Somewhere You Should Go… Chotto Matte

Lucy Palmer — Wed, 14 May 2014 10:33:10 +0000

Fusion restaurants have long been popular in the capital but this was my first time sampling Japanese and Peruvian cooking. Chotto Matte is a large restaurant by Soho standards and like its fusion food, the décor is a mixture of gold and black sleek sophistication suggesting an upmarket restaurant with a graffiti covered downstairs wall bringing coolness and colour to the place. It also has a mixture of small tables for cocktails and larger tables for dining with a large glass front which can be fully opened on warmer days. The fusion cooking gives the menu an array of choice with something to appeal to everyone from sushi to dumplings to barbecued meats. There is also a special quick lunch menu perfect for people looking for something filling and different in their lunch hour. On the main menu dishes are small and meant to be shared, with the highlight of our meal being the barbecued ribeye with Peruvian chilli. Beautifully cooked. this was tender melt-in-your-mouth steak with just the right amount of seasoning to it. And it’s worth saving room for dessert as I’ll be going back for the salted caramel chocolate fondant. The drinks menu is also Asian-inspired with an extensive cocktail and whisky collection, you get the impression if you want something that isn’t on the menu that probably means it’s not worth having and its time you tried something better. Unfortunately when I visited on a Thursday lunchtime the restaurant was quiet but I can imagine on a warm Friday night with people eager for an after-work drink or dinner, it will be a great and popular destination. (Words: Lucy Palmer) For more info, visit: www.chotto-matte.com

The post Somewhere You Should Go… Chotto Matte appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

Somewhere you should go…Mela, Gunnerbury Park, September 4th

Matilda — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 09:00:35 +0000

Since 2003, the London Mela has successfully celebrated South Asian culture with a very cool line-up of music stars, as well as theatre, comedy, cabaret, exhibitions and vibrant dance. So if you’re after an fun – and free! – multi-cultural day out in London, consider this a diary essential, returning to Gunnerbury Park on September 4th.

Highlights this year include Jay Sean, who’ll be making his fourth Mela appearance, as well as Jazzy B – the “Canadian Crown Prince of Bhangra” and R&B/pop singer Mumzy Stranger on the Main Stage. Also expect to see plenty of other acts worth checking out at zones such as the Mix Tent, BBC Introducing, The Classical Stage, Community & Kids zone and Outdoors arts.

Food and merchandise stalls will undoubtedly be plentiful – what’s a quality fest without ’em? – and like the traditional Melas from the Indian sub continent, the celebrations will be extremely energetic with over 90,000 expected to attend – so consider this a fitting way to mark the end of the London summer (Bollywood style, of course!).

[stextbox id=”custom”]

Gunnersbury Park, Pope’s Lane, London W5

Tube: Acton Town (5min walk), South Ealing, Gunnersbury

Further info: www.londonmela.org

[/stextbox]

The post Somewhere you should go…Mela, Gunnerbury Park, September 4th appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

Asian – The Cultural Exposé

Somewhere You Should Go… Chotto Matte

Somewhere you should go…Mela, Gunnerbury Park, September 4th