The perfect Valentine's spot

A Second Serving reviews Counter in Vauxhall...

When I first visited Counter last May (check out my review in the archives), I had a great time, so expectations were high when I was invited back for a return visit. Just to remind you, the restaurant is an all-day bar and brasserie nestled in a 200ft arch under Vauxhall station. Last time, my only criticism was that the atmosphere was a little lacking (it hadn't been open long) but I'm happy to report it's much improved - I prefer the new, brighter lighting and there's a busier feeling to the place. Once again, service was impeccable and the food was brilliant.

A veal chop main

Why go?

Counter have a special Valentine's menu that they're launching on Feb 14th. Head Chef Mahrez Loukal will be cooking up a delicious three course set menu for £45 – plus a complimentary glass of Rossini to sip on. So if you haven't picked anywhere to take your date yet, consider this place as you won't be disappointed. On our visit, I went for burrata as my starter. If you don't know what burrata is (I did Google to double check) it's fresh Italian cheese made with mozzarella AND cream - aka heaven on a plate. As I sunk the knife in, the creamy bit inside all oozed out... delicious. I kinda wished I'd filmed it on my phone so I could set it to slow-mo and enjoy it all over again. And it really was as tasty as it looked, with some gorgeous olives, sorrel and cress on the side to add a bitter element to the plate.

When my boyfriend saw there was crispy duck on the starter list he of course went straight for that. I have to admit when I saw his plate (below) I was a tad jealous as it was huge, I mean I'd have been happy with that for a main. The duck came with apple, cucumber, chilli, croutons and pomegranate molasses all mixed in a really rich and fruity sauce. Nom nom nom!

For my main course I went for the honey-glazed wild salmon fillet which came with grilled artichokes and dandelion leaves for £18. It wasn't a huge portion but it was a pretty phenomenal piece of fish - really juicy and soft on the inside with this crispy sweet skin on top. I'd normally skip the skin but there was no way I was doing that this time! My boyfriend went for the English veal chop which came with crispy sweetbreads, wilted spinach and sage (pic on top). It didn't stay on his plate for very long so I have to assume it went down well. To finish I had a delicious pistachio brownie. I tried to eat it slowly but struggled because it was so damn good. The gooey sauce was amazing, I just wish there had been a teeny bit more!

My fishy main

Downsides?

We're mac 'n' cheese addicts so ordered some mac 'n' cheese balls as a side (very random I know). To be honest, they were a bit dry and didn't actually taste very cheesy so I'd skip those if you're popping in!

Location?

Arch, 50 S Lambeth Pl, London SW8 1SP

Sugar heaven!

A Second Serving reviews SugarSin in Covent Garden...

It's hard to ignore SugarSin as its bright and colourful façade means it immediately stands out in such a touristy area of London. The sweet shop is also in an ideal location as it's right across the road from the Royal Theatre which is, funnily enough, currently showing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. But while theatre goers will no doubt be stocking up on sweet treats for the show, SugarSin is also the ideal place to pick up a fancy gift for a loved one or perhaps just get a sugar fix for yourself. The modern Willy Wonka style shop is run by its founders, Anna and Josefin from Sweden. The sisters have travelled the globe tasting countless varieties of sweets in a mission to create the most distinctive and delicious grown up gourmet confectionery that's just as beautiful to look at as it is to taste. They sell pretty much everything you can think of, from prosecco gummies, to chocolate almonds to pic 'n' mix.

Why go?

If, like me, sweets are your guilty pleasure, then you really must pay this place a visit. The shop is only small but as soon as you step inside it's a real feast for the eyes... you're basically in an Aladdin's Cave of sugar. As well as being a beautiful little shop, the sweets themselves are fantastic. My fave were the sour shots - they're infused with real peach and wild strawberry juice and topped with some serious sour sugar crystals. The texture was very different to anything I've tried before and I loved them, in fact I ate so many that I woke up with a sore tongue the next day! One of the things I was most impressed with though was the price. The shop is full of gourmet sweets but they're also affordable - for example a jar of whipped strawberry candy is just £6. Whether you're eight or 80 you will love this shop!

Downsides?

Your teeth will fall out! But when sweets taste this good they're not meant to be enjoyed in moderation. Right?!

Location?

1 Russell Street, WC2B 5JD

Steak & craft beer heaven

A Second Serving reviews 'Smiths' of Smithfield, Cannon Street...

Last week I was kindly invited to attend the VIP launch party of 'Smiths' of Smithfield, Cannon Street, so I took two of my pals along to check out the new venue - and what a treat it was! The contemporary restaurant is a counterpart to the Farringdon gaff which is THE place to go for world class steak, breakfasts and craft beer. In the Cannon Street restaurant each of the four floors has a distinctive style, offering something for everyone depending on mood, budget or time. The first floor is also host to a bar which is dedicated to craft beer (hell yes) with a selection of 60 to choose from. They're also set to hold 'Meet the Brewer' evenings which will give discerning drinkers the chance to sample different beers from a range of exciting craft brewer. Exciting stuff.

Why go? 

The kitchen is headed by Henry Omereye who has created a menu of 'playful interpretations on classic dishes,' including grilled halibut with lobster mash and Henry's cornfed chicken. That enough should be a reason to go! On our visit, we tried canapes such as gin cured peppercorn salmon, rare breed mini burgers, haloumi burgers in brioche buns and different cuts of meat on sharer boards. They were all delish and packed full of flavor and we went home with our bellies full of food. There was also a LOT of prosecco doing the rounds so all in all an absolutely fantastic night. As well as being the first to enjoy the most wonderful beef, we also got to watch a butchery demonstration which was really interesting. The venue, which can hold 250, was buzzing - a sign of good things to come I'm sure.

Location?

The Walbrook Building, Cannon Street, London, EC4N 8AF.

A taste of the tropics

A Second Serving reviews Trader Vic's in Mayfair...

Trader Vic's, a legendary tropical paradise bar in the basement of the London Hilton at Mayfair, has launched a new island fusions menu - and it's really bloody good. The menu has been created by executive chef of Trader Vic's, Shiran Fonseka, in collaboration with Shelina Permalloo, who you might remember from Masterchef (she won in 2012), and she's also the brains behind her own Mauritian street kitchen, Lakaz Maman.The new pop up menu, which is inspired by the shores and taste experiences of Mauritius, is available until the end of October so if you fancy something different, give it a go!

Oh HELLO

Why go?

Trader Vic's is well known for its delicious Mai Tai cocktails and the new menu pairs brilliantly with all those fruits and flavours. You can pick and mix small plates or go for the wooden platter of food for £19 which allows you to sample a bit of everything. If you're like me and you love eating but hate sharing (cos you're so damn greedy) the platter is perfect because everything is already separated into two - so they'll be no fighting over that last prawn! The food itself was fab. The BBQ ribs had a sticky, smokey flavour and the meat literally fell from the bone. The deep fried prawns were greasy, but in a good way, and huge too. They also went really well with a rather zingy coriander and coconut chutney. My favourite part was the delicious pineapple that came sprinkled with chili and is a traditional Mauritian street food. Yum!

Downsides?

The menu is only available until October 31st - boooo!

Location?

Trader Vic's, London Hilton, 22 Park Lane, London, W1K 1BE.

A secret liquor bar in Fulham

A Second Serving reviews Below The Cut in Fulham Broadway... 

This gorgeous little liquor bar is tucked away beneath Hanger sw6, a steak restaurant in Fulham. If you were passing by, you wouldn't know even know it was there - but you should! The secret bar is a fab drinking den and serves some serious cocktails alongside a small plate menu that encompasses a bite size version of the restaurant upstairs. You can snack on salt beef croquettes, mini steak sarnies or Parmesan chips, to name but a few. While the bar has only very recently opened, they'll be hosting live music nights from acoustic evenings to DJ sets in the future. One to watch!

Why go? 

This would be the perfect date place. You can have tasty but affordable food upstairs followed by cocktails and small bites down below. The bar has a blue, brown and grey colour scheme and is packed full of leather sofas, creating a very chilled out vibe. During our visit there was a guitarist playing live music which really added to the atmosphere and made it all feel very intimate. The cocktail menu is concise but that doesn't matter when the concoctions are so delicious. My fave was the Royal Lady – a fierce combination of vodka, prosecco, home-made rhubarb syrup and a twist of lemon. This was incredibly easy to drink and certainly cleansed my palate.

Downsides? 

You wouldn't know it was there - so people need to shout out about it!

Location? 

461 North End Road, Fulham, London, SW6 1NZ

Hot dogs in Hammersmith

A Second Serving reviews The Duchess of Cambridge in Hammersmith...

The Duchess of Cambridge, a traditional pub in Hammersmith, has teamed up with Banger Bros to create a brand new menu featuring gourmet hot dogs and delicious burgers. Nom nom nom! But, if hot dogs aren't your thing, they still have a huge menu with offerings such as bad-boy burgers and Sunday roasts. They also have an extensive range of British gins and a selection of ales and lagers to wash it all down with. The pub, which is just a four minute walk from Stamford Brook station, is light and spacious with a beautiful outside courtyard.

Why go?

Once I'd been told there were hot dogs on the menu I knew it would be rude not to give them a try. After much umming and erming (because there was so much damn choice!) I went for the Continental, made up of a Bockwurst, gherkin, remoulade, mustard and crispy shallots. You order at the bar, then get your food served at the table. There's a dining area on one side of the venue and more of a generic pub on the other. The hot dog, when it came, had been gently steamed then chargrilled to bring out all the flavour and there was a lovely crack as I bit into the meat - perfect. It came snuggled up in a soft, toasted brioche bun with pickles and sauce... and all for just £5.50. To finish, I had a serving of south street gelato-style ice-cream in a gorgeous lime and coconut flavour. It was quite different to anything I'd tried before - very sweet but refreshing, and went down a treat.

Downsides?

The hotdog bun was just slightly overdone for my liking. 

Location? 

320 Goldhawk Road, London, W6 OXF

A snazzy new garden cafe in south London...

A Second Serving reviews Brother Marcus in Balham...

Brother Marcus is a brand new garden cafe in the heart of Balham - the brainchild of three 20-something best friends from London who have a background in catering, coffee and street food. They serve brunch, coffee and cocktails, and it feels like the kind of place where you can start in the morning and stay all day... my kind of venue then! The menu is simple and they're still mixing it up with new additions, but what they do have is VERY good. Just don't try and tot up the calories. They do some mean cocktails as well and there's also a great garden space outside for those who want to linger.

Why go?

This is the place to go if you're after tasty, filling food, in an easy, relaxed atmosphere with friendly staff and brilliant food. The big boy loaded buns come with quirky names such as the Notorious P.I.G. which is well worth a try if you're visiting. Made up of slow roasted spiced pulled pork, crunchy apple and rocket salad, lime yoghurt and a dirty Mexican sauce, the addition of crispy corn adds a cheeky extra dimension and is super more-ish. A bargain too, for just £9. The Salty Wench - 14 hour braised salt beef, two fried eggs, shredded potato chips and gherkins with a delicious smokey paprika sauce - is also a must try. As soon as you read those list of ingredients together you just know it's going to work. Nom nom nom! We also had a side of mac and cheese balls (standard) and sweet potato chips, which both went down a treat. The four cocktails on offer are all £8 and really pack a punch. Mrs Robinson, made up of gin, prosecco and lemon, was delish, as was the Negroni. All in all, Brother Marcus is well worth a visit if you're in the area.

Downsides?

It's very hard to find anything wrong with this place - the atmosphere was chilled, as I like it, the food, great, and service very friendly. The only thing I'd really have liked is a longer cocktail menu - so I can work my way through it!

Location?

9 Chestnut Grove, Balham, London, SW12 8JA.

The perfect 1920s Low Tea...

A Second Serving reviews The Luggage Room in Mayfair..

The Luggage Room is an intimate cocktail bar located at the side of the Marriott Hotel. You have to knock on the big black door to be let inside and then you're led through to the bar which is really oozing with style and elegance. There's a tiled floor and dark leather studded wood on the walls and this really draws on the spirit of the roaring twenties. We went to try out the Low Tea, which we soon learnt was first created by the Duchess of Bedford after she began the habit of taking tea and biscuits on a low side table to staff off hunger late afternoon. I like her thinking! Our food was served in a quirky brown box, in keeping with the era, and the lovely waitress also helped us pick a favourite tea by holding a 'tea sniffing' and telling us all about the different blends.

Why go?

If you feel like being indulgent and are after some fantastic service, this is the place to go. Even if you don't fancy trying out the Low Tea, pop in for a quirky cocktail to start off your night as they're really delicious and the barman was super friendly. I kicked things off with an Alfonso cocktail - a blend of champagne and orange bitters (served long) and this was just what the doctor ordered (even on a hangover!)

Before long, our Low Tea had arrived. It came in a big brown box with three different sections. The crème fraiche and horseradish vol au vents were rich yet light and disappeared in seconds, so we moved straight onto the wild boar sausage roll with mustard sauce - amazing. The cheddar and sage scones were full of flavour and the scotch egg had been cooked to perfection as it was perfectly runny inside. There was also a quirky little pot of tea infused salmon. My faves from the sweet section were the carrot cake, the beautifully sweet meringue and the trifle that came in a jar. We finished with a Punch a la Romaine cocktail - a fancy rum infused sorbet that you pour champagne over. From start to finish, the whole experience was fantastic and I really do need to find an excuse to go back! Great value too as it's £48 for the Low Tea and you can add £10 on for a glass of champagne. This was afternoon tea with a twist, and a really personal experience.

The champagne sorbet cocktail

Downsides?

It's super hard to fault this place as everything was so amazing! But, if I'm being really, really picky, we could have perhaps each done with an extra plate on the table to make it easier when going from savoury to sweet. Desperate, right?

Location?

84-86, Duke Street, London, W1K 6JP.

The BEST steak down South...

A Second Serving reviews Arlo's in Balham...

When I heard through word of mouth that a new steak restaurant had opened in Balham, where I live, I was keen to find out what it was all about. Although there are a few steak places in the area, most of them are pretty pricey, so I only visit on special occasions. But this is where Arlo's is different - they serve steak but it's actually AFFORDABLE! The restaurant, which is just a few minutes walk from the station (and conveniently close to my two favourite drinking haunts - the BBC and the Hagen) has a short and seasonable menu - but that's why it works. Stick with what you know and do it good, I say. They have a ridiculously good value set menu Monday to Thursday from 12-6pm where you can get two courses for £13 or three courses for £15, and they've even designed a fantastic 'Little Arlo's' menu for your little ones. Arlo's feels like a fantastic addition to the Balham dining scene - and I'm definitely one of their biggest fans!

Why go?

So you fancy going out for dinner, in a nice, chilled restaurant, with decent food that doesn't cost a bomb... give Arlo's a try. They offer two main cuts of steak, an option of trying them both, a huge rib-eye sharer and some salads. What more do you need? I went for the Bavette, France's favourite cut and Arlo's signature steak. It came sliced up, was juicy, full of flavour and beautifully seasoned. They serve all their steaks medium rare, unless you ask otherwise. I found mine to be a little on the rarer side - but didn't care as it tasted so good. I had the peppercorn sauce which cost an extra pound and this was a very generous portion. My boyfriend went for the Picanha cut for £12. This is a kind of sirloin/rump cross and came with a big thumbs up from him. We shared a portion of handcut skinny chips (amazing) and macaroni cheese which tastes just like your mum has made it... and poured extra cheese on top. Yum. The Oreo chocolate tart for dessert is also a must! It was smooth, rich but not too sickly sweet... the perfect end to a lovely meal. All in all, excellent value for money.

Downsides?

While Arlo's is clearly all about the steaks, there could perhaps be one or two more choices in the dessert section. Saying that, I always prefer a limited menu that's done well. This place is definitely one to watch!

Location?

1 Ramsden Road, London, SW12 8QX.

The Royal Albert Hall!

A Second Serving reviews Coda restaurant in the Royal Albert Hall, South Kensington... 

Coda, the concert hall's upscale dining spot, offers a menu of seasonal and modern British cuisine. Inside the grey and mauve-coloured restaurant there are huge Swarovski crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and large, open windows. With seating for 65 guests, Coda really maximizes the unique views of the Prince Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens. Guests to the Hall can go to Coda two hours ahead of shows and return to their tables during intervals to continue to enjoy drinks and desserts. Although the staff have to work to a really tight schedule (everyone needs to be served in time for the performance that day), service is still very impressive. 

 Why go?

If you're off to a performance at the Royal Albert Hall then you really should give this place a visit beforehand. They offer a two course menu for £35, or three course for £40 and both include a glass of sparkling wine - fantastic value considering the quality of food on offer. To start, I went for the tuna tartare with spiced avocado, soy and yuzu and this was fresh and full of flavour. I continued the fishy theme in my main as I had the roast Cornish cod, which came with Austell muscles, buttered leeks and sea vegetables. It was gooey, garlicy and beautifully presented. I couldn't fault the service either - our waiter, Gianpier, recommended dishes without coming across as pompous or overbearing. For dessert I had the mango and passionate fruit cheesecake (if there's fruit in it, there's no calories... right?!) which came with crunchy oat cookies and a super smooth coconut ice-cream. I genuinely couldn't fault it. Even though I was stuffed, I couldn't help but feel jealous of my boyfriends lemon and red fruit tart with toasted meringue and raspberry sorbet - I may also have stuck a sneaky fork in!

 

Downsides?

It was a hot day so which meant it was a little on the warm side as the windows are sealed shut.

Location?

Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AP.

Dinner with a fabulous view

A Second Serving reviews Burlington's at The Beech Hill Hotel & Spa in Windermere, Cumbria...

Burlington's restaurant, which is part of the Beech Hill Hotel & Spa, is situated on the east shore of Lake Windermere and offers truly breathtaking views across the lake. As well as the main restaurant, there's an outside terrace you can have drinks on before and/or after your meal to really soak up the view. The menu consists of French and English cuisine and is sourced almost exclusively from local suppliers. They offer a choice of two, three or five course selections and we went for three at a very reasonably priced £34.95.

Check out that view!

Why go?

If you're after tasty food (and decent sized portions), with a superb view of Lake Windermere then this is the place to go. Service is attentive and friendly and your food will be served quick. They take your order in the main bar beforehand, so you're not left waiting long between courses. I started my meal with the shelled muscles mariniere, which came with garlic, herbs and Chardonnay-in baked tomato. I was expecting to get my hands dirty wrestling the muscles out of the shells, but I didn't need to as they came already prepared in a little silver pot. The flavour of the sauce was spot on and there was a lot of it so I could soak it all up with the crusty bread on the side. For my main I had the duck and this came with sweet potato and greens. It was well cooked but could have perhaps been a little better seasoned. The presentation of the food was however very good. My partner had the roast salmon main and he said this was very fresh. To finish, I went for one of my fave desserts, crème brulee, and this one came with a citrus shortcake. I have to say it was very good - it had a good crunch on top and was creamy and delicious underneath. Nom nom nom! My OH opted for the trio of desserts - a mini crème brulee, a strawberry posset and a dark chocolate mousse - all of which I sampled and all of which tasted bloody damn good!

Me tucking into my main!

Downsides?

While the views really are to die for (pretty much wherever you sit in the restaurant), the rest of the hotel seems a little dated and old fashioned. Perhaps, however, this is just down to personal taste.

Location?

The Beech Hill Hotel, Newby Bridge Road, Cumbria, LA23 3LR.

Feeling flash...

A Second Serving reviews Ours in Knightsbridge..

Ours is a brand new star studded restaurant in Knightsbridge that serves British-euro cuisine. Inside, the high trees and high ceilings add to the drama and elegance of the comfy and contemporary restaurant. Not only is the service impressive and attentive, the food is also up there with the best. It's hardly surprising though as the head chef works very closely with Tom Sellers of groundbreaking Restaurant Story - he's the culinary inspiration and adviser of Ours, as well as being a director of the restaurant.

Why go? 

This is one flash place! Stepping inside, you walk through an impressive tunnel of lights into the main restaurant which feels a bit like a giant greenhouse with plants everywhere and two big trees covered in fairy-lights that pop up through the restaurant floor. Once we were settled, the waitress helped us to pick two delicious gin cocktails from the menu, then bought over a giant platter of crudites (traditional French appetizers consisting of sliced or whole raw vegetables which could be dipped in a sauce) which she poured liquid nitrogen over for dramatic effect - this definitely worked as we did the whole 'ooooo' thing as the smoke billowed out from our table.

Our John Dory and steak main...

To start I had the crab, which came with avocado and apple. While it was quite a small portion, it was incredibly tasty and the sweetness of the apple really lifted the dish. My friend Kelly and I then decided to share two dishes between us for the main as we couldn't decide what we liked the look of best. We tried the John Dory, which came with saffron, tomato and courgette and this was super fresh and well seasoned. But the fish paled in comparison to the fillet of steak with bearnaise sauce. Oh my bloody God. It was so good in fact that Kelly said she couldn't talk because she was enjoying it so much! We'd ordered a portion of pecorini foie-gras chips to go alongside it and these were thick, chunky and full of flavour. Although we were stuffed by this point we decided to share two desserts (why not!) and they were bloody brilliant too. The doughnuts with raspberry filling came in a cute paper bag and the chocolate, smoked black tea and almond tart was delicious and not as rich as it looked... so of course we ate the lot! What. A. Meal.

Downsides? 

It's quite pricey! Our three course meal and drinks came to over £200 but if you have the cash to splash or you've got a big celebration coming up, then this is THE place to go. I haven't been so wowed by food, location, surroundings or service in a long time.

Location?

264 Brompton Road, London, SW3 2AS.

Baking with Cookery School at Little Portland Street

A Second Serving reviews the Ultimate Afternoon Tea class at Cookery School at Little Portland Street...

Cookery School at Little Portland Street is one of the oldest venues in London for amateur cooks - and London's leading teaching kitchen. They offer over 30 different classes that range from daytime and evening class sampling - from bread and cake making to gluten free cooking and knife skills, to the regional cuisine of the Middle East and Mexico. The Cookery School aims to demystify cooking with an emphasis on it being fun, friendly and accessible. Most of the classes are aimed at amateur rather than professional chefs, who, like me, want to pretend they're on Masterchef! Every session provides lots of hands on practice and there are ample opportunities to ask questions and hone your skills. I was invited to the Ultimate Afternoon Tea class and took my sister Rebecca... who was just as rubbish as me!

The sponge cake of dreams (I actually made this!)

Why go?

Upon arrival we were welcomed with a glass of bubbly (hell yes!) and handed an apron with our name on. Before long the class had started and we were split up into pairs and allocated tasks to begin. My sister and I decided to start making the sponge cake, which had a cream filling and chocolate ganache topping - something I'd never dared attempt before. Fortunately, all of the ingredients were weighed up ready for us to use so we had to just follow a simple set of instructions... easier said than done if you confuse salt with sugar. Guilty as charged! As the class progressed, the chef stopped at moments to show us different things, and we were assigned other tasks. As well as the cake, we also helped make the scotch eggs and scones. The chef was fun, if a little sarcastic about our cooking skills, but it was all in good taste and made the class a real laugh. The three hours seemed to whiz by and before I knew it the food we'd made was all cooked and laid out on a table in front of us.

Scones and lemon tarts

Egg rolls in homemade bread and sarnies

At the end we all sat down together and enjoyed the food that we'd made, along with another class of fizz and a cup of English tea. We made classic scones with cream and jam, cheese scones, lemon tarts, cucumber and salmon sandwiches, egg mayonnaise on homemade mini rolls, scotch eggs and a sponge cake. I tell you what everything tasted so much better knowing we'd made it ourselves! We were also given a handy little pack to take home with us which contained all the recipes should we wish to give them another try. While I very much doubt the class made me a potential Masterchef contestant overnight, it was heaps of fun and I did pick up a few tips along the way. The best one? Crack an egg on a hard work surface, not the side of a bowl. Sounds silly I know, but six cracked eggs later and not one piece of shell was in that mixing bowl. So proud!

Ready and raring to go!

Downsides?

Everyone in our group was fairly quiet and I couldn't help but feel like it would have been a bit more fun if we'd known each other before. Saying that, it was probably just pot luck, and because they were quiet it meant we stuck our hands up and tried more things. This class would be great to do with a small group of friends or maybe even a hen party looking for a fun activity.

Location?

15b Little Portland Street, London, W1W 8BW

Seriously good sushi!

A Second Serving reviews Tombo Poke and Matcha Bar in Soho... 

This clean and modern sushi cafe is in a fab location, slap bang in the heart of Soho - and also, rather helpfully, very close to my office. Rather than just focus on mainstream dishes like sushi, they specialise in poké, (pronounced POH-kay) - which is essentially a colourful, flavourful version of sushi served in a bowl format. The Hawaiian raw fish sits somewhere between sashimi and ceviche. They also offer a range of high quality Tombo Green Teas by the cup, alongside their unique Tombo Matcha Lattes, Matcha brownies, gateau, sundaes and Matcha Soft Serve. Yum!

Why go?

If you're hungry but craving something nutritious, get your ass here pronto. The dishes are all super healthy at the same time as being filling and endlessly customisable. I went for the classic salmon poké, which was made up of salmon, classic sauce, edamame, white onion, sesame seeds and nori. I loved it - and literally felt like I was eating a bowl of goodness. Price wise, you get a decent amount for your money. My regular sized bowl cost £6.95 but if you're not quite as hungry, you can get a small bowl for £4.95. My pal opted for the veggie poke which came with tofu and avocado as well as a tasty matcha miso sauce - and she seemed to enjoy. After washing my lunch down with an apple and ginger juice, I headed back to work feeling smug and satisfied.

Downsides? 

Tombo has only been open a week or so, which means it still has that brand new-trying-to-find-out-feet kinda vibe, especially in the downstairs area where there's a faint smell of fresh paint. Don't let this put you off though as I sense good things for this place and will definitely pop in again soon!

Location? 

28 D'Arblay Street, London, W1F 8EW.

All Star Lanes

A Second Serving reviews All Star Lanes in Bloomsbury...

All Star Lanes is a popular retro-themed venue hidden away by a discreet sign in Bloomsbury (blink and you'll miss it!) They have four bowling lanes (plus two private lanes upstairs), a cocktail bar and a restaurant - so there really is something to suit everyone. Bowling costs £8.95 per person per game and shoe hire is included. The restaurant, which is literally right next to the bowling area, serves good old American style fare - all ribs, burgers and steaks. Nom nom nom!

Copyright: All Star Lanes

Why go?

Because bowling is so much fun.... durr! On my weekend visit there were quite a few families and children (as expected) but on a week night I reckon this place would be the perfect spot for a fun date. When we first arrived the staff were very friendly and helpful so it didn't take long before we were set up and ready to start playing the game. I used to love bowling as a kid so couldn't wait to see if I still had the special touch - it turns out I do as I WON (not that I'm competitive!) After all the energy I'd used up focusing on winning the game, it was time for food. I decided to try their limited edition meatball hoagie, which is available throughout the whole of June. It really is the ultimate comfort food... made up of homemade meatballs, deliciously simple Marinara sauce and melted mozzarella tucked into a lightly toasted brioche bun. It cost £10.95 and was surprisingly filling! I washed it all down with a fiery Red Snapper cocktail (Bombay Sapphire, Tio Pepe sherry, celery bitters, lemon, Worcestershire sauce, strawberry puree, tomato juice, celery, basil, with a strawberry and celery skewer) and added an extra dash of tabasco sauce to make it a little hotter. To finish, I tucked into the salted caramel cheesecake with toffee sauce. Perfect!

Meatball hoagie!

Waiting for my grub!

Downsides?

While the cheesecake for dessert was really nice, I thought the base was a bit too thin and soggy. Saying that, it was demolished in seconds so it can't have been that bad!

Location?

Victoria House, Bloomsbury House, WC1B 4DA.

Feeling fancy? Head to Holborn Dining Room!

A Second Serving reviews The Rosewood Hotel's Holborn Dining Room in central London...

Set within the lavish Rosewood Hotel is Holborn Dining Room, a bustling brasserie which serves up seasonal, locally sourced British cuisine in a vibrant and impressive dining salon. The interior is simply stunning... all reclaimed oak, antique mirrors and red leather booths, and this creates a real feeling of class and sophistication. Not only that, the Gin Bar also offers London's largest collection of gin (hell yes!) in fact they have over 400 different gins and 27 tonics. Hiccup!

Copyright: Holborn Dining Room

Why go?

If you're keen to impress someone or fancy splashing out (but hate anywhere too pretentious), then make a reservation at the Rosewood. I took my boyfriend as a treat for his birthday and we had a fab time, in fact I enjoyed it so much I didn't even resent paying... which is a rarity! I thought I'd start off semi healthy by going for the chicken salad with avocado and smoked bacon, but this wasn't any old salad, oh no. It was essentially a whole lettuce, which when you pulled open was filled with layers of creamy chicken. The portion was huge but incredibly delicious so of course I ate it all. My boyfriend went for the fried squid which I had a little taste of and this was bloody lovely - salty, sweet, crispy and just the right amount of chewy, although he said the relish was perhaps a little too tangy for his liking. For our main my other half opted for the BBQ pork belly with creamed sweetcorn, fennel and apple salad, which seemed to go down a treat. I decided to go for the pot roast lamb breast with celeriac remoulade and green sauce because I'm a massive lamb fan so hoped Holborn Dining Room would impress. And boy it did, that meat was OUT OF THIS WORLD. I had two sizeable circles of lamb which was beautifully tender and seasoned to perfection. I literally couldn't stop going on about it afterwards, and if I go back I think I'll probably have to have the same dish again! We also both shared a side of creamed mash potato and carrots (£4 each). When it was time for dessert I was pretty stuffed so let my boyfriend choose the chocolate mousse with malted ice-cream and honeycomb. I managed to try a few scoops and it was just as rich, gooey and crunchy as I'd hoped. All in all, a fantastic evening of food.


The pork belly main



....and the lamb I couldn't get enough of

Downsides?

For food, service and surroundings this fancy I was more than happy to pay what I did (around £110 for two with a tip), but this would feel a lot for just a normal meal out... so save Holborn Dining Room for a special occasion, then go all out!

Happy faces to finish!

Location?

252 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7EN