The Quality Chop House, Farringdon Road

10 04 2013

I can’t tell you much you haven’t read in the national press about The Quality Chop House. The unpretentious (if occasionally rough around the edges)  dishes lived up to the high expectations set by numerous glowing reviews. It’s senseless for me to recount each of the five courses, as the set, no choice menu changes daily; but particular highlights were the richly red smoked ox heart ‘snack’ I had in place of the (comparatively boring) crab rarebit GEH was served, and the hearty platter of braised brisket and pink longhorn beef. Yep, I ate an ox heart. That practically makes me Khaleesi of Clerkenwell, right? I’m forgetting the perfectly proportioned crispy belly pork with buttery fennel we had for starter, so yes, the meat- it’s gooood. Somewhat gamey, occasionally ofally. Yum.

Photo 06-04-2013 20 31 18

From a gluten free perspective it was delightful to be told they would ‘happily’ cater for any allergies or special diets, and I was given delicious alternatives to the gluten-containing dishes; including a proper pudding (rice pudding made with long rice and blood orange marmalade). They clearly knew their stuff, and were well prepared for my booking, bringing gluteny garnishes in separate dishes and putting real thought in to alternative dishes that complemented the rest of the menu. The only slight let down was there was no alternative to the bread basket, and nothing to accompany the zingy British cheeses leading to sticky fingers. Some celery or crackers would have been nice.

Annoyingly the wine bar area, which serves an a la carte menu, is walk-ins only (you’ll be lucky), and the steady stream of people turned away included a couple who were unprepared to share the newly-cushioned wooden booth with us (expected if you are a party of two). It’s also a shame that mismatched Wedgewood crockery and vintage milk bottles are so ubiquitous in London haunts these days because this place should really have the monopoly on it- it’s a faithful update to this ‘progressive working class caterers’- they didn’t deserve my chintz-fatigue.

Otherwise QCH serve the best glass of wine I have had in London for £4, and the service is friendly to a fault. I’m a little bit sorry that everyone’s discovered our local- we’ll definitely be back, if I remember to book!

5 courses with wine was about £50 a head.

Food: 8/10

Service: 9/10

GF ability: 9/10


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags:
Categories : British, Restaurants & Cafes

Bread to Bread: Gluten Free Lagers

24 11 2012

It’s beer o’clock and I’ve got to get this written before the units kick in! I was never a big beer drinker in BC (before coeliac) days, however now I’m a proper grown up I often crave a tipple that doesn’t make my teeth hurt with the sweetness. It did mean that I needed the help of my Gluten Eating Husband to settle the question of ‘which is the best gluten free lager on the market?’ though. Luckily the beer market has improved at the same pace as the bread market and we now have the choice of some great drinks that actually taste of lager!

So after an uncharacteristic Jilly Goolden round of honking, sipping, cleansing palettes with GF crackers, and exclaiming “but can’t you taste the pears?!” (him: “no”) which did we prefer?

Editor’s pick: Estrella Daura
£8.00 for 4 bottles from Ocado 5.4% alcohol. Served with Honest Burgers in Brixton/Soho and La Tasca Tapas across London.
The first widely available gluten free lager that your friends might mistake for the ‘real’ thing is still one of the best. It’s very pale and extremely lightly flavoured compared to the other contenders with little aroma. It tingles rather than fizzes on the tongue. There really was a slight pear aftertaste (honest!) They’ve been putting the price steadily up at Waitrose, but with the whopping unit count it represents a high “lash to cash” ratio – hidden rocket fuel!
GF Nomability: 8/10

The ‘will put hairs on your chest’ award: St Peter’s Gluten Free Lager
£2.90 per (large) bottle from Ocado, 4.2% alcohol. Served at The Jerusalem Tavern in Farringdon
We’re not a blog to mince our words. To be honest, it looks a bit like medicine in it’s tincture bottle; and personally I thought it tasted a bit medicinal too.  The scent was somewhat musty and grapey, and the taste was very savoury and bitter compared to the other two. It didn’t produce much of a head. Not to my taste, nor his. We may be scientific in our approach, but are by no means connoisseurs so this wasn’t our favourite.
GF Nomability: 4/10

His favourite: Celia
£2.30 per bottle from Deli Divine 4.5% alcohol. Served in various venues around London. Check the Celia website for stockists.
Full disclosure: this was not widely available at the time of tasting, so this was kindly given to me by the Celia team to try. The GEH declared this golden-coloured drink a much more flavoursome option than the Daura as it had a more rounded taste and smooth mouthfeel. Definitely a grown-up option – we predict it will go far, despite the slightly cheesy name!
GF Nomability: 8/10

Other favourites:
You mean we should have tried more? This blog would never have been written! Unfortunately my order of Daas Blonde didn’t arrive in time for the competition, but I love it as a faithful, light blonde beer that makes me crave moules frites, plus Abel & Cole bring it with the veggies!  Similarly, Mongozo is served in my favourite Dovetail Belgian Bar in Clerkenwell and is a nice, quaffable pilsner that has the added bonus of being fairtrade.

If you have any other lager recommendations please let us know!


Comments : 5 Comments »
Tags: , ,
Categories : Bread to Bread, Drinks, Opinion, Products

The Gate, St. John Street

8 11 2012

Gluten-free and vegetarian? I know, right?! All of the sceptics will be surprised to hear that The Gate pulls off both, with tasty consequences. The menu is eclectic, ranging across Asia (wasabi potato cakes), the Middle East (falafels, mezze) and Mexico (tortillas – sadly not GF) for its dishes; but as the GEH pointed out: vegetarianism forces ingredient innovation – something I’m well familiar with from my weekly veg box (what on earth should I do with a black salsify?!)

Yummy, sweet & savoury green banana fritters

There was a good selection of gluten-free dishes (especially from the starters and mezze menu) and what we ended up with from The Gate was was satisfying and colourful in equal measures; beautifully presented and enjoyed all the more for the surprising Tuesday night buzz.

I was also delighted to see gluten-free dishes clearly labelled on the menu, but ever-paranoid I double checked with the waitress about cross-contamination, and was glad I did. Apparently it is normal practice to fry the GF dishes with the other ones. A near miss (they happily cooked mine separately after I asked), but given the amount of frustrations I’ve had with GF labelling since the law changed, I contacted The Gate for clarification and to explain the new law. You can see part of their response below. Sadly yet another example of confusion caused for coeliacs by the new labelling laws – it’s still vital that you clarify with a restaurant that you must avoid even a trace of gluten in your food even if they do use the ‘Gluten Free’ label, as its all too often used incorrectly.

GF Ability: 7/10
Service: 7/10
Food: 8/10

Dinner for two with wine was £60. There is another branch in Hammersmith.

Response from The Gate:

“many of the dishes on our menu that require deep-frying, are done so in the same oil…whenever we have special requests – i.e for gluten-, diary- or egg free dishes, people with coeliacs, nut allergies, etc – special care is taken to ensure that cross-contamination does not occur and our chefs prepare and serve the dishes without coming in contact with any other foods or ingredients”

The Gate have not yet confirmed whether they intend to change the labelling on their menu.


Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: , ,
Categories : Restaurants & Cafes, Vegetarian

North Road, St. John’s Street

16 10 2012

I’m sorry to report that since writing this review, North Road has closed.

My second visit to North Road, and I hadn’t intended to blog, but just had to share some of the delights I found there! Let’s just say that it pays to warn ahead that you are gluten free, I didn’t last time and had a marvellous time. This time I did, and was astounded by the care, attention and effort that staff had made to present me with beautiful gluten free food.

A lot has moved on for North Road since I last visited: a Michelin star and the departure of the chef included. I still worry about the viability of restaurants in this lovely corner of Clerkenwell – it’s a lovely place but we’ve seen so many eateries come and go  - even for a Tuesday things were quiet.

Despite the tranquility, we didn’t feel uncomfortable. The staff were welcoming and the main dishes were still top notch stuff, managing to be both earthy and dainty simultaneously, and I could have had anything adapted, but what stood out were the treats between courses- ‘snacks’.

Crisp quinoa crackers came scattered with delicate petals, curious bright pink boiled quails eggs looked like sweeties in a nest of hay. Gluten free bread was served in an understated canvas pouch with a splurge of tangy buttermilk butter on slate. (There’s a lot of buttermilk on the menu).

Delicate little quinoa crackers for ‘snacks’

The sorbet course is rarely something to write about, but despite being one of many buttermilk dishes on the menu, buttermilk sorbet with frozen celery was just wow – so light, heady and refreshing.

Scottish scallops, carrot, sea buckthorn and buttermilk snow

The piece de la resistance was quite the biggest petit four I have ever seen. Nothing was ‘petit’ about the candy floss tree which came sprinkled with baby fennel leaf and planted in specially prepared gluten free edible chocolate soil. Yes, a tree. GEH’s had a breadstick trunk, mine: a real stick. That’s some preparation. The first time I have giggled in delight and surprise at my dinner.

Just me hanging out with my surprise tree. You can eat the soil!

GF Ability: 10/10
Service: 9/10
Food: 9/10

Dinner for two with wine was £150

http://www.north-road.com/

When fruit is a pudding – Kentish strawberries


Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags:
Categories : Nordic, Restaurants & Cafes

Pho, Wardour Street

10 07 2012

Top to bottom: Cha Gio (Pork Spring Rolls), Goi Cuon Ga (Chicken Summer Rolls), Goi Du Du (Papaya Salad)

Vietnam is definitely next on the ‘big trip’ list if Pho is anything to go by. This is my 3rd visit and I still get giddy at the ‘everything is gluten free except the fried noodles’ gambit. I never quite believe them but have tried tempting fate with all kinds of fried, besauced and dipped dishes; all with yummy happy-tummy consequences.

The portions are huge, incredibly good value and the rainbow of colours and fresh flavours in the salads and summer rolls feel deeply satisfying and virtuously healthy at the same time. On this visit I enjoyed some too-good-to-be-GF fried pork spring rolls followed by a green papaya salad which was tongue-tinglingly spicy with a fresh zingy melange of mint, sugar, salt and crunchy peanuts. A lot like my favourite memories from Thailand, but without the following headache. I enjoyed the luxury of stealing liberally from my friend’s plate and dipping deep in the scrummy sauce.

Atmosphere is best described as buzzy (they won’t let you book so best to get there early before the steady stream of people). Apparently the gluters are also catching on as Pho has recently expanded to branches in Spitalfields and Westfield. I have no hesitation in adding my blog’s voice to the list of recommendations.

Food: 9/10
Service: 8/10
Glutenfreeability: 9/10

Branches in Clerkenwell, Spitalfields, Westfield and other locations.


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , , ,
Categories : Asian, Restaurants & Cafes, Vietnamese

« Previous Entries


Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 817 other followers

%d bloggers like this: