Clarissa's Kopitiam

From sticky tables to silver spoons. Jom makan.

  • Dory’s, Margate

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Charred hispi cabbage
    • Decor: Minimalist beachside bar
    • Service: Knowledgeable and passionate about food sustainability & the community. Very slow; 30mins+ to get the bill.
    • Other thoughts: Sister restaurant to Angela’s (Michelin green star). Daily changing menu depending on what is fresh from the boats.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Sourdough & butter
    • Raw bream, cucumber, chilli
    • Hispi, germolata, sunflower seeds
    • Torched mackerel, basil, tomato, yoghurt
    • Cod’s roe, devilled eggs
    • Vanilla ice-cream
    • Chocolate truffles

    Drink(s) sipped

    • Sipello – English gooseberry liqueur served over ice and lemon

    Price

    • Final bill: £42pp

    Date

    • June 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , ,

  • Akara

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): BBQ Prawn Akara
    • Decor: Modern minimalist
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Sister restaurant to Akoko (one Michelin)

    Dish(es) savoured

    Lunch Set Menu

    • BBQ Prawn Akara
    • Lagos Chicken
    • Efik Rice

    Price

    • Final bill: £28, 13.5% service charge

    Date

    • June 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , ,

  • Sargasso, Margate

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: Only if asked
    • Standout dish(es): The aubergine (daily special)
    • Decor: Minimalist beachside bar
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Odd toilets; “fancy” outdoor standalone toilets where you have to request for the key

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Sourdough & salted butter
    • Chorizo picante
    • Boquerones & paprika vinegar
    • Aubergine (daily special)
    • Squid sandwich
    • Lemon sole, tomato & nduja

    Price

    • Final bill: £46pp

    Date

    • June 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , , ,

  • Okan Southbank

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Okonomiyaki (Osaka-style)
    • Decor: 1970/80s Japanese izakaya
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Hidden gem in Waterloo

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Okan special okonomiyaki – King prawn, squid, kimchi & corn + fried egg (extra)

    Price

    • Final bill: £19 for one main

    Date

    • June 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , , ,

  • Granger & Co.

    Verdict

    2/5: Wouldn’t bother

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: No
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Modern Australian cafe
    • Service: Odd
    • Other thoughts: Overpriced, mediocre. Strange how staff was cleaning tables and chairs with soapy water throughout the evening.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Parmesan crumbed chicken schnitzel, creamed corn, nashi pear and kohlrabi slaw

    Price

    • Final bill: £29 for one main only, 12.5% service charge

    Date

    • June 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , ,

  • Mirin

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Monkfish skewers
    • Decor: Canteen, almost hawker-like
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Creative Asian-inspired small plates. Bigger portions than expected; 4 dishes with one noodle dish for 2 pax sufficient. Food comes when ready.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Dumplings – Wild boar & bacon, chilli & kaffir lime broth
    • Hot chicken – Korean-style fried boneless chicken thigh, Carolina Reaper & Gochujang glaze, nori mayo, chilli, togarashi, fresh green peppercorns, spring onions
    • Monkfish – BBQ monkfish cheek, alphonso mango, guanciale, furikake
    • Jersey royals – Crispy potatoes, fried egg, soy-cured egg yolk, gochujang mayo, spring onions
    • Mutton curry – Braised shoulder and BBQ loin of dry-aged Hardwick mutton, curry sauce, kohlrabi raita
    • Hand ripped noodles – Roe deer curry, black pudding, daikon, chilli crunch, spring onions, fresh green peppercorns, spiced cashews, dirty egg

    Drink(s) sipped

    • Moonwake Saffron Rice Lager 5.0% 440ml
    • Spicy Margarita – Almave blue agave spirit (0.5%) infused with red chilli, agave, lime juice, chilli. 100ml serve.

    Price

    • Final bill: £115 for 2 pax, 10.0% service charge. Over-ordered by 1-2 dishes, but no regrets!

    Date

    • June 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , ,

  • Little Capo

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Focaccia
    • Decor: Retro
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: N/a

    Dish(es) savoured

    • House-Baked Focaccia
    • Pappardelle, ox cheek ragù, celeriac

    Price

    • Final bill: £55 for 2 pax including a beer, 10.0% service charge

    Date

    • June 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , , ,

  • Panda & Sons

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Prohibition style speakeasy (underground)
    • Service: Knowledgeable
    • Other thoughts: Go early if you don’t have a reservation

    Drink(s) sipped

    • Solasta
    • Crimson Summit (mocktail)

    Price

    • Final bill: £26 including 10% service charge

    Date

    • June 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , ,

  • Masala Zone, Convent Garden

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Goan Spiced Crab Cake
    • Decor: Upmarket Indian Eatery
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Decent option for inexpensive Indian in central London w/o needing a reservation

    Dish(es) savoured

    Sharing Grazing Selection

    • Dahi Puri
    • Lamb Sliders
    • Cheese Balls
    • Goan Spiced Crab Cake
    • Chicken Wings
    • Nachos Sprouted Chaat
    • Baby Squid Chilli Fry

    Price

    • Final bill: £30 pp

    Date

    • February 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , ,

  • Hectors

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: Only if asked
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Traditional pub
    • Service: Good, slow
    • Other thoughts: Meal took an hour to arrive

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Traditional Sunday Roast, Sirloin of Beef – Hand-carved, 21-day-aged roast beef with roast potatoes, glazed parsnips, thyme roasted carrots, long-stem broccoli, a Yorkshire pudding and gravy
    • Ocean Fish & Chips – Hand-battered haddock & breaded wholetail Scottish scampi. Chunky chips, mushy peas and tartare sauce

    Price

    • Final bill: £50 total for two mains and a beer, no service charge

    Date

    • June 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , ,