Star rating: *****
One of the Northern Quarter's curry cafes my sister had discovered Kabana, a run down take out looking building and thought I should try it.
Now it looks like a take out on the inside too but the delicious, authentic meal was a far cry from the deep frying meals of a take out. You can feast like a king here. We ordered a cheesy naan bread, two lentil dishes and a vegetable bhuna (the menu changes daily).
We had our orders taken and set about finding seats at the busy lunch time. The clientale was made up of mostly men, just out for a quick bite in the middle of a working day and strangers sat side by side on the rows of tables available.
We managed to find our own table, each table had its own jug of water and had a chat till our food arrived. The chef had taken the initiative of taking out one of the lentil dishes and adding a 60p chappatti instead. He said if we still wanted the lentils he'll get us another one. He was very right, we didn't need the extra lentil dish and were glad for the extra bread.
The cheese naan was delicious, infused with other spices in it, the lentil and the vegetables were both mouth watering and we'd licked the plates clean before we could stop.
All for 8 pounds.
This is a cheap and delicious restaurant. It closes at 5 or 6 so is more for lunchtime or an early dinner. It's one of a kind food was some of the best I'd ever had.
Sunday, 25 April 2010
Sapporo Teppanyaki - Manchester, UK
Star rating: ***
As a young member of the new millennium it feels wrong to admit this, the thing is even though I've had a my share of decent Japanese meals I'm not the biggest fan of the cuisine everyone seems to love.
The restaurant was lovely, the staff were great. My food, was like what I expected, not suitable for vegetarians.
They tried. I had my tofu starter, I find that tofu can be either cooked yum or yuck. The chewy, flavourless tofu was more of the latter. There was a wonderful dip, some garlic-y one that I loved and dipped everything in. We got chips (always good) and some vegetables all made in front of us. I got extra chips as I failed to catch them in my mouth (they flip them at you and you have to do a sea lion impression).
My aubergine thing was in a sauce too sweet and oily. Maybe my ordering was off.
Despite my unsatisfactory eating experience the dinning experience was wonderful. The novelty of having your food made in front of you doesn't wear off (I've been to may share of places around the world) and the atmosphere was relaxed and cosy. Everyone else enjoyed their food and mine was adequate I suppose.
If you're looking for sensational vegetarian bites this might not be the place, but if you want to have a fun, light dinner you'll know where to go.
As a young member of the new millennium it feels wrong to admit this, the thing is even though I've had a my share of decent Japanese meals I'm not the biggest fan of the cuisine everyone seems to love.
The restaurant was lovely, the staff were great. My food, was like what I expected, not suitable for vegetarians.
They tried. I had my tofu starter, I find that tofu can be either cooked yum or yuck. The chewy, flavourless tofu was more of the latter. There was a wonderful dip, some garlic-y one that I loved and dipped everything in. We got chips (always good) and some vegetables all made in front of us. I got extra chips as I failed to catch them in my mouth (they flip them at you and you have to do a sea lion impression).
My aubergine thing was in a sauce too sweet and oily. Maybe my ordering was off.
Despite my unsatisfactory eating experience the dinning experience was wonderful. The novelty of having your food made in front of you doesn't wear off (I've been to may share of places around the world) and the atmosphere was relaxed and cosy. Everyone else enjoyed their food and mine was adequate I suppose.
If you're looking for sensational vegetarian bites this might not be the place, but if you want to have a fun, light dinner you'll know where to go.
Jerry's Diner - South Beach, Florida
Star rating: **
On our way to another place but caved and went into this huge diner. It was cold, the staff varied from lovely to moody.
I had some vegetables in a fried sandwich thing and onion rings.
This is the place for a buttery, artery clogging meal. I was greasy for days afterwards (and yes, I did wash my hands).
The menu is huge though and I'm sure there's a lot more on offer but my too greasy reflex was warning me to stop.
On our way to another place but caved and went into this huge diner. It was cold, the staff varied from lovely to moody.
I had some vegetables in a fried sandwich thing and onion rings.
This is the place for a buttery, artery clogging meal. I was greasy for days afterwards (and yes, I did wash my hands).
The menu is huge though and I'm sure there's a lot more on offer but my too greasy reflex was warning me to stop.
Burger and Beer - South Beach, Florida
Star rating: **
Our jet ski was lovely, friendly and had offered to take our crew (sister, cousin, boyfriend - all avid meat eaters) to his favourite burger joint if we were game. I was worried as the man had divulged his diet consisted of meat, meat and more meat. No salad, no dessert.
My meat eating buddies though were tempted and after a greasy burger and had decided to go. My hunger wasn't great so I didn't fight it. We sat outside on benches by the road. The staff were accomodating when we asked to change seats and the service wasn't lacking because we were outside.
The vegetarian option was a portobello mushroom burger with cheese. So I ordered that. We also had battered pickles (yum yum yum) and fries. Unfortunately my burger remained distinctly meaty with me double-guessing how or what it was cooked with. The sweet potato fries were also a disappointed with me stealing everyone else's thin and fat chips. I too a couple of chips and made a chips butty as well. It was ok, but not what I had in mind.
My crew decided 5 guys was better as though their burgers were good they were a bit too weird and meaty. And a lot pricer then 5 guys with a price tag of 15bucks a burger meal (mind you each burger was GINORMOUS)
Good enough of your a meat eater but don't sidle along if you're a hungry vegetarian.
Our jet ski was lovely, friendly and had offered to take our crew (sister, cousin, boyfriend - all avid meat eaters) to his favourite burger joint if we were game. I was worried as the man had divulged his diet consisted of meat, meat and more meat. No salad, no dessert.
My meat eating buddies though were tempted and after a greasy burger and had decided to go. My hunger wasn't great so I didn't fight it. We sat outside on benches by the road. The staff were accomodating when we asked to change seats and the service wasn't lacking because we were outside.
The vegetarian option was a portobello mushroom burger with cheese. So I ordered that. We also had battered pickles (yum yum yum) and fries. Unfortunately my burger remained distinctly meaty with me double-guessing how or what it was cooked with. The sweet potato fries were also a disappointed with me stealing everyone else's thin and fat chips. I too a couple of chips and made a chips butty as well. It was ok, but not what I had in mind.
My crew decided 5 guys was better as though their burgers were good they were a bit too weird and meaty. And a lot pricer then 5 guys with a price tag of 15bucks a burger meal (mind you each burger was GINORMOUS)
Good enough of your a meat eater but don't sidle along if you're a hungry vegetarian.
Bella Cuba - South Beach, Florida
Star rating: ****
My first taste of cuban food was at this restaurant where we wondered in cautiously and dubiously. We were the only ones in the restaurant (more cause for concern but it was quite late). We decided to not eat too much as it was close to bedtime and we didn't want to be too full.
We shared a soup starter, Cream de Malanga, a vegetable I've never heard of, which was good if not extremely creamy, then I had my stuffed red pepper with goats cheese and tamarind sauce. The test explosion was delicious, my boyfriend who had just sampled his first red snapper was left silent and eating as well.
Definitely a great experience with Cuban Cuisine.
My first taste of cuban food was at this restaurant where we wondered in cautiously and dubiously. We were the only ones in the restaurant (more cause for concern but it was quite late). We decided to not eat too much as it was close to bedtime and we didn't want to be too full.
We shared a soup starter, Cream de Malanga, a vegetable I've never heard of, which was good if not extremely creamy, then I had my stuffed red pepper with goats cheese and tamarind sauce. The test explosion was delicious, my boyfriend who had just sampled his first red snapper was left silent and eating as well.
Definitely a great experience with Cuban Cuisine.
Khatmandu - Didsbury Manchester, UK
Star rating: ****
My sister loved it. I felt like Indian. We were in Didsbury after meeting a friend to sit in the sun. So we went to Kathmandu.
We were seated straight away and got our water. It was a very busy restaurant but the seats were very comfortable, I know I ended up sitting on them for around 3 hours.
We started with something my sister discovered they do. You can get naan bread with korma sauce as a dip. I've never had a korma before because given the choice I'd choose the extra-spicey-burn-yourself-tomato-y sauce but the coconut creamy concoction was lovely. My main was the afore mentioned sauce with aubergines. The vegetarian menu is extensive and mouth-watering, enough to satisfy every taste bud. The too full to eat syndrome kicked in and we sat for hours digesting one of the most delicious meals.
The price was moderate and the food was delicious. With Manchester's many indian cuisine this definitely came on top.
My sister loved it. I felt like Indian. We were in Didsbury after meeting a friend to sit in the sun. So we went to Kathmandu.
We were seated straight away and got our water. It was a very busy restaurant but the seats were very comfortable, I know I ended up sitting on them for around 3 hours.
We started with something my sister discovered they do. You can get naan bread with korma sauce as a dip. I've never had a korma before because given the choice I'd choose the extra-spicey-burn-yourself-tomato-y sauce but the coconut creamy concoction was lovely. My main was the afore mentioned sauce with aubergines. The vegetarian menu is extensive and mouth-watering, enough to satisfy every taste bud. The too full to eat syndrome kicked in and we sat for hours digesting one of the most delicious meals.
The price was moderate and the food was delicious. With Manchester's many indian cuisine this definitely came on top.
The Modern - Manchester, UK
Star rating: ***
After a day of shopping we were hungry. Very hungry. After some deliberation we opted for the option of going to the modern because a. it was close and b. it had good reviews and a 3 course for 15 quid deal. We were greeted by an elevator when we absently pressed the 6th floor. For future reference 6 = BAR, 5 = RESTAURANT. We did find out the bar had a better view of the city as the restaurant's window was partially clouded over.
The vegetarian options are pretty limited. For a main you were either having the hoity pie or a veggie casserole. I decided to find out what a hoity pie is and had some beetroot salad. As we waited for the food the staff were very attentive and had also brought us a basket of warm rolls. My started of beetroot salad was good, my hoity pie was good (but filling) and the waitress let us cancel our desserts because we couldn't take anymore. For those who were as ignorant as me a hoity pie seemed to be a potato, creamy, cheesy, cauliflower-y thing on a cup of pastry. I thought it tasted pretty good and would recommend people trying it.
The hearty British meal was good, but failed to be exceptional despite having a bit of a hype. Apparently my meat eating friends have raved about the meat. So maybe better if you're not a vegetarian?
A filling, hearty meal that's nice on a cold afternoon.
After a day of shopping we were hungry. Very hungry. After some deliberation we opted for the option of going to the modern because a. it was close and b. it had good reviews and a 3 course for 15 quid deal. We were greeted by an elevator when we absently pressed the 6th floor. For future reference 6 = BAR, 5 = RESTAURANT. We did find out the bar had a better view of the city as the restaurant's window was partially clouded over.
The vegetarian options are pretty limited. For a main you were either having the hoity pie or a veggie casserole. I decided to find out what a hoity pie is and had some beetroot salad. As we waited for the food the staff were very attentive and had also brought us a basket of warm rolls. My started of beetroot salad was good, my hoity pie was good (but filling) and the waitress let us cancel our desserts because we couldn't take anymore. For those who were as ignorant as me a hoity pie seemed to be a potato, creamy, cheesy, cauliflower-y thing on a cup of pastry. I thought it tasted pretty good and would recommend people trying it.
The hearty British meal was good, but failed to be exceptional despite having a bit of a hype. Apparently my meat eating friends have raved about the meat. So maybe better if you're not a vegetarian?
A filling, hearty meal that's nice on a cold afternoon.
Friday, 9 April 2010
Five Guys - South Beach, Florida
Star rating: ***
Had a grilled cheese sandwich which was just what I wanted at the time, no veggie burger, most burger joints sneer at that anyway but they had a vegetable sandwich too. Warning: Large fries means LARGE, like really really LARGE.
Yummy, filling, cheap. Great. And your meat munching friends will definitely love you for taking them there.
Had a grilled cheese sandwich which was just what I wanted at the time, no veggie burger, most burger joints sneer at that anyway but they had a vegetable sandwich too. Warning: Large fries means LARGE, like really really LARGE.
Yummy, filling, cheap. Great. And your meat munching friends will definitely love you for taking them there.
Ola at the Sanctuary - South Beach, Florida
Star rating: *****
Imagine dinning under idyllic starlit skies, on a balcony overlooking a quiet south beach road. A nice warm night with a light breeze, beautiful dim lighting. This is the best meal I've had in Miami so far.
On the waitress' recommendation, she was also a vegetarian, I had a dish which was described to me as plantain slices with layers of spinach and bechemal sauce as well as tomato sauce. This had black bean paste drizzled on it and something green I didn't quite figure out. This cuban invention was divine, the type of food you try to eat slowly but fail to. The flavours came through but weren't overpowering.
Also little dough breads were served which were strangely sweet and warm and really kind of chewy. When we asked we were told it was told it was a gluten free bread, made with tapioca and yukka (don't know how to spell it) flowers. We just asked for a few more servings.
What complemented the food beautifully was the attentive staff, they intuitively made sure everything went smoothly and pandered to all our desires before we knew we wanted them, making the cosy meal between me and my boyfriend perfect.
The place was unpretentious but all this did come at a price and the bill came to a bit more than the average, yet it was worth every cent. Makes me hungry to even think about it.
Imagine dinning under idyllic starlit skies, on a balcony overlooking a quiet south beach road. A nice warm night with a light breeze, beautiful dim lighting. This is the best meal I've had in Miami so far.
On the waitress' recommendation, she was also a vegetarian, I had a dish which was described to me as plantain slices with layers of spinach and bechemal sauce as well as tomato sauce. This had black bean paste drizzled on it and something green I didn't quite figure out. This cuban invention was divine, the type of food you try to eat slowly but fail to. The flavours came through but weren't overpowering.
Also little dough breads were served which were strangely sweet and warm and really kind of chewy. When we asked we were told it was told it was a gluten free bread, made with tapioca and yukka (don't know how to spell it) flowers. We just asked for a few more servings.
What complemented the food beautifully was the attentive staff, they intuitively made sure everything went smoothly and pandered to all our desires before we knew we wanted them, making the cosy meal between me and my boyfriend perfect.
The place was unpretentious but all this did come at a price and the bill came to a bit more than the average, yet it was worth every cent. Makes me hungry to even think about it.
Basso 56 - Manhattan, New York
Star rating: *****
This was awhile back now but I still remember yuuuuuuuuuum. I had a lovely artichoke started, seasoned with lemon and a beautiful pasta with aubergine and tomato sauce (I love my aubergines). There were many choices on the menu, the staff were delightful, the restaurant beautiful. The bread at the beginning could've been warm but was still scrumptious.
Definitely as good as the tripadvisor recommendation that took me there said it would be.
This was awhile back now but I still remember yuuuuuuuuuum. I had a lovely artichoke started, seasoned with lemon and a beautiful pasta with aubergine and tomato sauce (I love my aubergines). There were many choices on the menu, the staff were delightful, the restaurant beautiful. The bread at the beginning could've been warm but was still scrumptious.
Definitely as good as the tripadvisor recommendation that took me there said it would be.
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