Restaurant Reviews

Duck and Waffle

Duck and waffle is one of those restaurants that you hear about. One of those instagramable places that you never think you will get to go to. Well what can I say I have a great best friend and she booked a table for my birthdy last year. What an excuse for a new dress and for her to do my make up properly – who does love being pampered.

Grilled Octopus

After the hours of getting ready and photoshoot in the sun. We headed off to Bishopsgate for the meal. There are a couple of restaurants in the building – it is clearly marked from the front of the building. You enter and give your name to the concierge at the bottom and then enter an elevator to the correct floor.

Ox Cheek Doughnut


We sat in the bar area before being shown to our table in the window. There was such amazing food on the menu we decided that we should get a few things and share them. You will see some of the option through out this post! The options are extensive. It was suggested that we get a few small plates to share with some bread and then a duck and waffle to share as well – this was a great idea. We got to try a bit of everything!

Cheddar Souffle


The piece de resistance (correct?) was the Duck and Waffle – who knew a duck leg would go so well with waffle maple syrup and an egg!! It was delicious. As soon as the food was ready it was brought over which works great for us because it meant we could chat as things were bought over bit by bit. The service was great, the carafe of wine we had was beautiful.
The food overall was great – so many great options. We were probably a little overdressed for the dinner we were having however we were going on to cocktails so we needed to have a two for one outfit. I felt very special when they then bought out the desert which was decorated to celebrate my birthday.

Duck and Waffle

Is it cheap? No. (£10-15 for a small plate, £20-45 for a large plate) It is special? Yes. You do not need to be dressed well there were families and others there in jeans and what could be deemed as smart casual. You will need to book a table in advance and if you are booking less than a month in advance then you might have to settle for an early or late dinner. It was still a great experience and would recommend it! The views alone are to die for. Fingers crossed for good weather for when you go.
Until next time.

Restaurant Reviews

Le Pisani – Axminster

For this weeks “Travel Tuesdays” – we are doing another stay cation restaurnat review.

Location: Axminster.

I was in this little town for a hen do – we had a meal out. This Restaurant was 10 mins from our Spa resrot and offered plenty of options. It is Italian overall, with plenty of pastas and pizza available. All substantial portions so do be sure you are hungry.

I had fish and ratatouille – what can I say I was not feeling huge amount of carbs that day. Very strange for me I have to say. Although this was served with a small portion of chips. Who could say no…

This meal was really tasty, the lemon as alays added that acidity that can be needed with these meals. It was well seasoned and I demolished it pretty quickly. This place as it is local, is more accustomed to smaller groups and families, so a hen do turning up was not to their perference. Therefore we ordered in advance to help out.

Axminster itself is a small town, easy to walk up and down in a morning, you couldn’t spend all day here, however there are plenty of walks in thesurrounding areas. Lyme Regis (see my post) is only 20 mins or so drive from here. So worth a visit to the coast and if you are looking for that stone walled typical English rural town. It is a nice visit, this place would be a good place for a late lunch before heading home for the evening.

Until next time.

Restaurant Reviews

London grind – Review

After a very special (and different) VE Day – 75th Anniversary. It is a day to be proud to be British and celebrate those things that make us so. One things about London and Great Britain that people like and want to try here is British Breakfast – who wouldn’t. A plate of yummy goodness to start your weekend or week!

I want to share one of my favourite breakfasts in London. It is a cute place off London bridge a stones throw from London Bridge station. It is marble tables with a selection of high tables, a counter and lower tables. It is tight fit there is not a huge about of space in this place. But it is open, airey, and chic.

They do a range from healthy to not so healthy breakfasts, mimosas and coffees – their fresh orange juice is to die for! Mine went way too quickly. Take a look at the Menu it is hard to choose! Let’s be honest.

The food is delicious – I have eaten here a few times with friends, family and solo. The breakfast is definitely a favourite – beware if you are ordering the breakfast burrito is it a substantial meal.

Hope this has given you some inspo for your weekend breakfasts, and future adventures. Until next time.

Restaurant Reviews

Busaba Kingston

Foodie Friday is here ! As you know I love my food – trying new places and new foods. As well as cooking – but that is for another day.

Busaba is a chain in the UK, for Thai and Asian fusion food. I went to this one with a friend of mine. It is away from the main high street of Kingston on the River. We went when it was raining – I suggest not sitting by the window if it is raining – the window had a gap and therefore water came through.

Rice crackers and sweet chili are the standard starters. The restaurant is quite large with plenty of space and resources for families or a large group of people. During the summer it would be lovely to sit outside on the riverside and enjoy the sunshine.

I had the Khao Red Pork. The egg was runny enough to add the flavour, the pork was tender and to combine with the noodles, pak choi or rice. Busaba offers all sorts of options for all restrictions, vegan, vegetarian and calories controlled alike. Stir Fries and Rice Bowls, to Pad Thai and Salads.

Drinks wise there are the usual options, my go to when it comes to Asian restaurants their tea is usually better than others. Jasmine Tea or Green Tea are good options for a lunch time meal.

Enjoy your trip to Busaba – when we next can go out please visit and enjoy!

Until next time.

Restaurant Reviews

Bristol rose Marino – Review

Menu for you guys

This restaurant is a nice place off the beaten track in Bristol – most precisely Clifton. Clifton has a great high street to wonder down as well as plenty of green spaces – it is a good spot for a afternoon out of the city. It is not far as well – a decent walk or there are buses there too.

The bread was warm – who doesn’t love bread, olive oil and balsamic!!

I had gluten free pasta – it was good al dente which was perfect. Really tasty and just enough of a portion for me. I sometimes find with pasta – even when I make it at home there is too much. Here there was just enough. Although the bread does make up some of it…

My sister had the tiramisu! By the silence that came over the room I am going to say that it was good – but you never know with these things.

This is a reasonably priced stop in Clifton if you are in the area.

Until next time.

Restaurant Reviews

Knead – review

This is a Sunday Morning type place!

Location: Kloof Street, Cape Town.

This place is always busy when it comes to a morning, it sells to go coffee and pastries for those just passing through. I am pleased to say I had a sit down with a few friends and a good breakfast.

A simple flat white – everyone needs a coffee on a morning. Below is a Tumeric Latte, this was an experience. It was spicy but in a warming sense. My friend who ordered it enjoyed but I am not sure it was to my taste… So many different things in a drink makes you wonder if it is worth it.

Believe it or not this is a Tumeric Latte!

Now believe it or not, this is an omelette. It was an omelette and a half. With toast with a pesto type sauce and some grilled tomatoes. This filled me up for the entire day. Bacon and sausages inside this.

The menu has some soft drinks on it as well. I had an iced tea but it had a flavouring in it as well. It was on the sugary side however it was extremely refreshing.

My entire experience at this place was lovely, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The service was okay, the food delicious and the surroundings were spacious. It is the perfect place for a lazy brunch with friends. You can even sit outside and watch the world go by if that is what you feel like.

Until next time my friends

Restaurant Reviews

Roundhouse – Review

Location: Wandsworth – a short walk from Clapham Junction.

You walk into this place, and it is immediately warm. There is a bar in the centre of everything, table scattered around. Table and chairs are mismatch but all wooden based.

It is dimly lit but it has a lovely atmosphere. A lovely place for an evening meal. The menu has a lovely range on it. I went with the Jerk Chicken see the image below.

 

This was delicious. Plenty of sauce, spicy but not too much. I only had a lemonade to accompany but it was great. It was nice to have a bit of salad alongside.

This was my desert – chocolate fondant and there was no coulis and therefore we got Raspberry Sorbet. That with vanilla ice cream, it was mouth watering. The fondant didn’t melt as I had expected it was sold like a mousse type thing. It had a solid base. It was rich and did not last long I can tell you.

The service was as I preferred – attentive but not harassing. They were not too pushy but willing to help with every query we had.

Enjoy my review and the food should you visit.

Until next time.

Restaurant Reviews

Kloof Street House

Location: Kloof Street.

This restaurant carries a reputation all its own, if you are thinking of going in the evening, then please book well ahead in advance. If you are small number of people you can try on the night but it is unlikely. I went at lunch time for their summer lunch menu, it was still pretty busy for that time.

The entrance into the restaurant looks rather grand, the steps are tiled and the gravel, leading up to a glass front. It is very ornate the outside area is all shaded with a tent like structure. A few booths as well as actual tables. All comfortable and giving a relaxed atmosphere.

The Summer lunch menu, has a wide range of choices, as you can see. Some things that are familiar and others that are not so. It is well priced and usually the Chicken main is R175. I am sure that means you get a smaller portion on this one however even the meal I had was filling enough. The drinks menu is extensive too, with wines and cocktails as well as soft drinks.

I opted to sit outside, after sitting inside for 15 mins waiting for everything to be ready for me. I was asked multiple times if I was okay sat inside and people tried to take my order but I was adamant about being outside. It was a lovely warm day.

So after downing a litre bottle of water I opted for the Gili Gili mocktail, which was a bit like a virgin mojito but less sugary. It was nice, still went quickly. Eventually I had my order for food taken, both courses had to be order at the same time. I ordered Kingflip goujons and chips with Malva pudding for dessert.

I want to make a comment at this point about the service. After waiting for long enough to be moved outside and to have my order taken. I then watched two other tables receive their food before me. I had ordered at the same time, if not before. Admittedly they were having starters or salads so to an extent I can understand. This still bordered on the annoying. It was simple surely. Anyway, I asked where my food was, and as soon as someone had reported it, my food came out. It was piping hot at least. The waiter came and offered a drink or glass of champagne to compensate which I was pleased for. At least it was something. After this they then proceeding to turn the fan on next to me which then blew water at me as well… That wasn’t appreciated…

Onwards to the food – this could not be faulted!

The chips were delicious, the goujons were not greasy, the batter was crisp. The mushy peas were divine, they had mixed them with mint and butter I think, very yummy. I can tell you that these did not last long.

Malva pudding for those who have not had it, is very similar to sticky toffee pudding but it has been soaked in a type of alcohol and there are no dates. Surely no downside right?! It was a very large portion I will give you, and the pineapple and pistachios where the perfect combination with the soaked cake and the ice cream. It was a lovely end.

I would still recommend this place but with some caution, make sure you keep an eye on your waiter so that he doesn’t forget you. I felt forgotten in this place, the food made up for it. Food and drinks were amazing.

Restaurant Reviews

Riks American Cafe – Review

Location: Park Street

Named after the cafe in Casablanca. It is a mixed cuisine place, you are in for a treat.

There is outside seating, that is all shaded either by the trees or by umbrellas, they all very comfortable and it is always teaming with people.

There is Happy Hour from 3pm – 7pm with over 500 drinks to choose from, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. The ice tea is lovely and sugar free and therefore guilt free – right?

So I started my meal with the smoked crocodile, passion fruit, orange and rocket. It was like Carapaccio. I really enjoyed the smokiness next to the fruit. I devoured it quickly. It is hard to see the crocodile but it is that pink/cream type stuff on the outskirts of the plate. Really tasty.

For my main course I had the ostrich burger which came with pineapple and onion rings. The meat just fell apart, and it was delicious. Just divine. It had been seasoned well, and the accompaniments were perfect. The chips and onion rings were crisp without being greasy. The slaw was small and didn’t add much to the meal it was perfect without it.

The options at this place are just amazing! From burgers to Turkish and Moroccan Tagines, I was spoiled for choice I really was. Highly recommend this place. Service was attentive, with being the only person I was worried about being smothered but it was quite the opposite.

Restaurant Reviews, Uncategorized

Pelicans Harbour cafe – review

Location: Cape Agulhas, Struisbaai Harbour.

This little cafe, has a big reputation, one of the most recommended places in the area. I was staying 10/15 mins from here at the Backpackers – another review following for this place. A lovely walk down the beach.

You can see a working harbour whilst enjoying your lunch and beyond the restaurant there is even a small beach which is nice and quiet.

There is large menu and large area for seating, there is good range of food from burgers to salads and fresh seafood. It is all moderately priced as well.

I ordered Hake and Rice – beautifully seasoned and grilled of course. Highly recommended – lovely setting and amazing food.

There are stingrays in this harbour, so keep your eyes out if you are in the area. There are a beaches beyond the harbour as well. It is a lovely area to spend an few hours relaxing.