Lounge Lover - Going to Shoreditch

Lounge Lover is a beautifully designed, with very eccentric taste, 

lounge bar hidden in a little street in Shoreditch. 

Known as the 'little brother' of the restaurant Les Trois Garcons, 

it was opened by the same owners to give a place to their customers 

to go for drinks before and after their meal at Les Trois Garcons.

To keep up with their style, Lounge Lover is as charming as Les Trois Garcons 

with big chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and very random eccentric deco 

such as Anatomy posters on one wall and hanging wooden horses on the side. 

A visit is needed to understand what I mean ...  

We were seated right in the middle of it all and it was pretty cool!

To be noted that Lounge Lover is not only a bar. 

It also serves food in the Japanese Tapas style and we headed there 

to try out their Winter Tasting Menu on a very cold Winter evening.

We started with a Cocktail and some Edamame served with rock salt and chilli ...

Then came the Winter Taster Menu Experience ...

Sushi Selection : Prawn & Salmon Nigiri, Loungelover Roll and Vegetable Roll

Lounge Lover Platter: Miso marinated fois gras, Duck Salad and Beef Tartare

The Beef tartare was a Winner for me! So pretty!

Beef Tartare 

Salmon Teriyaki : Pan fried salmon fillet with bok choi & Plum wine Teriyaki sauce

Rib Eye Steak : Grilled Rib eye steak served with wafu sauce and crispy sweet potato and pea shoots 

And finally ... Dessert ...

Creme Brulee Fondant and mixed berries

If you are looking for a funky place to hang out for cool cocktails and light food 

then I would definitely suggest that Lounge Lover makes it on the list ... 

but if you want to have a proper dinner with similar ambiance and atmosphere, 

then maybe Les Trois Garcons will fit better 

Portions are small here but they did warn us that it would be tapas style after all!

LOUNGE LOVER

No. 1 Whitby Street

London, E1 6JU

L'Autre Pied - Relaxed, Contemporary fine dining

During the Spring this year, I bought a Groupon Voucher for a 

7 Course Tasting Menu which was really worth it!

It was at L'Autre Pied, a Michelin Star Restaurant in Marylebone.

Although a nice experience, if not for the voucher, I would not be visiting ...  

Normal prices were through the roof and it wasn't my kinda place.

The Chef is undoubtedly talented and thanks to Groupon, we enjoyed a very tasty 

7 courses 'Tasting Menu' at a bargain price  :)

Here is our Tasting Menu :

Amuse- Bouche Surprise 

Carrot and Lime marinated pollock ceviche, fennel and ginger jelly, crushed Kohlrabi and dill oil

Pan fried cod, broccoli puree, pickled cauliflower, Ruby Grapefruit, Brioche and Black Onion Seeds

Haunch of Sika Deer, Crapaudine beetroot, Apple Puree, Tapioca and Walnuts

Farm House Cheese with Sesame Lavoche and Caramelised Figs 

Ile Flottante with Rhubarb 

And Finally ...

Baked Vanilla Cheesecake, caramelised Banana and Passion Fruit Mousse

L'AUTRE PIED

5-7 Blandford Street 

London W1U 3DB

Old Saigon - Vietnamese Dinner in Putney

For a change, that weekend, a friend managed to convince us to travel to Putney 

( South Central London)  to try this Vietnamese Restaurant 

where he has been having lunch almost everyday! 

We rarely travel so far for a meal, but because he did not stop praising the food at Old Saigon, 

we had to go see what the fuss was all about! 

And we are glad that it did not disappoint! 

We had a selection of starters as our meal to be able to taste maximum dishes and it was the best idea.

Recommending : 

vietnamese crispy pancake - chicken & bean sprouts

fresh summer rolls with prawns

Spring Rolls

Soft Shell Crab with Salt, Chilli and Garlic 

Chargrilled quail with honey and garlic 

We were not all willing to try the Frogs Legs but as I have never tried it, we gave it a go ...

It was nice ... but I wouldn't be craving for that ... ever ... :p

Fried Frog legs with butter, chilli and garlic 

Our last dish was the beef medallions which was superb. 

Well seasoned and full of flavour, it was simply delicious!

Stir fried beef medallions on salad 

No doubt that if this restaurant was not so far, we would be visiting very often but sadly ... 

it is quite the trip away for all of us. Lucky for you people who live in Putney!

The Restaurant also offers home delivery in Putney which I think is great! 

It was a lovely experience, very affordable and cheerful! We HEART Old Saigon! 

OLD SAIGON 

4 Chelverton Road

Putney, London

SW15 1RH

l'Atelier de Joel Robuchon

To celebrate my other half's birthday this year, I took him for a cosy lunch 

at l'Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Covent Garden.

I have always heard good reviews about this gem in London with 

2 Michelin Stars and finally I'm going to experience it myself.

Feedback:  AMAZING!

As we arrived at the restaurant, it was clear that it was a different world. 

Our welcome was warm and polite and we were quickly seated to our lovely table 

where we could see where the perfectionist chefs were at work. 

I loved it! So much care and attention to every single dish. 

Let the images speak for themselves as it will be hard to make justice to the wonderful meal we had!

Amuse-bouche : Layered shot of Fois Gras, Prunes coulis and Parmesan Foam

A complimentary amuse-bouche to start the experience. 

Sea bass Carpaccio served with Tobiko Eggs and Espelette chilli

Soft boiled egg with Japanese Aubergine mousseline flavoured with cumin

Our starters were very delicately prepared and the flavours were just so perfect. 

I had the Carpaccio of Seabass which was already yummy, but when I tried the other starter...

 Oh My! The oozing egg yolk mixing with the aubergine mousse was simply Fabulosio!! 

Now to the mains... 

Lamb saddle stuffed with fresh herbs, confit potatoes with lemon and garnished with a croustillant

Braised beef chuck in Red wine served with Canelloni of Carrots with aged Comte cheese

Side of Mixed coloured cauliflower with a light vinaigrette

Apologies for the blurry picture of the Braised Beef main! (-.-)  

But hey, pictures can't say it all ...  Everything tasted heaven!

Some may say the portions are small but I thought ( and even hubby agrees ) that 

the amounts were just enough to enjoy and feel satisfied...  

and most importantly, leaving room for dessert! 

For our desserts, we were moved to the Roof Top Lounge area

which also had a little open terrace where we could get some fresh air if needed. 

We chose to sit by the fire place to keep warm and then came our desserts ... 

Yuzu Tart with passion fruit and lime jelly and Banana Toffee sorbet

La Religieuse: Choux pastry filled with toffee ice cream, a 'croustillant' touch with vanilla ice-cream

What a treat! Absolutely fabulous gourmet food and a very well-fed happy couple! 

A very thoughtful touch for the Birthday Boi! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY WONDERFUL HUSBAND! 

l'Atelier de Joel Robuchon

13-15 West Street, London WC2H 9NE