Bodean's BBQ, Notting Hill

03-07-2009

2 Review(s)     

There are five Bodean’s diner-delis across London - in Soho, Westbourne Grove, Tower Hill, Clapham and Fulham. Their menu boasts some great offers and ever-popular specialities from the oak-burning smoke pit, like barbecue ribs, chicken and pulled pork; and Bodean’s famous burnt ends – slow-cooked chunks of beef brisket served in a light bbq sauce. We tried most of what was on offer and came out barely able to move!

Bodean’s has also imbued itself with some famous American customer service as the staff from the hostess through the waiting staff and even the chef were friendly, polite and could not do enough to make sure that our visit to the restaurant was enjoyable.

Bodean’s in Westbourne Grove is an interesting affair, all dark wood, American style diner booths, bedecked with antlers on the walls. From the outside it looks like a small place but is set over three floors and includes several private dining/ party options.

We had a platter of starters including very delicious wings ordered to taste in terms of spicing, baby back ribs (with plenty of meat attached), quesadilla with pulled pork ( a little soggy, but still tasty), crab cakes and dips. I have to say I could have left at that point feeling like I had eaten a meal, but no, our mains were still to come! We ordered a combi meal of chicken ribs and pulled pork, and the speciality Jacobs Ladder Beef ribs - steak on a bone in effect and my favourite, (how anyone can eat five of the things I have no idea!) Unfortunately there had been a run on the burnt ends which came highly recommended so I can’t pass comment on those, but the fact that they were sold out by 8pm must say something!

All the meat was tender and well seasoned; the chefs at Bodeans season and spice the mean before slow-cooking it for up to 12 hours in wood smokers in the restaurants. This makes the meat so tender that it simply falls off the bone! There are lots of sides, the ubiquitous fries (with chilli cheese), macaroni cheese, onion rings, and salads to name a few.

All this was followed up with the apple cobbler and ice cream, I really thought no more could be eaten, but our waitress was so enthusiastic about it, I really felt I ought to give it a go, and it was pretty delicious!

The prices are mid range, however with some of the promotions that they have running; you can really eat well very reasonably. I was particularly impressed that kids eat free (and it definitely a child friendly establishment) and that you can dine out for £10 with their ‘Pig Out for a Tenner’ deal.

Bodean’s is a veritable carnivore dream! Meat, meat and more meat. Their strap line is – “serving up the best-tasting American bbq food this side of the Atlantic” and they may well be right.

Leandra Box, myvillage

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Peacock Theatre, West End

24-03-2009

1 Review(s)     

Tango Fire is the current show on at the Peacock theatre, running until the 11th April 2009.

As someone who has had a few Tango classes, not to mention being an avid viewer of Strictly Come Dancing, I know a little bit about Tango! I understand how difficult it is to walk with the style and grace of a tanguera, to be able to lead and be led, to feel an unsaid connection and translate it into something of beauty on the dancefloor. The dancers of Tango Fire however did not make it look like a struggle, they delivered their routines with ease, making those of us novices feel completely inadequate yet desperately aspirational! What I would do to be able to deliver a tango that would cause those around me to draw a sharp intake of breath as I did several times whilst watching Tango Fire.

The show is in two parts. The first, the Milonga, takes us to an Argentinian dance hall in the early hours of the morning. The dancers re-enact the rituals of tango, the beautifully well turned out couples, the etiquette of the dance invitation, the correct direction of the traffic and the most amazing and intimate dancing. The band, Quatrotango, consisting a pianist, accordion player, violinist and double bass player add to the authenticity of the picture. They played beautifully, I have never seen a bass used as a percussion instrument in quite the way it was during this show. The tangos, as with real life milongas, were interspersed with songs, admittedly these interludes were my least favourite parts of the show, but necessary nonetheless.

The second part of the show was really the showcase for the couples' dancing. Each short dance seemed to demonstrate increasing technical skills. The tangos become more balletic and acrobatic, extreme demonstrations of precision and drama delivered as each couple introduced complexity and show stopping moves into their routines. The lifts were amazing, the female dancers thrown with ease around the male dancers bodies. There were endless spins, furiously fast footwork, and put simply, very good couple dancing.

Despite this, I think I preferred the dance hall of the first half of the show; the understated elegance of the tango of late night Buenos Aires captures more of what this danceform is about for me - more of the sensual unspoken connection through the language of dance than the glitz of the exhibition. Having said that I was blown away by the whole thing. The dancing was unbelievably good: totally mesmerising. I am in awe of the dancers and certainly a little bit jealous. My husband knows he is going to have to put his dancing shoes back on and continue with the tango lessons, and I think we both know, there will be no dancing for us, anything like that seen at the Peacock theatre anytime soon!

Leandra Box, myvillage

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Yum Cha, Camden

19-03-2009

2 Review(s)     

Yum Cha has been catching my eye for a number of weeks as I drive through Camden. It was once a Silks and Spice restaurant serving fairly mediocre food, but now (after a little makeover) advertises itself as a dim sum specialist. I do like dim sum – those little dishes, like Chinese tapas, offer no end of surprises and unusual combinations – and consequently, has been on my ‘to check out’ list. This became all the more urgent when a colleague told me she had tried it and was impressed, and whatsmore that they offered 25% off at lunch time and get this….. 50% off on Monday and Tuesday evenings!

I had lunch there and was quietly impressed. Firstly it appeared well used by South East Asian diners….. always a good sign if people who should know something about the cuisine in question are prepared to pay for a meal there! Service was fast and everything appeared as it was ready which meant not all at the same time, but that doesn’t matter with Dim Sum anyway. We tried loads of dishes: very good steamed dumplings (both chicken and prawn), salt and pepper squid (not greasy at all), small spring rolls, delicious beef and tofu dumplings, grilled pork dumplings (possibly my favourite), and parcels of sticky rice and chicken wrapped in banana leaf. Alongside the dim sum we had some vegetable noodles and soft drinks.

There was only one thing I did not take to and that was some kind of glutinous roll with mushroom and prawn – the texture just did not work for me! In fact make that two things, also did not appreciate the £2.80 charge for a cup of jasmine tea, this is often provided complimentary at other comparable establishments. Quite frankly that is a rip off, hence I politely declined a serving!

Having said that, overall, what a bargain! Including drinks and service it came to £10 each and there was more than enough food. A great little find. Perfect for a quick lunch whilst browsing Camden or a cheap evening meal at the beginning of the week. I will be going back.

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Bake a boo, Hampstead

17-03-2009

1 Review(s)     

If you read my reviews you will know I am partial to a bit of cake and a cup of tea. Any opportunity for afternoon tea, cream teas or just standard tea and cake and I am there! I have been to this place twice now and have also dropped by for take away cakes and I have to say I have never been blown away. Don't get me wrong I like it. I like the way it looks, attention to detail is good and the cakes are picture book pretty. The problem is they just never taste as good as you would want. Sweet but not succulent, lacking moisture and never feeling like they were just prepared that day. I desperately want this place to be fantastic and it does have the potential, but like a report card might say (not mine I hasten to add) "must try harder".

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Centonove, Notting Hill

17-03-2009

23 Review(s)     

Nice little restaurant this. Freshly cooked Italian food prepared with real passion. Pretty place with some questionable art work and a bit of a draft if you sit too near the door (I advise the table by the roraring fire if it's the middle of winter. There is also a downstairs although I think that tends to be used for private hire.

I had the most fabulous steak last time I was there but have also been impressed by the risotto and the pasta in the past. Starters and puddings and also really good. Menu is varied without being enormous so you know that the choice is seasonal and freshly prepared.

Staff are friendly, the waitresses are stunningly pretty and I think there must be a clear house policy on this because this is totally without exception! Needless to say, my husband loves it there!

The guy who runs the place is a gem; friendly and informative, only too eager to please and generous with it! Last time I was there he insisted I try the banana tiramisu despite the fact I had pigged out on the chocolate pudding already!

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