London Archives - Alexandra Rose Creative

November 15, 2018November 15, 2018

The Best Romantic Restaurants in London

Looking for somewhere special to take your loved one? Want to make a good impression on a first date, or maybe you’re looking for the perfect spot to pop the question? Here’s a list of the best- romantic restaurants in London to choose from, and trust us they’re good!

L’Escargot – Soho – French

Soho’s most romantic and luxurious eatery and London’s oldest French restaurant, L’Escargot is located on Greek St and has satisfied some very famous palates in its time. From Coco Chanel to Elton John, its a firm favourite with the glitterati and serves delectable Parisian cuisine 7 days a week. Whether you’re partial to a creamy Lobster Bisque or prefer Coq au Vin, they have exactly what you’re looking for with an extra sprinkling of magic on top.

L’Escargot oozes a seriously romantic ambiance and is the perfect place to enjoy a loved-up night in style.

For reservations please call 020 7439 7474 or email info@lescargotrestaurant.co.uk

48 Greek St, Soho, London W1D 4EF

Website

Sartoria – Mayfair – Italian

If you’re a fan of authentic Italian cuisine and want to ‘push the boat out’ for your special half then Sartoria is the place to be. This restaurant offers fresh, delicious and creative dishes which will be sure to ‘wow’ your taste buds from the moment you tuck in. Being the only restaurant on Savile Row, Sartoria offers newly refurbished décor to emulate 20th Century Italian glamour and it looks divine.

Tuck into a mouth-watering selection of Antipasti such as Beef Carppacio or barbequed Mackerel or enjoy a main consisting of pan-fried Squid with Tuscan Cannellini Beans. Bellissimo!

For bookings please call 020 7534 700 or email sartoriareservations@danddlondon.com

20 Savile Row, Mayfair, London W1S 3PR

Website

Noura -Mayfair – Lebanese

Noura will turn 20 next year and they’re renowned for offering some of the finest Lebanese food in London! With two restaurants, a deli and a catering company under their belt, the family business really do know their stuff! With stunning food from their homeland and exceptional customer service, it’s pretty obvious to see why Noura made the list. It’s the perfect spot for showing your affection for your dining partner, and for the good food!

Why not order yourself their fresh Mixed Grill or traditional Loubieh with Lamb? Or maybe you’re meat-free and fancy Moujadarra (Rice & Lentils) instead? They have a great choice of dishes, something to keep you both happy.

For bookings please call 0207 235 9444 or visit their website

16 Curzon St, Mayfair, London W1J 5HP, UK

Rules – Covent Garden – British

If you’re both partial to a bit of traditional British fare then London’s oldest restaurant, ‘Rules Restaurant’ is the one for you.

Its fascinating historical restaurant-premises spanning over 200 years has welcomed some extremely famous faces to dine at its tables, from Charlie Chaplin to Charles Dickens! It became ‘Rules’ in 1984 when it was taken over by its current owner (that’s only the third owner in over two centuries).

You can tell that they definitely take pride in what they do and this shows in their food. They specialise in classic Game cookery, Oysters, Pies and Puddings.

A truly British date night.

For bookings please call 0207 836 5314 or visit their website

35 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, WC2E 7LB

Royal China Group – Baker Street

Chinese food with your better half doesn’t always have to be from the nearest takeaway shop whilst you’re watching the box on a Friday night. If you’re a fan of Oriental cuisine and want to make it extra special then head down to the Royal China Group on Baker Street for a candlelit dinner that will blow you away

From Wagyu Beef in a Teriyaki sauce to Icelandic King Crab, there’s a great choice to cater for everyone. They also have a varied selection of tasty vegetarian dishes too.

If you’re looking for an evening that’s a little more intimate then you can request for one of their partitions to be put up, or why not go the whole hog and hire your own private dining area?

To book your table please call 0207 486 3898

40 – 42 Baker Street, Marylebone, London W1U 7AJ

Website

So there you have it, and what a great selection! Which one are you going to go for?

October 13, 2017October 26, 2018

Lockside Camden – Tex Mex Heaven

I love Camden. It’s trendy, funky and full of the weird and wonderful.

It has changed drastically over the last 15 years since I’ve been going out there. Pop up street food stalls and huts have become the staple of the Lock, with a range of cuisines available from all over the world.

I’m a big fan of TexMex food. I like the fusion between Mexico & America with all of their spices, sauces and flavours. It’s one of my favourites!

When I eat I like to sit down, relax and enjoy my food. Standing up squashed between hundreds of people is perfect for ‘food on the go’ but I’m more of a chilled out, take your time kind of foodie. Plus I need room to put the food in my mouth!

Lockside Camden is a well established eat-in restaurant and bar. Perfect for me to relax. Located on the upper walkway inside The Lock, it been open since 2005 and had a refurbishment in January of this year.

With a large outside area overlooking the Lock, it’s great during the warmer months. The perfect spot to enjoy food and a few drinks while you watch the world go by.

Most recently they’ve branched upon a fresh TexMex theme with their ‘Evil Twin’ brand delivering fresh, authentic food bursting with flavour from their creative kitchen.

The chefs are energetic, enthusiastic and bubbly. Just what you want from this type of area.

We sat down at the back of the restaurant after ordering our drinks from the bar. Nattering away about what a fantastic location it was and checking out the quirky artwork on the walls.

From framed cans of craft beer, to an image of Grime artist D Double E dressed as the (Newham) General (If you know you know). It’s eclectic and unique. There’s even an image of a pair of Reebok Classics which were the fashion staple of street wear when I was growing up, those and Air Force 1’s were my favourites!

Within a very reasonable time our food arrived!
A wooden serving board packed with a fabulous array of foods arrived at our table and we tucked straight in!
5 Hour “Hell Yeah” Pork Belly Tacos with
Kimchi & Guac, corn tortilla
Hot Butter & Siracha Wings
Jalapeño Poppers, Chipotle Aioli, spring Onions
Nacho’s smothered in Queso

See the source image

The Pork belly was AMAZING! Cooked just right, the juicy flavours just melted in my mouth!

The wings? I love a wing and these were by far some of the best I’ve ever tasted!

Jalapeño Poppers are no doubt going to have a kick about them and these were kickin’ for all the right reasons! Very moreish.

And finally the cheesy Nachos…YES, just YES!

The food is tasty, fresh and bursting in flavours and the Kimchi & Guac tortilla was by far my favourite!

They also do some fantastic looking Burgers too!

The vibe is edgy yet chilled, the food is delicious and the drinks are cold. What more could you want from an afternoon in Camden Town?

75-89 Upper Walkway, Camden Lock Place, London · NW1 8AF

Tel: 020 7284 0007

Opening Hours
Monday – Thursday 12 noon – 1am
Friday 12 noon – 3am
Saturday 10am – 3am
Sunday 10am – 1am

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May 18, 2017November 8, 2018

Orford Saloon Tapas Restaurant – London

Walthamstow Village is like a world of it’s own, located just a few minutes walk from the main overground and underground stations, Orford Saloon is within easy reach from all over London if you’re a fan of authentic Spanish food.

The restaurant is located on Orford Road, and boasts it’s own deli next door.

Spanish food has always been a firm favourite so it’s always nice to have a genuine place to eat when we’re away from Ibiza.

Rich in its flavours from The Med, this is the number one go-to spot for your Tapas and Paella fix!

Food:

Pollo Canario (Skewered Chicken breast in a spicy Canarian sauce)
Calamares rebozados (Squid rings)
Langostinos a la parrilla (Grilled king Prawns)
Champinones con Chorizo (Sautéed Mushrooms with Chorizo)
Chuletas de cordero a la parrilla (Flame grilled Lamb cutlets)
Bread & Alioli

alcohol, alcoholic, drink

Bread and Alioli is a very bad but very good combination. Bad because it’s so addictive but good because well, it tastes amazing. That kept us going while the dishes were prepared.

The squid sizes were very generous indeed! 6 Portions and cooked exactly how they should be.

The Grilled King Prawns tasted amazing. Bubbling away in their juices and the heat from cooking, they tasted fresh and again, a pretty generous serving!

The Lamb cutlets came away from the bone with ease and tasted divine. Beautifully tender and cooked medium-rare.

Chorizo & Mushroom’s go perfectly together and this was no exception and the skewered Chicken breast topped the whole experience off wonderfully.

We would thoroughly recommend Orford Saloon if you’re in need of genuine Spanish food and a relaxed atmosphere.

Orford Saloon is situated on 32 Orford Road, Walthamstow, E17 9NJ – 0208 503 6542

Their opening times are a little sporadic so ‘popping in’ can end in disappointment if you don’t know their hours.

It opens from 6pm Monday-Thursday, 12pm-3pm Friday and Saturday 10am-3pm and then 6pm-10.30pm, Sunday they open from 10am-3pm and then 6pm-9.30pm

February 24, 2017October 26, 2018

Venerdi Italian Restaurant – London

Venerdi reopened on the 18th February and the amount of interest it has received so far has been positively overwhelming.

It has totally transformed from its previously rustic decor into a stylish and sophisticated eating establishment that oozes class while at the same time, keeping it’s Mediterranean charm with traditional Italian foods on display for all to see.

Venerdi is situated on the trendy Chatsworth Road in Hackney and although the regenerated area offers an array of quirky eateries and other shops, Venerdi really does stand out from the crowd.

It’s now the type of venue which you would find in nearby Shoreditch. Modern and charming, with its brand new traditional wood burning oven, dimly lit feature lighting and impeccably dressed professional bartenders with a serious passion for their trade. The only difference is, Venerdi doesn’t come with the upmarket price tag that a lot of restaurants in Shoreditch tend to charge.

They’ve kept their original menu with some new additions, all for the same great price.

Their famous Pizzas are still on offer in a range of Meat, Fish, Vegeterian and gluten free options, ranging from £7.70 to £13 and are big enough for two people! Their thin crusts and tasty toppings show us why traditional Italian Pizzas are the only ‘real’ Pizzas to eat.

Venerdi0642 2.jpg — Photography – Firat Ayas

For the seafood fans there’s plenty of options. From their ‘Salmone Alla Griglia’ (Grilled Salmon with Seabass Ravioli) for £16, to their ‘Risotto Scampi’ for £12. There’s a number of choices to choose from.

If you’re more of a Meat eater then Venerdi is the place to be! Their ‘Rib Eye Padella’ (Dry roasted Scotch Rib Eye) for £16.50 is simply delicious and cooked to perfection. Their ‘Tagliatelle Wild Boar’ for £13 is also a popular favourite.

They also have a number of Vegetarian options available at Venerdi. From ‘Gnocchi Buffalina (Stuffed with Buffalo Mozzarella, Cherry Tomatoes and Garlic, served with a Tomato and Pesto sauce) for £9.90, to ‘Orecchiette’ (Garden Peas, mixed Porcini Mushrooms and Garlic in a cream sauce for £10.
As with any authentic Italian restaurant, Venerdi also offers a number of Antipasto (Starter/first course) options from their fresh Focaccia bread for £5.50 to their Scallops with spicy Sausage for only £9.50. A perfect pre-dinner treat!

DSC_6459 3.jpg — Photography – Firat Ayas

Venerdi really has excelled itself with it’s refurbishment and is fast becoming the most talked about restaurant in the area this year so far!

Expect happy hours, music nights, special events and much more!
You can follow them on their social media pages here;

Venerdi is situation on 9 Chatworth Road, London E65 OLH

For reservations call 02085331902

January 30, 2017October 26, 2018

Coppa Club London

coppa

Cold winter nights are either about hibernating indoors or enjoying a good meal out!

With views over the famous Tower of London Coppa Club is a great spot for date night dining and dinner with friends or family. It is also extremely fairly priced compared to some other restaurants in the area.

Upon arrival we were seated inside the large, spacious restaurant towards the open kitchen area.

Drinks:

We ordered some ‘Wild Strawberry Spritz’ Cocktails.

These consisted of Fragoli Liqueur, Prosecco & ‘drunken strawberries’ (£6.95 each) which had tiny little ‘Drunken Strawberries’ laying in the bottom of the glass. I have to say they were lovely and very refreshing!

Food:

Starters:

Crispy Fried Squid with Sriracha Mayo, Lemon & Paprika (£5.95)
Seared King Prawns (4) with garlic, Lemon, Chilli & extra virgin Olive Oil (£6.95)
Garlic Bread (£2.95)

Three Cooked Shrimps on Can

Mains:

Corn fed Chicken with lemony Rosemary juices, house Slaw and skinny Fries (Serving two for £19.95)

Our starters arrived quite quickly and were visually, very appealing! The taste matched this, as the Garlic bread was simply delicious. More of a garlic flat bread, the four cut slices were perfectly cooked and not overwhelming. I love bread for starters and sometimes over indulge, which often leads to a bit of a struggle when the mains arrive but the portion size was just right.

architecture, bascule bridge, bridge

The Prawns were lovely. Shell on, covered in garlic, lemon, and chilli, they were cooked to perfection! Two each was just enough for us. Served with a slice of lemon to drizzle. Yummy!

I’m a big fan of Squid and this one didn’t disappoint. The creamy Sriracha Mayo sauce added a superb texture once eaten.

The Mains were wonderful, the chicken was fresh, bursting with flavour and a fantastic portion size. The chips were crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, just the way we like them!

We were full so couldn’t manage dessert, but I’m sure we would have enjoyed those as well!

Coppa Club has 3 other venues in Sonning, Oxford Circus and St Pauls.

Opening hours:
Monday- Thursday 7:30am–11pm
Friday 7:30am–12am
Saturday 9am–12am
Sunday 9am–10:30pm
For reservations visit http://www.coppaclub.co.uk/towerbridge

November 16, 2016October 25, 2018

Hubbard and Bell – London

hub

Part of the Soho House brand, Hubbard and Bell (adjoined with The Hoxton Hotel) is situated on the High Holborn road in London.

With it’s light and airy décor, it’s the perfect spot for dinner with friends on a cold Monday evening in the city.

cars, city, communication — Image – Negativespace.co

The menu is very varied and interesting. Not on the cheap side but considering it’s central London, it was considerably reasonable for the excellent quality of food that we later received.

Food:

The Porterhouse Steak with fries (£55 for 32oz), Octopus with Salsa Verde, Chilli and Chickpeas (£14), Crab with spicy Aioli on toast (£8) and the Scallops with Cauliflower and Saffron (£12).

The steak is beyond amazing. It was one of the best we’ve ever had! Thick cuts of tender, medium/rare meatiness served on a wooden board, topped off with mixed salad. It was perfect to share and we had around 4 slices each between 3 of us so it was well worth the price tag.

The chips (we asked them to be fried in truffle oil) tasted fantastic! Very moreish.

Silver Metal Fork on Top of a Silver Butter Knife

The Octopus was beautiful. The portions are small but extremely satisfying. Served with salsa verde, chilli and chickpeas, the accompanying ingredients really did the octopus justice.

Now on to the crab. It beats peanut butter on toast that’s for sure! We would have this for breakfast, lunch and dinner if we could. Tasty and surprisingly light considering the bread underneath.

They have a solid cocktail list ranging from ‘Sunset Boulevard’ which consists of Gran Centenario Plata with Manderin and Tarragon soda, to ‘Vintage Satan in Satin’s Sheets’.

The boldly named cocktail boasts an extensive list of ingredients. Woodford Reserve, Martini Rosso, Manderin Napoleon, Benedictine, Ferret Branca and bitters (see below).

drink

Along with their delicious food, creative cocktails and relaxed atmosphere, Hubbard and Bell is a very welcoming venue with attentive, friendly staff.

With a range of well known actors frequenting the venue, Hubbard and Bell is a not-so-hidden gem that should be proud of their service and exceptional food.

The restaurant is open from 7am-2am Monday-Saturday and 8am-12am on Sundays.

You can book your table by calling 02076613030 or visiting http://www.hubbardandbell.com