Tag Archives: soho

Dehesa, Soho

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Dehesa is the third member of the Salt Yard team, a group of restaurants I believe to be among the very best in London. Each offering a similar menu of Italian inspired tapas, it is a treat for all the senses to visit one of these eateries.

The chatter and laughter is audible from the street, just like its sister restaurants, Dehesa is conducive to fun and enjoyment, you cannot help but have a good time. We waited a while before being seated, choosing to wander along Carnaby Street to work up an appetite while our table was prepared.

Squeezing in at the corner of the bar, we glanced at the menu, knowing almost immediately what we desired. A glass of the house wine each, red for my friend, white for me and a selection of charcuterie, cheese, bread, salad and patatas bravas… perhaps the perfect meal?

One thing you must know about the Salt Yard group… their wine list is supreme, even the cheapest house wine (£4 a glass) is really very good and the Prosecco on offer is always delicious.

Everything was divine, no surprises there. Toasted bread and aioli is a simple but heavenly combination, ideal for an initial snack; then slivers of chilli and marjoram salami, only served at the Dehesa outlet – it is very worth trying… intensely flavoured and totally addictive, I guarantee it will disappear from the table within seconds. Manchego cheese is yummy as ever, three ages are presented with fruity membrillo and crunchy slices of bread.

Warm Salad of Baby Artichokes, Cime Di Rappa, Goats Curd and Spicy Almonds was a lovely and intriguing combination, providing a little greenery to accompany the meat and cheese. For a bit of naughtiness the fat potato chips are perfect, covered in red spiciness and served with a pot of dipping aioli, we found we were so greedy we needed to order two extra portions of aioli for dunking.

Unfussy, bold food that is utterly scrumptious: for £20 a head you will enjoy a feast of tapas and wine. I would eat in the Salt Yard restaurants every night if I could.

Visit the website here for more information.

Balans, Soho

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Balans restaurants seem to naturally adapt to the area of London in which they are located. Chiswick has a young family vibe, Ken High Street is cool and hip and Soho, is, well, hilariously camp and fun and flirty. I visited the Soho branch on a weekday evening and joined the throng of lively bohemians dining and laughing casually over a drink. The preened and pretty waiters zoom around the restaurant serving everyone with super speed and efficiency.

The menu offers a selection of classic British and American favourites and some more exotic recipes. We started with tomato and mozzarella salad and crispy calamari. Both were very fresh and flavoursome, generous portions that arrived promptly from the kitchen.

For mains my burger was massive, I couldn’t eat more than half of it and I felt pathetic handing my plate sheepishly back to the waiter as he sympathetically assured me that no one finishes it. The burger itself was average, not bad not good, the meat was relatively bland, the bun was dry and the toppings rather limp. The fillet steak went down well, my guest triumphantly finished the whole piece of meat, licking his lips and proclaiming its attributes: rich taste, lovely texture and delicious sauce. With portion sizes so big, three courses is an impossible challenge but we attempted a dessert between us… the chocolate brownie was very chocolatey, served with contrasting ice-cream. There were other tempting choices on the pudding menu but I let my guest choose and, being a typical boy, he chose the brownie.

It is the cocktails which really star at Soho Balans, and it is this aspect made our visit so enjoyable. The staff seem very passionate and knowledgeable about mixology and are happy to advise even the most indecisive of customers (me). We tried several different drinks, the Pornstar Martini and Caiprinha were very good but it was my Red Lotus (vodka, lychee liqueur, cranberry juice) that was the most memorable… a bright red fruity and fiery drink.

The food at Balans Soho was a little disappointing, but with such show-stopping cocktails, it seems to sell itself instead as a drinks destination.

Visit the website here for more information.

Honest Burgers, Soho

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I have delayed writing this review, because every time I remember my meal at Honest I get cravings for one of their burgers and have to stop myself running back to Soho for a second serving.

Originally located in Brixton, Honest recently opened its second branch in Soho where tables are already scarce… central London is definitely enjoying this new burger brand! Honest is inspired by great British produce, using the very best carefully sourced and super fresh ingredients to make unrivalled burgers, whipping them up for desperate diners night after night.

It is plain silly to try anything aside from the ‘Honest Burger’ which truly ticks every box, though chicken and vegetarian options are on offer for weirdos. The meat is supplied from Ginger Pig and can’t be faulted. 35-day dry-aged chuck beef steak is served between a super soft bun and is arranged with the usual salad garnishes. I wouldn’t usually approve but the sweet red onion relish and pickled cucumber (gherkin) really make the burger, served with smoked bacon and mature cheddar, it is a match made in heaven. Cooked perfectly, the burger is soft and sweet, your teeth sink in so fast it is difficult not to gobble it in one go.

A handful of chips accompany the burger in the basket. The chips are addictive, and I carried on eating them even when I knew I shouldn’t… handcut, thin and crispy (thrice-cooked) with a soft centre they are covered in incredible rosemary salt. Insanely good.

If that isn’t enough the burgers are reasonably priced too… £10 for a burger and drink makes a cheap but enjoyable date.

They don’t take bookings so go early or be prepared to queue… I promise it’s worth it.

Visit the website for more information here.

http://www.honestburgers.co.uk/