Introduction

It's been just over a year since I moved to London from New York and I finally feel like I have a handle on things... most things anyway.  One aspect of life here that continues to elude me is the dearth of concise, consistent, and well, accurate restaurant reviews that are available in London.  Sure, there are the reviews in the newspapers, guide books, and weekly magazines but the latter are very hit-or-miss and the former tend to be largely confusing.  That's not to say that I don't care about A.A. Gill's thoughts on everything from opera to wallpaper trends - I do! I do! - but when I read a restaurant review, I want to actually read about the restaurant.

Another aspect of life here that tends to leave me cold are the restaurants themselves.  Perhaps I'm spoiled by the availability and variety of mid-priced (to downright cheap) restaurants that we have in New York; places like Long Tan and Olea, Pintxos and Peking Duck House.  In London, I find it takes quite a lot of effort to find places to go that won't blow the budget for the year and serve great quality food by a friendly and professional staff.  After all, it can't be that hard, can it?  So, when I do stumble across those gems - and occasionally, more expensive spots that leave one feeling happy to empty one's bill fold for the experience - I'll be sure to post the details and the highlights... 

In the future, I will include here pub & restaurant reviews, my own recipes based on favorite dishes I've had out and others that I've just made up out of the blue, and possibly the occasional rant about bad behavior, cover charges, and having to pay for bread... 

My next post might just be tomorrow after I have lunch at one of my favorite London spots: Scott's (20 Mount Street, W1).  I'm already brainstorming possible titles: How Much Would You Sell Your (Dover) Sole For?  Or: Is 32GBP Dover Sole The New Credit Crunch Chic?