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Written by J A Smith

new
Read 1720
london Clerkenwell, WC1X
Otto’s (2017)

by J A Smith

Lincolnshire Poacher soufflé of dreams and a crè

Lincolnshire Poacher soufflé of dreams and a crème caramel, just a couple of lovely but unfussy bistro dishes at Romano’s, the restaurant upstairs at Simpson’s in the Strand (not to be confused with the Grand Divan on the ground floor). Oh and a martini in Simpson’s Bar and a Campari Shakerato at Nellie’s again.

Just FYI, the soufflé is £5 less than the twice-baked Stilton one at Wiltons (though they’re both heavenly).

Might as well make this building the new Palate HQ. With two bars and two restaurants it’s wonderful in every way

#simpsonsinthestrand #souffle #weekend #londondining #londonguide

Cold as Pluto, dry as Arrakis. The Egerton martini

Cold as Pluto, dry as Arrakis. The Egerton martini, still served tableside, a whisper of vermouth, gin (or vodka) from the freezer to the top of the glass and free Welsh rarebit. Cin cin

#martini #cocktailhour #cocktailbar #cocktail #delicious

Medlar is 15! Another great meal here. In fact,

Medlar is 15! Another great meal here. In fact, every meal has been great since that first visit in 2011 (where does the time go?). Some of the highlights on this visit: asparagus with lamb shoulder croquettes, Italian white onion, aioli and pecorino; roast guinea fowl with morels, celeriac purée, potato terrine and sauce charcutière; the cheese board (of course). Good to see some of their classic staples are always there such as the duck egg tart and crème brûlée, but above all the most notable thing is the consistently warm hospitality and great service

#medlar #londonrestaurants #instafood #foodgram #chelsea

A recent return to Paulette in Maida Vale (sister

A recent return to Paulette in Maida Vale (sister restaurant of Josette in Clerkenwell). Just so satisfying and unashamedly Gallic every time: saucisson and cornichons (apparently there’s a national shortage of cornichons so get them while you can), Comté gougères, filet au poivre (cooked perfectly) and, of course, there must and shall be cheese. Friendly service, cosy ambience and reasonably priced

#paulette #maidavale #frenchfood #londonrestaurants #bonappetit

Back to Baudry Greene for those heavenly cacio e p

Back to Baudry Greene for those heavenly cacio e pepe croquettes and a Rouge Clair Negroni (served straight up and very cold). Delicious as always. Bon week-end!

#coventgarden #bar #cocktailbar #negroni #weekend

A few legendary London restaurants celebrate miles

A few legendary London restaurants celebrate milestones with a “5” in them this year, including Pied à Terre (35 years) and Medlar (15 years). Sandwiched between these is La Trompette in Chiswick, at 25 years. The sister restaurant of Chez Bruce which similarly holds one Michelin star, a meal at La Trompette is always great and this one was no exception. Also very pleased to see it so busy on this visit - positively buzzing with energy.

Hand-rolled linguine with shrimps and bisque, aged beef rump cap with gratin dauphinois, tenderstem broccoli and pickled walnut purée, and an indulgent caramelised pain perdu with Calvados ice cream (the latter a death row meal contender). Really not bad at all at three courses for £65, bearing in mind bread and filtered water are also included. Long may it continue

#latrompette #chiswick #londondining #foodgram #wheretoeat

While in Gloucestershire, a return to Le Champigno

While in Gloucestershire, a return to Le Champignon Sauvage in Cheltenham was simply mandatory. Owned and run by the same husband and wife team since 1987 (David in the kitchen, Helen front of house), and still retaining a Michelin star to this day, it’s one of those quietly consistent restaurants that’s well-worth a stop when in the Cotswolds. On this visit (after canapés and an amuse bouche), roasted Orkney scallop glazed with miso, fennel purée, radish and lemongrass sauce, then loin of Brecon venison with fig, parsnip, Williams pear cream and their own homemade venison sausage, then a delightful mascarpone and Sudachi panna cotta with lemon verbena and yoghurt sorbet in 3D

#lechampignonsauvage #cheltenham #foodgram #diningout #toprestaurants

Also in Stroud, the quirky Holy Water, a bar that

Also in Stroud, the quirky Holy Water, a bar that wasn’t originally intended to be a bar. A real gem of a place, making great cocktails and even bottling or canning them for you if you have a train to catch. Oh and that poster of Anthony Bourdain doing a middle finger salute between the record player and beautifully-stocked fridge. No doubt he’d approve of this watering hole. Also a handy option for aperitifs before Juliet. Link in bio for the review or head to the Palate Cleanser section of the main site (where our bar reviews sit)

#stroud #bargram #cocktailbar #cocktails #imbibe

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