Restaurant Reviews - Dine Online

NEW AFTERNOON TEA TOPS MENU AS HÄAGEN-DAZS LEICESTER SQUARE COMES OF AGE

“Indulge your tastebuds, sip your Champagne and tinkle your teaspoon!”

Enjoy the indulgent pleasure of one of England’s finest traditions uniquely combined with luxurious ice cream. Häagen-Dazs Leicester Square is launching its Afternoon Tea menu, providing a unique opportunity to savour a delicious array of patisseries and fruit scones with decadent ice cream. Choose from a tempting variety of teas or, for the ultimate Afternoon Tea accompaniment, a glass of chilled Champagne.

Beautifully displayed on a three-tier cake stand, Afternoon Tea will offer a seasonal selection of finest Häagen-Dazs ice cream mini scoops, served in chocolate coated waffle cone cups, and freshly prepared Häagen-Dazs patisseries including: mini apple crumble bites, muffins, brownies, banoffee pies and strawberry tartlets. A warm fruit scone served with fruit preserve and Devonshire clotted cream finishes off the quintessential Afternoon Tea experience. What’s more, with eight fine-leafed teas to choose from including Ceylon, Darjeeling and Sencha, or the option of a glass of Champagne you will be sure to find the perfect accompaniment to Häagen-Dazs’ deliciously unique twist on the traditional English experience.

Why not treat someone special to tea for two, enjoy a decadent birthday celebration or revive yourselves after a session of retail therapy with an Afternoon Tea menu which is sure to dazzle and delight.

The launch of the Afternoon Tea menu coincides with the coming of age of Häagen-Dazs Leicester Square as the Shop celebrates its 18th birthday this year. To mark the occasion the Shop has undergone a design transformation and now boasts chocolate brown and berry red furniture combined with cool creams to create the ideal ambience for ice cream indulgence. The Shop re-launches under Häagen-Dazs’ new signature style with contemporary interior design, bespoke lighting, funky new bubble chairs and an increased floor space offering new seating solutions for larger groups.

Philip Misan, Business Manager, Häagen-Dazs Shops UK & IRE commented:

“Our refurbishment and the addition of Afternoon Tea to our menu will undoubtedly prove to be popular with customers who visit the shop expecting the best ice cream experience in London.”

Afternoon Tea will be served at Häagen-Dazs Leicester Square daily, Mon-Fri between 2pm and 5.30pm. The classic Afternoon Tea menu costs £10.50 per person. The Champagne Afternoon Tea menu costs £15.50 per person*.

THE KING AND QUEEN, EDENBRIDGE
81 High Street
Edenbridge
Kent
TN8 5AU
Telephone: 01732-862139

Dear Dine-online,

The King and Queen in Edenbridge , Kent is under new management. I went in there the other day and the new landlord Alec and his wife Heather are out to give people a relaxed time and their new chef Dave knows how to cook. The pub is a Shepherd Neame and the beers are always good, and the food is fantastic, well on a top resteraunt par, and is cooked swiftly and beautifully arranged.

I would recommend you guys get down there for pub lunch, or phone them up and ask them, what can you cook us……?

–
Kindest Regards

Matt Jeary

SUSAN ROGERS VISITED THE BLACK SWAN, OCKHAM, SURREY AND IS DISAPPOINTED

Date of Visit 25/04/08

What a disappointment! Bearing in mind the menu prices were on average £8
for a starter and £15 for a main, we had great hopes for the newly
refurbished so-called gastro pub.

We were served with a not very chilled glass of Chablis on arrival - when
we asked if we could have a chilled glass the waiter firstly said should
he blow on it to cool it down then plonked 3 pieces of ice in the glass!
My starter of ravioli was only warm, not hot, with too much sauce for the
small piece of pasta swimming in the middle, my husband’s duck pate tasted
bland and came with 2 small pieces of toasted wholemeal bread. When he
asked for more toast they brought out pre-made melba toast which we had to
send back after explaining what we wanted.

Mains were hot and tasty to be fair - lamb and duck breast. We decided
not to have a dessert but then waited nearly 25 minutes for someone to
come over to the table so that we could order coffee. The waitress’
attitude when we finally had to call her over was rude to say the least,
with no apology for leaving us sitting there - she clearly doesn’t
understand the meaning of customer service.

Nice atmosphere to have a beer or a coffee but don’t bother with the
restaurant as everything is clearly too much bother for them.

Reviewed by SUSAN ROGERS of WEYBRIDGE, SURREY

The Black Swan at Ockham,
Old Lane, Ockham, Surrey KT11 1NG
T: 0932 862364 W: http://www.geronimo-inns.co.uk/theblackswan/

NEW ELECTROLUX ISLAND BARBECUE TAKES OUTDOOR DINING TO ANOTHER LEVEL

Electrolux, the leading home appliance group, is taking outdoor dining to a new level with the launch of its luxury Island Barbecue. The latest addition to the company’s range of premium barbecue grills, the Island Barbecue is the most innovative and stylish outdoor grill available and is destined to become a ‘must have’ for discerning homeowners seeking to add decadence to the garden.

The Island Barbecue is unique in its design and combines quality, professional styling and state-of-the-art features with the latest outdoor cooking technology. At the heart of the minimalist free-standing unit is a superior stainless steel cooking centre, which is surrounded on three sides by a teak wood bar/eating area. This clever and innovative design enables the host to socialise whilst preparing and cooking the food and also allows guest participation.

A number of double-sided cooking surfaces allow a variety of courses to be prepared simultaneously. Two open cast-iron griddles are perfect for grilling traditional barbecued burgers whilst a closed griddle offers the ideal surface for steaks. Stir fried vegetables can be cooked to perfection on the teppan yaki flat plate, and this can also be used as a hob on which to heat pasta, rice or sauces. Self-cleaning ceramic heat deflectors ensure even heat distribution and soak up food grease and the cast steel knobs allow total precision and control for the cook. The integral barbecue skewer means that food rests at an optimum distance from the heat, whilst two insulated drawers are ideal for chilling wine, beer or marinades and ensure that the host can avoid endless trips back and forth to the kitchen.

The Island Barbecue also features a protective lid which conveniently slides down at the rear to act as a splash back and wind protector when cooking, whilst an all-weather outdoor cover provides year-round protection from the variances of the UK’s climate. With four wheels, two of which lock, the Island Barbecue is easily manoeuvrable and is guaranteed to perfectly complement outdoor living space.

Caroline Hoare, sales manager at Rectella Bar-Be-Quick, exclusive UK distributors of the Electrolux Island Barbecue, comments,

“Since its launch in Spring 2007, the Electrolux premium range of outdoor barbecue grills has generated tremendous interest and we are delighted to be adding the new Island Barbecue to our portfolio. The unique design of the Island Barbecue makes outdoor entertaining far more rewarding and its stylish design will make people proud to showcase the barbecue in their garden”.

Manufactured in Italy and winner of a coveted iF 2008 design award, the Island Barbecue retails at £3500. For more details please contact Rectella Bar-Be-Quick on 01282 478200 or email islandbarbecue@rectella.com

Nobles Restaurant - reviewed by Gemma Skillett

Nobles Restaurant
17 High Street,
Battle,
East Sussex.
TN33 0AE

I have visited Nobles on a number of occasions - most recently last
weekend.

The welcome is always friendly and professional, and the
restaurant is well laid out and spotlessly clean. The menu incorporates a
good range of tastes using locally sourced and seasonal produce, and is
beautifully presented having been cooked to order. The roast belly of pork
is to die for, and the sticky toffee pudding is heaven in a bowl ! The
wine list is extensive and covers all price ranges.

I would wholeheartedly recommend Nobles to anyone.

Tel: 01424 774422

www.noblesrestaurant.co.uk

This is a new one on Foodie - a Physical Fitness Restaurant - from New York of course

What a clever idea……

How long until we see something like this in the UK?

For more than a decade, the bright orange vests have been a constant presence across midtown Manhattan; young guys on bikes in navy sweatshirts with bold orange type proclaiming “EAT PROTEIN & VEGETABLES. EAT LEAN”. All throughout peak lunch hours, they dart about, delivering healthy food to a fiercely loyal customer base, made up of celebrities, fashion designers, ad agencies, investment bankers and law firms; people who lead very busy lives but care about what they eat.

Calling itself “A Physical Fitness Restaurant”, The Pump Energy Food was created in 1997 when Steve and Elena Kapelonis, healthy eaters with a family legacy in the restaurant business, felt there was a market for something different. The menu was founded on the flavor, simplicity and healthfulness of a Mediterranean diet (Steve grew up in Greece), but they added a New York twist: none of the food was fried. They never cooked using mayo or butter and used whole wheat breads instead of processed white flours. They had an absolute faith in adding protein powders to items that gave people sustainable energy throughout the day. Even muffins, pancakes and healthy shakes had added protein. This was a radical idea in 1997, when New York was saturated with fast food restaurants.

It caught on and soon grew to five locations. That’s when Adam Eskin, an investment banker and avid fitness enthusiast, became a fan. Working for private equity firm Wexford Capital, he had been researching investment opportunities in the restaurant industry, looking for new concepts that had the potential to redefine the restaurant category. After looking at dozens of concepts, he kept coming back to The Pump. “All the other restaurants I looked at around the country were basically reinterpretations of what already existed. Nobody was doing what The Pump was doing. I saw that as a great opportunity.”

He put together a business case for how Wexford could buy the business and soon the deal was cinched. It was decided that Adam would run the company himself. “The next thing you know, I went from the boardroom to baking muffins.”

“In talking to our customers, the one thing you hear again and again is that this was ‘Food you don’t have to worry about.’ That’s a very powerful thing. Our mission is very simple: make it easy for people to eat well.” says Eskin. However, the restaurants and logo had grown tired, the menu had swollen to over 150 items and there were no recipes, systems or procedures from one store to the next. The stores were losing customers faster than they were gaining them.

Eskin and his team have spent the last year rebuilding the company from scratch, all the while trying to pump out the food everyday. Eskin hired new operations people, created new systems and procedures, developed new training programs and has invested heavily in infrastructure and new equipment. To reinvigorate the brand, he hired Dan Fogarty, a long-time Chipotle Mexican Grill branding executive, who has created a new logo and brand identity, a soon-to-debut website, and has helped Eskin create a new store design that is currently under construction at 40th & Madison.

“We’re just now starting to see all the improvements pay off and get to a steady-state. The restaurant business is built on making pennies, while we’ve been spending dollars. So it has been a real challenge, but that’s what makes building a business fun.”

How long until we see something like this in the UK?

40 West 55th St.
New York, NY 10019
Phone: 212.246.6844
Fax: 212.421.0164
Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00am to 9:30pm
Saturday
10:00am to 8:00pm
Sunday
11:00am to 9:00pm

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

112 West 38th St.
New York, NY 10018
Phone: 212.764.2100
Fax: 212.764.1107
Hours:
Monday - Friday
7:30am to 9:00pm
Weekends
Closed

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

31 East 21st St.
New York, NY 10010
Phone: 212.253.7676
Fax: 212.253.1050
Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00am to 10:00pm
Saturday
10:00am to 9:00pm
Sunday
11:00am to 9:00pm

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

113 East 31st St.
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212.213.5733
Fax: 212.213.5001
Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00am to 10:30pm
Saturday
10:00am to 9:00pm
Sunday
11:00am to 9:00pm

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

805 3rd Ave.
New York, NY 10022
Phone: 212.421.3055
Fax: 212.421.0164
Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00am to 9:00pm
Closed Weekends

http://www.thepumpenergyfood.com

THE GLASSHOUSE GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH!

Contemporary restaurant – the Glasshouse is celebrating a double accolade in as many weeks!

Set in the heart of the New Forest, the restaurant has been independently recognised and awarded 2 AA rosettes. Increasingly renowned for its exceptional cuisine the restaurant uses locally sourced, high quality ingredients to provide an outstanding dining experience.

The AA rosette award is a widely accepted symbol of quality. An award of 2 AA rosettes unmistakably distinguishes the Glasshouse as the best local restaurant in the area. It also guarantees customers, food which has been prepared using a greater level of precision with considerable attention being given to the quality and selection of ingredients.

To coincide with this award, the Glasshouse has appointed a new Restaurant Manager, Jean Baptiste Vernet originally from Avignon, Provence.

Jean Baptiste Vernet comments:

“I am very pleased to have been appointed to my new role, especially at such an exciting time. My aim will be to continue to maintain and improve on the standards already set at the restaurant.”

Fluent in English, French and German, Jean Baptiste has gained experience internationally in restaurants covering France, Germany, Switzerland, Greece and England. Having personally served the French President as well as a whole host of VIP’s at the French Football World Cup, his expertise and flair will integrate well at the Glasshouse.

Fiona Johnson, Marketing Manager comments: “We have worked very hard to achieve the standards necessary to be recognised as a 2 AA rosette restaurant. We welcome Jean Baptiste to his new role and are confident that his experience will be invaluable in helping the restaurant develop further.”

To find out more about the restaurant visit www.theglasshousedining.co.uk or to make a reservation call 02380 286 129.

Heston Blumenthal, coming to a Little Chef near you

This has been reported in a number of places — so I wont rehash it here — but the Mighty Heston Blumenthal is spending some time away from his groundbreaking ‘The Fat Duck‘ in order to revitalise a faded British icon - The LITTLE CHEF

The outcome, which will be televised as part of a Channel 4 series aired in the summer, provisionally titled Big Chef, Little Chef.

More information at; http://www.weheartstuff.co.uk/?p=237

Bar 166, Horsforth, Leeds - Reviewed by Miles Lawson

We visited Bar 166 for a Wedding Aniversary meal with a party of 5.

We received a warm welcome on arrival and shown to our table. Coats were taken by the waiter.

We ordered a bottle of house red and white for the table and were pleasantly surprised to have a very nice French Grenach/Merlot and Mauzac Blanc, a pleant dry white.

The menu is organised so that pricing is very clear. Starters at £5.50 and Mains at £12 and side orders for £2. Very good value for money.

The restaurant itself was very busy but we were pleased that the wait between ordering and arival of starters was around 10 minutes. With our party selecting from across the menu all enjoyed their options. Main courses ranged from the 6oz Fillet steak to Mushroom wellington. All was well presented and delicious. Front of house staff were very pleasant and polite even helping with a photograph.

All in all an excellent evening was had - definitely a Michelin Star contender.

Bar 166
166 Town St
Horsforth,
Leeds,
LS18 4AQ
Tel: 0113 258 2661
web: www.bar166.co.uk

The Etiquette of Afternoon Tea

This is a video from America - It appears that Afternoon Tea, that most British of pastimes is now growing in popularity stateside as an alternative to the business breakfast or lunch. Etiquette coach Syndi Seid offers some simple guidelines for proper tea table manners.

It is more amusing than informative in my opinion