Cafe Bangla - Brick Lane, E1

Cafe Bangla sits almost at the end of the rows of Indian restaurants on Brick Lane, its always a sense sensation on the ears, eyes and nose and the walk to Cafe Bangla allows you to take everything in.

The interior is something to behold, the first time we went it wasnt on recommendation of the food but to see a huge Princess Diana mural that it had on the wall!  Now Im not particularly a huge Diana fan but the oddness of a Indian restaurant having a tribute mural on their wall was something that had to be confirmed or put to bed once and for all......well the mural did and still does exist!  The rest of the walls are also covered with murals but more traditional Indian dream like sequences.  The restaurant isnt huge compared to some on Brick Lane but  the size adds to the cosyness and friendlyness of the restaurant.

The menu, however, is huge and takes a while to wade through but has all of the Indian classics you could want and then some.  After some beer and some conversation with my dinner companions I finally made my choices.  For a starter I had King Prawn Puri at £4.85,  followed by a classic Lamb Dhansak at £5.15, the former had a good amount of prawns, soft covering and good amount of sauce the latter was delivered sizzling to the table, with just the right amount of spicy heat.  With poppadums, rice, a beer and coffee (which we werent charged for) the total including tip was £20 - a real bargain for some great food.

Service was good and they happily let us take as long as we wanted to finish the meal (I hate restaurants which hurry you out of the door!) - we whiled away a good couple of hours there.  It definitely remains one of my favourite places on Brick Lane.

If you are venturing to Brick Lane make sure you stop by for a visit - the food is great and you just have to see in real life the Princess Diana mural! - see some urban myths are true!

If you cant quite make it to Brick Lane and want to try your hand at Indian cooking at home - The Easy Indian Cookbook by Manju Malhi published in 2010 is a good place to start...

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The Woolpack - London Bridge

Not quite Greenwich you may say, but lets not forget that London Bridge is a super quick 9 minutes away on the overground from Greenwich Station and so is always worth a visit.  London Bridge is going through lots of changes at the moment what with the building of the new super tall Shard building and the regeneration of the area around Bermondsey Street.

And its on Bermondsey Street that we find The Woolpack pub, outside it has the look of a traditional boozer, inside the decor seems to be a cross between a east end pie and mash shop and a american diner.  Now this isnt a criticism - I think it looks great, I love the booths and the tiling on the walls.  Outside there is a terrace, lovely on a summers day and in winter if it gets a bit nippy they have a basket of blankets on offer to keep you warm and cosy - bliss.

Main courses are between £8 to £12 pounds and cover awesome burgers to fulfilling salads, they also do a Sunday Roast but if you go definitely try and check out one of their burgers.

The staff are friendly and efficient and the locals trendy and welcoming! Definitely worth the train ride!




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Tai Won Mein Noodle House - Greenwich

Finally we got round to visiting the Tai Won Mein Noodle House.  Having walked past the restaurant for over a year, looking at the number of people always packing the place out and hearing its praises being sung by one of my work colleagues I was wondering could it really be that good?  I finally found out the answer!

We decided to go in on a whim  and found the place pretty packed, we were quickly shown to a noodle bench (ie a long benches with seating each side - its not as close quarters as some places I have been to) by an efficient waitress.

We both decided on noodle soups from the menu, it just being lunch and we fancied something light, but the menu covers anything noodle wise you could possibly want.

Looking around I couldn't help but notice that the portions are huge and this was confirmed when our noodle soups arrived, super big bowls with plenty of chicken and prawns in respectively.

The food tasted very fresh and healthy, we did manage to finish but around us people were pouring their leftovers into handy doggy bags, well actually take away boxes (they charge 50p for one of these), but to be honest its well worth the money.  I always think noodles are like Pizza, even better the day after (although is that just me?)

You pay up at the till here and as we approached the lady magically seemed to know what we had ordered.  The cost (without service charge - they don't add one or expect you pay one) was £14.95 all in - but we did make sure we popped some money in the tip box by the till.

If you are after great noodles, at an amazing price and brilliant value for money with no nonsense staff (I love no fuss kinda of places) then this isWon  the place for you.  I just wished we had had something a little more naughty and had to take advantage of the doggy bags!




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Bristol Bound

I was in Bristol this weekend and managed to catch some of the wonderful and colourful balloons from the Bristol Balloon Fiesta.  I would have taken photos but I'm currently still waiting to get a camera and have decided not to inflict my mobile phone photos on you any more!

I had never been to Bristol before, I had to Bath but not Bristol.  We stayed with a friend in Clifton and spent many a happy hour sampling the local pubs!

The view from the Avon Gorge Hotel bar was amazing and was the ideal place to sup a Saturday afternoon beer!

If you are going to Bristol over the next few weeks make sure you watch out for the Wow Gorillas, between the 6 July and the 7 September there are a number of colourful and lifesized gorillas that have been decorated by various artists There are 61! yes 61 gorillas in all to spot.  Very similar to the Elephants that were on show in London I think it was last year or the year before.

Anyway, however nice Bristol was it was lovely to come back to Greenwich - home sweet home!

The Auctioneer - Sunday 1 May 2011

Three weeks of roast dinners were beginning to take their toll, so that our love for the great british roast remains we decided to have a weekend off and try something else.
We were up and out early (mainly because the other half had to be back for the Man U v Arsenal game!).  So we decided a brunch would work and decided on The Auctioneer.
Pub location
The pub is about 5 minutes from the Cutty Sark DLR station and about 2 minutes from Greenwich DLR / overground. If you are walking from Cutty Sark DLR take the back roads to get a view of the nice Georgian houses.
Whats it like inside?
Its not the most beautiful pub in the world, but I dont think people go there for the decor... and to be honest its more of a sports pub / bar - we are talking dark wood and traditional pub, meets big screens and pool tables. Well known as one of the main pubs in Greenwich if you want to see any sport.  When we got there about 11.30am there were already people outside waiting to get in.  The opening time was meant to be 11.30 but it didnt open until 12 noon.  There was also a football game starting early that day hence the queues outside.  
Who goes there?
Well frequented by students, those trying to catch a game and those after a budget bite
What was on offer? 
The Auctioneer is part of the Scream Pubs chain and the majority of the menu is burgers and British classics so sausage and mash, English breakfasts.  The menu is big so I can imagine that a lot of it isnt cooked to order!  But they do have a reputation for great burgers. All food is priced at £10 and below. These guys are also famous for their beer and burger deal, come after 3pm and you can get a beer and a burger for 4.75!
What did we order?
Couldnt decide on whether to go for the english breakfast or a burger - so decided to combine the two and go for a Breakfast Burger which is served with chips - cost was a truly budget saving 5.75.

The Verdict
Loved the...
Price - the portion was huge with a good majority of chips, the Breakfast Burger consisted of a burger, a hash brown, bacon and a fried egg - phew!! I couldnt finish it!
Service - the bar staff were super friendly
Attitude - they dont pretend to be something they arent
Liked...
Pretty much everything else, the burger was flavoursome, the chips fine, they were hot and crispy and werent bland, the hash brown was crispy on the outside and tender in the middle and the egg was fried well.  It was a perfectly nice burger and chips
Disliked...
If anything, the location, its on a main road, but they do have a outside area out the back
Overall verdict
Look, the food here is a great budget bite, if you are expecting gastro food do not come, but if you want a decent burger at a great price then this should be your first stop.






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William IV pub - Friday 29 April 2011

Rather apt for a day that was all about royalty we spent the night in a royally named pub the William IV at 7 Shepherdess Walk, near Old Street tube N1.  I had been to the pub about two years ago and since that it has closed once but is now reopened again.
Pub location
The pub is a little out of the way about 5 minutes walk off of City Road.
Whats it like inside?
The pub has the well worn gastro pub uniform of mismatched chairs and tables, its very bright and airy inside with all the furniture pretty much painted white.  A word of warning be careful of the chairs they are all a bit rocky and one of them collapsed underneath one of our friends!  Theres a more formal dining room upstairs.
What was on offer? 
Pub grub but with a twist you have the usuals we are talking bangers and mash, burgers, pies, and tarts.  All mains are pretty much below £10 pounds.
What did we order?
I had the Shredded Steak and Caramelised Red Onion Sandwich with Chips - cost was £8.00


The Verdict
Loved the...
Chips - have I discovered the best pub chips ever?....they were perfectly salted skin on chips, combining a crispy outside and gorgeous fluffy mash on the inside
Caramelised Red Onion - lovely, tasty and silky in texture
Doorstop bread wedges - toasted, crispy and rustic
Price - a great portion for the money
Disappointed in the...
Shredded Steak - what should have been the star of the show was tough and rubbery
Overall verdict
A little off the beaten track, and perhaps taking the gastropub furnishing a little too far but definitely worth a visit to sample more of the menu and to take in the chilled out atmosphere

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The Yacht - Sunday 24 April 2011

For this weeks Greenwich Sunday Lunch we decided on the The Yacht, a traditional Taylor Walker pub.

On the way...

The walk to the pub is a stunner, you can walk through the university or straight along the Thames we walked through the University and along the small lane that houses the pub.

Pub location
The actual pub is in a fantastic position right on the Thames and abouta 5-10 min walk from the Cutty Sark DLR station.

What was on offer?

On offer was Chicken, Beef or Pork at a very reasonable £9.15 each.  We both ordered chicken and settled into some seats by the window with a fantastic view of the The Thames and overlooking the Dome.

Whats it like inside?
Its a peaceful place, at least it was whilst were there, the pub sits right up against the river and you can hear the waves of the tide lap against the side of the shore as it comes in.  No music whilst we were there but I have been before and there has been music and on occasion live music too. 


Decor is traditional dark wood, with open fireplaces and cosy nooks.  Theres a more formal dining room to the back but the best seats must be up again the window to take in the great view.

The food
The food took about 20 minutes to come - just enough to work up a good appetite.  Now I must admit when it arrived I did let a small wow!!
It was huge and consisted  of a half chicken, 4 small roast potatoes, carrots, green beans, yourkshire pudding and tucked underneath the chicken there was mash potato too!
The photo really does not do it justice to the size and quantity!  The potatoes were small but perfectly roasted, the chicken was moist with a nice shiny glaze on it, the veg was just right in terms of hardness and the yorkshire was crispy without being rock hard.

Minuses - the chicken was quite boney and it was only after that it occurred to me that I should have checked that it was free range, looking at the website I cant find any reference that it is....bad me for not checking.  The potatoes although of a great crispyness the actual taste was quite bland.  Other than that I was pleasantly surprised especially for a chain pub and at a great price.

The Ratings:

Meat 4/5
Veg 4/5
Potatoes 3/5
Gravy 4/5
Other (ie yorkshire pudds and mash) 4/5
Service 4/5
Value for money 4.5/5 (fantastic value)

Total 27.5/35

The Yacht goes to the top of the leaderboard.

By the way if you click on the link for the pub take no notice of the photo - they have got it wrong on the website!!





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Boisdale - Monday 18 April 2011

We had a works dinner at the newly opened Canary Wharf Boisdale branch. Yes, I know your right its not a Sunday, lunchtime or in Greenwich but I definitely thought it was worth a post.

Its a Scottish / English influenced venue, and I say venue rather than restaurant because theres a lot going on here.  Its a restaurant, its a oyster  and champagne bar, theres a dedicated whisky bar, a jazz club and to top it all off theres a cigar room (aparantly with the only walk in humidor where you can snoke cigars to your hearts content.

Its spread across three floors above the main Canary Wharf shopping center with its own dedicate lift to each floor.  For decor think big hearty reds and greens with mahogany at every turn.  Think old boys drinking club, its the perfect city establishment.

But looking at the crowds on most floors it must be a winner  - it was Monday night but every table was full by the time we left.  Our table had a view of the jazz stage and a short but polite note told us that if we stayed at our table when the jazz started our bill would have a 10 pounds live music charge made to it!

The waiting staff were efficient and there were lots of them, picking up napkins if you happened to drop yours on the floor. The menu displayed the restaurants Scottish / English heritage there was lots of haggis, salmon, offal on offer and an eyewatering selection of caviar in both variety and price - anyone fancy some Golden Almas caviar at £3,750 for 125 grams......who says theres a recession on.

Unfortuantely our pockets were not quite so full as the bankers of Canary Wharf so we went for the set menu for £15 - not a bad price.  My starter was a Ceasar salad with Ortiz anchovies followed by Salmon on a pea risotto.   The Ceasar salad was good and tasty, the anchovies being the star of the dish.  The salmon was filling and flavoursome.  Some of my colleagues had the haggis - I must admit I was jealous, I wish I had taken the plunge, especially those that had also gone for the whisky chaser alongside it. I passed on desert but the dishes on offer looked tantalising.

Im not quite sure how I feel about Boisdales, its a little too full of itself, a little intimidating, but I definitely wouldnt turn down an offer to return, the whisky bar was mesmorising and needs sampling and the haggis is definitely calling my name....

The Greenwich Union - Sunday 17 April 2011

I have to say that I  was rather surprised by about 12 noon the streets of Greenwich were clear of all the runners and the spectators had moved on too.  The photo above is from about 10.30am over the next hour or the streets cleared.

The numbers that were left were just the usual for a regular sunny Sunday in Greenwich. However having learned from last week we set out early about 1pm to search for our Greenwich Sunday Lunch date. We decided to head straight to the Royal Hill area of Greenwich. If you have only spent some time near the market area of Greenwich make sure you head to Royal Hilll next time you are in Greenwich. Lots of pubs, a 'proper' butchers, cheesehop and organic veg shop and lots of gorgeous Georgian houses.


On the way...


The pub we decided to settle in for lunch was The Greenwich Union. The Greenwich Union is one of four pubs along Royal Hill - they are all pretty much in a row, but most if not all do great business and each seems to have its own vibe and particular atmosphere - there is something for everyone.

The Greenwich Union

In any case before we tackle the roast lets go back to the pub itself, its housed in what looks like a traditional pub and inside is also very traditional with lots of wood however the back part of the pub opens out into a light and airey conservatory with booth seats, further on is the beer garden.  The music going on in the back ground is just at the right level for you to be aware of it and to hum along to your fav tunes but not too loud that you cant hear yourself or anyone else speak.

It wasnt too busy which was great, though was largely because we went quite early it would soon fill up.  We sat in one of the booth seats.

On offer was a Vege option and Beef, Lamb and Pork the cost of each was £12.20 (the Vege option was cheaper).  I love it when a pub separates out its roast menu - it makes it feel a little more special and shows that on a week on week basis it could change depending on whats available.

I settled for the Beef and my other half on the Pork.  Before I could get to the bar to order one of the staff came up and asked if we wanted anything and were keen to please always a good sign. 

Inside...

The food arrived really quickly - probably within 10 minutes if that - maybe a little soon for my liking, surely some of the joy in eating food is the anticipation of it.....anyway

So once it arrived what did we get for our money:

Meat:  Beef in slices a generous portion \ Pork was the same in slices with cracking but a generous portion

Veg:  A large roasted carrot, green beans and red cabbage (a nice and different touch!)

Potatoes:  Roasted 2 large

Other:  Large yorkshire pudding, Gravy (made with Meantimes own London Stout), horseraddish sauce for the Beef and Apple sauce for the Pork in a separate dish.

Heres the roast...

It was very attractively presented and hot, I loved the fact their yorkshire puddings were home made and werent some uniformed Aunt Bessies - though it was a little too crunchy for my liking.  On the reverse the potatoes were large but not quite crispy enough.  The red cabbage was a nice touch - always nice to see different veg, and being lightly pickled it added a different taste sensation when combined with the meat or the potatoes. The gravy was rich and using London Stout again brought it to a different level - would have been nice to have more of it though!

All in all a nice roast - it goes to the top of the leader board.

Here are the ratings

Meat 4.5/5
Veg 4/5
Potatoes 3/5
Gravy 4/5
Other (ie yorkshire pudds) 3/5
Service 4/5
Value for money 3.5/5 (possibly just a little overpriced)

Total 26/35




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Cutty Sark Tavern - 10 April 2011

Due to a rather late start to our Sunday lunch, The Greenwich Tavern was packed by the time we got there, the late start was due to a late night on the Saturday night - a few hours and a few drinks whilst at the Ev Bar in Waterloo.  We did discover that for some reason they sell pretty cheap pints of beer for London £3.20 for a pint!

Anyway I digress, so we passed on The Greenwich Tavern, but will return another time.  We then decided to try the The Kings Arms  on King William Walk by this time it was around 4.15pm, and they had run out of any roasts!!  First rule of Sunday lunch in Greenwich is to go early!



On the way....

Undaunted we decided to go east - well just east of the main Greenwich center that is.....to somewhere we knew did Sunday Lunch on quite a big scale - Cutty Sark Tavern, they are based at Ballast Quay right on the Thames built in the Early 19th Century its a big old pub with lots of character.  Its based on two floors with a large outside area too.



We headed to the first floor, where the music wasnt quite so loud and settled into a table, on offer roast wise they had lamb, beef, pork and a vegetarian option.  Taking into account the time I checked what they had left - 3 lambs and that was it! Second rule of Sunday lunch - go early!  So we ordered lamb. Cost was 9.95 each.  They have a separate area that you order food from and then you order drinks separately.  From order to our table it probably took about 20 Minutes.  The staff were efficient and friendly.  Getting our drinks separately from the bar took a while as it was packed.

So once it arrived what did we get for our money:

Meat:  Lamb on the bone - a fair amount

Veg:  Carrots, peas, green

Potatoes:  Roasted 2 large roasted

Other:  Large yorkshire pudding, Gravy, Mint sauce separately

Heres the roast.....

It was hot - which I was pleased about - there nothing worse than a cold roast dinner!, the potatoes were large and roasted just enough to be crispy but not rock hard.  The carrots were not soggy and just firm.  The gravy was tasty and rich.  If there was anything I wasnt too keen on it was the meat! The lamb was on the bone and there was a lot of it but was a little tasteless.  I have been to the Cutty Sark Tavern before and I have had the pork which was great so this may be just be a personal dislike I have for lamb on the bone!

Here are the ratings

Meat 2.5/5
Veg 3/5
Potatoes 4/5
Gravy 4/5
Other (ie yorkshire pudds) 4/5
Service 3.5/5
Value for money 3.5/5

Total 24.5/35




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