Author Archives: Tom

Jul20

Takeaway at Ottolenghi in Islington, London

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Takeaway at Ottolenghi in Islington, London

Now, this isn’t a restaurant type review of sorts because we needed to get something quick to takeaway and Jo’s been eyeing this place up for AGES!

Many may be aware of the name and ethos of the place, as well as Mr Ottolenghi’s columns within the Guardian. I can vouch for it all, because we had the best “little” salad box on Islington green ever.

It's only veg, what you getting excited about?

Now there are meaty options available, but we didn’t feel like it. Besides we eat way too much meat in this country anyway. This box had it all though, sweet, savoury and spice with everything seemingly made up five minutes before we shoved it in out faces.

Their coffee, from Monmouth was great too. Which it should be.

Jul19

Criterion Restaurant in Piccadilly London

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Criterion Restaurant in Piccadilly London

During our meal with Lunita, (Jo’s surrogate godmother) the previous evening, she suggested that we have lunch at the Criterion in Piccadilly. Seeing as we we’re going to be in the part of town visiting the BP portrait exhibition we thought we’d give it go.

Wow, ornate isn’t the word and the website blurb definitely lives up to its claims, however it did feel a little stuffy. Once we were seated we went through the set lunch menu, which on reflection was a bargain.

Criterion, Piccadilly London

Jo had a mini duck eggs benedict (with ums and ahs) and i had beef carpaccio, (more um, than ahs). Following that was salmon and samphire and a pork chop and mash for me and they both were great. However the chop was HUGE, to the point that i was violently shaking the table to cut through it and all this at lunch!

Where i think the meal excelled though was with the deserts. Jo had a lovely chocolate brownie, baked like a gold bar with great home made ice cream and a blackberry compote. I went for a gooseberry fool filled brandy snap and espresso, which i must add was very good. Good coffee gets overlooked in far too many places in my opinion.

Dessert at the Criterion

I’ll be going back again, but i’ll leave me trainers and jeans at home.

Jul18

Rodízio Rico in Islington

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Rodízio Rico in Islington
On the recent positive write-up by the london foodie, i decided to take Jo and her surrogate Aunt out to a churrascaria type place around the corner from where we were staying in Islington.
This Brazilian way of eating out is something I’m familiar with but haven’t had the opportunity to experience. After the ladies had ordered some cocktails and me a Sagres Bohemia! ( an amber coloured portuguese beer), we grabbed a plate at the buffet counter.
In terms of service, the intention is to help yourself to salads and cold/hot sides at a buffet style island. When back at your table a round card is given to you with red and green coloured sides. The reason for this addition was explained to us by a very sweet lad who clearly hadn’t been working there long. When you’ve had enough meat, turn it over to red. If you want more, turn it over to green. Servers then proceed to go round to each table with skewers of barbecued meats.
The different types of charcoal cooked meats on offer were grandiose, with different cuts of beef, pork, poultry and offal. I particularly liked the chicken hearts and the pork loin, however i’ve never seen beef brisket done in such a way on the barbecue, which meant it was far too rare and chewy for my liking!
After getting through mounds of lovely meat we took a breather before ordering desert. A little wooden trolley got wheeled over with plastic versions of everything on offer (ace!). Having  ”eyes bigger than my belly”, i went for a baked custard desert with caramel, similar to a crème caramel but massive.
A great evening was had by all, but if you do find yourselves in this kind of place then please pace yourself, i felt really wrong the next day but that was my own doing.
(Worth it though!)