Tasty Tabernacle

Another restaurant hidden off Old Street - the Tabernacle is predictably located on 55-61 Tabernacle street. I like the choice of name - unaspiring and associative. The venu itself fits inn quite well with the name; modern, warm wooden design, two floors, busy during lunch and dinner times. Warm dark colours and good lighting. If you want more privacy you can check out the loungier, cavier downstairs. It's the kind of place you could go to to wind down but not for too long because you want to have an early night.
The food is italian. I greatly enjoyed the tuna penne. They got the sauce just right - a little spicy, a little sweet with a distinct hint of sundried tomatoes. Something many restaurants don't ever seem to get right! Some sort of tomato sauce is a basic italian cuisine must - they should have some kind of kitchen o'levels to make sure all practicing chefs can get it right.

Fish..Works

Fishworks is a small chain of seafood restaurants. There are only two in London and I recently visited the one in Marylebone. I was so happy with it I had a whole sauvignon semillon 2007 to myself and caused mischief with cigarettes. I must commend the staff they were very composed and corteous. The only problem was that they were also very busy as the place was buzzing with clients. So I strongly recommend reserving a table beforehand.
The oysters were prettily served and successfuly devoured. The seafood platter challenged my strength as an eater. It was massive and had all kinds of sea creatures in it. I was very pleased. So pleased that I wasn't shy to show my company the heartiness of my appetite. Fishworks presents a very personal client and food relationship. You can chose your prey from an iced glass selection if you so wish. You can personally make sure that, that one wont get away. For fish lovers out there it's a must see.

FISH!

Fish in Borough Market is what I would call a trendy venue, or an iconic venue. It is located in a conservatory overlooking the Southwark Cathedral.
Fish is usually quite full so don't expect to go there and discuss the development of your relationship. It's a place to feast on fresh fish, selected early in the morning from the nearing Borough Market, famous for its fresh food and for being the main fish supplier for many restaurants in London.
I made the error of ordering a juicy steak, that looked bleak in comparison to my friend's succulent, grilled salmon. I rarely comment on the portions - they're generally too small or when it comes to pasta - too big. Fish however surprised me. For once I did not take a starter yet felt full and satiated from just the main.

To Tbilisi

The heart of Georgian cuisine is located in Holloway. When one plans to go there - do not forget - it's Holloway so "Great Expectations" should be a good read beforehand.Tbilisi is a place to visit for good food. That's the best, basic, fitting description. Very relaxed retro dark atmosphere, some good Georgian wine on the menu.I would recommend a selection of starters and a saucy main with lots of Khachapuri bread. The french have thought me that wipping the gravy is not a sign of peasantry so go and endulge.

Ukraine in Piccadilly

One of my favourite things about Divo is the location. Set just off the busy Piccadilly Circus it's a quiet haven of unpretentious splendour. You are greeted by Ukrainian Tsarist chic and a grand piano with a lone pianist playing melancholy tunes reminiscent of a victorious past. The pianist is a sight all by himself; he looks like he's just walked inn from a black and white fifties movie to play some cords of his tender soul.
The food was good, presentation classy. I might have wanted bigger portions but then the free champagne and milk chocolate strawberries (it was Valentine's day) made up for it in abundance. A big faux pas on the vodka which was served warm. Made me blush in front of my beau whom I'd meant to impress with sophisticated and wise Ukrainian table traditions. Luckily the staff were eager to amend that error. It's a pity Eastern Europe is seen as a homogeneous concept - despite their similar looks - they all take their aperitifs differently.

From Russia with Love

A night in Trojka..

What does one expect when embarking up on a journey in a three horsed chariot (Trojka) to feast all night? Decadent glamour - lots of gold , red and flash... Trojka restaurant in Belsize park delivers all that but with a twist. Up on entering the restaurant one goes through a time loop and finds oneself in an eighties expat, soviet cafe with too much lighting and mellow service speed.
Russians say "the appetite comes when the meal is broth forth"; after finally making our order we received the food very fast and drowned in nostalgia for the old soviet union. Big hearty dishes full of wholesome, traditional food went down very well with iced vodka shots and black tea with cherry shots put a good end to a hearty meal.
All in all if you want to give someone an unpretentious taste of Russia hop into Trojka.