CORE blimey! London's hottest new venue has raised the bar

The calm before the storm - dancefloor beware!

To find a chic, relaxing, stylish joint in the throngs of the City scene in London, contrary to popular opinion, is not so easy.

Sure, there are numerous bars and pubs that profess to provide a funky, after-work vibe that can extend into the late evening, but how many can provide a relaxing and attentive feel while at the same time feeling like party central?.

Well, London's hottest new venue, Core (Aldermary House 10-15 Queen Street, City of London, EC4N 1TX) is the place to head to. Open Monday-Friday to the general public (Saturdays and Sundays can be hired out), Core offers an extensive drinks menu, as well as a cultured and classy lunch and evening dining menu.

The bar was formerly called Apt, but for past regulars, the new establishment will open your eyes to a more modern and relaxed way of socialising.

Our first impressions on approaching the venue was 'thank goodness the outside area had been maintained.' This can provide a perfect al fresco dining experience which is perfectly suited to the approaching summer.

A warm welcome will greet you at the entrance, provided you are dressed smart/casual and of the legal drinking age! The first level consists of bright, modern decor, an easily accessible bar and a buzz as much provided by the customers as those working too.

Downstairs is more geared towards mood lighting, and then the offshoot from the bar and dining area is where the party gets started in the evening with a dancefloor and bar.

We visited on an evening after being recommended the quality of the food on offer. And now we are in a position to recommend! My dining partner and I both opted for the aged rib-eye steak, that comes with fluffy seasoned chips and a side salad.

The bright atmosphere will be matched by your mood at Core

But there are always those places for a more intimate evening

If you are demanding to eat off the finest china and a big emphasis on presentation then you may be disappointed. If you are expecting to taste one of the juiciest, tenderest (is that even a word) practically rind-free cuts of prime steak, you are in the right place.

And surely that's what it should be about anyway, right?!

Coupled with a large class of crisp and refreshing Argentinean Malbec-Merlot Paso, it was the perfect start to the evening. However, as well as the delectable foods, the service and attentiveness of staff is somewhat surprising for the birth of a new venue. It's clear the training began a long time before the bar opened, which is pleasing for the customer.

The drinks menu is classy, yet concise

After a couple of glasses of Moet and a cheeky cocktail (there is an extensive range), we decided to join in and see how the night takes off. Core has already grasped how to provide a relaxed, easy-going party atmosphere. The staff are fully focused on not only providing speedy and efficient service, but also how to engage with their customer and not act as aloof as other venues perhaps do.

For the record, I recommend a Fizzazzle cocktail. Finlandia vodka, passion fruit puree, peach puree, mixed with champagne and topped with a peach slice will give you that extra buzz to take to the dancefloor!

It really does tick the boxes - whether you are wanting to wind down the hours after a long day at work, or whether your night has been planned for this trendy and lively nightspot. If you're looking for an amiable venue where the customer is the central focus, where the food menu is exciting yet concise, and where the drinks are varied and detailed, get yourself down to Core for a truly warm and memorable experience.

To view the Core food menu, click here

To view the Core drinks menu, click here

To make a booking at the venue, for dining or a party, click here

The outside area is perfect for the summer months

 

Miller & Carter - 'Experts in Steak' are cooking up a storm

With social networks awash with positivity about Miller & Carter Steakhouse, I felt the time was right to see what all the hype was about.

The Brookmans Park site has been open just over four weeks when my partner I decided to pay a visit. We booked for a Saturday night, to get a real feel for the atmosphere of the place.

We were greeted at the front desk by the general manager, Derrick Fiddes, and promptly shown to our table, despite it being a hive of activity.

The sizeable chicken wings starter

Our server for the evening was Claire, our first impressions being that she was warm and friendly, while also being passionate about her job and all that Miller & Carter stand for.

For my first drink, I chose the Pilsner Urquell, appealing as it is rare to find on draft in restaurants and pubs in the UK. It was crisp, refreshing and importantly, served chilled in Pilsner Urquell-branded glass (a bug bearer when beer is served in inappropriate sized/styled glass). 

The food menu threw up no surprises - different meat dishes all sounding equally appealing. For starter we decided to share the Chargrilled Chicken Wings (in the knowledge that we had a sizeable main of meat to come), served in a Chipotle glaze. We were told that these 'weren't your normal wings', and so this proved.

The fillet steak was cooked perfectly and supplemented well

The ribeye was recommended ahead of my visit, and I wasn't disappointed

Four bumper-size chicken wings arrived, supplemented with a creamy and cooling blue cheese dip.
The glaze made the skin just as edible as the juicy, slide-off-the-bone chicken.

When selecting our main courses, I wanted some inspiration, and believed our server Claire would be able to provide that. Listening to her favourites from the menu, as well as advice as to how to have the steak cooked and what to have as a side led me into selecting the 12oz Ribeye, cooked medium with a peppercorn sauce.

My dining partner plumped for the 8oz Fillet with a bordelaise sauce, and after Claire's advice, deviated away from medium to go for medium-rare. We also decided to sample a half-rick of ribs, promised by Claire that they would be the perfect accompaniment.

The Rioja was a perfect accompaniment to my steak

A quirk of Miller & Carter is that you also select you 'lettuce wedge' which will be delivered prior to the steak. I went for the wedge served with bacon and honey mustard, my partner chose the blue cheese and Stilton option.

As with any review, it's important to be brutally honest. I would say that a negative review makes much better reading.

Sadly there are no negatives here. Both our steaks were perfectly cooked, served with a generous helping of seasoned fries and Miller & Carter's renowned onion loaf.

The ribeye was flawless - the fat cooked off and invigorating the meat which was juicy and tender with a very unique after-taste. The fillet was smooth to cut through and easy to chew through. What impressed me was not only the flavour of the meat before any of the side-sauces were added, but the lack of those 'gritty bits' that have to be pulled out in secret and into a tissue.

And let's not forget about the half rack of ribs! It is the first time I have not felt as though it was a battle, me against the rib, a fight till the death (or at least until I had shaved the bones of all the meat).

My partner rushed in at this before I took the picture!

The meat literally slid off the bone with one fell swoop of my knife. And similar to the chicken wings, there was more meat than bone, cooked in a tingly barbecue sauce.

The thought of being too full was lost on me, as I carved my way through this meat feast. Supplemented with a small glass of Rioja, oaky and vanilla in taste, it was a good night.

Sadly dessert was out of the equation for me as I had most certainly had my fill.

I say out of the equation, but maybe the delicious After Eight-Thirty cocktail I finished off with 'could' be classed as dessert.

My partner was feeling braver, and her selection of the vanilla  Beechdean Farmhouse Dairy Ice Cream and Cookie was a good one - I admit I squeezed in a spoonful and it was rich and creamy and generous in portion.

I was eager to see what all the fuss was about. And now I know why. The interior of the restaurant is welcoming, lively, and atmospheric, with a happy buzz prevalent in customers as well as in staff.

My 'dessert' After Eight-Thirty cocktail

The Brookmans Park site is vast catering for different group-sizes as well as offering a 'private' room for those who want a more personal experience (call general manager Derek Fiddes for more information, 01707 647429).

The food is evidently 'cared for' at every stage of the process - from the preparation, to the cooking to the serving, and this feeling of 'pride' is similarly displayed by the members of staff.

All this added together made us, as the customer, feel cared for, and left us reflecting on all the positives from our first ever visit to a restaurant who label themselves as 'experts in steak' - and I'm not disagreeing.

Scores on the doors (out of 10)

Setting -9
Service -9
Quality of food -10
Cleanliness and decor -9

Total score  - 37/40

To view the Miller & Carter menu, click here

To make a booking at Miller & Carter Brookmans Park, click here

Dinner dilemma? Dine in for a tenner!

M&S food is a bit of a treat, really.  We've been having a laugh their 'food porn' TV ads for a couple of years now but, let's face it, they have the goods to back it up. When I was a student I was once given M&S vouchers for Christmas so that when the post-Christmas-impoverished-student blues kicked in come January, I could cheer myself up with something more desirable than beans on toast.  And though my university days are tragically behind me, M&S food is still something a bit special, something to swoon over.

But it doesn't often come particularly cheap which is why, in my mind, their (now much copied) 'dine in for £10' offer is GENIUS.  A yummy main, side dish, irresistible dessert and a bottle of wine for a tenner?  Amazing.

The expert choices made for our 'dine in for £10'

My partner went off to make the choices and came back with beef and smoked bacon meatballs (with a lentil ragu, cherry tomatoes, roasted red onions and cheddar cheese), accompanied by rosemary potatoes and a bottle of Merlot.

The meatballs were rich and warming, and the crispy potatoes were the perfect, tasty hit of carbs we all appreciate in the winter.  There was a bit of a drama when I went to start cooking and noticed that the two dishes required oven temperatures that differed by 50 degrees(!!!) but don't worry guys, I made it work!  The glass of red on the side was just right for the cold January night, and gorgeously smooth.

While it is difficult to match up on presentation compared to a meal out - the taste more than made up for that

 

I was pretty pleased with the decadent dessert that was chosen; salted caramel billionaire's dessert, with a base of chocolate crumb, salted caramel sauce, treacle mousse and a layer of Belgian chocolate ganache.  Desserts really are my weak point and M&S offer an impressively tempting selection.  At 390 cals this may have to be a once-in-a-while treat for some of us, particularly this time of year, but I cannot recommend it highly enough - rich, sweet and indulgent, it was the perfect way to round off the meal.

My one and only criticism of this offer is that, depending on what you choose, you may find that you want to add an extra side dish, which obviously bumps up the cost a little.  In this case, some salad or a few veg would've been great, and might have made us feel a little more virtuous!  But M&S have some great examples of extra side dishes so you won't have to look far.

There is such an impressive choice on offer that there really is something for everyone, and in these tough times eating out isn't really an option for all of us, so this provides a fantastic substitute that you can enjoy in comfort at home.  So go on, head to M&S and treat your partner (and yourself) this weekend - it's only a tenner and I guarantee it will get you some brownie points!

The desserts were rich and indulgent

For more information on M&S food, or to order in your dinner delight, click here.

Guest blogger  -AB

Can you conquer the Hart Breaker Challenge?

In all its glory - The Hart Breaker Challenge

Inspired by the popular TV show Man V Food, Hitchin pub the Red Hart has a new dish on the menu that is sure to leave most quaking in their boots.

Introducing the ‘Hart Breaker Challenge’ – a 35oz cheese and bacon burger, with a more-than-helpful 1kg of chips on the side – all to be consumed within one hour.

There are five meaty pattys, four rashers of bacon, four large slices of cheese, a toasted bun loaded with salad, tomato, red onion and mayonnaise.

Then there’s the monstrous mound of chips. Seem simple? Think again.

Three journalists took on the challenge under the watchful eye of manager Phil Venables, the referee for this contest.

Two fell by the wayside, hunched over in pain and exasperation.

One man defeated all the odds, and not only demolished the 8760-calorie dish, but also set a new record in 58 minutes 4 seconds.

Step forward Mr Gary Caffell – who was proud to receive his ‘I beat the Hart Breaker T-Shirt, as well as a place on the wall of fame.

I was confident as I eyed it up....

Unfortunately his wingmen, Liam Osborne and myself, spent the last 10 minutes or so urging our colleague on as our throats appeared to have closed up completely after hitting the ‘meat wall.’

The burger has become the behemoth of Hitchin – 17 people have now taken on the meat monster, with only two competitors completing the challenge.

Unfortunately, for me, it was a constant struggle!

The triumphant Gary Caffell

It’s little wonder, though, the beef usually wins – the burger challenge, which costs £14.99, consists of just under 5lbs of food – the weight of a small baby.

It is also over THREE times the daily recommended calorie intake for a fully grown man – on just one plate!

So if you think you are can rank alongside Man V Food star Adam Richman, and be Hertfordshire’s premier eater, get yourself down to the Red Hart in Hitchin!

Some may say feeble, I would say a gallant effort!

The Hart Breaker is not available after 8pm on weekdays, not after 7pm on weekends or between 12pm-3pm on Fridays.

Groups of three or more must pre-book with the pub on 01462 434249.

To see more photos of attempts and other news and offers see the Red Hart’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/redharthitchin

What the challenge consists of

5  x 7oz beef burgers

4 x large rashers of bacon

4 x large slices of cheese

1 toasted bun

Salad, tomato, red onion, mayonnaise

1kg of chips

A few words of warning...

You accept all and any risk in taking the challenge. It’s a lot of food so if you have a pre-existing medical condition that may be exasperated by consuming large quantities of food in a short space of time, you are not advised to try the challenge.

The Hart Breaker Burger is a high calorie and high fat food item – it is not healthy! It should only be undertaken occasionally.

The management and staff are the challenge referees and their decision on all matters in final.