my favourite London food spots

Lina Stores

5/5

So Lina Stores… the best Italian me and my parents have ever tried (yes, my parents have been to Italy). I mean the minute we stepped in, the owner was there greeting us and just chatting away to us like if we were his friend. They were all so lovely. Also, when they brought out that Aubergine Parmigiana (my dad looked like the happiest man in the world in that moment), which is saying something as he is pretty fussy when eating out (sorry dad aha). So yes highly recommend ordering that dish as it is great to share between 2 or more if ordering other dishes too.

I went for the ‘Tagliolini al Tartufo e Parmigiano’ (30-Egg Yolk Tagliolini, Black Truffle, Butter, Parmigiano Reggiano) and oh my. I mean truffle holds a special place in my heart, which I used to hate but now I love. Our tastes do change as we evolve and accept more flavours and I have to say truffle is one of them. I just love the earthiness and depth it has yet it gives that umami, sweet after taste that I am here for. Also, how am I not going to mention the pasta?! Coming from a carb-loving family (Spanish and Moroccans do love their bread), I was expecting the portion size to be just a tad bigger in the pasta dishes but that is my only slight criticism. Apart from that, the quality of the ingredients is just beyond this world.

My mum went for the ‘Linguine di Granchio, Limone e Peperoncino’ (Linguine, Fresh Crab, Datterini Tomato, Lemon, Chilli), which tasted so fresh and light that you could easily order 3 and still feel like you haven’t ate a tonne of pasta. It was that good.

As we aren’t very keen on starters, we always try dessert (if there is a good selection of course) and boy there was no room for disappointment here. We shared the ‘Brownie al Cioccolato e Baci Perugina, Panna Montata’ and the ‘Cannolo con Ricotta, Pistacchio e Cioccolato’. The cannolo was a strong contender as the waiter recommended that one to us and he did good. The sweet cream filling inside and the nutty pistachios followed by the bitter dark chocolate just hit the spot but the brownie was really indulgent as it should be yet sickly at all paired with the whipped cream. I dream of that connolo ever since. It’s that good, me and mum paid a visit to their deli in King’s Cross whilst we were there after lunch and ordered some to take away.

All in all would 100% visit again.

ARABICA

3/5

Being a lover of Middle Eastern food, Arabica just hits the right spots for that baba ganoush craving with pitta bread (honestly it’s so creamy and delicious). Me and my parents have eaten at the Borough Market location a couple of times, which is the original restaurant, and recently me and my Mum have gone to the one in King’s Cross. They are both very different in terms of atmosphere and scenery but I preferred the King’s Cross one actually as it was brighter, the tables were more spaced out and the staff were a lot more welcoming.

So from our recent visit, we had to go for the ‘charcoal cauliflower berbere spiced cauliflower’, as I think it’s the star dish of Arabica. Every table I saw had one every time we went so we tried it and oh… it was unreal! It just melts in your mouth with the tahini dressing. We also ordered the Beirut falafel bites of course! (anyone who knows me, should know by now that falafel is my favourite food in the world) so they are a strong contender. However, I would have loved them even more if they were bigger just like my favourite falafel market stand in Cardinal Place, Victoria as well as Maoz in Soho (nothing beats a good falafel wrap for when you are hangry!)

Last time we ordered the Lebanese pizza with prawn, and it tasted so fresh yet was quite filling a great to order if you are quite hungry and prefer ordering not so much so guess what ingredient caught my interest… TRUFFLE. The ‘mushroom and truffle man’ousheh’, was so good, although I would have preferred if there were more mushrooms but I wasn’t complaining as it was truffle oil heavy, making it more filling and fragrant (here’s me running out of adjectives).

Overall, great if you are not extremely hungry and want some fancier bites. Recommend going for dinner and ordering that roasted cauliflower! Also, they do have a set menu for ‘eat out’ right now throughout October and it looks like quite the banquet.

APPLEBEE’S FISH

4/5

Another one in Borough Market, if you are around London Bridge, go check out the fabulous food around, there’s so much variety and if you are looking for fish or seafood then Applebee’s is the one. As someone who is pescatarian and incorporating fish-based protein into their diet at least three times a week, I am always steering towards the fish option.

I ordered the ‘Tuna steak with Mediterranean vegetables and a spicy chutney’, and it was so fresh! Of course I went for medium-rare as a food enthusiast, I just can’t have my food well done or over so yep nailed that one!

My Mum went for the ‘Wild Sea Bass fillet with a red pepper coulis, pak choi and red onion’. Have to say looked the best out all 3 dishes and certainly tasted the best! Classic Dad going for the Cod fish and chips with homemade tartare sauce and mushy peas’. Can’t beat a pub classic. Also had some bread from Oilviers bakery with sundried tomato and anchovy butters. I mean you just have to order bread with butter in a fish restaurant, it’s a no brainer. The only thing was that Dad’s portion wasn’t so great and the table was quite near the counter, making it hard for waiters to move around.

Great service, great quality fish, great ambience - right in the heart of Borough Market.

La Goccia - Petersham nurseries

4/5

Another Italian, doesn’t quite beat Lina Stores but the food is so fresh and again such a winner! Me and my old school friend, Selena, visited the cute little restaurant and were lucky to sit out on the terrace during the hot summer days of August. It is the perfect spot all year round if you want to escape the busy London life and hide for an hour or so surrounded by gorgeous looking plates and bowls of food and it is just located in the heart of Covent Garden, which is a great spot to get to if you’re in central London.

So when I saw the word, ‘burrata’ on the eat out menu I was like I’m in. They paired it so well with these fresh cherry tomatoes and basil. Followed up by a garden pea and watercress risotto, which is such a great plant-based option, if you are like me opting to maximise that fruit and veg daily intake. It was quite filling and felt very satisfied after too. For dessert we both opted for the tiramisu because if you’re in an Italian and it’s on a menu then it’s a must. Great cream to sponge ratio and the coffee wasn’t overpowering but they went a bit heavy with the cocoa. Also, we found the service a bit overwhelming as they kept coming over but that was our only judgement. We weren’t complaining on that portion of tiramisu though!

THE GOOD EGG

4.5/5

Another Middle Eastern spot (can you spot the theme by now? Italian or Middle Eastern is what I go for). Situated in the heart of Carnaby Street, facing one of my favourite squares in London, Kingly Court. It’s such a beautiful food spot, which is brilliant all year round but specially in winter when the days get shorter and the nights get longer as they light it up so beautifully making it such a cozy spot to dine at.

I have been eyeing up a good Israeli Sabih, which is an aubergine stuffed pitta with egg and they delivered well - too well actually, if I had worn jeans that day I bet you I would have had to unbutton them, that’s how stuffed I was. As I was a bit naive to what they would have delivered I ordered their signature spiced fried, which was recommended to me by the very kind waiter and again the amount you get wow. Did not complain! Ended up sharing them with my long-time friend Sofia, whom was also excited to try their food and being both such foodies we were in heaven. I mean life is meant for fries and catching up with friends, right? She ordered the grilled octopus, which I was eyeing up for quite some time and it looked pretty damn good too so maybe on my next visit.

Went for the ‘East side vegan Happy Endings ice cream sandwich’ for dessert and expected something else as it was another company providing them with their ice cream which I didn’t realise so I wouldn’t really recommend dessert but if you have some room left for a pud then I’d strongly suggest you try their babka, which I took out and had for tea at home with my parents, it’s so good! Would be great for breakfast if you want something indulgent with some coffee.

Great spot for brunch in the heart of Carnaby Street with kind staff and generous portions.