Resto London - February 2015 Edition

D i n i n G | V A L E n T i n E S P E C i A L O F F E R S | T h E A T R E | j A z z | O P E R A

w w w . R E S T O . L O n D O n

London Boroughs of

Barnet, Enfield & haringeyjan 2015 - Mar 2015 - Bi-Monthly | issue no.2 | FREE

ValentineSpecial Edition

Rise of Global Buffet

Restaurants

Try Something NewGreek

MezedesNew Year’s

Detox Diets

Pub Food vs

Restaurant Food

BestAphrodisiacs

TM

Crestolondon Mrestolondon

With the UK economy picking up, inflation down to a 14-year low of 0.5% last December and oil prices also falling, the North London restaurant scene is buzzing again as people have more disposable money to spend eating out. Competition between an increasing number of eating houses intensifies in 2015 as new restaurants are opening every month while others undergo complete refurbishment to meet the demands of today’s more sophisticated diners. The few remaining independently-owned pubs are being forced to invest heavily to match the high standards of other establishments now owned by large groups. As the discerning North London diner has never been more spoilt for choice, the pressure is on restaurants & pubs this year to raise their game and promote themselves using right channels to win new customers.

The new Resto London is a dedicated and quality restaurant guide covering affluent areas of North London, going into homes, businesses and public places. Based within easy reach at the North London Business Park in New Southgate, we understand the local restaurant landscape, its challenges and financial constraints. We are therefore in a good position to help you plan your print and digital campaign for 2015 at a budget tailor-made for your wallet.

Let’s talk.

Faz HydaPublisher07932 085 1810203 617 [email protected]

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Kirsty Heslewood reveals her diet

AphrodisiacFoods

How to Detox

The GreekCuisine

BeingAdventurous

Pub vRestaurant

GlobalBuffet

Contents

Publishing Director: Faz Hyda Editor: Michael Ball Journalists: William Mathieson Advertising: Hyda & Reed Publications Production & Photography: Ritz Media Production Distribution: HRP Social Media: Ritz Social Media Contributors: Kirsty Heslewood, Dimitris Demetriou, Elijah Stevens & Steve Johnstone

For information about advertising, Flyer design, Printing & Distribution:Tel: 0203 617 1864 | Mob: 07932 085 181 | Email: [email protected]

Disclaimer: Resto London is published by Hyda & Reed Publications which is a trading name for Hyda Consulting Limited, a company registered in England and Wales. Registered office: Building 3, NLBP, Oakleigh Road South, New Southgate, London N11 1GN. While every effort has been made to ensure that information is correct at the time of going to print, Resto London cannot be held responsible for the outcome of any action or decision based on the information contained in this publication/website. The publishers and authors do not give any warranty for the completeness or accuracy for this publication’s content, explanation or opinion. No part of this publication and associated website may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without prior written permission of the Publisher. Permission is only deemed valid if approval is obtained in writing to buy all rights to contributions, designs, text and images.

photo by: David Freeman Photography

4 | resto.london | JANUARY - MARCH 2015

What Keeps MissWorld-UKso slim...

Typical Day for Kirsty

Miss World-UK 2013/14 Kirsty Rose Heslewood competed in the Miss World Final, representing England in a month long competition in Bali throughout September 2013. She was placed 6th out of a record number of 131 countries. She was the top ranked UK girl gaining her the title Miss World-UK.

Kirsty needs to keep fit and in shape for her modelling career but thinks everybody should eat a sensible diet.

Kirsty is and always has had a love for good food.

With a holiday home in the South of France, Kirsty developed a palette for healthy food as well as lifestyle. She says a balance of good food with regular, gentle exercise is necessary for a healthy mind and body.

The odd glass of wine and occasional piece of Chocolate is acceptable of course. Keeping to a strict diet is never easy so eat little and often and if you do want to treat yourself make sure it’s in moderation. Fruit and nuts are always a good snack because the body burns them off quickly.

BREAKFAST Porridge Oats with warm Semi-Skimmed Milk with slices of Fresh Banana Cup of Green Tea

SNACK Handful of Dried Fruit & Nuts

Fruit Juice Smoothie: Blitz Fresh & Frozen Fruit with Yoghurt, Honey & Kale

LUNCH Sweet Potato Jacket with Tuna and Sweetcorn Salad Leaves drizzled with a little Olive Oil or Light Dressing Chilled Sparkling Water resh Fruit i.e. Apple or Orange

SNACK Granola Bar Cup of Fruit Tea

DINNER Piece of Meat or Fish, lots of Steamed Vegetables with a little Stock or Jus. A Few Dates or Apricots

During the day I drink plenty of Still Water and Green Tea and if I do fancy a snack I have a Piece of fruit or a handful of Dried Fruit or Nuts.

photo by: Fresh Photography - Watford

Healthy Living


Editor’sNote...It’s hard to believe that we’re already coming up on the second month of 2015, where did the last few months go? And while we’re at it, where did the last few years go?Anyway, enough focussing on how we got to where we are, as it’s now February time, and that can mean only one thing when it comes to restaurants and dining, Valentine’s day. As you have no doubt noticed when you saw the cover, we have a bit of a special issue in store for you, with a host of articles looking at one of the busiest days of the year, as well as more goings on in the north London restaurant and food scene.While we would never be presumptuous about what people like to get up to on Valentine’s night when the eating is over, William Mathieson has written a great piece on aphrodisiac food recommendations, just to set the mood of course! This issue’s guest writer is the fantastic Kirsty Heslewood, Miss UK-World 2013, who’s written all about her diet. We’re also taking a look at what happens when cuisines from around the world come together under one roof with the rise of global buffet and sticking with the international dining scene, Greek Meze gets the once over from Dimitris Demetriou. As the proud editor of this new dedicated food magazine, I have to think about why so many people keep going back to the same restaurants for the same meal, as well as the competition for diners between pubs and restaurants. If you’re one of the thousands in London who have been partaking in Dry January, or just trying to be healthier for the new year, we have a great write up of the best food to help you detox in the aftermath of the festive season.

Make sure to have a read through, and remember that we always love to hear your feedback via Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and we will make sure to respond to every email we receive. Feel free to contact me on the details at the bottom of this page. Lastly, as someone who has spent more Valentine’s Days in front of the TV alone than in a restaurant opposite a date, it’s important to remember two things; one is that the fantastic meal you take your loved one for on February 14 is also available on most of the other 364 days of the year, so don’t make this day a one off! The second is that even if you have no date for Valentine’s, good food remains good food, and it’ll be waiting for you when you meet the person you’d most like to share it with, oh, and there’s nothing wrong with a takeaway, even on the 14th day of February!See you in April!

Michael BallEditor

@michaeleball

photo by: AlphaLicense: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode


It’s that time of year, when love is in the air, and a special meal for that special someone is the perfect way to say, ‘I love you.’

But with so many dining options on the menu in London, what does one choose to ensure Valentine’s night goes off with a bang? And what should be on the menu to guarantee that love is in the air?

Since the dawn of time there have been myths and old wives’ tales attached to the power of certain foods to induce feelings of love and lust. But, behind the legends, the power of aphrodisiacs is actually rooted in science, and by picking the right ingredients, nature will take its course and ensure that the meal ends on the right note. Perhaps the most famous aphrodisiac, is the [not so] humble oyster, as nutritional therapist, Laurel Alper (www.laurelalper.co.uk) explains. Oysters have a very high zinc content, something also found in red meat - hence the term red-blooded male - and in terms of boosting arousal, in Alper’s terms “oysters are number one.”

Although one might not think a curry is the way forward in an attempt to woo someone, Alper also recommends spicing up your life with the inclusion of chilli peppers. As well as the colour red, which offers visual stimulation, as the symbol of love, the active ingredient within chilli also triggers the release of feel-good

endorphins, which “speeds up the heart rate and mimics the feeling of love.”

At the opposite end of the spectrum, avocado is abundant in vitamin E, which is essential for ensuring you look your best on the big night. A diet rich in vitamin E, Alper says, is crucial to maintaining a healthy complexion.

But whether you choose to go hot or cold for the main course, dessert should comprise three key ingredients: chocolate, bananas and honey.

In her line of work, Alper is loathe to recommend chocolate, but as Valentine’s night is a special occasion, indulging in something naughty is allowed as a one-off and its associative effect on the psyche is obvious.

Bananas though, contain a key active ingredient known as bromelain, which in men triggers the production of testosterone, the key to male arousal. They are also rich in vitamin B, which boosts energy, “and might encourage people to take their clothes off!”

The boron found in honey will induce the same effect in women, Alper explains, as it catalyses the production of the female arousal hormone, oestrogen.

So while these lustful foods may not go hand in hand, if you want to leave the restaurant on Valentine’s night hand in hand with your loved one, you should make sure there are one or two on the menu. People often say there is no logic or reason to love, but the science behind aphrodisiac foods says otherwise. And anyway, there is no harm in giving yourself an additional culinary boost on the big night!

A recipe forseduction

the key ingredients for A perfect VAlentine's

by William Mathieson


Since opening its doors in 2013, Warda has established itself as one of the best places in Southgate to enjoy a healthy lunch or dinner whilst not breaking the bank.

Serving Lebanese dishes, the restaurant has a strong focus on making sure the food they serve is good for you, and they manage to do this at the same time as maintaining the quality that ensures their menu is packed full of delicious options. Despite seeming to be a meat focussed menu, Warda does a great job of catering for a variety of dietary requirements, with vegetarians, vegans and coeliacs all well represented.

For lunches, there really are few places where you can eat quality food on such a sensible budget. The sandwich platters are sold, eat in or to take away, for just £4.50 and include an excellent wrap. Try the Chicken Shawarma, and as your choice of a side, go for the delicious tabbouleh salad if you’re on a health kick, or chips if you’re really hungry. The main dishes at Warda are just as friendly on the wallet, with great meze options starting at an incredibly reasonable £1.20 each, and platters including six mezes and two skewers from £18 that would comfortably feed two.

Southgate is not short on good value and high quality establishments, but Warda may just be the best of the lot. So, definitely give it a try when you are in the area.

WArdAw w w . w a r d a r e s t a u r a n t . c o . u k

by Michael Ball@michaeleball

Advertorial


For many, after the excesses of the Christmas period, the new year brings with it a sense of foreboding and guilt and the desire to get fit and shed off the extra pounds acquired through over-indulgence. In their droves, people adopt new health and fitness regimes and vow to change their eating habits. But let’s be honest, January is bleak enough without partaking in a bout of self-flagellation; puritanical diets can make the joys of Christmas seem that little more distant, and the return to work all too real.

Depriving oneself of an evening out with friends, or a special meal with a loved one,

because it contravenes that New Year’s Resolution will only breed unhappiness and is actually counter-productive.

However, contrary to popular belief, it is possible to eat healthily and follow a dietary plan without putting pay to your social life. Resto London spoke to Dr Heather Hartwell, respected dietary academician and Professor in Food Service and Applied Nutrition at Bournemouth University, about how to eat healthily while continuing to enjoy your food.

“More people than ever are eating out, on more occasions, and spending more - hence the energy contribution that these occasions

A culinaryResolutionby William Mathieson

photo by: Rebecca Taylor

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make towards the diet has increased. Although estimates vary, in the UK, for example, the number of people eating out at least once per week has risen from 15 per cent to 20 per cent, suggesting that this has now become an integral part of the way of life.

“When we eat out we consume more calories, more fat and more saturated fat than we do at home, hence adding to the obesogenic environment. Therefore, cuisines that rely on healthy ingredients would be more conducive to a healthy lifestyle.

“[A prime example of healthy eating is] Asian cuisine, where there is a reliance on fish, and vegetables cooked in unsaturated fat/oil. The portion sizes are moderate and the cooking style such that ingredients are not deep fried or smothered in butter.”

So, if you’re trying to decide where you should eat, and diet is a concern, it might be best to go Thai. Because, while other Asian cuisines - namely Indian and Chinese food - are heavily reliant on deep fried ingredients and oils, Thai food places a heavy emphasis on spices for flavour. And many of the spices that are abundant in Thai cuisine - chillies, galangal, ginger have a positive effect on the metabolism, while helping to reduce blood pressure.

Alongside these spices, dishes are often served in aesthetically pleasing portions, which tend towards the smaller side, while there is evidence to suggest that eating with chopsticks reduces the amount of food consumed overall. The ingredients used in Thai food invariably also comprise lean meat or seafood. Steamed vegetables too, are the most common side dish. And far from being unhealthy, these food groups will actually have a positive effect on the body and its constitution, making Thai cuisine the ideal choice if you’re looking to eat well and stay fit in 2015.

Healthy Eating

A culinaryResolution...continued

grAnolA BAr recipeA few chopped dates, coconut, cranberries, raisins, oats, cashews, pistachios, almonds, walnuts, brazils. Mix together with mashed Banana and Honey – form into biscuit shapes and cook for 10 mins at 180 degrees.

seA BAss With fennel seedPlace fish in foil, drizzle lightly with Olive Oil and sprinkle with fennel seeds. Wrap loosely. Bake in Oven for 20mins AT 180 degrees. Serve with Steamed Vegetables and Jacket Potato.This can be adapted for Salmon with Pesto and Tomato served with Sweet Jacket Potato alternative.

heAlthy recipes

kirstyhesleWood



Starters ~

Tiger King Prawns and Pan-Fried Scallops,

Served in a creamy basil and garlic sauce accompanied by a tomato and

rocket salad

‘Cuori Rossi’ Red Heart Shaped Pasta,Filled with buffalo mozzarella, tomato

and basil, served on a bed of rocket salad

Arancina Funghi,Saffron infused rice ball filled with

mozzarella, mushrooms and béchamel sauce coated in breadcrumbs

Mains~

Charcoal Grilled T-bone steak,Served with a creamy Diana sauce,

roast potatoes, cubed porcini mushrooms and vine cherry tomatoes

Seafood Cod Wrapped in Smoked Scottish Salmon with Herb Butter,

Alongside grilled vegetables and roast potatoes

Honey-Roasted breast Of Duck,With griottine cherries and grilled

vegetables

Desserts~

Frisson, Raspberry and mango sorbets

Corbeille De Fruits,Vanilla ice cream and forest fruits

sorbet, coated with raspberry sauce and topped with a chocolate disc, a cherry, a

raspberry and a sugar leaf

Chocolate and Orange Soufflé, Rich chocolate soufflé with a chocolate

and orange liquid centret

Treat Your Loved One This Valentine’s Day

£35 per head

a choice of one

dish from each

course

18 The Green. Winchmore Hill, London, N21 1AY.

020 8882 4066

OPENING TIMESMon - Thurs: 12:00 - 23:30Fri & Sat: 12:00 - 24:00Sun: 12:00 - 23:30

www.greekonthegreen.co.uk


Greek cuisine is a Mediterranean cuisine with an incredibly rich and diverse array of foods and drinks. The Greeks from Greece and Cyprus have their own different traditional dishes all of which share a common affinity being all ingredients are fresh and organic.

The climate for both Greece and Cyprus is perfect for growing olive and lemon trees, producing two of the most important elements of Greek cooking. Spices, garlic and other herbs such as oregano, basil, mint and thyme are widely used.

With 20 percent of Greece made up of islands

- and no part of the Greek mainland more than 90 miles from the sea, seafood is common part of the Greek diet that includes squid, octopus, prawns and a variety of fish from the Mediterranean sea. The Greeks are also famous for their love of meat.

Lamb and goat are the traditional meats of holidays and festivals, and poultry, beef and pork are also in plentiful supply. Vineyards cover much of Greece’s hilly terrain and the country has become known for its array of fine wines and spirits that include Ouzo and Zivania.

&Greek Cuisinethe Traditional Greek Meze

by Dimitris Demetriou@relyrecruitment

Foods of the World

FULL GREEK MEZE for two - Babinondas - Palmers Green photo by: Dimitris Demetriou


Here in London, there are many Greek restaurants that offer a variety of meals that include the famous Greek Meze (aka mezethes). This consists of hot and cold appetizers (orektika in Greek) that are intended to whet the appetite for the meal to come, these include a variety of dips, grilled mushroom, haloumi cheese, lounza then followed by pre-mains such as king prawns and calamari.

The mains include charcoal grilled fish, souvla, pork and chicken souvlaki along with a traditional refreshing Greek salad. It is common for groups of family and friends to gather or go out for mezethes, share several of these delightful dishes, a drink, conversation and laughter. The little plates are shared by everyone at the table, which not only provides a wonderful variety of flavour and texture sensations, but also creates the kind of happy, convivial (perhaps noisy) atmosphere for which Greeks are well known.

photo by: Ritz Media Production

MIXED KEBABS on a bed of riceGreek on the Green - Winchmore Hill


In the two years since the restaurant has opened, Greek on the Green has gained a reputation as one of the finest restaurants in Winchmore Hill, and one of the best for Greek food in the whole of North London. Many traditional dishes from Greece are on the menu, along with some served with a twist, such as jerk chicken and BBQ ribs.

George, the friendly owner of Greek on the Green, runs the restaurant along with his family, and they have just started serving breakfast (available from 11am) to go along with their lunch and dinner menus. As well as this, the restaurant has recently introduced a Sunday roast and buffet to their weekend menus.

This Valentine’s day Greek on the Green are serving a fantastic three course set menu, with

quality greek dining with a twist


dishes including Tiger King Prawn and Pan Fried Scallops, Chargrilled T-Bone Steak and Chocolate & Orange Soufflé, all for a fantastic price of £35 per person. Make sure to book as far in advance as you can, as we don’t expect there will be any tables left come Feb 14th! To book your table, just call 020 8882 4066.

The cosy downstairs of Greek on the Green is also available for private hire, and provides a fantastic venue for groups of up to 50, seated, and even has a DJ booth for those that want to have a bit more of a party in Winchmore Hill.

Photo by: Ritz Media Production


SEABASS & PRAWNS (marinated with herbs and lemon juice, charcoal grilled) - Greek on the Green - Winchmore Hill


the gloBAl Buffet phenomenon

can dishes from around the world come together under one roof?

Buffets are nothing new for restaurants, anyone who has enjoyed a hotel breakfast will know that the all you can eat nature of the dining more than often leads to a fuller stomach than intended before dining. It’s also been common for Chinese, Indian and other restaurants to offer buffets on certain days, Aladdin in Palmers Green, for example, offers a fantastic Sunday curry buffet for just £6.95.

A newer phenomenon is the introduction of multi-cuisine buffets, restaurants that offer food from all over the world under one roof. On paper, this is a fantastic idea, and one of those that makes you wonder why these have not been popular for years. Think about it, a

family go out, the kids want pizza, the dad has his heart set on a curry, where as mum is after a nice Thai meal. Perfect. However, there are some problems with this format, to really cover a range of cuisines from around the world, you’ll need a buffet area and range of dishes many times that of a usual buffet, or just provide one or two dishes from each country or background, meaning that the range of food suffers. The second problem is the preparation and cooking of the food.

What makes a good Thai restaurant good? The chefs, the experience they bring and the food they prepare. You’d either need chefs trained in many nations’ dishes, or many chefs, which is not economical, especially if, as mentioned previously, they’re only producing a few meals from each country.

So with these concerns in mind, how do you do multi-cuisine dining to a level that patrons would be satisfied with? One answer, comes




Foods of the World

from Global Buffet, a chain of restaurants run by JRC which appear to have the answer to the problems looked at previously, and they come down to one thing, size. The issues with the lack of dishes and chefs can be overcome simply by making the restaurant bigger. This way more dishes can be served, and more chefs employed to make them. Global Buffet the food cooked live in front of their customers at cooking stations around the restaurants. Giving you, the customer, the chance to enjoy some English roast beef, Teppanyaki grill and pad-Thai all at once, whilst ensuring they are prepared to the same standards that you’re used to from the dedicated, single nation cuisine that you know and love.

A search on Google of ‘multi-cuisine buffet’ returns several pages of other options in London and around the rest of the UK, so it looks like this form of dining is hear to stay. With, from a business point of view at least, may establishments doing it right. If we continue to see these restaurants opening and chains expanding, then the next thing to loom out for will be how restaurants compete with each other. Looking at the model that JRC is built on, large restaurants, live cooking

and many chefs, it is hard to see much scope for the intimate dining experiences that are so popular. This means that to open a multi-cuisine restaurant, what will be needed is a large amount of capital, so we’re unlikely to see many fresh faces on the scene. This is not necessarily a bad thing, of course, established brands bring with them a level of quality and service that will have to be up to the standards of other establishments in their groups.

The point of this article was to have a look at the multi-cuisine buffet and see whether this was something that could provide food to the same quality as those that specialise in one nation’s food, and the answer seems to be yes, but with sacrifices. Buffet dining, by its very nature, is not something that is for everyone, restaurant connoisseurs would usually prefer an exquisite menu over taking their plate and serving themselves. But for those of us that like the all you can eat style of a buffet, but are fed up of arguing with family and friends over whether Saturday’s meal is a curry, Thai, pizza or noodles, global buffet dining may be just the ticket.

the gloBAl Buffet phenomenon

...continued


local pubs vs local restaurantswhich would you choose?

When looking for a place to eat, a few questions will go through your mind, for me this is usually what kind of food do I fancy? What do I want to pay for my meal? And how far do I want to travel? Surprisingly, the last question is the one I almost always find goes furthest to making up my mind.

When I am eating locally, which is usually the case when I have an actual meal out instead of just grabbing a bite on move in Central London, I have a fair few choices for where to eat. Locally to me, in Southgate, there is a great Chinese restaurant, a fantastic Italian, as many other places in walking distance. There are also two pubs that serve food, The Cherry Tree, and The Woodman. What I have found is that I am often choosing the pub as a place to go for dinner, this is not down to price either, the main dishes are comparable in price to many of my local options, there is something else I often prefer, atmosphere.

So what are others choosing? I asked a ten people which they preferred and which they would choose, local restaurant or pub for dinner if they if they were going tonight. Seven of the ten said that they would choose a restaurant over a pub for their next meal out, whereas five, half, said they preferred pubs for dining in general. This would seem like a pretty even split, but it isn’t. The reason for this is that most people in North London have a range of restaurants, as mentioned previously, to pick from, they would almost always just go for one

or two pubs. If you take my local area, there are nine restaurants that I am happy to eat at more than just occasionally, but just the two pubs. If we were to presume these figures are the same for the ten people I spoke to (they won’t be, but for the purpose of the article we can presume they are), then the amount of times people go to each of the two pubs massively outweigh each restaurant. Pubs, in this case, win.

I think the reason for this is that many people, myself included, would usually ask the question; pub or restaurant? Rather than thinking of a pub as one of the restaurant options. I often

prefer the pub atmosphere, but that is a personal choice and not one that wins out every time. The issue with people picking pubs over restaurants is that people don’t think of pubs as restaurants. Even places like The Cherry Tree, which as a separate restaurant

area, are still considered pubs that serve food. This, for me, means that rather than thinking of a pub as one the pub as one of my restaurant choices, I think of it instead of restaurant choices.

Local pub food can be the same quality as restaurant food, served with to same standards and priced at a similar level. So pubs that work this way should be considered restaurants, as that’s what they are.


Eating Out

“Great food. Nothing is too much trouble. Friendly waiting staff. Always a good atmosphere. I’ve been here several times and will be back again!”

“Always order from here gave us a Christmas present as well great food every time love it will always go there”

“Wonderful food both in the restaurant and take away. Amazing service, the staff are welcoming, friendly and attentive. Always consistently happy with Poppadom and recommend it to others.”

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Pizzeria Giovann-Advert-V3.pdf 1 1/23/2015 6:24:32 PM



Advertorial

Arigato, the Japanese word for ‘thank you’, is a new restaurant on The Broadway in Winchmore Hill. They serve up a full range of Japanese treats in a comfortable and airy contemporary setting. In addition to sushi, Arigato offers tempura, teriyaki, rice bowls and noodle soups. For a little excitement, take a seat at one of the pallet tables and feel the comfort and joy of our real Japanese food.

It’s what happens behind the sushi bar that separates Arigato from the rest. Their head sushi chef trained and worked in Japan for many and years at several top Japanese restaurants. Arigato’s Thai chef worked in

A slice of the orientin Winchmore hill

five star restaurants in Thailand such as the Shangri La, as well as top Thai restaurants in London and Germany for over 26 years.

The sushi chefs bring a perfect mixture of technique and innovation to deliver this town’s best array of nigiri, sashimi and rolls. Simple nigiri are sliced just right to maximise flavour and texture before being laid onto bite-sized beds of rice, the sashimi, thin slices of raw fish served without rice, allow you to experience the pure flavour of the fish. Next time you’re in the mood for some great sushi, you know where to go.

You will be taken to real oriental world of taste while sitting in our restaurant. Japanese or

Thai food, head over to Arigato.

Also sold at Arigato are bento boxes, which offer a subtle range of flavours and textures, presented in a traditional lacquered bento box, perfect for one person or for sharing.

Arigato do not currently serve alcohol, but diners are welcome to bring their own wine and beer to accompany your meal.

by Elijah Stevens


photo by: Arigato

5 Avenue Parade Ridge AvenueWinchmore Hill London N21 2AXTel: 020 8360 4247 / 020 8360 2073www.masalaloungerestaurant.co.uk

OPENING HOURSSun – Thurs 5:30pm-11:30pm

Fri & Sat 5:30 – Midnight




Ignite the passion within, this Valentines Day, at Masala Lounge

A multi award winning

restaurant








Ignite the passion within, this Valentines Day, at Masala Lounge

Dining Out!

Cocorico ItalianoAttractive set menus with a variety of choices from £16.901314-1316 High Road Whetstone N20 9HUwww.cocoricorestaurant.co.uk020 8445 1188

Punto RestaurantHigh quality food, classy entertainment and modern ambiance Special Christmas menus.838 Green Lanes, Winchmore Hill. London N21 2RTwww.puntorestaurant.co.uk020 8360 0158

Giovanni PizzeriaChristmas & New Year’s Eve set menus764 Green Lanes,Winchmore Hill, N21 3REwww. giovannipizzapasta.co.uk 020 8364 1116

The OakReal Chinese Food made with extra care260 Colney Hatch LaneLondon N10 1BD0203 609 3000

Melange45 Topsfield Parade, Crouch End, London N8 8PTwww.melangerestaurant.co.uk0208 341 1681

Les AssociesClassic French food served in friendly atmosphere172 Park Road, Crouch EndLondon N8 8JYwww.lesassocies.co.uk0208 348 8944

La Petite AubergeWelcoming and warm French restaurant in heart of Islington283 Upper Street, IslingtonLondon N1 2TZwww.lapetiteaubergebistro.co.uk0207 359 1046

La Culotte(FKA Oui Madame)182 Stoke Newington RoadLondon N16 7UY

Le Moulin310 Archway Road, London N6 5AU.0208 348 1214

Beheshte Barin Restaurant118 Ballards Lane, Finchley Central, London N3 2DNwww.beheshtebarin.co.uk0208 045 4429 Babinondas

598 Green Lanes,London N13 5RYwww.babinondas.co.uk020 8886 1010

Paramount RestaurantClassic Indian food served by friendly staff216 High Rd, London, Wood Green N22 8HH020 8888 6255

RadhuniExceptional contemporary Indian cuisine6-8 Hampden Square Southgate, LondonN14 5JRwww.radhunigb.co.uk020 8361 4735 / 4781

JRC Global BuffetAll-you-can-eat freshly prepared global food.Unit 18 ‐ 1st Floor, East Side, The Mall Shopping Centre, 159 High Rd, Noel Park, London N22 6YAwww.jrc-globalbuffet.com/wood-green020 8881 1155

Snappy BuffetsMediterranean buffet.26-28 Queensway, EnfieldEN3 4SAwww.jrc-globalbuffet.com/wood-green020 8881 1155

Bistro AixMediterranean buffet.54 Topsfield Parade, Crouch Endwww.bistroaix.co.uk0208 340 6346

Honeymoon Restaurant33-35 Park Road, Crouch End,London N8 8TwE0208 341 5113

FusionFoodsChef ManzoorFusion of delicacies from around the world.www.fusionfoods.org.uk07595 248 652

ITALIAN

PERSIAN

CHINESE & THAI

FRENCH

GREEK

BUFFET

INDIAN

FUSION FOOD


When was the last time you went to a restaurant that you are familiar with, and ordered a meal that you weren’t? Furthermore, when was the last time you went out in an area you know well, and chose a place to dine that you hadn’t been to before?

Last week, I was in my local Italian, La Vita in Southgate, ordering my regular dish, the La Vita Special pizza, when it occurred to me that there were 20 odd other items on the menu of this great restaurant that I had never tried, despite going to the place countless times over the years. Now, La Vita is one of several restaurants in a small area between Southgate and Palmers Green, I have been to a few of the others, but there are also several I have not tried. In living within walking distance for over 10 years, and probably eating out an average of once per month, there are places I have not tried, whole menus I have yet to sample, there could be plenty of dishes available in within a short walk of me that I might prefer to the La Vita Special. Le Chamarel in Turnpike Lane also serves delicious exotic dishes from the Paradise Island of Mauritius.

So what stops me trying these places? Well, the answer is simple, although it is another question; why risk a dish I may not like when I can have one I know I love? You’d not think this when at home and making food from your own kitchen, you wouldn’t make the same meal over and over (students notwithstanding), so why do we do that in a restaurant? Why do we so rarely think ‘let’s try that new place’ or even ‘I may try the risotto today, I’ve not had that before’?

I was on my way to another of my regular restaurants a few weeks back, fully intent on ordering my favourite meal, the pork and duck noodle soup from Yummi.com, also in Southgate,

just another part, when I noticed it was closed for some refurbishment work. This forced me to try the Lebanese place next door, Warda, and of course, try a new dish. The meal I had there was fantastic, the Lamb Schwarma wrap, this was not at all a surprise, I had walked past the restaurant many, many times since it opened a year or so ago, and the food always looked and smelled delicious. But with Yummi next door, I never risked passing a meal I knew I would like up for one that I was not guaranteed to enjoy.

This applies for the rest of the restaurants in Southgate. Green’s Steakhouse & Grill has been getting great reviews across the board since opening over 18 months ago, with the vast majority of Tripadvisor ratings being the full five stars. But what will it take for me to go there? Will Yummi.com need to closed, Warda full and La Vita booked out? Hopefully not.

So here’s a challenge, next time you’re heading out for a meal and you’re thinking of ordering your favourite dish from your regular local, try somewhere else, try somewhere new. It shouldn’t be the case that people only discover new when familiar is not available, so branch out, risk ordering the occasional second rate meal, you may just discover your new favourite, and find your new regular. Familiarity, after all, breeds contempt.

trying somethingneW

Selection of Mezze at Warda Lebanese Restaurant - Southgate



What’s On

Viva La Drag

An Evening of Light Opera and Classical Music

A Night of Dirty Dancing

Rhyme & Rhythm - Jazz Poetry Club

by Friends of Forty Hall ParkSaturday 28th February 7.45pm Tickets £20.00(There will be a £1.50 Transaction Booking Fee)

Direct from the West End! We need only two words to describe this trio: supreme and fabulous!Dressed head to foot in fabulous couture costumes, wearing stunning wigs and death defying high heels, The Supreme Fabulettes turn on the glitz and glamour and storm the stage with sparkling production numbers. Guys Just Wanna Have Fun.

Millfield Theatre, Box Office 020 8807 www.millfieldartscentre.co.uk

Organised by Friends of Forty Hall ParkSaturday 14th March6.30pm bar openconcert starts at 7.30pmTickets: £12

Claudia Haussmann returns to Forty Hall joined by friends Laura Whitbread (mezzo) Luke Churchill (tenor) Harriet Birchall (mezzo) Rory Carver (tenor) for an evening of sumptuous opera arias with a guest appearance of Maria Evangelou singing her favourite aria Composers include Debussy, Bizet, Britten, Schumann, Puccini and many more.

Forty Hall and Estate020 8363 8196www.fortyhallestate.co.uk

Saturday 21st February 7.45pm Tickets: £20|£18 concs(There will be a £1.50 Transaction Booking Fee)

Revel in the moments you loved, the memories you made and music that’s resonated throughout the years: She’s Like the Wind, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Hey Baby, Wipe-out, Do You Love Me, Be My Baby, Hungry Eyes and, of course, the Oscar winning (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.Please note this show is not affiliated with ‘Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage’ currently on tour in the UK and worldwide.

Millfield Theatre, Box Office: 020 8807 6680www.millfieldartscentre.co.uk

Friday 27th February 7.45pmTickets: £11 (There will be a £1.50 Transaction Booking Fee)

Hosted by Sarah Doyle and Allen Ashley. Great live jazz from Louis Cennamo, Graham Pike, Barry Parfitt and Tim StephensJazz Poetry open mic, plus two special guests: Nancy Mattson and John Harvey

Dugdale Centre,Thomas Hardy House, London Road Enfield EN2 6DS,

Box Office: 020 8807 6680www.millfieldartscentre.co.uk

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Documents

Resto London - February 2015 Edition