GOOD KAI

Delectable Pork Belly Tagine - The Palomar, London Not the easiest place to secure a booking at the moment if you want a dinner at The Palomar, (there's a two month waiting list for Friday or Sat night dinners) and having been there, I now know its both a combination of having a small premises and a demand for great Israeli food. I've been waiting forever to find somewhere that serves excellent middle eastern food in a modern vibrant environment. The itself restaurant is located in Soho, down a side street by the M&M store in Leicester square so its a great place pre or post theatre. You can do walk-ins but go early (6pm) to secure a time if you are going on a busy night. I tried a walk in one evening but were turned away as other patrons had already taken all available slots. Walk -ins are usually seated at the bar. From what I understand, the restaurant is owned by two Israeli chefs of whom at least one had successful restaurants in Jerusalem. On that success they ...

Smoked Haddock with Risotto, The Crown Twickenham Boy has it been a mission trying to reserve a table at The Crown. I've obviously been leaving it too late - every time I have tried to secure a Fri or Sat evening reservation, there have been none, two days out. It is especially hard if there is rugby on, sooooo, if you want an evening meal here at a popular time or even a weekend lunch you may have to book a week out.  Entrance to The Crown, Twickenham I have been a regular here at The Crown for a few years now, I played tennis not far from the pub and would often hobble down, post game, for a well earned refreshment and a meal. When I first arrived in Twickenham around 7 years ago, The Crown was under different ownership and was run down, apart from the odd decent Jazz band passing through, it wasn't thriving. However, since then it has been completely re-furbished from top to bottom, has been running under new management for a few years and is now one of ...

Gazebo Central Park, NYC What a time to plan to trip to New York, right in the middle of winter I knew it would be cold but we arrived soon after one of the biggest blizzard's to hit New York City. Although it hadn't snowed for a few days prior to us arriving it was still evident everywhere but thankfully we were able to get around uninhibited and we had beautiful clear blue skies for most of our stay. SEE MY VIDEO BELOW - Inside the restaurants We hadn't been to NYC before, so being first timers we wanted to hit the best eating spots we could manage in our trip, but sometimes it comes down to convenience, and I know at some stage we'll do another trek back. There were loads of places I missed - Katz Deli, Russ & Daughters and Syliva's homestyle food in Harlem and many others, but we just didn't have the time. Large thin based Pizza in Brooklyn, Family style dining at Carmines in Manhattan However, the places we do go, were fantastic. Fir...

Romance at Le Salon Prive 'I took you to an intimate restaurant...' Here are a list of excellent fine dining restaurants in Richmond and Twickenham, for celebrating anniversaries, valentines, first dates or an intimate dinner. The Petersham Hotel Restaurant - Richmond Crab Lasagne - Petersham Hotel This is one for the grown-up lovers. PHR mixes vintage charm with fine dining topped with one of the nicest views in the borough. You'll have Petersham meadows and the river Thames as a backdrop to your romantic evening. One of two great restaurants located close to the water, what better way to top off your night, than a leisurely stroll along the river Thames. Petersham Restaurant is located on Nightingale Lane, Richmond, Surrey TW10 6UZ Le Salon Prive -  Twickenham Le Salon Prive, Twickenham This restaurant has eclectic style. This 2016 they are doing a Valentine's menu of four courses for 50 quid plus a glass of bubbles . Its' interior is...

Green Curry from Thai Kitchen at The Albert, Twickenham This unlikely combination of Thai food meets English pub is unusual - both are quite opposite in temperament, however, after a customer demand for more adventurous pub food at one West London pub almost 20 years ago, the partnership proved successful and has stuck - The Albert is one of a number of Fullers Pubs successfully serving authentic Thai food.  Outside The Prince Albert, Twickenham As we went to walk in the Saloon door, we were suddenly confronted with one of the 'resident patron's' being force-ably removed from the pub. Apparently he lingers all-day and night, sometimes sneaks behind the bar and even rubs up against other patrons! I guess the proprietor's patience was exercised too far that night and when your time's is up, its up! Fortunately, it was just the resident cat being put out for the night. I managed to capture a pic of him after his unceremonious eviction, he was not impress...

'Meat Fruit' Chicken Parfait, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal British cuisine is indeed quirky, and there's is nothing more quirkier than naming your restaurant Dinner and then serving a mandarin on a wooden block with a buttered piece of toast. It's no secret that this 'Meat Fruit' is in fact chicken liver parfait (a very good parfait in fact) with a mandarin jelly, but still it is impressive that the end product is not a gimmick, and has all the flavour and quality of the best French parfait you could imagine. View to Hyde Park, Dinner Menu at Heston Blumenthal Dinner is the brain child of Heston Blumenthal, a well known British chef who looks like he deviated from a Mythbuster's show and somehow ended up in a two Michelin star kitchen. Actually, it makes sense. If you really get down to the nitty-gritty, remove all creative flair, cooking can be a science. Molecular gastronomy they call it, I call it wizardry and Heston is very well known for d...

Selection of Tacos, Lupita Mexican Restaurant Lupita is like an up market Taqueria, a place that serves 'authentic' Mexican street food but in a vibrant, bustling atmosphere. Lupita, along with most places in London you can be accommodated very well with no bookings but there can sometimes be a wait, great if they have a bar but Lupita don't - so..., as in any 'eatery' (-that 'word' is for you Giles Coren) with half a reputation for good food, be prepared to wait (we waited 20 mins). You can always make good by ordering a drink in the meantime and perusing the menu. Campechano, Grilled Steak topped with puffed pork crackling - Lupita, London Guacamole, corn chips & Margarita - Lupita, London If you're anything like me and love warmed soft mini tortillas with an assortment of different meats, sauces, flavours and textures you will be in heaven here. Just don't be a numpty like me and order everything your eye fancies because they a...