The Greenhouse, Mayfair, London

The Greenhouse restaurant, Mayfair, London.

2* Michelin

“A two Michelin star dining experience begins as you walk down a tree-lined pathway to reach The Greenhouse. London fades away and calm descends…” A heady prelusion, yes, but The Greenhouse certainly delivers on simple, elegant food nestled deep in Mayfair’s leafy residences.

This boutique French restaurant provides a warm, friendly welcome and we were soon sat at our table tucking into our canapés and a glass of champagne without a care in the world.  We opted for the lunch menu, which is a steal at £50 pp for 3 courses, a half bottle of wine, coffee and petit fours.

The menu sets out the main and complementary ingredients for each course, no more, no less. My friend chose Oxtail, I opted for Tomato to start and, as you can see from the photo, I was served a plate of the highest order. Tomato, basil, bruschetta and a gazpacho of tomato to finish. It was so fresh that it was as much a palate cleanser as it was an introduction to the beautiful mind that is Arnaud Bignon.    

For the main course, Chicken, and what a sight to behold. Not like any chicken I had ever seen but it was so tender, so moist, so flavoursome that “it tastes like chicken” just took on a new meaning. My friend made a bold choice and went for Asparagus. As a dedicated carnivore this was out of character but the menu calls out to you and, in hindsight, his was an exquisite selection. Even with my own excellence plate I had food envy.    

Dessert – Strawberry, which chocolate and basil. This was one hell of a way to finish such a fine meal, all of which was washed down with a half bottle of white and half bottle of red – both great selections on the advice of the very knowledgeable sommelier.

If you are next in London, I highly recommend The Greenhouse. I have been to a number of 2* restaurants, most of which are trying too hard to achieve the treasured 3*. The Greenhouse doesn’t, and nor should it, it’s within touching distance and it just needs to keep doing more of the same.

Wahaca, Cardiff

WAHACA

#45minutelunch

Ok, so since they opened there has been more than one review of Wahaca; why, because they're new and they're good. But here's the twist...#45minute lunch.

Maybe I've already started to become a broken record but Wahaca isn't just somewhere you go and have a 5 course meal (although there is absolutely nothing wrong with that). Oh no, you can get in and get out in well under 45 minutes and have a far better experience than a packet of sandwiches at your desk.

For this lunchtime experience I went with my friend who had arrived back from Mexico the day before. I thought, why not go there with someone who's just eaten authentic food and is likely to be tired, nostalgic and (potentially) disappointed with food that hasn't been cooked on the streets of Carayes! Now this is a real test.

For this review I'm going to limit the pictures and focus instead on the flavours. To start, we shared tomato salsa & chips - fresh and zingy with crisp tortillas, which make a welcome change to those doughy, drab tortillas you often get. Now, if you're coming to replace lunch at your desk with a bit more of experience, I wouldn't worry about forcing tortillas down you whilst you wait for your wider taste of Mexico - the staff are quick and attentive so you won't be waiting long.

We were two hungry guys looking to hit Mexico hard so we went a little crazy for our mains; in order of appearance:

3 minutes in: Chicken Pipian tacos (most unusual, chicken with pumpkin seed and tomatillo sauce - nice);

4 minutes in: Black bean tostadas (re-fried beans, avocado salsa, Lancashire cheese (?) and salsa - very nice);

4.5 minutes in (seriously fast): Chorizo and potato quesadillas (chorizo, potato, toasted tortilla - this one kind of does what it says on the paper);

8 minutes in: Pulled-pork burritos (awesome); and,

10 minutes in: Fish tacos (now these were seriously awesome - deserves a pic).

The fish tacos

I'm not proud to say (yeah ok, I am) that in the time it took the chefs to make the food, we ate it. The verdict, not only did I think it was good, but so did my friend (might have just saved myself a flight to Mexico, although they do have a lot more sun...). While we mused on how on earth they got the food out to us so quickly without using a microwave, we deduced that the ingredients are so fresh and the meals are so wonderfully simple in their design, it turns out good fast food doesn't have to be a product of fat and sugar.

You don't need to go to the extremes of food devouring that we did, but if you are in the market for simple street food at a reasonable price then pop into Wahaca - no reservation required.

Celtic Manor, Newport

CELTIC MANOR

Afternoon Tea

 

Set in the plush surroundings of the Olive Tree restaurant of the Celtic Manor, we sat down to a very impressive afternoon tea on Friday. The menu of teas was not exhaustive but we were served a light and fruity blackcurrant tea and a classic Assam. The pot was plentiful and the very attentive staff offered timely top-ups when required.

 

In addition to the traditional sandwich, cake and scone selection there was a fourth in the form of a savoury selection to start - a most welcome addition!

The savoury selection included roasted carrot soup with paprika; a tasting spoon with beetroot, goat's cheese and pear chutney; a crab brioche roll; and, a kati roll with spiced chicken. The standout was the carrot soup but the whole selection was light with some great spiced flavours.

Following our amuse bouche was the traditional tower of finger sandwiches and dainty cakes.

 I'd say the finger sandwiches were as classic as you would expect: Smoked salmon, Cheese and chutney; Pastrami with mustard; and, egg mayo. However, I cannot stand egg mayo sandwiches and yet for the first time in my life I managed to eat one! It must have been the addition of spring onion and chive but it was genuinely enjoyable.

The cakes were very good with an impressive lemon and poppy seed cornet as the star of the show ( a full list of the cakes can be found on the Celtic Manor website). By this point we were stuffed but fought admirably on through to the scone course. Thankfully (although the more gluttonous may be disappointed) there was just the one scone each, along with clotted cream and strawberry jam. Having had numerous afternoon teas, I was pleased that rather than stuff you full of scones, the Celtic Manor offer a far more varied menu. I for one welcome this invention as too often I feel there's a laziness to thinking out an afternoon tea.

 

 

The total cost was £24 pp (Monday – Friday) which I think is a very fair reflection on what you get for your money. Although if you get in there quick, they're running an offer until the 27th February where it's £18 pp for a midweek afternoon tea.

http://www.celtic-manor.com/resort-afternoon-teas

#45minutelunch

Tired of eating at your desk? I am. Tired of boring packet sandwiches and pasta salads? I am. Yet in Cardiff we have a vast range of exciting new restaurants, burger and sandwich bars.

I'm starting a campaign to take back our lunch breaks and to stop this incessant leaning towards packet sandwiches from supermarket chains.

Whenever you see the #45minutelunch, this is a fantastic meal you can have at a reasonable price and under 45 minutes; make the choice and take back your lunch.

#takebacklunch

#45minute lunch - Bomber's Sandwich House

#45minutelunch #takebacklunch

BOMBER'S SANDWICH HOUSE,

Guidhall Place, Cardiff City centre

South Wales Echo - Best sandwich bar: Winner 2015

 

 

Looking  around Guildhall Place in the centre of Cardiff, your eyes are drawn to Burger King and an all-you-can stomach Chinese - not great fare for the enthusiastic foodie. Yet situated in the midst of this food hell is food heaven in the form of Bomber’s Sandwich House.

 

As South Wales Echo’s Winner of the best sandwich bar in 2014/15, Bombers offers a welcome reprieve from the mundane lunch fare in the form of a number of interesting and varied sandwiches, salads and soups; simple food done very, very well.

The menu varies and today’s largely offered a spice mix which is fantastic to warm your heart at this time of year.

 

 

I went for the ‘Vietnamese Banh Mi’, introduced by the French to Vietnam during its colonial period. The baguette is filled with pickled veg, coriander, chilli, paté, Vietnamese mayonnaise and chicken breast marinated in Asian spices.

The baguette was full of fresh, warming flavours, devoured in minutes (with a brief pause to allow myself a self-satisfied smile).

At £3.95 it’s a steal with other dishes coming in at under £5. I was in, ordered and sat with my freshly made sandwich within minutes.  

I’d strongly recommend that you visit their website at:

http://www.bombers-sandwich-house.co.uk/#

and follow them on Facebook and Twitter for daily updates on the menu!

The Discovery Inn, Roath, Cardiff

THE DISCOVERY INN

South Wales Echo - Pub Meals: Winner 2015


We visited on the eve of the Discovery Inn receiving the South Wales Echo Pub Meal winner 2015, and as usual were not disappointed.

Part of the same group that includes the Conway and the Pilot, the Discovery Inn sits tucked away at the top of Roath Park Lake - out of sight but not out of mind.

We have visited the 'Disco' on many occasions and with its ever changing blackboard menu you rarely have the same meal twice (although they do have a classics menu for when you simply must have their burger!).


On this occasion, something new and interesting to start - confit duck with waffles, a maple & bourbon jus with a gooey cinnamon crumble. I wouldn't normally order waffles to start, but my interest was piqued and I was not disappointed. Perhaps the only tweak I'd recommend it some more of the jus!

 

 

For mains, baked cod with chorizo, spinach, sautéed potatoes and paprika oil. What a lovely and light dish with that smoky, spicy flavour that warms the soul on a cold winter night. I admit, there was a burger ordered as well but in my haste it was devoured before pictures could be taken...







Now we wouldn't normally finish off a Monday night dinner with a dessert, but it felt rude not too. There's always a good selection of desserts, a baked Alaska went down really well once, and tonight was no exception. The choice was difficult and in the end we left ourselves with a shortlist of the Snickers tart with salted caramel, a giant Ferrero Rocher or a warm chocolate brownie with pistachio ice cream. We went with the latter, and it provided a fine end to a really nice meal.

Three quality courses for £24; you'd struggle to find any other pub that could offer anywhere near that level of cooking for such a good value price. Starters normally range from £4 - £7; mains £8 - £14 (steak is usually a little more) and desserts are £5. They also offer a very reasonable lunch menu that will fill you up whilst being light on the wallet.

Having frequented the Disco on many occasions, especially when we simply want some good food at a low price, we'd strongly recommend it. Congratulations on winning the award!

For the other category winners, follow the link below:

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/south-wales-echo-food-drink-8610200