Bistro du Vin - the best burger in London?

While in New York I spent some time in search of the best burger in town. They varied in price and style enormously, with all kinds of toppings and accompaniments. I came back with an enriched understanding of this popular fast food. However, if I was asked about the best burger in London I wouldn’t know where to start, what establishment to nominate. Black and Blue does exceptionally well rounded burger courses; Chiswick farmer's market do the freshest juiciest lamb burger ever, and Opera Tavern conjure up the yummiest mini burgers - a divine mix of Iberico pork and foie gras. The winner would depend on your preferences: how you like it cooked, the importance of the chip quality, which burger fillings you consider to be essential.

I was offered the chance to assess the burgers at Bistro du Vin, where they pride themselves on offering guests a cooking preference for their burgers which will keep the Food Standards Agency content, but without detracting from the great taste and dining experience. We each ordered one each, mine was cooked medium-well and my friend opted for medium-rare.

Delivered to us on rustic wooden boards, with an adorable little copper pan of mild chilli dressing they certainly looked like posh, high calibre burgers: stacked high with a combination of delicious components (bacon, cheese, tomato, lettuce, red onion) and kept together with a cocktail stick. You could immediately tell that the Donald Russell sourced beef is of exceptionally high quality. The chips are majestically presented in a golden cone, which slots into a groove on the board showing that this burger experience has certainly been well thought through.

Bistro du Vin use a Josper Grill which allows them to cook their meat to perfection, and we found that the colour and tenderness exactly met each of our requests: mine was firm with a slightly charred edge but still juicy, with only a hint of red. The medium-rare was more crumbly round the outside with a deep pink and flavoursome interior. The brioche bun was nicely toasted to prevent any unwanted sogginess and the textures were perfectly balanced with the crispest crunchiest lettuce and onion and a sweet red tomato slice.

Priced at £14.50, it seems quite expensive for a burger, but considering that for that you also receive a large portion of chips and a separate dish of dipping sauce, I feel it is justified.

Apparently officially the Bistro burger is rated 8th best in London, though from my experience I would rate it much higher. This is a burger that not only exceeds expectations in all the necessary criteria but one that succeeds in suiting any requirement, cooked to perfection every time.

Visit the Bistro du Vin website here.

High Road Brasserie in Chiswick

High Road Brasserie, Ant and Dec’s restaurant venture on Chiswick High Road stole the site of my beloved childhood ice-cream parlour, Fouberts, so I wasn’t keen on it from the start. Though as summers have passed, I have watched and envied happy diners sitting there, sipping cappuccinos and gleefully tucking into delicious looking plates of food, so eventually I accepted the place into Turnham Green’s family of businesses.

Before the Grand National we went for brunch. The weather was glorious and after experiencing numerous brunches in NY, I am hooked on this mid morning meal. This brasserie has a luxuriously large outdoor space, thanks to the expansive pavements and so even on sunny days there are enough seats outside for everyone. We sat, lapping up the sun and ordered a big assortment of breakfast-brunch dishes to keep our hunger at bay till dinner.

The menu, and restaurant decor, is modern European with a French bias. The breezy spacious room with its tiled floor is reminiscent of a Parisian establishment. The freshest orange juice and water was delivered to us pronto, next light frothy coffees and then our chosen food. My friend had been craving Eggs Benedict and finally had the opportunity to order this classic New York recipe. I had a standard bacon sandwich, which was made with deliciously thick and crispy bacon and fresh wholemeal bread, lightly buttered. For brunch dessert (if such a concept exists!) we shared a portion of warm waffles with crème fraiche, ripe berries and maple syrup - it was perfectly assembled and full of sweet flavour. Service was quick and friendly.

I grew up around this area and so I’m delighted to have found such a nice place to return to for brunch, or lunch or dinner – these two menus looked great too. This stylish cafe epitomises Chiswick cool - have a delicious brunch in the sunshine and watch the yummy mummies go by.

Things to do in New York

New York, New York, a place I had only ever dreamed of, a city of giant buildings and whizzing bumblebee cabs. At last I was going to see the delicious big apple and aquamarine lady with my own eyes, but first I had to get through the dauntingly long flight.

Arriving to constant rain and a shockingly harsh wind was a little disappointing, the weather was even worse than in London. We were staying in a heavenly loft apartment in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn - stylish modern decor and clean comfort made this the perfect little home for our New York adventure (website to book here). I had already planned an extensive schedule; with so many interests the opportunities were infinite. Theatre, music, art, food, fashion and the sights - I insisted on doing it all. I could ramble on forever about what an awesome time we had but instead I’ll write about some things I would recommend doing if you are taking a trip over the Atlantic.

As I spend all my time in London going to the theatre, I limited myself to one musical and one opera while in NY. It was tricky picking a Broadway show, there are so many, and every friend I asked had a different suggestion. I decided on ‘Memphis’, winner of four 2010 Tony Awards, including ‘Best Musical’. Tickets were not cheap, and no deals were to be found anywhere. The production was certainly a spectacle, and the audience were lapping up every note with satisfaction, beaming and cheering after every song. With ticket prices so high, I guess this kind of entertainment is just for special occasions, not like my daily theatre fix! I was mightily impressed with the visuals though surprised that the vocals weren’t better, and the storyline of Memphis is certainly weak.

The Metropolitan Opera is considered to be one of the most exciting and prominent opera houses in the world, hosting some sensational singers and producing elaborate and exciting productions. Coincidentically my favourite opera, Tosca by Puccini, was on while I was there, so of course I had to see it. We managed to get $40 tickets (about £25) high up in a box, with an okay view. The singers were the best in the business, big voices filled with emotional energy and power. Starting at 8 pm and with two long intervals, it lasted a little too long, and both of us began to feel sleepy way before the final curtain.

The food in New York is spectacular, every meal was delicious, and much better value than overpriced London eateries. We had a range of cuisines including cheap Mexican snacks from La Esquina and Caracas, which were fresh and yummy; on the final day we had a breathtaking lunch at ‘Jean Georges’, where extraordinary chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s astonishing creations have earned the highest restaurant accolade - three Michelin stars. This French cuisine was perfection - dazzling dishes and elegantly assembled flavours made the meal truly memorable. At $40 for three courses, this restaurant is insanely good value and we could even afford a glass of bubbly each. Spotted Pig was probably my favourite meal of the trip, a popular gastropub in the West Village. This place is full of character, with dinky anecdotes all over the walls. Spotted Pig is famous for its blue cheese burger and shoestring fries, which after trying I can confirm is fully worth the hour wait.

Shopping is endless in NY - vintage, designer, jewellery, make-up, food, anything and everything you could ever want. I knew I’d be overwhelmed, so instead of seeking out the best shops I waited to see what I came across. A few stood out as firm favourites at the end of the trip: firstly the wonderfully eclectic vintage shop near our apartment, Olive’s Very Vintage in Carroll Gardens. Here I found a retro wool Versace skirt, with a colour block design that is perfect for this season’s trends, and a brilliant patterned crop jacket from Saks, probably dating back to the wild 80s. The classic NY stores provided the expected thrill - Bloomingdales, Dylan’s Candy Store and Victoria’s Secrets, and I picked up little purchases as memorabilia from each. Greenwich Village/Soho was definitely my favourite shopping district with a jolly mix of vintage, designer and cute independent shops. I found a home at Bleeker Street in this area where we gorged on Magnolia Bakery cupcakes, and I bought some beautiful perfume from Bond & Co, a very New York company that produces scents to represent each of the districts. Stylist extraordinaire of Sex and the City, Patricia Fields, also has a shop which is well worth a visit.

Most of the museums and art galleries hover around Fifth Avenue, running alongside Central Park. Each one holds a vast collection of magical works, and requires a lot of energy, so I wouldn’t recommend visiting more than one or two in a day. The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) was by far my favourite, currently showing the most remarkable Picasso Guitar works. The Guggenheim is an architecturally awesome building, and has a good permanent collection, and the Metropolitan is of epic proportion with an equally epic shop. We also visited the decadent Neue Galerie that holds a small group of German and Austrian works. Most exhibitions cost from $10-15 entrance fee.

There are many tourist sites that define NYC, some more interesting than others. On the second day we went on an unbelievable helicopter tour and saw most of the famous buildings. The Staten Island Ferry is worth trying... this ferry is free and runs every half hour, 365 days a year, bringing thousands of travellers back and forth. It is a 25 minute trip each way and is a great way to get a closer look at the Statue of Liberty. Other sights include Wall Street, World Trade Centre, the Friends Building, Palace Hotel (Gossip Girl), all worth visits even if only fleeting. I managed to get last minute tickets to the Knicks basketball game so we also had the pleasure of visiting the world renowned Madison Square Gardens (the venue for the match). This game was a definite trip highlight for me, it was such an American experience with costumed cheerleaders, dancers, celebrity spotting and even a filmed marriage proposal; all that and the actual game of course.

My time at University was spent avidly watching Sex and the City, and that taught me that NY has the best cocktails so I wasn’t going to leave without trying at least a few. New Yorkers use different cocktail making techniques which I discovered when I was given a daiquiri served with a great deal of crushed ice... not so nice. You have to specify exactly how you want your drink. The best bar we discovered for cocktails was ‘Death & co’ a spookily realistic speakeasy, mock prohibition bar, that with no windows you barely notice from the street. Inside it is magically lit with tea light candles, and only a little electricity to reveal the spectacular bar selection. The man behind the counter made us some delicious concoctions that were authentic and interesting tasting. In Brooklyn we visited a fun bar too: Clover Club serves up classics as well as its own specialities and sells at reasonable prices.

There are so many wonderful things to do in NY, it is hard to pick. I’ve already started a list of things to do next time, I can’t wait to return.

ps. THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLY is ONE TODAY!

Hot on the Highstreet Week 42

The desperate need to save for my New York trip later this month means absolutely NO clothes purchases - much better to scrimp now so that I can afford to buy myself a few special souvenirs of the Big Apple. This plan would be a great deal easier if Whistles had not brought out their best collection yet; several pieces are taunting me with their undeniable allure.

Cheerful, bright-coloured outfits are livening up the whole highstreet, with Whistles leading the pack. Their most recent collection is full of distinctive statement pieces glowing with eye catching tints. Of the lot, my favourite piece has to be the beautiful neon coral pleated Carrie skirt. I went to try this on last week, and can assure you that in the flesh the hue is quite divine, and I’m sure would look super glamourous with a glowing tan. It is priced at £95, but look out for discount offers in magazines (Glamour recently had a 20% off voucher!)

I fell in love instantly and, when I discovered they didn’t have it in my size, immediately pleaded with them to phone and check every other London branch. It turned out that nowhere had the size 10, perhaps a blessing in disguise, but heartbreaking. I tried to manipulate the 12 into working on my figure, but this is a skirt that needs to be on the waist, so it’s no good getting a size that hopelessly falls down – as it just won’t flatter your figure.

Aside from the fluoro skirt, I always adore the silk shirts in Whistles and this season is no exception. The slim 70s blouse comes in a bubbly pink and a fresh turquoise (that miraculously manages to avoid looking like a uniform shirt). This is a slim-fitting, sand-washed top that is so soft to wear and beautifully tailored, also costing £95.

Whistles is the upper end of highstreet along with Reiss, and I try to wait till the sales to buy their clothes, but if you want one piece to take you through the summer this is the shop to visit.

Look at Whistles website here.