Review: Tonkotsu

The Meat: With the recent surge of Ramen bars in London, the owners of Tsuru Sushi & Katsu opened Tonkotsu earlier last year on Dean Street. The menu is simple – three choices of Ramen (and one for the vegetarians), Gyoza and sides. But what the menu lacks in size, is comfortably made up for in quality. The noodles are made fresh at the restaurant (potentially, the first in London) and are very well balanced. The stock is rich, flavoursome and hits the spot perfectly on a winter’s day. All in all, there’s just a hearty, wholesome quality about the meal that transports you to a little Ramen bar in Asia. (Even if the ambiance is quite quintessentially Soho.)

Perfect for: A cold day

Who to take: Friends

Cuisine: Japanese – Ramen

Price: £20 with a drink

Area: Soho

The verdict: 4*

Other’s verdict: Time Out – 4*; Zagat – 19/30; Urbanspoon – 70%

Personal favourite:  Tonkotsu

Where to sit: Not up against the wall. Preferably upstairs.

Reservations: No reservations policy. It’s currently quite busy so you need to be prepared to queue.

Website: http://www.tonkotsu.co.uk

Address: 63 Dean Street, London W1D 4QG

Telephone: +44 (0)2074370071

We ordered: 

Tonkotsu – Rich, sea salt-based pork stock and thin noodles topped with slices of melt-in-the-mouth pork belly, half a seasoned soft-boiled egg, menma, bean sprouts and spring onions

Soho Ramen – Salt base, pork and chicken stock with medium think noodles topped with smoked haddock, pak choi, half an egg, menma and pspring onion

Review: Lucky Chip (Slider Bar) vs. The Player

The Meat: Opened in July 2011 selling out of a trailer in E8, expanded in to the The Seabright Arms in Bethnal Green in February 2012 and now occupies a permanent (most likely) residency at the Player in Soho. The menu has a choice of around 10 sliders, American for small burgers, including staples such as the Royale with Cheese as well as more inspired choices like the El Chappo (aged beef patty, smoked bacon, roasted jalapenos, blue cheese & aioli). You get to choose any combination of two for £10 or three for £14 if you’re really hungry. The burgers are amongst the best I have ever had anywhere – they aren’t particularly classic but they are juice-drippingly delicious. I’ve been at least 10-15 times since I first went and the embarrassing bit it is that wasn’t more than 2-3 months ago. The cocktails are great too as the Player is a Rushmore group (Milk & Honey, Danger of Death …) bar. I’d especially recommend the sharing cocktails section, even if you don’t really want to share it. The only negative is the terribly slow service. However, this seems to progressively be getting better.

Perfect for: Dinner & drinks to start your night (note that the burgers are quite messy though)

Who to take: Friends

Cuisine: Burgers

Price: £20 with a drink

Area: Soho

The verdict: 4* (The only reason it doesn’t get a 5* is the service)

Other’s verdict: Time Out – 4*; Evening Standard – 7.5

Personal favourite:  El Chappo & Pulled Pork

Where to sit: The booths at the back

Reservations: Only for groups 6+ and Rushmore members. Be prepared to wait on Thursday-Saturday night

Website: http://sliderbar.co.uk/

Address: 8 Broadwick Street, Soho, London W1F 8HN

Telephone: 020 7065 6841

We ordered: 

El Chappo – Aged beef patty, smoked bacon, roasted jalapenos, blue cheese & aioli

Pulled Pork – Pulled pork, coleslaw, pickles

The Apocalypso

Review: Bubble Dogs

The Meat: Gourmet hot dogs & champagne by chef James Knappett (Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley; Noma). The champagne list is extensive although only very few are available by the glass. The hot dogs are innovative and tasty but too small to be a meal in itself and too big to order a second. The venue is very small and the seats are uncomfortable to encourage a quick turnaround. However, the staff were all very friendly and happy to help. Overall, I felt slightly disappointed after all the hype. Then again, it might just be the hype that spoilt it for me. I will however return to try & (Kitchen table – a 19 seat space around the chef’s kitchen where he puts together a tasting menu for two sittings per day)

Perfect for: Informal work lunch; Casual evening dinner

Who to take: Friends

Cuisine: Speciality

Price: £25 for a hot dog, sides and a glass of champagne

Area: Fitzrovia

The verdict: 3*

Other’s verdict: Time Out – 3*; The Independent – 3*

Where to sit: The booths at the back which had back rests

Reservations: Reservations are only taken for groups of 6 or more. Be prepared to queue – another wonderful example of how no reservations restaurants seem to be doing so well of late

Website: http://www.bubbledogs.co.uk/

Address: 70 Charlotte Street, London W1T 4QG

Telephone: +44  (0)207 637 7770

We ordered: 

Sides: Tots; Sweet potato fries

Buffalo Dog: deep fried hot dog with spicy buffalo sauce, blue cheese, pickled celery and celery seeds

José: with salsa, avocado, sour cream and pickled jalepenos