Miko's reviews
Review of The Gallery
15 Jan 08, 18:37
Chicken lovers of the world unite and take over 
Nestled between a funeral home and dodgy looking minicab joint on the scruffier end of Brixton Hill is this Portuguese nugget of pure culinary gold. It's an unpolished nugget, but gold nonetheless.
The Gallery specialises in take-away piri piri chicken, and puts folks like Nando's to shame. You'll be sucking the bones on these tasty birds, no doubt, and the spiced rice on the side makes for a yummier and much healthier option than the dozens of fried chicken chains that line Brixton Hill. In addition to their legendary chicken - and it really IS legendary in these parts - they also serve up lamb cutlets and steak sandwiches in their bustling takeaway area.
Tucked behind this humble facade is a full Portuguese restaurant, which only opens on weekends to serve up traditional dishes such as bacalao to Brixton's hungry masses. One taste and you'll be hooked on this quirky little family-run place.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Amano
15 Jan 08, 18:22
A flavoursome gem, tucked away
I first learned of Amano because they delivered incredible sandwich and wrap trays for business lunches at my former workplace. If there were any leftovers, people in the office kitchen scrambled for their favourite (I've seen a 'Smokey Chick' almost cause fistfights!).
The cafe/restaurant is dominated by a lovely stone oven, where the flatbreads and pizzas are baked on-site. The sandwich & wrap menu is full of interesting combinations and atypical ingredients like scamorza cheese and sun-blush tomatoes, alongside old favourites.
If Borough Market's too busy or you're looking for a nice place to meet work colleagues for a glass of wine without having to shout across a noisy pub, give Amano a try. It's tucked away so you can usually get a seat on one of the leather sofas or tables - and make sure you save room for their brownies!
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Opus
15 Jan 08, 17:55
Small but perfectly formed
If I lived any closer to Opus, I think they might have to reserve a seat for me every day at lunchtime. Nowhere else in/around Brixton can you get sandwiches such as these: freshly baked soft bread enrobing a range of fillings that are perfectly matched, all grilled to perfection. They make their own bread and I have to say, they do a damn fine job of it. This is not your typical British sarnie bar: these are the same folks who run Michelin-quality Upstairs and the on-site weekend organic veg market, so they know food. Some might complain that it's a menu of set sandwiches rather than choose-your-own deli counter style service, but to me this is fine. Why not leave it to the experts, who have developed and honed their menu to perfection? There's plenty of choice for everyone.
The owners' continental roots shine through: Opus is one of the few places in London (if not the UK) that you can get a proper Spanish chocolate - the hot chocolate drink usually served with churros, stirring away in its special serving machine. While there aren't any churros to go with your chocolate or coffee, there are some great cakes and biscuits.
My only complaint is that their stools are a bit uncomfortable, making it more of an eat & run environment than one where you want to linger... which is probably done on purpose, as it gets really busy at weekends.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Negril
15 Jan 08, 17:38
Free range jerk chicken that will rock your world!
On the former site of locally-loved (if less than perfect) cafe Basement Jo's sits Negril, a down-home cafe/restaurant where the food and vibe remind you of hanging out at a mate's house - a mate who can cook the socks off the local competition.
Breakfasts are comforting and filling, and the Caribbean-inspired dishes make your tastebuds smile (if tastebuds could do such a thing!). Hearty curries and healthy grilled fish dishes sit alongside an ample vegetarian menu that includes London's best veggie burger. I've been here a lot and the only let-down was the fritters, which had a rubbery texture that made me think: microwave. But avoid this one slight negative and everything else is wonderful. Drinks include delicious freshly-made juices and smoothies and exquisite Blue Mountain coffee, or BYO bottle at dinnertime.
My top tip: try their succulent and perfectly-spiced jerk chicken in a roti wrap - I guarantee you'll come back again and again for this little bundle of flavoursome heaven. What's more, the chicken is free range, which in itself sets this lovely eaterie apart from 99.9% of the other venues in South London.
What more could you want in a local? How about some of the smiliest staff in the neighbourhood? Altogether, the sum of the parts makes Negril a great deal better than the external appearance & location leads you to expect.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.