Tag Archives: new opening

Mustard, Brook Green

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There is a strange part of London, in which I used to live, in-between Shepherd’s Bush, Holland Park and Kensington. This pretty residential area has huge potential and yet there is a real shortage of nice cafes, restaurants and shops. So recently when I was alerted about Mustard, a new bistro on Shepherd’s Bush Road, I was keen to visit and try the food as soon as possible.

Mustard is housed in an old butchery building, the glorious interiors offer charming hints to its previous use, with the original tiles and features still intact. We made use of the small terrace at the front of the restaurant, and sat outside enjoying the springtime sunshine while having lunch.

The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and is particularly popular at the weekend with the locals, who must be delighted with this stylish new neighbourhood hang out. The menu focuses on fresh, seasonal British produce from land and sea, and there is also a great selection of vegetarian options. The Express Lunch menu is available daily, a reasonable £9.95 for two courses or £12.95 for three.

To quench our thirst we opted for a couple of glasses of the Furleigh sparkling wine from Dorset. It was a delicious, light bubbly wine with subtle fruity notes of peach and lime… refreshing and very easy to drink. Just-out-of-the-oven fennel and linseed bread arrived alongside crispy pork belly soldiers with apple dipping sauce.

In the mood for spring we chose summery dishes from the a la carte menu. The free-range half roast chicken for me, and pan-fried woodland mushrooms with braised lentils and pearled spelt for my veggie guest. The chicken was divine, with irresistible crispy skin, a faint charcoal grill smokiness and a rich dill and wheat berry gravy. I was particularly happy devouring it alongside the lusciously smooth creamed potatoes. The mushrooms were very tasty too, perfectly seasoned and cooked, with a light but filling risotto-like lentil and spelt mix.

I had just enough space, and more than enough greed, to agree to a taste of dessert. The almond and blood orange cake was dense but moist, accompanied with a dollop of sweet soft cheese. Though I liked the flavour, I found the hefty slice too big for pudding and would have preferred something a little more refined, especially considering the £5.50 pricetag.

As we sat sipping on fresh mint tea, I realised how relaxed and at ease I felt. Unlike chaotic central London venues, or tiny trendy locations in East and South London, Mustard manages to maintain a lovely low-key and local feel. So you can really relish your meal out and enjoy the company without worrying about a thing.

More information and book a table at Mustard here.

Mr Bao, Peckham

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The bao craze is only just beginning, with more Taiwanese eateries opening up all over the world, particularly in London. I have been lucky enough to try a few of the best bao buns around the world and was excited to be invited recently to try the newest offering at Peckham establishment Mr Bao.

Founders Frank Yeung and Nick Birkett have transformed an old shop on Rye Lane, creating a buzzy restaurant for locals to enjoy fresh and flavoursome Taiwanese cuisine. The menu features a range of bao varieties and Taiwanese snacks as well as traditional teas and quirky cocktails. Where possible produce is bought in from local suppliers, though some specialist ingredients come all the way from Taipei. I was particularly pleased to notice Peckham’s finest Flock + Herd meat featuring on the menu.

I tried a selection of dishes from the menu. My favourites included the classic ‘Mr Bao’, a sweet and indulgent bap filled with slow braised pork, pickles, peanut powder and coriander, and the ‘Bao Diddley’ filled with fried chicken, brined for 24 hours, wasabi mayo, kimchi and coriander, a spicy but tasty option. From the sharing snack list I loved the fresh Tenderstem broccoli with ponzu and the intriguing ‘Smacked cucumber’, lightly pickled to give a subtle and refreshing vegetarian dish.

The cocktails were a tad disappointing, with no garnishes or flourishes they tasted like spirits simply mixed with fruit juice. Instead opt for a ‘Jin Xuan’ tea, which has a light but mellow taste and complements the bold food perfectly. For dessert the ‘Bao S’More’ is the only option, but no one is complaining, a naughty mess of melted marshmallow, dark chocolate and fried bao. At weekends Mr Bao offers a popular brunch menu that includes their decadent bacon bao with maple syrup, which already has a cult following.

I couldn’t be happier to have this bao business on my doorstep… I am sure I will be popping in regularly to satisfy my bao cravings in this new neighbourhood venue.

More information about Mr Bao here.

Kanada-Ya, Panton Street

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After visiting Japan my opinion and knowledge of the country’s cuisine has radically altered. I sampled ramen, tempura, yakitori, bento, kaiseke and other specialties, indicating just how varied Japanese dishes can be… it is so much more than just sushi. My visit to Kanada-Ya brought back memories of my recent travels, from the welcoming chants as I entered the restaurant to the flavoursome rich broths I happily consumed.

Kanada-Ya Panton Street is the second branch of this popular casual Japanese eatery. Fans were delighted to discover that this Soho venue seats up to 56 diners and takes booking for groups of six or more, unlike the first Kanada-Ya where there are often tiresome queues outside. The boutique ramen restaurant feels casual and makeshift inside with basic wooden tables and simple lighting… all attention here is on the food.

The menu features a range of Japanese classics, but the ramen takes centre stage. I tried their Original Ramen (18-hour pork bone broth, served with pork belly chashu, wood ear fungus, seaweed and fresh spring onion) a comforting and flavoursome bowl of food. The broth has a meaty intensity and the toppings tasted fresh and vibrant. Guests are invited to choose their noodle consistency from extra firm, firm, regular or soft, though I think its best to take the waiters recommendation on this. For a lighter ramen, nice for lunch, opt for the Chicken-Paitan (corn fed chicken bone broth, secret sauce, chashu pork collar and shredded leek). A side order of Hanjuku egg completes the dish.

From the rest of the menu I really enjoyed the light and crispy Karaage Japanese fried chicken with house mayonnaise, and the strangely enticing Truffle Edamame. For dessert Kanada-Ya offer a strikingly green Matcha Soft Serve, a favourite in Japan, but definitely an acquiried taste here in England.

A meal at Kanada-Ya will cost you around £15-20 a head, and I can honestly say this little eatery offers the best ramen I’ve tasted outside of Japan.

More information about Kanada-Ya here.