So, I’m quite a big foodie. If I could eat
every meal in a restaurant, I would! Having worked in some of the best parts of
London in the past, I grew quite a big belly by regularly sampling some of the
best cuisine the capital had to offer. This post is the first in a series,
which relates my personal recommendations of eateries in the city’s most
popular districts. To begin, COVENT GARDEN. A part of London, which is well
associated with old markets and piazza style architecture, is now
renowned for many celebrated theatres, cobbled squares and a buzz of
shoppers and tourists. In recent years, it has welcomed lavish
fancies such as Ladurée and modern gastronomy with the grand opening of Shake
Shack. But alas, none of my recommendations are these as they are all too
obvious and quite frankly, slightly overrated.
1. Cast your minds over to Seven Dials, the
part of Covent Garden that interests me the most! As the name insinuates, Seven Dials is a set of seven cobbled streets converging from a pillar which has six sun dials that stands in
the center. It is one of these streets that plays host to Kopapa, a restaurant offering fusion food for morning,
afternoon and evening. Having been in February, I instantly fell in love as soon
the plate of food arrived to my table. They offer a variety of mouth-watering
bites with an every changing menu which is filled with good wine, hearty breakfasts and
small plates for that quick moment when you need to inhale some goodness in
between meetings. Personal recommendation: For Sunday brunch, have a try
of the Turkish eggs, any of the fry-ups and definitely the chocolate milkshake.
Whatever you eat here, there’ll be a party in. // kopapa.co.uk
2. My second recommendation lies on Neal
Street (and a few other locations in London) and was introduced to me by an old
colleague who I will always thank dearly, because it’s one of the best hidden
yet well known bars in London. Food is abundant and the wine lists are infamous
at Pix which is inspired by Pintxos bars, which are commonly found in Barcelona and San
Sebastian. Being a small and intimate space (my favorite of all the Pix bars),
the bar is inevitably full nearly all of the time but if I remember correctly,
reserving two seats in advance is still possible. Upon entering, you are
greeted with an artisan table of tapas bites (lo and behold the Spanish
influence) and you are welcome to help yourself to these small gulps of
deliciousness at a ridiculously small price whilst drinking a bottle of
exquisite wine or downing a dangerously good cocktail. The bar offers an
informal atmosphere, coupled with a sense of sophistication and an appreciation
for nibbling and drinking. It’s like dress down Fridays with lashings of
champagne. Personal recommendation: a bottle of Condes de Abarei, Albarino with a
plate of pintxos to share. //pix-bar.com
3. My third recommendation is Mishkin’s. A hidden gem parallel to
Drury Lane, it is a brilliant eatery serving up Jewish classics (although oddly
it is not kosher) with a treasure chest of gin cocktails. All I can really say
about this restaurant is that it's so good you may not want to leave. Imagine
yourself walking through London on a rainy day (this is really not difficult to
imagine) and the wind is scratching your face and your belly is growling. Well, the
remedy is a plate of comfort from good old Mishkin’s. If you haven’t been, get
going. Personal recommendation: Macaroni and cheese topped with Colman’s
and salt beef and as I’m the gin queen I highly recommend Ezra’s Green Rose
cocktail. //mishkins.co.uk
4. Number four is just so exciting. After
countless failed attempts at visiting this amazing and fantabulously chic
restaurant with my foodie partner in crime, I finally got there this weekend
for my father’s 50th birthday celebration. And it really did make it
a celebration. Balthazar blessed London with its presence in 2013 and it’s as
if people have purposely forgotten the time before its existence. The service
is impeccable, every waiter greets you as you walk in, your reservation is
confirmed upon entering (it feels like a gentleman's food club) and you are shown
to your table in the gloriously decadent décor that graces the walls of this
magnificent eatery. The menu is simple French bistro food, but the taste is out
of this world. There is something for everyone, and that something is trop classe,
even down to the onion rings. Originally from New York, the restaurant has
become the poised neighbor of the Royal Opera House. As my father said, ‘This
place is where you would find Vito Corleone, Coco Chanel, Mr Gatsby… you know,
those people who are just cool, suave and elegant.’ Personal recommendations:
Moules marinières, pavlova, crème brulée, champagne. Basically the whole
damn menu. And if you do happen to read that dastardly review on the restaurant by Guardian writer Jay Rayner, ignore it. // balthazarlondon.com
5. My last recommendation is somewhat simpler
and without all the decadent faff. But my oh my, the food lives up to all of
that. Battersea Pie Station. I don’t
even need to explain the food because 1. It’s obvious and 2. Anything you eat
from here will satisfy your hunger and your taste buds. You’ll find it in the
lower piazza and for goodness sake, get the mushy peas, mashed potato and
gravy! Personal recommendations: Beef
and onion pie, mashed potato, peas and gravy. Perfection. // batterseapiestation.co.uk
These of course, some of my favorites but Covent Garden has much more to offer than just
these five picks. But if you ever feel lost in the terms of how to fill you
stomach whilst in this part of London , why not give one of these devils a go? And for
you coffee fiends out there don’t forget to try Monmouth Coffee on Monmouth
Street (seven dials). Best.coffee.in.the.world.
If you have any
food favorites around London let me know in the comments box below or tweet me, I’m always
on the hunt for some new nosh!
RougeRox
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