The Clarence, London

Even before I arrived in London, I was craving for a good Sunday roast. As we walked down from Trafalgar Square heading towards Big Ben, we spotted a few potential pubs.

Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square

The effects of global warming

The half melted ice bear



Big Ben

Some funny shirts we came across

After some deliberation, we settled for The Clarence, a contemporary looking pub just 100 yards away from Trafalgar Square, boasting views of London Eye and Big Ben.

London Eye

Having undergone a makeover recently, The Clarence sports a fresh and contemporary outlook. However, it still felt very warm and cosy in here.

The specials on the board reveals that 'Roast Rib Eye Steak' with all the trimmings was available here today. Exactly what I wanted!

What I wanted..

So, when the waiter arrived to take our order, I ordered 2 'Roast Rib Eye Steaks' and I found it strange when he asked me how I wanted my rib eye steak cooked. However, I never gave it a second thought until our food arrived. A medium-cooked rib-eye steak, with tomato, mushroom, handcut chips and peppercorn sauce (£14.95) . And I still didn't notice the order blunder until Hubby asked 'where's the Yorkshire pudding?' (I must have been having a blonde moment)

The truth was, when the steak arrived, I was very happy with what I saw and even happier when I took my first bite! The steak was beautifully cooked, no signs of overcooked meat here for sure! I have yet to find steaks like this in Malaysia. :-(

The crispy chips dunked in the peppercorn sauce were delightful to eat

When I looked back at the menu, I realised that the waiter must have only heard me saying 'Rib Eye Steak' and missed out the word 'Roast'. Anyhow, I thoroughly enjoyed the steak. No complains!

For dessert, we shared a warm Chocolate Brownie with Vanilla Ice-Cream (£5.00) and it was sinfully good.

Verdict: Apart from the 'order' blunder, it was a very good "pub" experience in the heart of London. Lovely food, atmosphere and attentive service.

Location: The Clarence, 53 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2HP

Tel: 020 7930 4808

Nearest tube: Westminster / Charing Cross

Wagamama, London

After our meal in Maze, we wandered the streets of London to kill some time before our Mamma Mia show. I have been wanting to watch Mamma Mia like forever, so I was really looking forward to it!

Christmas was all around us; Christmas themed lights lit up the streets.

Shop fronts decorated with all things Christmas. It is always interesting to look into the shop fronts and see what the designers have cooked up. Selfridges had a variety of fairytale characters, Snow White & The 7 Dwarfs, Cinderella and Captain Hook.

It was freezing by 6pm so we welcomed the idea of escaping into a warm restaurant. We wanted something quick, light and reasonably priced, so Wagamama it was.

Wagamama is a restaurant chain serving Asian food with a Japanese Ramen bar concept. The feeling I get in here is like being in a high school canteen, sitting on long benches with friends having a laksa or mee goreng.

Wagamama is the brainchild of Alan Yau, who is also responsible for creating Michelin restaurant, Hakkasan and Yauatcha. Opened in April 1992, Wagamama's philosophy is ‘to combine fresh and nutritious food in an elegant yet simple setting with helpful, friendly service and value for money’.

I used to frequent Wagamama back in the days when I was still living in UK, especially when I was missing Asian food (well, it's not really that Asian but its the closest thing I could get where I was living). Being back here brings back good memories.

The waiters take your order on a PDA, which is transmitted to the kitchen. It is always very busy in here but service is prompt. Fresh juices here are pretty good, the raw juice, a combination of carrot, cucumber, tomato, orange and apple, is refreshing. Complimentary green tea is available with every order of main course.

To start, we shared the gyoza (£4.80), steamed/grilled chicken and vegetable dumplings, served with a vinegar/soy dipping sauce.

I had the Wagamama Ramen (£7.80), egg noodles in a vegetable soup topped with grilled chicken, smooth dory, prawn, kamaboko, fried tofu, mushrooms, wakame and spring onions. Perfect for a cold winter day!

Hubby had the Yaki Soba (£6.95), teppanfried soba noodles with chicken, shrimps, egg, beansprouts, peppers, white and spring onions, garnished with fried shallots, pickled ginger and sesame seeds. The noodles were too dry and lacking slightly in flavour, so we had to add more soy sauce.

And, btw, Mamma Mia was a fantastic show!

Verdict: Filled our stomachs but this outlet didn't really deliver on flavour.

Location: Wagamama, 14 Irving Street, London, WC2H 7AF

Nearest tube: Leicester Square

Website: http://www.wagamama.com