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Zaika is an Indian restaurant located on Kensington High Street in London, just opposite Hyde Park. I stopped off here last September when in London on business and was very impressed with the restaurant which offers Indian cuisine incorporating both traditional classic favourites as well as a few original recipes (I’m only now getting around to posting my restaurant review for Zaika nearly 6 months later).

Inside you are welcomed to a very highly decorated and sumptuous interior with carved high ceilings and double height windows.

The menu is vast, and even for a lunch menu it was quite varied. I chose a Butter Chicken dish for my main. While I was waiting I got a pre-starter which was very tasty. I also ordered a Corriander Naan, and although it was not on the menu, they made one up for me. The main course of Butter Chicken was not what I expected; I was expecting more of a korma style sauce, instead it was a fusion style tomato based sauce and was like an Indian style pasta sauce … Don’t get me wrong, it was still very enjoyable and was served with a light pilau rice. As expected, in a UK Indian Restaurant, the dishes are a bit spicier than in Ireland. The portions are of a decent size, not too large but enough to fill adequately (as you can see below).

The dinner experience here is apparently a very refined affair with low lighting, good music and a more extensive menu.

The one thing which was obvious was the service. At all times attentive and attention to detail and service is very personal – there was a French waiter the day I was there and he was chatty but not intrusive, leaving you to enjoy your meal.

I really enjoyed the food and the ambiance here, £20 for lunch and a drink is a bit much, but worth enjoying a great restaurant experience such as this. Definitely 5 stars for food and ambiance but 3 stars for value as I’m sure you can get an Indian Lunch menu for half the price but you may have to compromise on the end result.

Contact

No1 Kensington High Street, London W8 5NP, UK.
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7795 6533

http://www.zaika-restaurant.co.uk/

Recently stayed at the Hotel Opera Cadet in Paris and was pleasantly surprised. Hotels in Paris are usually small and basic but this hotel is one notch above that. Ideal for the traveller who is looking for a friendly hotel, with good breakfasts and nice clean rooms.

Located about 5 mins Metro ride from the Galleries Lafyette near the Opera district, the hotel is 1 minute from Cadet Metro stop down a quiet side street.  Check-in is very efficient with english speaking staff. The rooms are a good size, with TV, Air Conditioning (very good), a nice bathroom and some rooms have a small terrace which overlooks Rue Cadet.  Rue Cadet is a small street with local traders, fruit shops and some bistros at the end of the street which are very nice to eat in.

Buffet Breakfast is available from 7:30 to 10:30 and has a wide variety of food to cater for all tastes, with friendly waiting staff to provide teas and coffees. A courtyard area at the back of the breakfast area allos for Al-fresco breakfasts.

WiFi and PC usage is available but WiFi costs €5 per hour and reception is limited to the main areas of the hotels, and was not available on 2nd floor.

This is one hotel I will be returning to again, not only for the location, good breakfasts and nice staff, but also due to the fact that it is quiet, comfortable and great to come back to after a long day walking the streets of Paris.

Hotel Opera Cadet : Rated 3 star (continental rating)
Would Return: Yes
Would Recommend : Yes

Website : http://www.operacadet.com/

Pa Pa Thai, is located on the same spot as Tuk Tuk Thai which was excellent but got demoted in my eyes to a Take Away menu in the Sabai Restaurant, The Mall, Waterford. Pa Pa Thai has the same quality, the same decor, a similar menu and the same great food.

Pa Pa Thai is another of my regular restaurants in Waterford which includes, The Jade Palace, and Eastenders. Early bird menu is available and offers great value at about €20 per person.
Best options are the mixed starter followed by a weeping tiger steak, Thai beef salad, Massoman Curry or Thai green curry (I always ask for mixed curry).

It is rare for a restaurant to have so many ‘good’ options, it is often difficult to choose from the great menu choices.

Whatever you choose will be good. Enjoy!!

Address: Pa Pa Thai, 2 Canada st, Waterford, Waterford City