May catch-up

BARBECOA, New Change, City
We visited Jamie Oliver and Adam Perry Hart's venture in the new development overlooking St Paul's with 4 friends and ex-colleagues. The 6 of us normally meet at a Strada, so this was a bit of an adventure. Walking in, my heart sank - the noise was staggering. The chefs were shouting from the open kitchen, music was playing loudly and the place was pretty full (at 1.15pm). We joined J&C at the table and soon the others arrived too. But it was a large square table with banquettes, and we had to sit on three sides - with all the noise it was almost impossible to have a proper conversation across the table. The view of St Paul's is super, but it's not the reason we were there.

The menu presents a very carnivorous main course selection, on the pricey side too. So we agreed to share 2 calamari and 2 seabass ceviche starters between the 6 of us. The calamari was uninteresting (and quite small), while the ceviche was OK, but even smaller.

Gradually the place thinned out as the work groups drifted away. Mainly work "treat" events it seemed. Fortunately that made it quieter too, as also there were fewer orders shouted from the kitchen.

For main course I had the "Pit beef" with beans (sort of like refried) and chips (in a tin!) This was a very rich piece of meat obviously cooked for a long time, with a sort of BBQ sauce - pretty good at £16.

With 5 bottles of quite expensive wine between us, this all came to £136 per couple. Rather more than we would normally pay, good without being special.


LE CHATEAU, near Lloyd Park, Croydon
Taken out by our neighbours to celebrate their wedding anniversary, we go to their favourite place (used to be called Chateau Napoleon). It's rather heavy on the formality for our liking, but the place does have some class. We started with a glass of champagne (on special offer, so it had to be done) while ordering in the bar. I'm still not feeling that good, so I have the asparagus hollandaise to start. Large asparagus so I'm guessing they weren't English, but tasty enough.

For main course I go for the lemon sole on the grounds it will be light. But it is a very big portion of about 5 fillets of sole, in quite a rich sauce. Again OK, but not great. To keep K company I have the brandy snap with chocolate mousse for dessert - that was good.

Don't know how much it was, but it won't have been cheap.


ZORNA'S, Purley
Our local Indian, Zorna's has had its ups and downs, but has returned to being our favourite ahead of Zaal in the High Street. So one evening was a quick flit in place of cooking: chicken dhansak, prawn kalia, aubergine and pilau rice. Good tasty chicken, spicy prawns, aubergine a bit dull. Service as always prompt and fine, even though the boss wasn't in evidence. £50 including wine.


LAS FUENTES, High St, Purley
Back to our local tapas (see April Overview (1), http://chompersofpurley.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/april-overview-1.html) for a meal before our flight early the following morning. As this is lunch and dinner, we go for 4 dishes this time: Lamb skewer - good, lean, plenty; kidneys and mushrooms, comes with fries very tasty; tiger prawns in a rather odd yellow spicy sauce; and stuffed mushrooms, light stuffed with spinach, then deep-fried. With wine £63. A reliable place for a meal.


DE WAAG, Nieuw Markt, Amsterdam
Looking for somewhere to escape the drizzle, we fetch up at De Waag, an old guild building now converted to a restaurant amongst the market stalls. Relaxed service turns into slow service, as the waitress is dealing with a business group in the back room. Pork croquettes in a bun seem popular but look very heavy. I just go for the burger and chips - good thick burger, lean and tasty. B has the smoked salmon salad -big fillet of salmon, with a huge and interesting salad. Certainly recommended for a quick lunch.


FISH AND GRILL/BAGATTI'S, South End Croydon
With time to kill on Bank Holiday Monday, we go back to Fish and Grill. Oh dear! Several of the set menu options are "off", and the table behind us are unable to order the surf and turf 50% off as they don't have any prawns. Another table complain they have been charged more for surf & turf, and are told that's because sirloin was substituted for rump - hardly their fault. So we give in and go next door to the Italian Bagatti's.

Starters come quickly - smoked salmon with crab parcels, and carpaccio of beef; both very good. Then we wait an age for our mains. Eventually I flag down a waiter and it's obvious the kitchen have forgotten our order despite it being not busy at all - we're not having a good day! When they do come they are piping hot - mine is "penne alla don" - ie with fillet steak and peppers - very good. B has seafood linguine - plenty of seafood.

Since drink has been taken, and we're fed up, B asks to speak to the manager. He duly comes over and apologises, and finally offers to take one main course off our bill - a good response eventually.