NEW YORK: KATZ'S DELI - RESTAURANT REVIEW

It took me 6 trips to NYC to get here. Finally on my trip for the NYC Half Marathon, I made it. On what I now call my "snow seeing" day as it was snowing from 11 am..... continuously  I am not normally one to go to tourist style restaurants as the food and service is usually really bad. However, every now and again, my faith is restored. Katz's Deli was where this happened. I suppose that because it does seem to attract quite a few locals as well made it what it was. I walked in and was met by Eddie. He was happy to answer ALL my questions about how to order and how I wanted my pastrami sandwich. He was my first contact in this deli and was friendly and happy to answer my questions which he had probably been asked 100 times that day already. That is the sign of good service. Even when I sat in the table service area (after I had got my meal from the counter), the waiter was very friendly and just let me know that I needed to sit in the middle part instead. He was very diplomatic and made sure I didn't fell embarrassed I was sitting in the wrong area. How important is this? Often as a tourist when you do the "wrong" thing you are made to feel about an inch tall. Not here.
You get given a ticket at the door (say by Eddie) and they write what you order on it at each counter you visit, doing a running tally and then you pay at the end before you walk out the door. Quite a good system really. DON'T LOSE YOUR TICKET- it is a $50USD fine if you do. 
I made my way to the counter and ordered. The guy making my sandwich gave me some pastrami to try. He was also attentive with what I wanted on it, say mustard etc. I got some of the Russian dressing on the side, but I will be honest, I wasn't so much of a fan. The rye bread is to die for and I was to wash it all down with a cream soda. You can have your pastrami lean (with no fat) or "not so lean" (proper term escapes me), which means you get the fat with it.
The sandwich was great. Massive and really you can share it. The pastrami was fabulous. I didn't partake in the pickles as they are not my thing.
For the "When Harry Met Sally" fans, there is a photo of the cast on the wall and a dangling sign above the table where Meg Ryan gave her "performance".
Safe to say, it's the most expensive sandwich I have ever and probable will ever order and consume. My sandwich alone was $22.50, the soda $2.50. Total including tax, a little over $27USD. But, this is what the cost is. I would recommend a visit. And if you don't understand how it works, ask. They are really friendly people.
It's constantly packed but tables are always coming free.
The food is good, so despite the price, you aren't paying good money for bad food. 
I loved it here, would I go again, yes, but I would take someone with me to share a sandwich.

Katz's

The Pastrami Sandwich (Lean)

The Pastrami Sandwich (Lean)

Old style lit up boards with their fayre.

Where Harry met Sally

The cast of Harry Met Sally.

This place is always busy. It was a great place to people watch

 Right here was where Meg Ryan gave her performance

Outside, and it was snowing. 

LONDON: THE SAVOY GRILL GORDON RAMSAY - RESTAURANT REVIEW

We booked this through http://www.opentable.co.uk/london-restaurants, an online booking system that I cannot fault. This restaurant is nothing short of first class. I expect nothing less from a restaurant with Gordon's name against it. We had the roast on Sunday from the a-la-carte which was prime rib of beef with Yorkshire pudding. It came with potatoes and red cabbage. We ordered other vegetables on the side. Roasts on the trolley change daily and range from about £22-£30. Wednesday we saw was beef Wellington day, check before you go in case they have changed it. One of the most spectacular meals I have had. Had treacle tart for dessert - to die for, but I believe they have taken it off the menu. Service was amazing. I expect this in an establishment of this kind. Cannot be faulted on any level. Book here. You won't be disappointed.

Click here to go to the website.
Click here for the menu.

LONDON: JAMIE'S ITALIAN- RESTAURANT REVIEW

We ate at the one in Stratford just at the Westfield Shopping Centre right at the Olympic Park, twice. I had the bolognese both times - go large as this is the main size. Entree size is quite small. Mum had Jools tuna pasta one day and the vongole dish the next. The vongole has quite a lot of chilli so if you don't like chilli ask for no chilli. Polenta chips, ok for a novelty, but won't have them again, nothing wrong, just not my thing. Side veg ok. They don't take bookings but even during the Olympics the longest we waited was 8 minutes for a table. The restaurant is 2 stories and has ample seating. Service is good but varies between waiters. Good value though and great for a meal post/ pre event at Olympic park or during a days shopping at Westfield.
I also thought it was really well priced and good value.
Click here to go to the website. 
Click here for the menu.
Click here to view other UK locations.

NEW YORK: VEGAN EATERIES

I have many Vegan and Vegetarian friends. I like to keep myself across some of the eateries for them.
Yet to eat at any of these, I have had them recommended to me by others.
Click on the restaurant name to go to their website.

1) Dirt Candy
2) Cinammon Snail - used to have a spot every day, now you need to check their FB page or website for locations of the truck
3) Candle 79
4) Blossom


Message me or comment below if you have some other great Vegan eateries :)

HONG KONG: THE LOBBY AT THE PENINSULA- HIGH TEA- RESTAURANT REVIEW

I was lucky enough to go here in 2011 on a work trip to Hong Kong. High Tea is my thing and I go as much as I can. I particularly like to go to iconic hotels like this to enjoy such an occasion.

For High Tea at the Peninsula you can't book, you have to line up and wait for a table.

It is worth the wait. I really wish that PLAIN scones were the focus, I dislike sultanas in scones, but that is my personal thing. The spread has the usual sandwiches, but some different cakes and petit fours.

Click here for up to date pricing and menus. 

Put it on a Hong Kong itinerary :)

Hotel Frontage, Kowloon

 Tea for Two

 High Tea

 Cake and Petit Fours

 My friend Jakki and I

NEW YORK- PALM COURT, THE PLAZA - RESTAURANT REVIEW

 I love High Tea. That is all I have to say. I have had High Tea here at the Plaza twice in 16 months. It is just great. The room is opulent and the staff fabulous. It's worth the cost and is such a wonderful, memorable experience. Do make a reservation and do dress up.
I love the sandwiches which include cucumber, smoked salmon and chicken. I start to get a bit lost of the sugar but still manage to chomp my way through. The petit fours are eclairs, tarts, macarons and other yummy treats. They will bring you extra cream, jam and lemon curd for your scones if you ask for it. The photos are from the New Yorker High Tea and I had the Tropical Fruit Basket tea which was lovely and light.

NEW YORK : BECCO RESTAURANT REVIEW

One of the key motivators of travelling for me now is about food and sourcing great restaurants. Great doesn't have to be expensive either. Great is defined by many variables; the food; the staff; the company. New York possibly has enough restaurants for me to try over 20 lifetimes and I still wouldn't get to go to all of them.

I was recommended to eat at Becco by friends who often do so. You must make a reservation otherwise you may not get in. I sat at the bar to eat as there were no tables on a busy night. After much consideration on what to choose, I went for the Sinfonia which for $22USD, is great value considering you can have unlimited pasta. Caesar Salad (or antipasto misto, your choice) to start, followed by unlimited amounts of 3 different types of pasta. On the night I went it was swiss chard cannelloni, pesto and green bean linguine, and penne alla vodka with shrimp. Bread and olives are given and it is tempting to fill up on them, but don't if you can avoid it! Great selection of wines as well, either by glass or bottle. The 2 boys behind the bar were just wonderful. They were attentive and chatty. Names escape me but 1 was from Mexico and the other from Algeria. They are a credit to that bar and run it like a well oiled machine. If you get a chance, try the sweet red wine Brachetto for dessert. It is chilled and will blow your mind. The restaurant is open until late and I would highly recommend it. I am glad I sat at the bar and not at a table. I am sure the service would have been just as good, but it was nice to be able to chat with the boys. Totally recommend this restaurant for service, value and great food. Make a reservation, you won't  be disappointed.