Brasserie Zedel, Piccadilly

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Zut alors… How have I not discovered this fantastic french underworld before? Brasserie Zedel is neighbours with the busiest tube station in london and yet once inside you forget you are even in Britain. From the street this venue looks like just another mock-Parisian restaurant, but what you will find inside will fill your imagination with french fantasies and romantic anecdotes.

There is a coffee shop on street level, and if you follow the memorabilia-filled walls down the stairs you can watch cabaret at The Crazy Coqs, sip cocktails at Bar Americain, and dine at the greatest french brasserie in london.

Walking away from the quaint upstairs cafe I could hardly believe my eyes as the venue unfolds. It is a beautiful palace of Art Deco design and an exhibition of authentic french culture. They have got the atmosphere just right. We spent most of the evening in the restaurant where friendly chatter between guests replaces the usual dissatisfying and distracting musical soundtrack.

I chose the dishes that I am so fond of from my summers spent in Provence. In France the tomatoes are sweeter, the meat is juicier, and the desserts are just so SO much better. So for me it was tomato salad to start, Rib-eye steak with french fries for main, and an exquisite Creme Brûlée for dessert. The food was all delicious – simple and classic, reasonably priced and a menu with good variety to choose from. My guest tried the extra garlicky snails, and we both enjoyed the hearty steaks which were grilled perfectly to our preferences and served with ultra thin crispy fries. Creamy smooth very vanilla Creme brûlée was a highlight with a crunchy sugar layer on top.

A deep rich red wine matched our steak well and after dinner cocktails in Bar Americain are a must… We loves the sweet and refreshing ZL Cobbler (No 2) and the martini style Bel Ami, a spicy tangy concoction.

Now for the best bit…Anyone who turns up on Bastille Day –14th July (this Sunday)– in a striped blue and white Breton top and a beret gets a free ‘Formule’ menu on us.  Full details and T&Cs here: http://www.brasseriezedel.com/bastille-day

Moustaches optional…

www.brasseriezedel.com

Tuscanic, Soho

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This restaurant is a Tuscan haven for Italian lovers and foodie fanatics. It is a simple and easy concept exhibiting Tuscany’s best culinary offerings. Located on Old Compton Street in the heart of Soho, this new little cafe-bar offers a select menu of cheese, meat and bread based treats.

Our chirpy waitress was keen for us to try all of her suggestions. I expected to hate the lukewarm ‘bread soup’, a recipe made with a base of tomato-soaked breadcrumbs, but it was strangely tasty. The onion and caper recipe was less delicious but an obvious attraction for French onion soup fans. It is the antipasti type boards that are most appealing at Tuscanic. A wonderful spread of fresh cheeses and fennel infused soft salami that worked well with the focaccia bread and bottle of Italian olive oil on the table. The properly made macchiatos were divine and the gluten free chocolate torte was a big hit with my sweet toothed guest. The wine list exceeded all our expectations – a light white and a classic Chianti, both were divine and very drinkable.

Tuscanic is less of a restaurant more of a wine bar cafe, perfect for an early evening snack and glass of wine away from the noise and mayhem of Soho. A proudly passionate place for all things Tuscany.

More information here.

www.tuscanic.com

JW Marriott Absheron Hotel, Baku

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The Marriott brand is known worldwide for their luxury hotels and five star service. I experienced this first hand at the Marriott Hotel in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Absheron, where I was invited to try the spa and Fireworks restaurant. The Marriott fits into the impressive Baku skyline, it is a huge building with an imposing façade. Centrally located, I imagine this hotel is a popular choice for business visitors to Baku, yet when I visited I noticed crowds of young locals enjoying the outdoor eateries.

The spa is up on one of the highest floors, with incredible views of the city and a calm, quiet atmosphere. The therapists were very smiley and happy to be attending to our every need. Face down on the massage bed, I could have been anywhere in the world and for a moment I definitely forgot I was in Azerbaijan’s booming capital city. As I’d expect from a Marriott establishment, the massage was wonderful, personalised and attentive, relaxing and soothing. The treatment concluded with a glass of refreshing iced tea to hydrate and wake us up. We sat for a while in the relaxation room, in the comfiest chairs overlooking the entire city and the amazing Caspian coastline. After an invigorating shower, we travelled back down to one of the Marriott restaurants.

There are four dining options, we were in the oriental terrace restaurant, Fireworks. On Fridays this restaurant holds a beer and kebab buffet, a casual, fun night equally popular with tourists and locals. I cannot fault the service which was amongst the best I experienced in Baku… very friendly and accommodating, English-speaking waiters made our dinner very enjoyable. Luckily, the head chef was on hand to choose our meal for us as I was completely bewildered by the choice and variety on the menu.

After glasses of chilled Prosecco, a selection of Middle-Eastern meze was delivered to us: mangal (aubergine) salad, hummus, halloumi salad, and warm flat bread. The flavours were vibrant and the dishes were extra moreish, I couldn’t resist nibbling away for ages. A mixed grill arrived soon after for main course: an array of juicy fragrant meats dressed with spices and presented with grilled vegetables. Fresh watermelon was a palate-cleansing, healthy end to the meal.

Wandering away from the epic Absheron building, lit up gloriously, I knew I would remember my evening here fondly for years to come. It is a giant in the Baku empire that offers everything a guest could ever want.

More information here.

Thoroughly Modern Milly travelled with British Airways, London to Baku.