M&S Hit By Downturn
The consumer downturn is even affecting theat bastion of the high street, Marks & Spencer. Marks & Spencer issued a profit warning yesterday, stating that sales at its British stores open more than a year fell 5.3% in the 13 weeks to June 28 and noted that its upscale food business had lost market share as shoppers switched to cheaper rivals. Sales at stores open more than a year in the group's food business were down 4.5%.
M&S also announced that Steven Esom, head of food, was leaving after just one year and that it would look at more programs like its "Dine in for 10 pounds" campaign to win back customers.
M&S will look at how to adapt their food range to shoppers who are more concerned about price.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Taste of London
Taste of London
The Taste of London in Regent's Park, which ran from 19-22 June, has been a success.
Regent's Park was smothered in celebrity chefs, restaurateurs and foodies for the fifth festival of its kind.
The festival was a chance for foodies to sample some of London's top restaurants' signature dishes; including creamed lobster and brandy soup from Le Gavroche, squid salad with coconut passion fruit dressing from Benares, seven-hour braised lamb shoulder and mash from Tom’s Kitchen, and lemon tart from Rhodes Twenty-Four.
Guests also were given the chance to meet their favourite chefs in the Waterstone's book signing lounge, where authors such as Tana Ramsay and Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall gave Q&A sessions.
Even the weather was just about reasonable for the event!
The Taste of London in Regent's Park, which ran from 19-22 June, has been a success.
Regent's Park was smothered in celebrity chefs, restaurateurs and foodies for the fifth festival of its kind.
The festival was a chance for foodies to sample some of London's top restaurants' signature dishes; including creamed lobster and brandy soup from Le Gavroche, squid salad with coconut passion fruit dressing from Benares, seven-hour braised lamb shoulder and mash from Tom’s Kitchen, and lemon tart from Rhodes Twenty-Four.
Guests also were given the chance to meet their favourite chefs in the Waterstone's book signing lounge, where authors such as Tana Ramsay and Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall gave Q&A sessions.
Even the weather was just about reasonable for the event!
Monday, June 02, 2008
La Barca Revisited
La Barca Revisited
Top marks again to one of my favourite Italian restaurants in London, La Barca, for presenting another excellent meal, hospitality and evening.
I went there last Friday with my mother and uncle, and we had a splendid evening; my poussin was superb as was the rest of our meal.
I am very happy to continue to recommend La Barca.
Top marks again to one of my favourite Italian restaurants in London, La Barca, for presenting another excellent meal, hospitality and evening.
I went there last Friday with my mother and uncle, and we had a splendid evening; my poussin was superb as was the rest of our meal.
I am very happy to continue to recommend La Barca.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Greed
Greed
Not content with marking food up by hefty percentages, and adding in service charges of 10% or more, some of the country's top restaurants are accused of being excessively greedy with their mark ups on wine as well.
The Fat Duck, in Bray, Berkshire, charges £58 for a bottle of 2005 Bourgogne Aligote. However, the Telegraph contacted the restaurant's supplier, Berkmann Wine Cellars, and discovered that the purchase price was £12.12 per bottle; giving the Fat Duck a fat profit of five times the cost.
The Telegraph conducted a similar exercise at Le Manoir Aux Quat' Saisons, in Great Milton, Oxon, owned by Raymond Blanc. A 2006 bottle of Corbière La Tour Château Grand Moulin costs £26. The wine can be bought from their supplier, the General Wine Company, for £5.37 – a profit of £16.08 after VAT.
At Fifteen Cornwall, near Newquay, which was founded by Jamie Oliver, a 2006 bottle of Belisario Verdicchio di Matelica sells for £27. The same bottle can be bought for just £6.08 from the restaurant's supplier, Liberty Wines, which means a £16.20 profit per bottle after VAT.
The solution to this excessive greed is simple, use other restaurants that are more reasonably priced.
Greed will simply price these places out of the market.
Not content with marking food up by hefty percentages, and adding in service charges of 10% or more, some of the country's top restaurants are accused of being excessively greedy with their mark ups on wine as well.
The Fat Duck, in Bray, Berkshire, charges £58 for a bottle of 2005 Bourgogne Aligote. However, the Telegraph contacted the restaurant's supplier, Berkmann Wine Cellars, and discovered that the purchase price was £12.12 per bottle; giving the Fat Duck a fat profit of five times the cost.
The Telegraph conducted a similar exercise at Le Manoir Aux Quat' Saisons, in Great Milton, Oxon, owned by Raymond Blanc. A 2006 bottle of Corbière La Tour Château Grand Moulin costs £26. The wine can be bought from their supplier, the General Wine Company, for £5.37 – a profit of £16.08 after VAT.
At Fifteen Cornwall, near Newquay, which was founded by Jamie Oliver, a 2006 bottle of Belisario Verdicchio di Matelica sells for £27. The same bottle can be bought for just £6.08 from the restaurant's supplier, Liberty Wines, which means a £16.20 profit per bottle after VAT.
The solution to this excessive greed is simple, use other restaurants that are more reasonably priced.
Greed will simply price these places out of the market.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Britain Exposed To Food Price Rise
Britain Exposed To Food Price Rise
Ernst & Young's Item Club has issued a report today that states that the UK is "more exposed" to rising food price rises than other similar countries.
The US has a balance of food, France has a surplus whilst the UK has a trade deficit in food.
World food prices are rising as a result of population growth, poor climate in the major cereal producing nations, the growth in the production of biofuels, and the increasing wealth in developing nations which has prompted a higher demand for meat and livestock products.
This will have a negative impact on the finances of businesses and households. However, if people learn to use leftovers and stop wasting perfectly good food significant savings can be made and the negative effects of the price rises mitigated.
People need to stop being so wasteful, and learn the recipes of their grandparents eg; bubble and squeak, corned beef hash, cold cuts, shepherd's pie etc.
Ernst & Young's Item Club has issued a report today that states that the UK is "more exposed" to rising food price rises than other similar countries.
The US has a balance of food, France has a surplus whilst the UK has a trade deficit in food.
World food prices are rising as a result of population growth, poor climate in the major cereal producing nations, the growth in the production of biofuels, and the increasing wealth in developing nations which has prompted a higher demand for meat and livestock products.
This will have a negative impact on the finances of businesses and households. However, if people learn to use leftovers and stop wasting perfectly good food significant savings can be made and the negative effects of the price rises mitigated.
People need to stop being so wasteful, and learn the recipes of their grandparents eg; bubble and squeak, corned beef hash, cold cuts, shepherd's pie etc.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Gordon's Law
Why is Gordon Ramsay ranting about fining restaurants for serving non seasonal, non local produce?
Does he not cook with olive oil?
Does he not serve pineapples in his restaurants?
A silly, poorly thought through rant; he should stick to cooking.
Does he not cook with olive oil?
Does he not serve pineapples in his restaurants?
A silly, poorly thought through rant; he should stick to cooking.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Taylors and Jones
Taylors and Jones
Those of you who live in Stockholm and hanker after English sausages, pork pies and good cuts of beef should pay a visit to Taylors and Jones at Hantverkargatan 12 in Kungsholmen (www.taylors.se).
Eva and I pooped into their shop last week, where they sell sausages to restaurants, pubs and individuals. They also sell Christmas turkeys, many varieties of meat and British specialities such as sausage rolls, meat pies, haggis and black & white pudding.
The meat is of good quality, the beef is hung for 30 days, and the Lincolnshire and Cumberland sausages that we bought and barbecued were excellent (as was the sausage roll that we munched on the way home).
It is not cheap, but certainly worth a visit if you want to treat yourself.
Those of you who live in Stockholm and hanker after English sausages, pork pies and good cuts of beef should pay a visit to Taylors and Jones at Hantverkargatan 12 in Kungsholmen (www.taylors.se).
Eva and I pooped into their shop last week, where they sell sausages to restaurants, pubs and individuals. They also sell Christmas turkeys, many varieties of meat and British specialities such as sausage rolls, meat pies, haggis and black & white pudding.
The meat is of good quality, the beef is hung for 30 days, and the Lincolnshire and Cumberland sausages that we bought and barbecued were excellent (as was the sausage roll that we munched on the way home).
It is not cheap, but certainly worth a visit if you want to treat yourself.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Festival of English Food
Festival of English Food
Wednesday 23rd April is St George's Day.
To celebrate the day Borough Market will temporarily set up shop in Trafalgar Square, together with food inspired street theatre and cabaret performances, in a Festival of English Food.
Stalls from Borough Market include:
-Wrights Oysters oysters and shellfish from Cornwall
-Shell Seekers Dorset diver caught scallops and shellfish
-Furness Fish & Poultry Morecombe Bay shrimp
-Farmer Sharp Herwick lamb
-Mrs King Melton Mowbray pies and Cornish pasties
-The Ginger Pig sausage rolls
-Northfield Farm, Beef
-Sillfield Farm Westmorland wild boar and pork
-Chegworth Valley Apple juice
-Flour Power City bread and scones
-Neal’s Yard Dairy Cheese
-England Preserves London’s best jam and pickles
-The Veggie Table vegetarian food, ginger beer and lemonade
-Flour Station Chelsea buns and Eccles cakes
-Burnt Sugar traditional cakes and bakes
-Secretts Direct Surrey vegetables
-Ceylon 1 London’s finest Tea
-Booth’s Flower Stall red rose and oakleaf
Wednesday 23rd April is St George's Day.
To celebrate the day Borough Market will temporarily set up shop in Trafalgar Square, together with food inspired street theatre and cabaret performances, in a Festival of English Food.
Stalls from Borough Market include:
-Wrights Oysters oysters and shellfish from Cornwall
-Shell Seekers Dorset diver caught scallops and shellfish
-Furness Fish & Poultry Morecombe Bay shrimp
-Farmer Sharp Herwick lamb
-Mrs King Melton Mowbray pies and Cornish pasties
-The Ginger Pig sausage rolls
-Northfield Farm, Beef
-Sillfield Farm Westmorland wild boar and pork
-Chegworth Valley Apple juice
-Flour Power City bread and scones
-Neal’s Yard Dairy Cheese
-England Preserves London’s best jam and pickles
-The Veggie Table vegetarian food, ginger beer and lemonade
-Flour Station Chelsea buns and Eccles cakes
-Burnt Sugar traditional cakes and bakes
-Secretts Direct Surrey vegetables
-Ceylon 1 London’s finest Tea
-Booth’s Flower Stall red rose and oakleaf
Friday, April 11, 2008
Myung Ga
Restaurant
Myung Ga
1 Kingly Street
London
Phone 0207 734 8220
Website www.myungga.co.uk
Overview
I had the good fortune to be invited out for dinner by a Korean friend of mine in London the other week. We dined at Myung Ga, an authentic traditional Korean restaurant near Piccadilly. It specialises in BBQ (on the table) and other dishes
such as; Kimchi, Bulgogi, Bibimbop, Pajon. It was established in 1990.
Ambience
Myung Ga is a bustling, lively modern Korean restaurant that serves a whole host of Korean foods.
The restaurant was bright, well lit, and very popular with both Koreans and Europeans alike.
Each table has a central barbecue pot, which is used for special dishes such as bulgogi (barbecued beef).
Menu
The menu in Korean, English and with photos of the food and drinks offered an extensive range of Korean cuisine including:
- Kaeranjjim: Steamed egg in hot pot.
- Pajeon: Pan-fried spring onion and seafood pancakes.
- Kimchi jeon: Pan-fried Kimchi pancakes.
- Tubu jeon: Fried bean curd
- Bindae dok: Mung bean pancakes
- Tteok bokgi: Rice cake with vegetables.(Spicy)
- Tangsuyuk: Sweet & sour chicken or pork.
- Ggampoonggi: Sauteed chicken with spicy sauce.
- Hongeo hoe: Thinly Sliced raw skate seasoned with spicy sauce.
- Bap: Steamed rice
- Bokum bap: Special fried rice.
- Maeun tang: Spicy hot stew with seafood.
- Yukgaejang: Spicy beef soup with vegetables.
- Doengjang jjigae: Soybean paste stew with seafood.
- Kimchi jjigae: Kimchi stew with pork.
- Mandu guk: Dumpling soup with meat broth.
- Seolleong tang: Beef bone soup
- Kalbi: Marinated beef ribs, charbroiled.
- Bulgogi: Marinated, barbecued beef.
- Deung sim gui: Grilled beef sirloin.
- Hue gui: Sliced ox tongue.
Service
The service was friendly and very efficient.
Food
My friend and I had a feast of many dishes, too numerous to mention, which we shared. However, our dishes did include bulgogi and Yuk hoe (raw stripes of tender beef with pine nut, pears and egg) - a Korean version of steak tartar.
The meal was absolutely first class, the food tasted superb; we washed it down with copious quantities of Korean beer and Soju.
Overall Opinion
An excellent establishment, and well worth visiting should you be in that part of town.
Myung Ga
1 Kingly Street
London
Phone 0207 734 8220
Website www.myungga.co.uk
Overview
I had the good fortune to be invited out for dinner by a Korean friend of mine in London the other week. We dined at Myung Ga, an authentic traditional Korean restaurant near Piccadilly. It specialises in BBQ (on the table) and other dishes
such as; Kimchi, Bulgogi, Bibimbop, Pajon. It was established in 1990.
Ambience
Myung Ga is a bustling, lively modern Korean restaurant that serves a whole host of Korean foods.
The restaurant was bright, well lit, and very popular with both Koreans and Europeans alike.
Each table has a central barbecue pot, which is used for special dishes such as bulgogi (barbecued beef).
Menu
The menu in Korean, English and with photos of the food and drinks offered an extensive range of Korean cuisine including:
- Kaeranjjim: Steamed egg in hot pot.
- Pajeon: Pan-fried spring onion and seafood pancakes.
- Kimchi jeon: Pan-fried Kimchi pancakes.
- Tubu jeon: Fried bean curd
- Bindae dok: Mung bean pancakes
- Tteok bokgi: Rice cake with vegetables.(Spicy)
- Tangsuyuk: Sweet & sour chicken or pork.
- Ggampoonggi: Sauteed chicken with spicy sauce.
- Hongeo hoe: Thinly Sliced raw skate seasoned with spicy sauce.
- Bap: Steamed rice
- Bokum bap: Special fried rice.
- Maeun tang: Spicy hot stew with seafood.
- Yukgaejang: Spicy beef soup with vegetables.
- Doengjang jjigae: Soybean paste stew with seafood.
- Kimchi jjigae: Kimchi stew with pork.
- Mandu guk: Dumpling soup with meat broth.
- Seolleong tang: Beef bone soup
- Kalbi: Marinated beef ribs, charbroiled.
- Bulgogi: Marinated, barbecued beef.
- Deung sim gui: Grilled beef sirloin.
- Hue gui: Sliced ox tongue.
Service
The service was friendly and very efficient.
Food
My friend and I had a feast of many dishes, too numerous to mention, which we shared. However, our dishes did include bulgogi and Yuk hoe (raw stripes of tender beef with pine nut, pears and egg) - a Korean version of steak tartar.
The meal was absolutely first class, the food tasted superb; we washed it down with copious quantities of Korean beer and Soju.
Overall Opinion
An excellent establishment, and well worth visiting should you be in that part of town.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Delia In Trouble Again
Delia In Trouble Again
Delia Smith finds herself in trouble again over her use of ready made foods in her new TV series "How To Cheat at Cooking".
This time she has fallen foul of the anti salt brigade, championed by Consensus Action on Salt and Health (Cash).
Cash claim that a single serving of one of the recipes, carbonara real quick, contained more than a whole day's recommended salt intake.
Maybe so, but an indulgence once in a while won't kill you.
Delia Smith finds herself in trouble again over her use of ready made foods in her new TV series "How To Cheat at Cooking".
This time she has fallen foul of the anti salt brigade, championed by Consensus Action on Salt and Health (Cash).
Cash claim that a single serving of one of the recipes, carbonara real quick, contained more than a whole day's recommended salt intake.
Maybe so, but an indulgence once in a while won't kill you.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
The TreeHouse Revisited
The TreeHouse Revisited
Eva and I dined again in the TreeHouse last Saturday, and had another excellent and thoroughly enjoyable meal. We feasted on cauliflower soup, crab cakes, baked cod and lamb shank shepherd's pie.
Unlike some restaurants, the TreeHouse prepares and cooks fresh ingredients on the premises; it does not reheat or microwave its food.
The TreeHouse produces consistently good quality fresh food, in a lively and friendly atmosphere.
It is well worth visiting.
Eva and I dined again in the TreeHouse last Saturday, and had another excellent and thoroughly enjoyable meal. We feasted on cauliflower soup, crab cakes, baked cod and lamb shank shepherd's pie.
Unlike some restaurants, the TreeHouse prepares and cooks fresh ingredients on the premises; it does not reheat or microwave its food.
The TreeHouse produces consistently good quality fresh food, in a lively and friendly atmosphere.
It is well worth visiting.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Delia's Recipes for Cheats
Delia's Recipes for Cheats
I watched Delia Smith's new show on the BBC on Monday, in which she showed how to cheat at cooking by using ready made ingredients eg frozen mash and tinned mince.
Whilst the recipes themselves, if they used fresh ingredients, were fine; I balk at the idea of using ready made mash and tinned meat.
These ingredients are not as good as homemade, and cost more than buying the ingredients fresh and preparing them at home.
I fail to see how people do not have the time or initiative to make their own mash.
I watched Delia Smith's new show on the BBC on Monday, in which she showed how to cheat at cooking by using ready made ingredients eg frozen mash and tinned mince.
Whilst the recipes themselves, if they used fresh ingredients, were fine; I balk at the idea of using ready made mash and tinned meat.
These ingredients are not as good as homemade, and cost more than buying the ingredients fresh and preparing them at home.
I fail to see how people do not have the time or initiative to make their own mash.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Rodolfino
Restaurant
Rodolfino
Stora Nygatan 1
Stockholm
Sweden
Phone 08 411 84 97
Website www.rodolfino.lunchinfo.com
Overview
Eva and I visited Rodolfino a couple of weeks ago, this used to be an old haunt of ours in Stockholm that we used to regularly visit in the 1990's.
Rodolfino is a traditional Italian restaurant in the Gamla Stan (Old Town) of Stockholm, a popular area for tourists.
Ambience
Rodolfino is a charming, cheerful and traditional Italian restaurant; tables are laid with red and white chequered cloths each with a small table lamp with the same pattern.
The restaurant, in the summer, also offers outside seating.
Menu
The menu consists of an excellent range of pasta, meat and fish dishes including; snails, lasagne, cannelloni, pizza, spaghetti carbonara, soups, steaks and seafood.
Service
The service was very friendly and efficient, indeed it was nice to see that the same owners that we knew from our previous visits all those years ago are still running the place.
We were made to feel very welcome, as we always were in the past.
Food
I began with the lasagne, which was first class. It was hot and bubbling, with just the right amount of meat and pasta complemented by a smooth bechamel sauce.
I chose the sirloin steak for my main course, this was excellent and very tender; it was very nicely cooked, and contained the right amount of fat to ensure that it was succulent and juicy.
The steak was served with a very generous bowl of thin cut fries and a bernaise sauce, which was an excellent accompaniment.
Eva eschewed a starter, and went for the spaghetti carbonara. This was superb, it consisted of a large bowl of pasta and carbonara sauce with a very generous amount of bacon. Atop of the dish was a raw egg yolk in a shell, which added extra richness. This was a very nice touch.
A truly excellent meal.
The meal, which included a bottle of Masi Serego and some coffees/liqueurs, came to 957SEK before tip.
Overall Opinion
A wonderful, friendly and cheerful restaurant which is definitely worth visiting; we will most certainly be coming back.
Rodolfino
Stora Nygatan 1
Stockholm
Sweden
Phone 08 411 84 97
Website www.rodolfino.lunchinfo.com
Overview
Eva and I visited Rodolfino a couple of weeks ago, this used to be an old haunt of ours in Stockholm that we used to regularly visit in the 1990's.
Rodolfino is a traditional Italian restaurant in the Gamla Stan (Old Town) of Stockholm, a popular area for tourists.
Ambience
Rodolfino is a charming, cheerful and traditional Italian restaurant; tables are laid with red and white chequered cloths each with a small table lamp with the same pattern.
The restaurant, in the summer, also offers outside seating.
Menu
The menu consists of an excellent range of pasta, meat and fish dishes including; snails, lasagne, cannelloni, pizza, spaghetti carbonara, soups, steaks and seafood.
Service
The service was very friendly and efficient, indeed it was nice to see that the same owners that we knew from our previous visits all those years ago are still running the place.
We were made to feel very welcome, as we always were in the past.
Food
I began with the lasagne, which was first class. It was hot and bubbling, with just the right amount of meat and pasta complemented by a smooth bechamel sauce.
I chose the sirloin steak for my main course, this was excellent and very tender; it was very nicely cooked, and contained the right amount of fat to ensure that it was succulent and juicy.
The steak was served with a very generous bowl of thin cut fries and a bernaise sauce, which was an excellent accompaniment.
Eva eschewed a starter, and went for the spaghetti carbonara. This was superb, it consisted of a large bowl of pasta and carbonara sauce with a very generous amount of bacon. Atop of the dish was a raw egg yolk in a shell, which added extra richness. This was a very nice touch.
A truly excellent meal.
The meal, which included a bottle of Masi Serego and some coffees/liqueurs, came to 957SEK before tip.
Overall Opinion
A wonderful, friendly and cheerful restaurant which is definitely worth visiting; we will most certainly be coming back.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Paladar de Cuba
Restaurant
Paladar de Cuba
Tegnergatan 19
Stockholm
Sweden
Phone 08 21 22 52
Website www.paladar.se
Overview
Eva and I decided to try out Paladar de Cuba, a Cuban restaurant and bar, in Stockholm last week.
Paladar, in Cuba, is the colloquial Spanish name for a home-based restaurant (especially in Havana) restaurant run "off the radar" of the authorities.
Ambience
Paladar is a very welcoming and cosy establishment, a large number of wicker chairs are placed in the entrance and bar area, to the left of the bar is a good sized restaurant with cheerful wooden tables and chairs, which is well decorated with knickknacks, vegetation and curios.
In the days before the smoking ban was enforced, you could also smoke a fine Cuban cigar on the premises. Although they still have a magnificent selection of cigars in a man sized humidor, the law means that you now have to sit outside in the cold to smoke them.
However, the good news is that this ridiculous law does not apply to drinking; the Paladar has a most extensive and inviting selection of rum, which you can while away your evening with in the bar or in the restaurant.
The restaurant is very busy and popular (Che Guevara's daughter has dined there), you are advised to book.
Menu
The menu offered an excellent selection of Cuban cuisine including; peppers with cheese, crab, seafood, swordfish, steaks, lamb and young cockerel.
Service
The service was very friendly and efficient, the menu (unlike the website) was in English and the staff spoke English very well.
We were made to feel very welcome, and had a drink at the bar whilst our table was made ready for us.
Food
I began with the peppers and cheese, a most splendid starter. The red peppers (pimentos) had been roasted to perfection in olive oil (they were not out of a jar), and were served with a marinade and cheese. A really nice flavour, and medley of tastes.
Eva started with the scampi, which was served in a piquant spicy chilli and garlic white wine sauce. Absolutely superb, the scampi were plump and unctuous, and the sauce had a presence which did not overpower the scampi.
We both chose the young cockerel for our main course. This dish (per person) consisted of two large breasts of cockerel and a cockerel leg served with green rice, avocado salsa and a paprika source.
A fine main course, the cockerel was perfectly cooked and very succulent. The rice was light and fluffy, and the dish was well complemented by the sauce and salsa.
Perfect!
The meal, which included a bottle of good bottle of Spanish white and two very large rums and a rum coffee, came to an amount that I cannot remember; as in the rum fuelled haze of the evening I seem to have misplaced my bill.
Overall Opinion
A superb restaurant, which is well worth visiting.
Paladar de Cuba
Tegnergatan 19
Stockholm
Sweden
Phone 08 21 22 52
Website www.paladar.se
Overview
Eva and I decided to try out Paladar de Cuba, a Cuban restaurant and bar, in Stockholm last week.
Paladar, in Cuba, is the colloquial Spanish name for a home-based restaurant (especially in Havana) restaurant run "off the radar" of the authorities.
Ambience
Paladar is a very welcoming and cosy establishment, a large number of wicker chairs are placed in the entrance and bar area, to the left of the bar is a good sized restaurant with cheerful wooden tables and chairs, which is well decorated with knickknacks, vegetation and curios.
In the days before the smoking ban was enforced, you could also smoke a fine Cuban cigar on the premises. Although they still have a magnificent selection of cigars in a man sized humidor, the law means that you now have to sit outside in the cold to smoke them.
However, the good news is that this ridiculous law does not apply to drinking; the Paladar has a most extensive and inviting selection of rum, which you can while away your evening with in the bar or in the restaurant.
The restaurant is very busy and popular (Che Guevara's daughter has dined there), you are advised to book.
Menu
The menu offered an excellent selection of Cuban cuisine including; peppers with cheese, crab, seafood, swordfish, steaks, lamb and young cockerel.
Service
The service was very friendly and efficient, the menu (unlike the website) was in English and the staff spoke English very well.
We were made to feel very welcome, and had a drink at the bar whilst our table was made ready for us.
Food
I began with the peppers and cheese, a most splendid starter. The red peppers (pimentos) had been roasted to perfection in olive oil (they were not out of a jar), and were served with a marinade and cheese. A really nice flavour, and medley of tastes.
Eva started with the scampi, which was served in a piquant spicy chilli and garlic white wine sauce. Absolutely superb, the scampi were plump and unctuous, and the sauce had a presence which did not overpower the scampi.
We both chose the young cockerel for our main course. This dish (per person) consisted of two large breasts of cockerel and a cockerel leg served with green rice, avocado salsa and a paprika source.
A fine main course, the cockerel was perfectly cooked and very succulent. The rice was light and fluffy, and the dish was well complemented by the sauce and salsa.
Perfect!
The meal, which included a bottle of good bottle of Spanish white and two very large rums and a rum coffee, came to an amount that I cannot remember; as in the rum fuelled haze of the evening I seem to have misplaced my bill.
Overall Opinion
A superb restaurant, which is well worth visiting.
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