Spinach
Baoziinn

Baoziinn

24 Romilly Street, London I-W1D 5AH, United Kingdom

Asian • Grill • Chinese • Vegetarian


"We found ourselves in an intimate and cozy dining room, a charming homage to the Mao-era canteens of northern China. The music was pleasant, and the atmosphere was relaxed. The food throughout the day was exceptional—Cantonese dim sum infused with influences from Sichuan and Hunan, along with bold Nordic Chinese flavors that lingered beautifully despite the dampened quality. As a huge dim sum fan, I can confidently say that this is some of the best I've had in London. A highlight for me was the assorted xiao long bao filled with minced meat and a selection of rolls that boasted experimental flavors such as jackfruit, and marinated vegetables with Sichuan hot and sour sauce. The broth, which had more of a sauce-like consistency, delivered an incredible burst of sharp taste once inflated, while the dumplings were boiled to perfection. The shrimp and radish rolls were enclosed in a spinach juice wrapper, beautifully shaped and cooked, showcasing vibrant flavors. The jiaozi noodles were filled with a rich, spicy, umami-packed XO sauce. All seven dishes we tried were fabulous, perfectly balanced with mixed vegetable flavors, tender fillings, and bold seasoning. Don't miss the special roasted rice served in that heavenly XO sauce—it was some of the best I've ever tried, packed with explosive Cantonese flavors. From the moment I took my first bite, I had no regrets. The menu is diverse and extensive, and I will definitely return when I'm in the mood for dim sum. Instagram: @ourappetites"

Gaucho Hampstead

Gaucho Hampstead

64 Heath Street London, NW3 1DN, NW3 6UG, United Kingdom

Beer • Steak • Juice • Asian


"Greeted at the door by a selection of Gaucho 's smiliest employees, you are instantly made to feel important in the glitzy interior of London 's favourite steak churning chain. The first stage and a true highlight of the Gaucho experience is the introduction to the different cuts of meat that the restaurant offers. This includes a viewing of each cut, and an explanation as to how the anatomical composition of the eastern Argentinian cows grazing on 19 different species of Las Pampas grass affects the taste and texture of each. Naturally, the second stage is the food and drink itself. We sipped on our delicious strawberry and elderflower martini 'special ' cocktails before tucking into a shared starter the extremely tasty Sausage Platter. The mains soon followed. I had ordered a 400g rare fillet steak that, had it been on the menu, would have fallen somewhere between the Bife de Lomo and the Chateaubriand. I was assured that I would be able to cut it with a spoon an audacious claim but not drastically inaccurate. With this, I picked at thyme finished Chips and Spring Greens that were also brilliantly cooked. Finally, I sampled the Dulce De Leche Profiteroles and the 'special ' chocolate meringue cake for dessert, which, as I day dream about what I am to cook for my lunch, have my mouth watering even now. I was there for a saturday evening dinner for three peak time yet the service was little less than exceptional, despite (or perhaps helped by) the fact that the waitress verbally contracted to serve our table claimed to have only very recently been hired. A little management led kerfuffle over our table towards the end was made up for by the gift of a glass of dessert wine each, a touch that rounded off an excellent evening at this meat lovers paradise."

Al Dente

Al Dente

139 Easter Road Edinburgh, EH7 5QA, United Kingdom

Pasta • Italian • Mediterranean • Traditional Italian


"It was a quiet Monday night as we rolled up to Al Dente on Easter Road, a tiny Italian restaurant that sits unassumingly half-way down Easter Road. You’re instantly drawn to the Ospitalia Italiana gold award proudly stamped into its façade; in my experience, these less glamourous eateries always turn out to be a winner. There’s an open kitchen, and chef/owner Graziano is gabbing away in his native tongue to a friend. On entering, he is swiftly out to greet us, alongside our waitress for the evening. The Italian excitedly takes us through today’s specials and retreats back behind the stove. My starter tonight is warm-baked Apulian potato tart with cured meat and mozzarella £5.30), with Sarah going for ‘Sautee de pesce’ priced at £6.80. The dining room is immediately awash with the wonderful aromas of garlic and white wine, and with one large breath drawn in, Sarah boldly states “Mmmm, it doesn’t get better than that”. She might be right. Her dish comes out first and I was glad to see just a simple plate of mussels, calamari, prawns, clams, and a decent chunk of good bread to soak us those juices. The last time we ordered this in a restaurant the shellfish were full of grit; thankfully, this chef has given his produce the respect it deserves, and that respect extends to the cooking of it – simple, but effective, the way it should be. My dish was equally as good: quality ham, gooey cheese, crunchy top and potatoes with a slight bite to them – a dish most suited to this cold winter evening. Another couple of Italian gentlemen entered the restaurant and the banter between chef and customer flowed. It’s a definite indicator of authenticity when fellow countrymen dine in such restaurants, and a far cry from the more generic offerings that lie over on Leith Walk. I opted for one of the specials in the form of pork loin with gorgonzola, honey, and roasted vegetables £14.80). This plate is never going to win any awards for presentation, but its rusticity wasn’t without"