Tag Archives: restaurant

Bar Douro, Flat Iron Square

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Thanks to chefs like Nuno Mendes, Portuguese food is now getting an opportunity to shine, with eateries showcasing this much forgotten cuisine all over London. Bar Douro is the latest noteworthy Portuguese restaurant to open, finding a cosy home in the Flat Iron Square foodie hub.

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I went along with a fellow food-obsessed friend to try out their speciality dishes. The restaurant is relaxed and atmospheric, with bar seats offering a view of the small kitchen. The blue and white patterned tiles reminded me instantly of days wandering round Lisbon’s pretty streets. Owner Max Graham was previously running supper clubs around London with Head Chef Tiago Santos. Max’s family have been creating Churchill’s Port in the Douro area of Portugal for centuries and his passion for Portuguese wine is evident from the thoughtful wine list.

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We were treated to a feast of the best dishes from the menu, including delicacies like Croquetes de Alheira and Octopus with sweet potato. The food was vibrant both in flavour and presentation. I loved the Chanfana rolls, bite-sized pieces of milk-fed lamb with a deliciously fragrant herb sauce. For something a little more decadent try the Roast suckling pig with homemade crisps, which is prepared and cooked to perfection with caramelised baby carrots and fresh orange. Not all the dishes worked… Bacalhau a Bras (Salted cod with scrambled eggs and chips) was bland and uninteresting, and sadly our Octopus tenticle arrived so charred it overwhelmed the subtle flavour of the seafood.

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I’ve never known much about Portuguese desserts, partly because I’m usually too full from main course to make it that far down the menu. At Bar Douro we were presented with three sweet plates, so I had a quick, and tasty lesson in this country’s pastry traditions. A delicate Abade de Priscos (Portuguese Bacon Pudding) was paired with wonderfully contrasting citrus sorbet and fresh orange. The second dessert, Bar de camelo was very sweet but delicious, made from condensed milk and topped with ice-cream and a shard of chocolate. And don’t leave without trying the fresh-out-the-oven Pastel de nata with cinnamon ice-cream, which works very well with a glass of the Churchill’s 10 Year Old Tawny Port.

It is lovely to see the arrival of new food ventures in South London and Bar Douro does a wonderful job of showcasing the best of Portuguese food and wine.

More information and book a table at Bar Douro here.

THOROUGHLY MODERN MISS: Inamo, Camden

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Inamo Camden is the fourth branch of the Inamo chain, which describes itself as a pioneering Asian fusion restaurant and bar group. Specifically what the group is pioneering emerges as we are led to our table (worth mentioning they were the best seats in the house with a view straight into the kitchen – request if you can): Inamo has found a point of difference from the many mid-value fusion restaurants in London with an interactive ordering system, developed by sister company Ordano.

Inamo Camden

After an introduction to the restaurant, we are left to play around on the table iPad, and play we did, with everything from the tablecloth to the chef cam (a decent alternative if you don’t land the top table), and most importantly, the menu.

Inamo Camden

Broken down into Sushi, Asian Tapas, Curries, Salads and Inamo Classics, there was a lot to take in, and the opportunity to preview our order and review before clicking send was appreciated.

The menu also included a cocktail list from which we sampled a Passion Fruit Martini and Kyuri Plum Sour, both easy drinking and a refreshing start to the meal. In warmer weather, the Camden branch will make a great destination for afternoon and early evening with its roof terrace, complete with bar, outdoor heaters and attractive view of the surrounding area.

Inamo Camden

Service was fast, arguably a little too so as our table (complete with water lily tablecloth) quickly became laden with the entirety of our dish selection. Once we had decided where to begin, the Yum Buns turned out to be a fun and full flavoured sharing dish, the beef a little tough but the pork and duck delicious with the hoisin sauces and herb salad. The Chicken Karaage, hot, crispy and expertly cooked was decadent and moreish, but the stand out was undoubtedly the Claypot Green Chicken Curry. A stalwart feature on the majority of fusion menus, Inamo’s version didn’t disappoint. Rich, creamy and with the perfect level of spice,  we were close to ordering a second portion – all the more tempting when it can be done in one click.

Inamo Camden

Finding room to squeeze in a dessert, we continued along the evening’s playful  theme with the Chocolate Popping Candy Dipping Sticks. Reflective of the overall Inamo experience, the dish was fun, tasty, perhaps too gimmicky for some discerning diners, but likely to leave you with a smile on your face.

If Camden is a trip too far for you, perhaps give the Covent Garden branch a try – they’re celebrating their first birthday, and until January 12 diners can receive an enticing 25% discount on food AND drink when quoting “anniversary”. Happy dining!

More information and book a table at Inamo Camden here.

Written by a Thoroughly Modern Miss, Lucy Freedman.

Peninsula Restaurant, The Intercontinental at The O2

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Getting out of the tube station at North Greenwich I never could have imagined the fine dining eating experience which awaited us just minutes walk away. The  Intercontinental Hotel at The O2 is a convenient hotel for those watching a show or performing at the giant O2 arena. With such a range of concerts, gigs, exhibitions and sports matches it is different to offer food which would appeal and suit everyone. Those who wish to enjoy a special meal should head to the Peninsula Restaurant, which serves exemplary food and boasts panoramic views of the London skyline.

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The dining room is smart and sophisticated with plenty of natural light flooding in from the floor to ceiling windows. We demolished the wonderful freshly baked bread and chicken skin & tarragon butter almost instantly after the waiter placed it down on the table. There is nothing better than sitting down to eat in a great restaurant feeling very hungry.

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Head chef Tomas Lidakevicius (previously in Texture and Corrigan’s Mayfair) presents modern European recipes deftly infused with a hint of spices which is reflective of the active spice trade that passed through East London’s docks. Each dish was carefully assembled in beautifully unique bowls and plates. Seared scallop with Alsace bacon dashi, apple and sea greens was a light dish with big bold flavours. I loved my Potato and Dill Veloute, the kitchen managed to elevate simple basic ingredients with clever cooking techniques and the addition of truffle air and a rich cured egg yolk.

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Matching wines were brought to the table to try with each dish. The sommelier’s choices were exemplary, including a aromatic Pouilly Fume from the Loire Vallet and a irresistably refreshing glass of Chateau de Beaulieu, Coteaux de Provence rose, which had me dreaming of summer.

Main courses were slightly more substantial, but still went easy on the carbs to avoid unneccesary bloating. Slow cooked duck breast with spiced crumbs, swede pasta and savoy cabbage was a lovely seasonal dish… though I didn’t think the strange swede pasta added much in flavour or presentation to the dish. I had a regal fillet of beef with smoky black garlic, Jerusalem artichoke and tenderstem broccoli. The meat was cooked to perfection, though I thought the sauce was a little too thin.

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There was a range of intriguing sounding desserts on offer when we visited Peninsula. I urge you to try the Bread and butter pudding with white chocolate. This classic and comforting pudding is made with a twist, and is served with delicious stewed fruits and creamy custard. The Dark chocolate parfait was nice but unexceptional, a light cocoa flavoured mousse with citrus yoghurt, burnt clementine and douglas fir soil.

We admired the beautiful view over London as we finished our lunch with coffees and creative petit fours.

Peninsula Restaurant

If you ever find yourself in North Greenwich I highly recommend a meal at Peninsula, it is so much more than just a hotel restaurant.

More information and book a table here.