One of the most important things which make your vacation a whole lot better is food. And in that affordable food gives you even more satisfaction.
Going to London? Well here's our list of London's Top 3 affordable restaurants which will surely make your mouth water.
1.Pollen Street Social
Jason Atherton, formerly of Maze, has certainly put Pollen Street on the map. The huge Mayfair site comprises large lounge bar and restaurant areas, a dessert bar, a private dining-cum-sommelier's room, showcase kitchen, glass-walled wine cellar and meat-ageing room (apologies if we've forgotten something).
We were bowled over by a stunning black and white starter of cauliflower and squid, which looked almost like risotto, and exquisitely fresh hake with smoked mussels. A generous plate of roast Dingley Dell pork belly and loin with apple, curly kale, mulled brambles and cobnut paste brought intrigue to a classic flavour combination.
Vegetarians have a dedicated menu featuring dishes such as penne with salsify cream, girolles and summer truffle.
Address:
Pollen Street Social,
8 Pollen Street W1S 1NQ,
Transport Oxford Circus tube.
Telephone:
Main courses : £21-£24.50. Set lunch £20 2 courses, £23.50 3 courses
Credit cards : AmEx, MC, V
Facilities :
Babies and children welcome ( restaurant: high chairs ), Booking advisable, Separate room for parties ( seats 14 ), Available for hire, Disabled ( toilet ), Vegetarian menu.
020 7592 1616
More Details:
Bar Open/tapas served noon-midnight Mon-Sat. Tapas £3.50-£16.
Restaurant Lunch served noon-2.45pm, dinner served 6-10.45pm Mon-Sat
Main courses : £21-£24.50. Set lunch £20 2 courses, £23.50 3 courses
Credit cards : AmEx, MC, V
Facilities :
Babies and children welcome ( restaurant: high chairs ), Booking advisable, Separate room for parties ( seats 14 ), Available for hire, Disabled ( toilet ), Vegetarian menu.
2. Corner Room
Eating food cooked by Viajante's
Nuno Mendes is an adventure, and (as any hobbit will tell you)
adventures aren't for everyone, but we find it fascinating: a terrific
amuse-bouche of fat olives stuffed with anchovy, orange and parsley;
visually arresting mackerel with gooseberry granita, pistachio and tiny,
roe-like balls of melon; a blueberry pudding with chunks of dry brioche
and caramel-streaked goat's cheese, under a grassy-tasting shiso
granita.
The biggest hit had the simplest twist: 'clam and cod chowder' wasn't soup, just a perfectly cooked, chunky cod fillet, a scatter of clams, sweetcorn, diced potato and a little sauce, delivering an explosive whack of flavour authentic enough to demand a return ticket from Boston.
No bookings are taken, so you'll probably wait for a table, and there's a 90-minute maximum stay - not enforced for our visit early in the week, even though the quietly arty first-floor corner dining room was full by 9pm.
Later diners began to experience delays, doubtless because of the amount of hands-on preparation required, and some dishes overextend themselves: the meat in a delicious Iberico pork and Portuguese bread pudding was seared like tuna for superb texture, but disconcertingly lukewarm.
At these prices, though, these are exciting, surprising eats.
The biggest hit had the simplest twist: 'clam and cod chowder' wasn't soup, just a perfectly cooked, chunky cod fillet, a scatter of clams, sweetcorn, diced potato and a little sauce, delivering an explosive whack of flavour authentic enough to demand a return ticket from Boston.
No bookings are taken, so you'll probably wait for a table, and there's a 90-minute maximum stay - not enforced for our visit early in the week, even though the quietly arty first-floor corner dining room was full by 9pm.
Later diners began to experience delays, doubtless because of the amount of hands-on preparation required, and some dishes overextend themselves: the meat in a delicious Iberico pork and Portuguese bread pudding was seared like tuna for superb texture, but disconcertingly lukewarm.
At these prices, though, these are exciting, surprising eats.
Address :
More Details :
Babies and children admitted, Bookings not accepted, Disabled ( toilet ).
Corner Room,
Town Hall Hotel, Patriot Square E2 9NF,
Transport Bethnal Green tube.More Details :
Breakfast served :7-10am Mon-Fri; 7.30-10.30am Sat, Sun. Meals served noon-10.30pm daily
Main courses :£10-£15. Set lunch (noon-3pm Mon-Fri) £15 2 courses
Credit cards : AmEx, MC, V
Facilities :Babies and children admitted, Bookings not accepted, Disabled ( toilet ).
3. Hawksmoor Seven Dials
One of Hawksmoor's delicacies |
Starters focus on British fish (Dorset oysters and blue lobster, Poole clams); our crab on toast, a huge mound of brown and white meat served on good crusty bread, was straightforward and delectable. This is a place that chooses its ingredients carefully, then serves them simply. The steaks are a case in point.
All the meat comes from excellent, Yorkshire-based butcher Ginger Pig. The beef is from Longhorn cattle, the meat dry-aged for at least 35 days. Steaks are cooked on a Josper grill, emerging with a crusty black exterior and luxe red interior. We're fans of the deep-flavoured rump, and were blown away by the ribeye, served medium-rare to melt the fat in the well-marbled meat. Side dishes of bone marrow and two kinds of chips (beef dripping or triple-cooked) complete the feast.
Clued-up staff are keen to advise on the various meat cuts and the lengthy, well-chosen wine list. Make sure you arrive hungry.
Address :
Hawksmoor Seven Dials,
11 Langley Street WC2H 9JJ,
Transport Covent Garden tube.
Telephone
Lunch served :noon-3pm, dinner served 5-10.30pm Mon-Sat. Meals served noon-5pm Sun
Babies and children welcome ( high chairs; nappy-changing facilities ), Booking advisable, Separate room for parties ( seats 16 ), Available for hire, Disabled ( toilet ).
020 7856 2154
More Details :
Lunch served :noon-3pm, dinner served 5-10.30pm Mon-Sat. Meals served noon-5pm Sun
Main courses :£15-£30. Set meal (5-6.30pm, 10-10.30pm Mon-Fri) £20 2 courses, £22.50 3 courses
Meal for two with wine and service: around £120
Credit cards : AmEx, MC, V
Facilities :Babies and children welcome ( high chairs; nappy-changing facilities ), Booking advisable, Separate room for parties ( seats 16 ), Available for hire, Disabled ( toilet ).