Arrivederci Zucca [Closed]

Yeah! Like Bizarro Superman. Superman's exact opposite, who lives in the backwards bizarro world. Up is down, down is up, he says hello when he leaves, goodbye when he arrives

Jerry Seinfeld (Seinfeld episode “The Bizarro Jerry”)

Recently it was announced that Zucca will be closing down for good on 23 December. So immediately I made a booking to try once more chef Sam Harris cuisine.

Truffle Time

Food was nice and well execute it. The pork belly with anchovies and puntarelle was amazing, same as the classic vitello tonnato, follow it by the special white truffle pasta and an outstanding slow braised ox cheek with yellow polenta and borettane to close the evening.

Ox Cheek

Food was great and service good, hurry up and book your table before they close in December

Zucca

T: 020 7378 6809

Italian Restaurant

Approx Damage: £50pp

Area: Bermondsey

Borough: Southwark

Twitter: ZuccaBermondsey

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Italian Delicatessen and Sandwiches in Borough

So, she didn't appreciate the erotic qualities of the salted cured meats?

Jerry Seinfeld (Seinfeld episode “The Blood”)

One place I have missed in Borough Market so far was Gastronomica. So the other day while looking for doughnuts I decided to try their sandwiches. They trade in two retail shops and many markets, bringing fresh Italian produce to London.

Sandwich Time

In the stall in borough market you can get cold and/or hot sandwiches in different types of bread with different fillings. Also traditional Italian cheeses and cured meats.

Options

Classic combinations, no frill but plenty of flavours. I got a mixed hot Panini with salami and Parma ham, nice good flavours with the addition of a blue cheese. I would have liked it to be toasted a bit longer, but it was ok. Expect long queues.

Gastronomica

T: 020 7407 4488

Italian Delicatessen

Approx Damage: £5pp

Area: Borough

Borough: Southwark

Twitter: GastronomicaLTD

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Sausage Rolls at the Market

Blood over there, sausages over here. I'm living in a slaughterhouse

Jerry Seinfeld (Seinfeld episode “The Blood”)

I love sausage rolls they are my guilty pleasure. Probably is the crispy puff pastry. So the other day in Borough Market I spotted a butcher selling pies, scotch eggs, and sausage rolls and couldn't resist to try the rolls. The Ginger Pig has six London shops with 20 years of experience and the one I numb into is their Borough one.

Ginger Pig

The sausage roll was lovely, the crispy layers of the pastry and a nice spicy kick on the sausage. Give it a try the next time you’re in the Market.

Pies and Rolls

The Ginger Pig

T: 020 7403 4721

Butchery

Approx Damage: £5pp

Area: Borough

Borough: Southwark

Twitter: GingerPigLTD

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Coffee Enquiry XXXII: Flat Cap

Oh, and that coffee table is saying, put some coffee on me! I'd like to put some coffee on her! Hot, scalding coffee right in her face! I swear! This is like working with a contestant from The Price Is Right

Elaine Benes (Seinfeld episode “The Fire”)

While wandering around Borough Market looking for a decent coffee and trying to avoid the queues of Monmouth, I bumped into Flat Cap (now they are renaming to Notes Coffee Barrows) in the Green Market. The stall is part of now 4 carts around London and 2 Notes full shops in London. New Zealand style espresso based menu with the steering of Brazilian barista champion Fabio Ferreira.

The stall

Tips?

I ordered a nice flat white, strong flavours and creamy, latte art even that is served to take away.

Espresso Machine: La Marzocco

Beans: Notes

Score: 4/5

Flat White

Lovely coffee, opening from Thursday to Saturday

Notes Coffee Barrows (Flat Cap)

Coffee

Approx Damage: £3pp

Area: Borough

Borough: Southwark

Twitter: NotesBarrows

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Salt Beef in Borough

Well, because the meats are divided into a class system. You got Pastrami and Corned Beef in one class and Salami and Bologna in another. That's not right!

Cosmo Kramer (Seinfeld episode “The Race”)

I visited the other day Borough Market. Definitely one of my favourite places in London, even though is full of tourists and everything is like in slow motion for the fast pace of London. I decided to get salt beef sandwiches, the luck was on my side as Nana Fanny's and Northfield Kitchen (part of the Northfield Farms) were selling their versions.

Northfield's Salt Beef

Both were quite good, in Nana I went for the traditional bagel one (sourced from Bricklane), while in Northfield just one option the rye one. The salt beef of Northfield was definitely my favourite, better execution and the flavour of the beef was much more rich.

Nana Fanny's

Northfield's Kitchen

Nana Fanny's

T: 078 8535 8900

Street Food

Approx Damage: £5pp

Area: Borough

Borough: Southwark

Twitter: NanaFannys

Northfield Kitchen

T: 077 1281 7097

Farm / Street Food

Approx Damage: £5pp

Area: Borough

Borough: Southwark

Twitter: Northfieldfarm

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A Turkish named TAS

Double dipped? What are you talking about?

George Costanza (Seinfeld episode “The Implant”)

Usually if you want good Turkish food you end up in Dalston. But I found good reviews about TAS, an Anatolian Turkish cuisine in Waterloo. The place opened in 1999, and now they have more than 15 restaurants. The place was completely packed, happy faces, a loud and noisy atmosphere impregnated with great aromas.

The Place

The best way to eat Turkish cuisine is sharing so we ordered a several dishes to play with. We started with some cold and hot meze. The Cacik was great, I loved the mint, cucumber, and garlicky yoghurt base dip, full of flavour. Then the hummus kavurma, amazing, topped with sautéed lamb it’s like a hummus reloaded. The kalamar, a battered marinated squid, good, nicely done. Kanat, some chicken wings, ok no fuss no glory. Finally, the icli kofte, lovely, great flavours of these lamb and wheat balls.

Hummus time

Double dipping

Icli Kofte

For the main show we got their mixed grill, the Iskender, great flavours. The scallop cooked with onions, and cabbage in a wine creamy sauce, it was definitely the weakest link of the night, the scallops were miniature, almost baby scallops, and a bit dry. Then we moved to Hunkar Begendi, grilled aubergine puree with cheese and of course lamb, really good, nice flavours and good combination. Finally as a side the great Bademli, a lovely almond rice that I couldn’t stop eating.

Scallops

Hunkar Begendi

A great night, good service, and lovely food. Highly recommended if you want to avoid the trip to Dalston.

Candle light

TAS

T: 020 7928 2111

Turkish Cuisine

Approx Damage: £25pp

Area: Waterloo

Borough: Southwark

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Burger Wars Episode LXXII: Smokey Byron [BurgeReview]

Well what do you think? They put the statue on a giant raft and a tugboat pulled it all the way from France? 

Jerry Seinfeld (Seinfeld episode “The Red Dot”) 

As I mentioned before I was going to visit Byron again for their new special. I have been a fan of Byron’s specials, only a couple fails but is exiting that they are keeping some surprises in their menu. The restaurant I visited was in Waterloo, The Cult St almost in front of the New Vic, a big place with 3 different dining rooms. 

The place

Inside

Le Smokey is their tribute to the French Burger revolution. Six once patty, smoked cheddar, wafer thin bacon, crispy fried onions, pickles, lettuce, and smoked chilli BBQ sauce. An Oreo milk shake with malt and onion rings completed the order. 

Burger time

Milkshake

The verdict, really nice, really nice flavour, the burger was pink cooked between medium and medium rare. The crispy onions were superb nice crunchiness, great melted cheddar, BBQ sauce was nice, I was afraid that the sauce was not going to work but it played pretty well. Milkshake thick and nice, onion rings nice, a bit oily but the flavour of the batter was spot on 

The damage, 9.75 quid for the special burger 

The conclusion, a really nice burger. I have to say the crispy onions were the highlight of the burger. I will give Le Smokey un huit (8) in my scale. Hurry the burger special will be in the menu until the end of the month.

Le Smokey

Byron
T: 020 7633 9882
Burger Joint
Approx Damage: £18pp
Area: Waterloo
Borough: Southwark
Twitter: byronhamburgers

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Monty’s Reloaded

Well, because the meats are divided into a class system. You got Pastrami and Corned Beef in one class and Salami and Bologna in another. That's not right

Cosmo Kramer (Seinfeld episode “The Race”) 

I came back to Ropewalk market in Maltby St, and looking for Monty’s Deli I pass by and thought they weren’t trading that weekend. What was my surprise when I saw they took one of the locals. Similar to the other warehouses, some sort of antique store, old furniture or should I say vintage? The popular Jewish food vendor is trading in a new house. 

The new place

Reflexions

In Action

Busy as usual, not as usual probably a mix of the new place with the rain, and the bank holiday weekend. I got to the counter and yes I was able to get my Reuben special. 

Reuben Special

The Reuben special is a monster sandwich with Pastrami and salt beef on top. Amazing, double the size, double the flavour, all the flavours of the traditional Reuben with the salt beef addition just the kind of sandwich I like to eat. 

Jewish delight

Definitely one of my favourite sandwiches in London. Still only on Saturdays, my recommendation is go early so you can go special, go big, go tasty.

Monty's Deli

T: 020 7394 8061

Jewish Deli

Approx Damage: £10pp

Area: Bermondsey

Borough: Southwark

Twitter: MontysDeli

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A Bakery in Druid St

Mmmm, I love the smell of bakeries

Elaine Benes (Seinfeld episode “The Dinner Party”) 

St John Bakery opened in November 2010 in order to supply their three locations. Justin Gellatly was the original head baker master of his domain. These days Yohan is running the show and keeping the tradition based on working with hands, focus on sourcing quality, and give the bread all the time it needs to ensure St John’s quality. Good news for all of us is that the place opens for public only on Saturdays as the producers “open door” market in Maltby and Druid streets. 

Bakery

Apart from the bread there are three treats you shouldn’t miss, the doughnuts, the brownies, and of course the madeleines. I have written before about the brownies but they are so good I need to talk about that again. If you love chocolate you must try one. 70% dark Valrhona chocolate, hazelnuts and unbaked almonds, a treat for gods. Madeleines are baked on the hour so you can enjoy them hot. 

Brownies & Madeleines

And finally the doughnut, they are Justin creation, you can choose between custard or jam. As everything they offer it is a real treat. 

Pig & Doughnuts

Doughnuts time

Now you know St John Bakery is open between 9.00 am and 2.00pm every Saturday morning, don’t waste another week without trying their amazing baked treats.

Doughnugram

St John Bakery

T: 020 7553 9842

Bakery

Approx Damage: £6pp

Area: Bermondsey

Borough: Southwark

Twitter: StJohnBakery

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