Angel
The Bierodrome
Posted by crackberry in Angel, Angel, Clapham, Clapham, Everything, Holborn, Holborn, Places to Drink, Places to Eat on September 1, 2009
Belgium is not renown for many things, and dubiously bureaucrats and rain feature somewhere near the top of the of the word association list. Thankfully, it’s not all bad, and beer is also up there. Showcase of Belgian culture, the Bierodrome has many, many beers on tap, and beyond that it has a vast array of bottled varieties, which together make “quaff” word of the day; thankfully bureaucrats are somewhat lacking. Add in a jovial air and good service, and frankly, who needs more? There is food, but along with the décor, it’s a bit Belgian…
173-174 Upper Street, Angel, N1 1XS Also Clapham and Kingsway. Tel: 020 7226 5835. Web: www.belgo-restaurants.co.uk
Ottolenghi
Posted by crackberry in Angel, Everything, Notting Hill, Places to Eat on August 28, 2009
But for its near flawless execution, Ottolenghi might be a mediocre medley of modern restauranteering. It has a minimalist white interior. It has a contemporary Euro-Med menu. It even has an innovative hybrid retail format… but the proof is in the pudding, and Ottolenghi has what is quite frankly an indecent selection of cakes and pastries at its bakery counter. If plain white is a touch arrogant, it’s all the more so when the staff are decked out in black for the full monochrome experience. You need to be pretty confident in your kitchen to decide you don’t need décor to generate some atmosphere, but Ottolenghi is justifiably white, serving superb food in abundance. The genre might not be new and clever, but the use of unusual flavour and texture combinations along with top ingredients make for food with a refined, expert feel that certainly is.
Price: £40pp. 287 Upper St, N1 2TZ. Tel: 020 7288 1454. Web: www.ottolenghi.co.uk
Gallipoli Cafe
Posted by crackberry in Angel, Everything, Places to Eat on August 28, 2009
If you love the madness of the markets in Marrakech and the taste of tagines in Turkey, head to Gallipoli on Upper Street, where the mingled magic of Turkey and Morroco infuses this bazaar inspired restaurant. With dark tented walls, brass topped tables punctuated with candles and richly coloured Moroccan lamps dangling from the ceiling there’s a definite mélange of exoticism and familiarity. Loud and vibrant Turkish tunes resonate through the restaurant whilst charming belly dancers enrobed and bejeweled in bright coloured outfits, perform their hypnotic hip dances before your eyes, and will often invite you to join them on the tables…Tempting as this may be (particularly as they are scantily clad), don’t let it distract you from the authentic Turkish food-it’s bursting with flavour and worth savouring every morsel. Fun, flirtatious and perfect for breaking down the barriers during a first date, Gallipoli provides the night out to remember…
Price £15ph. 107 Upper Street, N1 1QN. Tel: 020 7226 5333. Web: www.cafegallipoli.com/galipoli/bazaar/indexbazaar.html