Archive for the ‘American’ Category
Shopsin’s General Store
I turned up at Shopsin’s for breakfast at opening time. Hidden in one corner of the almost 70 year old Essex Street Market of the Lower East Side, the diner is decked out in the style of an old time general grocery store. The Chef-Owner Kenny Shopsin perched himself with his paper on the a chair by the entrance which to the unit which, with two “booths” and a 2 person bar could sit no more than 10 people itself. Table and chairs spill out into the indoor market area but there can’t be space for more than 10 more people. I perched myself at the bar which looked onto a kitchen no larger than a thimble. Especially for an establishment that has a menu at reads like Gordon Ramsay’s worst kitchen nightmare menu, with 200 to 300 items on offer. Sandwiches include the “jewboy” – bbq pulled beef, brisket, grilled onions and swiss and “jihadboy” – beef, pomegranate, olive, sheep feta, pistachio, tahini, making just two of the 25 “name plate sandwiches”. Breakfast could be the QT, one of 40+ completely unique “breakfast name plates.” It is a shrimp guacamole, chili/egg quesadilla, caramel roll-up. The menu is as mad as it is brilliant. Continue Reading…
Eastside Inn: A Thanksgiving Experience
It seems a little odd perhaps reading about a thanksgiving dinner in January, not least one written by a Brit. Over numerous thanksgiving dinners at Bodeans and once at Christophers over the years, my Franco-American girlfriend and I really needed to try somewhere else or end up doing it all ourselves. But a 3kg turkey, mashed Idaho potatoes, battleships of gravy, and so on are just too much for a couple to put together. I’d not read much about Eastside Inn but when I did a little research I had found nothing but praise for chef-proprietor Bjorn van der Horst’s cooking albeit the mention of slightly high prices. Bjorn was previously the chef-patron of La Noisette and cut his teeth at the Greenhouse in Mayfair. So arriving at the restaurant we find it comprises of two sections, on the right a fine dining restaurant with the décor of high end waiting room and through to the left a much more open, inviting and ultimately affordable bistro. Each section is separated by the central open plan kitchen where you can see Bjorn and his team in action at any moment. Serving both the top end and mid range area of the restaurant crowd… Continue Reading…
The Iron Works Barbecue: An Austin staple
Once upon a time The Iron Works served up reputedly the best barbecue in Austin, Texas. Since 2003, I’ve been frequenting this shack of restaurant on an annual basis around the South by South West Music Conference and Festival. Seemingly like quite a few barbecue places in Austin, it is in quite an odd setting. Until 1977, this red corrugated tin building did house the ironworks of the Weigl family, who came over from Germany in 1913. Their ornamental craft can be seen all over the city, including the State capitol. The setting is like that of a modern Western movie, and the interior has just as much character as the exterior, with old worn, dark wooden floors, tables covered by red plastic tablecloths, and walls adorned with memorabilia from the ages of Weigl Ironworks. Continue Reading…
Bodeans, Soho, W1
After a healthy lunch consisting of Yellowfin Tuna (Ortiz I say!), Pasta (Martelli!) and salad I was left wanting a little more for dinner last night… BODEANS!
I’ve pretty much worked my work through most of the meat on this menu. Today’s special was the Jacob’s ladder. Been there, done that. So good old Beef Back Ribs with Chilli Cheese Fries and Slaw.
The Diner, Ganton Street, W1
The Diner
18 Ganton Street
Soho, London, W1F 7BU
The Diner is in the Carnaby St area of Soho, directly opposite Cha Cha Moon on Ganton Street. Arriving much later than we had planned our Sunday breakfast had turned much more into a late brunch when we arrived at 1pm. It is much more spacious and darker than it’s Shoreditch cousin. Rather than waiting for the next available booth we opted to sit at a normal table. It was reasonably busy but customers didn’t have to wait long to be seated.
The comprehensive menu is exactly the same as the other two branches and we quickly ordered exactly what we had planned before arriving, blueberry pancakes with maple syrup, a breakfast burrito and a side of potato skins with bacon and cheese with a Creamy Nut (a “hard” shake with hazelnut and pistachio and a shot of baileys) and Chocolate shake. 
Our helpful and friendly waitress very quickly brought our drinks over followed by our food a little under 10 minutes later. The burrito was average if not a little too salty and was served with standard guacamole (freshly prepared) and sour cream and a tiny side salad. My girlfriend’s pancakes were good but they could’ve been a bit more generous with the blueberries. The side of potatos skins were crispy and delicious although a little more cheese could’ve been called for. Portions were just right. I love the shakes at The Diner’s, blended ice cream complete with the bits of hazelnut and pistachio.
As we rarely have breakfast out, the diner style breakfast was an exciting trip for my girlfriend who is an American. Above average, The Diner is for Europeans not expecting “diner-sized” portions! The bill came to £30.94 including 10% service and I would certainly go back.
Rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Edit: It isn’t bad in here. Perhaps a touch on the side of pricey and the service can be a little poor. But you can take anyone here. – 5th January 2010
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