Flying home from Newark was a seemingly great opportunity to visit a colleague-recommended Brazilian Restaurant offering an mouth watering all you can eat Rodizia of only the best beef cuts. As he drove us to the restaurant the notion of sitting still on Virgin Atlantic VS002 for the following 7 hours was only a distant cow-bell in the back of my mind. It's a big, traditional 'effect' restaurant, who's entranceway overlooks a daunting grill. Spits of exciting looking cuts rotate automatically across the coals. Even though its early (6pm) we're led through a busy restaurant to the table. Of course we're here for the $23 Rodizia and as the first jug of sangria arrives we're waved over to the salad bar. We may be new but we're not mugs so go for only a small plate of leaves and olives and one piece of bread. It's the steak we're here for. And the steak we get. For the next 45 minutes it's eyes down for what I can only describe as a meat onslaught. Waiters circulate the room carrying spits of meat, show it to the table and proceed to cut a slice for whoever doesn't say no. Within 15 minutes I had a wedge of flank steak, chicken hearts, smoked ham, sliced topside, garlic rump, prime rib, fillet mignon and cheese steak (wow). By the end of the first iteration I had a graveyard of beef. Our Brazilian host was wiping his plate clean ready for round 2. Drifting in and out of sleep at 40,000 feet and the cow bell is ringing loud. Supposedly there are more pricey alternatives in Manhattan, however this one was all it could be if you're in New Jersey (although not recommended on day of travel!). Fernandes Steak House
158 Fleming Avenue
New Jersey
+1 (973) 598 4344
http://www.fernandessteakhouse.com/location.html


Think of the most corny Italian restaurant imaginable. You're here, its Mambo Italiano. Walls painted with frankly awful celebrity cariacture freezes (complete with speech bubbles); one big dining room with a dozen more tables than space; adolsecent waiters in dirty aprons and santa hats pushing each other through the gaps; party of 30 celebrating a 40th; a blue suede suit, polished bald headed, falsetto singer - crooning along to numbers everyone in the room (except me) knows. All together this adds up to one overwhelming scene, but once through the shellshock (I cant hear myself think) it's quite appealing - although must be experienced in a group to avoid being completely submerged in a sea of garish sound, colour and rich Brooklyn-Italian accents. The menu, family-style, which means heartly portions of everything to share; salad, pasta, seafood, meat. Definltey quantity over quality but well-constructed delicate dishes would have been completely out of place. Your huge italian family has been coming here for 20 years. If you don't have one, this is the place to get involved. Mambo Italiano
8803 3rd Ave.
Brooklyn,
New York
+1 718-833-3891


Whilst the tourism world wanders around the Tate Modern reading slide sold-out signs we visited the ground floor Cafe 2. A table by the windows gave a great view of folk too engrossed in art to watch where they're going. The result: a babel tower of foreign apologies. At least they weren't pressed against the glass and so dining didn't feel all that stuck in the tourist trap. Options are few, the desert list as long as mains with casual-snack related plates of prawns on toast, egg mayonnaise on flatbread and the echelon-vegan staple; chickpea, aubergine and hummus salad. Tourist stitch-up applies so expect a couple extra bucks per plate than normal. Drinks are worse, fresh smoothies (haven't they got to be?) at £3 a tumbler was just too much. I had a chicken liver parfait which although at the wrong temperature (defrosting) was tasty enough (I'm sure could be bought for 1/5 the price at any Sainsbury's deli counter). However the beer battered haddock was shockingly tasty and honestly, something to go back for. Next time, avoid the voluntary Tate donation and give it to them via half an hour in Cafe 2. http://flickr.com/photos/triplefivedrew/315586469/
http://flickr.com/photos/triplefivedrew/315584733/


About his new book "Diaries 1967-1979: The Python Years" Michael Palin chatted to an observer interviewer in front of a full 700 seater auditorium, Logan Hall, UCL.
We were lucky ticket holders and go there early for good seats - not quite as good as John Cleese (front row) who eventually dismissed a gathering crowd of fans - but good enough.


Mothers in 4x4s, extortionate housing, diplomatic vehicles, car showrooms, mews, parks, swimming pools. The West. It's been a while since we've travelled across the other side of town to the prevailing wind and good to see nothing has changed. Harringay gardens could be one of a million leafy streets sprawled around the museums lined with white anonymous stucco buildings.
Inside The Bentley Kempinski to a small polished lobby, could be a lawyer's office, embassy or family home. Not being used to service, was a shock to have 3 people virtually fighting over a greeting. The £250+/night hotel oozes decadence, no surface untouched by marble, definitely the feel of a 5 star. Downstairs to the restaurant and the theme continues, a quiet affair with 15 or so tables spread out through the spacious and elegant room. Through a curtain to the lounge, a pianist lightly tinkles. Only two other tables are occupied at our 8.30PM Saturday arrival and I'm feeling under dressed with the absence of a tie. Service was spot on. We were extremely well attended, without the lingering intrusion of similar environments. 10 minutes in and after the breads have been introduced the Manager floats over for welcomes. A London first. We chose the £80 8 course, award winning grazing menu. This compromised 6 miniature but perfectly formed dishes, a selection of cheese and desert. Each course was timed perfectly, glazed shrimp, superb, generous fois gras, wrapped tuna (a little too tiny), fried turbot and roast lamb. Every plate was fantastically presented and delicious despite a definite Gulliver's sensation. Out wheeled the cheese board and after introductions to the various choices we had a tailored plate of flavor, some so good we asked for the label.
After desert (with an emphasis on strawberry and pistachio) we reached the end of a three hour menu. Extremely satisfied and ready for more this was a great experience and the toptable.co.uk 50% offer made the evening even more tasty. The Bentley Kempinski
Harrington Gardens
SW7 4JX London
United Kingdom
+44 (0)20 7244 5555
http://www.kempinski.com/en/hotel/details.htm?id=108


Nestled silent and unrecognisable at the City end of Bethnal Green, Les Trois Garcons could be one of 100 wholesale stores or barely used warehouses.


Battersea power station has been in its present form for long enough down in that no-mans-land part of town. Now it's time for it to join the other riverside monsters and be converted into a modern-day monument to mind-bending internal spaces.