Martin Wishart Restaurant, Shore, Leith | Restaurant Review

Posted on May 20, 2015 by Frostie

By Mary Cooper

One of the most prominent eateries in Edinburgh is the Michelin starred Martin Wishart Restaurant, Shore, Leith.

Leith, once a vibrant port and a stopping off point for royalty en route to Holyrood, was famous for glassmaking; exporting bottles to Bordeaux for their excellent wines, and shipbuilding.

In the 13th Century, the port of Leith welcomed ships from all over the world. They would deposit their wares to be distributed throughout Scotland and beyond.
Over the years these industries faded and Leith became a rundown area of Edinburgh.

In recent years, however, it has enjoyed a rebirth and has become ‘the’ place to be. Upmarket delicatessen stores and top class restaurants sit comfortably alongside local pubs and student accommodation to create a unique blend of vibrant shabby-chic.

Chef Martin Wishart, learnt from the best – Chef Marco Pierre White among them – and has developed his own voice in the unique world of super-chefs.

The Shore, where MW is situated, is a cobbled street with cafes and restaurants dotted along its length, all of them overlooking the sparkling Waters of Leith. On warm days, crowds of people sit at tables under gaily-coloured parasols, enjoying the sun in this windless, sheltered sun trap. The ambiance of this street sets the tone for the treat to come at MW.

From the moment you step through the door you know that MW is a special place; full length windows stretch along one wall, overlooking the sparkling Waters of Leith.

The service is discretely attentive and the food delicately delicious, from the pink frothy beetroot meringues, served alongside other tiny mouthfuls of Amuse Bouche, to the sharp sorbets and each perfectly proportioned dish to follow, then, just when you think can’t eat another bite, along comes the dessert menu.

The attentive, well informed sommelier will help you chose wines for each course, from champagne on arrival – refreshing with pink meringue – to digestif which you can sip and savour at your leisure.

The quiet but not subdued atmosphere of MW Michelin starred restaurant, offering a three course lunch at an amazing £28,50 Tuesday to Friday and wines from £26 a bottle, is an affordable luxury we all deserve once in a while.
MW is proof that there is more to fine dining than, simply, dining.

For more information, email: info@martin-wishart.co.uk or call on 0131 553 3557.

Lunch
Tuesday to Friday — 12:00–14:00
Saturday — 12:00–13:30

On Saturday only the a la carte and tasting menus are available.

Dinner
Tuesday to Saturday — 19:00–22:00
The restaurant is closed on Sundays & Mondays.  

Make it an ‘Al Fresco’ Summer at Gaucho Piccadilly’s Rooftop Terrace

Posted on May 14, 2015 by Kesh

With the summertime quickly creeping up on us, (wishful thinking), there really is no better place to enjoy the warm rays than in the privacy of your own little Rooftop Terrace. Right at the top of the sexy and stylish Gaucho Steakhouse, retreat to the daylight and grab a breath of fresh air whilst enjoying a cocktail.

The Roof Terrace is open now for all to enjoy, and if you’re planning a little summer soirée, you’ll be pleased to know that the booths are available for private bookings but get in there quickly because there’s no doubt that they will be booked up soon! We hope you all get to experience the luxurious cocktails among this private little sanctuary Gaucho have created away from the hustle and bustle and fear not, it can never rain on your parade out here as Gaucho rooftop comes with fully retractable roof and outdoor fireplace.

www.gauchorestaurants.co.uk

Gaucho Piccadilly,
25 Swallow Street,
London,
W1B 4QR

Phone Number:

020 7734 4040

Opening Times:

Monday – Saturday: 12:00 – 00:00
Sunday: 12:00 – 23:00

Sake no Hana, St James’ Street Restaurant Review

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Paloma Kubiak

Cherries are one of my favourite fruits. As a child I loved picking the ripe, deep-red pearls from my grandparents’ garden as I continued to practice handstands on the same patch of fading green grass.

So when hearing of the new menu at Sake no Hana (part of the Hakkasan group) to celebrate the Japanese cherry blossom season, I was very much looking forward to the experience.

The evening promised a meal under sweet-smelling cherry blossom trees and behind the somewhat ordinary exterior, we were seated in the bar area, which was alight with blossoming pink flowers.

We would be dining from the new Sakura Gozen menu (£32) and to get our evening started, we sipped on the violet risshun two-part cocktail, with its fruity and sour blend that got the juices ready for the main.

It consisted of a carafe with jinzu gin, green chartreuse, grapefruit juice, shiso, burlesque bitters and in a miniature jug which accompanied the gin, there was belsazar rose vermouth, maraschino cherry, cranberry and lemon juice.

Oliver, the charismatic bar manager advised us to start with the jinzu gin before adding the vermouth and the combination stirred both a sweet and sour taste on the palette.

The white miso soup was steaming hot with slithers of spongy tofu and specks of spring onion. It was wholesome, with a hint of garlic and it was a pleasant starter to the evening.

Next, our waitress, Manon bought over the sesame spinach with cassava chips. The spinach was wonderfully slimy and the nutty sprinkle of sesame seeds contrasted with the texture of the wood flavours of the crispy cassava chips.

As it made its way to our table, I couldn’t help but wait in anticipation. The Sakura crystal box was simply beautiful. It consisted of kuro kampachi, salmon, seabream sashimi otoro, chu toro, akami nigiri, spicy tuna, salmon avocado and California maki.

The translation – succulent strips of prime, fresh fish encasing mouth-size nodules of rice, accompanied with strips of ginger and a green ball of hot wasabi.

The raw salmon and sea bream slithered on the tongue and both mine, and my fiancé’s favourite was the spicy tuna slice.

We thought the evening was over, until our waitress bought over the baked Sakura cotton cheesecake with fresh cherries, cream cheese and cherry sorbet (£8).

Just like the crystal box, the cheesecake was alluring with specks of sweet cherries, slices of crunchy pavlova and it was accompanied by the tangy cold taste of the cherry sorbet.

It cleansed the palette while the cherry blossom and vanilla macarons, with cherry blossom tea ganache, (£1.80 each or 5 for £8) was the perfect ending to a fine dining experience in the heart of Mayfair as each bite oozed a rich chocolate flavour in the mouth.

At the end of our meal, Oliver showed us around the Grade II listed restaurant just upstairs which boasts a £6 million renovation project.

Diners enter via a single escalator and as it’s considered bad luck to go back on yourself, the exit is via an escalator which loops around the other end of the restaurant.

I was impressed by the sheer number of customers on a Friday night and by the authentic Japanese decoration that included walls lined with bamboos.

The bar area where we dined was quieter and more intimate than the restaurant and we enjoyed a very fine meal in Mayfair (it’s also very reasonably priced), just around the corner from The Ritz.

Visit The London Gin Club – Go On – Dare Ya By Michael Rowan

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Margaret Graham

With ice cubes capable of sinking the Titanic, I could only be in one of my favourite watering holes, The London Gin Club.

This gin lover’s paradise is situated 100 metres off Oxford Street, equidistant from Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road tube stations, essential knowledge, as driving is not an option following a visit.

Reminiscent of a discreet 1920s speakeasy, it hides behind the facade of a typical London boozer named The Star, on the corner of Great Chapel Street and Hollen Street. People scurry by without a second glance, but when this temple to gin opens its saloon doors, the London Gin Club signs are put in place, to alert those of us in the know.

Despite its name you don’t need to be a member, but you do need to love gin, which fortunately for your reviewer is no hardship. Booking whilst not essential is advisable, particularly Thursday to Sunday and you will be asked for how long you wish to reserve the table. A weeks’ notice is sufficient for small groups and 2 weeks’ notice for larger gatherings would be my top tip, but I have been known to pop in alone, on the off chance of finding a seat.

Being faced with a choice of 190 different gins can be intimidating, but the friendly team behind this venture are on hand to guide you through the menu depending on your tastes.

For the less risk averse, there is the Gin Wheel of Fortune which purports to take the angst from ‘Gindecision.’ A spin of the wheel will decide the type of glass and another, the type of gin.

Inside the ground floor continues the typical London boozer look, wooden tables and chairs and walls covered with enamel advertising signs from the 1930s and 40s, but walk down the spiral staircase and you are presented with a modern basement area replete with clean lines and modern seating.

The staff dressed in black, bustle between tables delivering drinks and advice on gin in equal measure amidst the hubbub of conversation and the jazz playing in the background. The enthusiasm for gin is infectious and it is difficult not to covet the gin being brought to neighbouring tables.

Gin in all its botanical, spicy glory comes in a huge balloon glass, imported from Spain, big enough both to allow flavours to mingle and to swirl satisfyingly in the hand. Garnished with orange peel, thyme or a myriad of other colourful additions and sparkling with carefully selected tonic water, at £8.00 to £9.50 a glass, this is gin to be savoured.

Some food is available, but this is more to soak up the alcohol. Here gin is the thing.

My favourite? Well I haven’t had time to sample them all, but a man should have an ambition.

To date I’d choose the ‘Sacred Cardamom’ which comes replete with a thick slice of blood orange, though I am told that this is an acquired taste.

Thankfully I seem to have acquired it.

For details of booking and opening time please visit http://thelondonginclub.com

Pizza Rossa Restaurant Review

Posted on April 21, 2015 by Catherine Balavage

Last month Frost paid a visit to Pizza Rossa at Leadenhall Market. A popular restaurant in the City. Business was brusque. The restaurant is casual with a number of tables that fill up quickly, if you want a seat be quick. As well as pizza, they also have fresh home made meat or vegetarian lasagne, and a parmigiana which is only 300kcal per portion.

We tried a few different pizzas and they were all delicious. They tasted fresh and light. Unlike a lot of pizza, they are much healthier some of their pizzas start at 200kcal and provide at least one of your five a day, plus the dough, proved for almost 20 hours, is very digestible, naturally low in gluten, very low in yeast and salt, with no sugar or preservative added (which is what makes the dough rise quickly for a fast turnaround) – they are an artisan pizza maker, and the pizza is served al taglio – by the square slice, like you will find in Italy where street food vendors specialise in this type of lunchtime urban staple, especially in Rome.

We were very impressed at the delicious food. As my colleague put it: “All of the yum”.

Pizza Rossa is at 4-12 Whittington Avenue, corner of Leadenhall Street at Leadenhall Market, London EC3V 1AB Tel: 020 7621 0676 Nearest Tube: Bank www.pizzarossa.com @pizzarossaUK www.facebook.com/pizzarossa

Bingham Hotel Restaurant Review

Posted on April 13, 2015 by James Yardley

The Bingham hotel is tucked away in a great location next to the river Thames in Richmond. First impressions are very good, the staff are professional and the hotel is immaculate. Before we have our meal we go to the bar and order some cocktails.

The Bingham is well known for its cocktails and its easy to see why. The barman is extremely skilled and rustles us up two delicious mocktails in front of us. (Catherine is pregnant hence the mocktails). My mocktail is delightful, I’m tasting something unlike anything I’ve experienced before and I feel as if I’ve been transported to another part of the world. The bar is a beautiful grand room, full of comfortable chairs, very high ceilings and views looking out over the Thames. It’s all real luxury. The main restaurant is similarly impressive and we have a table looking out over the river. Despite coming across as a luxury first class restaurant the atmosphere at the Bingham is relaxed – something which is very rare in these high end establishments in my experience. The room has a warm feel and the service is absolutely first class. The staff are all highly professional, knowledgeable, friendly but also not overly formal, which allows you to feel very comfortable. The style of the restaurant food is modern British.

The Bingham is proud of its extensive wine list and rightfully so the wine we had was superb.

To start we have some delicious homemade bread – it’s amazing the difference good quality bread can make to a whole meal – it sets the tone.

Catherine started with Heritage Beetroot – chicory, horseradish ice cream £11.50

An interesting savoury dish with lots of imagination. Catherine chose it because of the horesradish ice cream which is not something you see on the menu every day! The dish was extremely inventive and worked exceptionally well.

I have Quail with butternut squash, quinoa and tarragon £11.00

As you can see from the picture the presentation is superb. The quail has been cooked beautifully. It’s crispy on the outside and juicy and tender in the middle, The butternut squash is perfectly smooth and has a delicious flavor. Together with the quail and texture provided by the quinoa this is a perfect starter.

For my main I have the sweet potato ravioli with goat’s cheese, spinach and toasted seeds £15.50

A picture tells a 1000 words

My ravioli is perfectly cooked and the combination of goat’s chess and spinach is a classic and delicious combination. It looked so good I was afraid to eat it.

Catherine has the beef with salt baked celeriac, caramerlised oniom, variegatedkale £25.00

The beef was extremely well cooked and the sauces and kale went perfectly together. It was a beautiful piece of meat.

For my dessert I have the Rhubarb Millefeuille which also comes with a Rhubarb sorbet, ganache and cream pattisserie. £8.00

I loved my millefeuille which went perfectly with the sorbet which was a great accompaniment. This was a very skilfully created and tasty pudding.

Catherine has the Banana Parfait with chocolate mouse, peanut ice cream and salted brittle £8.00

Showstopper

Wow this looked incredible on the plate and tasted just as good. The combination of the different elements was simply divine.

The Bingham was a wonderful experience and we will definitely be returning in the near future. The setting next to the Thames is stunning. The interior and atmosphere were perfect, the food and drink was superb and the service was flawless.

http://www.thebingham.co.uk/

61 – 63 Petersham Road, Richmond Upon Thames, Surrey. TW10 6UT T: +44 (0) 20 8940 0902 Email: info@thebingham.co.uk

Gaucho presents… Seven days of Malbec

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Kesh

The iconic restaurant Gaucho, famed for capturing the essence of Argentinian food, wine and passion are about to embark on a very special week of events celebrating the very wine that put Argentina on the map, The Malbec. Gaucho popularly known throughout the Capital as being known for their delicious steaks and decadent decor are also UK home and champion of the Argentine grown grape, making it all the more apt that a number of the restaurants across London and the North will be home to Gaucho’s wine tasting events coinciding with Malbec World day on April 17th.

Frost were fortunate enough to get a little taster of the weeks events hosted by Gaucho’s Director of Wine, Phil Crozier, aka, Mr Malbec. Not only were we lucky enough to have him talk us through a number of the fine and exclusive Malbec’s but they were served to us in a bespoke new wine glass designed for optimum drinking by Mr Malbec himself.

Seven days of Malbec is due to commence on Monday the 13th April with a whole host of Malbec tasting sessions appealing to any wine taster from novice to connoisseur. As I soon realised as we began the wine tasting, my wine knowledge was almost non existent compared to the others in the room not to mention the passionate musings of Phil who went into a lengthy and extremely informative lecture about the legacy and intricacies of the history of Malbec and current Malbec production just one of the things, aside from the wine, expected from one of the value for money tastings. There really is something for everyone here as I was keen to know top tips and boy did we get more than a few as well as dispelling a few myths that a lot of wine drinkers would be shocked to hear themselves. For example, the fact that red wine should be served at no higher than 16c in fact Phil suggested, popping the wine in the fridge for an hour beforehand. Or the fact that Malbecs are best enjoyed young going against the old adage that the older the wine the more refined.

With Malbec quickly becoming one of the most important and popular wines in British Culture, Seven days of Malbec cover the following;

The Pioneers – Monday 13th April at Gaucho Piccadilly; covering the range of Malbecs from the pioneers that bought Malbec to the international market.

The New Generation– Tuesday 14th April at Gaucho Richmond; giving you a chance to try the new, super cool wine makers that are causing a stir in Argentina.

Old Vine Malbec – Wednesday 15th April at Gaucho Smithfield; for those of you wanting to try some Malbecs from the oldest vineyards in Mendoza.

Malbec Blends – Thursday 16th April – Gaucho Leeds; A chance to taste the blends which add a new dimension.

Extreme Malbecs – Friday 17th April – Gaucho Chancery Lane; A chance to look at Malbecs from the extreme high altitude regions in the north of Argentina on Malbec World day itself.

Super Malbec – Saturday 18th April – Gaucho Charlotte St; The creme de la creme of Malbecs straight from the ‘uber’ special, single vineyard Malbecs.

Vina Patricia – Sunday 19th April – Gaucho Hampstead; A chance to taste Gaucho’s very own Malbec grown in Lunlunta, Mendoza.

In addition to the exclusive tasting events, guests of Gaucho will be given a chance to try two Malbecs with their steak choice throughout the week.

Seven Days of Malbec begins on Monday 13th of April with all tastings priced at £20 per person, bookable through the Gaucho website;

http://www.gauchorestaurants.co.uk/events/

The Exhibit, Balham Restaurant Review

Posted on April 4, 2015 by Paloma Kubiak

– Location: check

– Atmosphere: check

– Great food: check.

As a born and bred Londoner, I’m embarrassed to write that I’ve never ventured to the restaurants or bars of Balham.

But yesterday evening, we stepped inside The Exhibit, a pretty venue just round the corner from the station.

On the ground floor we were impressed by the well-stocked bar and an array of colourful cocktails clasped in the hands of the trendy post-work crowd.

We headed one floor up to the dining area and were warmly welcomed by the waiting staff.

I loved the décor; white washed brickwork, glass blocks separating the two distinct dining areas and the open kitchen where you can see the chefs literally cooking up a storm.

My fiancé Marcin ordered the salmon tartare with guacamole, sesame seeds and soy dressing. The salmon, more red than pink, was smokey while the tang of the soy dressing and delicate taste of the guacamole all fused together beautifully.

I opted for the pulled pork terrine with chef’s piccalilli and the stringy pork had a char flavour which together with the spice of the piccalilli, was a pleasant starter.

For my main, I fancied trying the 24-hour honey and rosemary marinated lamb neck, with tomato bulgar wheat and aubergine croqueta. Having never tried this cut of the meat (it’s much cheaper than say a shoulder of lamb), I found it to be tender, fairly lean and with a more distinct lamb taste. The aubergine croqueta was crispy and the bulgar wheat was similar to a Mediterranean couscous.

For his main, Marcin chose from the special board – Galloway 32-day aged 8oz ribeye, café de Paris butter and chips. He said cutting into the steak was a real pleasure as the knife seamlessly sliced into the tender, juicy meat which was seared well on the outside while the inside was deliciously pink.

With a naturally sweet tooth, I plumped for the sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice-cream. The sponge was moist, the butterscotch sauce sugary and the vanilla ice-cream provided a refreshing coolness to the palette.

We did swap puddings half way though and I devoured the remains of Marcin’s chocolate and amaretti cake with crème fraiche. It was made of dark chocolate and was intensely rich while the little crispy puffs layered on top added a nice crunch to the bite.

The atmosphere was really chilled, the diners all had a fun vibe and our date night was accompanied by Torrontes white wine – a delicate, crisp and fruity wine which seemed to compliment each of our dishes.

We took a wander around The Exhibit – in one room speed-dating was taking place, while upstairs, it boasts an additional bar and best of all, an intimate plush cinema-come-karaoke room. On its website, The Exhibit prides itself on being “your go-to neighbourhood eating, drinking and entertainment choice for the people of Balham.” I only wish I’d left Clapham, Shoreditch and Camden behind and headed to Balham sooner – whether for post-work drinks, date night or even a sing-along, The Exhibit is a fabulously versatile venue for any event, large or small. No doubt we’ll be returning there soon.

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