Dining London Style: Jamie's in Covent Garden

For Labor Day Alan and I went to London...him for business and me to tag along and check it out. Since he did have work obligations, I had a few meals on my own including Jamie Oliver's Italian restaurant in Covent Garden...two blocks from our hotel at Seven Dials.

This was my first experience with a Jamie Oliver restaurant. I didn't know much about him other than his appearances on Food Network. I didn't even realize he was British until I saw the restaurant and connected the dots. I guess I never actually listened to any of his appearances on Food Network! That all being said - it's a huge place with two floors of dining (below ground & main floor) plus two outdoor patios - one in the interior courtyard and one on Upper Martin's Lane. It had been a gorgeous day but without a reservation, my only option was a tiny table for two in the wine cellar room. Lots of wood and a bit dark, the feeling very much was like being in a wine cellar but warmer.

The menu is made up of typical Italian fare - antipastos, pastas, risottos, main dishes and so on. Not wanting to go over board and not feeling adventurous, I ordered the Humble Green Salad and the Tagliatelle Bolognese that was a Ragu of British beef & pork with herbs, Chianti, Parmesan and crunchy herbed breadcrumbs.

The salad was simple & lackluster; the dressing was void of any noticeable flavor. But the pasta was super fresh with loads of meat and a hearty but not overly sweet red sauce. It was a good size portion that left me full but not uncomfortable (I have the capacity to throw down some serious pasta if given the option).

I paired all this with a glass of the house Rose, A Mano Rosata that was summery and light but forgetful.

All in all, I'd definitely recommend going for a casual, inexpensive meal (14 pounds all in). Order the pasta and try and sit outside if the weather was conducive. It's a popular, hopping place so get reservations!

Jenn: 77

Zagat: 20-19-19

Michelin: no stars

Lincoln, NYC

In late August, we reconvened the Manhattan Ladies Dining Club for an evening out at the much hyped, Lincoln Ristorante at Lincoln Center in NYC. It's a gorgeous location and the restaurant itself is quite impressive. Wood, floor to ceiling glass - very modern and yet warm. 

We decided to start off with drinks from the Proseco Bar before heading to the table.

They infuse different seasonal flavors into this light, sparkling drink. A few of us went with the house special of PASSION FRUIT Purée –with Blood Orange Liquore di Solerno. Summery and easy to drink.

Once seated, we decided to go with an appetizer each, a shared special pasta dish as a mid course and then entrees. To start off, Dawn & Marisa ordered the Mare Salad with octopus and other shellfish. Mary had the lamb terrine with salsa verde and I had the burratini with heirloom tomatoes, mint, basil and grilled bread which was perfect for a summer evening. Mary's appetizer with salsa verde was a problem dish...the salsa was too spicy to eat. Unusual in a restaurant of this caliber.

For the mid course - the dish that made the largest impression on all of us...a special of the evening in a lasagna with pork in a bechamel sauce that was stupid good. Much lighter than what I was expected with perfect flavor combinations. The homemade pasta was airy and the bechamel creamy without weighing down the dish.

Entrees included three pasta dishes: strozzapreti, reginette & agnolotti plus the special of the evening, a pork loin porchetta.

Dessert included chocolate tartufo & a cheese plate.

Overall - the evening was a lot of fun. The food wasn't at the level of some of our other dinners but there's potential there. With a daily changing menu, I would definitely go again. Not to mention our waiter was a hoot - attentive, lively, witty...he recommended two bottles of wine that we went with pairing nicely with the dishes. The super Tuscan, LE SERRE NUOVE TENUTA DELL’ORNELLAIA Merlot-Cabernet-Petit Verdot 2010 (Bolgheri) was lovely with a lot of body and fruit but not so heavy you couldn't drink it. He also managed to talk us out of champagne and into a white: Campagnia GRECO DI TUFO Quinto Decimo ‘Giallo d’Arles’ 2011 that was nice...light, short finish but good fruit and fabulous aroma.

Zagat: 25-26-25
Jenn: 85
Michelin: no stars