American Pancakes
Baluchi

Baluchi

181 Tooley Street, London I-SE1 2JR, United Kingdom

Asian • Vegan • Indian • Vegetarian


"Baluchi is a pan-Indian dining restaurant in London within the Lalit hotel, set in the historic Grade II listed former St. Olave’s Grammar School. Baluchi can be found in what was the Great Hall and it’s one seriously stunning location. The high ceiling, royal blue colour, dark woods and beams, floor to ceiling windows and chandeliers give it a truly sophisticated, regal feel. Chef Jomon was funny, passionate and absolutely lovely. He told us tales and stories from India, the history to naan and tiffins they are lunch boxes with different levels which used to be shared among colleagues/friends at lunchtime) and made plenty of jokes. You could see his passion for the food, and his team, shine through throughout the whole evening. He even introduced us to part of the team and let us know that they all have a say in the menu and how things are presented at Baluchi. The Naan’ery experience at the bread bar £55 for solo, £99 for two) at Baluchi, features four courses of bread with accompanying dips and wine, followed by a tiffin to share. We were sat at the bar, right at the front of the restaurant, where we could see the breads being prepared. Chef Jomon told us how to make the naan – we even got to have a hand at making them ourselves! We rolled, filled and flattended them, ready for Chef Jomon to bake in the tandoor oven which is super hot! It was a fantastic experience getting to help and see it all up close. We were impressed by the fact they had a tandoor oven out by the bar so the bread could be cooked right in front of people dining. The first naan course is a fig and cheese kulcha, made with paneer. The paneer was grated rather than in the usual chunky form, making it spread throughout and giving the naan a creamier finish overall, rather than just little pockets of oozy cheese. The fig added a sweet edge too. The second naan is a porcini and truffle one. It’s a delicate balance of earthy truffle and nutty mushrooms. The definition of umami – a flavour which enlightens all the taste buds in the mouth. It arrived with a powerful tamarind dip, which added an extra element to the potent flavours and complimented the mushroom well. The paired wine was an MS Fratelli White; a smooth, crisp wine which complimented the mushroom well. The third bread course is a blue cheese naan made with a French blue. Again, this isn’t overly powerful, yet the blue cheese adds a nice creamy touch and a delicious underlying flavour. You wouldn’t have thought it was blue cheese though if you hadn’t been told – this bread actually changed Chef Jomon’s opinion on this type of cheese! It came with a delicious, tangy tomato dip making this course almost remind us of pizza – the cheese and the tomato. A glass of the MS Fratelli Red was served to accompany the naan. It was full-bodied, with tannins, making it quite potent. We thought the wine was fab, although perhaps could have had a slightly lighter variety to go with the cheese. Last but not least, we ended on a sweet note with a coconut and mango naan. It reminded us a touch of peshwari, subtle-y sweet. It’s served with a fantastic red berry/cherry dip, making it feel like a dessert option. A small glass of Muscat de Beaumes Devenise accompanied the final course. It’s a sweet dessert wine which is very sweet, and incredibly moreish. We couldn’t get enough. The breads were rounded off with a tiffin filled with Butter Chicken, Dal Baluchi, pilau rice and carrot halwa. The butter chicken was tender, creamy and aromatic. A fab, smooth and tasty curry which isn’t very spicy. We loved the lentil dal which was packed with flavour, and the pilau rice was perfectly cooked and fluffy. The carrot halwa was super sweet and stodgy making a delicious end to such a feast. This was an incredible experience at a seriously stunning pan Indian restaurant in London. There was also next level service, which such passion and humour radiating from Chef Jomon."

Brasserie At The Royal King's Arms

Brasserie At The Royal King's Arms

United Kingdom, LA1 1JG, Lancaster

Wine • Full • Steak • English


"The Brasserie is a lovely decorated restaurant that played smooth jazz throughout our visit. As a birthday meal out, we were excited to try somewhere new in town. The first waiter was prompt at taking our drinks order, but barely apologised at the lack of gas (so no draught ales) and didn 't know too much about the bottled beers. Two couples order the charcuterie boards. The ciabatta bread was toasted and sharp, so it didn 't make for a pleasant bite. It snapped rather than crunched... And the rocket wasn 't dressed, so we were eating dry leaves. After this, the second waiter came to apologise that there wasn 't any creamy polenta to accompany the main, wild mushroom ragu, so he offered mashed potato or rice. When this meal turned up, there wasn 't any of the vegan cheese or rocket, which was also supposed to accompany the meal. What a waste of money, knowing that vegan cheese can be fairly costly. Nobody came to ask the party if the food was alright. We weren 't seen to for a good 30 minutes, despite being the only people in the restaurant. As well as the ragu, the steak dishes were underwhelming as well, even these salads weren 't dressed. Dry leaves make for a sad meal. We are sorely disappointed as we were really looking forward to the food here. The waiting staff were pleasant but didn 't have the experience or training that they really needed. A memorable moment: What 's the cheesecake of the day? Oh, it 's JUST the new york cheesecake. Just vanilla. Don 't undersell your food! Just vanilla is still great!"

The Stamford Public House

The Stamford Public House

The Firs, WA14 2TG, Trafford, United Kingdom

Pub • Vegan • British • Vegetarian


"Considering your post what a shame that your manager chose to shame my girlfriend and I on a recent visit for a meal because we are exempt from wearing masks. On two occasions we told staff we were exempt and had it shouted across the establishment that we need to have a mask on as we waited to be seated. Also then for a member of staff to ask us to wait whilst they ask their manager if we are able to be allowed in. Upon being seated the manager, who I have to add has been great on previous recent visits and always welcoming and friendly, then came over and again asked why we didn 't have masks on and that we needed letters as PROOF and that anyone can claim to be exempt . This was done with zero discretion and in front of other customers. There is no legal obligation to provide proof and that is on the official government website, my girlfriend checked this after the manager walked away. We both felt totally embarrassed to have been asked further in front of other customers and to have to be told we have to provide proof of our exemption. The dealing of the whole situation was disgusting and to be spoken to in such a manner for having an exemption. My girlfriend felt we should have said something after the meal but we chose not to. I fully understand this year is a testing time for everyone and especially the hospitality trade at the moment with curfews also but of all days please show some understanding and awareness that people have good reason to be exempt from wearing a mask and beyond a visible reason. I just hope you are more welcome to future customers regarding the wearing of masks and don 't choose to belittle and shame them in front of other customers. There are several reasons for being exempt of wearing a mask, one being them causing distress and anxiety, with relevance to today and your post, so I hope you can please show more understanding in future."