J Sheekey has long been part of London’s eating scene - it dates back as far as 1896. However, it's only since its relaunch by the people behind the Ivy that it's really been worth a visit. The freshness and availability of all Sheekey’s ingredients mean they have no restaurant set menu; instead, a wonderful selection of dishes of the day served by some of the friendliest, most knowledgeable staff you could wish for. It's definitely worth booking as far in advance as you possibly can.
Turkish Food Centre (also known as TFC) has a huge selection of Turkish and Mediterranean food that's high quality but at amazingly low prices. You get exotic fruits and vegetables at road market prices but at qualities comparable to major supermarkets. It also has a huge selection of chilled foods, tinned foods, herbs and spices, pulses, fresh Turkish breads, and even a butcher! You can get Filo pastry, stuffed olives, coriander, etc.
89 Ridley Road London, E8 2NH
Telephone: 020 72546754.
Nearest station: Dalston/Kingsland
Or bus 242 from Liverpool St station to Dalston Junction.
Fuzzy's Grub on Fleet Street, London, offers the most satisfying lunch you can imagine - just don't have too many meetings in the afternoon (in case you fall asleep). Fuzzys Grup offers you Sunday roast (even including the Yorkshire pud) for a very reasonable GBP4-5 and the packed queue each lunchtime attests to its quality and taste. Opened in 2002, this place has quickly become a London city worker institution and is often frequented by bankers, lawyers and other professionals on the lunch break. Service is quick and with a smile. It's close to the offices and therefore sets a good challenge to the also delightful Borough market situated south of the river by London bridge.
Fuzzys Grub can be found on Fleet Street, London, EC3V 3PD, 020 7621 0555
www.fuzzysgrub.com/
Good food can be quite hard to come by in London (particularly when comparing to Asia), however, one gem famed for both celebrity spotting and for its delightful high tea and breakfast is the Wolseley at Green Park. Located next to the Ritz, this restaurant is the premier destination for anyone who wants to enjoy good quality food as reasonable (around £50 a head) food.
One great tip is to start your business day off here with a meeting. Breakfast is sublime with excellent bakery from the kitchen. Its central location makes it great for anyone staying in the city. High tea is also a great treat. Speciality teas, fine finger sandwiches, moist scones and the most delicate pastries found this side of Paris.
Green Park, London
www.thewolseley.com
For a great dining experience on the Thames in East London, not far from the City, try visiting the Shad Thames area and Pont de la Tour. Great seafood, wine and atmosphere overlooking Tower Bridge. They have both a relaxed bistro and a more formal dining room for business dinners.
The Butlers Wharf Building
36d Shad Thames
London SE1 2YE
Tel: 020 7403 8403
Artisan, at The Westbury Hotel, is one of my favourite restaurants in London. Serving seasonal modern European food, the menu changes regularly. Don't let the fact that it is located within a hotel put you off. The decor is classic, the service is impeccable and the food fabulous. And whilst everything is to a high standard, the place doesn't feel pretentious. I have been there on business lunches, and for dinner with friends.
If you are in London for the weekend, try out Sunday brunch at Blue Elephant, Fulham Broadway (around a 15 minute tube/taxi ride from central London). Here you can experience some excellent Thai cuisine in an elegant setting. Various 'stations' have chefs preparing your food in front of you. The cost is GBP25 + service and is well worth the discovery!
Casa do Pasto in the centre of Castel de Vide is a great place to eat. Every time we visit this area we always go here for dinner, homecooking at its best and fantastic value. Eat outside in the warm summer months and admire this ancient and historic town in the mountain range called the Serra de Sao Mamede. A place where you will discover some great walks.
Casa de Pasto: Rua de Santa Maria de Baixo, 10
Tel: 245 919 034
It is very romantic for couples, also a great treat for the family. The four-course meal is fantastic, also you get to see all the Paris sights as you take your time eating dinner and drinking wine and listening to the sounds of the piano. A great way to spend lunch or dinner.
Very nice French restaurant, grand and expensive-looking, like from a movie. They have a vast English menu, the salmon I had was fantastic, also a good range of desserts. Waiters were very friendly as well and spoke good English.
Opposite entrance of Gare de l'Est
Definitely find the cafe at the Uffizi - lovely rooftop views and not too expensive. Sit outside and escape the hoardes of art viewers for a few minutes.
Top floor, Uffizi
Very useful guide to food and wine in Mallorca.
Find more than 250 of the best restaurants, wine estates, gourmet shops and general info about gastronomy!
You have never tasted anything like the unpasteurized bliss available in special Paris shops- check "points de vente" on pascalbeillevaire.com
Butter is not even mentioned on the website (merely their cheese) so go to the shop best suited to your whereabouts and buy a package or two of beurre cru croquant. Bliss bliss bliss.
Choose the shop that best suits your own Paris address via www.pascalbeillevaire.com
Thanks to John Brunton for his article on budget bistrots. I was so glad to see La Boulangerie on the little, not easy to find street as the number two in the area no one ever mentions, the great 20th arrondissement.
I do love La Boulangerie myself for its exciting food and wonderful atmosphere at remarkable prices. For as long as the bliss lasts - I fear it may get well-known.
Easiest to get to by bus 96 heading towards Porte des Lilas, get off at Julien Lecroix, walk downwards on that same side of the street and to your left is the little dwindling Rue des Panoyaux
Not famed for its quality Japanese food, London has only a handful of good Japanese restaurants. If you want to step away from the pretentious or expensive, then try Brewer Street, just north of Exit 1 at Piccadilly station. Here you will find a number of Japanese restaurants and a Japanese supermarket. My personal recommendation would be for Ten Ten Tei (apparently one of the first Japanese restaurants in London). The small and cosy interior is supported by good quality food at reasonable prices. Main meals are around GBP10 and set menus from GBP15.
Exit one from Piccadilly station. 56 Brewer Street, London, W1F 9TJ
0871 332 28399
For dining, Caprice is a sure-fire winner. The chef here is Vincent Thierry who used to run the famous Le Cinq in Paris and the food is always excellent. You also have pretty harbour views. It’s quite formal so is a good place to go with clients, but if you want somewhere a bit more laid-back, then try Di Vino on Wyndham Street, which also has an excellent wine list.
Using fresh, locally-grown ingredients to re-create rustic Andalucian cuisine with a contemporary touch, Al Lago has to be one of the best eating houses in the Sierra de Grazalema area of western Andalucia. If you are in the area give it a try, you won't be disappointed.
www.al-lago.es
Calle Felix Rodriguez de la Fuente, 11
Zahara de la Sierra, 11688 (Cádiz), Spain
phone: + 34 956 123 032
mobile: + 34 662 052 553
It's a small boat operator in Lisbon with intimate boats carrying up to 7 people and very cheap. Lovely music on board and superb service by the skipper.
We tried a Old Lisbon tour and it was very nice. Then the guy suggested us to have dinner in the Atira-te ao Rio restaurant in the south side of Lisbon near the bridge and we went on the boat and had a great meal and came back on the boat to Alcantara. If you don't take the tour, you should try the restaurant and you can go by boat as well.
www.marlinboattours.com, +351 919275509. Departures from Alcantara Docs and Belem, but better to call first.
I lived in Hong Kong for four years and by far the most impressive view of Hong Kong island is from 'Aqua', a bar/restaurant at the 29th floor of 1 Peking Rd, Tsim Tsa Tsui on the Kowloon side. On the floor above Aqua there is a Chinese Restaurant called 'Hutong' that is also very impressive and with dimmed lighting to enhance the view even more.
1 Peking Rd, Tsim Tsa Tsui. www.aqua.com.hk/
Timber Quay is a restaurant which serves good food at a reasonable price. The decor is modern and clean - a great stop for lunch.
100 Strand Road, Londonderry, BT48 7NR
Tel: 028 71370020.