Monikers, Hoxton Square

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Hoxton Square is fast becoming the foodie destination of East London with numerous bar, cafe and restaurant options to choose from. Eager to offer an old school feel, the proprietor of Monikers has radically decided to open up an eatery in what used to be the gym of St Monica’s School. This reinvented location has a charming retro feel and relaxed ambiance.

Head Chef Richard Teague serves up a daily mix of dishes like potted cockles with toasted sourdough, black pudding Scotch eggs, roasted wild duck and fish and chips. Specials are written on a rolling blackboard and there is a full brunch menu at weekends. A group of us went along en masse for a birthday celebration and loved sharing the tapas style cuisine. We especially enjoyed the indulgent mini chorizo with honey, messy barbequed ribs and trying-to-be-healthy sprouting broccoli. For cocktail fans I’d recommend the fresh and fruity English Patient.

There is an eccentric private dining room for special occasions constructed from a West Midlands bus! If you book dinner or a little party inside it (for up to 30 friends), then you’ll be issued with pens to graffiti away to your heart’s content.

School’s out and the party is only just getting started at Monikers on Hoxton Square.

monikers.co.uk

St Ermin’s Hotel, St James’s

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St Ermins Hotel in St James’ has recently become part of the Marriott Autograph group, an ever growing collection of distinctive hotels. It is tucked away among a cluster of residential roads and it comes as quite a shock when you discover St Ermin’s grand entrance.

The venue was busy when we arrived on a Saturday afternoon – with so many facilities on site, St Ermins is able provide space for a wedding reception, business meetings and a throng of weekend tourists simultaneously. We bypassed the lobby of activity to see our refuge upstairs.

The suite was bigger than my flat, spacious and luxurious but a bit less homely. The décor reminded me of John Lewis – simple, bold, bright patterns featuring throughout the room design. The first room provided plenty of space with a dining room and sitting room combined. I wondered how often these generous extras get put to good use. Through to the bedroom, I was startled by the enormous bed and ample wardrobe space, room enough for a whole family, but the two of us weren’t complaining. With heavy materials used throughout the suite, there was a sense of grandeur and yet the overall look felt a little worn-out and dated.

The en-suite bathroom was our favourite feature. An impressive freestanding bath with a glass-walled walk-in shower then two marble sinks and a separate toilet. It was the perfect parlour for beautifying and relaxing.

When it comes to dinner, the Caxton Grill is a popular choice with guests, offering a menu of hearty English classics. With the hotel celebrating Honey Month, the drink and food menu had some honey-themed specials, this included our strong, sweet appetiser cocktails. To eat we enjoyed English classics: a well-flavoured Pressed old spot pork to start, hearty 35 day aged Rib Eye steak and chips, and an impressively ornate chocolate dessert.

Breakfast the next morning was of a similarly high quality – moist, bouncy French toast was made exactly to our wishes by the chef, with maple syrup, crème fraiche and fresh berries. Along with a cup of strong fresh coffee, it was the perfect morning meal.

St Ermins may seem a little worn at the edges but the standard is high and it is a lovely place to stay for a weekend getaway.

More information and book here.

www.sterminshotel.co.uk

Clockjack Oven, Soho

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Rotisserie Chicken is a staple in European supermarkets and is a familiar favourite from my family holidays in the South of France. Here in the UK it seems to be an almost exotic method of cooking chicken, but Clockjack Oven is beginning to spread the word, and who knows it could be the new fast food fad.

Clockjack Oven pride themselves on offering the best rotisserie chicken, made from top free range chicken and lovingly prepared with a secret marinade. The menu is centred around the roast chickens but also offers a range of salads, sides and burgers.

Rotisserie chicken is served whole or as servings of three or four pieces, depending on your hunger. The meat was tender and tasty though I felt it needed a crispier skin to add more texture and flavour. Sauces are all made in-house: ranch, BBQ, chilli or gravy are all available… we chose the creamy garlicky ranch sauce.

Herb bites were a nice accompaniment but tasted quite like ready made stuffing, made with onion and crispy sage. Chicken bites were delish marinated in buttermilk and lightly fried, they are an addictive bite-size snack. The Caesar Salad was very fresh, but the dressing was too watery which sadly wilted the lettuce slightly, and double cooked chips were nothing special.

To finish the meal we really enjoyed the special dessert of the day, a warm, rich brownie. Soft and gooey it was divine, and particularly indulgent with the contrasting Cornish clotted cream ice-cream!

Located on the edge of Soho, Clockjack Oven is great for tourists wanting a quick tasty meal, though I think this restaurant has a little way to go before their chicken is unbeatable.

For more information, see here.

www.clockjackoven.com/