The 10 Cases

Absolute gem of a place in the otherwise touristy track of Covent Garden. Simple, uncomplicated, and with a small, but perfectly balanced menu, this place is a great place to stop by (early) for an after work glass of wine or two. 

They only buy 10 cases of each red and white and when they're gone, they're gone, so there's bound to always be something new to try. Also, they don't place an extortionate markup on the wine and even the food is sensibly priced (£5-6 for a small plate of smoked duck or grilled octopus, both of which were great).

The downside is that the place is small (just 10 tables and half a dozen bar stools) but it does take reservations which is just as well as it gets very busy later in the week. Definitely a place worth going to.   

  The 10 Cases 

   
   16 Endell Street

   London WC2H 9BD

   (020) 7836 6801

    http://www.the10cases.co.uk

Pulino' Bar & Pizzeria

So it's back to the Big Apple for a slice of its best from Pulino's Bar & Pizzeria in the Bowery.

A relative newcomer and technically not just a pizza joint, but with pizza this deliciously chewy and having a charred crust, it doesn't get much better than this.

http://www.pulinosny.com

Pulino' Bar & Pizzeria
282 Bowery
New York, NY 10012
(212) 226 1966

Fratelli la Bufala

Back to the pizza today. Another of Time Out’s finalists, this Hampstead Heath eatery has good bread and olive oil, but the pizzas don’t have the pizzazz of other places in town and the ingredients could be better. Some of them looked canned to me. 

But, the place does the business so others must see something I don’t. I’m more a fan of thin, foldable, NY style pizza which this is not, but in a pinch, this will do nicely.

Fratelli la Bufala

45A South End Road

London NW3 2QB

(020) 7435 7814

http://www.fratellilabufala.eu/

Sunday Morning

Sunday mornings in London are odd. There really isn’t the New York style brunch rush with people lining up outside their favourite eateries just to snag a spot. In fact, up until relatively recently, most places didn’t open until noon and going back 20 years, nothing opened at all. Yes there are the hotels the faux Brassieres but aside from The Wolseley on Piccadilly, there aren’t many American style places about. 

One place I did feel like having proper Pancakes was at Automat in Dover Street. Buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup and blueberries.  Clinton Street this is not, but it’s about as good as you’ll get short of making them yourself.

AUTOMAT

33 Dover Street

Mayfair

London W1S 4NF

(020 7499) 3033 

http://www.automat-london.com

Not Masa Per Se

All good things come to those who wait. And so it goes at Chef Michael Lomonaco’s Upper West Side eatery located in Columbus Circle. Putting aside the fabulous starters (octopus salad anyone?) and hearty mains (just about every prime cut imaginable), as you’d expect from this pedigree and price point, the desserts are equally as delicious.

Take this rich chocolate cake/pie hybrid with Chantilly cream and vanilla bean ice cream.  The only thing better is the view across Central Park as you devour this decadent dish.  I hear rumours of a South Carolina layered coconut cake on the menu so that’ll warrant further investigation.

Porter House New York

10 Columbus Circle, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10019

(212) 823 9500

http://www.porterhousenewyork.com/index.html

Mitoushi Sushi

When in NYC, people will tell you to “get out to the boroughs” and so today's dish comes from Brooklyn. Okay, so that’s not exactly miles away (unless you're an UES er) but I least I left the island.

Fresh, simple, elegant, and very tasty, this sampler platter makes for a good, light lunch. Perfect to fuel the trip back across the East River.

Mitoushi Sushi

177 Atlantic Ave

Brooklyn, NY 11201

(718) 935 1600

http://mitoushinewyork.com

Fry Day

Sometimes, even if not a Friday, only fish will do! And some of the very best can be found at the Golden Hind in Marylebone. Don’t let the rather tired decor fool you. Crispy batter ensconces perfectly cooked cod (or haddock) accompanied with steaming hot chips and mushy peas. Portions are large, fairly priced, and will definitely fill you up.

BYOB and no corkage makes this a great Friday (or any day) lunch place. Doors open at noon and every seat in the house is packed in minutes, so either go early, or towards the end of lunch service.

Best fish and chips in London? Legally speaking, perhaps.

 The Golden Hind

  73 Marylebone Lane

  London W1U 2PN

  (020) 7486 3644

Best Pizza in London?

The Santa Margherita from Time Out’s winner of best pizza in London, Santa Maria Pizzeria in Ealing, west London. All 16 seats at this tiny eatery were grabbed shortly after opening at noon until end of service with a line outside the entire time (though 10 more seats have since been added to help alleviate lines). Yes, this might well be the best pizza in London. Definitely requires a further visit.

Santa Maria Pizzeria  

15 St. Mary’s Road, London W5 5RA  

(020) 8579 1462

http://www.santamariapizzeria.com