Jamie's at Westfield

Jamie Oliver's establishments never cease to amaze me with their low quality food. Ahh the pasta is to die for people say ... it's pasta, though possible it is yet hard to completely ruin a dish that is wheat in cheese surrounded by interesting condiments. At Jamie's in Westfield all our table took the baked fish in a bag due to the romantic homicidal sound of the dish. I tried everyone's at it was equally tasteless. How you can make something containing fennel and garlic seem mild like stilton, I do not know. What I do know is that I'm done giving Jamie second chances, he might put on a good show, me might alas even be a good cook himself but he does not know how to pick his stuff.

The Boundary

I am starting to think that Conran made restaurants are the only worthwhile eating establishments in London. Take the Boundary in Shoreditch for instance. Five stars for design and service and the freshest sea platter I've ever had, seaside towns included. It had everything from oysters to prawns to snails and mussels, served in abundance on a plate of ice. The bisque was heavenly rich and creamy, the bream and lamb had the strict austerity that come with the title of main dish and the excellent combination of flavours that one gladly pays 20 quid for. Needless to say there was a good wine selection and white was drink of the day.

Baltic

Baltic in Southwark has been the best surprise of the year. The menu boasts the best Eastern Europe has to offer and you can definitely tell they know what they're doing. Any vodka you choose from their large selection is served in style - icy, with a selection of pickles. Fresh brown bread went very well with slow cooked vegetable and pork stew. Blinis, aubergine caviar, Solianka, Bozbash, Golonka - all meaty eastern foods with deep, serious flavours where so filling , it left no room for desert.
Baltic reminds one of a modern, refurbished ex air plane hangar. The modern design fuses well with the age old east European cuisine.

ROAST

Overlooking borough market, Roast is always fully booked. Deservingly so. The spacious modern design is complemented by excellent cocktails and live music. The classic, British menu is picked from the freshest ingredients sourced from Borough market. There is a different theme every day and breakfasts are served every day except Sunday. Roast chicken with bread sauce and thyme melted in the mouth whereas Wicks' Manor pork belly with apple sauce and mash was rather on the heavy side but had lovely salty crackling. Pork patties were a disappointing starter while the scallops were perfectly cooked and seasoned. A cheddar platter concluded the meal and left us paralysed for a good half hour.
Roast is great but you must know what to order and if you're parsimonious you can't go.

Foreman's Fish

Amongst the debris of the Olympics site in Stratford, amidst brick warehouses and narrow roads stands Forman's Restaurant and Bar....... as featured in Masterchef.(There'd be no other way I could have found out about this god forsaken place). Forman's located on Fish Island (!) is not open everyday so it's always advisable to call first.
The menu is simple - fresh British produce and ofcourse Forman's salmon. I have mixed feelings about the food - it was very hit and miss. The brill was gorgeous while the sea bass didn't go well with the selected accoutrements. Smoked salmon didn't gain much from buckwheat blinis whereas the hot smoked eel went very well with potatoes and capers in Dijon dressing.
Forman's at the moment is great for discussing business with no distractions. Once the Olympics begin it is sure to be a hit with its excellent view of the site. However at the moment it needs a little tweaking of the menu and perhaps is not yet worth the commute to Fish Island for its own sake only.

THAI RICE

Just outside Maida Vale station is a gem of Thai food, simply known as Thai Rice. This cheerful establishments boasts strength reviving Tom Yum a beer cooling gadget with your meal. Great curries, stir fries and most impressive grilled prawn dishes. Any place that give 6 king prawns for £8 is worth the visit. It's no Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester but great if you're hungry and in the area of if you just want good thai with friends.

NUOCMAM

This tongue breaking name comes with a small modern restaurant in Great Portland street. Nuocmum is purportedly a cutting edge Japanese and Vietnamese fushion establishment revolutionsing London's dinning scene. In reality it is a small and modern, with a karaoke room for hire and a simple Asian menu of good value. Sushi was fresh, curry weak and pho lacked this oomph. On the whole it is a rather pleasant place to come for an unpretentious meal and friendly staff.