Bull and Bear -Waldorf Astoria - Orlando , Fl

We was taking a night off the family Disney frolics to spend time together to celebrate our anniversary in the Waldorf Astoria.

 When looking online at the menu for their restaurant Bull and Bear, I was put off by what looked like extremely high prices - not shy of paying good money for good grub but it just seemed like over the top margins for the food on offer, so anyway booked a table before we left England just in case as it appears to be very popular(Great reviews on trip advisor etc). As always I left my options open, was toying with the idea of heading to Blue Zoo .....
 On the night Bull and Bear seemed like a good option, struggled to pull myself away from the hotel to be honest, its so luscious. Really charming hotel, our suite (only a standard double was booked) must had been upgraded , GET IN.
 We was escorted to a pleasant table by the window, and got our wine ordered with the sommelier , they have one of those massive book menu's of wine that had to be tackled. Jesus christ , please just give me a tasty wine and don't suggest the one that's 90 dollars, yes , I can imagine that particular sauvingnon is extremely fantastic, but no thanks.
 For starter I had the Tuna three ways, each 'way' was pretty similar, and I found it a shame that one of them wasn't a ceviche , it came with sea paste or whatever they was calling it  - salt that was filtered and tasted like the sea, sounds fancy, tastes okay. The Tuna was very fresh and palatable just could have done with some more sass. I understand the dish is showing off the Tuna as the star but by 'way' three the Tuna was bored of itself.

 The main was something called TOMAHAWK. A big beasty piece of beef.

Look at this

This was one special piece of meat , we had the buttery mash and spinach as sides - although scrumptious who gives a shit about those.Lets talk about the Tomahawk - It was charred to perfection , pink , soft and juicy inside without being too mushy.My partner joked about eating the leftover meat off the bone, so they happily put in on his plate for him to gnaw. I was both impressed and jealous all at the same time. 

Eating off the bone in a fine dining restaurant, without any feeling of inappropriateness. Lovely stuff.  

We then had some beignets, (Doughnuts) which came with three different sauces and were a welcomed sweetness to the end of the meal, although Hunstanton sea side doughnut van doughnuts can still, to this day not be beaten. Impossible. 

VERY glad that at this stage my only mission was to get in a lift and fall into my super duper dreamy 5 star hotel bed, should really be entertaining a more sexy evening considering the occasion, but I'm just too full of Beef. Sorry. 

To conclude : This is undoubtedly a perfectly fine restaurant, attentive friendly service - at one point the waiter tells me I remind him of Jane as in 'Tarzan and Jane' I took it as a compliment although am left baffled, my partner tells me he probably says that to all the girls, I hope not.
You are made to feel welcome here, the food is good - clearly, however no WOWS from the starters which is a shame, that said nothing tasted bad at all.The quality of ingredients is evident and the chef clearly cares.
It is an expensive one, but its an occasion restaurant , a treat. Please forgive me if I'm wrong but surely the finest of dining restaurants in Orlando??

Service: 8/10
Atomsphere: 8/10
Food: 8/10
Value for money: 6.5/10

(as always sorry for the photo quality, the restaurant was very dark and my camera is very crap, if there is a camera brand out there that would like to sponsor me - send me a decent camera to promote them, please do get in touch)

Red Lobster - Orlando

Red Lobster - Orlando Florida


Starting to get used to the whole waiting thing in America , everything is long! The queues, the drive to anywhere, the wait at restaurants........... my patience has improved some what since being here that's for sure, bigger and better apparently ..

 The buzzer is firmly in my hand, gripping on tighter than needs be, as if some new comer is going to steal it from me and take my table, sweaty palms and everything, there are people here in this foyer that look like they would happily roll over me to get seated before me.
 I study the menu to take the pain off my current circumstance. I want everything! It all sounds so bloody brilliant, combo deal , lobster feast , shrimp combo, combo lobster , shrimp and WHATEVER ELSE YOU WANT COMBO.WOW. Menus like this in England = utter crap-*ding meals and bad ones at that!seems different here, its appear they have it sussed and are capable of providing a large selection of dishes without needing to pierce lots of film lids, bigger and better hey .....

*microwave meals

BUZZ
yes!

We are in.
We are seated and greeted my the happiest chappy I've ever encountered, I already know what I want please ask me.
We order drinks and starters, and along comes this amazing things called biscuits, no not as we no it my English folk , not digestives, hob nobs and custard creams.No, this is an American biscuit, more of a scone, but you know what you can call it Tracy for all I care. Its YUMMO. A soft savory scone, warm in the middle and so light -you know you could eat the whole damn basket, they taste like cheese and herbs, even that makes it sound too regular, I assure you these 'biscuits' NEED to be served a complimentary starters in England, fuck the farmhouse crusty loaf,  why are we not doing this?!
My wine is going down a treat as my starter arrives deep fried beans, and lots of them.

I devour as many of the beans as I can. Still got some room for the main. 

My Combo. 

Oh jesus shit. This picture doesnt even do it justice. The pasta on the side could have been a main dish.

The coconut prawns err SHRIMP are one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth, if you havent got a sweet tooth i'd avoid as these are in all fairness the sweetest cocount shrimp ive ever had. For me sweet and savoury is perfect. 

The pasta alfredo with Shrimp was creamy and cheesy, tasted like a cabonara, as I began to fill I couldnt help but feel a bout of guilt, if I cant finish this it means my sheer gluttony and greed has caused these poor little shrimp to be killed just to be laid dead on a bed of cheesy pasta for nothing. So I ploughed through.

 The conclusion: I'm going to shrimp hell - where ill be made to lay in cheese sauce whilst the shrimp people take their revenge and prod me with their supersize forks whilst groaning 'I'm so full, probably didnt need a combo'. hahahahahahaha . AND I WOULDNT BLAME THEM. Im sorry. 

On the plus side the fellow diners - Orlando regulars had managed to lick their plates clean, these people sure do know how to take on a combo meal. 

My mums combo. 

My nieces mac and cheese , the other one had a plate of Broccoli. Strange child. 

Verdict. 

YES PLEASE 

SERVICE 8/10

FOOD 9/10

VALUE FOR MONEY 9/10

ATOMSPHERE 7/10 

Vinoteca - Soho

Vicoteca Soho


                           




I was looking for somewhere relaxed with some good old fashioned grub.nothing fancy, just good food and good wine.
 I have this fear of choosing somewhere lame, I like to think (especially since I work in the food industry) that I can pick the diamonds from the rough when it comes to restaurants, on this occasion I used not only my knowledge but also the not so trusty tripadvisor reviews to give me some false confident in tonight's selection.

Lets start with the positives, I know that Vinoteca sources good quality produce, that's for sure, I also know that the Farringdon branch is extremely highly spoken amongst foodies in London, the restaurant is relaxed and their range of wine is fantastic, there's a massive selection and some good value wines included, we paid only £19.00 for our bottle which was delicious, sadly the positives end there.
  I started with a spring vegetable salad with quails eggs pleasant enough but tight on the good bits, I only had one quails egg which just wasn't enough to compliment my vegetables. Nice but not going to remember this one. For main I had the Dover sole with Caper butter with sides of spinach and new potatoes, now I can't knock the caper butter it was tasty and rich and the sole was cooked well and obviously fresh, my partners Lamb was okay but again very dull, so you may now be wondering what my big issue with Vinoteca Soho is right? well it was just all so meh, excuse my lack of vocabulary,just can't think of a better way of describing the overall feeling.I couldnt help but think how I could make this all at home just as good and for a fraction of the price, now I appreciate the rustic-ness, I was quite looking forward to it! And I'm aware Vinoteca aren't selling themselves as fine dining, but if so why did I pay £120.00 for a very average meal?! The other issue was the service,don't get me wrong our waitress was very efficient, drinks were topped up, orders were taken swiftly but so much so that she seemed rushed and a bit panicky, it was a bit off putting when you're trying to relax.

I feel slightly guilty as Vinoteca didn't do anything majorly wrong, but they also didn't do anything majorly right.
Go to Picture as a reliable option for wholesome food at decent prices or Apero at the Ampersand hotel.


Wine: 9/10
Food: 5/10
Service: 6/10
Ambiance: 5/10

http://www.vinoteca.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/todays-menu-soho.pdf

TING LOUNGE - SHANGRI LA - SHARD

TING

Chicken with Apricot and Tea 

                                                              Chocolate and Pistachio

                                                   Teriyaki Halibut and Spring vegetables

                                                     Strawberry Panna cotta and meringue

                                                                    arrrrrrrrrr romantic.....

                                                                     My bags chair


Ting Lounge :

Go here if : You are celebrating something special - want delicious classic cuisine- love a room with a view - would like to go to the toilet in front of London.

Don't go here if: You're on a budget.

Tips: The view from the Ting lounge is better than in Ting restaurant and is more laid back, you can request the Ting restaurant menu in the lounge, so you don't miss out!
When you go to the bathroom wait for the window toilet , its pretty special. I spent a lot of time in the toilet that night. (you'll see what I mean).

2 mains
2 Desserts
1 bottle wine
2 cocktails

£160.00

Food: 10/10
Service: 9/10
Ambiance: 7.5/10
Value for money: 8/10 (it is worth the prices, I promise you)

This place really is a treat, but exactly that for us folk with normal wages.
Take someone special here as a surprise, it will not fail to impress, they have all the special touches of 5 star hotel service, and you don't feel out of place just because you're not in the rich bracket of custom.
The food pleasantly surprised me, just because many places with a view in London are said to be a bit crap.
My dish of chicken,tea and apricot will not be forgotten in a hurry.
Another great thing about Ting is that we wasn't rushed at all, many popular places in London have a 1.5/2 hour turn around which to be booted out your seat when you've just parted with £200.00 is a bit bloody rude in my opinion. Somehow London doesn't seem to have cottoned on to Ting. I haven't seen any write ups fro the top reviewers ... seems we're not being told my the Evening standard that this is the hottest new place to be seen,no pr machine or trendy owner to drag the celebs in. Oh well, lets keep it all to ourselves.


http://www.ting-shangri-la.com/

FISCHERS

FISCHERS - MARYLEBONE

All the main reviewers have just been banging on about Corbin and King and how if anyone can pull off Austrian cuisine in London they can ... they owned the Ivy and ... blah , blah , blah
Can't be arsed to tell you the back history of the owners and I'm sure of you aren't to fussed about hearing it either
What we really should be talking about is Fischers as its own restaurant and the food!

It really feels like you are somewhere else in here, I would say Austria but I've never been so how would I know, just feels foreign , in a good way, also slightly like you've gone back in time, again in a good way.
 At first the room was really quiet, until it started filling out, it has this opulent yet relaxed feel about it , luxurious without being stiff. The staffs demeanour is attentive but not involved, they don't talk current affairs and the weather with you. Can't be a bad thing can it.

As always I knew what I was having before arriving , and I didn't change my mind.
The beef broth with cheese dumplings for starter and the grilled spatchcock chicken with Tarragon for main with buttery mash as the side.
The Beef broth was ridiculously good , really rich and well, beefy. Very generous too, there was a surprise lump of braised beef at the bottom, I'm drooling a bit thinking about it. Choose this as your starter, you can't go to Fischers and not have this, my partner had the kaestpatzle which is mac and cheese, it was delicious but he blatantly wanted my beef broth, unlucky.

They had already provided us with some complimentary soda bread, which I'm thankful for, however its not needed. I'm already starting to feel full  and I'm no food pansy, I have a BIG appetite.
Next the mains, if you don't like Tarragon I wouldn't opt for the chicken, its smothered in it. No problem for me as I love it but just be warned as it is overpowering. My side of  buttery mash was also yummo.

My partner had the Braised beef, on this occasion although my chicken was good, I was feeling slightly jel of his selection, it came with a caramelized carrot which was delicious, how these chefs make simple veg taste so bloody amazing is just inspiring, an apple sauce sat on top of the beef and a jug of gravy accompanied, they also asked if we'd like any sauce , mustard etc .... how brilliant is that, you'd get slapped in most restaurants for even asking. well maybe not but they would if they was allowed I'm sure, just for the crack.

The wine was chose by no logic apart from it being French , had the word Macon in it and was three down on the list and cost £24.00 . How we got to the decision doesn't really matter as the main thing is that it was a good one.

Now I'm so full its silly, but I had to go one last hurdle for the apple Bread and butter pudding.
It came with Meringue on top, not needed , it was sweet enough, it had Calvados in the filling which was lush and it was more like layered crepes than bread , very tasty but I just long for someone to give me a standard old fashioned bread and butter pudding, I don't think classic puds need sexing up, hey, that's just my opinion it was still very good and if I wasn't so full I'm sure I would have enjoyed it more.

sorry about this one........

So to conclude ,I think this place is fantastic . I really do like it and considering the food that I'm used to eating (non-exotic cuisines) generally fail to impress me in restaurants that means a lot. 

The bill came to £104.00 including service, so that's two three course meals with wine for a oner , thats bloody good value for this type of venue in London, I promise you. 

I really want to go back to Fischers, and considering even if I like a restaurant going back is not as a rule on the agenda as there are so many new places in London to try. 

Fischer's is Classy, informal and brilliant, a bit like me :0 well that's what I'm aiming for.  

Service 7.5/10

Food    8/10

Ambiance 9/10

Value for money 9/10

       

GYMKHANA

I have been very disappointing lately . I haven't updated my blog for some time,  yet I have plenty of new places to tell you all about. I'm blaming the lethargy from all the eating and booze.
 So the most recent Restaurant visit was Gymkhana , the new Indian restaurant in Mayfair , sister to Michelin star Trishna in Marylebone. All the big gun reviewers have given Gymkhana glowing reviews.
 I absolutely adore Indian cuisine and dining in Mayfair makes me feel like a don , I'm in.
      The only available table when making my booking was for 6:00pm , since I was planning some disco dancing in Soho afterwards for a friends birthday , 6:00pm worked fine for me .
 Now I'm no Kelly Hoppen , I cant talk interior lingo to you but put it this way the dining room is sexy and not a dud table in sight ?!

 Me and my partner are curry mad , like many of us English folk I suppose. We had been salivating over the menu for a good week now, I as always had been a sad bastad and planned what I'm having already , takes the fun away I'm told. Its a bad habit what can I say.
 We ordered a bottle of the Indian Wine from the menu , which I have read will be becoming more popular in the coming years , it was beautiful and at £30 happy days !
  We ordered the Chicken Wings , Mussels and Dosa (fermented crepe) duck to start , all delicious. Wow the Mussels made me like Mussels ,seriously I have always thought they were pretty horrid little things,  mini fanny looking bullets that taste like the sea and not in a good way, but no I have been officially converted ! They came in a spiced coconut sauce which you could eat like a soup when your tasty little fanny looking lovelies had come to an end. The duck dosa was also lovely but gone in two bites.
 Mains -  SUCKLING PIG VINDALOO sounded too good to be true .
Sadly it was , well its unfair of me really as I haven't ever had a 'Vindaloo' in India but how would I , wasn't Vindaloo accustomed to our taste or was that Tikka Masala?  anyway maybe this is authentic and Ive become too accustomed to my favourite curry house's version , ... but yes nice just not as mind blowing as I had hoped .
 I had fortunately chose the Tandoori Guinea Fowl , which was very tasty indeed. Came with this lovely Crispy accompaniment . Yummo .
(I've stole this picture from Daily mail , the dish looked just like their picture so there was no need for me to look like an arse taking photos of my dinner in Mayfair).




I must say I wasn't as full as I like to have been , but then you could say I didn't order enough.  We did'nt bother with dessert as none of them appealed to my taste , kings of spice but not of desserts.
 We opted for after dinner cocktails instead which were actually disappointingly pretty crap. I had The spice monopoly which read like a cocktail dreams are made of  :
    'The Spice Monopoly
House spiced rum daiquiri and coconut milk & orange blossom ice cream.
The clean, fresh flavours of rum, Indian lemon & sugar have been
overhauled & accompanying them is a rich yet refreshing ice cream'

Hmmm . The icecream on the side was just for theatre it added nothing , the drink tasted like absinthe . yes absinthe , I hate absinthe , if you like it you are either a)Lying to sound cool b)Nuts.
I was trying to hide my disappointment , did'nt want to be a knob about it however once my partner pulled at face at his choice I couldn't keep up the pretence .

His choice:

Respect your Alder
Cognac with toasted cumin seed & mango syrup. Made as an Old
Fashioned stirred and brought to your table in an alder wood chip
smoked decanter.

 tasted like water with a drop of brandy, 

So  to conclude . I loved the room , the service was very good, the food was delicious , slightly lacking in areas but not enough to say it wasn't all expertly cooked, just a matter of me building up a too higher expectations in my head due to reviews and drooling over the menu on a daily basis. 

 And yes I do love my local curry house . A lot. Maybe I am just a commoner after all , maybe I have no idea what Vindaloo should actually taste like , but I do know when a cocktail lasts me longer than five minutes it was just not as tasty as I wanted it to be. 

Service 7/10

Food 7/10

Ambiance 8/10

Cocktails 2/10

Price : 

£140.00

Three starters 

Two mains 

Two sides 

Bottle of wine 

Two cocktails 

12.5 service . 

STOP WASHING YOUR CHICKEN !

I have been going on and on and on for years telling people they do not need to wash their chicken .
I have never washed a chicken in my life , nor has my mother who fed me for most of it and quess what ... Im STILL ALIVE and I have never ever had food poisioning.

Then I did a Hygiene in Food safety course a few years back and was educated on the reason why we dont wash our Chickens .
It spreads bacteria via the water all over your kitchen . Yep. No restaurant worth its onions would allow the washing of chickens to take place in the kitchen,  infact its against regulations .
A COMPLETE NO NO.

So the next time you go to wash your slimy breasts . STOP and remember you are spreading germs that will later give you the shits and youll call in sick to work and lose a days wages . THINK.

I have posted this informative and fasinating video below ...






So guys if you know someone who is washing their chickens educate them to prevent their bacteria spreading ways.

Together we can put an end to people all over the world from washing their Chickens.