London Street Bakery Dining Room,

Green Lakes Residence,

42 Petre Aurelian, Baneasa

reservations rachel.sargent@londonstreetbakery.com, 0722661784

This week’s review is written in anticipation of the opening next week of the exciting new London Street Bakery Dining Room. This new restaurant venture has been solely inspired by Rachel Sargent, English investment banker turned restaurateur. You may say: a bold move indeed. However Rachel, who comes from a family of Chefs, has been operating the London Street Bakery as a business selling fine cakes in Bucharest  for the last two years. The restaurant therefore would seem like the natural progression.

Rachel is joined in this new venture by a team of creative and internationally experienced Romanian Chefs and the daily menu on offer will focus firmly on the best seasonal local produce.

Two preliminary visits have been made so far for research purposes. The venture could be described as a meeting between a British Gastro Pub and modern Romanian, aiming for great food in a relaxed atmosphere. The decor has a Brit feel to it, from the wallpaper to the banquet seating. There is a bar area where you can sip imported English Ale and a restaurant area catering for around 50. On the menu, the venison in chocolate sauce with polenta looked very interesting. Blood sausages, steak and Guinness pie have yet to be tried.

The Restaurant is situated in the Green Lakes Residence in Baneasa and will be open from 8.30am for coffee and cakes, through dinner and closing at 11pm daily. The British institution of afternoon tea with a large selection of fine teas and homemade scones will also be available daily. Sounds good to me!

The London Street Bakery will also be hosting regular events, such as wine tastings and ‘meeting the suppliers’ evenings where clients can meet the suppliers of fine local produce.  This is an exciting new proposition and I am looking forward to sampling more of the menu.

Lente  (Gen. Praporgescu St, Metro Universitate) is not strictly speaking a restaurant – it’s a cafe, but it’s a cafe where the food is considerably more than an afterthought included just because it should be.

Situated on a quiet road off Batiştei street, behind the Intercontinental hotel, the first impression is of tranquility. Outside, a vine shaded terrace and inside, that vital quality as the temperature drops – cosiness. Although no more than a quirk of lighting, furniture and architecture, some places have it, some don’t. At a certain point in Lente’s conception the term ‘bohemian’ was probably used. It has books on shelves, furniture that purposefully doesn’t match and posters for concerts, exhibitions and shows dotted around the walls and windows. However, it works. The decor hasn’t been overdone to the point where the place would become a parody of what it was meant to be. In fact, Lente wouldn’t look out of place in Paris. Not tourist Paris, more like the cafes in one of the hip residential areas. All this makes it an ideal place to read Kafka while flashing the cover to staff and clientele. Perhaps leave the Maeve Binchy at home.

It might not be the spot to take a significant other for a romantic candlelit dinner but it is a place that offers a wide range of tummy filling options morning, noon and night. Several set breakfasts, some boasting a three egg omelet. And what better than a well made omelet for breakfast? Simple and delicious. Sandwiches and snacks are available as well as a wide range of starters, salads, soups and mains. The service is informal but good. The casually dressed staff provide an efficient, friendly service with none of the fawning sycophancy found in some of the expensive restaurants.

Pricing is fairly average. Pasta dishes cost around RON 25, meat and fish dishes a little more. Unusually for Romania, there are no pork dishes on the menu, just chicken and beef. The food is good and well presented, not too pretentious, and the menu is well thought out – a leaning towards Italian cuisine, but other well chosen dishes. Lente successfully avoids the cliches of an Italian restaurant, the intention seems to be to serve good, popular food day and night in an environment that is comfortable alone, as a couple or in a group. And overall it succeeds. The goulash is a good example – simple and hearty as it should be, an ideal dish for winter in Romania, generous chunks of potato and beef served up with good, fresh bread.

Read the full article on Romania-Insider.com. 

By Liam Lever, liam@romania-insider.com 

Address: Banu Antonache 40-44, Floreasca area
Phone: 0730930421

Well, everybody appears to be back to school and Bucharest is in full swing again after the holiday season, it would certainly appear so based the traffic. This means the search is back on to find new bars and restaurants and old favorites to re visit. Ginger Bar in Floreasca opened its doors this summer and is part of the Embassy chain of bars, this newest operation makes it their 5th in Bucharest. This is a positive sign as they must be doing something right! Ginger Bar has a very modern and bright feel with comfortable seating throughout, with great bar stool if you would rather sit at the bar and chat to the bartender. The interior design was inspired by visits to some of the great bars in London, this is reflected in the style of the design and the attention to detail.

The bar is on the ground floor, with a smaller mezzanine level upstairs with seating in front of large glass window which goes from floor to ceiling giving a bright and open feel.
The food is very well prepared offering a range of pasta and selection of light bites. The drinks offering is comprehensive a good range of beer and wines local and imported, fresh juices and well made cocktails. Daniel Avadanei and his team have done a very good job with Ginger Bar.
Private parties are welcomed, you can reserve anything from a small area to hiring the whole bar, maximum would be around 120 so keep this in mind if looking for a party venue. There is a terrace outside which is constructed out of wooden decking adds a nice slightly more rustic touch is good additional drinking space, this can still be enjoyed with the late summer weather we are having.

Opening times are from 9am until late everyday, with DJ’s playing the tunes over the weekend.
This is one to check out!

Address: 1 Amiral Vasile Urseanu
Web: www.siamthairestaurant.ro
Phone:021 210 9435


Finding good Thai food in these parts can be a struggle, fair enough you would say, the Thai population in Romania is very small. Infact whilst writing this article I rang the Thai Embassy in Bucharest as a point of interset to see how many Thai nationals live in Romania? I am sorry to say the Thai Embassy declined to tell.
Anyway, I discovered Siam Thai on the strength of 2 independant recommendations, so really had to be tried. Having lived in the Far East for a few years and visit Thailand many times, I am a great fan of the cuisine so went in great anticipation with high expectations.
Siam Thai did not disappoint, every bit as good as I had hoped. The food was very authentically Thai with a broad choice of dishes on the menu.


The Chicken and Cashew nuts with vegetables I had for the main course I could have eaten twice! The restaurant is situated in an old villa on Amiral Vasile Urseanu, with no obvious signage outside not easy to spot, 10 minutes walk from Piata Romana in the direction of Piata Victoriei. The restauarant has simplistic decor inside with tables and seating for around 50 people, with an outside space in a walled garden at the rear which has 5 tables. So with the summer weather ring and book in advance to secure a table outside.
This is a restaurant that I feel needs more research to sample the delights on the menu, looking forward to the challenge!
They had run out of Chang beer, a Thai beer which was offered on the menu, that would have just completed the full Thai dining experience. Let’s hope they are fully stocked for the next visit.


Home delivery also available

ADDRESS: Str. Banu Antonache 40-44, Floreasca
Web: www.madamepogany.ro
Phone:   0743 661 782

Madame Pogany opened in October last year bringing something new and fresh to the area around Floreasca fruit and vegetable market. Situated on the ground floor under the large office building at 40 Str. Banu Antonache, this bar and restaurant is fitted throughout with natural, light coloured, wooden flooring giving the space a bright and open feel. It is open daily from 9am, the kitchen closing at 12 midnight and provides a very comfortable environment to be in at any time of the day.
The space is divided into 3 main areas: the restaurant with seating for around 80, the bar area serving very good Tapas and a large terrace outside.


The tables and bench seating on the terrace are all created from the wooden decking as used in the floor, a modern and functional design. The food in the restaurant is an international mix with a wide variety of choice, described by Razvan the General Manager as his ”urban kitchen”. My regular choice has become the Asian Chicken dish, very tasty and reasonably priced at 30 Ron. The seared fresh Tuna cooked rare is also a favourite. The staff are very friendly and attentive and it is true to say “service with a smile”.
Madame Pogany also offers a variety of regular weekly events, from Wine and Whisky tastings to bar tending courses. Live Jazz is played on Friday nights and the DJ operates on Saturday nights until late.
We have here a good environment to meet and discuss business or pleasure over a coffee, a glass of wine, lunch or dinner.

Address: Sos. Nordului Nr. 7-9,
Web: www.aquachique.ro
Phone:  +40 731 888 999


Aqua is a restaurant set in an idyllic location on the banks of the Harastrau Lake.   Its modern and sophisticated style places it firmly in the upper end of the restaurant spectrum in Bucharest.   The excellent food, service and setting make it all worth the price tag, a fact proven by its customers. It is always busy.
Large sliding doors open up the comfortable seating areas inside so you can enjoy the warm summer weather from within. However at this time of year, an outside table is the place to be. The fabulous lake side garden is encased by large mature over hanging trees.  To secure a table outside a reservation is necessary.


In the middle of this garden there is a large island bar where you can enjoy a pre dinner cocktail. There are some great cocktails, but unfortunately no cocktail list and guidance from the waiter is required.  You can remain at the bar to have dinner, a perfect option for two diners.
The menu is extensive with a wide range of European cuisine, good fish and meat. Very good Sushi is also available. On the three occasions I have eaten there recently I have gone with an open mind and been guided very successfully by the waiter. There is a good although modest selection of quality wines fairly priced.
Dining in the beautiful garden evokes feelings of escapism, such as being cast away on a tropical island perhaps. These are likely to disappear however when you leave the restaurant and get into the back of a Bucharest cab.  Still it is nice to dream.
Aqua gets top marks in my book, and if you are looking for something above the ordinary then this should satisfy your needs.

Address:Pasaj Mecca – Strada Bijuteria, Old Town (Calea Victoriei side)
Phone: 0767233335
Web: www.beeroclock.ro


Beer beer beer! You may say to yourself yet another bar to open in the Old Town, which is a fair observation as the streets are lined with bars and it can be a struggle to point out the differences between them all.

Beer O’Clock manages to create a different feel, in the fact that they only serve beer! This is bound to rule out some party goers. However for those who love beer, and I have to confess I am one, this is a paradise. Offering 135 different bottled beers imported from 7 European countries, it’s a unique place in Bucharest.


The bar was opened a month ago, fitted out in a very simple way. A long wooden bar behind which are large glass fronted chillers housing all that beer, with the drinking area made up of round wooden tables with chairs to match. If you are uncertain of your choice, I would suggest rather than ordering from the menu to have a look in the fridges to see if you find a label you recognise, or to find something that looks interesting. They have enough seating outside on the street terrace for around 40 people, so the ideal spot to sip a cold beer in this heat.

Beer O’Clock is a fantastic find for those who enjoy a beer and enjoy trying something different. Everything is very reasonably priced.


“..we’re only here for the beer..”


Richard Fox, fox@citycompass.ro

Being blessed with a sweet tooth and thus a great lover of dessert, as I sample different restaurants around the city, a pecking order takes shape a bit like a league table in my head of what tickled the taste buds. Fortunately sharing such appreciation of all things sugar based with a French girl can often mean shared moments of pleasure, which in turn does help ease the conscience about the calorie intake.
A choice of dessert is a very personal thing and can depend much on what you have just eaten, and what mood you are in. Any dessert made with chocolate tends to suit my palate.

This is all leading up to my personal favorite on that pecking order of desserts found in Bucharest. I now keep this in my locker alongside my all time favorites like, the Sticky Toffee Pudding at the Ivy in London.
Enough ado, this award goes to… the Pectato Della Gola found at Resaurant Malagamba in Lipscani. Even if you are not staying for dinner, I would suggest for those sweet lovers looking for a late evening fix, to share of course, then this is it! This fine dessert to the French would be Fondant au Chocolat. As you break through the crisp outer the hot chocolate centre starts to flow, served with vanilla ice cream…. need I say more……..
Dessert served until 11pm everyday

Address: 49 Jean Louis Calderon St. Tel: 0727 239 239
E-mail: cezar@mesogios.ro
Web: www.mesogios.ro

Fish, glorious fish! Mesogios was a recommendation by a friend and is located in Jean Louis Calderon St. It is slightly off the beaten track, so not a place to simply stumble across, in a very fine old building which has been restored to its former glory. In the entrance hall there is a magnificent display of fresh fish which creates anticipation for the lunch or dinner of which you are about to partake. At the table we were given only the wine list, which presented an interesting selection of Romanian wines and well priced. There was no food menu. Instead the waiter escorts you to the fish counter to talk you through the choice of different fish and suggests the way in which it could be prepared, to suit your taste. Our table of four ordered three starter dishes to share, then a large Sea Bream with side dishes, as a main course. The fish is priced by the weight. The food was truly excellent as the fish was very fresh and well prepared.
It was a real treat to find such a good fish restaurant in Bucharest. That wine list also came into its own. We navigated our way through some very good bottles of wine. The website really does not do justice to this very good restaurant.
If you are a fish lover, it is highly recommended!

Write Richard Fox: fox@citycompass.ro .