Les Deux Salons

The latest venture from the team behind Arbutus and Wild Honey, Les Deux Salons, had their soft opening last week.

My previous experience of Arbutus left a lot to be desired. To be honest, I was decidedly unimpressed, although I know a few friends that think it is one of the best places to eat in London (although I may also add that I know a good few people that share my opinion). Regardless, a foodie friend of mine suggested we try this new place. Covent Garden always feels like a bit of a black hole for reasonably priced yet decent food (there's Wahaca, but it always has such a huge queue). So, we thought we'd give Les Deux Salons a go.

Much cheaper than it's sister restaurant, it is more of a brasserie. The venue itself is beautiful, worth a visit to see the interior, which is done really well.

Unfortunately, for me, this is where the good experience ended. The food was OK. I had the rose veal ravioli to start. Maybe I was naive, but I was expecting pasta stuffed with veal, but the ravioli itself was actually made out of veal and stuffed with, well, I'm not exactly sure actually. Maybe it's a mark of the food itself, or the amount of wine consumed pre-dinner, but my husband didn't actually realise the ravioli was made out of veal. Maybe that says more about him than it does the food. My friend's salt cod was OK, but the proportions were all wrong. My other friend's snail pie was probably the highlight (so I'm told).

So far, not so bad. The mains is where it all started going wrong. Firstly I don't understand why they served the food in pans (that I don't think the food had even been cooked in...rustic maybe, but a waste of time!). Secondly, my pork belly was entirely uninspiring. More like a ham hock and lentil stew that was completely devoid of any real flavour. Thirdly, two of our parties steaks were seriously over-cooked (and taken back to the kitchen). I know mistakes happen, and it was during their soft opening (but we were paying full price as the 50% off food had ended the day before) but really I think they were well below par and I worry for how much they can have improved for the full opening this week. After all, the restaurant was only a third full and they seemed completely unable to cope. Despite asking for our sides 4 or 5 times they only arrived long after our (second) steaks had arrived and two of us had finished our meals.

We weren't charged for the steaks or the sides, but it was kind of besides the point. Eating your sides after you've finished (and two of you eating your main courses separately) totally ruins the meal. Whilst the maitre'd himself was actually quite charming and apologetic, the rest of the waiting staff seemed totally confused by the whole situation.

Our desserts were ok, but to be honest, I was pretty keen to leave at that point and it took me a few moments to remember whether we'd bothered at all with them.

Hopefully it improves as it is a lovely venue and pretty reasonably priced (I would imagine around £100 for a meal for two with wine , providing dishes weren't removed because they were so delayed or poorly cooked!).

Things can only get better I suppose...

Royal Hospital Road

My husband (not usually one to risk a surprise birthday present) had been saying for a couple of month's that he had a cracker up his sleeve for my birthday this year. It has to be said that I was worried for him, but he really came up trumps with a visit to Gordon Ramsay's restaurant.

I'd been suffering with flu for a few days beforehand, but flu or no flu, I wasn't going to miss this opportunity. I think adrenaline must have kicked in as, it has to be said, I have slight memory loss about certain parts of the evening. Regardless, it was an absolute winner.

Bad service is a real sticking point for me. Having previously worked as a waitress myself I find rude service a particular bug bear of mine (it's really not that hard to be polite). I can honestly say we received the best service ever here. It was friendly without being over-familiar and knowledgeable without ever being condescending. The Maitre'd was particularly lovely, as was the cheese man (I'm sure that isn't the correct term, but you know who I mean).

Anyway, on to the food...

I had the lobster tails poached in butter to start (nothing like lobster tails poached in butter to make you feel better!). It was absolutely delicious - so rich and tasty. Yum. Tom had the lobster ravioli which was also delicious (the house speciality).

For mains I had the pork, which was good, although not the best main I have ever had. Still, I'm being picky. It was totally delicious, just not totally mind blowing. Tom had the lamb, which again was god although the proportions were a little out. Not enough of the delicious lamb confit or enough veg. Still, very good.

The cheese was probably a highlight. In an attempt to blow away the cobwebs we went for the strongest cheese there was, and we weren't disappointed. On the cheese man's recommendation we had camembert in calvados which was probably the nicest cheese I've ever had. I will be hunting it down for the Father-in-Law's Christmas present. One cheese lover to another.

We had the medley of desserts, also fantastic. The highlight for me was the souffle - light, fluffy and utterly delicious. The petit fours of ice-cream chocolates served in a dry-ice box topped it off perfectly.

The Dining Room at Dukes Hotel, Mayfair

I booked to go to Duke's hotel with a few girl friends on a Toptable deal. I must confess my previous experience on deals on Toptable is that the restaurants are on there for a reason (i.e. they can't get enough customers through the door without offering deals). However, I was prepared to give it a go and the Martini's they serve would, surely, make up for any lack lustre dining experience?

Sadly no. The food on the deal was utterly disgusting (the beetroot and bacon soup being a particular low point) and the service was quite possibly the rudest that I have ever experienced.

Great for drinks, but steer I'd steer clear of the restaurant if I were you.

The French Cafe, Balham

Ok, so wedding diet over and back into eating out with a vengeance!

After first visiting the French Cafe for Tom's birthday we've been back twice since and I would say it's pretty good. The prix fixe is excellent value at £9.95 for 2 courses and the Bavette de Bouef is especially good. It has a nice relaxed atmosphere, a pretty decent house wine (which they serve in carafs) and the pear and almond tart is really tasty.

Worth a visit if you are in the area...

Tom Ilic, Battersea

Oh dear lord, it has been almost a year since I have updated my blog. A few good reasons (excuses!): planning a wedding, moving jobs and (probably the main one here) going on a diet. Sadly writing a restaurant blog and attempting to reduce the amount you eat do not go hand in hand. Nevertheless I have squeezed in a fair few outings (and many a Pizza Express, but I don't think that really counts...).

Probably the most notable is Tom Ilic. I have been there twice in the past month. It had been recommend to us on a number of occasions and we eventually got round to going, and then again within a couple of weeks because the first visit was so good!

The first time was far better, both in terms of food and service. Maybe we were a little unlucky the second time (I was brought the wrong main course), but the food wasn't as good and the service was downright rude. After being told they wouldn't charge us for the incorrect main they then put it on the bill anyway and took about 30mins to remove it again (and appeared non to keen to do this at all...)

All in all I would say perhaps not as good as first thought. However, Tom Ilic's pork dishes are fantastic as is his sweetbread starter. I think the key is to stick to the poorer cuts of meat, as this seems to be his speciality.

Restaurant surroundings are somewhat old fashioned, service very hit and miss, but food pretyt good and sometime immense).

The Lounge, Balham (again)

It has been absolutely ages since I've got round to updating my blog. I think this is due to a number of things (changing jobs, lack of funds for eating out, generally being pretty lazy...).

Anyway, I just had to drop a quick line about a return visit to The Lounge, the tapas bar just around the corner from my house (admittedly this is slightly delayed).

When I phoned up to book I was literally astounded to be greeted by - 'THE Penny, Penny from 'love to eat out.com'), not least because I think I may have a readership total of 2 (including myself).

Anyway, the Owner was the loveliest person. He came over for a good chat (turns out I was right about the husband and wife team), and gave us some lovely freebies. The food was top notch as ever (and I'm not just saying that because of the freebies).

Will definitely be popping back again soon...

Grosvenor Hotel, Chester

My lovely sister bought me afternoon tea at the Grosvenor as a belated birthday present. I may be a tad biased as she works there, but it was certainly the best afternoon tea that I've ever had.
Admittedly I have only had afternoon tea once before, but seeing as that was at the Lanesborough (which was voted as the best place to have afternoon tea) I think it's a fair comparison. Whilst the Lanesborough was stuffy and the sandwiches verged on stale; the Grosvenor was cosy, friendly and the food was delicious.

I think it costs around £30 for the indulgent tea which includes strawberries and cream, a glass of champagne, selection of sandwiches and cakes and scones (oh, and tea, of course). It was a million times better than The Lanesborough - the sandwiches were like biting into air (and the rare roast beef was amazing) and the cakes were unbelievably good.

If you're ever in the area, doing a spot of shopping or some sightseeing then I would highly recommend popping in for a real treat.