Bytes: 3868 X-Wren-Trace: eNv+1tfOicOImMfB14jN283PzszH/4LM1tjbltHAjI7fncqDgdWYm4CDkY+CyQ== Date: Thu, 01 Jun 2000 03:13:09 -0700 NNTP-Posting-Host: 10.0.2.16 X-Complaints-To: [email removed] X-Trace: WReNphoon4 959854488 10.0.2.16 (Thu, 01 Jun 2000 03:14:48 PDT) NNTP-Posting-Date: Thu, 01 Jun 2000 03:14:48 PDT Xref: usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu uk.food+drink.restaurants:2991 Firstly, Del Buongustaio (I think it's spelt that way) in Putnye (Putney Bridge Road). Not a big place, nor one that looks especially promising upon arrival. It's small and cramped - the tables are VERY close together. However, the food is a delight. It's Italian, but not as we know it, Jim. Rather, if you're simply expecting pizza and spagbog it's possibly not the best choice. However, if you're looking for Italian food that's cooked with care and imagination and is a bit different from the norm, then this is the place for you. Opinion varies quite considerably on this place - some love it, it leaves others cold. The menu seems to change pretty regularly (although I've only been three times over the last year) and features some real gems. The menu is pretty heavy with meat and fish, and the only starter worth considering is the 'plate of savouries' (bascially a terrific take on antipasti). The puddings always look great, but I have the cheese - again, it changes pretty regularly and is always delicious (if you like cheese, of course). The wine list is pretty extensive, undeniably interesting and there's a pretty good choice at the cheaper end. The toilets aren't great, by the way (some people like to know). We usually spend £50-60 for two, including wine and coffee. And I think it's great and well worth a visit. Secondly, the Blue Elephant in Fulham (Fulham Broadway). An old friend of mine used to say that if a date took her there then she'd sleep with him on principle! And she's not a cheap date, you'll do well to get out without paying £100 for two. The Blue Elephant styles itself as 'Royal Thai' - and ingredients are flown in fresh from Thailand every week. Inside, the place itself is amazing. The very friendly and efficient staff are dressed as extras from the King and I, and the large dining area is divided by what look like hedges into much smaller spaces, so you're never really aware of the size of the place. In addition, there are streams and pools with koi carp dotted around the floor, with bridges to carry you safely over them. One review I read said it was like eating in a theme park (although in a nice way) and it's true - it's certainly different to so much of London's trendy minimalism. Modernist this ain't. The simplest option foodwise is to ignore the a la carte menu and just go for one of the 'banquet' options - they'll bring you a bit of pretty much everything and it takes the trouble out of ordering. The food itself is lovely. One stand out was the satay chicken which came with the best satay sauce I have ever eaten in my life (I love Thai so eat it a fair bit). other dishes were cooked well, tasted fresh and presented exquisitely. Service is discreet but attentive. I'd love to tell you what we had, but can't. We had some of the usual favourites in Thai places, but other dishes came which we had no idea what they were. Happily, they were rather good. One rather unappealing looking dish arrived which appeared to have lumps of battered fish in gravy. It wasn't gravy of course, but tasted delicious anyway. The fish was battered, but was light and crisp and better than you get in most chippies (it tasted disconcertingly like a decent chip shop fish should, but tends not to). But to be honest, the experience of the place is as much of a reason for coming here as the food itself. The decor won't be to everyone's tastes, and it is expensive (although I didn't feel it was overpriced for the food that we ate) but it's well worth a visit, just to see what it's like. Certainly one of the most unforgettable restuarants I've been to! The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet - Free! Article 2997 of uk.food+drink.restaurants:
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