REVIEW: PARAMOUNT

Paramount is located on the 31st/32nd floors of Centre Point and features what has to be one of the best restaurant views in London. One of city's most recognised buildings it sits on New Oxford Street and has breathtaking 360 degrees views out over the capital for as far as the eye can see.

Paramount is split into two sections, the bar on floor 32 which serves a selection of imaginative cocktails and bar food - our favourites were the Liberty Cocktail; a long, sweet and fruity, a concoction of Grey Goose Poire, Chambord, Maple Syrup, Lemon Juice, Raspberries, Plum Bitters, Cranberry & Apple Juice and the Roseberry Fizz; a Lychee Liqueur, Rose Syrup, Lemon Juice, Raspberries and Champagne.

The restaurant on the floor below is a slightly more formal affair with a modern European menu  created by Chef Colin Layfield. We visited for dinner and started with the Scottish Beef Carpaccio, Pickled Young Vegetables, Horseradish Panna Cotta with Bone Marrow & Caper Toast. The dish was well thought out, the flavours and textures complimented each other perfectly and as a starter it left us wanting more.

For mains the Sea Bass with Dill Gnocchi, Fresh Peas, Broad Beans & Cucumber, Caviar Sauce was a pleasant dish although the gnocchi was a little too chewy. Dessert was a plate of Valrhona Chocolate mini puds including a samosa, cheesecake and fondant which went down a storm. The food at Paramount is pretty decent but the prices are a little steep, however those views alone are worth the splurge. Bound to impress lovers, friends and family!

Centre Point, 101-103 New Oxford Street, WC1A
www.paramount.uk.net

VALENTINE WARNER AT PIZZA EXPRESS...

Pizza Express have recruited celebrity chef Valentine Warner to create two new pizzas for them to add to their already extensive menu. In fact, we should say re-recruited, as Warner has worked for them previously in a very different capacity, as a waiter during his studying days. His two creations are available in all Pizza Express restaurants.  To celebrate the collaboration we went along to one of the restaurants for a pizza masterclass...

His fennel and salami pizza is heavy on the fennel but without the strong aniseed taste you might expect. Fresh fennel is combined with fennel infused salami and fennel seeds along with chilli flakes and mozzarella. The flavours are mild but complementary with the fresh herb working well with the soft salami. Finished with lemon oil and grana padano, this is a great pizza we'd be delighted to see become a permanent addition to the menu.

The second pizza is a classic puttanesca (which we didn't realise had quite such a filthy English translation - google it) with a stronger, more intense combination of toppings. Bold olives and capers give it a salty hit, but the real punch comes from marinated anchovies making this a very robust pizza even before the fresh red chillies, garlic oil and fresh oregano. As well as eating Valentine's pizzas, you can experience him introducing them too using your smartphone. Simply scan the QR code on the menu and it will activate a video of him sharing his inspiration for the pizzas. Also new to the menu is a new coleslaw side dish, white cabbage, spring onion, carrot and rocket in the Pizza Express house dressing. And to finish the meal, a new raspberry sorbet has been introduced - dairy free and low in fat too.

www.pizzaexpress.com

STREET KITCHEN ROAST DINNER POP-UP

No sooner has Street Kitchen finished its Battersea burger pop-up is it setting up kitchen again, only this time it's knocking out roast dinners! The pop-up roast joint will also be located down in Battersea and will run for four weeks - two have already passed so if you want to check it out act fast!

The meals are made using 100% organic produce direct from Riverford with 'pimped up' seasonal vegetables, a delicious organic roast and an indulgent selection of desserts. We like the sound of the pimped up veg (obviously!) and the slow roast shoulder of lamb with caramelised onions and salsa verde, just what a Sunday is all about.

The two course Sunday Roast will cost £25 for adults and £9 for kids who can enjoy entertainment from Sharkey and George. The roast with the most...

 Sun 29th April & Sun 6th May
33 Parkgate Road, SW11
http://riverfordsundaylunches.eventbrite.co.uk

POP-UP RESTAURANT

Lookie what we have here - another pop-up restaurant and what's more it is for charity and only costs five quid!  Citroën Ds5 have teamed up with Tim Anderson to create a unique pop-up restaurant with a menu which will "delight the senses" and raise money for Fareshare. Each course will focus on one of the five senses - we've heard there will be duck served in glass and leather for you to eat with your hands and a smoking jelly!

"Delicious by DS5" will be based in Shoreditch at a secret location. Bookings can be made via Citroën UK's Facebook page but they will be allocated via a lottery system.

Running from Wednesday 16th May - Saturday 20th May - Lap it up people!

www.facebook.com/CitroenUK

REVIEW: VOLUPTÉA...

Putting the 'tea' into 'tease', the Volupté Lounge in Holborn offers a sexy twist on traditional afternoon tea, served here with a portion of risqué burlesque cabaret. The decadence of the sandwiches and cakes is matched evenly by the sauciness of the entertainment, with each feel equally naughty.

The atmosphere in the venue is that of an old time speakeasy, with a DJ playing jazz classics and waitresses dressed in classic 1940's style. Even the clientele make an effort with an emphasis on glamour and sophistication. Kicking off the event, we were presented with a selection of dainty finger sandwiches. Containing a variety off fillings, we sampled Parma ham, coronation chicken, egg mayo, cheese and onion and cucumber and cream cheese. Presented on varying types of bread, the contrast between them was as pleasant as the fillings themselves.

Of course, being afternoon tea, a heavy emphasis is placed on the drinks. If you're a traditionalist (or nursing a hangover), you could try a traditional tea, but we opted for a pot of refreshing, fragrant Earl Grey. Alternatively if you're feeling a little more naughty (and who could blame you in this atmosphere), cocktails based around tea are served in teapots. We tried the 'From Russia With Love', a punchy cocktail of black coffee, vanilla Stolichnaya, Kahlua and Cointreau. Served hot, the orange notes of the Cointreau come through straight away, followed by a strong caffeine kick.

While we enjoyed our cocktails, the entertainment began. Compered by the delectable Tempest Rose, the set kicks off with her interpretations of modern pop songs in a sultry jazz style. While she keeps her clothes on, the following acts most certainly do not. Dolly Rose is a storytelling performer, using mime and suggestion as part of her striptease, followed by the vivacious Honey Wilde, voted one of the top 100 burlesque performers worldwide with a playfully cheeky reveal taking us into the interval.

The break was the signal for us to receive the second course of our tea, consisting of fresh scones (some plain, some delectably dotted with pistachios and raisins) with clotted cream and jam, plus a selection on patisseries including double chocolate cookies, marshmallow rose macaroons and butterscotch poppy seed cake. The portions are large, with us struggling to consume all the treats between us. Although we're pretty sure that clotted cream and cake do not constitute health foods, today is all about being a little bit naughty, so leave your food hang ups at the door.

The second half of the show starts of with more songs from Tempest Rose, a second tease routine from Dolly Rose follows, who proves herself to be a very talented dancer before the highlight of the afternoon, the second appearance of Honey Wilde. Entering the stage dressed as Margaret Thatcher, she mimes the famous 'This lady is not for turning' speech before seductively disrobing, save for a Conservative rosette conserving her modesty. Who says the Tory's don't know how to have fun...

Tickets cost £42 for tea and the show and are worth every penny. With first rate acts and tea as delicious as we've had anywhere in London, this is a truly remarkable afternoon that would be the perfect way to celebrate a birthday, engagement or other special event. Afternoon tea is good, but afternoon tease is much, much better.

Volupté Lounge, 9 Norwich Street EC4A
www.volupte-lounge.com

**Special Fundraising event...
Charity begins at home on 26th April with a fabulous fundraiser for The Albert Kennedy Trust at Volupté. Raising money for the cause the only way they know how – cabaret, old chum! – join them for an evening of epic entertainment with singing sensation Beverly Stone taking to the stage and 50% of proceeds donated at the end of the night. There's also a new cocktail for the occasion, the Marilyn Monroe, with £3 for every one sold also going to the charity. Book tickets here

STREET FEAST NIGHT MARKET

Yet another night market is hitting East London, this time it's popping up in Brick Lane. Not that we're complaining we know there were quite a few unhappy Londoners when The Red Market in Shoreditch and The Long Table in Dalston announced they were coming to an end.

Street Feast will take place every Friday night for 12 weeks from May 4th until July 20th. As well as some of the top London street food vendors, including Big Apple Hot Dogs, The Rib Man, Home Slice and Kimchi Cult there will be a fully licensed cocktail bar serving cash was themed drinks, a private dining area 'The Car Wash Dining Room' and street artists making live artwork.

It certainly beats a greasy kebab and what's more its during Summer so it should hopefully be a little hotter than its Dalston version, although we can't say if it will be any less busy!
Kicking off Friday 4th May, 5pm - midnight
Sclater Street Car Park, 91 Sclater Street, E1
www.streetfeastlondon.com

BACK IN THE USSR - PARKHOLME SUPPERCLUB...

In the early 1990's a revolution took place in Eastern Europe, The Soviet Union crumbled and from the ashes rose 15 independent states, each with their own unique national identity, cultures and cuisines. Spreading throughout the cold North-Western Baltic states to the southern republics on the Caspian and Black Seas to the central Asian desert states, this means incredible diversity between dishes with distinct regionality. We don't see much cuisine from the former Soviet states in London, so many of their dishes remain a mystery to us.

However, the Parkholme Supperclub in Dalston are bringing the cuisine of the region to London for two very special nights next month, May 1st (Labour Day - a natural fit for the former communist counties) and May 8th. The event is also a fundraiser for international charity Medecins Sans Frontieres, a humanitarian aid organisation that works all over the world including many of these states. Human rights and personal freedoms are limited at best in many of these states, meaning that the work of the charity is crucial in maintaining stability. A suggested donation is £40, of which around £35 will go directly to the charity with the rest covering the cost of ingredients. All the staff are volunteers and the organisation is entirely not-for-profit.

Chefs have been recruited for the occasion from many of these states, so the cooking will be genuinely authentic. From the baltic region will be Latvian herring with carrots and onions and Lithuanian Cepelinai, a potato dish with a bacon sauce. Moving South, you could try Gulbishik from Belarus, Ukrainan Borscht (beetroot soup), or Moldovan Placinta - baked cheese and raisins in pastry. The Caucasus region will supply Batlijani from Georgia – aubergines with walnut paste and pomegranate seeds, and Armenian Summer Bozbash with okra and lamb.

The Central Asian States are well represented too, with Turkmenistani fish dumplings from the Caspian sea, chickpea and onion stew from Tajikistan, Lamb pilaff from Uzbekistan and Sour Mutton Stew from Kazakhstan. Everything you know about Kazakhstan is almost certainly based on a fictional character, so it's worth going into this with a completely open mind! Most excitingly of all though is the Torte Napoleon, a totally amazing Russian dessert baked in 16 individual layers and completely worth all the effort.

So, as they around these parts - nazdarovye! A toast to good food, a great evening's entertainment and supporting a very worthwhile cause.

Tues 1st May & Tues 8th May
Parkholme Road, Dalston, E8.
www.parkholmesupperclub.co.uk

REVIEW: LANTANA

Lantana is a small Australian cafe tucked away down a little alley just off Goodge Street. The menu features a small selection of imaginative dishes made using mostly local, organic or homemade ingredients, many of which are served for both breakfast, brunch and lunch. The coffee is strong and hot, the Chai Tea is fully spiced, the orange juice is freshly squeezed and there are a fair few beers and wines on offer.

We recently went along to try out the Baked eggs and we were suitably impressed. The eggs are served with roast mushrooms, spicy chickpeas, spinach, whipped feta and toasted Turkish bread. They take around 15 minutes to cook but are well worth the wait - slightly more of a mega mix of ingredients than other baked eggs but they pack a punch and kept us stuffed for most of the day. Other standout dishes include Corn fritters stacked with crispy bacon, fresh rocket, slow roast tomatoes, chilli jam and crème fraiche and slow cooked Boston baked beans with organic pork belly, spinach, poached eggs and grilled cornbread.

If you fancy some Lantana in your life you'll be happy to hear that the company have just opened a second cafe, Salvation Jane with the same menu meaning you now get the goodness at two locations! Salvation Jane is located just off Old Street and opened just this month.

Take our advice and make sure you grab one of their homemade blondies, even if it's to take home.

13 Charlotte Place, Fitzrovia, W1T
www.lantanacafe.co.uk

FAT CHEEKS' POP UP

There's another roast dinner pop-up heading for East London, setting up shop at the Pie & Mash Shop on Broadway Market. Not that we're complaining we bloody love a good roast!

This time it's ran by FAT CHEEKS a new venture from duo Juni Ross and Michelin-trained chef Gareth Thomas. With a good old-fashioned Sunday roast as their first culinary venture Fat Cheeks will offer three roasts (beef,pork belly or chicken) and two classic English puddings (a seasonal crumble with Cornish clotted cream or selection of British Cheeses) - all made with locally sourced ingredients.

A ‘surprise’ Bloody Mary and a live acoustic performance of Brazilian beats and jazz will also be part of the Fat Cheeks dining experience. Together with the charm of the Victorian building unchanged since opening in 1900 this new venture promises to be fresh, wholesome with a perfect relaxing Sunday vibe.

Fat Cheeks’ first Sunday roast costs twenty five quid for a 2-course meal with a drink. If you can't make it don't worry they are more in the pipeline - we'll tell you info more when we have it.

Sun 29th April, 2pm - 7pm
9 Broadway Market, Dalston, E8
www.fatcheeks.co.uk

REVIEW: THE GILBERT SCOTT

The Gilbert Scott is located in the St Pancras Grand Hotel which was reopened last year following a full face-lift which saw the interiors restored to their former glory. Marcus Wareing is behind the restaurant which serves up old school English dishes with a modern twist and features an imaginative menu which changes seasonally.

Inside the restaurant is bright and airy with beautiful high ceilings, leather booths, cutlery so clean you can see your face in it and white table cloths - whilst it may sound formal it doesn't feel like the kind of place you have to whisper.

We started with the signature cocktail, the 1873, named after the year the Midland Grand Hotel originally opened, a combination of gin, apple and rhubarb with cranberry juice and ‘fizz'. Food wise we struggled to choose - the dishes all sounded so appealing - starters were a huge success; the homemade black pudding served in a generous block with mash and roasted apples was full of flavour, although a little bit too filling! The Dorset crab was a mound of fresh crab, well seasoned with pomelo, chili, fennel and coriander in a light mayonnaise.

A main dish of pan fried John dory was a large piece of meaty white fish served on the bone alongside sweet tomatoes and artichokes. To go with another main of tender lamb we thought it only right to order a side of yorkshire puddings and gravy which came as a small bowl filled full of mini yorkshire puds - amaze!

Whilst all of the food was exceptional for us the winning dish was the Mrs Beeton's Snow Egg, a perfectly formed steamed meringue egg filled with rhubarb and surrounded in custard with a scattering of almonds - it actually tasted like boiled rhubarb and custard sweeties and that's no bad thing!

We finished off with The Gilbert Scott's house blend of coffee and some of the delicate handmade fruit and nut truffles.  A great wine list and attentive, friendly service only added to our experience. We can't recommend The Gilbert Scott enough - it's one London restaurant we'll definitely go back to. Take the parents, take the misses or take a date - it's an all rounder!

The Gilbert Scott, St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, Euston Road, NW1
www.thegilbertscott.co.uk

REVIEW: BELL AND BRISKET

Simplicity is an art form that has eluded many London restaurants. Long menus that take an hour to read, or unnecessarily over-complicated recipes that distract from the essential quality of the ingredients. This is not a problem at Bell and Brisket however, which eschews all complications and keeps everything nice and simple.

Specialising in salt beef sandwiches and bagels, the menu is simplicity itself. Inspired by classic Reuben sandwiches, you are required to choose no more than which type of cheese you'd like to accompany the salt beef. While this obviously isn't great news for vegetarians, it's perfect for the rest of us because focusing on a narrow menu has allowed the sandwiches to be developed to perfection.

A traditional Reuben would be salt beef, pickles, sauerkraut and thousand island dressing on rye bread, but Bell and Brisket have put their own British twist on this. We sampled the Lord Rupert which uses pickled cabbage in place of the sauerkraut and cheddar cheese in place of the swiss cheese; and the Blue Rupert which is identical except with Stilton in place of the cheddar. The sandwiches are stacked high with layers upon layers of beef providing a very satisfying bite between crisp dark rye bread. The melted cheese is an inspiration and - in our opinion - even better than the classic dressing. Served with kimchee-style spicy pickled vegetables and chips, it's a great sized meal and is even better when accompanied with a pint.

The second reason to come here is for the pickleback shots - a shot of whiskey chased down with a shot of pickle brine, which tastes a lot better than it sounds! The salty pickle juice cleanses the palate and compliments the sandwich perfectly. Be warned though, they're quite moreish and it's unlikely you will be able to stop after one.

The Bell and Brisket is a nomadic enterprise that pops up in various places all over the city, but their present home is at The Queens Head in the heart of Soho, a quirky back street pub. Having previously operated from Brewer Street market, they will again be taking their deli delights to the streets and will be popping up in East London for the duration of the Olympics. Look out for them, because you never know where they will pop up next.

The Queens Head, 15 Denman Street, W1
www.thebrisket.co.uk

*Photo TikiChris

REVIEW: CEVICHE

Ceviche is a brand spanking new Peruvian restaurant located on Firth Street in the heart of Soho. The restaurant specialises in ceviche (it's in the name) which is a national dish of Peru made up from raw fish marinated in lime and chilli. There are eight different options of ceviche as well as a selection of other hot and cold dishes designed to share which arrive at the table as and when they are ready.

We started with a salmon ceviche which was fresh, punchy and bursting with citrus flavour. This was followed by Yucas (fried cassava served with Huancaina sauce), a potato style vegetable, cut and fried to resemble fat chips. Grilled Chicken Skewers were another standout dish, two skewers of chilli and garlic seasoned tender chicken served with a tacu, tacu and amarillo sauce. On the salad side we'd recommend the tasty Solterito made up of broad beans, choclo corn, feta and olives coated in aji amarillo vinaigrette.

From the cocktails to the shots it's all about the Pisco, a grape brandy liquor made in Peru - we drank the signature Pisco Sours and Peruvian beer. Pisco Sours come in at just £5.50 and other cocktails around £7.50 which is a pretty good deal for Soho. At the front of the restaurant is a counter which allows for guests to drink and dine in a less formal way whilst watching the chefs at work - Perfect for after work drinks and nibbles.

The only grumble we had was the space issue, the restaurant is so compact that when it's quiet it can feel like the table next to you is a little too close, that said once the space fills up and the atmosphere is buzzing you hardly notice. The decor is cool and quirky with an eclectic collection of artwork and old school Peruvian records playing in the restaurant and toilets. We have no doubt Ceviche will be rolled out around the city soon, it's like the Peruvian Wahaca and that is no bad thing!

Ceviche, 17 Frith Street W1D
www.cevicheuk.com

SPRING FORTH!

The sun is just about threatening to reveal itself from behind the clouds for the first time this year, the nights are getting longer and lighter, it can all only mean one thing - that Spring is nearly here! To welcome in the new season, secret dining club Parlour Tricks are throwing a very special Spring-themed feast complete with food and flowers and romantic candlelit dancing in a florist's warehouse for one night only.

On Friday 20th April, for the price of £45, you are invited to sit amongst the flowers and experience an exquisite three-course meal cooked by a Michelin-starred chef with a selection of hand-picked wines. Following the meal, you will be led to the candlelit warehouse to dance, drink and carouse with live music, punch and cocktails.

The menu consists of a melange of seasonal veg to start, plus quail's eggs, soil (yes, seriously, it's on the menu), truffles and flowers - possibly edible, possibly not. We dare you to find out! The main course is a choice of stuffed saddle of wild rabbit with rabbit pie or a very seasonal British asparagus and wild chive tartlet with Jersey royals. Dessert is a flower infused panna cotta with poached Yorkshire rhubarb before the real treat of the party amongst the flowers.

As a secret dining event, we can't tell you exactly where it will be held, but if you were to imagine it was in Hackney then you wouldn't be far wrong if you know what we mean! This event promises to be intimate, exquisite but above all fun, so book your tickets in advance as this is sure to sell out. To buy tickets and reserve your space, click here 

Friday 20th April, 7:30pm - 2am
www.parlour-tricks.co.uk

REVIEW: BENITO'S HAT

Benito's Hat is a small London Mexican chain which knocks out Burritos, Tacos, Salads and Soups made to order using fresh, healthy ingredients. A new outlet recently opened in Kings Cross meaning our train journeys back North will never be the same again - In your face East Coast over priced, greasy toasties!

After writing about the half price food offer we thought we'd pop along to the Goodge Street branch and check out their Burritos. Ordering is pretty straight forward, you choose your meal, your base (Cilantro rice, Black beans or Refined beans), then your filling (we went for the Braised Pork and Felipe's Chicken) and finally you load the bad boy up with toppings (cheese, guacamole, salsa etc).

There's no messing about here, the Burritos are huge! The Braised Pork was tender, juicy meat as was the chicken which is slow braised in Achiote and Tomatoes - a slight change from the usual Burrito offerings. The restaurants also serve dessert but if you can manage one you've got a lot more guts than us!

There's cocktails, beers, wines and fresh juices to drink and you can sit in or take out. A great cheap eats option with a Burrito coming in at around £6. Beats a pre-packaged sarnie any day of the week!

56 Goodge Street, W1T
www.benitos-hat.com

RIBSTOCK....

Following the success of the chilli stand off last year the Tweat Up gang are once again hosting a cooking competition only this time it's all about the ribs! Ribstock hits Soho on Saturday 28th April taking place in St Anne's Churchyard for a full 7 hours. Ten of the UK's top Rib Chefs and Restaurants will compete against each other to find out just who makes the best ribs.

Tickets will set you back £25 and include 3 free drinks and all of the ribs one can eat. There are only 500 places and 150 have already gone - The rest of the tickets go on sale at noon today.

Good Luck guys these will sell out like hot ribs...

Saturday 28th April, noon - 7pm
www.ribstock.co.uk

REVIEW: GIOVANNI RANA

Move over Zizzi and Strada, there's a new Italian in town offering great food and good value...
Italian celebrity chef has brought his restaurant chain to London for the first time opening a venue near Regent's Park. With over a dozen restaurants in Italy, we can expect this venue to be the first of many to appear in the city and possibly nationwide. If the name sounds familiar to you, it may be because you've heard of his range of supermarket pasta, and Rana's background is as a producer before moving into the restaurant business and eventually becoming a TV chef - this appreciation for the whole process certainly shines through in his restaurant.

The atmosphere here is casual and relaxed, ideal for a lunch with colleagues or a chilled out meal with friends in the evening. The decor is shiny and modern with the restaurant housed in a brand new building beneath the skyscrapers just north of the Euston Road. We visited on a quiet Monday night but although the restaurant was far from full the atmosphere was still pleasant and the staff were very attentive and polite.

To kick our meal off, we ordered the Tavola board for two, consisting of cured meats, cheese and bread. We sampled peppery salami Milano, smoky Speck ham and Parma ham that melted on the tongue. The cheese selection contained two types of pecorino - a hard crumbly sheep's milk cheese and a softer cow's milk cheese, all served with artisan bread, olives and chutney.

Don't expect to find pizza on the menu here, Rana prides himself on his pasta, meat dishes and seafood. We tried the swordfish steak served atop a large portion of potato and artichoke salad, which looked as good as it tasted. The presentation was faultless and the fish was beautifully grilled, soft and moist throughout. We also sampled the pappardelle with duck ragu, long ribbons of pasta with shredded duck in a very simple sauce. Too many restaurants serve pasta dishes swimming in sauce but Rana serves his with a more authentic minimalist sauce, allowing the meat to shine through.

Many restaurants of this quality could charge far more than Rana does, making this restaurant exceptionally good value. The average price of a pasta dish is around £9 with the average meat or fish dish costing around £15. The combination of good food, good service and good value means that Rana is set to be a success, we know that we'll certainly be back.

17-19 Triton Street, Regent's Place NW1
www.dagiovannirana.com/uk

DELIVERANCE OPEN NEW HERNE HILL KITCHEN...

Food delivery service Deliverance has opened a brand new kitchen in Herne Hill from which freshly-cooked dishes developed by top chefs; LEON ex-head chef Benny Peverelli and Thai food writer Kay Plunkett-Hogge will be dispatched.

The new kitchen will see dishes arriving at homes just 30 minutes after the order is placed. Perfect for those dinner party occasions when you open the oven and see that joint of pork you're cooking is burnt to a crisp! Just make sure you send him to the back door, that way they'll never know.

The kitchen is set to launch a new menu created by the chefs, including "Deliverance’s tastiest ever pizza", which will have its dough freshly prepared on-site in the Herne Hill kitchen, Thai fishcakes and American grill burgers. As a special treat Londontheinside have managed to bag our readers 10% off their next orders placed within the next seven days - BONUS - just use the code LONDL when you order (standard T's&C's apply)

Locals can place orders over the phone on 0844 875 0400, online or via their iPhone app. The new Herne Hill kitchen delivers from 5pm to 11pm daily, to the following post-codes: SE15 4, SE21 7+8, SE22 8+9, SE24 0+9, SE5 8+9, SW2 1-3 +5, SW9 6-8. To check Deliverance delivery areas, visit the website.

www.deliverance.co.uk

REVIEW: CINNAMON SOHO

Cinnamon Soho is the newest addition to Vivek Singh's Indian restaurant group which includes the Cinnamon Club and Cinnamon Kitchen, that previously received our seal of approval. The new restaurant is less formal than its two sisters, both in terms of the atmosphere and menu.

Located on Kingly Street, the restaurant, which is only two weeks old is already proving popular with the press, who have taken a liking to its balls. We started with a selection of these so called balls which were ten balls made up of five different flavours, each flavour accompanied by a homemade sauce or chutney. Of the balls the Crab Cake and Bangla-Scotch Egg were our favourites - small, seriously tasty, sexy balls!

We followed with the Lucknow-style Black Leg chicken biryani, a generous portion served piping hot in a stone oven pot, with tender chunks of chicken and well spiced rice.  The Tandoori King Prawns were another great dish, huge juicy prawns with a creamy Alleppey curry sauce which had an intense hot kick to it. We completed the meal with a fresh Garlic Naan,  Black Lentils and an Indian Salad.

Drinks wise the restaurant offers a good selection of wines, beers and a quirky cocktail list which features signature twists on classic drinks such as the Cinnamon Bellini, a mix of Cinnamon tea, Goldshläger and prosecco.

On a whole we can't knock the Cinnamon Soho, it is every bit as good as good as its sisters and we have no doubt it will be just as popular! Check it out people...

5 Kingly Street, Soho, W1B 5
www.cinnamon-kitchen.com

SOHO FOOD FEAST...

Following a successful event last year the Soho Food Feast returns next month with another stonking line-up. On Saturday 26th May The Soho Food Feast brings a taste of the finest restaurants London has to offer together into one place. Set up by Margot Henderson, the festival sees the Cinnamon Soho, Byron, Terroirs, Dean St Townhouse and of course St John's exhibiting plus MANY more. Talk about food porn!

What's more all of the money made goes to the Soho Parish School. The line up of activities for the day includes food demonstrations and tastings, wine tasting with Trevor Gulliver, cake competition, children’s activities including food art & lucky dip, wine bars, cabaret and lots of prizes to be won, including restaurant meals, theatre tickets, X Factor tickets, beauty treatments, haircuts and much much more!!!

Tickets are available online for a mere £6. Even cheaper than last year! Get 'em now people.

Saturday 26th May, 1pm - 7pm
St. Anne’s Church garden, Wardour Street, Soho, W1D
www.sohofoodfeast.co.uk

REVIEW: PREZZO

PREZZO is a chain of Italian restaurants located throughout the UK. We have to admit sometimes we're a little snobby when it comes to chains although this is often completely unfounded.

The restaurants serve a wide range of popular Italian fare, including a pizza prepared exclusively by awarding winning celebrity chef Aldo Zilli. We broke our Prezzo virginity last week and headed to the Greenwich joint, which is located right by North Greenwich tube.

We started with Antipasto Platter for two which was a huge plate of Prosciutto ham, salami milano, spicy ventricina salami, buffalo mozzarella, marinated olives, baby sunblushed tomatoes, fresh rocket and ciabatta bread. All of the ingredients were fresh and tasty - for just £5.25 each it's pretty good value too.

For mains we ordered a pizza to share, the VIP Stagioni which was a massive, crisp pizza base topped with Pepperoni sausage, prosciutto ham, artichoke, field mushrooms, capers, marinated olives, mozzarella and tomato. The pizza came served on a wooden board served with a pizza cutter for you to share as much or as little as you want!

For those watching their weight the menu features Light options which are half the dough of the normal pizzas served with a bowl of salad. We also took the nephew too who indulged in a child's meal which was just £5.95 for a starter, main and bowl of choccie ice-cream.

The service was great, the pizzas were decent and the prices are cheap - like we said we've never been to Prezzo before, but we'll definitely go again.

Various London locations...
www.prezzorestaurants.co.uk

REVIEW: THE EMPRESS

The Empress lives on Lauriston Road right next to Vicky Park. Having recently been taken over the pub now boasts Elliott Lidstone as its Head Chef, who brings over 12 years experience in Michelin starred kitchens to the diners of East London.

It's a cool and quirky place with exposed brick work behind the bar, framed pictures, a comfy red booth and some mismatch furniture. On a night when the sun is still high and its warm enough to sit outside you can dine on the pavement and watch village life. The menu tackles some creative, exciting dishes that you won't find in the other pubs close by. It's seasonal and changes pretty often, all of the meat, fish and bread is purchased from local suppliers.

We let Mr Lidstone take control of our ordering and we're treated to a selection of showcased dishes. First up were the Pigs Ears; small, crispy strips of pork crackling served in a paper cone (full marks on the menu recycling!) accompanied with a sweet apple sauce. These were followed by Pearl Barley and Cauliflower Risotto with hazelnuts - for us this was the winning dish - we really must order risotto more often! Creamy, yet light with a real depth of flavour, the crunchy hazelnuts were a great contrast to the smooth texture.

As with the food we let the knowledgable Bar Maid match us up some wines, the Hungarian Pinot Noir and Guggenheim Chardonnay, perfect for a Summers Eve. Moving on to the Roast Quail which was a perfectly cooked bird, so tender the meat fell off its little bones. Served on top of a Chargrilled spring salad made up of lentils, carrots and baby gem lettuce served warm with a nice smokey flavour.

To finish the Baked cheesecake and blood orange came recommended, a small slab of smooth, creamy cheesecake served with sticky sweet orange sauce and salty crunchy clusters - we thought they were nuts but we're still not sure.

Most of the dishes are available as a starter size, which means you can do the whole tapas shebang and prices are pretty reasonable too. We can't recommend The Empress enough - great decor, lovely food and a healthy drinks list (note to self - we will go back for a Pineapple Bellini).

The Empress, 130 Lauriston Road, Victoria Park, E9
www.empresse9.com 

MONTEZUMA'S MONKEY BARS...

British chocolate company Montezuma recently launched a selection of Monkey Bars - named so because they are 500 grams and Monkey is the cockney slang for ’500′.  The bars come in 5 different flavours - Nanny Goat, Shake and Shiver, Adam and Eve, Daisy Roots and Airs and Graces.

We sampled the Nanny Goat bar which is a slab of Venezuelan Milk Chocolate with salted peanuts and butterscotch - because the bars are so big each piece is like a bar of chocolate! We also sampled the Adam and Eve which is Venezuelan Milk Chocolate with Orange and Hazelnuts. Both bars went down a storm - smooth chocolate, full of flavour and crammed with nuts.

Perfect for a girlie night in!

£13.99 per 500 gram bar
www.montezumas.co.uk