Take a bunch of restaurant staff who have shed blood, sweet and tears working their way up to work in some of London’s finest bars and Michelin-starred restaurants and plonk them into an unassuming pub in Putney.  What do you get?  No this isn’t some cruel prank, but actually the recipe for one of the best gastro-pubs around. 

Walk into The Prince of Wales and you could be in one of hundreds of pubs up and down the land.  Old, mismatched wooden furniture, leather banquettes and walls full of hanging beer tankards suggest nothing out of the ordinary.  Look closer though and you will see a bar stocked with one of the most discerning selections of spirits in South London, as well as a large selection of quality ale, larger and wine.  The attention to detail starts the minute you order your drink.  Ask for a standard gin & tonic, for example, and you are likely to be asked which brand of gin you want. If you don’t know, they will talk you through the various choices.    

However, this isn’t fussy for the sake of being fussy.  The young, passionate, knowledgeable and friendly team are all about providing the best customer experience, so whilst you go in thinking it’s just an average pub, you’ll leave expecting the same standards everywhere you go.  It’s the same story with the food.  Chef Dominic Robinson has put immense emphasis on quality produce without allowing prices to stray out of typical gastro-pub territory.  The food is truly delicious. 

We start with Barbeque glazed quail and a Charcuterie board offering a delicious selection of meats, including Alsace Bacon, home cured Duck ham & fois gras parfait.  Mains really demonstrate Dominic’s exceptional cooking skills, with an unfashionable Onglet steak that has been slow cooked to give it an almost fillet like consistency, whilst the Loin of lamb with chickpea, pomegranate & pistachio salad gives our meal a more exotic twist.  Desserts include a truly decadent Milk chocolate mousse with praline, hazelnut mousse & chocolate fudge ice cream, whilst the more savoury minded will enjoy the cheeseboard.

Food: 4/5

Venue: 3/5

Value: 4/5

Cuisine type: Gastro-pub/British

Dinner for two (excluding drinks): £60

Wine: £4.10

Beer: £3.80

Prince of Wales

138 Upper Richmond Road

Putney

London, SW15 2SP

Tel: 0208 788 1552

www.princeofwalesputney.co.uk

For the restaurant world, 2010 will probably be best known for the return of old favourites.  Golden oldies such as Pierre Koffman, Bruno Loubet and Joel Antunes have all opened high profile and critically acclaimed restaurants this year.  Unfortunately, this has also meant that that launches by promising young-upstarts have been largely overshadowed by these big names. 

Take Entrée for example.  Having spent many years learning his craft running venues around the world, young owner Jayke Mangion’s first foray into restaurant ownership has seen him employ a young, local team all under 30 years of age.  And what a team they are.  Extremely hard-working, but with the talent to back it up, if this is the future of London’s dining scene then we are in for a treat. 

Situated at the top of Battersea Rise, the distinctive site is situated over two floors.  The relaxed dining area offers a stylish grey and gold trimmed interior, interestingly decorated with 100 year old original Parisian journals posing as wallpaper.  Head downstairs and you’ll be met with a cocktail bar in the style of an American speakeasy, with comfortable leather banquette seating and a live pianist on the weekends.  The beautifully executed drinks come courtesy of head bartender, Pasquale Fais, formerly of Lonsdale House and Hoxton Pony, who has put together a short but appealing cocktail list of classics and unique creations.

The cooking has been tasked to Milanese Head chef, Omar Palazzolo, whose wealth of experience includes cooking in renowned restaurants such as Le Gavroche and Nobu. So it’s no surprise to find an eclectic European menu with influences from Italy and France – albeit with extensive use of local ingredients. 

Excellent starters include Scallop & crab lasagne with chive beurre blanc and Pea Arancini (risotto balls) with avocado, tomato & cress.  However, it’s the mains where the real magic happens.  Denham Estate ‘Saddle Back’ pork belly with chorizo Lyonnaise is one of the finest pork dishes to be found in London, with a perfectly crisp top and delicious, juicy (and not too fatty) meat underneath. Equally impressive is the Haunch of venison with braised cabbage, creamed mash & sloe gin jus.  If you’ve still got room after the generously portioned main meal, enjoyable desserts include Chocolate brownie and Lemon posset.

Food: 4/5

Venue: 3/5

Value: 4/5

Cuisine type: Modern European

Dinner for two (excluding drinks): £60

Wine: £4

Cocktails: £6

Entrée Restaurant & Bar

2 Battersea Rise

SW11 1ED

Tel: 020 7223 5147

www.entreebattersea.co.uk

Set up by friends and run by family, Spaghetti House has been part of London for 55 years, serving mouth-watering Italian food to generations of Londoners and visitors.

The idea of inviting people to a ‘house’ rather than to a ‘restaurant’ reflected the warm, traditional Italian welcome that still exists, coupled with the main offer of this ‘foreign’ food that Londoners were starting to enjoy: pasta.  And the name has remained, becoming synonymous with great Italian food.

With 11 restaurants, Spaghetti House is today contemporary in décor, style and food as it has always been, moving with the times but never losing its authenticity, high quality of food and friendly service.

To celebrate this extraordinary, landmark anniversary, Spaghetti House is offering lovers of lovefoodlovedrink the chance to WIN A MEAL FOR 4 PEOPLE. 

All you have to do is log onto the website, www.spaghettihouse.co.uk to find the answer to the question: ”How many guests can Spaghetti House at Knightsbridge accommodate for a private party?”  Just enter your answer in the form below.

Even if you are not a winner, there are also many other anniversary offers worth checking out at www.spaghettihouse.co.uk  during this special month.  From 6 to 10 September, five Spaghetti House will be offering 55 pasta meals per day, in each of its five largest restaurants, at just £1 each!  Or visit any time between 6 September and 3 October to enjoy dishes from a special anniversary menu at just £5.55 each!   Just visit the restaurant and say ‘Buon Compleanno’ (happy birthday) when you arrive to redeem the offer

Find your nearest Spaghetti House at www.spaghettihouse.co.uk  

THIS COMPETITION HAS NOW ENDED

Terms and conditions:

Competition closing date is 29 August 2010.  The prize must be taken by 30 November 2010 or by 31 January 2011 (excluding December).  For a list of restaurants and locations please log onto www.spaghettihouse.co.uk. The prize is available every day that the chosen restaurant is open, excluding Fridays and Saturdays. The winner must accept that if the chosen restaurant is not available for any reason, an alternative will be offered. The total value of the prize is £100 to include food and drink. If the total is exceeded, the difference will be charged, payable on the night. The first correct entry to be drawn wins the prize

Those well aquainted with Blackadder the Third will know that The Prince Regent was not blessed with political prowess. Instead he was more of an extravagant dandy dedicated to a lavish lifestyle resulting in life-threatening obesity and a nasty laudanum habit. Fortunately for us though some pretty spectacular architecture & aesthetic follies survive from his indulgent reign. including a coaching inn overlooking Regents Park that now houses York & Albany.

I think the porky prince would have approved of this Ramsay restaurant with rooms headed up by Angela Hartnet and head chef Colin Buchan. This multifaceted operation includes three dining areas; a bar, slightly beige main area and a cosy downstairs with a view of the pass and open kitchen. Rooms are available upstairs and a deli is open next door during the day, all adding to the self appointed ‘lifestyle experience’ that is popular with a range of customers from preened waggies to business men and more casual Camden types.

We ordered the quail breast ravioli with spinach, truffle and shallot along with grilled ox tongue with macadamia, carrot and pickled mushrooms. Mains might include cannon of lamb, onion purée, rainbow chard, confit potatoes & green olives or roasted pollock on toast, cauliflower purée, pine nut cream & caper beurre noisette. These dishes aren’t shy but self-assured with the main ingredient sitting proud.  Clever portion sizing means that the richness doesn’t overwhelm and there is room for pud. Location and splendid surroundings do come at a price don’t forget, with starters at around the £10 mark and mains more like £20.

Attention to detail makes all the difference.  An aversion to wheat was expertly accommodated and gluten free bread was bought out. Wine by the carafe and a list organised by flavour is a real help and knowledgeable unfaltering staff bolstered the experience.

Food: 4/5

Venue: 4/5

Value: 3/5

Cuisine type: British/Italian

Meal for two (excluding drinks): £80

Wine: £7 glass, £12 carafe , £20 bottle

York & Albany

127-129 Parkway

London

NW1 7PS

Tel: 020 7388 3344

www.gordonramsay.com/yorkandalbany

Charlie Nelson

Our love affair with Thailand and their fine cuisine is clear to see, with Thai restaurants becoming almost as common as Chinese and Indian on our high streets.  One of the earliest proponents of the now omnipresent Far-Eastern cuisine is Patara – a restaurant group that has championed quality Thai cuisine ever since the launch of their first restaurant in 1990.

Since their first restaurant on Fulham Road, the owners of Patara have bestowed another three venues upon us in the West End and Knightsbridge, as well as outposts in Singapore, Geneva and Taiwan. 

The experience is up-scale, with stylish and sophisticated setting wooden furniture, moody lighting and smart service.  The drinks list also maintains a quality touch, with cocktails created by top bartender Brian Lucus, as well as an extensive selection of wines from across the globe. 

The menu provides the authentic flavours of Thai cuisine with a contemporary touch, all made with great quality ingredients.  Unlike so many local Thai restaurants, it’s also great to a menu that isn’t full of heavily sauced curries and deep fried everything.  Highlights include Slices of Raw Tuna in a Lime & Lemongrass Vinaigrette, Fillet of Seabass Chargrilled in Banana Leaf & Perfumed Panang Curry and a delicate yet punchy Braised Lamb in Massaman Curry.  E

Food: 3.5/5

Venue: 3/5

Value 3/5

Cuisine Type: Thai

Dinner for two (excluding drinks): £60

Wine: £4.50

Patara

Knightsbridge, Kensington & West End

For more location details, visit www.patarathailand.com

Shake up summer by winning cocktail kits from Finlandia Vodka

Finlandia Vodka, which is celebrated and awarded for a clean and crisp taste, know better than anyone just how important flavour is. With endless fun to be had with flavour experimentation, Finlandia Vodka is giving away premium limited edition cocktail kits, perfect for the summer months.

Ideal for picnics, BBQs and festivals alike, the easy-to-use kits are just the ticket for outdoor cocktails and food and drink pairing. Providing a fresh outlook on summer drinking and entertaining, Finlandia Vodka allows you to impress your friends with something different, delicious, and easy to make. If you’re after cocktail inspiration, then visit www.facebook.com/finlandiavodka and www.finlandia.com for recipes and videos to really impress. Become a fan of Finlandia Vodka and you can even share your cocktail creations with others too.

With enough storage in the kit to cater for a wide range of concoctions, the options are endless. After all, the right picnic in the park calls for the right drink.

Love Food Love Drink has teamed up with Finlandia Vodka to give away a kit to two lucky winners. To be in with a chance to win a Finlandia Vodka cocktail kit just enter your details into the form below.

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For more information about Finlandia Vodka and the flavours in its range please visit www.finlandia.com.

Keep your judgment pure. Drink responsibly

www.drinkaware.co.uk

COMPETITION HAS NOW ENDED

Terms & conditions:

- All entries to be in by midnight on 15 August 2010

- The prize winner must be over 18 years of age

- The entrant and delivery address must be UK based

Celebrity food stylist and chef, Jo Pratt partners with Appletiser, the gently sparkling 100% fruit juice, to showcase and celebrate food styling at its best with a brand new food and drink fan site www.facebook.com/appletiser.  Jo will be lifting the lid on some of the top chef’s food styling tips to show how easy and quick it is to complement food beautifully.

Budding home-chef’s can also enter into a food styling competition by sending in a photograph of any every-day meal that they have ‘plated up’ as it’s known in the trade for the chance to win £500 and more. www.facebook.com/appletiser

So we all know that the Indian restaurant industry has successfully seen the evolution from kitsch Birmingham balti house to providing a more authentic representation of Indian food.  It now seems that the scene is developing once more, with the increasing presence of traditional Indian street food.  Mooli’s in Soho has already developed a large following for its cheap and delicious wraps, but hot on its tails comes Dishoom. 

Dishoom draws on the heritage of Bombay’s once thriving street café culture, where everyone from the city’s rich to the working class rubbed shoulders.  Spread over two floors, the ground floor provides a more conventional dining environment, whilst the lower floor has the feel of a chic Parisian café where diners are encouraged to while away the hours with cocktails and bites.   Attention to detail is impressive, with the authentic Indian touches provided by way of classic Bombay adverts and posters from the 1930s to the 1960s, triple blade fans and drinks glasses that are the same as those used by the tea sellers in India (look for slight tint to them to give the impression that they are tea-stained!).

Dishoom provides an easy going and informal place to eat and drink throughout the day, with an affordable menu based on Bombay’s street grills and food stalls.  The all-day restaurant provides everything from big ‘Bombay meets London’ breakfasts, quick-fix lunches to hearty suppers.  There are no starters or mains as such – you just order what you want and it comes to you as soon as it is ready.  We tried a number of dishes and it all pretty much impressed.  Highlights include an exceptional Lamb biryani, full of tender meat and fluffy rice coated in meat juices; a punchy Pau Bhaji (mashed vegetables with hot buttered bread); and Calamari with lime & chilli.  Pricing is excellent too, with smaller plates costing around £4 and larger ones around £7.50. 

Food: 4/5

Venue: 4/5

Value: 4/5

Cuisine type: Indian

Meal for two (excluding drinks): £38

Beer: £3.90

Cocktails: £5.50

Dishoom

12 Upper St. Martin’s Lane

London, WC2H 9FB

Tel: 020 7420 9320

www.dishoom.com

The annoying thing about the so called Gastropub is that they so often disappoint.  Too many ailing establishments slap on a lick of neutral paint, unenthusiastically overhaul the menu and buy in a job lot of mismatched furnishings. Fortunately the Jam Tree is a more imaginative conception than most. The main bar area is a comfortable and airy space with an eclectic mix of style and functionality, whilst quirky features like the copper topped bar, Bunsen burner beer taps and a large Worholesque Jam Tree screen print make the place feel friendly and relaxing without trying too hard.

The menu, said to ‘celebrate British food alongside colonial favourites’, offers a concise list of modernised classics and more interesting far flung flavours. Expect starters like pressed crispy belly of pork with an aubergine Sam Bal or Hot Potted Smoked Haddock with granary toast. Decadent Seared Scallops with pea and potato croquettes, samphire & wild garlic cream or Nasi goreng with gadu gadu topped with peanut sauce might be among the mains. An over zealous use of julienned cucumber on every dish was an overwrought summery garnish but luckily, the actual food came up trumps. The Chocolate Torte was bang on and a generous cheese plate finished what was a homely and filling supper that is an affordable weekday treat.

Booze-wise the Jam Tree stocks a sensible range of lagers and a few top draw ales like Green King IPA. The wine list, put together by Tim Kitchener-Smith, buyer for Hush in Mayfair, is well priced and offers lots of by-the-glass options that helps to keep the price tag down. It is fair to say that the Jam Tree is more of a foody pub than a drinky one, but on a warm evening the street-side tables are were rammed with folk enjoying a casual slurp, so if you’re in the area be sure to swing by and check it out.

Food: 3/5

Venue: 4/5

Value: 3/5

Cuisine type: Modern British & colonial

Dinner for two (excluding drinks): £50

Pints: £3.50

Wine: £4

The Jam Tree

58 Milson Road

Kensington

London, W14 0LB

Tel: 02073713999

www.thejamtree.com

I believe there’s a line in Cocktail where someone says of Tom Cruise’s character:

“Guys want to be him and the girls want to be with him”.  Head on down to The Lonsdale and it’s about as close as one is ever likely to get to the ‘Cocktail’ movie experience in London. 

The bar team are just about the slickest in town, but with serious talent to back up the smooth talking.  Whether you’re after a challenging classic like a Sazerac or want to experiment with one of their unique creations, the cocktails are absolute liquid alchemy – and we had about 10 of them to make sure the first 9 weren’t just flukes!   Priced at around £7.50, they are also plenty affordable, especially when you see the effort and the abundance of fresh ingredients used.

The food has a lot to live up to after the drinks, but Chef Jason Wallis does an admirable job.  Jason’s past experience include The Hawksmoor and The Palm, both temples to meat lovers, so it’s no surprise to see an American style menu heavily dominated by steaks and grills.  Starters include Scallops & chorizo with butternut squash purée and Chicken liver parfait.  The real fun and value is to be had with the steaks though.  With all beef coming from highly regarded butcher, Allens of Mayfair, quality is excellent and it’s all cooked well too.  Moreover, priced at £21.50 for a 350 gram Rib-eye, including a side and a sauce, it really puts many of London’s other steakhouses to shame.  Desserts are a bit of a side-show, but the sweet toothed can expect a Banoffee pie or a delicious Chocolate fondue with fresh fruit & marshmallows.

The venue stands up to the food and drink offering too.  Dark woods, polished steel, red leather banquettes and dazzling lighting all merge to give the venue a laid-back party vibe. Walk in you’ll be in no doubt that this place is all about good-times.  The bar and restaurant are both on the same floor, so the upbeat atmosphere slowly infects the entire venue as the night progresses and the DJ gets going.  Those who don’t want to share the fun can also hire the private upstairs room.

An absolute must visit!

Food: 3.5/5

Cocktails: 5/5

Value: 3/5

Venue: 4/5

Cuisine type: American Steakhouse

Dinner for two (excluding drinks): £70

Cocktails: £7.50

Beers: £3.50

The Lonsdale Bar & Restaurant

44-48 Lonsdale Road

Westbourne Grove

W11 2DE

Tel: 020 7727 4080

www.thelonsdale.co.uk