The Real Greek restaurant situated on the South Bank is a popular venue for alfresco dinning. Unfortunately for me, it was pouring with rain when I visited this week, making it impossible to enjoy the view.

That said, the decor and atmosphere largely made up for the poor weather. The surroundings are inviting with low modern lighting and an American diner feel. Admittedly, the interior was not what I expected to see from a restaurant boasting a 'real Greek experience' but it definitely works.

The menu offers a modern take on traditional Mediterranean food - there was everything that you'd expect to see on a Greek menu; from Souvlakia to an extensive selection of Meze. If you're Greek you'd probably decide that the food isn't as good as your grandma's homemade dishes, but in terms of authenticity, it's probably not far off. With so much to choose from it's easy to get carried way with the number of dishes to order, (I certainly did) everything sounds so scrumptious, but with each dish ranging between £2.25-£5.50, you can afford to order generously.


The Greek Flatbread was served deliciously moist and warm; matched with Htipiti (Greek feta dip with roasted red peppers and onion) it was simple, fresh and very moreish. I also enjoyed a medley of seafood including Grilled Sardines and Anatolian Spiced Gambas (Prawns). The Saganaki Kefalotyri (Grilled goats cheese) on a bed of Horta Salad was divine. The dishes were all served on tiered racks, which in my opinion was a novel and clever idea; because it meant that the table didn't become overcrowded and it made serving yourself so much easier.

The staff were very attentive; they explained the menu and provided recommendations, thus helping me make an informed decision on which dishes to try. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and I'd definitely go again. The venue is about to undergo a major renovation come February, so it will be interesting to see the difference it makes, I just hope that the venue doesn't loose its charm in the process. For now, I highly recommend you head to the Real Greek and sample yourself some Saganaki Kefalotyri, it's a winner.

The Real Greek
Units 1&2 Riverside House
2A Southwark Bridge Road
SE1 9HA
Tel: 020 7620 0162
Web: www.therealgreek.com

If you weren't lucky enough to win the dinner for two giveaway, here's an exclusive Pretty Stylish London discount which could save you 15% on your bill at Ping Pong Dim Sum.

Simply print off the voucher above and present it at your local restaurant. For group bookings of 8+ you'll get 15% off your order and if you're dining with less people, you can enjoy either a complimentary cocktail, glass of wine or beer with your meal.

To keep up to date on the latest special offers and cuisine news, be sure to follow @pingpongdimsum on twitter or become a fan on their facebook page.

Web: www.pingpongdimsum.com

Voucher expires 31st December 09.

Thanks to everyone who entered the latest giveaway to win dinner for two at one of my favourite Chinese eat-outs, Ping Pong Dim Sum.

I was there again at the weekend with a very good friend and we feasted on those lovely steamed parcels and sticky rice whilst sipping on cocktails.

A big congratulations to the four winners, picked at random this morning. Please contact me to provide your full names and the email address you'd like the dinner for two voucher sent. I hope you have a fantastic time, please let me know about your experience afterwards and which restaurant branch you visit.

To keep up to date on the latest special offers and cuisine news, be sure to follow @pingpongdimsum on twitter or become a fan on their facebook page.

Web: www.pingpongdimsum.com

More fantastic giveaways coming up this month.
Don't forget to follow the blog so you don't miss out!










- DIARY Holly
- Emma Cossey
- Michelle Shanti
- Poptart London

You may have read my review of Ping Pong Dim Sum this month, well if you were tempted to try the little steamed parcels but haven't had a chance, here's a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the traditional Chinese cuisine.

In collaboration with Pretty Stylish London and to celebrate the launch of our tantalising Autumn menu, Ping Pong are offering four lucky readers dinner for 2 plus cocktails at any of our twelve London restaurants.

This prize is available for Pretty Stylish London readers only. To be in with a chance of winning you must be following the blog. So if you haven't already, please click the follow button to the right, or subscribe via the mailing list on feed burner further down.

To be entered into this prize draw, all you have to do is:
Leave a comment below and answer the following question “how many Ping Pong restaurants are there in London?”

To keep up to date on the latest special offers and cuisine news, be sure to follow @pingpongdimsum on twitter or become a fan on their facebook page.

Web: www.pingpongdimsum.com

Good luck!

Terms and Conditions:
This free prize draw is open to UK residents only.
Entrants must be 18 years of age or over.
No purchase necessary.
The promoter reserves the right to re-draw the prize if the prize winner cannot be contacted within a reasonable period of time (to be established at the Promoter's sole discretion).
The competition is closed on 30th November 2009.
All entries received after this date will be excluded from the competition.
The winner of the competition will be chosen at random and contacted via Twitter.
Multiple entries are not allowed, only your first entry will be accepted.
The winners will then be chosen at random.

I never deny myself a little chocolate treat when I fancy it and with this week being the official time to indulge, I think it's time for a scrumptious giveaway:

In celebration of Chocolate Week, Pretty Stylish London has TEN bars of Divine Chocolate to giveaway - and you get to choose from amongst their mouth-watering flavours.

Whether it is the smooth, creamy milk chocolate, the rich, intense dark chocolate with 70% cocoa, or the silky vanilla white chocolate, combined with a variety of other delicious natural ingredients, you'll find the perfect combination to indulge. There are some unusual options too - Dark Chocolate with tangy Raspberries, or Divine White Chocolate with Strawberries. And there's zesty orange, cool mint, hazelnuts, currants and almonds….

Divine chocolate are the official sponsors of Chocolate Week. The company is co-owned by cocoa farmers in Ghana. Founded in 1998, Divine is the first ever Fairtrade chocolate bar and the company continues to fly the fag for equal opportunities by sharing its profits with Kuapa Kokoo , the co-operative of farmers. So while you are enjoying Divine treats, you can be sure the cocoa farmers are not only receiving the Fairtrade deal for their cocoa - but sharing Divine profits too.

This prize is available for 10 readers only. To be in with a chance of winning you must be following the blog. So if you haven't already, please click the follow button to the right, or subscribe via my mailing list on feed burner further down.

To enter, simply comment below visit the website and let me know the flavour bar you'd most love to try. Good Luck!

Web: www.divinechocolate.com
Winners will be picked at random. Closing date: Monday 19th October.

For more information on Chocolate Week visit: www.chocolate-week.co.uk

My latest food crush is dim sum, I absolutely love it. I've always been big on Chinese cuisine, but never really bothered with the little steamed parcels. That's until I tried them during the Summer, and I've been hooked ever since. Mmm, give me a spicy chicken or black prawn filled dim sum and I'm quite content. My passion for the dumplings is so much that when I was invited to try the new menu at Ping Pong Dim Sum, I couldn't refuse!

The restaurant chain takes its inspiration from an ancient Chinese tradition. Here's the story: Hundreds of years ago, merchants on the Silk Road would stop at tea houses en route to rest their weary feet, relax and drink tea with their fellow travellers and share Dim Sum – baskets and dishes of little sweet and savoury snacks, usually steamed, baked or fried.

Ping Pong restaurants have kept all the best bits of that ancient tradition, providing a relaxed communal place to meet and relax, whilst offering a delicious range of Dim Sum, and fragrant tea. (Only now Cocktails are also on the menu to bring the tradition into the 21st Century).


Friday night, I took my mum out for a girlie catch-up and to convert her from the standard special fried rice (which she always orders) and convince her to try some steamed goodness. We visited the south bank branch sitting opposite the Royal Festival Hall and we sipped delicious Cosmopolitan cocktails whilst sampling a yummy range of dishes.

The new menu features some great additions to traditional dim sum, including a rather tasty Crispy hoi sin duck spring roll. I was also impressed with the Crab spring roll; a mixture of crab meat and prawns, doused in chili and served with Thai fish sauce. Mum was pretty smitten with her starer of Seafood puff; mini puff pastries filled with scallop, prawn and ginger.

The moment came to convince mum that steamed parcels of meat and vegetables are not only healthy but so good to eat. She looked apprehensive but once she tasted Ping Pong's Spicy chicken dumplings, she gave her approval. And so the the Dim Sum marathon commenced; Pork Shu Mal, Har gau prawns, Coriander dumplings and finally the Crunchy golden; A turmeric dumpling filled with stir friend vegetable, shallots and garlic.

The atmosphere at the restaurant, was chilled yet lively; families were out for celebrations and friends were enjoying after work bites. The interior was distinctly modern with hints of Chinese calligraphy, achieving harmony between the old and the new.

There are 12 Ping Pong restaurants in London and each dish costs on average between £3.39 - 3.99. Visit the website for the restaurant most local to you.


Ping Pong Dim Sum
South Bank
Festival Terrace,
Southbank Centre,
Belvedere Road,
London
SE1 8XX

Tel: 020 7960 4160
Web: www.pingpongdimsum.com

It's popular knowledge that The May Fair hotel is a regular haunt for celebrities and fashion moguls. London Fashion Week was a prime example of the calibre of guests that the hotel opens it's door to on a regular basis.

Designer Elsa Schiaparelli, model Erin O'Connor and socialite Peaches Geldof all favour the sumptuous surroundings of the bedroom suites. And now as the official hotel for Fashion Week, The May Fair is a highly sought after place to dine. The Bar has a feeling of exclusivity but is far from 'poncy', rather, it has a quiet, understated sophistication. The décor is rich and inviting; I particularly liked the fireplace which worked as a luxurious feature and the spacious leather seats.

I recently visited the bar to catch up with a friend over cocktails and finger food. We ordered the MayFair Mojito (if you're a regular reader, you'll know it's my favourite tipple!) You have to try it, it's one of the best tasting versions of the cocktail I've sipped by far.


I also tried a recent addition to the menu - Bento Boxes; a box designed to share and featuring an internationally inspired menu. The Mediterranean option contains ham, grilled sardines and marinated artichokes alongside traditional kalamta olives and Monte Enebro cheese.

There's also Bento box in honour of seafood lovers, with all the favourite catches included such as smoked Scottish salmon, Cornish crab and potted shrimps. Are you feeling hungry yet?

Not forgetting the vegetarians, the Warm Char Grilled Vegetable box is a healthy treat, served with Parmesan polenta cake and basil dressing. This is just a small selection of the type of platters available, there was also a cheeky chocolate theme box to satisfy a sweet craving.

Personally, I opted for the classic Asian dim sum box, a delightful variety of Japanese nibbles, and it included my favourites; Maki sushi rolls, shell crab and sweet chili king prawns.

The Bento Boxes vary in price, the cheapest being £12.50 and the priciest at £23.50. One box between two to three people is very filling, as the portions are quite considerable. I'm already planning my next visit to try the Chocolate sensation box, it sounds so tempting; White chocolate tart, warm chocolate fondant and dipped strawberries. I know you must be hungry now! Bento Boxes are served from 12pm.



The May Fair Bar
The May Fair Hotel
Stratton Street,
Mayfair,
London, W1J 8LT

Tel: 020 7629 7777
Email: mayfairbar@themayfairhotel.co.uk
Web: www.themayfairhotel.co.uk

Recently I had the pleasure of dining at Veeraswamy - the oldest surviving Indian restaurant in the UK. Established since 1926, it's a London institution and from the moment you enter, you realise why the restaurant has had such staying power.

The warm welcome and stylish waiting service is just one of the highlights. It was refreshing to engage with staff who listened tentatively to my requirements, always on hand with a wealth of suggestions - based on my personal culinary desires and not merely a plug of the day's special.

The menu featured a good range of flavous, including classic favourites such as Kashmiri Rogan Josh and coastal specialties like Sea Bream Paturi steamed with chili and mustard. The food was nicely displayed but not too fussy and the wine menu has been handpicked to compliment by Matthew Jukes, a leading wine author.

I found the restaurant to be an exotic feast both in taste and interior. With a pleasing balance of traditional and contemporary fixtures; the rich damask curtains, grand lighting, mahogany undertones and ornate details did well to transport me to Maharaja's palaces of the 1920s. Yet the modern sculptural art on display brings you back to the 21st Century.

The à la carte price averaging at £55 per head for a 3 course meal including wine - a worthy investment for a truly exquisite dining experience.


Veeraswamy
Mezzanine Floor,
Victory House,
99 Regent Street,
London W1B 4RS
(entrance on Swallow Street)

Tel: 020 7734 1401
Email: veeraswamy@realindianfood.com
Web: www.veeraswamy.com

Dates: 18th - 21st June
Location: Regents Park
Admission: £21 for adults and £12 for children 6-14 years.

The yearly taste festival is back in London with 40 of the capital's finest restaurants dishing out signature cuisines and sharing their kitchen secrets. See the likes of Gary Rhodes, Matthew Albert and Masaki Sugisaki in action and sample the extensive choice of food prepared by Michelin star restaurants.

It's all about top level feasting, wine tasting, learning tricks of the trade and of course a little bit of inspiration for your own culinary creations. Musical entertainment will include Groove Digger, SugarSnap Sisters and Metropolitan Jazz Quartet. The weather will be promising for Alfresco dining so this event is a must-go for all foodies. To buy tickets online, click here.

Tel: 0871 230 7132
Web: www.tastefestivals.com

This morning I met a friend at a lovely little café in Crystal Palace by the name of Domali, it's independently owned and I can honestly say they make the best vegetarian full English breakfasts I've tasted to date. (I'm not vegetarian, but my friend is and we dine out a lot!)

Located on Westow street and a 15 minute stroll from Crystal Palace station, it's a chilled spot to dine in. The interior is cosy with interesting artwork on display and you'll hear contemporary jazz playing lightly in the background. Due to popular demand, they serve their vegetarian breakfasts right up to 6pm - very handy for a late breakfast/brunch feast. If you're ever in the area, check it out.


Domali Café
38 Westow Street
Crystal Palace
London, SE19 3AH
Tel: 020 8768 0096
Web: www.domali.co.uk

Image Credits: LaCartes.com

Picture the scene: Dinner and wine within stunning 19th-century architectural surroundings overlooking Kensington Palace and Gardens. Sounds blissful doesn't it? Well it's all taking place on Wednesday the 13th of May at the Milestone. Voted No.1 in World for Service by Conde Nast Traveler, the hotel is opening it's doors for an evening of luxury wine tasting and sumptuous dishes to savor.

The Milestone will be hosting a special evening as part of the Red Carnation Hotels Wine Dinner season. Guests are encouraged to enjoy tipples from the Bouchard Finlayson winery based in South Africa. Pinot Noir, Sauvignon and Chardonnay will be ready for the tasting - all made from flavorsome grapes, cultivated in the rich wine-growing region in The Cape.

As a special treat, the celebrated wine maker Peter Finlayson will be in attendance to reveal secrets to the winery's success. The wine tasting is complemented by a 4-course dinner and costs £85 per person. This event promises to be an ideal evening for wine lovers and foodies. From 7:00 pm onwards.

To make reservations for the Milestone Hotel Wine Dinner call 020 7917 1000 or email dosborne@rchmail.com.

The Milestone Hotel
1 Kensington Court
London W8 5DL
Web: www.milestonehotel.com

Yesterday I dined at Quilon - a south Indian restaurant situated discreetly on Buckingham Gate. As a person who loves interior design and impressive décor, I would have to admit that the restaurant's surroundings didn't have the immediate wow factor, but the interior was warm, relaxed and suitably welcoming.


Personally, I really enjoy Balti Lamb, a Biriyani or some Butter Chicken and I was looking forward to sampling the restaurant's take on these dishes. Perhaps somewhat naively I assumed such dishes were sure to be on the menu. However Quilon features a healthier, modern Indian cuisine, unlike any other Indian restaurant I've visited to date.

According to chef Sriram Aylur "Quilon serves progressive Indian cuisine, not fusion..." So instead of thick, cream laden curries and nans, there were plenty of fresh sea food, roasted meats and light curries with freshly ground chillies and pistachio. However I did recognise a familiar Malabar Lamb Biriyani on the menu, which tasted sumptuous, if not lacking a little more bite.

My husband on the other hand quite liked the idea of exploring new cuisines. But I'm sure you can sympathise, that when you're feeling intensely hungry (as I was), the last thing you want to do is take your taste buds on a journey to the unknown! Yet I was pleasantly surprised that my starter of Pepper Shrimps (tried for the first time) was exceptionally delicious and I enjoyed the Malabar Paratha; a slightly sweet flat bread that accompanied my main - all washed down with a refreshing Apple Mojito.

The price on the other hand had taken us both by surprise, a bill of nearly £100 was delivered to our table at the end of the meal, covering just two courses and without a bottle of wine. Naturally I anticipated the menu at this Michelin star restaurant would be priced at the slighter higher end of the spending bracket, however, I never expected it to reach as close to the double zeros as it had. In my opinion Quilon is a good choice of restaurant to dine on a special occasion where a luxury splurge is in order, but not necessarily a place you visit on a whim.

Quilon
41 Buckingham Gate,
London SW1
Tel: 020 7821 1899
Web:www.thequilonrestaurant.com

Image credits: © eivmain via www.squaremeal.co.uk

Date: 3rd April - 5th April
Location: Southbank Centre Square
Admission: FREE

This weekend is a celebration of all things cocoa confectionery with the chocolate festival at the Southbank Centre. This delicious event is a must for all chocolate lovers out there.

Feast your eyes on demonstrations and workshops lead by master chocolatiers. Satisfy your chocolate craving by creating your own chocolate masterpieces and discover the partnership of chocolate with savoury foods.

With plenty of cakes to sample and chocolate art pieces on display it's going to be a very tempting experience.


Southbank Centre
Belvedere Road,
London, SE1 8XX
Web: www.southbankcentre.co.uk

As I sit here writing this post, I'm tucking into the most indulgent chocolate cake ever. Whilst helping a friend shop for her wedding today, we stopped into Bea's of Bloomsbury for inspiration and to sample their famous desserts.

We ordered the three-layered cake consisting of rich chocolate filled with a dark bitter sweet truffle. I was so smitten with the taste that I simply had to take another slice home! (Desserts are my guilty pleasure).

The Bea's of Bloomsbury menu ranges from cupcakes, tarts, cookies, brownies and layer cakes. So there's something to satisfy every type of sweet tooth. What's sweeter is that they also do their bit for the environment by recycling all packaging and baking with energy efficient induction cooking methods.





It's no surprise then that Bea's has been shortlisted in Time Out's Best London Tea Rooms. I for one can taste why. The fine Valrhona chocolate that generously featured in my cake and Square Mile coffee that accompanied it made for a truly delicious experience.

By the end of our visit, my friend decided that she would place a dessert order for her wedding reception. And I've happily obliged to be her 'cake-tasting buddy' to help sample the favours available. I just hope that by the end of it all, I can still fit into my wedding outfit. Wish me luck!

Bea's of Bloomsbury
44 Theobald's Road
London WC1X 8NW
Tel: 0207 242 8330
Web: http://beasofbloomsbury.com

Hours: Mon - Fri 8 am to 6 pm | Sat 10:30 am to 4 pm

To savour some of the finest cupcakes in London, head to the Crumbs and Dollies stall at Duke of York Square. Not only do they look amazing, they come in a variety of divine flavours.

Each cupcake is lovingly decorated to perfection and can be made to order for a personal touch. Crumbs and Dollies also offer a handy delivery service available in central and south west of London, making these beautiful bakes the perfect sweet for parties, afternoon teas or a little self indulgence. Mmm.


Price:
From £12 for a dozen.

Crumbs and Dollies
Partridges Food Market on the Kings Road
80 Duke of York Square,
Kensington and Chelsea,
London, SW3 4LU

Opening Times:
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Web: http://www.crumbsanddoilies.co.uk/