Little Social - Pollen Street

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In a Nutshell: Pollen Street Social’s new French bistro 

Rating: 3.5 / 5

It’s interesting how Jason Atherton’s two restaurants at Pollen Street can be so divided. Pollen Street Social, the more formal, one Michelin starred restaurant was entirely packed with business lunches. It was difficult to spot anyone not wearing a suit or not men. Directly across the narrow Pollen Street, no sign, appears to be the new Little Social, which seemed to have stolen all the casual guests: families with children, more women and guys with shirts instead of black suits (or maybe they just felt comfortable enough to take it off). 


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Rules - Oldest Restaurant in London

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In a nutshell: the oldest restaurant in London with excellent British food

Rating: 4/5

If money is not an issue, make a trip to Rules, the oldest restaurant in London. In fact it’s the perfect place to take a friend who’s visiting London. Every detail of this historic restaurant shouts British, the gentlemen service, the old fashioned decorations, the red velvety colour and the classic British food. Open since 1798, now for over 200 years it’s served the best game in the country, all sourced from their own estates.


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Cantonese Roast Duck at Gold Mine

A few bloggers recommended Gold Mine (Bayswater), which has the best Cantonese roast duck in London and indeed, the duck was superb. Fatty, sweet and full of flavour. Every table had the same order: duck, veg (garlic gai lan) and rice - very classic Chinese. Though remember to not order the soup noodles, weren’t nice.  


Contact Info

Tube: Bayswater / Queensway

102 Queensway  

London W2 3RR

020 7792 8331

Gold Mine on Urbanspoon

Sunday Roast at Mall Tavern The Mall Tavern at Nottinghill Gate is one of my favourite pubs in London. The signatures: cow pie, chicken kiev (nothing like the classic) and freshly baked soda bread are all to die for. On Sunday, I came for the full roast where the perfect Yorkshire and gravy were served. The carrots were soft, the cabbage had good acidity and the potatoes were perfectly crispy. The beef could’ve been more tender but overall a very good Sunday lunch for £16. See my previous post of the Mall Tavern High-res

Sunday Roast at Mall Tavern

The Mall Tavern at Nottinghill Gate is one of my favourite pubs in London. The signatures: cow pie, chicken kiev (nothing like the classic) and freshly baked soda bread are all to die for. On Sunday, I came for the full roast where the perfect Yorkshire and gravy were served. The carrots were soft, the cabbage had good acidity and the potatoes were perfectly crispy. The beef could’ve been more tender but overall a very good Sunday lunch for £16.

See my previous post of the Mall Tavern

Kitchen W8 - Neighbourhood dining with one Michelin

In a nutshell: 1* Michelin and Kensington’s tucked away neighbourhood restaurant.

Rating: 4/5

Tucked away in a side street just off High Street Kensington, Kitchen W8 is co-owned by Philip Howard, who is the head chef at the Square with 2 Michelin stars. Despite of Kitchen W8’s one Michelin status, everything about the restaurant has a touch of local, neighbourhood feel. No tasting menu, no extravagant or crazy dishes. Instead for simpler food, simple cooking (relatively) and excellent ingredients. 

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HKK - Chinese Fine Dining at City

In a nutshell: Hakkasan does Chinese fine dining in City

Chinese fine dining is a rarity, especially one that serves a 15 course tasting menu. Each in tiny portions and revealed gradually as you eat because the menu is only given at end of the meal. It’s a nice touch to have a freshly printed menu with dishes you had as well as the wines drank that day. Brilliant for special occasions! HKK is aiming for their first Michelin star and to fit that criteria the space is beautifully laid out, upscale designed and only to cater a few tables. 

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La Fromagerie - Cheese Shop and Tasting

La Fromagerie is one of the best cheese shops in London. If you google ‘best cheese shop’, it’s on all the top 5 listings. There are two in London, one at Highbury and another just off Marylebone High Street. Their cheese room deserves a thorough study on its own with so many varieties. You can try a selection of seasonal, French, Italian or British cheeseboards at their ‘Tasting Cafe’, which also serves freshly made quiche and salads. Weekends can get very busy, we spent a good 20 minutes queueing for a seat at the communal table. You can use the time to wonder around the small shop for homemade sauces, jams and seasonal fruits and vegetables. On Sunday (10am - 2pm), you can also go to the nearby farmers’ market for local produce.

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Chocolate master class at St James hotel + set lunch at Seven Park Place

St James hotel hosts very interesting classes on weekends, such as chocolate, cheese & wine and cocktails master classes. My friend and I joined the Saturday chocolate class at 11am, where the chocolatiers from Melt talked through the basics of chocolate tempering and how to make ganache in the right consistency. The class was quite hands on, we made chocolate truffles, licked some chocolate ganache and painted our own Easter eggs. The £95pp also included a 3 course, chocolate inspired lunch at the hotel restaurant - Seven Park Place, which currently has a Michelin star. Lunch was delicious, perfectly pink venison with a distinctive chocolate sauce. More impressive was the matched wine for each course. It was definitely fun to do for a weekend!


The 3 course lunch included:

Fricassee of wild mushrooms with 100% chocolate and brioche

Barbon fell fillet of venison with 70% chocolate

Trio of chocolate truffles - passionfruit & caramel, raspberry & mint, wild dark chocolate

Wine pairing for each course


Contact Info

Tube: Green Park

All classes on website

7 - 8 Park Place

SW1A 1LS 

0207 316 1615