Efes, Fitzrovia, London

Tabule

Set Menu:

• Location: Efes, 80-82 Great Titchfield Street, London, W1W 7QT (nearest tube stations are Great Portland Street or Oxford Circus)
• Date of Visit: Tuesday 28^th January
• Time of Table: 6.15pm
• Deal Bought From: Groupon
• Deal Price: £25 for Two
• Dinner Companion: Twin sister, Jess

Getting More for your Money?

This dinner deal includes:

• Two Starters
• Two Main Courses
• Two Glasses of Wine
• For Two People

Inside Efes

What we ate…

Katie:

• Starter: Humus
• Main: Doner, served with side salad and rice
• Dessert: Baklava (not included)

Jess:

• Starter: Tabule 
• Main: Mixed Grill, served with side salad and rice
• Dessert:  Chocolate and Pistachio Ice Cream Dessert (not included)

 

Dips and Olives

What we drank…

• Two glasses of house white wine each

What did we think?

Less than five minutes away from my Great Portland Street based office, with its emerald green awning and bright lights spilling out of the front windows, Efes excluded a comforting warmth when we arrived for our weekday dinner treat. Stepping inside, the left hand side of the lobby area was dominated by a bar area, with tables scattered roomily on the right. Walking further down the restaurant, even more seating filled the back section, making the restaurant form a ‘T’ shape. There was also a lower section, filled with more square tables and chairs.

Love the luxurious lighting

Since we were dining on a quiet Tuesday night, we had our pick of the tables, so we opted to sit tucked away in the corner on a table for four, one of us seated on the dark brown sofa, the other on a dining chair the other side of the table. It felt secluded and private, although I’m not sure if it would have felt this way had the venue been packed to capacity. Efes has a certain style of shabby chic – the white painted walls may have been peeling and cracked, the upholstery a drab brown velvet, but this untidiness was juxtaposed with the elegant glamour of decadent Turkish décor.

Descending from the ceiling with a bejewelled globe of light were fantastical stained glass chandeliers, throwing off shades of blue and red amidst the atmospheric lighting, the gleaming polished silver of the fitting only accentuating the vibrancy of the colours. Sat atop a high shelf running around the circumference of the room were a collection of gorgeously decorated plates, their rims curving to touch the ceiling. Splashed with bold blotches of loud and proud colour, these luxurious ceramic rainbows seemed to boost the plainness that inhabited the rest of the restaurant. You couldn’t help but be dazzled by these stunning singularities, so much so that the crack in the walls suddenly became passable. Yet another contrast to the multi-coloured displays was the array of black and white photographs that adorned the wall behind our table, displaying a mix of sporting and movie starlets. So many clashing styles yet it all seemed to fold together impeccably to create a rather cosy and comfortable scene that wasn’t overdone or upmarket.

Classic humus

Opened by chef Ibrahim Akbas in 1974, this authentic Turkish diner has slowly built itself a reputation for generous portions and good value for money, so I was eager to see if this was true or not, despite our voucher. After settling at our table, we were presented with two ‘Groupon set menus’ which I was actually really disappointed about. Nowhere on our voucher, did it stipulate that we would be selecting from a set menu, it just said that we could have our pick of meals under certain price points. After checking their menu online earlier in the day, I saw that our restricted menu had actually cut off a lot of these choices, including the two options that I had had my eye on. It would have been nice if this had been clarified on the voucher somewhere, as we assumed that we could have our pick from the full menu. Despite this setback, we were quickly presented with a trio of white square dishes – one containing fat and juicy olives, the second containing a yoghurty mint dip and the third holding a spicy red relish. Paired with a silver platter holding traditional Turkish flat bread, we promptly dove in while we perused our now slimmed down choices.

Doner main course

Although not a consistent olive eater, I really loved the subtle flavours of these oil kissed green and black babies. Although the chunky red sauce was a tad too hot and spicy for my liking, the cooling mint option was delicious and the ideal antidote. For our glass of wine, we could pick from the house red or white, so we went for the white. It packed a punch but was still nice and smooth to drink so I experienced none of the dry harshness that I hate in white wine. For starters, I decided to go for the Turkish classic with humus served with more of the warm pitta flat bread. Jess opted for the light tabule salad. Our starters literally came out as soon as we had ordered them, making is feel that they prepared the cold starters maybe. The humus was wonderfully creamy and not overly grainy which was nice. I do enjoy a bit of a dunk so it was a pleasant way to whet the appetite.

Stained glass effect

Although I ummed and ahhed over what to pick for my main course, I eventually settled on the doner – although this was rather different from the version you’ll find in your local chippie. A mountain of meaty strips were piled up on top of a bed of snowy white boiled rice. A side salad containing the usual suspects of lettuce, tomato, red cabbage and cucumber lay scattered in a column along the left hand side of my rectangular white plate. Looking at my plate, I couldn’t really understand where the ‘generous portion’ compliment had derived from, as although it was an ok size, I wouldn’t say it was generous or hearty, although that may just be the nature of Turkish food. Although the presentation and style of the dish were far removed from the fish and chip menu, I can’t honestly say the flavour was. The texture of the meat revealed its higher grade of meat, but I confess I was disappointed in my choice, as I was expecting Efes to jazz up the doner and give it a lick of Turkish opulence. I complained quietly that I wished there was more bread to be eaten with the main course, and promptly another platter of flatbread was mysteriously delivered to our table, so that was a nice plus point. Jess ordered the mixed grill which I soon became extremely jealous of and wish I had ordered instead. Her chunks of meat were tender and flavourful and made my doner meat look like the poor second cousin twice removed. Although my main course was tasty, I would have liked more of it and I think it needed some more style and imagination to add to the authenticity and take away from the normalness.

Mixed Grill

Dessert wasn’t included in our voucher, but we decided to go for it anyway, choosing two different options so we could share and try a couple of things. We wanted something original, so we went for the flaky pastry Baklava, which was absolutely amazing. With a wonderfully syrupy taste and texture, the filo pastry clumped delightfully to the nutty paste at the bottom of the bite-sized chunks. The dry, flaky filo created a slight crunch at the top, yet the oozy bottom added a great contrast and sweetness to the pastry. Moving on from these divine mouthfuls, we had also ordered a bit of a sundae, that had pistachio and custard flavoured ice creams, laced with chocolate sauce. As a complete custard addict, I really enjoyed trying it as an ice cream, where the flavour actually came across really well. The creamy coloured ice cream also worked really well with the sage green pistachio scoops, and let’s face it, chocolate makes anything taste better. With a scattering of nuts on top, this was also a top notch dessert.

Baklava

Pushing the boat out further, we swapped our usual concluding cappuccino for a traditional Turkish coffee – the first time we had ever tried it. Stunning presented in opulently ornate polished silver tea cups and saucers, it even had a domed lid to keep the coffee extra toasty within. Lifting the lid revealed a small white ceramic cup inside the silver casing that held a small shot of incredibly dark coffee. The size and blackness made it look very much like an espresso , although flavour wise, it didn’t have the usual warm softness of a classic coffee. It packed more of a punch with a denser texture that formed a gritty sludge at the bottom of the cup when you finished. It had a strong and vaguely bitter taste but it was still palatable to drink, although I think I would prefer a normal coffee next time.

Chocolate and Pistachio Ice Cream Dessert

The best bit by far however was the jelly like Turkish delight. The green pistachio flavoured cubes dusted with fine powdered sugar were sensational, the thick sweets holding real chunks of nuts which provided a really great texture contrast between the squidgy jelly and crunchy nuts. A far cry from manufactured Turkish delights, these beauties tasted really natural and homemade. I don’t usual like Turkish delights, but I couldn’t get enough of these. They were also really nicely presented on a silver dish to match our coffee cups, complete with dinky tongs. We received some more with the bill which also had me licking my lips!

Turkish Delight and Turkish Coffee

Making a second reservation? If I’m honest – no. After our main course, I really thought we had been forgotten about as we were left alone for so long. Normally if a voucher only includes starters and main course, the waiting staff are very keen to show you a dessert menu to try and boost their earnings, but we really got the sense at Efes that they didn’t expect us to want any more, which was rather annoying as in fact, we did. For us, daily deal vouchers makes pricey and interesting venues accessible, so we always like to make the most of the opportunity when we go, so this often means spending outside of the voucher restraints. Another slight peeve was how quickly all the food came out – not usually a concern when eating out I know, as waiting too long for your food can be a complete nightmare. In this case however, we had managed to finish dips, starters and main course in just 45 minutes, meaning that if we had just stuck to what our voucher provided, it wouldn’t have been much of a night out. The staff were pleasant and polite, so there was nothing wrong with the actual service, I just feel that the timing were mismatched and this affected the flow of our evening.

Black and white photo decor

On top of our voucher, we ordered an additional glass of wine each, two desserts and two Turkish coffees as well as the typical service charge which ended up being £38 on top of the original £25 for the voucher. On the whole this was steeper than I would have expected for what we were provided with, so again I’m not sure if the ‘good value’ claim lives up to its reputation either. Granted, we did go a tad overboard with the extra desserts and coffees, but it was on the whole more expensive than I would have anticipated.

Wall mounted decorative plates

I enjoyed my evening at Efes, but I couldn’t help but feel there was something lacking and lacklustre that held it back slightly. Everything was just nice, but if I’m going out for dinner in London and paying London prices to enjoy a night out, I want my meal to be more than just nice. The bonus was definitely the Turkish delights and the dips and olives at the beginning and end of the meal, but there is no way I would have paid full price for what we had and I’m not sure it would be worth a return visit.

The Dinner Dates Opinion:

Turkish Coffee Cup

“This is a good location being in central London and was very easy to find which is good for someone as directionally challenged as me! The restaurant was Turkish themed with the decor matching this. I enjoyed my food here, there were lots of things on the menu I could have tried but I thoroughly enjoyed what I had. I especially like the range of meats that came with my mixed grill and I think this was probably the best option to go for on the set menu. The dessert was also really lovely, with a good mix of traditional desserts and ice cream desserts. Although I really enjoyed the food, I’m not sure I would have liked to pay full price for the food we had. The pistachio Turkish delights with the bill were definitely a bonus though!”

Kamique Bar, Leicester Square, London

Vegetable spring rolls with sweet chilli sauce

Set Menu:

• Location: Kamique Bar, 63 – 66 St Martins Lane, London WC2N 4JS (nearest tube station is Leicester Square)
• Date of Visit: Tuesday 15^th October
• Time of Table: 7.00pm
• Deal Bought From: Groupon
• Deal Price: £23 for Two
• Dinner Companion: Twin sister, Jess

Getting More for your Money?

This dinner deal includes:

• Two Starters
• Two Main Courses
• Two Glasses of Wine
• For Two people

Goats Cheese Salad

What we ate…

Katie:

• Starter: Homemade Vegetable Spring Rolls with Sweet Chilli Dipping Sauce
• Main: Avocado Chicken Burger with Guacamole and Mango Salsa

Berry Blitz Mojito

Jess:

• Starter: Goats Cheese Salad
• Main: Avocado Chicken Burger with Guacamole and Mango Salsa

What we drank…

• Two Glasses of House White Wine
• Berry Blitz Mojito
• Winter Berry Mojito
• Flaming Passion Fruit Mojito

Inside Kamique Bar

What did we think?

Darkly luxuriant with a nonchalant attitude, Kamique Bar is achingly hip, in a relaxed James Dean like style. Amidst the thriving nightlife of London’s lively Leicester Square, new joint Kamique has an unmistakable aura of cool with its deep red walls, exotically fringed plant pots and dimmed down lighting. What I loved about the layout of this bar, is the various heights and levels used throughout. Tall tables paired with chairs that seemed to be on stilts sat you nice and high, but the next area would be low round tables. The flooring was staggered with dining style tables in one section, next to plush cube stool-style seats at floor level. The constant up and down of the seating arrangements and flooring sections added extra interest as you glanced around, as did the gilded framed mirrors and the deep splashes of greenery. Background music was pumping out the latest popular hits and I loved every track that came on, despite it being slightly too loud for intimate conversation. Kamique Bar was slick and bursting with well-dressed class; like the timeless leather jacket, it knew exactly what it was doing.

Our voucher entitled us to a two course meal with a complimentary glass of house red or wine white. We settled on our over-stretched table and high stools with an inelegant clamber before selecting the white wine. The wine was perfect and flavourful without that overbearing dryness that I can’t stand. Despite our full glasses, we couldn’t resist reading the cocktail menu – a fully-fledged pamphlet that contained a vast array of beautiful sounding beverages that I had never even heard of before. Imaginatively combined flavours with a smudge of London pizazz is what makes cocktails truly great and we couldn’t wait to sample some. Costing between £7 and £8 per cocktail, the pricing was also rather reasonable for such a central location.

Chic and cool vibe

I decided to try the Winter Berry Mojito, which used Krupnik honey vodka with raspberry puree as well as fresh blackberries and mint. Summer berries like these are my favourite and I loved the fresh vibrancy of the background mojito notes paired with the intense and rich berry flavours. Topped with a juicy, ripe blackberry and packed with crushed ice, I could have happily slurped on this punchy number all day. Being more into tropical flavours, Jess settled for Flaming Passion Fruit Mojito that really does what it says on the tin – it arrived on our table with half a passion fruit sat atop the crumbling ice, burning with a bright blue flickering flame! A cocktail with an entrance is an arresting sight and we dutifully oohed and ahhed over it. Full of Havana rum and passion fruit, it had a sweet and light taste.  Irresistibly drawn to the cocktail list after our meal, we settled our stomachs with a Berry Blitz – again another style of mojito, this one using vodka with strawberry and raspberry purees, making it mouth-wateringly refreshing yet tangy and sweet as well. The cocktail menu is absolutely fantastically faultless with a flavour combination to suit every style of taste bud, making it the perfect hotspot for any after work drinks or girly get together.

Chicken Burger with chips and coleslaw

After excitedly pawing the cocktail menu like kids at Christmas, it was time to get down to the important business of dinner, something we definitely do not take lightly. Our two courses were to be chosen from a voucher set menu of starters and main course, so not the full menu, however I still feel we had more than enough choice available to us – especially as it took me so long to narrow down what I actually wanted! For starters, I settled on the homemade vegetable spring rolls for some fancy finger food.  Where they were large spring rolls, I had two that been cut in half diagonally so that I could admire the finely sliced combined vegetables inside. The flaky exterior of the spring rolls were deliciously crisp and crumbled over my lips as I ate, generously dunking sections into the sweet chilli sauce that in no way overpowered the rolls, but merely enhanced them with a gentle warmth and extra goo factor for an additional texture as well. A classic combo and nothing too out there, but it was executed well and it was the ideal start to get the meal revving and ready to go.

Our table

We both opted for the same main course, deciding to go for the chicken burger, complete with the clean Caribbean flavours of avocado, guacamole and mango salsa. The chicken burger was nice and thick with a char grilled texture and taste, the chunky meat working well with the saucy smears of the green guacamole piled inside, the rough textured salsa helping the flavours to mingle merrily. Served in a giant white bap dusted with flour, it seemed to stay together well which is always a true decent burger test. I had to cut the sucker in half, but that was more for politeness than for any real desperate need to defeat its size. It was light yet filling and really transported me from the gloomy London pre-winter weather; it felt like a boost of bright sunshine served in a bun. Next to the burger was a fat dollop of homemade coleslaw that was deliciously creamy yet with the traditional crunch factor, which made the perfect partner for the skinny cut French fries that were presented in a napkin dressed small silver bucket on the other side of my burger. I usually prefer a chunky chip, but despite these ones being very thin, they were tasty and incredibly moreish. It may have been just a simple burger and chips meal, but I loved that they went with the exotic and have such a diverse range of burger available – it makes it much more different and a refreshing change from what you can order in any pub. I really enjoyed my main course – it was also the ideal portion size. I was full, but I could easily tap up dessert if I so chose.

l-r: Winter Berry and Flaming Passion Fruit Mojitos

After our two courses and concluding cocktail, we decided to peruse the dessert menu. However, after seeing a few dessert plates pass our table during the course of the evening, we have to confess to being rather unimpressed with the portion sizes. They looked like they could be eaten in one simplistic mouthful and that’s no way to enjoy dessert. The dessert menu is also fairly average, nothing that really stands out. We decided to save our money and instead visit a nearby Patisserie Valerie to really get stuck in to afters.

Chocolate heaven

When we arrived at the patisserie, it was quite late in the evening so they didn’t have a huge selection left to choose from. However, I selected an impressively stacked double chocolate gateaux slice, filled with light and creamy chocolate mousse as well as mounted with a delicious profiterole. It was pure chocaholic heaven and every spoonful felt like a decadent indulgence. Jess decided to go for the tiramisu gateaux slice, with vanilla flavoured cake housing a soft coffee flavoured mousse, dusted delicately with coco powder. The sponge was wonderfully soft and moist, while the combination of flavours simply melted in the mouth for a gorgeously sweet spoonful. As is tradition, we paired our classic cakes with a frothy cappuccino that was simply lovely and professionally prepared. It really hit the spot to finish off our meal very nicely, although it was a shame that Kamique Bar couldn’t fulfil the dessert section of our meal.

Making a second reservation? I wouldn’t say that Kamique is in any way a restaurant – it is clearly a bar that has a more than decent menu but it has handy finger food and tasty original grub. Cutlery is served in a silver bucket stuffed with white paper napkins, with a ‘get stuck in’ style nod, which juxtaposes with the ketchup being served in a small white dish and the posh rectangular white plates. With the music blaring slightly louder than I would have liked, it was definitely gearing up for the night owls, but I loved the décor and the atmosphere of the place – we are even now considering having our birthday drinks here come March because of the brilliant mix of classy yet tasty food, imaginative and flavourful cocktails and an energetically buzzing atmosphere. In some way, shape or form, I would love to return, although not if I was looking for a proper three course meal.

Coffee cake at it’s finest

The Dinner Dates Opinion:

“Kamique is a new cocktail bar and when I saw the voucher, I thought it would be right up my street. Nice looking food and pages and pages of cocktails to choose from with the specialties being various forms of mojitos – my favourite! The decor is modern but welcoming; well finished with a really nice atmosphere, suitable for drinks on a night out, a date, or catching up with friends.

I had a goats cheese salad for starters, which was really nice, a decent starter portion and the flavours complemented each other nicely. For mains, I was stuck on what to pick – the menu doesn’t have many items on it compared to restaurants – but what it does offer is a broad range of food which I was struggling to choose between. I opted for a chicken burger with mango salsa and chips in the end. This was really nice, refreshing and not too heavy, but a decent portion and cooked well. We fancied something sweet for dessert, but the dessert menu was quite small and on seeing other desserts come out we decided that the portions just weren’t going to hit the spot, so we decided to go elsewhere for that after mains treat.

Classy cappuccinos

Drinks wise, we had a glass of wine with dinner included, but we also wanted to try some of the yummy sounding cocktails on the menu. Although we were there during the 2 for 1 cocktail period, it wasn’t clear what cocktails were included, meaning that typically the ones we chose were not in the deal. Although I was very happy with my passion fruit effort. Arriving at the table with a flaming passion fruit boat it had the drama that a cocktail should have, and the tropical flavours were really working for me! I also had a strawberry number later on in the evening which was also very nice. I do like a good cocktail, and I can recommend the ones here.

Overall, I really enjoyed my evening here. I will definitely come again, although probably more for drinks, but if I needed food too, I wouldn’t be disappointed.”

King Eddies, Stratford, London

Baby Chocolate Fondants and Ice Cream

Set Menu:

• Location: King Eddies, 47 Broadway, Stratford, London, E15 4BQ (nearest tube station is Stratford)
• Date of Visit: Thursday 21^st March 2013
• Time of Table: 7.30pm
• Deal Bought From: Groupon
• Deal Price: £27 for Two
• Dinner Companion: My fiancé Dan

Getting More for your Money?

This dinner deal includes:

• Two Starters
• Two Main Courses
• Two Desserts
• For Two people

Mini Sticky BBQ Spare Ribs

What we ate…

Katie:

• Starter: Rabbit and Chorizo Salad served with Poached Duck Egg
• Main: Beef Burger with Pulled Pork, Bacon, Homemade Coleslaw, Cheddar and Fat Chips
• Dessert: Chocolate Fondant with Vanilla Ice Cream

Dan:

• Starter: Sticky BBQ Ribs with Sweet Chilli Sauce
• Main: Beef Burger with Pulled Pork, Bacon, Homemade Coleslaw, Cheddar and Fat Chips
• Dessert: Sticky Toffee Pudding with Clotted Cream

What we drank…

• Two glasses of House Rose (not included)
• Two glasses of Coke (not included)

Inside King Eddie’s

What did we think?

King Eddie’s pub in Stratford seems to sit like a fidgeting younger sibling at a wedding in between two tall bow-tie wearing brothers – it’s all rustic, countryside charm, complete with 19^th century grade two listed building, plonked between the regality of white, imposing structures, whilst basking merrily in the glow of sleek shopper’s paradise Westfields. At first glance, we even wondered whether we were at the right place as this slightly worn around the edges wannabe gastro-pub seemed lost and out of place amidst the stylistic big city. Painted a rural green with an abundance of dark, almost black, wood and a swinging name board, you did feel as if you were taking a step back in time – especially as my six foot two fiancé ducked in combat with the dangerously low ceilings.

Although the décor may not be flashy or overstated, it was welcoming and comfortable, sticking very much to the design of the buildings origins. As we entered, the front bar area was packed and with no tables spare, and we were instantly worried. This was obviously a very popular local, and we couldn’t really see how it was trying to pass itself off as a dinner destination. However our fears were soon alleviated as they lead us into a separate saloon bar at the rear of the pub, which when we arrived at around 7.30pm, was completely empty. With a choice of tables, we opted for a large rectangular one opposite the bar. The interior felt like a rabbit’s warren with corridors, doors and stairs seeming to lead off in every direction – I didn’t dare try and find the toilets. I love the quirky menu presentation of a single sheet of paper rolled up and stuffed in a pint glass. It seemed to signal the feel that the place was going for – wanting to keep its traditional pub roots but give it a damn good polish up first.

Impressive mountain of burger

As is expected of pub grub, it was a predictable and simplistic menu with the usual array of burgers, sausages and battered fish. However I was anticipating some great quality dishes as I knew that this venue is particularly keen on how they source their food, using locally produced ingredients and only serving meat from suppliers who use extensive farming methods.  Checking out the starters, I surprised to spot something a bit different that instantly caught my eye – a rabbit, chorizo and poached duck egg salad. Normally I avoid greenery when eating out, but this intriguing mix of flavours seemed too good to pass up. The presentation was beautiful, with the pert poached egg gleaming on top of a delicately scattered selection of fresh leaves and onions. I had never tried rabbit before and I must say, I enjoyed the earthy and succulent taste – although yes, it does taste like chicken! The rabbit paired with the slightly spicy and greasy chorizo provided a great contrast in texture as well as hitting a different flavour palette with its robust and chunky punch. This was further emphasised by the clean salad and egg served with it. It was really gorgeous and an absolute pleasure to eat. This starter made me so excited for the rest of my meal, as it literally screamed quality cooking, imagination and creativity with presentation. Very impressive.

Rabbit and Chorizo Salad

Moving on from combinations and flavours that were new to me, to something a lot more classic – the great pub burger.  And I must confess, this one was something special. Once again, the importance of the presentation seemed paramount to the chef, as it was another gorgeous visual display, with the traditionally towered meat feast, with a side dish of decadently thick and oily chips in a silver bowl dressed with a white napkin inside. There was also a small dish of mayonnaise for dunking purposes. Again, the simple burger had received an upgrade, and this was the first time that I had seen BBQ pulled pork featuring in a burger, and this really added an extra element of flavour that was heaven with the bacon, as well as a different texture. The coleslaw in the burger was also a nice added touch, the crunchy red cabbage providing a saucy salad for the slightly crumbly burger meat. The burger itself was an impressive size and rather a challenge to grasp hold of! The burger bun was a typical seeded one that basically fell apart as soon as it was picked up, so I definitely wouldn’t recommend this dish for people who don’t like getting their hands dirty! The burger was pure and simple beef with no fuss or added elegance, but it ticked the quality check box nicely with its deep flavour.

The chips were deliciously thick, which is what I prefer, and although they were hand fried, they were very uniformly cut to be exact in size. They were full of flavour although a tad soggy and greasy. On first appearance, I wasn’t sure whether the dish would be big enough, but after eating it, I was completely full, and I settled onto the red upholstered bench seat comfortably, the refreshing and vibrantly coloured house rose making a zingy liquid accompaniment.

Classic Sticky Toffee Pudding

With such high standards for the first two courses, I was rubbing my hands together for dessert, and I had chosen one of my favourites – the chocolate fondant. When it arrived an incredibly long time after we ordered, I must say that I was rather disappointed. It seemed worlds away from the other food we had been presented with and I couldn’t get over the difference. I was given two small fondants served with a single scoop of vanilla ice cream, and the barest drizzle of chocolate sauce. The fondants were too small in my opinion. Part of the joy of fondants is their tantalizingly oozy centres, however, where these ones were so small, there really wasn’t a lot of ooze factor and the liquid centre could disappear easily in a single spoonful. The cakes had a very intense and rich chocolate flavour, but they were also very sticky and actually reminded more of a brownie in texture and taste than a fondant. The ice cream was also just average. I was baffled by what I was given for my afters, as it contrasts so heavily with the level of care and attention to detail and taste that had been delivered in our previous two courses. A bizarre finish to our meal that seemed more shop bought than homemade, which is a definite clash with the ethos of the pub.

Unique presentation of menu

We visited King Eddie’s on a Thursday, which we soon discovered was open mic night, as local musicians could come and perform randomly for diners and drinkers alike. I was expecting some talented tunes but the first musician to the mic was truly terrible with a droning voice and a one pace tone. This sort of ruined the chilled out and relaxed atmosphere we had been enjoying so far, for as the music started up, our previously secluded saloon bar began to rapidly fill, destroying any remains of the casually quiet ambience.

Making a second reservation? No, I wouldn’t. Although I can’t praise my first two courses highly enough, I’m not sure whether they provide me with enough of a reason to come to King Eddie’s again. On the whole, the pricing was fair and not extortionate, which was nice. Our voucher was also a fantastic bargain, and if I were to get another one, I would be really tempted. It was really inclusive with the three courses and there was plenty of choice for each round, as we could choose from the whole menu. There was something for everyone as well so if a group of you went, you wouldn’t have any problems in that respect. We paid an additional £14 for our drinks, which is still quite reasonable and £27 for three courses each is so cheap. Our waitress was absolutely lovely and she did a fantastic job of serving at the bar as well as delivering food to all of the tables eating. She was efficient and friendly and we were more than happy to leave her a generous tip.

Countryside charm decor

The impression that the website gives, and what you actually get, are two very different things with King Eddie’s. The website discusses and emphasises the food, and the unusual British beers really presenting a front of a high quality gastro-pub. However, in reality, it is just a normal pub that is slowly working it’s way to achieving this dream. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed my evening. Once in the quieter part of the pub, it was so relaxed and comfortable, and the first two courses of food were absolutely fabulous. The staff service was also very professional. It just doesn’t quite all gel all together quite right and I’m not sure I can put my finger on exactly why. Still a thoroughly lovely evening and you can’t disagree that it was a quaint and picturesque venue, and the amount of food that we got for the money we paid was simply impressive.

Small attention to details

The Dinner Dates Opinion:

“Arriving at King Eddies and seeing old men smoking outside the pub I thought we was  at the wrong place, a part of me hoping we were.  Once inside it was a similar story. A small bar that felt more like a local down Romford than a pub up London. The staff were very friendly and attentive throughout. For starters I had BBQ sticky spare ribs with a sweet chilli sauce. I was given a massive plate full of ribs; taking my first bite I realised why I had so many ribs on my plate. A lot of the ribs were more bone than meat, the meat I did have was very tasty. For mains I had a burger and fat chips. The chips were amazing, they reminded me of the homemade ones my mum makes. The burger for me was ruined by the coleslaw that had been smothered all over. I generally like coleslaw but was really put off the burger because of it.  For dessert I had sticky toffee pudding with clotted cream. I was really disappointed by it as it was very soggy and watery. Overall I was disappointed with the food and do not feel compelled to return.”

Old fashioned bar

Orzo, Covent Garden, London

Chunky Vegetable Soup

Set Menu:

• Location: Orzo, 27 Wellington Street, London, WC2E 7DB (nearest tube station is Covent Garden)
• Date of Visit: Wednesday 23^rd January 2013
• Time of Table: 7.00pm
• Deal Bought From: Groupon
• Deal Price: £29 for Two
• Dinner Companion: Twin sister, Jess

Getting More for your Money?

This dinner deal includes:

• Starter
• Main Course
• Dessert
• Bellini
• For Two people

Panna Cotta and Plums

What we ate…

Katie:

• Starter: Chunky Vegetable Soup
• Main: Slow Roast Crispy Pork with Sage Potatoes and Apple Sauce
• Dessert: Flourless Chocolate Cake with Mascarpone

Jess:

• Starter: Pear, Walnut and Watercress Salad with Gorgonzola
• Main: Slow Roast Crispy Pork with Sage Potatoes and Apple Sauce
• Dessert:  Panna Cotta with Marinated Plums

 

Loved the variety of glass shapes

What we drank…

• Bellini each
• Glass of Prosecco each (not included)
• Cappuccino each (not included)

What did we think?

Framed portraits add an intimate feel

Walking around the warren that is Covent Garden, my gaze was constantly averted by the sheer abundance of delicious eateries. Impressive glass faced restaurants gave a tempting tease of a glimpse into stylish interiors far beyond my meagre purse strings, whilst decadent patisseries invitingly flashed their sweet smelling wares, overburdened with fruits, chocolate and cream. My excitement was building and my hopes were high for fashionable Italian restaurant Orzo – our dinner destination for this evening.  Almost every venue in the quaint cobbled streets seemed to be a restaurant of some sort, with plenty of competition for Italian grub in the form of numerous Bella Italias and Stradas to name a few.

Firstly Orzo surprised me by not having the same ostentatious awning and massive glass front, but to be honest I rather liked its understated and sophisticated greeting. Going through the glass doors and descending down a small flight of stairs, the restaurant seemed to be situated in the basement of the building, giving an incredibly intimate atmosphere, as if it was London’s little secret.

Did someone say bread basket?

I instantly loved the décor – so stylish yet not over the top with peach painted walls, covered in small black and white portrait photographs housed snugly in black wooden frames. Each photo was of a difference person, in a different situation and time, offering intrigue in abundance. The black stood our marvellously against the pale walls, which was mirrored in the peachy toned marble flooring. Impressively painted landscapes formed blinds for spaces that I assumed were some kind of windows. The layout was also ideal – we felt completely alone, the tables really nicely spread out so you honestly felt as if you were in your own little bubble. Simplistic chic returned again with the table set up, a stark and crisp white tablecloth with a flickering tea light candle in a clouded glass holder. The various glasses were a fantastic mix of shapes, with your classic wine glass, our long and slim-lined Bellini glasses and also the water glasses – round and stubby sitting on a short stem.

Pear and Gorgonzola Salad

With excellent first impressions of the surroundings, I was eager to get stuck into the menu. This deal was a great bargain in my book as we were able to tuck in to an entire three courses. We kicked things off with our Bellini cocktail, a fabulous mix of refreshingly soft peachy undertones, lightened by the bubbles and fizz of Champagne. Can’t go wrong with a Bellini! If you are a fussy eater, then I think you may have experienced trouble with the special ‘Groupon menu’, and I must confess, I was a little worried at first. The options for starters included a pear and gorgonzola salad, which Jess instantly zoomed in on, loving anything with blue cheese. Being the opposite however I steered clear of that, and with mussels on the menu as well when I dislike seafood, that only left me one viable option for starters – the soup. I had everything crossed I would like the flavour, and when I was told it was chunky vegetable, I was relieved.

Inside Orzo

While we waited for our starters to arrive, we dutifully munched on the bread basket that we were given, that included thick slices of white crusty bread, ideal for dunking in the small dish of oil provided. I made sure to keep a few pieces to have with my soup. I know that many soups can just be so boring and lack taste, but this soup completely blew my mind – which is very rare to say about vegetable soup! There were so many vegetables in it, I could taste cabbage, celery, carrots, some kind of beans and probably loads more, to reveal a really flavourful and wholesome kick that oozed personality. It was so chunky, the vegetables still visible and floating in a broth like liquid. Served with thick, toast like croutons on top that was more similar to bread, it was a hearty start and I absolutely loved it. I couldn’t believe how full of flavour it was. Jess also enjoyed her dainty salad, although from where I was, I couldn’t really spot her beloved gorgonzola.

Mains again left me with just one viable option out of three choices. Another gorgonzola dish, this time pasta was offered as well as salmon – more seafood – but I was more than happy with the remaining option, delicious crispy pork, which is probably something I would have picked off their full menu anyway. The pork arrived in unique diamond shapes, a thick layer of crispy bubbling brown skin that cracked delightfully under your fork on top of soft, juicy flaking meat underneath. The blob of apple sauce was a perfect partner in crime for the multi-textured meat, as was the ideally cooked sage potatoes. The pork really was cooked divinely, the meat so soft and cut like butter, although the crispy topping was harder to tackle. It was a great explosion of flavour and texture in your mouth. The portion size was also really decent for both our starters and mains. My bowl of soup was huge, and for our mains we had two big chunks of the pork, accompanied by the pile of potatoes.

Thick and tender Pork Belly – divine

Once we had drained our Bellini’s, instead of opting for our usual wine, we decided to treat ourselves to a luxurious glass of Prosecco, which was actually cheaper by the glass than the rose – the ideal excuse in our minds! Beautifully light and sparking, it was a zingy and refreshing accompaniment to our main meal that was so full of flavour and a fabulous light meaty taste.

Dessert had us stumped between two options. We both love our chocolate, so the chocolate cake sounded wonderful, especially with the creamy mascarpone. However, plums are also one of my favourite fruits and I loved the idea of them, all tart and juicy with the gooey, wobbly panna cotta. In the end, we decided to get one of each and simply share them both, which turned out to be a brilliant idea. The chocolate cake was a flourless one, so it came up incredibly rich and dense in a thick triangle that really reminded me of a brownie. It had that same slight crisp to the top, yet that soft mud like texture to the actual cake. Powerful chocolate flavours that worked wonders with the light mascarpone. We even tried the cake with mouthfuls of the panna cotta which was also really delicious! The panna cotta had delicate undertones of vanilla and although it is normally considered a rather bland option, the plums packed a punch that invested the dish in purple juices and flavour. I adored my chocolate cake, and I have to admit to scoffing it down in hurried gleeful spoonfuls.

Clean and chic decor

After our dessert had settled, we decided to conclude with a coffee – traditional Italian style – with a frothy cappuccino. Served in a small patterned cup and saucer, it really was rather dinky and not too big to push us over the ‘stuffed / bloated’ line. We were comfortable, full, and so impressed by the food.

Making a second reservation? Most definitely, and I would even go there without a voucher. There is already a pizza I am eyeing up on the full menu. Not only is the food flavourful and completely exceptional, but the attention to detail is superb. I absolutely loved the quirky and eccentric mix of plates and bowls they used that seemed to clash endearingly with the chic décor.  The plates were all different, with various floral and food patterns of blue, red and yellow in classic hand painted style. It was this eccentricity matched with the impeccable service from the waiting staff and the quality of the food and ambiance that really made me fall in love with Orzo, this little den of loveliness hidden underground.

Simply stunning Chocolate Cake

The deal that we bought from Groupon, was also fantastic. Three whole courses plus a Bellini for just £29 is a steal. The pork dish alone on the main menu was nearer £20 each. We paid an additional £19 for our two Proseccos and cappuccinos which makes a very respectable price for what we had. The service charge was a bit steep at £13, so we took that off and paid a service charge that we could afford. Something to bear in mind though is that we did have to choose from a set menu for our meal, and with only three choices per course it was very narrow. We were just lucky that there was at least one thing we liked from each course so that we could still enjoy the meal. Definitely something to look out for, for the fussier eaters.

I really recommend this patch of little Italy, and I can’t wait to return.

Quaint coffee to finish

The Dinner Dates Opinion:

“Going to Orzo made a lovely evening.  I found the staff to be very friendly and welcoming and I really liked that the tables were well spaced! So many places in London feel so cramped so this was really nice. We had a table for four for the two of us which was nice and roomy! The bellini we had was a fruity peachy number, the only downside being that we then couldn’t find it on the cocktail menu to order another one! For starters I had a salad with the classic combo of walnut, pear and blue cheese. The cheese was more of a dressing as opposed to chunks, think I would have preferred more cheese but it was a lovely starter. For mains, we had some of the best pork I’ve ever had! The meat was so juicy and the crackling was so crispy, it was just a delight. The accompanying sauce and potatoes went very well with it. For dessert I had the panna cotta which was lovely and creamy and the plums opposed this nicely. The deal menu only had about 3 options per course so was quite limited but what they did offer was lovely. I would like to go again without a deal so that I could try some of the other things on the menu, but would probably only be able to afford a pizza/pasta since these were the cheapest mains, some of the larger meat/fish dishes charging nearly £20 for a main (I am a student!).  Also being in Covent Garden means that it is accessible if you are out and about in London and there would be loads of places to go to after or to continue shopping after lunch.”

Cosy and comfortable

Bel Canto, Lancaster Gate, London

Chicken Caesar Salad for a fresh start

Set Menu:

• Location: Bel Canto, Corus Hotel Hyde Park, Lancaster Gate, London, W2 3LG (nearest tube is Lancaster Gate)
• Date of Visit: Tuesday 4^th December 2012
• Time of Table: 7.00pm
• Deal Bought From: Groupon
• Deal Price: £75 for Four
• Dinner Companion: Twin sister Jess, mum Tina and grandmother Hazel

Getting More for your Money?

This dinner deal includes:

• Starter
• Main Course
• Live Opera
• For Four People

Hotpot Fish Soup

What we ate…

Katie:

• Starter: Chicken Caesar Salad
• Main: Pan Fried Prime Beef Fillet served with Caramelised Shallots
• Side: Homemade Chunky Fries, Mixed Vegetables and a Peppercorn Sauce (not included)
• Dessert:  Hot Chocolate Fondant with Salted Caramel Ice Cream (not included)

Jess:

• Starter: Opera Salad
• Main: Char Grilled Corn Fed Chicken Breast, Sautéed Mushroom and Creamy Truffle Sauce
• Side: Homemade Chunky Fries and Mixed Vegetables (not included)
• Dessert: Hot Chocolate Fondant with Salted Caramel Ice Cream (not included)

Divine dessert – chocolate fondant

Tina:

• Starter: Fish Soup
• Main: Char Grilled Corn Fed Chicken Breast, Sautéed Mushroom and Creamy Truffle Sauce
• Side: Homemade Chunky Fries and Mixed Vegetables (not included)
• Dessert: Hot Chocolate Fondant with Salted Caramel Ice Cream (not included)

Hazel:

• Starter: Salmon
• Main: Char Grilled Corn Fed Chicken Breast, Sautéed Mushroom and Creamy Truffle Sauce
• Side: Homemade Chunky Fries and Mixed Vegetables (not included)
• Dessert: Hot Chocolate Fondant with Salted Caramel Ice Cream (not included)

Dramatic theatre vibe

What we drank…

• Bottle of Rose de Cinsault, Domaine de Peras – Pay d’Oc France (not included)
• Tomato Juice (not included)
• Slim-line Tonic (not included)
• Four Cappuccinos (not included)
• Tap Water (not included)

What did we think?

Descending the steps that lead into the decorated entrance of Lancaster Gate’s hidden gem, Bel Canto, is very much like joining Alice as she somehow stumbles across a whole new world of enchantment, although the quirky glee of childhood animals is instead replaced by an intimate and suggestive glamour encapsulated within the world of theatre and music.

I didn’t really know what to expect, but the presentation of the restaurant definitely gave a few hints. Walls were painted in the decadent red of falling stage curtains, while alcoves were homes for golden painted violins and harps, the centrepiece of the room being an immensely elegant black grand piano, sheet music already scattered on the stand. Dotted around the room were also a variety of mannequins draped in fantastic floor length gowns, fit for the theatre, with textures, colours and patterns galore. Despite the emphasis on luxury, Bel Canto has a strangely homely atmosphere that is oddly intimate, like having your closest friends over for dinner. I believe this is because of the joint anticipation of the evening, as we are all here for the same reason – deliciously divine food and classical music.

Showpiece piano and source of grand entertainment

With branches in both Paris and Neuilly and a roster of over 60 artists, Bel Canto know their stuff. We were one of the first parties to arrive, with a wonderfully central table situated just in front of the gleaming grand piano.  Our attentive waiter was more than happy to cater to our wishes, pouring out our wine, and then putting it on a separate cutlery and drinks station that he manned so that the bottle wouldn’t clutter our space. There was a nice choice of starters and even though I normally shun anything overly green the sound of the chicken Caesar salad was really hitting the spot and I was pleasantly surprised by my choice. The chicken came in thick slabs draped across single plucked gem lettuce leaves, like they had been cut from a freshly cooked breast. The bacon was crispy, crunchy and thin, the small diced croutons adding extra bite with the dressing. The portion was also very decent and would have actually made a very filling lunch! Considering I never usually go for greenery, I thoroughly enjoyed this starter. There was also plenty of choice with a variety of options to suit everyone, and all four of us opted for different starters.

Veggie starter Opera Salad

Mains were also tricky to decide upon, but being a big steak lover it was no contest in the end as I chose the beef fillet. I must say, it was the most stunning presentation of steak I have ever seen, with a gorgeous and elaborately curled floral spring onion, a bed of diced tomato supporting a beautifully round and succulent chunk of steak. Propped up against the meat was a tall, slim tube of the peppercorn sauce – I have never seen sauce presented in this way so I really loved that. My whole meal looked divine and it was so different to usual steak dishes that it was love at first sight. The steak was also perfectly cooked with fantastic flavour so I munched away happily. We shared the two sides between the four of us, the mixed vegetables containing your usual suspects as well as peppers, which is a bit more out there. The chips though were heaven sent, as we all know, you just can’t beat a pucker chip. The rest of our group opted for the chicken, which had them umming and ahhing as well, the light and fruity rose wine a perfect accompaniment.

Beautiful costumes

It was while we were eating our main course that the music began, and it completely took my breath away. One minute, the waitress was passing me my plate, the next she was about a metre away by the piano, blasting out opera. There were four singers in attendance, also serving as waiters, although there were also normal waiting staff too, trained to an incredibly high standard of service. The musicians though were astounding. Not only was I hearing simply stunning opera literally inches from me, but it was sheer performance. The beautiful ballads were in Italian or French but the aisles between tables seemed to transform into our very own personal stage, as they acted out the lyrics, clearly conveying love, sadness, anger and relationship triangles so complex yet still evident to our eyes. It was like a front row seat at an expensive Parisian opera house and I adored the professionalism. Even the pianist, Sam, was spellbinding, his fingers flying as they flickered and flayed across the white and black notes. They had a mix of singers including two women who were both varying sopranos, a husky baritone called Rodney and your typical tenor, a brooding Italian Marcio.

Every 15 minutes or so, one or two of them would hover by the piano, giving Sam the signal before letting rip with the high notes. My mum even commented at one point how the glasses on our table had been vibrating with the sheer power of their voices. They sang solos, duets and all together, to weave artistic musical stories among the diners as we let our cutlery still for the duration of the song. What I personally found to be fantastic was that each night would be entirely unique, so every time you attend, you would have a different experience. Different performers play every single night, the music only decided at 5.30pm before guests arrive at 7.00pm. They literally settle the schedule those couple of hours beforehand really making it a very organic, artistic and creative experience.

Salmon to start

Even though dessert wasn’t included in our offer, I couldn’t say no to the notion of chocolate fondant and salted caramel ice cream – two of my very favourite flavours combined rather gloriously. The fondant was perfect with a delicate spongy outside and insides so oozy it required the utmost skill to slide it onto your spoon. The ice cream was amazing as well, the saltiness really giving the caramel a vibrant zing that pepped up the rich chocolate. Plus, hot and cold is always a good combo, this one done with aplomb.

As our cappuccinos arrived, the singers also came round with complimentary glasses of Prosecco as they began to sing ‘The Drinking Song’, urging us into the chorus with “la la la la!” They moved gracefully around the tables, clinking glasses with every single visitor. We all felt included, part of something special and part of something much more than just a good meal. It had a classy party vibe too, especially when Marcio burst into the traditional ‘Amore’, pausing halfway through to melodiously exclaim about one cornetto that was delicious ice cream… from Italy.

Simply stunning steak

The food may have been long gone, but we didn’t want to leave, the mere thought of missing even one song heart breaking. They began to pack the tables away at 10.30pm so we drifted back towards the entrance to get our coats from the cloakroom. Looking at the guest book where people were signing, our eyes zoomed in on Kate Winslet’s scrawled signature.  For a night of mouth -watering food and achingly beautiful music, I couldn’t have wished for any better.

Making a second reservation? Most definitely. As I mentioned before, due to the vast quantity of musicians, and the last minute organisation of classic opera compositions, every night would be completely unique. A perfect excuse to return if you ask me.  I liked the fact that the menu had all of the bases covered with fish, chicken, red meat and vegetarian options available, clearly catering for all main tastes. It meant that there was bound to be something to suit every guest.

Chicken breast dressed with sauce

Also, price wise, it felt like a bargain, because of the music. The initial Groupon offered saved us approximately £100 on the offer Bel Canto do anyway of a two course meal including opera music, and split between four of us makes it much more manageable anyway. Granted we paid £124 at the table, but for four people and the music, it still felt cheap. The quality of the food was impeccable and faultless and thoroughly enjoyable. The opera was beautiful and so natural, it felt like they were singing just for you as they maintained eye contact and touched the back of your chair. No gimmicks, no fuss, no microphones. Just a black piano, four stunning voices and an all-encompassing menu cooked to perfection. What more do you need?

Coffee cappuccino conclusions

The Dinner Dates Opinion:

Jess:

“I can’t convey enough how much I enjoyed my evening at Bel Canto. Firstly, it was a very easy journey and only a stone’s throw from Lancaster Gate station.  The service staff were both friendly and professional from the beginning to the end of the evening. Food wise, everything I had was lovely. The opera salad was a nice mix of flavours and had loads of pine nuts which suited me! The chicken for mains was delicious, the sauce complementing it perfectly and the dessert might actually have been the best chocolate fondant I have ever eaten. The performances all night were exquisite, there was a range of songs performed and each one was amazing, and it felt just like a private performance just for your table. I would definitely come again as it is such a unique night, something so different to normal, and so perfectly done. Although I felt like we had a good deal, I might go for less extras next time to keep the price down if I didn’t have a voucher.”

Can’t beat a chunky chip!

Tina:

“Bel Canto was an evening out like no other – it was a truly memorable evening.  On entering, the restaurant was immediately like finding an enchanted nook with elaborate opera outfits adding to the plush ambience of the room.  The menu was not vast but there was certainly enough to tempt the taste buds and all our choices were fabulous.  The staff were wonderfully welcoming and efficient, and as most of the dinner guests seemed to arrive quite early, it was as though we were all invited to a rather select soiree.  And then the singing started as four of the waiting staff regularly took it in turns to burst into operatic song about every 10 minutes.  They covered a variety of operatic voices between them and they were all simply amazing.  The crowd became hushed at every tuneful interval and burst into great applause after each aria. The combination of a lovely meal and the wonderful entertainment made for a fantastic night out and I very much look forward to a repeat experience soon.”

Inside Bel Canto

Sette, South Kensington, London

Creamy custard Panna Cotta

Set Menu:

• Location: Sette, 4 Sydney Street, London, SW3 6PP (nearest tube station is South Kensington)
• Date of Visit: Thursday 22^nd November
• Time of Table: 6.30pm
• Deal Bought From: Groupon
• Deal Price: £75 for Four
• Dinner Companion: Twin sister Jess, mum Tina and grandmother Jean

Getting More for your Money?

This dinner deal includes:

• Starter
• Main Course
• Dessert
• Glass of Prosecco
• For Four People

Rib-eye steak with a fresh salad twist

What we ate…

Katie:

• Starter: Butternut Squash Soup
• Main: Venison with Polenta, Shallots confit and Blueberry
• Side: Fried Courgette and Roast Potatoes (not included)
• Dessert:  Hazelnut Parfait with Chocolate Sauce

Jess:

• Starter: Smoked Duck Magret with poached cherry and baby spinach
• Main: Red Wine and Gorgonzola Risotto
• Side: Fried Courgette and Roast Potatoes (not included)
• Dessert: Panna Cotta with Peach Sauce

Love the array of glasses on the table

Tina:

• Starter: Smoked Duck Magret with poached cherry and baby spinach
• Main:Venison with Polenta, Shallots confit and Blueberry
• Side: Fried Courgette and Roast Potatoes (not included)
• Dessert: Panna Cotta with Peach Sauce

Light yet luxurious Hazelnut Parfait

Jean:

• Starter: Melon, Parma Ham and Figs
• Main: Scotch Rib-Eye with Rocket and Parmesan
• Side: Fried Courgette and Roast Potatoes (not included)
• Dessert: Hazelnut Parfait with Chocolate Sauce

What we drank…

• Glass of Prosecco each
• Bottle of Pinot Grigio Rosade Furlane 2011 (not included)
• Four Cappuccinos (not included)

Can’t beat a classic Butternut Squash Soup

What did we think?

Sette definitely has an air of glamour and prestige about it as you approach; it’s trademark red splashed vibrantly against the homely front door in a classic post box shade and a massive silver door knob, sitting pretty in the centre. Set in a slightly residential looking building, but still clearly indicated, I was intrigued to find out what was inside this South Kensington based restaurant that is yet another string to Marco Pierre White’s bow.

Only a simple five minute walk from the nearest tube station, the location is incredibly ideal, which is also a bonus in my book. I arrived later than the others due to my mad dash from the office in another part of London, yet I was welcomed and smoothly given my glass of Prosecco and a menu. I didn’t really take in my surroundings as I was searching fugitively for my family, but once seated, I loved the quirky comfortableness of the place. The water tumblers had fun multi-coloured bottoms that reflected the candle light and water across the starched white tablecloth, the plump red velvet dining chairs a mix between a hard chair and an armchair. Our table was ideally situated in the corner of the room under a slanted roof, and with my back to the rest of the tables, I felt completely in our own little world as we weren’t crowded in with tons of tables.

Decadent interior

At first glance, the menu is all fancy Italian names that leave you desperately scanning the descriptions for any clue as to what the dish may be. Although a decidedly high end menu, there was still enough varied choice to provide us with picking problems, and all of the combinations sounded amazing. As the attentive waiter shared the dishes of the day with us, I instantly leapt at the chance to have the butternut squash soup – one of my favourite flavours. It had a real rich and delicious flavour, and a thick, gloopy and slightly grainy texture. Croutons and pine nuts added some crunch to the combination, and mopped up with some leftovers from the bread basket, I was incredibly happy with my first round choice.  A decent size as well, which whetted the appetite ready for my main. I naturally had to sample the duck chosen by my mum and sister as I also adore it. It came up in very thin slices, which I have never seen before so we were all intrigued by its mere presentation, let alone its oddly delicate smoked taste.  My grandma’s traditional melon and Parma ham starter had the jazz of a classy joint, the melon curling up in a rose inside its skin.

Perfectly prepared melon

The welcoming Prosecco was wonderfully light, but for accompanying our meal, we settled on a white – the Pinot Grigio. It was a refreshing and light choice that wasn’t too overwhelming or dry so it was perfect with our meals. I was really looking forward to my main – feeling brave and daring, I had settled on the venison (which I have only had once before), since I knew it was incredibly similar to steak, yet was something different that I wouldn’t usually have. Served with polenta and shallots it sounded great and I couldn’t wait to get stuck in. It totally surpassed all of my high expectations. The venison was beautiful, the springy rare meat offering no resistance as I cut through it, yet bringing strong meaty flavours to my palette. The fruity blueberry hit in the sauce was a tasty addition, as was the shallots – I really love onion flavours with meat. I don’t think I had ever tried polenta before, and to honest, it just tasted like grainy mash, so was a nice side with the dish. The meat was definitely the star of the occasion though with such amazing taste and texture, I could probably have sat and ate it all day. We all shared some extra sides of fried courgette (the best way to brighten vegetables in my book) and roast potatoes. They came up in a good size so were more than enough to share between the four of us with our meals, which were also a really great size. There were no tiny platefuls for us, which you can sometimes find in smarter restaurants.

Mouth-watering venison – a real treat

Dessert was also included in our offer, so we dutifully perused the menu with interest. They had a couple things that I fancied, but in the end I went with the hazelnut parfait with chocolate sauce. To be absolutely honest, I wasn’t entirely sure what a parfait was, but I was pretty confident that I would like it. It turned out to be these long caramel coloured fingers of thick mousse, with chunks of hazelnut scattered on top, with a decorative squeeze of chocolate sauce across the plate. A very rich, dark chocolate scoop of ice cream was an added unexpected bonus on my plate, and boy, was it good. I really loved my dessert, as did my grandma who had the same. I sampled the panna cotta which the others had, and it was so light and gentle to eat which must have been especially refreshing with the peachy sauce.

Thinly sliced smoked duck

To conclude, we went for our trademark cappuccinos, beautifully presented with a milky heart shaped pattern on top. I don’t know why this coffee was so good, but it was unbelievably smooth, the smoothest coffee I have ever had and it was such a nice finish to the meal.

Making a second reservation? Yes, I would return to Sette, but only if I could get another meal offer. After studying the bill, the entire cost of our night out, including what we paid for the original Groupon voucher, was actually half the price that we would have paid normally. For three courses, that is a really good deal, especially with such quality food, that comes in such decently big portions. I also really wanted to sample the fusilli and duck ragu so if I returned I may be tempted to stray from the venison! However, after two visits I think I would probably run out of things I would want to try, as the menu is rather sea food heavy and fish is probably the one thing that I’m not overly fond of. Plus the sea food on this menu was also rather adventurous including octopus – I’m not sure I’d want that many legs on my plate!

Delicious Risotto of the Day

The Dinner Dates Opinion:

Jess:

“I had a very enjoyable evening at Sette. As soon as we arrived, the staff were very welcoming and attentive. The seating was comfortable and the tables were not crowded. I had the duck starter, which was so different to any other duck I had tasted before, but it was lovely and light and the perfect start to the meal. I followed it with the risotto of the day which was red wine and gorgonzola so two of my favourite flavours. It was really lovely and not too heavy and a decent portion too. For dessert I had the panna cotta, which was just so creamy. I would book again, but it is expensive so I would need a deal, but on the plus side it is a very easy walk from the station making life easier.”

Accompanied by crunch chocolate covered coffee beans

Tina:

“From the moment we arrived at Sette we felt comfortable. The surroundings were elegant but not overwhelming, the staff friendly and very efficient.  The extensive Italian menu provided so many mouth-watering offerings that it took quite a while to narrow the field, and when the maître d’ told us the specials, that turned all our choices on their heads again.  However, our final decisions turned out to be superb. I went for the magret of duck, to start followed by the venison with polenta and finished with a sublime panna cotta.  Everything was presented beautifully and tasted fantastic, and, unlike some fancy restaurants, the portions were more than adequate.  A thoroughly enjoyable evening was had by all.”

Jean:

“Three generations of our family enjoyed a three course meals at Sette’s Sydney Street restaurant. The food was excellent, also the service. I had scotch rib eye steak cooked, to perfection for me.”