Asia de Cuba

I first sampled cuisine from Asia de Cuba when I went to a Taste of London Event. I tried the Mexican Doughnuts: sweet brioche doughnuts rolled in cinnamon sugar, filled with butterscotch sauce. They were really delicious and therefore I was excited to visit the restaurant and sample the savoury dishes. I have been to the restaurant twice now, and below are some photos from my visits.   

 

Starter:

 

(Calamari Salad 'Asia De Cuba.' Crispy calamari, chayote, hearts of palm, banana, cashews, chicory and radicchio, with a  sesame orange dressing.)

 

Initially I was a little apprehensive about the combination of banana and calamari; I love both ingredients, but I was unsure whether they would work together. I should not have doubted the chef because they worked perfectly. The citrus dressing, the salad and the texture of the cashews were a perfect combination with the calamari and banana. The portion size was very generous.

 

 

 

 

On my second visit to the restaurant I decided to try a different starter: crab croquetas: jicama, mango and mirin infused slaw, roasted red pepper remoulade with a coconut, soy-lime vinaigrette. I liked the 'slaw' which had lots of interesting flavours running through it. However, I felt the croquetas were a little sweet; they did not seem to have a lot of fish in them and were tiny in comparison to my friend's starter, the calamari salad. I did have a little food envy, but she let me finish off her salad as it was too big for her.

 

 

Main:

 

(Cuban BBQ Chicken with Thai coconut sticky rice, avocado & coriander fruit salsa  and a tamarind sauce)

 

The main course was really tasty. Succulent chicken, and a lovely caramelised, BBQ skin. The accompaniments were perfect, sticky rice, and the fruit salsa, which added a sharp citrus note to the dish. The tamarind sauce brought the whole dish together as it was sweet and sharp.

 

 

 

 

The second main I had in my next visit was: Palomillo of beef, pan seared sofrito of peppers, onions and Japanese eggplant with watercress salad and  orange oil. The beef was really tasty, it had a wonderfully spiced coating. My friend commented that she felt the beef was a little chewy as it was cooked well-done, but I liked it that way, and it reminded me of a beef fast-food dish we have in Goa. All the accompaniments complemented the dish well. Both meals were delicious and it would be difficult to chose which one was my favourite.

 

Dessert:

 

(Cuban Opera: rich chocolate cake layered with milk chocolate butter cream, coffee mousse, coffee-brittle ice cream)

 

I really love Opera cakes, and this one did not disappoint. Beautifully soft cake, layered with a rich buttery cream. The ice-cream helped to cut through the richness of the cake. Really yummy and it was finished in minutes. Not sure about the presentation of the cake but that was a minor point.

 

Quality & Presentation of  the Food

The flavours are wonderful. The Cuban and Asian influences really do work together well. The cocktails are lovely too.

The presentation is good, not to refined, but that is not a problem. The flavours, and quality of the food speak for themselves.

Service & Ambience

The service was good, the waiters are always helpful and make good recommendations.

The décor of the restaurant is not to may taste. It is modern, and for me has an unfinished look to it, although I know that that is what they were trying to achieve. I did not feel the plain décor matches the food, but perhaps the restaurant is looking for the food to be the highlight, rather than being distracted by the surroundings.

Value for Money

For 2 courses the price was £22, and for 3 £27; very reasonable indeed, especially due to the quality of the food. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough. The food really is delicious.

 

Website: Asia de Cuba

 

 

Overall Rating:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corrigan's Mayfair

 

After trying some dishes from Corrigan's at a Taste of London we were excited to dine there. 

 

 

 

Main:

 

Beef, with mash potato and onion rings.

 

It was a nice steak, with beautiful, creamy mash potato. Not sure the bone at the top added anything to the dish. I feel that you should be able to eat everything on the plate, and if you can't it should be ascetically pleasing-I'm not sure a bone really does that. For over £30 for the steak, I did feel a little underwhelmed by the dish.

 

Dessert:

A chocolate dessert with various elements. It was a tasty dessert, but I was not keen on the presentation- it looked in my opinion a little haphazard, although I know that was probably the idea. The textures were good, but I feel that as well as tasting you eat with your eyes, and therefore I was not overly impressed. The friends I was dining with had rhubarb soufflés, and they were very happy with their choices.

 

 

Quality & Presentation of  the Food

The quality of the food is good to average. There were some nice flavours, like the gravy- great depth of flavour, and a wonderful ganache in the dessert.

I did not like the presentation of the food. For example, I did not like the deconstructed look of the dessert.


Service & Ambience

The service was excellent. The waiters were very informative and not intrusive in their service.  We did not feel rushed and certainly felt well looked-after.

I really liked the ambience of the restaurant, very intimate. The tables were laid out well so did not feel too close to other diners.

Value for Money

For 3 courses and a one glass of wine the bill came to £80. I was glad I tried Corrigan's but I felt underwhelmed by the restaurant.

Theo Randall at the Intercontinental

Theo Randall at the Intercontinental is one of my favourite restaurants in London. I have dined there several times and would be happy dining there every week! The food is delicious, and the service is great. I first came across the restaurant when I went to a Taste of London event about six years ago. It was there that I tried the infamous soft chocolate cake, it just melted in my mouth and I had to have another. I felt a little sick after the second, but it was worth it. It is a flourless cake and as a result it is extremely moist. If I go back to a restaurant I like to try something different, however each time I go back to Theo Randall at the Intercontinental I have the same 3 courses. One time I went they had changed the menu and my favourite chocolate cake was not on the menu. In jest I said to the waiter that I had come all the way for the chocolate cake (I meant it really!) He went to the kitchen, and then came back to inform me that the chef would make one for me-now that's what you call service! 

Starter:

Risotto di Mare (Risotto with sea bass, prawns, vongole, monkfish, tomato and parsley.)

I love seafood risotto and this did not disappoint. Sometimes, you have to dig deep to find any fish in a seafood risotto, but this one did have a lot and it was packed with flavour. The sauce was lovely, rich with tomato and parsley. It was certainly a generous portion for a starter.

Main:

Arrosto di Faraona (wood roasted guinea fowl stuffed with prosciutto di Parma, Mascarpone, thyme, roasted on pagnotta bruschetta with Portobello and porcini mushrooms.)

Just writing that description makes me hungry! The guinea fowl was cooked to perfection, juicy inside and crispy on the outside. I felt that the guinea fowl was able to carry the strong flavours of the stuffing and sauce. I like the bread at the bottom and how it soaked up the sauce and the juices from the meat.

Dessert

Soft Chocolate Cake with Crema di Mascarpone

I think I have praised this dessert enough, but it really is the best chocolate cake I have ever eaten, and I have eaten lots! Rich, and moist. The mascarpone helps to cut through the richness of the chocolate. This is perfect with a strong coffee.

I have also tried the dessert platter too, which features along with the chocolate cake, the Amalfi lemon tart, tiramisu and a panacotta.

Sign of a good dessert, gone in a blink of an eye!

Quality & Presentation of  the Food
The quality of the food is excellent. Rich, bold Italian flavours; everything is seasoned beautifully. The portion sizes are very generous, you certainly never go home hungry.

The presentation is fairly rustic, nothing fancy, but that is why I think I like dining there. Theo Randall doesn't compromise on taste for style. The smell of the food as it is laid in front of you is what entices me to eat it, and I feel to an extent that is how it should be.

Service & Ambience

From what I have said earlier about the chocolate cake situation, it's clear that I will say that the service is excellent. It is not overbearing and intrusive, with someone filling your water glass every 2 minutes, or 8 different waiters attending at your every need. The waiters make you feel welcome and are informative regarding the food and wine.

The tables are laid out well; I have never felt too close to others. The restaurant is nice and quiet so you can hear yourself speak. Although, the décor could do with some updating to lift the place to the fine quality of the food.

Value for Money

I usually book a table via Toptable, or as it is now called Open Table. They do a special offer of 2 courses for £27 or 3 for £33 with a glass of prosecco.

*****

This is my favourite Italian restaurant in London and I cannot recommend it enough!


Theo Randall