London Classics 1: Lisboa Patisserie

New. Hip. Happening. I haven't been any of these things for a long time. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever been hip or happening, although I was new, sometime in the 20th century. While I appreciate that much of London's foodie appeal is based on it being trendy, it does no harm to revisit some of the capital's old timers. Places like Lisboa Patisserie, where they have been quietly doing their own thing for many a year, away from the hyperbole that so often surrounds shiny and new London openings.

When I pitched up there the other week, it was jam-packed to the rafters, so I did what any sane bloke would do; I ordered my pastries to go. It goes without saying that the pastel de nata, the iconic Portuguese egg custard tart, is the calling card of this joint. And my God, it was bloody amazing with its flaky pastry and burnt eggy custard. There were other treats such as the other tart (on the right in the photo) whose name I've forgotten. It was pretty good, but it was no pastel de nata.

So, by all means chase the new, hip, happening joints in London town, but don't forget the old favourites. They've lasted for a reason. It's because they're good, damn good, so do yourself a favour and visit them.



Lisboa Patisserie, 57 Golborne Road, London, W10 5NR (Tel: 020-8968-5242)
Nearest tube: Westbourne Park, Ladbroke Grove

Why I Love Nando's

You're probably thinking I've gone mad but I was inspired to write this post after reading this article by Miranda Sawyer in the Observer Food Monthly and by Catty's challenge to find dinner for two in Central London for less than £14.

Whilst I'm a bit sniffy about many chain eateries, I've always had a soft spot for Nando's from when I first started going in the 1990's. This might be food blogger heresy but given the choice between their piri-piri chicken and a 'gourmet' burger from the likes of Byron or GBK, more often than not, I'd go for the chicken.

The Observer article articulates far better why Nando's is so popular and it raises some interesting points. In particular, its inclusive appeal, which I think society at large can learn from. Before you think I've gone totally stark raving bonkers, where else do you see teenagers, families with young kids, pensioners, and thirtysomething food bloggers eating in the same place ? Testament to its widespread appeal is that this is one of the few non-Chinese eateries where my Mum will eat.

My usual order ? It's half chicken w/chips & corn on the cob (£9.10). For a lighter meal, I used to go for chicken breast fillet pitta w/chips (£6.60) but recently I've fallen for their chicken breast fillet wrap w/chips (£7.60) as pictured. Going back to Catty's challenge, you could easily have dinner here for two for less than £14.

I might get some stick for writing this post as Sawyer did for her Observer article but you'd have to be a fundamentalist foodie to have issues with Nando's. At the end of the day, it's a handy place to grab a quick, tasty, and relatively healthy meal.

Off The Blog

Over the last couple of weeks, I've been lucky enough to eat out a lot (and I mean a lot) - in theory this means loads of posts. However with Christmas looming, I have precious little time to actually write them. So with the exception of my review of Red 'N' Hot, you'll have to wait until the New Year for tales of my festive dining.

In the meantime, here's another one I made earlier – a round-up of three great restaurants that I enjoyed 'off the blog'. I don't post about every restaurant I visit as blogging can be hard work and sometimes I just want to relax. Then there are those meals when it isn't really appropriate to blog ! Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that I really liked these places even though I didn't give them the full blog treatment.

Like English footballers with natural flair, high-end contemporary Portuguese restaurants in London aren't all that common. To stretch this painful analogy further, Portal on St John St is the 'Joe Cole' of Portuguese restaurants and it certainly deserves more acclaim. This classy and understated Clerkenwell restaurant really shines with a beautiful conservatory and warm efficient service.

The food is excellent too and I enjoyed my three courses of fish soup, suckling pig with pumpkin galette and the poshest pasteis de nata ever. Around the table, others enjoyed the grilled venison with chestnut & mushroom ravioli and the braised bisaro with sweet potato mash.

grilled quail, photo courtesy of The Catty Life

If Portal is one of London's hidden gems, the same can't be said about Roka on Charlotte St. No one seems to have a bad word to say about this modern Japanese restaurant and it largely lives up to the hype. The restaurant sells itself on dishes from its open robata grill but the sushi and sashimi are also exceptional.

If you can, go for one of the tasting menus – highlights include wagyu sushi, grilled scallop skewers, grilled quail (pictured – thanks Catty) and their giant dessert platter. It's not cheap but I struggle to find much wrong with this buzzy restaurant and I'm usually very suspicious of over-stylised Asian places. In short, one of the best places I've eaten at since I started blogging.



In contrast to Roka and Portal, Camino is an everyday kind of place which won't break the bank. It's easily the best bar in the King's Cross area (not hard I know) and its location in the Regent Quarter development will take you far away from the grimy streets of the Cross.

The food is above par too - you can either order tapas at the bar or dine in the restaurant where they serve an excellent value set lunch (£15 for 3 courses). But what I really like about this place is its cracking selection of affordable Spanish wine (especially the red). Oh and they have 'proper' table footy where you can re-enact Barcelona v Real Madrid.