All articles by Phoebe Ferris-Rotman (19)

Abeno Too is a fantastic find in the centre of London next to Leicester Square tube station. The small restaurant has a few tables but the best seat is at the large circular bar. While most people associate Japanese food with sushi, Abeno Too serves the other side of the cuisine. You won’t have heard of many dishes, but that’s part of what makes this sweet simply decorated restaurant so intriguing.

Their speciality is the delicious ‘Okonomi-yaki’, a savoury pancake made of cabbage, egg, dough, spring onions, ginger and a ‘tempura’ batter. You can choose extra ingredients such as tofu or prawn, and it’s fried right in front of you on metal hot grills.

They also have a great selection of hot and cold sake which is served in a ‘masu’, a traditional wooden box. The staff are very friendly and welcoming, and eager to advise on food choices and answer questions.

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Abeno Too | Snacks, Restaurants (Japanese) | Prawn Okonomi-yaki £ 9.80
17-18 Great Newport Street | Central | +442073791160
Mon – Sat 12:00 – 23:00, Sun 12:00 – 22:00

On a street where there are four Indian restaurants practically next to each other, Bawarchi stands out as the top quality contender. Recently reopened after being redesigned into a sleeker and seemingly more upmarket restaurant, but the prices hardly reflect it. I ate here with another person and we each had a drink and the total was only £24. We ate vegetarian, but still, the prices are very low for the quality of the food.

I recommend the Begun Fry, whole baby aubergine cooked whole in a spicy tomato and onion sauce. Their Bhindi Jeera, stir-fried okra with cumin seeds and onions is the greenest okra I’ve seen in an Indian restaurant. Usually you can’t distinguish the vegetable due to overcooking and excess sauce. Their side rice dishes are delicious. The garlic rice has fresh and cooked pieces of garlic with onions and spices.

The service is fast and mains range from a reasonable £4 to £10. No wonder they were a winner of the Archant London Food & Drink awards in 2008 for best restaurant.

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Bawarchi | Restaurants (Indian) | Begun Fry – vegetable side £ 2.50
68 Chamberlayne Road | North-West | +442089609608
Sun – Thu 12:00 – 14:30 & 18:00 – 00:00, Fri – Sat 12:00 – 14:30 & 18:00 – 00:30

This Brick Lane (check Brick Lane article) staple has been around for years, and serves as a remnant of the area’s Jewish past. While the bakery is not somewhere you would want to hang out long for – the bright white lights give it a clinical feel – the bagels are ridiculously cheap and very tasty, so it’s worth a visit.

A bagel and cream cheese will only set you back a mere 90p and they are made the proper way, by boiling then baking, creating the dense chewy consistency which is so more-ish. This makes a much welcomed change from most bagel store chains, who essentially serve bread rolls with a hole in the middle. Other fillings include smoked salmon, chopped herring and hot salt beef. Donuts and pastries are also made fresh daily.

Service is super quick and it’s open 24 hours, so after a night out on Brick Lane you can wander in for a bite, and find throngs of like-minded party-goers doing the same.

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Beigel Bake | Snacks | Bagel & cream cheese £ 0.90
159 Brick Lane | East
24 hours daily

‘Pan Asian’ cuisine has come to be the norm in London, with chains like Wagamama, Tampopo and various spin offs the somewhat recent craze has created. While Busaba Eathai calls itself Thai, the menu begs to differ, with items like ‘Chinese broccoli with garlic and shiitake mushrooms’ it definitely spans further than Thailand on the culinary map. Jasmine smoothies and asparagus fried rice are a couple of the unique combinations you can find at this buzzing Soho eatery.

The stylish low-lit restaurant has large square wooden tables that fit 8 people, operating in a shared table policy. The service is quick. If you are alone or with a friend and want a great view people watching, take a seat in the front and watch Soho’s rich demographic walk by.

Located in the centre of Soho on Wardour street, Busaba Eathai celebrates its 10^th anniversary this year. Its overwhelming success has also spurred two fellow central locations off Totencourt Road and Oxford Street.

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Busaba Eathai | Restaurants (Pan-Asian) | Pad Thai £ 7.20
106-110 Wardour Street | Central | +448712238021
Mon – Thu 12:00 – 23:00, Fri – Sat 12:00 – 23:30, Sun 12:00 – 22:00

During the day people bring their laptops or books and work, read and drink coffee sprawled over one of the many mismatched sofas or lounge chairs. At night tea candles are lit and hot drinks are swapped for alcoholic drinks as people unwind and meet friends in what was once the Old Truman Brewery in Brick Lane (check the Brick Lane article). Now that it’s wintertime, people who swamped to the outside picnic benches and the alleyway still venture out, but there is a much more cosy feel inside.

The boho and versatile venue opens at a very early 06:00 for breakfast and soups, jacket potatoes and sandwiches are on offer for lunch and dinner. Live music attracts a younger crowd with indie bands on Tuesday and jazz on Wednesday. Bands play in the smaller room at the back on Sunday and a dj spins tunes on Friday and Saturday.

Cocktails made with fresh fruit are available on the weekend and all year round you can grab a burger or corn on the cob from the grill stand outside. Tables and benches outside in front are great for people watching or smoking.

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Café 1001 | Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Snacks, Restaurants (intern.)
1 Dray walk, 91 Brick Lane | East | +442072479679
Mon – Sat 06:00 – 00:00, Sun 06:00 – 23:30

Brick Lane offers a multitude of choice in terms of bars and nightlife but Casa Blue sticks out, not least because of all the fairy lights and candles glowing from within.

A lacquered wooden panel of peacocks is hung next to a watercolour painting of a naval fleet. 50’s memorabilia is plastered wearily to the wall. While the predominantly red kitsch bric-a-brac decor means your eyes don’t know where to settle, the kooky collection of plastic chandeliers, hanging baubles and blinking strings of light make a unique setting.

Even though the music ranges anywhere from the Beatles to Manu Chau, the tunes are familiar and well-chosen. There are comfy plus sofas and yummy cocktails. Food is also available. While the menu is limited, the house specialty comes in platter form – international mezze for two or more people. For only £5 each, sharing platters come with a selection of hot and cold tapas and you can choose Mediterranean, Indian or Greek cuisine.

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Casa Blue | Bars, Snacks | Cocktail £ 6.00
228 Brick Lane | East
Sun – Thu 12:00 – 01:00, Fri – Sat 12:00 – 03:00

Just off the bustling Oxford Street is Hari Krishna run Govinda, a delicious and healthy vegetarian Indian cafe. While there are posters everywhere inviting you to “join the party”, luckily there is no other type of religious propositioning, and the focus is just on delicate flavours and fresh food.

Aside from the salad bar, food ranges from veggie or paneer (Indian cheese) burgers to onion bhajis, mango lassis and sesame covered spinach rolls. The best deal is the Thali though. Thalis are a selection of little dishes on a tray. For £7.50 you can choose two curries, a rice, bread roll or popadoms and sweet chutney.

Service is efficient and fast and the place offers a nice respite from the chaotic nature of London’s biggest shopping street.

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Govinda Restaurant | Snacks, Restaurants (Indian) | Thali £ 7.50
9-10 Soho Street, | Central | +442074374928
Mon – Sat 12:00 – 20:00

If visiting Queen’s Park and need a big breakfast to cure your hangover, Jack’s is the perfect spot. It’s a small café in the style of an American diner which serves all-day breakfasts, sandwiches, burgers, soups and salads. What makes Jack’s stand out from most cafes is the bottomless cups of coffee and tea; only a handful of places across London offer it.

Thick ice-cream milkshakes, pancakes made from imported batter mix and real maple syrup make it distinctively Yankee and it’s no wonder, as the owner’s wife is half American. At night candles are lit, alcohol is served and burgers, salads and daily specials are served. It has recently expanded to include a back room and will soon have a patio to be used when the weather gets warmer.

The prices are reasonable and the location, just down the road from Queen’s Park means you can walk off your fry-up in a picturesque setting.

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Jack’s | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Breakfast) | English breakfast £ 4.95
101 Salusbury Road | North-West | +442076248925
Mon – Fri 07:00 – late, Sat 08:00 – late, Sun 09:00 – late

Little Bay calls itself a bistro, which fits well with the cosy tavern-like setting. The décor is faux royal – gold painted banisters and ornate picture frames are ubiquitous. But there is no pretension. Red dripping candles in wine bottles adorn every table and copies of centuries’ old masterpieces have been lacquered on to the tabletops.

The layout of the restaurant is very unique. There are semi-hidden tables, some which are suspended in the air with their own staircase. You can find very intimate seating and romantic coves, but also open wooden booths. There are two other larger rooms attached next door so the restaurant can accommodate large groups.

While the atmosphere is great – the place was packed on a Thursday night – the food is even better. Or perhaps the price of the food is. If you dine before 7pm a two-course meal only sets you back a measly £7.50. Dishes range from pan-fried fillet of salmon with crashed new potatoes and avocado coriander salsa to char-grilled lamb steak with honey-glazed vegetables and green peppercorn sauce. There are plenty of vegetarian options too.

There are four Little Bay restaurants in London. Check out their website for more information.

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Little Bay Kilburn | Restaurants (European) | Pan-fried fillet of salmon £ 5.25
228 Belsize Rd | North-West | +442073724699
Mon – Sat 12:00 – 00:00, Sun 12:00 – 23:00

Finding this hidden delight came down to a turn of the head. Wandering down to the Young Vic theatre from Blackfriars bridge I saw an obscure street on my left and then spotted Mar Terra, a traditional Spanish tapas restaurant and bar, beaming like a beacon of light at the end of an ally. To stick around in such difficult-to-find surroundings is a testament to its success.

There are plenty of Spanish tapas places in London but they can often be overpriced or poor quality. Mar Terra has a delicious range of authentic tapas made with the freshest ingredients. The décor is unpretentious, with just a few images of pretty Spanish destinations, staff are very attentive and prices are reasonable.

If it’s busy, it’s nice to sit at the broad wooden bar and sip on a sangria before being seated. And the building has a past. It was originally called the ‘Hop Pole’, built in the mid 19th century for the Southern Railway Company and was a pub before it became Mar Terra in 2000.

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Mar Terra | Restaurants (Spanish) | Tortilla £ 3.70
14 Gambia Street | Central | +442079287628
Mon – Fri 12:00 – 23:00 (cold food only 15:00 – 18:00), Sat 17:00 – 23:00

An unlikely spot for a bar, at midnight the small back room of this kebab shop turns into a venue for drinking and live music. When hordes of hungry post-pub drinkers pile into the fast-food joint for a late-night burger, the ones in the know are sat in the back, in a dark cavernous room with an old cabin feel and a ceiling that drips with mini stalactites.

Drinks are simple – beer or spirits & mixer, and reused Jack Daniels bottles turned candle holders set the mood in this cosy bar. The musical line-up includes live jazz every Friday and Saturday and rock & roll the rest of the week.

I was highly skeptical when my friends first dragged me through the grease-covered take away stop, but now I’m a convert. Once you’ve gone, you feel just a little special – and will be eager to show others this marvelous disguised drinking hole.

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Marathon | Bars | Gin & tonic £ 3.00
87 Chalk Farm Road | North-West | +442074853814
Sun – Thu 00:00 – 02:00, Fri – Sat 00:00 – 03:00

Traditionally dim sum is never served past 15:00, so for anyone who has craved the Chinese delicacy at night, look no further.

The main difference between Ping Pong and most dim sum restaurants is that there is plenty of options for vegetarians. An assortment of baked, steamed and fried puffs, rolls, buns and dumplings arrive at your table as they are ready in circular bamboo vessels, stacked on top of one another.

Drinks wise, the non-alcoholic coolers are rejuvenating, particularly refreshing is the pineapple juice, coconut puree and fresh lime combo.

A wooden lattice theme runs throughout the restaurant with a brown and beige décor. Upstairs, hanging orange cylindrical lanterns engraved with Chinese characters create a warm soft glow. While there are some private tables, much of the restaurant operates in a shared table policy, creating hubs of bustle, chat and consumption.

Through the giant glass walls you can watch theatre goers, tourists and commuters rushing to catch their trains at Waterloo.

While you can find other Ping Pong branches dotted around London, this location is perfect for a post-dinner wander along the south bank, my favourite part of London.

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Ping Pong | Restaurants (Dim sum) | Spinach & beef dumplings £ 3.39
Festival Terrace Belvedere Road | Central | +442079604160
Mon – Sat 12:00 – 00:00, Sun 12:00 – 23:00

Queen’s Park is a green haven in Northwest London. It has an area for children, miniature golf park, petting zoo, secluded flower garden and a lovely café. At this time of year, after a casual walk in the sunshine, there is nothing better than cooling down with an ice cream and the park café is just the spot.

Located next to the tennis courts in the centre of the park, the café overlooks the circular lawn where local football teams battle it out and kids escape their parent clutches.

The café serve soup, sandwiches, cakes and hot food. Now that it’s wintertime it’s great to pop in for a tea or hot chocolate to warm you up when strolling through the park. In the summer, part of building’s façade opens up to become an Italian ice cream shop and benches and tables are busy with families, couples and groups of friends. The opening hours vary with the season as the café shuts one hour before the park closes, which is when it gets dark.

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Queen’s Park Café | Coffee & tea, Snacks
Harvist Road | North-West | +442089606946
09:00 – 16:00 daily (winter hours)

At the top of China Town is London’s best cinema. The prices are less than the outrageously priced Hollywood junk shown in Leicester square and the venue is so welcoming people hang out here without even watching a film. The Soho Curzon is part of a chain of five similar cinemas, though my personal favourite is the Soho edition as it’s the most central and the layout is most inviting.

At street level a retro-styled café has over 20 different pastries and cakes and serves hot soup, coffees and organic wines. Downstairs a spacious bar is adorned with brown leather sofas you sink down into and tables where you can find people having pre-movie drinks, post-movie chats or just enjoying the artsy atmosphere.

The three cinemas in the basement show a selection of art house independent and less commercial titles. The Soho Curzon regularly hosts Q&A sessions with film directors and script writers along with special previews. Film festivals and a monthly quiz are also on the agenda.

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Soho Curzon | Art & culture, Bars, Cinemas, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Ticket £ 12.00
99 Shaftesbury Avenue | Central | +448717033988
Box office 11:00 – 21:00 daily | Bar 11:00 – 23:00 daily

After a trip to Tayyabs, it’s easy to see why the wall is plastered with framed awards and rave reviews. Most Londoners know the best curries are not found on self-proclaimed curry capital Brick Lane, and those in the know believe Tayyabs, within walking distance, is one of the best.

The no frills Pakistani restaurant is always bustling with an English and international crowd, truly reflecting the rich multicultural makeup of London. Tables are set close together to accommodate the steady flow of people and waiters seamlessly weave between them, providing efficient and fast service.

The food is less heavy than most ghee-filled Indian or Pakistani dishes and the delicately flavoured lentil and baby aubergine curry (dhal baingun) is a must. The fresh mango lassis come by the glass or in jugs to share and are a delicious accompaniment to the meal. Powerfully spiced sizzling grilled meats are a specialty. Although they don’t serve alcohol, you are free to bring your own. There is no corking charge.

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Tayyabs | Restaurants (Pakistani/Indian) | Dhal Baingun £ 5.00
83 Fieldgate Street | East | +442072479543
12:00 – 00:00 daily

My friends and I affectionately call this our local, because while it isn’t around the corner from us, it’s certainly one of the nicest pubs in our area. Inside, a collection of wooden tables and and cushioned chairs are lit by mismatched chandeliers. Palm trees covered in fairy lights and massive mirrors in elaborate frames add to the red burgundy decor.

Traditional tasty pub food is served at reasonable prices and a carnival-like old fashioned popcorn machine provides a steady flow of free popcorn, placed strategically around the circular bar in large bowls for anyone to take.

My favourite part is the beer garden at the back. Half the space is covered and there is plenty of seating. The covered area has comfortable leather sofas you sink in to. Sitting outside in winter is fine too as there is a very efficient heating lamp system.

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The Regent | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Pub) | Glass of wine £ 3.25
5 Regent Street | North-West | +442089692184
Mon – Thu 12:00 – 23:00, Fri – Sat 12:00 – 01:00, Sun 12:00 – 10:30

The Tricycle has been running since 1980 and despite being in the northwest, far from the glamorous West End theatre hub, it has become one of London’s most adored and respected theatres. Ten years ago a one-screen cinema was added on and in 2001 the Creative Space was built for educational workshops.

The theatre’s directors try to present work which reflects the cultural diversity of its neighborhood Kilburn, a heavily immigrant area and has put on plays by Irish, African-Caribbean and Asian writers.

The venue also puts on events such as the Obama Inauguration Party, where they will screen the ceremony live in the cinema with American beer, pretzels and cheerleaders.

The cinema kiosk serves ice cream and candy and it has a bar/café which has a simple menu of pasta, sandwiches and jacket potatoes. There is a separate eating area which doubles as an exhibition space. On Mondays cinema tickets are only £5.

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The Tricycle | Art & culture, Bars, Cinemas, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Theaters
269 Kilburn High Road | North-West | +442073281000
Box office Mon – Sat 10:00 – 21:00, Sun 14:00 – 21:00
Café & bar Mon – Sun 12:00 – 23:00 (12:00 – 20:00 for food)

Vijay has been serving up cheap delicious South Indian food since 1964. The modest décor – walls adorned with small wooden lacquered panels painted with images of Ganesh and other Hindu gods – isn’t why you come here. Rather, this Kilburn staple is known for consistent and quality made-to-order food.

Ample seating and plenty of staff on hand help keep the regulars coming back. The friendly boss is always swanning about, happy to have a chat. If in the area at lunch time and feel your tummy rumbling, pop in for the buffet. While most buffets follow the ‘quantity over quality’ mantra, Vijay serves up a tasty veritable feast for only £5.99.

South Indian food tends to have more dry dishes than North Indian cooking and this can be seen in the green banana and coconut dish, not often found on Indian restaurant menus. Make sure to also try the sweet coconut peshwari naan.

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Vijay | Restaurants (Indian) | Lunch buffet £ 5.99
49 Willesden Lane | North-West | +442073281087
12:00 – 14:45 & 18:00 – 22:45 daily

If you are looking for something vegetarian or vegan or simply good food, Vita-organic is the place to go. It is a treasure amongst the overwhelming plethora of choice in Soho. It’s often easy to get drawn into a familiar chain or think you’ve spotted an appetising cheap eat only to find the food lacks taste and the service is non-existent.  Everything in Vita-Organic is, as you would imagine, organic and you can really taste it.

Food is ordered at the counter, but you don’t specify what you want, but rather how much. Portions come in scoops. You can order anywhere between 1 and 6 scoops on a plate and I would recommend three scoops for a filling meal. Even though it’s vegetarian, it’s very filling as many of the dishes use alternatives, such as coconut milk in place of cream.

Vita Organic opens its doors to allergy sufferers; many dishes are dairy or wheat free. Making the decision of which dishes make the cut on your plate can be difficult – the spread of food is vast, including stews, bakes, curries, stir-frys and salads. Save room for a fresh juice – the list is impressive.

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Vita Organic | Coffee & tea, Restaurants (Vegen) | First scoop £ 3.80
74 Wardour Street | Central | +4402077348986
Mon – Sat 12:00 – 22:00, Sun 12:00 – 21:00