Where: bakehaus, 71 King Street, W6 9HW
Tube: Hammersmith
Had: "German" Cheese-topped Bagel with Camenbert Cheese, Curd Pastry, Diet Coke
Paid: £3.60
King Street in Hammersmith is another paradise for chain shops. The hungry but bored by McDonald's, Nero and similar pedestrian could spent hours to find anything at least slightly out of the ordinary. Having had a breakfast that consisted solely of a chocolate bar I spet about 15 minutes going "Nah, not again..." and "How much?!" I spotted the most recent addition to King Street's cafe scene.
bakehaus (sporting a funky umlaut which I don't have on my keyboard) opened its doors only this Wednesday*- you can tell: Neither of the two coffee machines work (I have a cold drink in the end) and the staff are still trying to master working the till.
First things first though: as I walk in I'm slightly disappointed. The atmosphere is about as German as a BigMac. The right hand side wall is made up of a help-yourself shelf. Pretty much everything is help-yourself- even the coffee machine. The contact with the very friendly all-German staff is limited to paying. For a place calling itself a German bakery this is wrong on so many levels.
The German bakery is worlds apart from Greggs. It's a place for which you get up at 8 on a Saturday morning, a place in which you have to talk to the friendly lady at the till to get you one, a place from which you can about 20 different types of bread (bakehaus has five). When I'm saying "The German Bakery" I'm referring of course to the bakery of my childhood as modernisation hasn't stopped at the German border and help-yourself bakeries have become increasingly popular in my native country, too.
Seating is another point I'm not entirely happy with. Incredibly long and high tables with matching chairs make it very difficult
a) to find a private place to sit and eat
and
b) to get up there.
"Enough moaning about the interior," I hear the patient reader. "Tell us about the food!" This is an altogether different story. The bagel is baked to perfection, topped with gorgeus melted cheese- and the filling, the filling. Creamy camenbert and fresh, crunchy cucumber make a smashing combination. Only the tomato looks a bit dodgy.
Having said the pastry exceeds all expectations. Curdy, lemony and just the right amount of sweet. Whoever thinks that English and German - go to the bakehaus and try one of their pastries.
Verdict: Hmmm, hmmm. I don't know their food can, as intellectually as possible, only be described as YUM-MY but the interior is a real let- down.
* 3rd Nov 2010
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Thursday, 21 October 2010
No Surprises, Good or Bad.
Where: Ponti's, Unit 14, Liverpool Street Station, EC2M 7QH
Tube: Liverpool Street
Had: Penne Arrabiata, Garlic Focaccia, Diet Pepsi
Paid: £8.15
When feeling particularly unadventurous a chain is the best choice. In Liverpool Street station the choice is tough: there are what feels like 250 different chain shops- from ATM to Upper Crust - try to lure the hungry traveller into their outlets.
One of them, Ponti's, can be found no fewer than (correct me if I'm wrong) three times in and around the area. It's by far largest restaurant is on the upper level of the station, overlooking either trains pulling in and out of the busy Central London terminal or vast numbers of travelling folk.
That specific Ponti's is HUGE and probably offers room for about 200 diners; still it can be quite hard to get a seat there at lunch time particularly when the back area has been hired out for private functions. Having got there around 2pm, I arrive just in time for the army of office workers to head back to their computers.
It still is quite busy, but at least I get to have a table for myself. Leaving my coat behind to mark my territory I stroll over to the counter to have a look at their delicacies. Had this been my first time in Ponti's, I wouldn't have realised until now that, wow, they are serving Italian...ish food- the usual suspects: pasta, lasagna and more pasta. The vast majority of their food, however, is somewhere between International and British.
I opt for one of my favourites: Penne Arrabiata accompanied by two slices of garlic bread. The sauce, as usual, is fabulous: tomato-ey, fruity and full of different flavours. Unlike many other Arrabiatas this one has an amazing heat without covering all the other flavours. The pasta is slightly undercooked and the garlic bread needs a lot more oomph (i.e. flavour) - it's lovely with a pinch of salt and some olive oil.
Great about Ponti's is that they offer a number of extras you can add to your meal for free, less great is that the only cheese they offer in that range is Grana Padano, which is not suitable for vegetarians.
Verdict: Tasty quality food- a safe option offering Rainforest Alliance certified coffes.
Tube: Liverpool Street
Had: Penne Arrabiata, Garlic Focaccia, Diet Pepsi
Paid: £8.15
When feeling particularly unadventurous a chain is the best choice. In Liverpool Street station the choice is tough: there are what feels like 250 different chain shops- from ATM to Upper Crust - try to lure the hungry traveller into their outlets.
One of them, Ponti's, can be found no fewer than (correct me if I'm wrong) three times in and around the area. It's by far largest restaurant is on the upper level of the station, overlooking either trains pulling in and out of the busy Central London terminal or vast numbers of travelling folk.
That specific Ponti's is HUGE and probably offers room for about 200 diners; still it can be quite hard to get a seat there at lunch time particularly when the back area has been hired out for private functions. Having got there around 2pm, I arrive just in time for the army of office workers to head back to their computers.
It still is quite busy, but at least I get to have a table for myself. Leaving my coat behind to mark my territory I stroll over to the counter to have a look at their delicacies. Had this been my first time in Ponti's, I wouldn't have realised until now that, wow, they are serving Italian...ish food- the usual suspects: pasta, lasagna and more pasta. The vast majority of their food, however, is somewhere between International and British.
I opt for one of my favourites: Penne Arrabiata accompanied by two slices of garlic bread. The sauce, as usual, is fabulous: tomato-ey, fruity and full of different flavours. Unlike many other Arrabiatas this one has an amazing heat without covering all the other flavours. The pasta is slightly undercooked and the garlic bread needs a lot more oomph (i.e. flavour) - it's lovely with a pinch of salt and some olive oil.
Great about Ponti's is that they offer a number of extras you can add to your meal for free, less great is that the only cheese they offer in that range is Grana Padano, which is not suitable for vegetarians.
Verdict: Tasty quality food- a safe option offering Rainforest Alliance certified coffes.
Monday, 18 October 2010
Serenity on Drummond Street
A Guest Review by Hugh Allison.
Where: Ravi Shankar, 133-5 Drummond Street, NW1 2HL
Hugh Allison is a director, writer, and vegetarian. In that order. He likes Disney, nice dogs, occasional tables and not having a middle name. Find him on www.hughallison.com
Where: Ravi Shankar, 133-5 Drummond Street, NW1 2HL
Tube: Warren Street
Had: All you can eat veggie buffet
Cost: £5.99 (per person, plus drinks)
Drummond Street is synonymous with Indian Restaurants; this (however) is the only entirely vegetarian one thereon. The staff are very friendly, and willing to point out which food items are also vegan.
Having arrived early, we had the place to ourselves. It soon filled up though, but the waiters took this in their stride. Although virtually everyone used the buffet, there was never a queue and the atmosphere remained serene.
The staff were fast and attentive. The after-dinner coffees were of a fine blend, and in tasteful cups. The toilets were clean, although somehow also squalid. The chairs were not greatly comfortable, but the tables were generally of ample size and adequately stable.
I did not feel rushed (as other reviewers of the establishment have claimed to be) and the food tasted fresh. The buffet covered a wide spread, including deserts, and -although not worth making a trip specially- I would happily dine there again if in the area.
Saturday, 16 October 2010
Must Finish....Have Paid...And It's...Nice
Where: Time2Eat,136 High Road, N15 6JN
Tube: Seven Sisters
Had: Cheese & Onion Omelette, Diet Coke
Cost: £4.80
Being lonely a caff about 5 minutes away from Seven Sisters station makes Time2Eat a convenient choice for lunch whenever work or life takes me to the Area. Time2Eat is one of those very British no nonsense places for good, honest food in a slightly dodgy, but in the case of T2E very clean, eating area.
The interior resembles a waiting- room in a train station or, possibly, a hospital: plastic chairs, plastic tables and, strangely, lots of mirrors. It's not an unpleasant place to be- the large windows and light yellow walls ensure a nice and bright eating experience.
What is bringing the atmosphere down a notch is the view into and noise from the kitchen right behind the counter not to mention the little sign that threatens to punch anyone who asks for credit. Apart from this, the staff is very friendly and professional.
My attention turns to the very basic but extensive menu. All the usual suspects- jackets, omelettes, sandwiches, burgers, steaks- are available. Most important for readers of this blog: there are exactly 25 vegetarian options.
I choose the cheese and onion omelette which arrives so fast that I can't even start on the magazine I brought. A huge amount of food is placed in front of me, omelette, chips and an excellent mixed side salad.Though enjoyable as a whole the alleged cheese and onion omelette was mainly an onion omelette.
After finishing about half the plate, I start struggling. Thinking about how comparatively much I've paid for this meal, I'm determined to finish every single one of the golden, crispy chips. A few more bites into the monstrous I give up, leave and feel about a stone heavier as I walk out of the cafe.
Verdict: Half portions for half price?
Tube: Seven Sisters
Had: Cheese & Onion Omelette, Diet Coke
Cost: £4.80
Being lonely a caff about 5 minutes away from Seven Sisters station makes Time2Eat a convenient choice for lunch whenever work or life takes me to the Area. Time2Eat is one of those very British no nonsense places for good, honest food in a slightly dodgy, but in the case of T2E very clean, eating area.
The interior resembles a waiting- room in a train station or, possibly, a hospital: plastic chairs, plastic tables and, strangely, lots of mirrors. It's not an unpleasant place to be- the large windows and light yellow walls ensure a nice and bright eating experience.
What is bringing the atmosphere down a notch is the view into and noise from the kitchen right behind the counter not to mention the little sign that threatens to punch anyone who asks for credit. Apart from this, the staff is very friendly and professional.
My attention turns to the very basic but extensive menu. All the usual suspects- jackets, omelettes, sandwiches, burgers, steaks- are available. Most important for readers of this blog: there are exactly 25 vegetarian options.
I choose the cheese and onion omelette which arrives so fast that I can't even start on the magazine I brought. A huge amount of food is placed in front of me, omelette, chips and an excellent mixed side salad.Though enjoyable as a whole the alleged cheese and onion omelette was mainly an onion omelette.
After finishing about half the plate, I start struggling. Thinking about how comparatively much I've paid for this meal, I'm determined to finish every single one of the golden, crispy chips. A few more bites into the monstrous I give up, leave and feel about a stone heavier as I walk out of the cafe.
Verdict: Half portions for half price?
Friday, 15 October 2010
Who Cares If The Coffee Is That Good?
Where: Kafeteria, 131 City Road, EC1V 1JBE
Tube: Old Street
My addiction to the snooze button meant I had to start work on an empty stomach (minus one biscuit on my way to the Tube), and arrived at Kafeteria completely starved. So excellent conditions for Kafeteria- anything that looks remotely like food should catapult me into sheer euphoria. And did it?
Partly. The coffee (organic) was excellent, I'm tempted to call it continental. Strong, milky and frothy- an excellent cappuccino- though I'd asked for a latte. Never mind. The cappuccino was amazing and I forgive them.
Time to eat and I don't have to wait long until I'm served with an enormous jacket potato (good I'm hungry) with lashings of cheese and an obligatory side salad - a handful of lettuce, a piece of cucumber, three pieces of watery tomato. The potato itself was quite alright, hot all the way through but, probably due to it's size, slightly underdone.
Having satisfied my hunger, I seize the opportunity to have a closer look at the surroundings. The eating area is painted in a light green, which makes the cafe appear cosy and modern at the same time. A huge part of the cosiness, though, is due to the seating area being just the right size (seats about 20).
Regrettably I didn't get to use the patio area, it was an october morning after all.
Verdict: I'll be back for the coffee. Foodwise I might give their extensive sandwich selection a try.
Tube: Old Street
Had: Jacket potato with cheese, cappuccino
Cost: £6.40
My addiction to the snooze button meant I had to start work on an empty stomach (minus one biscuit on my way to the Tube), and arrived at Kafeteria completely starved. So excellent conditions for Kafeteria- anything that looks remotely like food should catapult me into sheer euphoria. And did it?
Partly. The coffee (organic) was excellent, I'm tempted to call it continental. Strong, milky and frothy- an excellent cappuccino- though I'd asked for a latte. Never mind. The cappuccino was amazing and I forgive them.
Time to eat and I don't have to wait long until I'm served with an enormous jacket potato (good I'm hungry) with lashings of cheese and an obligatory side salad - a handful of lettuce, a piece of cucumber, three pieces of watery tomato. The potato itself was quite alright, hot all the way through but, probably due to it's size, slightly underdone.
Having satisfied my hunger, I seize the opportunity to have a closer look at the surroundings. The eating area is painted in a light green, which makes the cafe appear cosy and modern at the same time. A huge part of the cosiness, though, is due to the seating area being just the right size (seats about 20).
Regrettably I didn't get to use the patio area, it was an october morning after all.
Verdict: I'll be back for the coffee. Foodwise I might give their extensive sandwich selection a try.
Launching "The Aspiring Vegetarian's Guide To Lunch"
Welcome to an utterly subjective guide to vegetarian lunching in London- a place for my thoughts on (mostly) vegetarian low-budget eating experiences in and around London.
On this page I will be sharing food heaven and food hell in known and unknown, independent and chained, mostly veggie and mostly meaty following two basic rules:
- the meal (main, drink and optional dessert) costs less than £10 per person
- there will be no completely negative or completely positive reviews. I aim to find one genuinely positive thing to say about each place and at least one point of improvement.
Comments and discussion are, of course, welcome.
On this page I will be sharing food heaven and food hell in known and unknown, independent and chained, mostly veggie and mostly meaty following two basic rules:
- the meal (main, drink and optional dessert) costs less than £10 per person
- there will be no completely negative or completely positive reviews. I aim to find one genuinely positive thing to say about each place and at least one point of improvement.
Comments and discussion are, of course, welcome.
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