London: Opera tavern is nestled in the middle of bustling theatre land in Covent garden.  This place is a buzzy wine bar and casual restaurant upstairs (not posh, just chilled). I am a great fan of Tapas Brindisa and all things tapas style, so was happy to discover this high end Spanish tapas and wine [...]

Berlin: The ultimate decadence in brunching can be found at the Champagne Brunch in Desbrosses in the Ritz Carlton on Sundays from 12.30 to 3.30pm. We’re talking Serious Brunch here. Never-ending champagne (well, till brunch time ends), topped up by exceptionally vigilant waiters (they seem to be on some serious mission to top-up those champagne glasses…), an amazing and [...]

Berlin: Finally, I have found Ula, the kind of Japanese restaurant that has it all – the ambitious food that’s right up there with those in London and New York, the ambience (the lighting is so perfect – not too dark that you need a torch to read the menu, see what you’re eating), the [...]

London: Comptoir Libinais is a franchise of Lebanese cafes with a laid back/ canteen/ trendy souk-like feel, scattered around London. The Wigmore st branch is great one to escape Oxford st mania, before hitting selfridges. Good for a quick eastern bite, beats a limp lunchtime sandwich. Munch on a spicy chicken and garlic wrap with [...]

London: Balthazar London has finally landed (fancy French brasserie, original in NY). Tables are virtually impossible to get at a reasonable time ie (6-9pm sitting), anyway i settled for a 530pm table. The trick is to ring exactly 30 days in advance at 9am for best tables. So is it worth the effort? The answer [...]

London: Roka on Charlotte street still works for glam, taste sensation, cocktail fuelled evenings for a group of couples or with the girls. The main attraction is the food, spot on Japanese ….the delectable buttery black cod (just as good as versions in nobu and zuma), yummy chicken yakitori, light gyoza, the freshest beautiful sashimi….yum… [...]

A tip from one of my readers in London (Mererid P.): The Providores, a New Zealand fusion restaurant overlooking Marylebone High Street. This smart restaurant offers up to 5 courses which you can mix and match to your taste and ask to come in any order you choose.  It also has the largest selection of [...]

London: The question most people ask me, is where shall we go with friends coming out of town, who like food in glam surroundings. So, the shortlist: 1) Balthazar: haven’t been yet, but have a reservation (think new yorky/ french buzzy brasserie atmosphere with hard to get tables). 2) Nobu Berkeley: for superb michelin star [...]

London: The Delaunay is the Wolseley strike 2, yet another fabulous grand dining hall with a nod to European fare. Think first class Weiners eg bockwurst, Vienesse hot dogs , Tarte flambé (huge but light, cheesy but a little bit porky, perfect), Huge Schnitzels…..Basically the kind of fare you can imagine eating in Tarantino’s Inglorious [...]

London: Hawksmoor Air St. is the latest branch of the hugely popular,swanky steak hangouts, but the advantage is they do seafood and proper fancy seafood equalling the might of the steak.  Off Regent St, so great for a glam night out with friends or for refuge after shopping. Also, there is a good sized bar [...]