Clarissa's Kopitiam

From sticky tables to silver spoons. Jom makan.

  • The Hillbilly Social

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes, if in the area
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Jamaican jerk chicken
    • Decor: Modern pub
    • Service: Chipper and friendly
    • Other thoughts: Has beer garden at the back

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Jamaican jerk chicken – Half chicken marinated in our spicy jerk sauce and slow-baked, peanut sauce, served with fried plantain OR rice & peas OR half & half
    • Sri-Lankan coconut fish curry – Served with basmati rice OR plain roti, poppadom and homemade chutney

    Price

    • Final bill: £18-£19 for mains

    Date

    • May 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Pepe Nero

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: Only if asked
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Modern Italian
    • Service: A bit slow
    • Other thoughts: N/a

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Fuoco Pizza – Pepperoni, chilli and jalapeno peppers
    • Pepe Nero Rigatoni – Fresh Italian sausage, mixed mushroom, tomato, cream and a touch of brandy

    Price

    • Final bill: £36 for 2 pax – a main each, 10.0% service charge

    Date

    • May 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Moss

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Lobster
    • Decor: Scandi-inspired minimalist
    • Service: Charming
    • Other thoughts: Creative Scottish fare; 100% Scottish sourced ingredients

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Table bread with sesame miso butter
    • BBQ waffle – potted brisket/ hazel fudge/ duck liver mousse/ beef garum/ porcini
    • Half Scottish lobster with crème fraîche/ signature shagback potatoes doused in need garum/ seasonal salad

    Price

    • Final bill: £82 for 2 pax – shared one starter, a main each, one glass of wine, 12.5% service charge

    Date

    • May 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • La Bottega (also known as Ricardo’s)

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes, if in the area
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Mock Mediterranean outdoor vibes in London zone 3/4 curbside
    • Service: Charming
    • Other thoughts: Daily changing menu by a one-man-band, outdoor seating only

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Olive focaccia with pesto
    • Lasagne
    • Truffle pasta bake
    • Sausage and cheese plate

    Price

    • Final bill: £86 for 3 pax including a bottle of lambrusco

    Date

    • May 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Stockbridge Eating House

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Provencal fish stew
    • Decor: Relaxed communal
    • Service: Charming
    • Other thoughts: Restaurant sign is BELLS DINER; very confusing!

    Dish(es) savoured

    Set lunch

    • Bread, olives and saucisson
    • Provencal fish stew
    • Dripping chips
    • House salad
    • Chocolate mousse

    Price

    • Final bill: £14.95 w/o service charge

    Date

    • May 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Xi’an BiangBiang Noodles, London Bridge Branch

    Verdict

    2/5: Wouldn’t bother

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: No
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Canteen
    • Service: Attentive. Disproportionate table: staff ratio.
    • Other thoughts: Bland despite sauce overload

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Beef slices in Sichuan style
    • Signature pork dumpling in mild special spicy sauce
    • Hand-pulled BiangBiang noodles with beef in special sauce
    • Hand-pulled Belt noodles with cumin lamb

    Price

    • Final bill: £22 pp including tea

    Date

    • May 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Ekachai, Kings Cross

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Salmon fish curry
    • Decor: Asian cafe
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Convenient for catching the train from KX; never too busy

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Thai Crackers – Classic Thai prawn flavoured crackers, served with sweet chilli dip
    • Chicken Satay – Marinated chicken on skewers served with peanut sauce, cucumber and onion garnish
    • Crispy Squid with Sichuan Peppercorn – Lightly battered and deep fried calamari with Sichuan peppercorn, fried garlic, chilli & lime
    • Salmon Fish Curry & jasmine rice – Malaysian fish curry with Salmon, asparagus and tomato
    • Nasi Goreng & fried egg – Famous Malaysian wok fried rice with seafood or chicken, egg, diced vegetables, cucumber and tomato

    Price

    • Final bill: £80 for 3 pax – shared starters, a main each, two beers, 10.0% service charge

    Date

    • May 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Samsi, Manchester

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Japanese dining
    • Service: Quick
    • Other thoughts: Affordable, alternative option: 12-piece Chef’s Choice Uramaki Selection

    Dish(es) savoured

    Express Lunch Menu

    • Miso Soup
    • Chicken Karaage
    • Vegetable Tempura
    • Takoyaki
    • Soft Drink

    Price

    • Final bill: £11, 10% service charge

    Date

    • May 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Dishoom, Manchester

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Okra Fries
    • Decor: Modern contemporary
    • Service: Efficient
    • Other thoughts: Amazing mocktails

    Dish(es) savoured

    DINNERTIME FEAST

    Small plates

    • NEW KEEMA PAU – Perked-up Irani café classic: earthy-aromatic minced lamb, studded with peas, distinguished with subtle dill and warning lindi pepper. Arrayed with slices of toastd, buttered pau
    • OKRA FRIES – Fine lady’s fingers for the fingers
    • BHEL – Puffed rice, peanuts and Bombay Mix tossed with fresh pomegranate, tomato, onion, lime, tamarind, mint

    Grills

    • CHICKEN TIKKA – A family recipe, using a marinade of sweet vinegar, not yoghurt. Laced with ginger, turmeric, garlic and green chilli
    • SHEEKH KABAB – Minced lamb is marinated with green chilli, coriander and cumin, then grilled

    Biryani & Ruby Murray

    • AWADHI JACKFRUIT BIRYANI – Sturdy, savoury jackfruit and delicately flavoured rice, potted, sealed and cooked the traditional way. Adorned with barberries and sultanas
    • CHICKEN RUBY – Tender chicken in a rich silky makhani sauce. A good and proper curry

    House black daal

    • A Dishoom signature dish. It is cooked over 24 hours for extra harmony

    Side dishes

    • NAAN – Freshly baked in the tandoor
    • ROOMALI ROTI – Soft handkerchief-thin bread
    • KACHUMBER – A messy to-do of cucumber, onion and tomato
    • RAITA – Delicate minty-cucumber yoghurt

    Puddings

    • KULFI – A sweet frozen treat. Creamy Malai, proper Pistachio or sweet real Mango

    Drink(s) sipped

    • Dishoom House Chai
    • Sober Summer Negroni – Green apple and apricot, no-alcohol gin, no-alcohol vermouth, no-alcohol bitter syrup
    • Passionfruit lime coriander sharbet

    Price

    • N/a – Work dinner

    Date

    • May 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Naroon Marylebone

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: Only if asked
    • Standout dish(es): The grills
    • Decor: Sleek
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: TheFork frequently offers discounts

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Sangak Bread – Traditional Persian flat-bread with sesame
    • Mirza Ghasemi – Smoked aubergine, tomatoes and garlic, topped with a fried egg
    • Vaziri – One skewer of Jujeh and one skewer of Koobideh

    Drink(s) sipped

    • Persian Tea

    Price

    • Final bill: £26 pp

    Date

    • December 2024

    Clarissa Ching

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