Saturday, October 8, 2011

Top 3 Affordable Places to Eat in London

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:
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.

Address :
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
Hawksmoor is a carnivore's paradise, a homage to top-quality British beef. Yet it's more than a steakhouse. The Covent Garden outpost is quite a different animal from the Spitalfields original, and makes the most of its basement location with a gorgeous bar that feels like an old school chemistry lab, from which palate-dazzling alco-concoctions emerge.

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
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 ).

 



Thursday, October 6, 2011

RIP Steve Jobs

"Without Steve Jobs Apple would still be only a fruit." 

--------------Xorro

 

APPLE genius Steve Jobs died last night after a long battle with cancer.

The computer pioneer, 56, had recently looked incredibly frail after a fight with the illness.

US President Barack Obama paid tribute to the man who "exemplified the spirit of American ingenuity".


He said: "He transformed our lives, redefined entire industries, and achieved one of the rarest feats in human history: he changed the way each of us sees the world.


"The world has lost a visionary. And there may be no greater tribute to Steve's success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented."

 Jobs resigned as the company's chief exec in August after being on medical leave since January 17 for an undisclosed condition.

 The unveiling of the iPhone 4S on Tuesday was the first time he had not been at a key product launch.

Jobs died as Walt Disney Co.'s largest shareholder after he sold Toy Story makers Pixar to them.

Comparisons were drawn between Jobs and some of history's most celebrated minds.

Movie director Steven Spielberg, one of the founders of Pixar rival DreamWorks Animation, said: "Steve Jobs was the greatest inventor since Thomas Edison. He put the world at our fingertips."

Daniel Ek, the founder of digital music service Spotify, said: "My hat off to our time's Da Vinci."
Remembered ... Apple homepage after Jobs's death was announced
Remembered ... Apple homepage after Jobs's death was announced

The CEO Jobs hand-picked to replace him, Tim Cook, addressed Apple staff in an email.

He wrote: "Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor.

"Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple."

Grieving Apple devotees left floral and written tributes outside his home in Palo Alto, California.

He died peacefully with his family by his side.

A spokesman for Apple said: "We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today.

The face of Apple ... Steve Jobs
The face of Apple ... Steve Jobs


"Steve's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives.


"The world is immeasurably better because of Steve.


"His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family.

Innovator ... Steve Jobs posing with an Apple II computer
Innovator ... Steve Jobs posing with an Apple II computer

"Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts."

Jobs co-founded Apple in a garage in 1976 and after resigning as chief exec this year stayed on as chairman.

He battled pancreatic cancer in 2004 and had to have a liver transplant in 2007.

COMPUTER pioneer has died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

His chief exec resignation letter in August was given an added poignancy after his death.

He said: "I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO, I would be the first to let you know."


"I believe Apple's brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.


"I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you."


Jobs has been behind some of technology's most revolutionary creations.


He transformed the music industry when the iPod was introduced on October 23, 2001.


Six years later he revitalised the mobile market with the first iPhone on January 9, 2007.


And on January 27, 2010, the iPad was announced, changing the portable computer world forever.

In August this year Apple became the world's most valuable company for the first time.

In a survey last month Jobs was said to be worth $7BILLION - or £4.5BILLION.

Celebrities paid tribute to the computing legend online on Twitter.

Jonathan Ross said: "RIP Steve Jobs. You changed the world. Sad day."

Arnold Schwarzenegger added: "Steve lived the California Dream every day of his life and he changed the world and inspired all of us."


Lord Alan Sugar remembered his Amstrad computer company competing with Jobs in the 1980s.

He wrote: "Gutted: Steve Jobs died.

Creations ... the iPod, an old Mac and iPhone
Creations ... the iPod, an old Mac and iPhone

"We started our computer biz at same time and were competitors thru 80's. Great visionary. Sadly missed RIP."


Kim Kardashian said: "Steve Jobs died. He was a brilliant man."


Stephen Fry said: "Woke to the news of Steve Jobs's death. He changed the world. I knew him a little and admired him entirely. Love to Apple and his family."

Revolutionary ... Steve Jobs shows off an iMac computer and a NeXTstation
Revolutionary ... Steve Jobs shows off an iMac computer and a NeXTstation

Alexandra Burke said: "So sad to hear that Steve Jobs has passed away.


"What a genius. He is with the angels now. May he rest in perfect peace."


Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates also expressed his condolences saying that it had "been an insanely great honour" to work with his long-time rival.

Pioneer ... Steve Jobs and a NeXTstation computer
Pioneer ... Steve Jobs and a NeXTstation computer

Mr Gates said: "I'm truly saddened to learn of Steve Jobs' death.

"Steve and I first met nearly 30 years ago and have been colleagues, competitors and friends over the course of more than half our lives.


"The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come. For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it's been an insanely great honour. I will miss Steve immensely."



Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and Google CEO Larry Page, also spoke of Jobs' passing.

Mr Zuckerberg said: "Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend. Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world. I will miss you"


Mr Page said: "He was a great man with incredible achievements and amazing brilliance. He always seemed to be able to say in very few words what you actually should have been thinking before you thought it.

Google co-founder Sergey Brin added: "Steve, your passion for excellence is felt by anyone who has ever touched an Apple product. On behalf of all of us at Google and more broadly in technology, you will be missed very much." 

RIP Steve Jobs. We WILL MISS YOU. :'(