Yelp Elite Evening of Moroccan Magic and Meat at Zayane!

Zayane
91 Golborne Road
London W10 5NL


This was another wonderful sit down dinner with Yelp. While I live close by, I've never stopped and explored this area around Ladbroke Grove. I'd love to go back and spend some more time there, they seemed to have a few interesting shops and cafes around.

I arrived almost half an hour early, but the Yelp team was already there and I received a warm welcome from them and the lovely owner - Meryem - She is such a bundle of infectious and contagious energy & enthusiasm!

Glasses of lovely Moroccan wine were quickly handed out and our tables were already set with olives, nuts and a olive oil balsamic dip.

We stood around chatting until more people turned up and we took our seats. Piping hot bread was soon served at the tables - I've lived in the Middle East and North Africa, but I've never tasted this kind of a bread before. It was a combination of eish, griddle cakes and a sponge cake all in one. Actually it defies explanation, except for the fact that it was yummilicious.

Our starters of chicken pastilla soon arrived and it had just the right hint of sweetness. I don't like my savoury dishes too sweet, which is a trap easy to fall into with Moroccan style pastilla.

The cod tagine was a surprise as I was expecting couscous with it, (also I tend to cook/order meat or chicken tagines) instead we were served a side of butter fried potatoes which were the best potatoes that I have eaten in a couple of years.

The meal was brought to a lovely end with a chocolate mousse slice served with a side of orange sorbet. I could happily live or die on that chocolate.

There was live music playing through the meal and Meryem managed to get quite a few yelpers onto the dance floor. The Chef Christopher Bower came out to say hi and it was a pleasure to meet him.

While you barely get to spend time with 3-4 people seating right next to you at a sit down dinner, it also makes it possible to forge a deeper connection with them and I loved chatting with my dining companions.

I'd love to go back with more friends to check out more options from the menu.

Rating : 5 / 5

Beigel Shop, London

Beigel Shop
155 Brick Lane
London E1 6SB
020 7729 0826


We stopped here on the Yelp London Street Art Walk. I'm not a big fan of bagels - tend to find them a bit chewy - but they were being handed out, so I took a bit piece to see what these famous rainbow bagels were all about. They were so good, I promptly packed a few to carry home.

We tried the samosas (since we were in Brick Lane) The chicken wasn't bad, but the lamb had too much onion in it to bulk it up rather than flavour it.

I chose the salt beef stuffed bagels and the beef was really soft and melt in mouth, even though we only ate them over 12 hours after they were packed. The bagels, were nice and soft with just the right amount of chewiness.

On a later date, I have eaten these stuffed bagels fresh at location nd they were amazing. They tend to get a bit soggy if you carry them home, but they told me that they could not pack the salt beef seperately. The next time I visit, I'm going to carry my own boxes and see if I can convince them to pack my salt beef seperately.

The coffee is just instant coffee and not something I would recommend, but I'd definitely go back for the bagels

The rainbow bagels are just 25p a piece, but they cost more once they are stuffed.

A huge advantage is that this place si open 24/7. Yes, you read that right. Perfect to stop and pick up some food after a night out on the town.

Rating : 4 / 5