What the experts recommend
Melur 175a Edgware Road, London W2 (020-7706 8083) I know you don’t judge a book by its cover – or a restaurant by its decor – but with its presentation Melur seems “almost calculated to repel”, says Marina O’loughlin in The Guardian. From the “leery, acid-coloured posters of the menu attempting to camouflage the building works next door” to the scruffy stairs down to a windowless basement, this Malaysian place “really does not give a girl the glad eye”. But persevere: there are treasures here – from excellent crisp-fried squid with chilli sauce to pandan pancakes. Beef rendang is my Malaysian benchmark, and Melur’s “is a belter”. Portions are vast: nasi lemak is a “riotous spread” of bone-in chicken curry with all kinds of accompaniments that will “make an expat sigh for home”. Melur is halal and doesn’t serve alcohol, but the tables of “headscarved millenials seem happy with their violently pink rose syrup bandung”. It might not be a looker, but I’ll be back for more. Dinner about £25-£30 plus drinks.
Where to eat in Cork
Cork has long been known as “the food capital of Ireland”, says chef Darina Allen in the FT. Any foodie’s first port of call should be the English Market (founded in the 1780s), which sells everything from sea urchins to 40 types of artisan cheese. For first-rate Irish stew, or corned mutton with caper sauce, head to Farmgate Restaurant on the market’s first floor. Nearby on Evergreen Street, seek out Miyazaki for superb Japanese food; on Pope’s Quay, go to Iyer’s for south Indian vegetarian street food. Other good spots include Issac’s, a long-time “standard-bearer” of Cork cooking, and the most impressive “new kid on the block”, Rachel’s. For a light meal, try the “much-loved” café Idaho on Caroline Street, or Sonny’s Deli on Albert Road. A tempting list of cocktails has turned Piano Bar into a favourite. And you “mustn’t leave without tasting the multi-ethnic vegetarian food at Café Paradiso, where Denis Cotter works his magic on fresh produce from the artisan producers of County Cork”.