Ideas

Restaurants

Inamo, Soho

Photos from http://www.dezeen.com/2008/11/27/inamo-restaurant-by-blacksheep/ 

From their website: "At the core of Inamo is our interactive ordering system. Diners place orders from an illustrated food and drinks menu projected on to their table surface. You'll set the mood, discover the local neighbourhood, and even order a taxi home. Our dedicated and friendly staff are always on hand to help with whatever you need."

I have never experienced anything like this in a restaurant so I think it could definitely be worth a visit.The menu is a mix of Japanese, Chinese and Thai foods, and even though I've tried all of these, I've never tried them combined together to create one menu.

Dans Le Noir?, Clerkenwell Green

Photos from http://runninginheels.co.uk/articles/dans-le-noir-london/

From their website: "Welcome to a truly sensory culinary experience. You are going to live an unbelievable experience: eating or having a drink in the pitch darkness. If this idea seems to be a little strange to you at first, it is maybe because by suppressing the dominant sense of the sight, each person naturally starts a deep self-questioning. With the help of our blinded guides you are going to completely re-evaluate the notion of taste and smelling through our gastronomic and pedagogical process."

This experience is similar to the one you would get in Inamo Restaurant, just because it is 'sensory' and is more exciting and unpredictable than a regular restaurant experience. The food might not necessarily be that unusual, but the fact you can't see what you are eating can alter how things taste to you, and how strong the taste is.

Vapiano, Portland Street

Photos from http://www.fluideating.co.uk/Vapiano_W1W.restaurant 

From their website: "Defining the future of fresh casual - a new and refreshing niche in the restaurant industry - Vapiano is an innovative European concept serving made-to-order fire roasted pizzas, fresh, house-made pasta and hand tossed gourmet salads. An established concept with more than 30 worldwide locations and another 100 in development in the United States, Europe and the Middle East, Vapiano puts a new spin on the dining experience with its urban upscale Italian decor and its modern customer service."

"Vapiano is a fast casual restaurant with a twist - customers use a »chip card« to personally order their food or drinks from the bar or from the individual fresh pizza, pasta or salad stations. With this new innovative technology, Vapiano is going to change the way restaurants do business!"

I like the concept that you can watch the chefs cook your meal right in front of you, and it takes alot less time than in a conventional restaurant. Again this is more of an 'interactive' experience, rather than an unusual food experience, as they serve traditional Italian food which is ofcourse very popular, but has been tried many times before. 

Les Trois Garçons, Club Row

Photos from http://wordpress.lestroisgarcons.com/?page_id=55 

From their website: "Les Trois Garcons is situated in a converted Victorian pub from 1880 in Shoreditch. Hassan, Michel and Stefan acquired the building in 1996 as their home, coming from Malaysia, France and Sweden they find living in a Victorian pub the epitome of Englishness. In 2000 the garcons decided to open the ground floor as a restaurant with the kitchen, chef’s table (a room for up to 10 persons with a one way window overlooking the kitchen) and the wine cellar in the basement and they continue to live on the other 2 floors above."

I have previously tried French food, but never some of the delicacies which are mostly associated with French cuisine, such as escargot (snails), foie gras and frog legs. Generally I find it hard to try new foods and the idea of eating snails doesn't really fill me with joy (!) however I think they would be worth a try. I never know, I might like them!

Cay Tre, Soho

Photos from http://www.caytresoho.co.uk/gallery.php   

From their website: "Our modern yet cosy restaurant emulates the hustle and bustle of busy Vietnamese life, and is the perfect backdrop to serve up the light and aromatic flavours of Vietnamese cuisine. Enjoy slurping a spicy Pho at our Pho-barand delight in our unique menu of authentic dishes and Vietnamese inspired cocktails as the evening draws in."

I have never been to a Vietnamese Restaurant, or tried Vietnamese food, but I think it's quite similar to Thai cuisine. 

Texture, Portman Street

Photos from http://texture-restaurant.co.uk/gallery.php

From their website: "Texture's cuisine style is modern European with Scandinavian influences and focuses on combining and emphasising different consistencies. Sverrisson's roots are demonstrated in the inclusion of ingredients such as Icelandic Cod, Icelandic Lamb from Skagafjordur, Icelandic herbs and Icelandic skyr. The regular tasting menu further showcases Sverrisson's creativity in the kitchen and a set lunch offers unrivalled value."

Scandinavian food is something I have never tried, and is a bit more unusual than anything else I have ever had!