Archive for February, 2010

New to toptable: Bistrot Bruno Loubet at the Zetter Hotel

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

Bruno Loubet is one of London’s original super-chefs. His talent was first recognised by Raymond Blanc in the ‘80s and at 29 he had already earned his first Michelin star. He opened severalBrunol successful restaurants in London, including L’Odeon and Bistrot Bruno, before moving to Brisbane where he has lived and worked in high-profile eateries for almost a decade.

Now, Bruno has returned to London to bring his distinctive style of modern bistro food to the Zetter Hotel. Situated in Clerkenwell, his new neighbours include foodie hot spots like St John, Eastside Inn and Club Gascon. The restaurant itself is bright, airy and elegant – a suitably British backdrop for Bruno’s innovative French menu. The a la carte showcases his passion for hearty regional dishes, as well as a new-found love of spice and ingredients from Asia and North Africa. The classic techniques are all there, but there is a modern lightness of touch that will appeal to the new generation of foodies.

The menu includes dishes like guinea fowl boudin blanc; beef daube Provencale; and the classic Hare Royale with onion raviolo. British produce takes centre stage, with English rose veal on offer and fresh fish arriving from Cornwall each day.

The restaurant has already received a nod of approval from two notoriously hard to please food bloggers and the newspaper critics won’t be far behind. Book now and be among the first to rate and review this welcome addition to London’s gastro scene.

A taste of Goa at Chutney Mary

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Craving curry with a difference? There’s still time to try out some delicious Goan specialties at Chutney Mary in Chelsea. Until Friday 5th March, the restaurant will be celebrating the cuisine of the west coastChutneymarygoa with fresh seafood, coconut-based curries and the infamous vindaloo. They have had a Goan chef as part of their team for the past 20 years so authenticity is guaranteed!

The Portuguese ruled Goa for over 150 years and introduced the tomato, red chilli, and vinegar to Goan cuisine. Goan dishes combine these ingredients with the spices of North Kerala and the produce of the surrounding countryside of Konkan which bases its cuisine on rice, coconut, seafood, tamarind and herbs like coriander and curry leaves.

Chutney Mary’s Goan specialties will include Goan style squid; the famous Goan prawn curry; green chicken curry; masala roast duck; and lamb shank shakuti. They will also be serving a special cocktail called ‘Goa on the rocks’, made with fresh lime, mint leaves and vodka.

Book now or check out more Indian restaurants in London.

Do you use toptable in France? Join us at our VIP event in Paris!

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

We are happy to invite our fabulous French users to the first VIP event of 2010 in Paris. Join us with your guest on Thursday 25th February at the opulent Josefin restaurant on the Rue de La Fayette.

ParisVIPevent

From 7pm, enjoy cocktails and canapés and mingle with toptable staff and fans in the elegant surroundings of the Banke Hotel. This stunning building is situated just moments away from the Opéra Garnier and Boulevard Haussmann. A Mediterranean menu, priced at €68 with drinks included, is available for those who would like to stay for dinner.

Please RSVP to invitation@toptable.com with your name and the name of your guest. If you would like to take advantage of the toptable dinner offer, please state if you would prefer to dine at 8.30pm or 9.30pm.

Places are limited to 80 for the reception and 50 for dinner so don’t miss out! If you’re not in France but know someone who is, you can share the details with them in French using the invite here.

La Dolce Vita: Bringing the best of Italy to Islington in March

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

La Dolce Vita, the annual lifestyle event celebrating the best of Italy, will return to London in March for its sixth year. It will be held at Islington’s Business Design Centre from March 11th-14th andLadolcevita promises to feed your appetite for all things Italian with four days of fabulous food, wine, property, travel and design.

Expect to find hot new holiday destinations, second homes, cutting edge design and, of course, a focus on the mouth-watering food and drink for which Italy is so well loved. Foodies can feast on authentic pizzas from Made in Italy; fresh Giovanni Rana pasta; and dishes from Theo Randall's restaurant.

Highlights of the show will include a striking Italian garden, ‘Build your Italy’ – a giant interactive map, and some delicious boutique wines.  The show will also offer masterclasses by celebrity chefs and tastings and demonstrations by some of Italy’s top artisan food and wine producers.

Last year’s show attracted 18,000 visitors so book your tickets now. As a partner of the show, toptable are offering a great 2-for-1 ticket deal which will save you £16! Click here to find out more. If you’re still hungry after the show, check out these Italian restaurants nearby.

Sam visits Aaina 2

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

Our Senior Account Manager reviews Aaina 2 in Berlin.

In start contrast to its surroundings on a cold winter day in Berlin, Aaina 2 is warm, bright and vibrant. The restaurant is decorated with bold sunset colours, eclectic artworks, gold statues of Buddha, beaded parasols and a huge pink and silver peacock feather design on the ceiling. It feels elegant but not too formal and the friendly staff were on hand to help my girlfriend and I choose some delicious dishes.

Aaina 2 specialises in traditional Singaporean cuisine and the restaurant was soon full of South Eastern aromas as the staff delivered beautifullyAaina2 presented dishes to each table. After sampling a few exotic cocktails, we began our meal with a light vegetarian soup which was lightly spiced and garnished with fresh basil and coconut cream. Our favourite dish of the evening was the crispy prawns in a delicious mango sauce flavoured with lime leaves and almonds. There was plenty of choice for vegetarians and carnivores and the delicate flavours and sensible portions left us feeling full but not overwhelmed.

All in all, our meal was a lovely way to round off our excursion to Berlin and I would heartily recommend it to any one making the trip.

Aaina 2 and its sister restaurant, Aaina 1, are running a great 2-for-1 offer until the end of March – don’t miss out!

60 seconds with … Michelin starred chef Alejandro del Toro

Friday, February 12th, 2010

We talk to the man behind Restaurante Alejandro del Toro – an elegant Michelin starred restaurant which currently serves some of the most innovative and exciting Spanish food in Valencia.

How did you begin your career as a chef?

Alejandrodeltoro I’m the third generation of a family dedicated to the hospitality industry, so becoming a Chef was a natural progression for me. My parents had a typical bar serving homemade cooking, so I was brought up between the stoves. I then pursued a degree in Tourism and did cooking courses. I started work as a professional chef when I was 21.

What is the strangest experience you have had in your career?

Six months into the opening of the restaurant, they started the works for Valencia’s underground. It was total chaos and one day there was a black-out in the local area. There was no electricity and I ended up cooking with 2 gas rings and candles! I was lucky that the customers understood the situation and actually saw this as an adventure!

Have you met and cooked for many celebrities over the years?

I have met national and international politicians, football players, actors, and fashion designers. The most recent one was the president of the Lincoln Centre in New York. I do think, however, that the success of a restaurant cannot be measured by how many famous people visit it. I take pride in having many patrons, from all walks of life, tasting the passion I put into my cooking whether or not they’re celebrities.

Is there anything that really drives a chef crazy?

Cooking times! Diners sometimes don’t understand that certain ingredients have to be cooked in a certain way to better appreciate the flavours. So if a dish that is supposed to be served medium rare becomes well done this can kill the optimum taste of the dish.

What is your biggest achievement to date?

Achieving a Michelin star in 2003 and opening my restaurant aged 27.

What is your signature dish?

A soup made with Raff tomatoes (an especially tasty variety from Almería in southern Spain) with basil and prawns.

Which ingredients would you take to a desert island?

Olive oil, vegetable seeds and rice. These thee ingredients are an integral part of the Mediterranean culture and the food of Valencia.

What are the three things in Valencia a visitor shouldn’t miss?

The Albufera freshwater lagoon and the Malvarrosa beach in Cabanyal, which is a typical fishing area of Valencia and also where I come from. Last but not least, the Mercado Central, an architectural joy for your eyes and also an ideal place to find local produce of superb quality.

Book a table at Alejandro del Toro now or search for more restaurants in Valencia.

London Fashion Weekend: Dine in style at these glamorous eateries

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

The season’s hottest fashion event, London Fashion Weekend, will take place from 25th–28th February at Somerset House on the Strand. TheLFW   Embankment Gallery will be split into boutique-style ‘zones’ featuring over 100 designers so that fashionistas can hunt down bargains more easily.

Visitors also have the opportunity to book a Toni & Guy haircut and blow dry or an Elizabeth Arden makeover. After all that shopping you’ll need to refuel, so check out these designer dining destinations nearby:

Star Buddha Bar – With siblings in Paris, New York and Dubai, it’s no surprise that this pan-Asian bar-restaurant has seduced London’s stylish scenesters. With its exotic interior, complete with a huge statue of Buddha, it’s perfect for people-watching, cocktails and dishes like spicy shrimp tempura and beef tataki with pickled ginger.

StarBoyd’s Bar & Brasserie – Situated on the edge of Trafalgar Square, this newcomer to the WC2 dining scene boasts an opulent interior and food to match. The menu offers everything from tapas-sized dishes to gentleman’s club favourites like burgers and crab and lobster bisque.

StarL’Atelier de Joel Robuchon – Perch at the bar at this Michelin-starred temple to modern French gastronomy. The sleek, minimalist décor will impress well-dressed divas and portions are suitably light – perfect for those of us watching our model figures. The current special offer of two courses for £22 makes this chic eatery an affordable treat.

StarKitchen Italia – If you’ve spent too much cash on couture, take a walk into Covent Garden and try out this funky underground pasta parlour. The mix of neon, comfy booths and modern communal tables make it a great choice for hungry groups and the prices are hard to beat. Don’t miss the pumpkin gnocchi and the chocolate ravioli for dessert!

London Fashion Weekend tickets start at £12.50 – book yours today or win a pair of Chambord Platinum Club Lounge tickets (worth £220) by entering our competition here.

Kate visits No. 27

Monday, February 8th, 2010

Our Content Editor reviews No. 27 restaurant in Belfast.

On a bitterly cold February evening, six of us arrived at No. 27 – a modern brasserie in Belfast’s buzzing Cathedral Quarter. The dining room is a handsome, fuss-free space with black leather chairs, colourful artwork and great views of the chefs at work in the open kitchen. It was relatively quiet on our mid-weekNo27 visit but fills up fast at the weekend when tourists descend on the neighbouring bars and hotels.

We skipped starters and headed straight for the mains – hearty dishes made with locally sourced ingredients so that even the globally-inspired dishes have a distinct Irish flavour. For the boys: pork with crispy crackling and Moroccan spiced lamb shanks so tender the meat fell from the bone. For the girls: fresh, flaky hake with crispy potatoes, baby leeks, a perfectly poached egg and hollandaise sauce. There are no fine dining flourishes here – just good ingredients, generous portions and creative flavours. Prices are reasonable, especially at lunch time.

For dessert, we fought over slender slices of lemon tart, spoonfuls of crème brulee and home-made pecan pie served with a scoop of rich Valhrona chocolate ice-cream. The overall winner, though, was my sticky toffee pudding – an ultra-light sponge with creamy Jersey milk ice-cream, topped with warm sweet butterscotch sauce.

No. 27 is currently running a great mid-week special offer of two courses and a glass of wine for £13.95. It expires on February 21st so don’t miss out. Check out other restaurants in Northern Ireland here.

Channel 4 praises 10 of the UK's healthiest restaurants

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

Looking for somewhere stylish but diet-friendly to eat this month? 4Food recently rounded up 10 of the UK’s healthiest restaurants, including four popular eateries approved by toptable diners:

Indali Lounge, Baker St – Feast on curry without the calories at this chic Baker Street eatery where butter, ghee and cream are banned from the kitchen. Chilli heat is kept to a minimum soNoodles everyone can enjoy a light and easily digested meal without missing out on flavour. Perfect for curry novices.

Saf, Shoreditch – Biodynamic wine, exotic cocktails and a predominantly raw vegan menu makes Saf a must-visit for London’s vegetarian foodies. The décor is inspired by Scandinavian simplicity but the menu includes some showstoppers like their signature beetroot ravioli with cashew ricotta.

Pearl Liang, Paddington – This popular Chinese eatery is ideal for those on a detox diet. Try the ultra-light but super-tasty dim sum and a virtuous jasmine tea for a feel-good winter treat.

Terre a Terre, Brighton – For meat-free dining in Brighton, look no further than this award-winning restaurant where they cater for veggies, vegans and the gluten-free crowd. The menu takes it inspiration from all over the world so you can enjoy dishes like chilled soba noodles with a miso-mirin dressing or the delicious potato rosti topped with tandoori halloumi.

Need more inspiration? Check out our recommendations for vegetarian and Freedom Food approved restaurants in the UK.