8th of March 2008
• Area: Champs Elysees
• Category: Restaurants

Paris 75008
33-1-58-36-125

gastro1 said
The Master
I followed Pierre Gagnaire from his original St Etienne establishment to Paris.

The man is a genius and at the forefront of French Cuisine and someone who can be ranked with the greats of the modern era !

To be brutally honest words cannot describe what he does with food all I can say is that the value add of his cooking and preparation processes turn superbly selected ingredients into wonderful combinations of flavour and texture.

If you are serious about food this is man and his food cannot be missed. For me along with L' Ambroisseie it's one of the finest restaurants in Paris and France . For me its in the top 3 world wide along with Troisgros , Bras , El Bulli , Gambero Rosso, The French Laundry and Tetsuyas.

• Added: 8th of March 2008
• Area: Mayfair
• Category: Restaurants

London W1K 7QR
020 7408 0881

gastro1 said
Fading
I have had some of my best meals in London in Le Gavroche both in Sloane Street and Mayfair.

The best beef cheek stew ever served with an amazing mouseline of potatoes as well as superb pan fried scallops with thin crispy vegetables and a touch of oriental spice.

It has remained at the top of fine French cuisine right through to Albert Roux handing over to his son Michel Roux Jr -despite losing it's third star at handover for me it was just as good for a few years - However this is no longer the case since around 2005 and I am not sure why ?

I suspect Michel is more interested in running Marathons and working out in the gym which is fine if like Ramsey at Royal Hospital Road you have sme of the best young talent wrking the stoves.

• Added: 8th of March 2008
• Area: Paris
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

Paris 75006
01 45 48 55 25

gastro1 said
The Ultimate
The Ultimate French Cafe !

Great breakfast and light fare perfect for people watching in the lovely Bd St Germain

• Added: 5th of March 2008
• Area: Farringdon
• Category: Restaurants

London EC1A 9JX
020 7796 0600

gastro1 said
I predict a riot
Club Gascon serves "tapas" of great French South Western cooking.

Foie Gras is the star of the show as the founders were originally wholesalers of what has now become the bete noir of the food terrorists ! The cassoulet is great as is the superb Bayonne Ham and regional salamis.

Since Club was awarded a star the food has become a little bit more adventurous and verging on the eccentric.

The wine list has probably the best selection of wines from Languedoc Rousillion ,South West France , Corsica and Provence . I wonder how many of the UK food terrorists drink Australian , Chilean and South African wines when the afore mentioned French wines are on their doorstep providing a vastly superior price to quality ratio.

• Added: 4th of March 2008
• Area: Bayswater
• Category: Restaurants

London W2 2AA
020 7723 8855

gastro1 said
Solid
Bombay Palace is part of an international chain that spans Europe , Asia and North America.

The food is good solid punjabi style - sometimes the chef is heavy on the Ghee.In fact I would go more often if he did not use it !

Bindhi Gosht and Black Lentils Dal are excellent as are the Tikkas and Tandoori Chcken - The Sag Gosht is also recommended.

• Added: 4th of March 2008
• Area: Brooklyn
• Category: Restaurants

Brooklyn 11211
7183877400

gastro1 said
Best in the world ?
Simply the best steakhouse in the world.

The benchmark for others to follow.

Go for the porterhouse with German Potatoes and the legendary creamed spinach.

The only place I have enjoyed grilled steak ( a cote de boeuf in this case as much ) is the legendary La Tupina in Bordeaux grilled on an open fire and served with french fries fried in goose fat !

If you cannot get a table or do not want to leave Manhatten try Wolfgangs in Park Avenue which was started by an ex employee !