Covent Garden: A Foodie’s Paradise
It is no secret that Covent Garden - conveniently located very close to the Strand campus - is one of London’s most iconic localities. Even though one could probably write volumes upon volumes about the area’s rich history, which can be traced all the way back to the Roman Empire, or its immense monetary value in London’s blooming real estate market, today we will be talking about something much different: its restaurants.
The Real Greek
As a Greek myself, I knew that I had to try out this famous chain of restaurants, especially after it was recommended to me by other Greeks living in London. The results did not disappoint. The Real Greek offered a taste of home, which seemed more than adequate even for my own well-versed taste buds. As a starter, I did what every self-respecting Greek living abroad would and I ordered dolmadakia (stuffed grape leaves). Even though they did not taste as good as those of my grandmother, they definitely reminded me of home. For the main course, I decided to play it safe and try their souvlaki (wrap). However, this time I chose to spice things up, choosing the meatball souvlaki instead of the one with traditional gyros and I am glad I did, since that twist made the dish more original. Perhaps the only disappointment was the desert, which they provide for free to all the customers who publish a good review on Google. The baklava was too dry, in contrast to their portokalopita, which seemed to be drizzled with too much syrup. Overall, The Real Greek provides an authentic - albeit overpriced for Greek standards - taste of Greek cuisine.
Din Tai Fung
When I found out that the famous Taiwanese chain had a restaurant in Covent Garden, I immediately knew that I had to try it out so I could further fuel my dumpling addiction. Therefore I ended up going to the restaurant not once but twice, understanding completely why people from all over the world are obsessed with this chain. Their noodle soups are the ultimate comfort food for London’s cold and gloomy weather, while still being nourishing. Having sampled a variety of their dumplings and buns, it was impossible to determine a winner so instead I will outline a few honourable mentions: their pork xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) are to die for, followed closely by their pork and prawn wontons, which are served served in a noodle soup. It is no wonder that this restaurant chain, despite its humble beginnings, managed to expand across the world, captivating tastebuds from East to West.
Caffé Concerto
No meal could be considered complete without a delicious, over-the-top dessert. Caffé Concerto offers exactly that, taking pride in its huge variety of cakes. The environment is peaceful, ensuring that the customers will enjoy every bite of their mouth-watering desserts. I definitely recommend preparing one’s sweet tooth before visiting, because their generous portions are not for the faint of heart. I recommend trying out their Biscoff cheesecake, a creamy delight, or for those in a more traditional mood, their tiramisu.
Edited by Matthew Pellow, Food and Drink Editor
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