Joe and the juice: this is one of my favourite juice bars in London. There’s a really chilled out atmosphere, the guys that work there are really friendly and always keen to make a recommendation. Before ordering the drinks remember that the entire passion fruit including the seeds are blitzed into the drink.
Brgr & co: A relatively new restaurant on the King’s road. They’re burgers are very enjoyable. I was sceptical to try them at first considering that they come served in brioche buns, however they come highly recommended. The falafel burger is very greasy and just about edible, as are the onion rings, which are quite tough. Having said this they have a very nice home made lemonade and quite nice milkshakes. The best thing served here are the parmesan and truffle French fries. They are rather filling though.
Roka: this restaurant is simply amazing. There is a really relaxed atmosphere and the staff are really friendly and always there to help. Upon arrival we were whisked to the bar for some drinks before being shown to our table.The cocktail menu was delicious. The Bakana Banana is the perfect cocktail for those that love tropical flavours, however it is quite strong. The margarita on the other hand was a little watery and not lemony enough. The tasting menu was rather expensive, however really worth every penny. The tai miso yaki with sweet potato was nice but not as spectacular as the rest of the meal. The desserts at Roka are delicious. The crème brûlée was delicious, however the whiskey ice cream that came with it was a little too strong. Overall it was a really fun place to have dinner. For a lively atmosphere I would recommend booking at 8pm.
Asia de Cuba: This chic restaurant is located on St Martin’s lane; a stones throw from the Colleseum. I have had the pleasure of having afternoon tea and dinner here. The afternoon tea is unusual however I really enjoyed it. There are empanadas, spring rolls and so much more for savoury, as well as a palette cleanser with strawberry mango and basil. The different types of teas are amazing. For the desserts the donuts were my personal favourite, however the chocolate chilli mouse was also interesting. I really enjoyed the background heat. Finally for afternoon tea you could have cold lemongrass tea or a small shot of cold coffee with sugar. I went for the coffee, but I can assure that both are delicious.
For dinner I had the £80 set menu. It was so delicious and some of the new food combinations I tried, I honestly loved. For example banana and cashew salad. I really would only recommend this to adventurous eaters, otherwise its a complete waste of money. Fore dessert we were also served donuts again, with chocolate and caramel sauces, cheesecake and ice cream. The cocktail menu here is delicious, the mojitos are good but mostly ice. I went for the Mambo King, which was a light, fruity champagne cocktail. The décor of the restaurant was really quirky, and the amazing experience was enhanced by how wonderfully helpful and attentive the staff were. One more tip though, take a friend with you to the bathroom, as the loos are rather hard to find.
Sketch: I’ve only had afternoon tea here. When we walked in it was quite a shock to the senses. The chairs were pink and there was dim lighting. The food was classic afternoon tea however I felt that there was too much effort going in to make it fancy. The savouries were not to my liking, however the cakes and patisserie were stunning. My particular favourite was the bubble-gum marshmallow and cassis meringues. Another problem I had with sketch was how ditsy and forgetful the waitresses were. They only bought afternoon tea for three, when there were four of us, and by the time the tea arrived, it was cold, moreover when we asked for more tea it took twenty minutes for it to arrive. The art was a little strange, there was a sketch of a man snorting cocaine, and other odd pieces of art. However I loved the outfits of the waiters/waitresses. Overall this is a fairly average afternoon tea location, however fun for the experience of going to the loos.
Wasabi: This is a lovely high street chain that does nice sushi. Its nothing spectacular, however you can chose the sushi and make your own box. There is also a variety of hot dishes, but I never have those because I love sushi too much. The downside to this place is that its always packed and really hard to find anywhere to sit.
Buddha Bar: This is a really cool place in Knightsbridge. Upon arrival we were shown to our table and the menus brought to us very swiftly. We weren’t given long to decide and within five minutes of having ordered all of the food arrived and once. Another thing was that there were waiters all over the restaurant, and some had fixed stares, and it felt as though you were being watched as you ate. This made me feel very uncomfortable and all of us had finished our meal within 20 minutes. The food here wasn’t great either and it was overpriced for what it was. I would not recommend this place, instead I would recommend dinner at Nobu, and it’s a much safer bet.
Harrods ice cream parlous: My inner child escapes every time I come here. I love the decoration, which is very nostalgic of the 1950s. I love the atmosphere and the staff are so friendly. My personal favourite is the Harrods special sundae, however they are all amazing. The milkshakes are also delicious. Everyone always says that you have to share the sundaes because they’re so big, but I like having my own, because when something is that good, it is NOT worth sharing. Another really great thing is that there is a pizzeria across from the ice cream parlour with a singing chef. This is perfect place to relax after a long day of shopping, or as an after school treat and most definitely ideal for a first date.
Al Dar: This Lebanese restaurant, which is located on the King’s Road is one of our family favourites. Although we don’t go as often now, I remember going almost every weekend when I was growing up. I love the menu, however my favourite is the shwarma wrap. The baklava is also delicious. I’m not really a fan of the drinks, however a diet coke is enough to satisfy me.
My Old Dutch: This is a really nice pancake place, which does butterscotch pancakes, as well as crepes. There is a list of pancakes on the menu but you can also chose your own, which is great considering that different people prefer different things. Warning: do not order one sweet one savoury. You will be so full. I would just recommend going for one or the other, or else you may have to take a little nap after your meal.
Hutong: Located at The Shard, this is an amazing place to have dinner. The food is really nice and great for sharing. I personally loved the egg fried rice and the noodles, which were side dishes, but also I really loved the deep fried spicy crab, which was served in a rather large basket of chillies. The spring rolls and duck are also recommended.
The Wolseley: This place may seem fancy, however the price tag is not so hefty. The steak tartare was a little too mustardy for my liking and by the end of the meal it was almost a chore to eat. However the rest was all delicious, and very filling. You Definately get your money's worth.
Brgr & co: A relatively new restaurant on the King’s road. They’re burgers are very enjoyable. I was sceptical to try them at first considering that they come served in brioche buns, however they come highly recommended. The falafel burger is very greasy and just about edible, as are the onion rings, which are quite tough. Having said this they have a very nice home made lemonade and quite nice milkshakes. The best thing served here are the parmesan and truffle French fries. They are rather filling though.
Roka: this restaurant is simply amazing. There is a really relaxed atmosphere and the staff are really friendly and always there to help. Upon arrival we were whisked to the bar for some drinks before being shown to our table.The cocktail menu was delicious. The Bakana Banana is the perfect cocktail for those that love tropical flavours, however it is quite strong. The margarita on the other hand was a little watery and not lemony enough. The tasting menu was rather expensive, however really worth every penny. The tai miso yaki with sweet potato was nice but not as spectacular as the rest of the meal. The desserts at Roka are delicious. The crème brûlée was delicious, however the whiskey ice cream that came with it was a little too strong. Overall it was a really fun place to have dinner. For a lively atmosphere I would recommend booking at 8pm.
Asia de Cuba: This chic restaurant is located on St Martin’s lane; a stones throw from the Colleseum. I have had the pleasure of having afternoon tea and dinner here. The afternoon tea is unusual however I really enjoyed it. There are empanadas, spring rolls and so much more for savoury, as well as a palette cleanser with strawberry mango and basil. The different types of teas are amazing. For the desserts the donuts were my personal favourite, however the chocolate chilli mouse was also interesting. I really enjoyed the background heat. Finally for afternoon tea you could have cold lemongrass tea or a small shot of cold coffee with sugar. I went for the coffee, but I can assure that both are delicious.
For dinner I had the £80 set menu. It was so delicious and some of the new food combinations I tried, I honestly loved. For example banana and cashew salad. I really would only recommend this to adventurous eaters, otherwise its a complete waste of money. Fore dessert we were also served donuts again, with chocolate and caramel sauces, cheesecake and ice cream. The cocktail menu here is delicious, the mojitos are good but mostly ice. I went for the Mambo King, which was a light, fruity champagne cocktail. The décor of the restaurant was really quirky, and the amazing experience was enhanced by how wonderfully helpful and attentive the staff were. One more tip though, take a friend with you to the bathroom, as the loos are rather hard to find.
Sketch: I’ve only had afternoon tea here. When we walked in it was quite a shock to the senses. The chairs were pink and there was dim lighting. The food was classic afternoon tea however I felt that there was too much effort going in to make it fancy. The savouries were not to my liking, however the cakes and patisserie were stunning. My particular favourite was the bubble-gum marshmallow and cassis meringues. Another problem I had with sketch was how ditsy and forgetful the waitresses were. They only bought afternoon tea for three, when there were four of us, and by the time the tea arrived, it was cold, moreover when we asked for more tea it took twenty minutes for it to arrive. The art was a little strange, there was a sketch of a man snorting cocaine, and other odd pieces of art. However I loved the outfits of the waiters/waitresses. Overall this is a fairly average afternoon tea location, however fun for the experience of going to the loos.
Wasabi: This is a lovely high street chain that does nice sushi. Its nothing spectacular, however you can chose the sushi and make your own box. There is also a variety of hot dishes, but I never have those because I love sushi too much. The downside to this place is that its always packed and really hard to find anywhere to sit.
Buddha Bar: This is a really cool place in Knightsbridge. Upon arrival we were shown to our table and the menus brought to us very swiftly. We weren’t given long to decide and within five minutes of having ordered all of the food arrived and once. Another thing was that there were waiters all over the restaurant, and some had fixed stares, and it felt as though you were being watched as you ate. This made me feel very uncomfortable and all of us had finished our meal within 20 minutes. The food here wasn’t great either and it was overpriced for what it was. I would not recommend this place, instead I would recommend dinner at Nobu, and it’s a much safer bet.
Harrods ice cream parlous: My inner child escapes every time I come here. I love the decoration, which is very nostalgic of the 1950s. I love the atmosphere and the staff are so friendly. My personal favourite is the Harrods special sundae, however they are all amazing. The milkshakes are also delicious. Everyone always says that you have to share the sundaes because they’re so big, but I like having my own, because when something is that good, it is NOT worth sharing. Another really great thing is that there is a pizzeria across from the ice cream parlour with a singing chef. This is perfect place to relax after a long day of shopping, or as an after school treat and most definitely ideal for a first date.
Al Dar: This Lebanese restaurant, which is located on the King’s Road is one of our family favourites. Although we don’t go as often now, I remember going almost every weekend when I was growing up. I love the menu, however my favourite is the shwarma wrap. The baklava is also delicious. I’m not really a fan of the drinks, however a diet coke is enough to satisfy me.
My Old Dutch: This is a really nice pancake place, which does butterscotch pancakes, as well as crepes. There is a list of pancakes on the menu but you can also chose your own, which is great considering that different people prefer different things. Warning: do not order one sweet one savoury. You will be so full. I would just recommend going for one or the other, or else you may have to take a little nap after your meal.
Hutong: Located at The Shard, this is an amazing place to have dinner. The food is really nice and great for sharing. I personally loved the egg fried rice and the noodles, which were side dishes, but also I really loved the deep fried spicy crab, which was served in a rather large basket of chillies. The spring rolls and duck are also recommended.
The Wolseley: This place may seem fancy, however the price tag is not so hefty. The steak tartare was a little too mustardy for my liking and by the end of the meal it was almost a chore to eat. However the rest was all delicious, and very filling. You Definately get your money's worth.
Shake shack: this is a very American burger/ hot dog chain. It is very popular in the U.S. However in the UK there is only one in Covent Garden. Despite the name this chain originally started by selling hot dogs. The burgers are exactly what you would want in comfort food: greasy, full of carbs and easy to eat. I love the French fries and of course the shakes. If you're still not full from this meal well there is also "concretes" which is essentially ice cream with toppings blitzed into it. Definately a go to.
Macaron war: this is a long standing debate of which is better lladuree or Pierre herme? Laduree have gorgeous fruity and floral flavours, it is very traditional and always a safe bet. Whereas Pierre herme have bold flavours and some you may not like as much as others, but the passion fruit and chocolate macaron is the king of them all! Truly fabulous. Each person has a different opinion, and it's up to you to decide on yours.
Maître choux: a new patisserie shop, which has opened by South Kensington run by Joakim Prat. The pastries are rather pricy but great for a treat or if you have a sweet tooth. Each are bold and distinct in flavour as well as incredibly delicate. Highly recommended place for any occasion.
Duck and waffle: located in the oxo tower just above sushi samba is the duck and waffle. It is a very trendy restaurant/ bar which is located on the 40th floor. The decoration is not to my taste however the food and the cocktail menu are both innovate and modern. Of course it is all to an acquired taste and you may not enjoy all of the food, however it's a very cool experience. There are espresso martinis, coco pops cocktails and a marmite one too! I would recommend that you book this place in advance as there is a very long queue to get in otherwise.
Well I hope you guys enjoyed this and it way useful.
Tika xoxo
