soho – The Cultural Exposé

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

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What we’ve been up to… The Wild Game Co at The Endurance

The Cultural Exposé — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 11:00:01 +0000

TCé were invited to The Wild Game Co. at the Endurance pub, Soho – a three-month pop up serving the finest venison and game sourced from the Scottish Highlands. Our dinner included: venison tartare with hens egg, pear and walnut for starter (delicious), potted game, toast and cornichons (great combo), the royal stag burger with cheese and bacon in a brioche bun (intimidating, but tasty), the venison haunch steak with baby fondant potatoes and sprouts (modest, but two-thumbs up) , wrapped up with the bramble posset with honeycomb we could have enjoyed twice over.

They’ll be putting on a steak night every Tuesday where you can enjoy chips and steak for £12.50 if you fancy experiencing game yourself and check out our snaps from the evening, just HERE. For more info about the pop-up visit: www.theendurance.co.uk

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Somewhere you should eat…Poncho No 8

Monique Todd — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 09:00:52 +0000

I’ve come to dread the lunch break – the rudimentary sandwich is just…BORING! – so, any food outlet that wants to inject a bit of life into midday meal has my support. Cue Poncho No 8, bringing Mexican food to St Pauls and Spitalfields. Founded by buddies Frank and Nick around three years ago, the restaurant manages to balance quality grub with speed and convenience.

White walls, wooden decor and urban-inspired design scream modern London; in fact, you probably wouldn’t guess it was a Mexican food outlet. However, the contemporary interior allows the food to take centre stage.

With an ordering process, reminiscent of Subway, you can pick various elements to add to your meal, with burritos, nachos, tacos on offer. As for fillings, there’s three types of rice to choose from, plus various beans and meats including seasoned steak, tender marinated pork as well as a veggie option of chargrilled vegetables, tofu and fresh guacamole.

Named by ES magazine as having one of the best burritos in London, I chose to give the chicken version a test run. Tightly wrapped, and deeply filled with parsley rice, beans, and cheese, I happily received the hefty portion. The chicken had a wonderful grilled flavour plus a bit of chilli kick too, but at £6.10, it could be seen as little pricier than the popular Wahaca version, which also comes with a side of tortilla chips.

The drink selection is limited to four options, starting from £1 (including different flavours of homemade aqua frescas) going up to £4.50 for frozen margaritas. There aren’t any sweet snacks on offer either, but as a quickie lunch hotspot; Poncho No 8 is a pretty decent option. Catering for the hungry and impatient customer, here’s a no-frills yet modern outlet that just prides itself on offering real Mexican food – what more could you want? (Monique Todd)

Price: £££££

For more information, visit www.poncho8.com

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Somewhere you should eat…Bob Bob Ricard, Soho

Matilda — Fri, 20 May 2011 08:57:57 +0000

Real foodies know that while certain dining hotspots might be more inclined to pull in the custom through tiresome gimmickry (celebrity chefs, bougie clientele, you name it…), sometimes it’s the more off-centre places that usually succeed in ticking the boxes of great food, ambience and customer service. Saying that, the decor of Bob Bob Ricard shouts proudly of trendy designer touches – not to mention the pink-suited waiters – but it’s eclecticism is merely a compliment to its tasty British cuisine, with a mild Russian inspiration. Lunch consisted of delicious potted shrimp (£10.75) and russian salad with shaved black truffle (£4.50), followed by the old bay crispy chicken with coleslaw (£17.50) – wholesome and delish – and a homemade sorbet, featuring a quirky combination of a blackcurrant, strawberry and surprisingly pleasing basil (£5.50). I shouldn’t forget to mention that I prepped my palate the Russian way, taking a shot of the most subtle vodka (chilled at -18c, £4.75-£11.50) – and feeling that once this dining experiences was over, I’d be only too eager to repeat it again. (Words: Matilda Egere-Cooper)

Price: £££££

For more information, visit www.bobbobricard.com

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