Wagamama

It was our first visit to Wagamama and as low as our expectations were we were still disappointed.  I suspect prices are more expensive because it's Heathrow but still we felt robbed. 

Miso ramen (£9.05). It was the better dish between the two we tried that day.  At least the soup base was more authentic and flavourful.  The noodles and toppings were very average and for that price I would expect a bit more. 

Chicken ramen (£8.20).  The broth was so bland it was like baby food and we found it difficult to go down. Will avoid it next time.

Wagamama
Heathrow Terminal 5, after security, departures level, TW6 2GA, UK.  Tel: 0208 283-6186

The Warren House Inn

We like The Warren Inn as it's in the middle of nowhere in Dartmoor.  I was shown the way there and had it pinned on my GPS, I suspect I would never been able to find the place again otherwise.  

The food has always been reasonable good there and on that day we picked from the rather large today's special selection.  Everything was fairly delicious and well prepared.

Scampi and chips.

Beef lasagna.

Chicken and ham pie.

The Warren House Inn
 In the middle of Dartmoor between Moretonhampstead and Princetown on the B3212, Postbridge, Devon, PL20 6TA, UK.  Tel: 01822 880-208

Bar Boulud

I can't believe I had never thought of eating at the Mandarin of all the times we were in Knightsbridge.   I'm so glad I decided to give it a try because its a perfect lunch spot and a good break from the crazy shopping! 

It was surprising to see a 3-course set meal with French influence at £23.  Eating at any fast food joint would easily cost more than that.  To start there were 3 choices and from the salad and pork head cheese terrine I picked butternut soup.  With pumpkin seeds, caraway marshmallow, pain d' epices, it was probably the best butternut soup I had had.

For main course I had the choice of fish, chicken or mussels.  I decided to go for the butter poached cod, crispy brandade, spinach, cauliflower, capers, lemon.  I have to say the fish was very average and it wasn't particularly flavourful.  The side dishes were not interesting either.  I probably shouldn't be too critical for the price I was paying.

I decided to have something light to finish my meal and coconut sorbet was perfect.  For somebody with a bigger tummy there was chocolate biscuit with coffee ice cream or cheese plate to choose from.  Again I think it's excellent value in Knightsbridge.

Bar Boulud
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park,  66 Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7LA, UK.  Tel: 020 7201-3899

Strada Cucina Italiana

We were happy to see Strada, an Italian chain restaurant, at Heathrow Terminal 3 as our other alternative would be sandwiches and I really wanted (and needed) a proper lunch before our flight to Vienna. 

Risotto verdure (₤10.25). Grilled asparagus on a risotto of edamame and green beans, peas, spring onions, courgette, spinach, white wine and mint.  It sounded very healthy and delicious on the menu but it came out really bland.  The lack of flavour made the dish very boring.

Strozzapreti pugliese (₤10.75).  Strozzapreti pasta served with Luganica sausage, cured pancetta and broccoli, finished with fresh red chili butter and Grana Padano.  It was probably the best food I ever tasted at an airport!  The ingredients came very nicely together and the chili butter was a genius touch to add to the already very flavourful dish.

Strada Cucina Italiana
Heathrow Terminal 3 Airside, Hounslow, TW6 12G, UK.  Tel: -2- 8564-7860

Rockfish Seafood and Chips Restaurant

Victorian lemonade (₤2.75).  I always like lemonade which is more tart but this Victorian one is very very hardcore.  I got a bit worried about my stomach at one point!

Large plaice fillet in beer batter with chips (₤13.95).  Portion was big but plaice was not the freshest unfortunately.  We've had better fish at cheaper prices definitely.

Rockfish scampi with chips (₤16.95).  Made with Scottish langoustine the scampi was delicious and very enjoyable.  It somewhat saved the very expensive meal. 

Rockfish Seafood and Chips Restaurant
8 South Embankment, Dartmouth, Devon, TQ6 9BH, UK.  Tel: 01803 832800

The Turf

A hidden pub nestled on the bank of Exe Estuary.  With huge gardens and the fact that it can only be reached by foot or boat makes it a very special pub to visit.  On the day of our visit the usually good hot kitchen was closed so we were having sandwiches, cheese platter and of course pasty. 

The Turf
Exe Estuary, near Powderham, Devon, UK.  Tel: 01392 832545

Michael Caine @ Gidleigh Park

It's been exactly a year since our last visit to Gidleigh Park.  We kept trying to come back but the place was always fully booked.  This time we were actually organised enough to plan it ahead of time. 

At the lounge we were greeted with a fabulous amuse-bouche while we browsed the menu.  All four of us agreed that it would be a sin to not go for the 8-course dinner.

Our first course was tartar of marinated tuna, scallops and lime, Oscietra caviar, soused turnip and beetroot, wasabi cream, honey and soy vinaigrette.  Simple yet the chef incorporated a number of interesting flavours together.

Terrine of foie gras, Madeira jelly, truffled green bean salad.  Great quality foie gras and jelly, but the real gem was the truffled green bean salad.  I am not a big truffled fan but the salad was delicious!  I'd eat green beans everyday if I could make it taste so good.

Cornish sea bass, roasted with anise spice, lobster and bouillabaisse sauce.  Just like our last visit the fish dish was the strongest dish for the night.  Fish and lobster were cooked to perfection.  It was so good I found myself eating extra slow just to savor the taste.

Partridge, quince puree, braised chicory, marinated raisins and a Gewürztraminer wine sauce.  I was a little surprise to see that the same dish was on offer again.   Not that I mind as it was an excellent dish nonetheless.  A perfect winter dish.

West Country beef fillet, wild mushrooms, shallot and horseradish confit smoked bone marrow and a red wine sauce.  I had to have my beef well-done and sadly it was ruined as a result.  The meat was so tough I did not enjoy it at all.  The rest of the table told me theirs were tender and juicy though.

A selection of South West cheeses, Sharpham Elmhirst, Quickes Mature Cheddar, Slow Tavy and Harbourne Blue.  Same selection as our last visit. 

Exotic fruit salad, passion fruit sorbet and crystalline of pineapple.  Again the same as the last menu.  We did enjoy the pineapple crystalline again.

Caramel and cardamom parfait, milk chocolate mousse, nougatine and a cardamom foam.  An excellent dessert to round up the meal. 

Tea and petits fours.  Another very impressive and satisfying meal at Gidleigh.  We will be back again!

Michael Caine @ Gidleigh Park
Gidleigh Park, Chagford, Devon, TQ13 8HH, UK.  Tel: 01647 432367

Nobody Inn

We would never have found this pub had it not been our neighbour who showed us how to get there. Set in a small village in the middle of Haldon Forrest lies this beautiful historic pub with the best house ale and good food. What else can you ask for?

On our first visit we tried the award winning steak and ale pie, made with Nobody Ale (£10.75).  Great pie with crust all the way around!

Cocktail meatballs (£7.95). The sauce was really tangy and I wish there was more.  It was meant to be a starter dish though.

The Nobody West Country cheese plate selection for 2 (£10.95).  This was just one portion!  Smashing cheese Gromit!

Sticky ginger pudding (£5.75).  Loved how light the pudding was and it was a great contrast to the sticky heavy toffee sauce.  A match in heaven along with clotted cream!

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We found ourselves back in Nobody in a week's time.  Lunch was extra pleasant in the garden.  Nobody Ale battered fish of the day and chips (£10.45).  Excellent dish with fresh fish and the tartare sauce was out of this world. 

Open sandwich of rare beef on horseradish sauce and salad (£7.95).  My husband seemed very happy with his sandwich.

Ham - home cooked with chips, peas and fried free-range eggs (£8.95). The ham was not too salty at all (which is a problem I have with most gammon).  I would have liked my eggs cooked a bit more but it really wasn't a complaint at all.  I loved the dish.

Nobody Inn
Doddiscombsleigh, nr. Exeter, Devon, EX6 7PS, UK.  Tel: 01647 252 394

The Duke of Wellington

Believe or not it was our very first visit to Portobello Market of all the times we were in London.  I suppose we are not really the type to dig through stuff.  We did enjoy looking through old books at the Oxfam there though.  When it was time to eat we would have been happy getting fish and chips from the chip shop but my dad wanted to have a sit down and a drink so we settled for the Duke of Wellington and expected the worst.

Dukes waldof salad (£6.95).  Although the stilton seemed to be missing but it was not a bad dish with crunchy apple and walnuts.

Fresh fish in Young's beer batter (£11.95).  Not the best fish and chips but it was OK.

Speciality British sausage sandwich with caramelized onion (£6.95).  It was probably the best dish of the day.  The Cumberland sausages were delicious!  Perhaps we had very low expectations but the food, although pricey for what you get, was actually decent.  Tip:  there is a chip shop 2 doors down called The Fish Pond and it's got the best chips in the world!

The Duke of Wellington
179-181 Portobello Rd., London, W11 2ED, UK.  Tel: 020 7727 6727

Wimpy

I can't believe I went to Wimpy. It was past lunch time and I did not have the energy to look for another place to eat.  To my surprise the place was actually really busy with older customers chatting and having tea.  I looked at the menu and picked the biggest burger there was.  It's basically a quarter pounder topped with a grilled frankfurter ring.   Why not I thought.  Yes it was probably very unhealthy but to be honest it's just as greasy as any other fast food joint.  And it didn't come out all squashed and dried (yes, I'm talking about you McDonald's).  The chips tasted infinitely better too.  Perhaps I won't be making fun of Wimpy anymore.

Wimpy
Branches across UK

Michael Caines at ABode Exeter

Another very satisfying lunch at Michael Caines' restaurant in Exeter. Everything, including the bread basket, was so yummy we find ourselves back again and again.

Amuse bouche for the day.  I admit I was a bit sloppy to not have taken notes on what it was.

Pan fried Brixham scallops.  Fresh and delicious, the celeriac puree and vinaigrette really complimented the dish.  At last someone found a good use of celeriac.  

Quail three ways.  Loved everything on the plate and the jus was to die for.  

We had a fish dish and a beef dish for our main courses and both were delicious.

Michael Caines at Abode Exeter
Cathedral Yard, Exeter, EX1 1HD, UK.  Tel: 01392 223-638

Golden Dragon Chinese Restaurant

A dim sum break in London China Town. Again we had no idea which restaurant to pick.  I ended up listening out for Cantonese speakers and found this place.  The menu surely looked very authentically Cantonese and the rice stick dish easily passed the authenticity test.

Singapore noodle. I was expecting a wiener-down version but instead it had a welcoming punch of spicy curry powder, which I thought was quite bold for the chef.  Loved it!

The usual dim sum suspects were all pretty tasty too.  The only problem:  we were soooo thirsty after our meal and we usually have quite a high tolerance on MSG.  

Golden Dragon Chinese Restaurant
28-29 Gerrand Street, London, W1D 6JW, UK.  Tel:  020 7734-2763

La Brasserie

My favourite place to have a casual yet delicious meal in London.  Love the retro dining room as well.

Asparagus served warm with hollandaise sauce (£8.90).

Escagots with garlic and parsley sauce (£10.20).

Duck confit with potato gratin (£17.90).

Steak tartare with fries (£21.50).  Once again we left very happy with full tummies.  We are looking forward to our next visit already!

La Brasserie
272 Brompton Road, London, UK, SW3 2AW.  Tel: 0207 581-3089