It’s been a while since I was gifted the opportunity to review a restaurant (due in part to Covid19) but the foodie in me knew that when the time came, I wouldn’t be dissatisfied and I can honestly say that the food at The Cow, situated two minutes from Stratford Tube station, was in fact excellent; from the starter, right through to the main course and dessert, the food tasted great and was without a doubt some of the best pub food I’ve ever sampled.
I am already a major fan of pub food; having spent most of my lunch breaks eating in local pubs near my University in Greenwich. However, even though The Cow offers ‘typical’ pub food; ranging from Sausages and mash, pies and steak and chips. The food is cooked to an exceptional level. Full compliments to the chef who cooked unforgettable meals.
I visited The Cow with my business partner in crime, Syianne Rae and although we were slightly early for our booking, we were greeted by staff member Nikola who informed us that she was expecting us. She promptly brought us to a cosy table, right next to the window which not only allowed natural light but also gave a fantastic view of the outside of The Cow as well as other beautiful architecture surrounding the building.
After this, we met the delightful floor supervisor Patryk; at 22 years old; he had already accumulated over 10 years of hospitality experience and to be honest; this was evident through his high level of professionalism and attention to detail throughout our meal. He was very inviting, friendly and knowledgable of the menu and the wines and recommended a very sweet and crisp white wine that complimented my well done steak. What is important to note is that although the restaurant is situated right at the top of the overall building; and you have to walk through the main pub below. At no time does this make you feel uncomfortable. All of the staff from the doorman to the bar staff are warm and friendly and leave you feeling welcomed from the outset.
What I loved about The Cow and the staff in particular was the fact that they continually walked around the venue, making sure to be attentive to the needs of their guests and once they had finished their meals; there was no great rush to get them out the door. Too often I have eaten in restaurants where you’re rushed out of the door before you even get the chance to request the bill! The Cow is focused on delivering exceptional customer service.
The menu was filled with a diverse array of food to choose from and the options were split between starters, sharers, prime cuts, main and desserts. I was impressed about how affordable the food was, particularly where prime cuts are concerned. As part of my gifted experience I was given the option of choosing from all the areas of the menu and this also included a bottle of wine. I had already set my mind on having a steak.
What I liked about the menu was how clear all the offerings were and the pricing as well as the calorie content. Upon recommendation from the manager Patryk, I opted for the Spiced rump steak, burrata & rocket salad £11 which was a great way to kick off the evening. Syianne went for the smoked salmon and caviar, cream cheese, capers, red onion and dill which was £10. Both tasted splendid.
Then for my main I ordered the 8oz rump that came served with fries, watercress and chimichurri and this was £22.
For my dessert, I went for the Sticky toffee pudding, toffee sauce and vanilla ice cream priced £8.
Syianne and I had already discussed her sampling something completely different to me and she opted for the Chicken and leek pie, served with crushed Jersey new potatoes, kale, purple roasted carrot & gravy £20.
I was lucky enough to eat some of the pie and the pastry was so soft and the filling so weak seasoned and cooked, it practically melted in my mouth. It was one of the best pies I have eaten in a very long time.
For dessert, Syianne opted for Pina Colada pannacotta, fresh pinapple, passion fruit and Malibu cream £7. Both the desserts were full of flavour, not too sweet and more importantly left and really pleasant aftertaste.
The decor of The Cow was really warm and welcoming, there were plants all around, overhead lighting and bookcases which really added to the comforting atmosphere. Another part which really stood out to me was the playlist. I know it seems completely unrelated but the music you hear when you eat does affect your mood and The Cow gave diners a nostalgic throwback to the 90’s, from Hadaway to Spice Girls, Madonna to The Luniz, I had a flashback to the past and it really heightened an already happy and satisfied Sasha.
If you’re looking for a new place to eat when you visit Stratford Westfield, make sure you add The Cow to your list. You will not regret it.
Thank you to @cow_westfield and @thesocialoctopusuk for gifting me this opportunity for sashashantel.com
Celebration at The Ivy Cafe, Blackheath
The past few months have been incredibly eventful, filled with significant moments that have reshaped my mindset and focus for the future. I plan to write individual posts about each of these transformative experiences, but one stands out that I must mention first – my mum and I wrote a book! Yes, after years of starting and stopping, we’ve finally become authors! I’ll be dedicating a full blog post to this amazing achievement soon. But for now, to celebrate, my best friend treated us both to a wonderful meal at The Ivy Cafe in Blackheath, London.
Exploring Itsu in Southwark: A Pet-Friendly Foodie Adventure
Hey there, foodie fam! Sasha Shantel here, your go-to gal for all things scrumptious. Today, I’m taking you on a journey to Itsu in Southwark, where every bite is a flavour-packed delight. And guess what? I had the pleasure of bringing along my partner-in-crime, Katie, and her adorable pup Chuck Taylor. Talk about a paw-some day out!
A Flavourful Adventure: Hawksmoor, Canary Wharf’s Sunday Roast Extravaganza!
Picture this: a Sunday filled with mouthwatering delights, laughter, and a touch of sophistication. That’s exactly what I experienced at Hawksmoor, Canary Wharf, during their epic Sunday roast feast!
