Menza - Budapest

Budapest is an incredible city. Even at London prices it would be a incredible city. At Budapest prices it is paradise. Aside from a few exclusive restaurants and bars, prices in Budapest average what you would pay in a student bar in any city in the UK. Yes people, £3 cocktails. To make life even easier, great restaurants here don't require a reservation or a two hour wait.

Eating out in Budapest is thus a dream because a lot of the great restaurants are completely affordable, available and often a lot more interesting than anything you find in London.

Le Caprice -

Like my Amaranto review, I went to Le Caprice sometime in mid-February, but didnt finish writing till now. Most of the details, like names I got right here though  - 

Le Caprice is one of the most popular restaurants in London and yet, I found I didn’t truly love any part of it. The Boyfriend and I left thinking “ we just don’t get it”.

Spuntino

They Boyfriend and I are polar opposites. I like to organise, plan and book things in advance. The thought of a weekend without a reservation somewhere is a stressful thought. To be fair, this isn't entirely my fault, but restaurants in London seem to be booked so far in advance it is only logical to book restaurants for the next three months. The Boyfriend on the other hand, like so many males, doesn't like to organise, plan or book things in advance. He is a more spontaneous, happy-go-lucky kinda guy and before we started dating there were only two restaurants he knew in London - Sophie's and Barrafina (both reservation less).

Amaranto -

Please note:  I visited Amaranto at the beginning of February before my blog took a vacation therefore, I'm a little hazy on names, which I didn't write down at the time! Regardless, I can still remember how fabulous the octopus was. Anyway, so here it goes. 

Amaranto is the newly opened Italian restaurant in the newly refurbished Four Seasons. Which must be one of the world’s longest refurbishments. Really, who even remembered we still had a Four Seasons on Park Lane? Anyway, it opened, so The Boyfriend, two sets of siblings, and I all went to check it out.

Tom's Kitchen at Somerset House (2) - Brunch

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a person in possession of a large hangover, must be in want of a brunch. Tom's Kitchen at Somerset House serves a wonderful brunch for the hungover. 

There are several great things about Tom's Kitchen for brunch.

Busaba Eathai -

Busaba Eathai has three locations, and so has not yet reached the Wagamama style domination I'm sure Alan Yau, the owner of both, has planned. I am a Wagamama fan and was curious about this place after hearing such good things. So The Sibling, The Leftie and  I headed out one evening.

The Blog is Back...

...and its nice and relaxed after its little vacation.


In three weeks I have learned five things -
1) The hype about Dinner is justified. I was a little skeptical about going, despite rave reviews, because I thought it was going to be too experimental for my taste. Strangely, it wasn't. It was, in fact, easily the best meal I've eaten London. Mr Blumenthal, I'm converted.
2) I will never return to Il Baretto again and it has been crossed off my list of "go-to" restaurants. I had such terrible service when I went last Saturday it was the only time I've requested service be taken off the bill. Time to find a new Italian - suggestions welcome.
3) My new Italian wasn't going to be 5 Pollen Street. I liked the place, and loved the Maitre d', who is quite possibly the most charming person in the world, but I'm not desperate to go back.
4) Nor am I desperate to go back to Cocochan which fell under the same "like but don't love" category.
5) It is almost impossible to keep up with new restaurant openings in London *sigh*.


One thing I didn't learn -
1) How to work my new camera. Hopefully, I will soon and hopefully, I will also manage to get over my "camera in restaurants" issue.




x

Benito's Hat -

I love burritos. I eat far too many and have what a therapist would call an obsession. Despite a massive increase in the number of establishments specializing in burritos, I can name only two that consistently get them right - Chilango and Chipotle. 


In an attempt to get out of my Burrito rut and check out The Boyfriend's new neighbourhood we tried Benito's Hat. 

La Petite Maison -

Valentine’s day. Two words that strike fear into the heart of every male in a relationship and every relationship-less female. Even as a girl in a relationship I think it’s the most pointless of holidays. No one sums up my dislike of the holiday then my friend Tracy in a very entertaining article you should all read here. As much as we want to, The Boyfriend and I have not been able to escape the pressure forcing us to celebrate. The furthest we have managed to is going out for dinner on the 15th rather than the 14th. Some rebellion, eh? But, at least it is easier to get a dinner reservation and romantic themed set menus aren't involved.

Gelupo -

I've given up hating February, which I've been ranting about in earlier posts here and here. Instead Ive been acting like its summer. Heading to Baranis, heating my room to 100 degrees, wearing shorts, looking at beaches, booking holidays and most importantly eating ice cream.


In my opinion theres only one truly great place to eat Ice Cream in London, although I'm always looking for more suggestions if anyone has any.


Gelupo is it.