Spatzle at Bierschenke

Bierschenke is located on Earlham Street where belgos used to be.

Dined here for lunch because they had my favourite German Spatzle with gruyere cheese.
The taste was rather bland and the texture was too soft and foamy like marshmallow.

However, the Goulash with Spätzle is probably going to taste better.

New M&S Cafe Christmas menu: Colin the caterpillar hot chocolate and gingerbread frappe

Christmas is coming and there are so many tempting things on the menu.

One of them is the giant Welsh rarebit crumpet which was lovely and cheesy.

Interestingly up North in Stevenage two were served so it may be that they ran out of the giant crumpets.

Tried the new Colin the caterpillar hot chocolate which is just regular hot chocolate topped with tasty chocolate whipped cream, sprinkles and a Colin the Caterpillar chocolate.
Also had the gingerbread frappe which was disappointing because there was no gingery taste except syrupy cinnamon, the gingerbread man was not served so had to ask for one.

They are also serving the new biscuit tea which was good for people who want to try without having to buy the box.

Avocado show experience

I have always wanted to visit avocado show for the pancakes which is sometimes on the menu online and sometimes not.
Before we went, we checked to see if this particular branch had it being visiting.

On arrival, the menu outside had it so we went in.
It turns out that it is only served at brunch but even the menu outside wasn't quite obvious.
You really need an eagle's eye and attention to detail to spot that.
Same with the website, it should have some small print beside the dish with the hours it is available.

Anyway, dined at the Mayfair branch which was disappointing, the staff had difficulty understanding questions asked about the food.
The state of the seats were pretty impressive.
Last but not least the burgers was just a whole avocado with a patty in the middle with some inexpensive tortilla chips.

Overall, the whole menu was disappointing and not very creative compared to this other avocado themed restaurant in London.

Stylish and quick Vietnamese fare at HOP Vietnamese

Discovered HOP Vietnamese while I was at Bond Street so went in to have a look.

I was impressed by the colourful decor and modern vibes with the self ordering, it feels like LEON but with Vietnamese fare in terms of the design, the concept of healthy food and the speed.

Again, the same story, this is another restaurant founded by a banker/financial analyst bored with their job.

I ended up trying the Bond Street restaurant and the one at London Wall.

The Bond Street branch is compact but has everything while the London Wall branch features a 50/50 space of dining and self ordering kiosks.

My first visit was at the Bond Street branch where I had the peach rice pudding for dessert.

To be honest, there is something similar but not like this in Vietnam but I had to have it because it was so English and rice pudding is dying breed in this day and age.

Unfortunately, it was too sweet because it had caramel sauce as well as peach sauce.

It was supposed to come with peanuts but I changed for coconut.

The next day, I visited the London Wall branch for lunch and had the Satay Chicken hop box.

It was a balanced meal so you get equal amounts of salad, rice and chicken.

However, I was still a little hungry even though I had a side as well because I need my carbs.

Anyway, the satay chicken was simply delicious, the sweetness and creaminess was just right and the chicken was tender because it was thigh meat.

The pork ribs were ok but on the sweet side so I was glad I did not get the ribs HOP Box.

Also had the Naked Broth which was vegetarian, it reminded me of chicken bovril as the taste was yeasty and herby while chickeny even though there is no meat in it.

Overall, I was impressed by the food and definitely loved the stylish foil boxes and how the food was laid out.

Returned again to the London Wall branch and had the chicken pho and Vietnamese coffee.

Pho was the item I least wanted to try because I find noodle soups tasteless but the chicken soup was golden with turmeric and addictive.

The red onions and spring onions took it to another level along with the fresh lime.

The only complaint was the tall noodle cup and narrow top which makes it not very ergonomic to eat because of the long chopsticks which is hard to navigate. 

Finished with the Vietnamese coffee which was moreish. 

I may come back to try the coconut curry and when they have something new.

HOP Vietnamese:

London Wall and West One

Meals for a fiver at Little farm, London wall

 

Haagen Daz cafe at John Lewis, Oxford Street

 

African Restaurant Halit Kitchen opens in Purley

 10 High Street.  CR28AA