The Hummingbird Bakery

Where:47 Old Brompton Road,London
What: American style bakery
When: All day, any day
Why: Cupcakes, cakes, pies, cookies, brownies, muffins..these are a few of my favorite things

Roll out the red velvet…cupcakes! Move over Magnolia, another little corner bakery is just across the Atlantic. The Hummingbird Bakery brings the taste of American baked goodies to London with two branches on Portobello Road and South Kensington. The tantalizing smell will have passer-bys floating on a cloud of frosting and into this dream place for cake lovers. The interior may be a little too pink, but you will be distracted with the sight of the sinfully sweet cupcakes. The friendly staff wears baseball caps and t-shirts with the bakery’s logo. Hummingbird is all about the Red Velvet cupcake- a little piece of heaven in the form of blended chocolate and vanilla with red food coloring and cream cheese icing. Let your sweet tooth sink in.

Hush

Where: 8 Lancashire Ct, London
What: Brasserie
When: Lunch/Dinner
Why: Charming atmoshpere+Hush Burger

Just off Bond Street, Hush is a cozy and stylish restaurant located away from the rush of the busy city. To get to the restaurant you walk through a cobbled alley that opens to the airy Lancashire courtyard. I can imagine it being the perfect location for lunch on a hot summer day. The atmosphere inside is as charming and cool. A bar/lounge is located upstairs with pictures of Liam Gallagher, Sting, Simon Cowell and other celebrities “hushing” on the wall.
Hush serves brasserie style food like fishcakes, pumpkin risotto, salmon fillet and grilled steak. Try the renowned Hush Hamburger. Leave room for the chocolate fondant or Mars bar cheesecake. Sticky toffee pudding and lemon tart are also popular.

My Old Dutch

Where: 221 Kings Road, Chelsea, London
What: Pancake House
When: Breakfast/Brunch
Why: After pancakes and waffles, shopping on King's Road


I have to say I was not impressed with the service. The waitress was snappy and rude, more like my old grumpy Dutch grandmother!! But the pancakes kept us from storming out of the place. Sweet or savory extra thin pancakes served on large round blue plates. Perfect texture and taste. Same goes for the waffles. Great place for brunch or breakfast followed by a stroll on King’s Road.

Roka

Where: 37 Charlotte St, London
What: Modern Japanese
When: Lunch/Dinner
Why: Trendy, not too formal

Modern interior, trendy crowd, simple and elegant design, wooden tables, great sushi. If you’re thinking of Zuma Restaurant then you’re close. From the same people who brought you the trendy restaurant in Knightsbridge, Roka is located in the heart of London’s media center.

The Robata (open flame) grill takes center stage with tables around and a wooden counter surrounding the grill. If you are further away from the Robata sit next to the floor to ceiling windows that fold back to allow a terrace in the summer. Jars of Shochu (a Japanese alcoholic beverage) are decoratively stacked like honey jars on the wall. The server was friendly and helpful and all of his suggestions were good. The Tataki Tuna salad and rock shrimp are great starters. The menu mostly focuses on the Robata grill and includes sushi, sashimi, maki, and kushiage.

The presentation is fabulous and makes you want to order more. Sashimi and some of the desserts are placed on blocks of ice. However my favorite has to be the Cod, which came wrapped in a parcel. Overall it was a good experience but less extravagant than its big sister Zuma.

(Inter)mission: London

Decided to cut the 20+ hour trip from Bahrain to Boston with a three day break half way, London! Another wonderful city with sooooo much to do in soooo little time!

Café Lilou

Where: Café Lilou
What: Parisien Café
When: Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, coffee...all of the above?
Why: Excellent food+Dessert Haven!


Rustic looking velvet chairs, maroon and gold striped walls, dark wood, high ceiling, a huge painting of Le Lido, lamps, a cloud of smoke lingering above the crowd. All this place is missing is Edith Piaf playing in the background under the chatter and laughter of all the socialites who are there to see and be seen. The food is impeccable and leaving room for dessert is NOT an option.
Café Lilou is a must whether you are here for a meal or just a cup of coffee and dessert. Have delicious fresh croissants, brioche, muffins or waffles for breakfast or brunch. Start with the onion soup and then choose sandwiches in foccacia, pesto bread, tomato bread, or herb bread. The sandwiches are served with curly fries. The salads are delicious and filling. Try the Kebbe Nouveau, green salad with kibbeh stuffed with mozzarella and pine nuts. Also popular are the mini pita bread filled with kebbe and hummus, the pasta selection and the mini brioche burgers.

From the dessert menu you can order ice creams, sorbets, or (my favorite) the Trio of crème brulee, chocolate biscuits and ice cream. Or you can choose from the cakes next to the cash register. Mini cakes with dark or milk chocolate, pistachio, mille feuille, strawberry tart. Decisions, decisions! When you’re done admiring the cakes make sure you include in your order the Bagatelle (fruit cake) and Concerto (chocolate, chocolate, crunchy stuff, more chocolate).Café Lilou also has a separate bakery/patisserie where you can order the most delicious cakes and desserts for events. It also provides pastries and breads to other restaurants in Bahrain.

Strawberry Cake Photo Source: from 7oO7oO's photostream on flickr.com (July 29, 2007): http://flickr.com/photos/7070/942935663/in/set-72157594268171579/

Meat Company

Where: Adliya

When: Lunch/Dinner

What: Steaks

Why: They've got "steaks you'll leave home for"

Attention carnivores! If the words steak, filet, rib eye and t-bone appeal to you then this place is for you. The latest of the trendy Adliya restaurants, this location is hip and sophisticated. Originally from South Africa, Meat Co. in Bahrain is the latest addition to the international group of restaurants and the second addition in the Middle East (after Dubai). As soon as we walked in we were greeted by the manager. The restaurant is spacious with big windows (although there is not much of a view). It is slightly dimmed with a funky, modern oversized chandelier. The South African servers are cheerful and friendly but not in an annoying cheerleader way.

The most tender meat is the 300 gram Filet (a smaller version is the200 gram “Petit Filet”). Cooked medium, it is flavorful, juicy and just right. Another favorite dish is the BBQ Beef ribs, which has a delicious homemade marinade, their juicy cheeseburgers, and the “Butcher’s skewer”. Vegetarians and non-meat eaters do not feel left out. Most of the starters are not meat dishes and are vegetarian like the Bruschetta, Mushroom and Spinach Vol Au Vent, and the Grilled Halloumi Cheese. They have chicken and seafood dishes as well as a whole section for vegetarians on the menu.


For dessert I recommend the chocolate and pistachio fondante. Stay away from the cheesecake no matter how hard the waiter insists on it.




The only thing I felt was missing was some good loungey but not intrusive music. Maybe some South African tunes would have been interesting as well.

Monsoon

Where: Adliya
What: Asian
When: Lunch/Dinner

Why: Good Thai food AND Sushi+feels like you're in an oriental palace

Like a lost city in the midst of the busy, crowded Adliya streets, Monsoon looks and feels like a sanctuary. Also booked for private parties, I think Monsoon has one of the most beautifully decorated restaurants in Bahrain (reminds me of Buddha Bar). Most of the tables are located on an elevated wooden platform surrounded by water. There are a couple of rooms for larger groups, a sushi bar, and if the weather permits, sit outside for an even more relaxing dining experience.

The menu is a bit overwhelming because you can select from Thai/Malaysian/Japanese/Vietnamese sections. The starters include chicken wrapped in pandan leaves, spicy papaya salad, shrimp toast, chicken/beef satay with peanut sauce, shrimp parcels.

Many of the main course dishes have a delicious coconut flavor, you can ask for mild or spicy. I would suggest the green curry with steamed rice. The maki rolls are excellent. Try Nela Maki, Spicy Tuna, Dragon Roll, Crunchy California, and Salmon rolls.

For dessert try the chocolate sticks with hazelnut ice cream or the sorbet with fresh fruits. The fried bananas with vanilla ice cream are alright. Too stuffed? You can skip dessert. The check is accompanied by mint chocolates, which I only started to like after Monsoon.

Unfortunately, didn’t do too well on the Unagi Test. But I forgive Monsoon because the maki rolls and Thai selections are delicious.

1st Pic Source: from hpeng’s photostream on flickr.com (November 10, 2007): http://www.flickr.com/photos/45747167@N00/1945602147/in/photostream/

Mirai

Where: Adliya
What: Fusion Japanese
When: Lunch/Dinner
Why: Only the BEST sushi in Bahrain

Feast for the eyes: Modern yet rich with ambiance, trendy but not too crowded, contemporary and young yet you feel the need to kick the dress code up a notch. Mirai can be safely described as one of the most popular restaurants on the island. As you walk in you are greeted by a sleek wall fountain. A refreshing green from the bamboo plants and splashes of orange on the walls perfectly accent the mostly dark and simple interior. Whether you have a table or opt for the sushi bar, you are in for a modern fusion experience that can take you from Japan to Italy in one maki roll. Once you are seated, order a bowl of edamame, which if I must say so has the perfect texture and saltiness, while you study the menu.

Tasty suggestions: If you like creamy stuff, start with the Popcorn Shrimp, fried shrimp with crab shavings and creamy spicy mayo. The salads are exquisite. Try the Mirai salad with baby arugula, tomatoes, carrots, avocado, and sesame drizzled in honey vinaigrette. Or the Spicy Kani Salad with greens, sundried tomato and kanaboko crab (crab shavings).

Maki maki maki! The only restaurant in the world where you can get an Arabian Maki. A safe choice would be the Mirai Maki (shrimp tempura maki with a little bit of spicy mayo on top), which will taste even better if you ask them to add crab shavings on top (aka “Volcano topping”). It is the on the right of the image.
The Unagi Test: I personally think that the key to rating a Japanese restaurant is by their Unagi Sushi (eel sushi). Once you’ve got the Unagi down, you’re good to go. Now forget for a second that eels are slimy slithering serpents. Close your eyes and let your taste buds enjoy the party. The rice is the perfect fluffiness, the eel the perfect “fishiness” and the sauce the perfect sweetness. Eat it all in one bite to enjoy the blend of flavors, textures and aromas.

Little tip: Don’t dip the Unagi Sushi in soya sauce. I learned this from a Japanese server at Sushi Yasuda, an authentic Japanese restaurant in NYC. The saltiness of the soya sauce will kill the sweetness of the unagi sauce.

Amuse Bouche

Most of my year is spent in Boston, MA; however since I am currently in Bahrain my first few reviews will be about the places that I miss (or not) when I’m not on this beautiful island. Feel free to comment, agree, disagree, or post your own suggestions and reviews.