The food just keeps coming... CJO recommends

Place to eat in Richmond Tel: 020 8940 9060
Al Boccon di'vino in Richmond (Opposite Pizza Express near the sushi place).

Tony and I went a few weeks ago and were lucky to get a table - the only one not reserved by the door - it was packed! Suggest you make sure you book as this was only a Tuesday night...

Best way to describe it is like you are eating in an Italians front room. No menu, you eat what they give you. The only choice is if you want red or white wine and a couple of choices of each but then its a typical Italian meal at an Italian pace. Be prepared to be there the whole evening and just eat what they put in front of you, when they put it in front of you. Starters and antipasta are served as you arrive but then they bring out the pasta and meat courses to everyone in the restaurant at the same time. They accommodated me not eating fish quite well but on the whole you just eat and eat. Four or five courses, all kept coming, if there is any left he walks round with the pan saying anyone want extra and hands it out.

Loved it, set price £40 a head. Real experience. Think its rated highly on Trip Advisor Richmond too!

Caroline

Out with the Roe, in with the Luna

Good news and bad news, first the bad, the fish shop below us (next to Kall Kwik) has shut.
The good news is that a new eating place La Luna di Luca has opened in its place.
Better news, CP & VJD obtained a 20% discount off the menu for Stopgappers.

They are also doing a summer introductory offer throughout July & August which is Fairtrade coffee and freshly baked pastries for £2.50.
Choice of freshly daily changing pastas and risotto £3.50.
Afternoon Malteser cake or cupcake with tea or coffee for £2.50.
We will also have a daily Panini for £3.00.

Opens for breakfast at 7.30 a.m.

Follow the link for a sample of the other fare available.
http://www.stopgap.co.uk/images/luca_menu.pdf

Eat like a Princess! from Claire

The Princess Victoria

- Great 'Gastro' Pub ( www.princessvictoria.co.uk)

On Mel's recommendation Bill & I met some friends here on Friday night and if Shepherds Bush area is good for you, then I highly recommend this pub. It doesn't look much from the outside, but the food - and wine list - are fab! It's all quite simple fare, but they focus on really good ingredients, cooked perfectly and served in a generous portion. We started off by sharing a wonderful plate of cold meats, dressed crab and goats cheese and rocket salad. The boys followed this with a wonderful steak, I had rabbit and wild mushroom pappardelle and my other friend had a plate of roasted cod. Dessert was one Sticky Toffee Pudding, two Chocolate Mousse with Peanut topping and four spoons! It's not expensive - probably circa £25 per head for three courses excluding wine - and worth every penny.

Like Batter in your Beer? by Jacqueline

A great new restaurant opened last week - Fish Kitchen, 170 Upper Richmond Road Sheen (020) 8878 1040. Part of the small chain owned by celebrity restaurateur, Tony Allan who has restaurants in Kingston and Borough Market, selling excellent fish and chips (for aficionados - the batter is beer based and made twice a day) for around £10.00, they also have posher nosh for up to £18.00 per dish. All fish and seafood is fresh and from sustainable sources. There's a small wine and pudding menu too. Buzzy atmosphere, and reasonably quick service (I went on the first night when they we cutting their teeth). A great alternative to your standard fare!

Great nosh for little dosh......

Not being a regular in London's finest eateries, I have recently been struggling for places to go with clients for a nice lunch but on a budget.  How ironic then, that on the way back from my latest client lunch I stumble across this list in the Evening Standard, detailing some of London's best restaurants and their 'credit crunch' lunch deals!

If you are lining up a client lunch, take a pick from one of these as I'm sure the experience will be great and the company wallet will thank you too!  And don't be afraid to say "how about xxxxxx, its a great venue and they are doing an incredible x courses for a credit friendly £xx.xx". 

This sets the expectation with your guest that you wont be cruising round the a la carte menu! Bon apetit!

Pied a Terre, Charlotte St, W1
Lunch set menu - 5 courses for £29.50

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, West St, WC2.
Lunch and pre-theatre set menu - 2 courses for £19

L'Autre Pied, Blandford St, W1
Lunch and pre-theatre set menu - 4 courses for £19.50

Tom Aikens, Elystan St, SW3
Lunch set menu - 2 courses for £23

Club Gascon, West Smithfield, EC1
Lunch set menu - 2 courses for £12.50

Rhodes W1, Cumberland Hotel, W1
Lunch set menu - 2 courses for £19.95

Arbutus, Frith St, W1
Lunch set menu - 3 courses for £16.95

Wild Honey, George St, W1
Lunch set menu - 3 courses for £18.95

Amaya, Motcomb St, SW1
Lunch set menu - 3 courses for £22

Chapter One, Orpington.
3 course Sunday dinner for £24.95

The Quilon, Buckingham Gate, SW1
Lunch set menu - 3 courses for £20
Dinner set menu - 3 courses for £27.50

Umu, Bruton Place, W1
Lunch set menu for £21

Nahm, The Halkin Hotel, SW1
Lunch set menu - 2 courses for £15

The Greenhouse, Hays Mews, W1
Lunch set menu - 2 courses for £29

Foliage, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, SW1
Lunch set menu - 4 courses for £29