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

 

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.

Chiquito - Mexican or Mexi-can't?

My latest restaurant review took myself and dining partner to Chiquito  - a restaurant that I have always had a fondness for following fine food and outstanding customer service on previous visits.

However, as every review is based on the merits of there and then, no bias was taken into this, and as we entered, on a Wednesday, the first thing that struck us was how quiet the restaurant was.

Chiquito have a superb two courses for £9.99 midweek menu, Mon-Thurs, from 5pm, and my previous visits have always been to take advantage of this!

A Wednesday night was a good choice - quiet meant our service was prompt

This time was different and we decided to take on the new 'Sizzling menu'.

We had the option of where we wanted to sit, and on entering the establishment, the most appealing are the booth seats - relaxing high-backed seats nicely cushioned.

The first thing to note here, is that if you are eating at the Hatfield restaurant, the chances are at least one of the doors will be permanently open. Now while we could see the point of having an entrance door open to show the restaurant is open, it doesn't make the winter chill any easier to deal with. It is unsure whether this is replicated throughout the chain, so worth checking when booking or sitting!

The meatballs were simple in design, yet scrumptious on the palate

We decided rather than a criticism, this was a point to remember for next time, as we did choose where we wanted to sit.

For starter I ordered the South Western Meatballs and my partner ordered the Prawn Skewer. This was after a chat with our server, who we believe (from the bill at the end) to be called EITHER Honey or Amanda. Whoever you are well done as your enthusiasm for advising us of your recommendations, as well as attentive nature throughout, was a credit to your restaurant.

The meatballs arrived looking fairly minimal for the appetite I had worked up through the day. However the heavy cheese, with the 'signature tomato sauce' and tortilla chips made it an appropriate first course. As with any starter, you don't want the sauce or accompaniments to out-flavour the actual central food. Safe to say on this occasion this wasn't the case as the beef and pork was juicy and steaming hot, just how I like it.

My partner's Prawn Skewer was in her words, 'enough for a starter'. Whether this meant she knew it would be a lighter choice, or that she was mindful of the 12 burgers she had ordered for her main is beside the point. The skewer was served with a tangy and moist salad - which perfectly complemented the juicy and wholesome prawns that were subtly flavoured.

The prawn skewer was a juicy choice for the starter

We were on to our mains, in good time about 10 minutes after our starters, after some nice (pint of) San Miguel refreshment. I had gone for Chicken & Chorizo Skewer, one of the 'Sizzling Specials', while my partner didn't in fact plump for 12 burgers, but in fact the BBQ Pulled Pork 'Hot Baked Wrap'.

I love chorizo. So despite the fact that it came with chicken, of which I find too 'standard' to choose as a meat dish in a restaurant, I was prepared to be proved wrong. Unfortunately, while the chicken was succulent and there was plenty of it, the flavour on the outside was not replicated throughout the meat. I could only presume from this, that the chicken had been cooked separate from the chorizo, as this had a strong, powerful taste. The meat, mixed with peppers on a skewer, was laid on a bed of cooked onion, and served with chips. I also love onion, and chips. So this was pleasing.

The Chicken & Chorizo Skewer - looks good, but did the taste match up?

The BBQ Pulled Pork Wrap was most definitely wholesome

My partner, on deciding on the wrap, was met with derision by me. She had changed her mind from having a Pulled Pork Fajita, to a Pulled Pork wrap. What the difference is I'm not sure (probably just a swap of guacamole and salsa for salad), but I presumed as the wrap was some £4 cheaper, it wouldn't be as good. Whether I am correct or incorrect on that is up for discussion, but after a couple of bites of the 'wrap' I can say it was money well spent. And the size of the dish was impressive. The pork was beautifully tender, and although there was not masses of meat in the split wrap, the richness of it was just right. This was served by a generous portion of mixed salad with dressing and interestingly-coloured onion, coleslaw and skin-on fries.

Following an intense discussion of our rapidly-expanding waistlines, we decided that dessert, although sounding fantastic from the menu, would be ignored this time. We asked for the bill and were soon on our way from what I would say is my 'favourite chain restaurant'. I can imagine the service might be slower on a Friday night or Saturday, but as long as the food is piping hot, generous in portion, and varied in choice, I am of the opinion others might agree with me on that one. However, the £9.99 menu apart, the main menu might not be as cheap as other chain restaurants, but for amount of food you get, this can easily be forgotten. All in all good work Chiquito, and well done on looking after your customers!

Scores on the doors (out of 10)

Setting - 7
Service -9
Quality of food - 8
Cleanliness and decor -9

Total score  - 33/40

To make a booking for a Chiquito restaurant near you, click here

Could you conquer The Monster?

TGI Friday's, Covent Garden, soon filled up

Covent Garden, London is probably one of the busiest places to be in Autumn/Winter as the area gets ready to celebrate the festive season in its own, flamboyant style.

So a trip to review TGI Friday's left me feeling apprehensive, and the battle-plan was drawn on how to navigate through the tourist-majority crowds and then on how best to attract attention in what would blatantly be a full restaurant.

I was wrong on one count.

Yes, there were plenty of people milling about, making their way to see the Christmas carols being belted out by the market entrance, but once inside the American-themed eatery, there was the pleasant realisation that service should be decent judging by a fair amount of empty seats.

We had booked our table for 7pm on a Wednesday night, and after introducing ourselves to the front desk, we were shown to our seats, given a drinks and food menu with a cheerful smile.

One negative, which was fairly evident, was the size of the table and the close proximity not only to other diners, but also that it was right on the walkway. Also, there were a couple of sticky patches on the table, and a prawn on the floor underneath the table opposite caught my eye. But with the nature of the trade of TGI's it is near-impossible to keep on top of everything all the time, so an issue wasn't made of this.

Obviously the idea of the business is to get as many people in as possible, keeping the service prompt so as to keep a revolving door of custom. But this led to there already appearing to be an atmosphere of rush and bustle - waiters and waitresses were near-jogging around. But we will call this the American-themed enthusiastic atmosphere!


Paradise Punch

Strawberry Surprise

We ordered a cocktail each after being introduced to our friendly waitress for the evening, Bella. I plumped for the Paradise Punch, which was Southern Comfort, Luxardo Amaretto, BOLS Grenadine and SKYY vodka with pineapple, orange and lime juices. My partner was on the non-alcoholic cocktails for the evening, and went for the Strawberry Surprise, which was frozen strawberry, apple and pineapple juices topped with soda. (For cocktail menu, click here).

The only complaint I would say is that, the fruit juices perhaps overshadow some of the alcohol tones, but as some have told me recently, that's the trick of cocktails that keeps you ordering more. The Strawberry Surprise wasn't so much of a surprise as it went down well, although the strawberry flavour was a little too weak, which when the ice melts, tends to get lost completely.

All the while, the place was filling up, the noise-levels were rising, and the walkway next to our table was becoming more trafficy.

The Monster Burger - prior to being attacked

Finished - like a boss

We decided on mains only, and I knew even before getting there, what I was going to choose.

The Monster burger. A 12oz burger heaped with crispy bacon, sliced Colby cheese, Cajun-battered onion rings, and Friday's mayo on a toasted seeded bun with fresh cos lettuce, red onion and beef tomato. All served with crispy fries. (Click food menu, click here).

The menu asked the question 'can you handle it?' and the answer, proved by me, was yes (although it was a struggle)!

I felt like Adam Richman from the hit American TV programme Man v Food. I began to plan how to tackle the mound on my plate. The best idea would be to tackle the burger as priority, eating the chips sparingly even if it meant there would be quite a few left at the end. One plan went out the window immediately - there was no time for messing around with a knife and fork, this had to be done in real cave-man style.

The French Canadian Twisted Burger

So, despite not being able to get my mouth around the full height of the burger, I battled through, enjoying every minute of the succulent and gristle-free meat, perfectly complemented by a cool and refreshing sauce.

And in about 20 minutes, I had completed my task. Albeit some time after my partner, who went for the lighter French Canadian 'twisted burger'.

This was a grilled chicken breast basted with sweet Canadian maple syrup and topped with crispy bacon and creamy melted French brie, on a classic toasted bun with cos lettuce, beef tomato and red onion, served with a creamy garlic mayo.

Purple Rain, back, and Hawaiian Island
Surfer, front

The maple syrup was succinct and just-about sweet, however it was noted that the bun being sweet too, perhaps overloaded that particular taste. The chicken was well cooked and flavoursome on its own, without being overpowering.

During my intense war with The Monster, I ordered in another cocktail, Purple Rain.

This is Bacardi Superior rum, BOLS Blue Curacao, SKYY vodka and Chambord with a drizzle of BOLS Grenadine, it looked good, and tasted amazing - my same criticism that it was hard to distinguish the individual alcohols. However, the mix was refreshing and wickedly-coloured.

My partner went for the Hawaiian Island surfer, Peaches, pina colada, pineapple juice and orange sherbet, with vanilla flavor ice cream. This was a really flavoursome concoction, which maintained it's taste till the very end.

It was decided, after sweating my way through my mound of meat, that we would have hot drinks as our 'dessert,' I want for a cappuccino and my partner, as traditional as she is, went for a tea. They arrived well presented with enough sugar and milk.

The service throughout from Bella was excellent, she was always prepared to come over when I caught her eye, she also, and I think this is vital in the restaurant industry, gave her opinions and recommendations on the food and cocktail menu.

On summing up this restaurant, I would say it is somewhere you should go if you are really hungry. Although I can't make judgement on the salad and lighter options, it is a very main-meat orientated venue, and without trying a sizeable burger, steak or fajita you really would be missing out.

But don't rule out popping in for a cocktail - the variety is excellent, alcoholic and non-alcoholic. And perhaps during the week might be a good idea to beat the queues!

Scores on the doors (out of 10)

Setting - 7
Service - 8
Quality of food - 8
Cleanliness - 7

Total score  - 30/40

To make a booking for TGI Friday's, Covent Garden, click here

Enjoy some top-quality meat at TGI Friday's