restaurant Archives

bloomzy / May 3, 2022

Issho-Ni Japanese Bottomless Brunch Restaurant Review

Issho-Ni Japanese Bottomless Brunch

Located in the heart of Bethnal Green, East London, Issho-ni’s Japanese bottomless brunch is the only one of its kind in the capital. Issho-ni takes Japanese Izakaya style food and gives it a modern twist. Guests can enjoy scrumptious Japanese delights with Issho-ni created cocktails, Prosecco and non-alcoholic drinks.

What’s included?

What’s included in the Issho-ni Japanese bottomless brunch?

Unlimited starters
- Sashimi, Maki Rolls, Edamame, Chuka seaweed, Kimchi, and Wasabi peas
Main dish (one per person)
- Vegetable Tempura, Nasu Dengaku, Wagyu Steak, Salmon Teriyaki and Chicken Katsu Curry
Unlimited drinks
- Prosecco, Bloody Mary

You can view the full menu here.

My Review of Issho-ni Japanese Bottomless Brunch

I was invited by Issho-ni to experience their bottomless brunch for free, however, all words and opinions are my own.

I booked a table for two at 12pm on a Saturday (this is the only day they do bottomless brunch). We were one of the first tables to be seated, but the restaurant quickly filled up with couples, groups and even a few parties. We started with a glass of Prosecco and all of the starters.

The starters were insanely moreish, especially the sashimi and the prawn maki rolls. So much so that we tested out the bottomless feature and ordered a couple more plates after finishing the first round. I really liked that we were able to ask for “only salmon sashimi” and “just a plate of prawn maki rolls” – I’m not kidding when I tell you I scoffed down 12 prawn maki rolls in record time. After a few more dishes, we moved to the mains – vegetable tempura and salmon teriyaki. The tempura was super fresh – perfectly crisp outside, soft and hot on the inside. The salmon was bursting full of flavour, and my favourite part, the skin, was crispy, juicy and ever so slightly fatty – perfection!

During our feast, the lovely wait staff walked around with a bottle of prosecco, ready to top up anyone’s glass. I really appreciated this as it didn’t pressure me to flag someone down, which has been my experience in the past. I had four very full glasses of prosecco before calling it a day.

At £54pp (alcohol included), I feel the quality and value are fairly reflected in the price.

Don’t forget to check out more of my ‘Where to Eat in London’ posts.

Issho-Ni Japanese restaurant and cocktail bar

bloomzy / August 27, 2018

Cocktails at Death + Victory | London Bar Guide

Death + Victory | Farringdon | Cocktail Bar | Map

As Summer inevitably comes to an end, and colder weather approaches, the same question is on every Londoners mind; where do [I] go to drink when the rooftops close? I’m someone who doesn’t like to be out in the sun much, so I’m constantly on the look out for places I can impress my sun-worshiping friends with come Autumn. Being a blogger I’m lucky enough to get press releases and invites to new openings, which makes this process much easier. That said, I can be quite picky and I don’t take every opportunity offered to me. But when I received an invite to Death + Victory cocktail bar at Smiths of Smithfields, it sounded right up my street, so of course I accepted.

Would you care for a cocktail?

D+V’s menu comes in 5 chapters – each of which span a time period from 1100 to present day – with an emphasis on five spirits: whisky, tequila, gin, vodka and rum. As you may have noticed from my Instagram, I’m a gin fan, but I was eager to try something different. Luckily the talented bartenders at Death + Victory were on hand to help. I tried…

Smooth Fields
- Jameson Caskmates, Amaro, egg white, lemon, sugar syrup. An ode to the grassy knoll that Smith eld market was originally built on, this cocktail blends the grassy overtones of Amaro with stout-seasoned Jameson Caskmates for the smoothest of nishes.
Bull in a China Shop
- Beefeater 24, Lillet Rouge, Aperol, Campari, green tea. A wonderfully quintessential tea serve blending Beefeater 24 with refreshing green tea. Served in high-tea fashion. Just be careful of the rowdy cattle.
The Horace
- Absolut Elyx, jasmine tea, Lillet Blanc, lemon juice, chocolate bitters, Champagne. A concoction that pays homage to the revered architect who designed Smith elds. And for whom our sister restaurant is named after. This refreshing Absolut Elyx serve is crafted with jasmine tea and topped with champagne. So raise a glass to the man.

Final thoughts on Death + Victory

I always like to try something new when I visit a cocktail bar, which can be a make or break situation for some. But I was really impressed with the cocktails at Death + Victory. I’m not being cliche when I say there is something for everyone – the concise menu means you’ll find a variety of spirits and flavours. And once you take that all away, what are you left with? A group of knowledgable bartenders and a vast array of cocktails, each with it’s own distinct flavour, made from quality ingredients. Death + Victory is definitely on my ‘must-visit again’ list.

Check out more: Where to Eat in London

bloomzy / June 20, 2018

Inko Nito London | Where to Eat in London

Inko Nito London | Soho | Japanese Robata | Map

I cook a lot of Japanese food at home, and I’m pretty good at it, if I do say so myself. So when a new Japanese restaurant opens up in London, it takes a lot to get me out of the house and believe in the hype. Well hello Inko Nito, a Japanese fusion robatayaki (fireside cooking) restaurant based in the heart of Soho. I was recently invited to their press event, and after reading the contemporary menu I was intrigued. In fact I was more than intrigued. I was drawn in by the promise of flavour explosions – and an umeshu negroni – all in a minimalist scandi setting. Basically, my dream kinda restaurant – I was there with bells on!

What did we eat?

SALADS
- Edamame, soy, mirin, ginger, sea salt
- Avocado, quinoa, edamame, green bean, apple wasabi dressing
- Romaine lettuce, spicy cashew nut miso
NIGAKI
- The cali; Portland crab, avocado, wasabi tobiko, yuzu mayo
- The veggie; avocado, yuzu, garlic, crispy rice
- The chirashi; salmon, yellowtail, wasabi shiso
HOT
- Panko fried chicken, chili garlic yogurt
- Fried shrimp, spicy Korean miso, sesame seeds, lime
- Tofu kara-age, miso mayo, nori
MEAT
- Chicken wings, ume-boshi, green chili, mint, sansho
- Bone marrow, smoked soy, garlic toast, shallot
- Prime beef short rib, peanut chilli oil, spring onions
FISH
- Grilled prawn toast, sesame, wasabi mayo, katsuobushi
- Cobia collar, brown butter ponzu, lemon
VEGETABLE
- - Cauliflower, garlic soy aioli, parmesan panko
  - Tenderstem broccolini, onion wafu
  - Baked potato, yuzu kosho sour cream, spring onions
THE SWEETEST THING
- Charred coconut soft serve, soy, pocky, Japanese granola

Final thoughts on Inko Nito London

I wish I could go into detail on how much I enjoyed the individual dishes we ate, but no one has time to read a blog post that long. Instead I’ve highlighted my personal favourites (above) and will give you a short summary.

Alongside the spacious interior at Inko Nito, you’ll find a pretty vast menu, but don’t let that deter you. Honestly it’s the kind of restaurant where you’ll enjoy any dish that you order. A lot of well known Japanese flavours are featured on the menu, as is to be expected. However you’ll also find a whole bunch of innovative and moreish fusion delights to please your palate. Would I go back? Definitely! Price-wise it costs around £30pp, which isn’t too bad for a decent meal in London. In fact since I was invited to the press launch I’ve already been back with friends, and paid with my own money. If that doesn’t say how much I enjoyed eating at Inko Nito London, I don’t know what will.

Check out more: Where to Eat in London

bloomzy / May 17, 2018

Galvin at The Athenaeum | Where to Eat in London

Galvin at The Athenaeum | Mayfair | British cuisine | Map

On possibly one of the hottest days of the year, I decided to brave the tube. Why? Because at the other end of the line, Galvin at The Athenaeum was calling. Based in the Mayfair hotel, the restaurant comes from Michelin-starred London chefs Chris and Jeff Galvin. Known for their French-inspired menus, the brothers have stepped away from their trademark for the first time. All in favour of championing Britain’s delicious homegrown produce, and supporting independent farmers across the UK.

We arrived feeling slightly overheated, so of course a drink was in order. We headed straight to the beautifully designed THE BAR at The Athenaeum. Plush interiors cooled us down, whilst the small nooks invited us to take a private seat. Our choice of drink, gin & tonic; from their substantial collection of premium gins. As we sipped away, and nibbled on bar snacks, we chatted about what we would order on the menu.

So what did we eat?

Terrine of ham, chicken and foie gras with red onion marmalade
- Chunky meat and subtle flavours complimented well by a sweet marmalade.
Smoked duck, plum, poached egg & hollandaise
- A step-up from your usual ‘benedict’ – I definitely had food envy after stealing a bite of the smoked duck.
Fish pie (daily special)
- Fish pie is one of my go-to comfort foods, so I can be critical. That said, I was let pretty satisfied after trying this one. It was packed full of cod, prawns and salmon, with a thin layer of mashed potato. My only con was that it didn’t use eggs, and I would have liked to have seen some smoked fish in the mix.
Sunday Roast
- The roast here comes with the option of chicken, pork or sirloin beef. Ben went for sirloin, which was cooked pink and seasoned well. It was superbly tender and melted in my mouth – I couldn’t resist trying some.
Dessert/Cheese buffet (unlimited)
- A novel idea, the dessert buffet was full of well-known favourites and a few surprises. I was personally delighted to see ‘Apple, pear & almond tart’, which I piled onto my plate alongside sugary meringues and freshly whipped cream.

The Weekend Lunch Menu comes with unlimited bubbly.

Final thoughts on Galvin at The Athenaeum

Our visit to Galvin at The Athenaeum was the perfect way to spend a Summer afternoon. We were completely won over by the bar, and as you can tell from above we fully enjoyed our meal too. My only regret is that I filled up on my starters and mains, and I would have loved to sample more of the desserts and cheeses (I was too full to try any) on offer.

Would I go back? Oh yes! After experiencing the weekend lunch menu I’d love to see what else Galvin at The Athenaeum has to offer. Perhaps afternoon tea, or dinner? Almost definitely drinks and bar snacks!

Check out more: Where to Eat in London

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This post is in collaboration with Galvin at The Athenaeum, however all images, words and opinions are my own.

bloomzy / August 21, 2017

Ling Ling: Scandinavian stylings meets Cantonese cuisine

Ling Ling | Hakkasan group | Cantonese | Map

If you’re living in London, you’ll know the Hakkasan group well. Yauatcha, Sake no Hana, and of course, Hakkasan. But did you know that they have restaurants in cities across the world? And much like their London counterparts the restaurants vary in style, dishes and cuisines. Well one of those cities just so happens to be Oslo, and one of those restaurants just so happens to be Ling Ling. Which was lucky for me as I was just about to take a break in Norway’s capital city.

Ling Ling Oslo

Ling Ling is the younger sibling of the Hakkasan group. Located in the trendy area of Aker Brygge. It’s vibrant, fun, and stylish; this much is clear when you walk into the harbour side restaurant. From the simple Scandinavian stylings, right down to the innovative cocktail list. And there’s no better way than starting a journey at Ling Ling than with one of their cocktails. We tried the delectable Plum Sour (Akashi Tai Ume-shu, Johnnie Walker black label whisky, lemon, lime, egg white & Boker’s bitters), and the popular Red Shéng (Aquavit white, raspberries, ginger, lime & lychee).

We could have easily spent the rest of the day on the stunning rooftop, overlooking the Oslo Fjords. However we decided that a diet of cocktails alone wasn’t for us – we wanted food! So with eyes bigger than our bellies, we chose the Ling Ling Journey menu:

To Start
- Peking duck with Oscietra caviar
- Supreme dim sum platter
- Golden fried chicken and mango salad in sweet chilli dressing
- Spicy Norwegian scallop in glass vermicelli noodle
To Continue
- Barbecue char siu pork
- Grilled silver cod in ginger soy
- Norwegian langoustine in samba sauce
- Stir-fry three style mushroom
- Jasmine rice
To Finish
- Soy caramel and banana delice (peanut, milk chocolate, vanilla chantilly)
- Apple bavaroise mousse (sea buckthorn, caramelised white chocolate, Chinese five spice)

At 988NOK (around £97) per person, the menu is available all day for parties of 2 or more.

Scandinavian stylings meets Cantonese cuisine

My personal favourites have been bolded above, however I do want to give a few shout-outs. The Peking Duck features crunchy, fatty duck skin sandwiched between caviar, duck, cucumber & pancakes. If it was socially acceptable, I would eat a whole one. As for the Grilled Silver Cod, let’s just say that I’ve never tasted cod like that done at Ling Ling. It was chunky, flavoursome and buttery soft. And to finish with a dessert, you can’t visit without experiencing the Apple Bavaroise Mousse, even if it’s only for the photo opportunity (although it is also refreshingly light & moreish).

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from a Norwegian restaurant serving Cantonese cuisine. However I left feeling that the team behind Ling Ling have definitely done their homework. The merger of Cantonese dishes and Norwegian ingredients works perfectly at this contemporary location. Largely helped by the fresh seafood that features throughout the menu. From the location, to the service, ingredients, and execution; Ling Ling is an outstanding experience.

Check out more: Where to Eat and Oslo

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This post is in collaboration with Hakkasan however all views, photos and words are my own.

bloomzy / July 18, 2017

24 Hours in Aarhus, Denmark | A Travel Guide

It can be pretty tough visiting a new city, or country. You’re not sure where to eat, what to see, or even where to stay. Well I’m here to change all of that with my handy guides! They’re full of tips, tricks, and the best places to go. So stop worrying about how you’re going to make the most of your time in a new place; here are my recommendations for spending 24 hours in Aarhus, Denmark!

24 Hours in Aarhus, Denmark

Do breakfast at Bills Coffee
- The Danes know their coffee, but they know their pastries even better. And Bills Coffee won’t let you down on either front. They offer up the best pastries in town (in my opinion), and a relaxing atmosphere. Don’t be afraid to chat to the staff – who are super lovely – they’re full of great recommendations.
Tour Aarhus City Hall
- If there’s one thing you don’t want to miss in Aarhus, it’s the city hall tour. This architectural marvel is the epitome of Danish design. You can find photos and tour information here.
Enlighten your senses at ARoS
- The art museum features an array of amazing artwork, and possibly the world’s most colourful rooftop.
Refuel at La Cabra, Coffee Roasters
- This ridiculously stylish coffee shop also offers up plenty of fresh, local produce. My recommendation: the crayfish sandwich, which is hands down the most delicious sandwich I’ve ever had!
Fancy some retail therapy?
- The streets around Vestergade are littered with independent designers, well known brands, and Magasin department store.

Take a bus out to the Deer Park
- Just a 10min ride from the central bus station is Dyrehaven (Deer Park). This piece of woodland is open to the public, but you’ll have to share your walk with some of Aarhus’s friendly deer – and there are lots of them!
Stop by the beach!
- The woodland borders the Kattegat sea by Dyrehaven, and it’s absolutely beautiful. There are showers and changing facilities for those who are brave enough to take a dip.
Choose street food for dinner
- Conveniently located next door to the bus station is the Aarhus Street Food market. You’ll find a wide variety of cuisines, including traditional Danish food. But don’t fork out on the alcohol, instead…
Finish the night at a local craft beer bar
- Mig og Ølsnedkeren is a cozy – some might even say hygge – spot, filled with groups of young stylish friends and couples. Their main offering is a variety of specialised craft beer, but don’t worry they also serve other drinks.

If you have some extra time…

Visit Den Gamle By
- A must-visit for budding architecture nerds and historians alike. Den Gamle By is a small recreation of a Danish town throughout the years, including houses, shops and more.
Pop by the Botanical Gardens
- Nestled right next door to Den Gamle By, and with free entry too! It’s small, but worth a visit – especially for the butterfly room!

Well there you have it, my travel guide to 24 Hours in Aarhus, Denmark!
And don’t forget to check out the my other 24 Hours In… guides.

bloomzy / July 6, 2017

The Yauatcha City Summer Tasting Menu is Hot!

Yauatcha City | Dim Sum Teahouse | Nearest Tube: Liverpool Street | Map

Working right next to Yauatcha City used to be oh-so convenient. Anytime I fancied one of the most beautiful desserts in London, I’d just skip on over. So when my office moved, I was almost certain that was the end of my love affair with the dim sum teahouse. But it was just my luck that I was invited back to try their new Summer Tasting Menu last week, which I dragged my friend Zarna along to (spoiler: she wasn’t unhappy).

And so rather than being petty and keeping all the good food in London to myself, I decided to let you all know about it too.

Yauatcha City Summer Tasting Menu

The Yauatcha City Summer Tasting Menu comes in two varieties: meat or vegetarian. We both chose the meat option, however Zarna can’t eat beef, and Yauatcha were very kind and replaced her venison puff (incl. beef gelatin) with a duck spring roll. I like to mention these little gestures as customer service is very important to me, and all these little things add up to an even better experience.

But of course I’m here to talk about what we ate…or more accurately, what we devoured:

Cocktails
- Asian Daiquiri
- Thea Martini
Steamed Dim Sum
- Champagne scallop & prawn dumpling
- Wild mushroom dumpling
- Crystal dumpling wrap with pumpkin
Fried Dim Sum
- Venison puff
- Mushroom spring roll
Mains (1pp)
- Stir-fry sliced beef
- Stir-fry pepper chilli seafood with asparagus
Sides
- Chinese vegatables
- Jasmine steamed rice
- Macarons (2pp)
Tea (1pp)
- Classical beauty

Desserts (not included in tasting menu)
- Fromage Frais
- Tropical Dome
- Chocolat Mint Delice

How hot is the Summer menu?

My favourites from the menu were: Venison Puff (the pastry & filling is to die for!), Stir-fry Sliced Beef (melted in the mouth), Thea Martini (sweet & fruity), Fromage Frais (beautiful & tangy), and the Chocolat Mint Delice (rich, indulgent…with popping candy!).

The Yauatcha City Summer Tasting Menu is £34 per person (min. 2 people), which includes a glass of wine/cocktail, macarons (2pp) and tea. For such a generous menu, I think the price is more than fair. We were pretty much full by the time our main course came round, but of course we couldn’t let good food go to waste so we devoured everything.

Check out more: Where to Eat in London