is basking in 35 degrees!!!!

The Crown, Tower Hamlets

13-05-2009

5 Review(s)     

Priya, MyVillage

The Crown - delightfully located opposite the green grasses of Victoria Park.

Dotted with art deco novelties and smothered with warming colours. Quiz nights on Monday usually throw in some ambience, but it will be their plumping menu that will keep you clinging on to their premises.

A must to sample is their Oyster Mushroom Tart, Roasted Shallots and Toasted Almonds along with their Grilled English Asparagus, Balsamic Glaze and Red Pepper. An ideal pairing to kick off your dining onslaught.

Main courses, the Pan Fried Sea Bass doused in a zingy Broad Bean Sauce will have you pining for more. And one to corner is their Marinated Salmon Fillet and Mango Salsa. Both completely unchallenged in price (between £12-15) taste and presentation.

With a tantalising dessert list on offer (making our selection an arduous task), we finally opt for the, Iced Chocolate and Bailey Parfait, which beckoned second helpings.

Whether for a few tipples or some gastro munch, The Crown will be a visit lingering on the palate.

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The Castle, Islington

27-04-2009

3 Review(s)     

Priya, MyVillage
Islington is no stranger to the bulging trail of restaurants, bars and gastro pubs, yet the Castle remains one of North London’s finest treats. Not only does their menu cater for grazers and the ravenous, their lunch menu is brimming with feasting goodies too.

Tips before you gorge: corner their salmon quiche as with their vegetable concoction too. Sprinkle their chunky dollops of potato salad and fresh leafy greens, and you’ll be slapping on more servings onto your plate in no time. And with their admirable view of Islington, when seated in their terrace area, you really can’t go wrong!

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Chutney Village Restaurant, Newham

07-04-2009

11 Review(s)     

Priya, MyVillage

Emblazoned with artful décor and laden with traditionalism, Chutney Village is a tiny escape for the ravenous. From buffets to a la carte, you’ll be impressed by their varied offerings.

Not to go amiss is their savoury punch of Uzhunnu Wadda (a ground lentil concoction cradled with herbs and spices). Not so engaging was the Tawa Grilled Fish, a dusty dish of Southern Indian spice, but when plunged into their zesty chutney, this proved to be an unforgettable choice.

As for main courses, Chutney Village have a flurry of dishes, but as a mild choices go, the Kerala Fish Fry was on call. The seafood course consisted of a whole promfret, glazed with Indian spices and doused with curry paste. Light in texture and bold in taste, this ventured well on the palate.

With their lunchtime buffet on standby, it beckoned a visit - Aubergine Masala, Chicken Curry, Green Dal Masala, Onion Bhajee and Sauteed Vegetables were all at hand to sample, but it was the Aubergine Masala along side the Sauteed Vegetables which required second helpings.

Wrapping up with the sugary pleasures of Indian’s finest, Gulab Jamun and Halwa (shredded carrots with a sugary twist) – it’s fair to say, Chutney Village need not sugar coat when it comes to consistent dining.

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Sheba Tandoori, Tower Hamlets

24-03-2009

8 Review(s)     

Priya, MyVillage

It’s the Brick Lane norm, waiters shoving menus’ under noses whilst squawking special offers into passerby’s ear holes – needless to say the competition is rife. So it begs the question - is East End’s finest, Sheba, worth parting your queen’s heads for?

Though their interior refrains from anything extravagant, it is their plumped menu that will compensate for their lacklustre settings. Relentless in choice, Sheba‘s traditional cuisine combines all - fiery, tangy and mild dishes.

With a menu teeming with niceties, we begin with their Fish Kebab and Mixed Kebab (a melange of lamb and chicken). Tender chunks swirling in light herbs proved to be a winner on the entrée list. Notably our mains (Lamb Lucknow and Rupchanda Bhuna Bengal) were served in generous portions - the aroma alone, was a good enough indication of what to expect.

The Rupchanda Bhuna Bengal, a Bangladeshi specialty was a hearty plate of sea fish soaked in flavoursome seasoning – when sidelined with their bowl of Taraka Dal – a smooth rich blend of lentils and garlic it made an enriching combo. The Lamb Lucknow doused in velvety curry sauce - scattered with cardamom and saffron was a carnivore’s delight. Despite Sheba being centred amongst a deluge of Indian restaurants, it nevertheless is distinguishable in service and quality.

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Theatre Royal Stratford East, Newham

19-03-2009

2 Review(s)     

Where’s My Desi Soulmate – 18/03/09

If any play absorbs the arduous reality of seeking love, friendship and companionship, then, Where’s My Desi Soulmate hits the mark. In a poignant display of dating complications, writers, Sonia Likhari and Harvey Virdi wittily expose the differing trends of British Asian's 'mingling' attitudes and their depart from traditionalism.

Backed with a driven cast, the play encircles three scenarios – a self-absorbed, Poppy Pinto (Pooja Ghai) who’s sole mission is to find ‘The One’ with bhangra clubs being her main pursuit, then there's the geeky but, amiable pharmacist Rajen (Simon Rivers) who is smitten by the capricious Preeti (Sharona Sassoon) and lastly, widow Shushelia (Pooja Ghai) who falls for gay Joggi (Akhul Bahl).

With scenes and themes striking a familiar chord with the audience, Where’s My Desi Soulmate aptly raises the ponderous question, is there such a thing as a soulmate?

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