Where should I eat in London?

BareBones

wheezy
Does anyone know of a French restaurant in London (central/east/SE, and inexpensive, preferably) that specialises in (or, at least, has a decent line in) Flammekeuche - otherwise known as tarte flambee?

Was introduced to these in the summer while visiting my girlfriend in Bath, we ate at this restaurant: http://www.leflamma.co.uk/

they're a bit like a french version of pizza and they are fucking fit. Dying to eat one again...
 

IdleRich

IdleRich
"Does anyone know of a French restaurant in London (central/east/SE, and inexpensive, preferably) that specialises in (or, at least, has a decent line in) Flammekeuche - otherwise known as tarte flambee?"
There used to be a place called Tartuf in Angel near Reckless Records but I'm pretty sure it's shut down. Shame 'cause it was amazing and it did all you can eat tarte flambee - savoury for main and then sweet ones for dessert - with a bottle of wine (I think) for about thirteen quid.
 

viktorvaughn

Well-known member
Not somewhere to eat as such, but Theobalds butcher on Theobald's Road is amazing. Fortunately it is on my commute to work so can pop in any day.

It's a classic old-school butcher where I have seen quail, pheasant, rabbit, grouse, haggis, oxtail, black pudding, confit of various things, cured meats, cheeses and all pretty cheap! Nice guys in there too who I'm sure would be able to order in anything else needed.
 

STN

sou'wester
is sloane's sezchaun place in kilburn still there? I've been cheated out of Sezchuan in Soho (the place I go to is closed) so need somewhere else to get it...
 

mistersloane

heavy heavy monster sound
Yeah to my knowledge Angeles is still there

405 Kilburn High Rd
London
NW6 7QL
New numbers: (020) 7625 8686 & (020) 7328 3255

Tube: Kilburn (Jubilee Line) (not Kilburn Park!!, the other one!)
Rail: Brondesbury Park

I've moved from Kilburn now so best to give a ring to check; there's a place in Rotherhithe I go to now to get my fix.

You have to go in the right hand side of the restaurant to get the Szechuan menu, other side is pure buffet business. They'll probably give you the Cantonese menu, ask for the Szechuan/other menu, it's a scroll made of wood/bamboo.

Apparently the Old House in Liverpool Street is good for mainland Chinese stuff, it's connected to Gourmet San I think in Bethnal Green. I liked Gourmet San but wasn't feeling too adventurous when I went, I was with novices and didn't want to scare them.

Which was the one you used to eat in?
 

STN

sou'wester
Thanx! It was Bar Shu, which looking back at your previous post I see is described as 'Westernized', so I should be racheting up a gear anyway.

I'm not good with offal, but I'm trying to learn.
 

mistersloane

heavy heavy monster sound
Thanx! It was Bar Shu, which looking back at your previous post I see is described as 'Westernized', so I should be racheting up a gear anyway.

I'm not good with offal, but I'm trying to learn.

I like Bar Shu though, they've got a kinda noodle place now on um Lisle Street that does Ok Dan Dan Mein, it's not as hot as it could be but sometimes that's not a bad thing!

There's Red and Hot on Charing Cross Road now too just up from Leicester Square but they changed the decor and it looks more expensive now, havent been tho.

Yeah me neither, I keep trying though hoping I'll break through a wall with them somehow. Had a pig's something in a kinda of sweet and sour thing last week which was OK, the lady served it us and said it was 'Like, um, pork' and laughed. It was kind of frightening and exhilarating.
 

crackerjack

Well-known member
Apparently the Old House in Liverpool Street is good for mainland Chinese stuff, it's connected to Gourmet San I think in Bethnal Green. I liked Gourmet San but wasn't feeling too adventurous when I went, I was with novices and didn't want to scare them.

I've heard GS is great, but you really need to speak Chinese to know what you're getting, as the waiters can't speak more than the most basic English and the menu tells you bog all. That about right?
 

baboon2004

Darned cockwombles.
Are we talking generic offal, or stuff that migth turn one's stomach? If the former, go for dulet at an Ethiopian/Eritrean restaurant. You'll never turn back.
 

mistersloane

heavy heavy monster sound
I've heard GS is great, but you really need to speak Chinese to know what you're getting, as the waiters can't speak more than the most basic English and the menu tells you bog all. That about right?

haha um the menu hasn't got descriptions of the dishes, i.e. it doesn't tell you more than the name of the dish - but the name is 75% usually kinda evident, y'know, spicy lamb or whatever, - but I didn't know what some of the other 25% was. I kinda like that though, surprise food!
The worst you're gonna get over here is innards or frogs or tongues, they won't be serving up donkey or dog unless you totally ask I think, so I wouldn't worry. Not a place for fussy eaters or vegans though. I think alot of the weirder sounding stuff is just different vegetables, to be honest; ones that don't have English names. That really surprised me - about mainland China - was how many vegetables we ate that I had no idea what they were, you don't get that impression from Cantonese food.

The people working there seemed sweet but no I don't think you'd get much information out of them!

I had the kebabs and the lamb with cumin and a chicken and chilli type thing which were all nice. Kebabs were a bit chewy. There were lots of rabbit dishes I wanted to try. I love rabbit.
 

mistersloane

heavy heavy monster sound
Are we talking generic offal, or stuff that migth turn one's stomach? If the former, go for dulet at an Ethiopian/Eritrean restaurant. You'll never turn back.

GS serves some pretty full on dishes, yup.

Haven't tried Dulet, is there an Eth/Etr place you'd recommend? Is that one on Coldharbour Lane still there?
 

crackerjack

Well-known member
GS serves some pretty full on dishes, yup.

Haven't tried Dulet, is there an Eth/Etr place you'd recommend? Is that one on Coldharbour Lane still there?

For Eritrean, Zigni House, essex Rd - went there once about 2 yars ago, all self service dishes but really good.

edit: Though I didn't try, or notice if there was any offal
 

baboon2004

Darned cockwombles.
GS serves some pretty full on dishes, yup.

Haven't tried Dulet, is there an Eth/Etr place you'd recommend? Is that one on Coldharbour Lane still there?

Adulis on Brixton Road (oval end) is fantastic. Asmara still exists (on Coldharbour), but I've heard equivocal reports. Quite a few nears Kings X too, mostly on Caledonian Road I think.
 

UFO over easy

online mahjong
Hunan
51 Pimlico Road, London, SW1W 8NE
Telephone: 0871 3327993

( go in the evening, you get asked roughly how much you want to pay, and how experimental you are, and then just get brought dishes. Top nosh )

i never said thank you for this - my memory was jogged because i went there for my birthday last year after reading through the thread, and im looking again now for the same reason. it was really fantastic, and not expensive at all for what it was. really felt like a special occasion, so thanks!

anyone have any new suggestions for good, not too expensive but still special occasion type places to try? thinking about trying that Gourmet San place in bethnel green that was recommended, or maybe this place - http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/jan/18/jay-rayner-kikuchi-restaurant-review-sushi looks quite expensive, but we wouldn't drink so hopefully would be ok
 
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crackerjack

Well-known member
anyone have any new suggestions for good, not too expensive but still special occasion type places to try? thinking about trying that Gourmet San place in bethnel green that was recommended, or maybe this place - http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/jan/18/jay-rayner-kikuchi-restaurant-review-sushi looks quite expensive, but we wouldn't drink so hopefully would be ok

If you're in the BG area, let me (re-)recommend Bistrotheque. Not cheap (about £30-5 for 3 courses w/o booze) but special enough for an occasion. Plus there's some burlesque ish going on downstairs some nights which could make a change from having them bring out a birthday cake for you.
 

mistersloane

heavy heavy monster sound
i never said thank you for this - my memory was jogged because i went there for my birthday last year after reading through the thread, and im looking again now for the same reason. it was really fantastic, and not expensive at all for what it was. really felt like a special occasion, so thanks!

anyone have any new suggestions for good, not too expensive but still special occasion type places to try? thinking about trying that Gourmet San place in bethnel green that was recommended, or maybe this place - http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/jan/18/jay-rayner-kikuchi-restaurant-review-sushi looks quite expensive, but we wouldn't drink so hopefully would be ok

Glad you enjoyed it! Funny little place innit? Personal service lol.

Kikuchi is good food. It's kinda very good Japanese but I wouldnt say a special occasion place. Good if other people are paying.

For Indian the tasting menu at Zaika I thought was great value, it's Indian but done Michelin-style, it feels like having a meal in a restaurant, if you know what I mean? Feels and tastes posh lol. 6 courses in Kensington. I like that 'What shall we do tonight darling? Dress up and spend lots of money?' vibe. I went there for my birthday last year.

http://www.zaika-restaurant.co.uk/layout/pdf/Tasting Menu.pdf

Thanks for all the Eth/Etr tips, I'll scoot around when I can!
 
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viktorvaughn

Well-known member
I went to Red and Hot, a Szechuan place on Charing Cross Rd.

The hot-pot is 16£ each and the plate of stuff is ridic, more than you can eat - tofu, beef, fish, prawns, fish balls, leaves, tripe, mushrooms, spam type stuff and more.

You order a base of liquid and then cook the stuff and munch it. The spicy one is incredibly hot and full of Szechuan peppercorns (not an actual peppercorn) which give that very distinctive numbness and tingling in the mouth when eaten.

Fun if you are in Chinatown and fancy something different.
 

elgato

I just dont know
Adulis on Brixton Road (oval end) is fantastic. Asmara still exists (on Coldharbour), but I've heard equivocal reports. Quite a few nears Kings X too, mostly on Caledonian Road I think.

yeh Asmara was a little bland when we went

Fassika on Seven Sisters Rd is the best I've had by a fair margin. also really nice vibes, warm and welcoming, they have Ethiopian jazz on weekly too i believe

the one further up Caledonian Rd from Addis is meant to be awesome too
 
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