Shiima and I dine out about twice a week on average, so that’s certainly over a hundred dinners, brunches, and breakfasts in 2017. It wasn’t easy at all to come up with a list of Top 10 Dishes in London, cos as you might know Shiima only eats chicken (read her Top 10 Chicken Dishes) and whilst I eat everything, I adore sushi (read my Top 10 Sushi Dishes) so if it were just up to me would be chuck fill of sushi lol. This is a list of the best dishes Shiima and I enjoyed together in 2017.
Before we begin, this is a gallery of dishes we independently loved this year but didn’t make it onto any of our lists because they aren’t sushi or chicken dishes.
The List
10
Croquettes – Senor Ceviche/Barrafina/M Threadneedle Street/Ember Yard/Pachamama
The first time I ever had croquettas was at Barrafina Adelaide Street and I’ve loved it ever since. Eventually, after a bit of prodding, Shiima tried croquettas and she really enjoyed it … so much that she had the haddock (fish!!!) croquettas from Ember Yard at our family Christmas dinner and loved it! Read more about the dish in our Senor Ceviche, Barrafina Drury Lane, M Threadneedle Street, Ember Yard, and Salt Yard Reviews
9
Beef Short Rib Bao – Bao
She loves baos … she could eat an empty bao, and to be fair to her the steamed fluffy buns are heavenly. The Beef Short Rib at Bao isn’t exactly her favourite, but I love it, which is a feat because I endeavour not to eat bread lol. Read more about the dish in our Bao Fitzrovia Review.
8
Roasted Pearl Barley – The Test Kitchen
It’s a seemingly simple dish, but it’s utterly delicious. It’s a sort of roasted barley porridge. The first time we had it, it was cooked with salt baked celeriac and truffle … buttery and delicious, but it was even better the second time we had it cooked with parsley, garlic and crispy shallots. Read more about the dish in our The Test Kitchen Review.
7
Sweet and Sour Chicken Wings – Novikov
Read Shiima’s Top Ten Chicken Dishes for our thoughts on the dish.
6
Stuffed Courgette Flower – Barrafina
This is the perfect intersection of our tastes. Shiima loves vegetable tempura, and I do not, but I love warm cheese and this dish is filled with warm delicious goats cheese that oozes out the moment you cut into the flower. Read more about the dish in our Barrafina Adelaide Street and Dean Street Reviews.
5
Wagyu Beef Puff – Yauatcha/Hutong
I can’t tell what exactly we love so much about this dish. It could easily be the delicious pastry or the rich wagyu filling. Either way, it’s a wonderfully moreish dish. Read more about the dish in our Yauatcha Soho Review.
4
Shrimp Tempura – Sushi Samba
After years of persuasion, Shiima finally relented and tried the fried squid at Sushi Samba and she enjoyed it! Next step was this Shrimp Tempura, which I love and she loved it too. But what’s not to love, the shrimps are lightly battered, flash fried, and then tossed in delicious spicy mayo. Impeccable. Read more about the dish in our Sushi Samba Review
3
Jose Jose Chilli Burger – Patty & Bun
It’s both our favourite burgers, although I loved it even more with the chorizo relish. That is no more, but the spicy relish still carries this amazing burger over the line.
2
Aloo Tikki Chat – Gymkhana
This is a wonderful Indian starter with the perfect mixture of potato cake pieces, rich and meaty chickpea curry, sweet tamarind, sev, and pomegranate. It’s perfect for every occasion. Read more about the dish in our Gymkhana Review.
1
Plantain, yucan syrup, feta, black olive – Pachamama
Simply mind blowing. Fried plantain like I never thought possible. Read more about the dish in our Pachamama Review.
Tomorrow will be our top desserts!
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