Sonny's

It must be five years since I last visited Sonny's. Barnes is a funny old place and even though it has two railway stations, neither of them is close to Sonny's, but the walk (750 yards from Barnes station) is still worth it. Looking at recent reviews, Sonny's has been through difficult times, however, our experience was uniformly positive, beginning with a warm welcome and delicious brioche in a comfortable and cheery room with the tables sufficiently far apart for relaxed conversations.

There's not much of a choice for vegetarians but my omnivorous friend was well catered for and started with a lobster bisque (£7.25) which he lavished praise on almost immediately. My buffalo mozzarella came with caponata (a Sicilian ratatouille-like disk laden with aubergine, onions, tomatoes, raisins and pine nuts) and a sprinkling of pesto (£5.75). I'm rarely inspired by mozzarella, so the caponata and the pesto stole the show. We splashed out £38 on a bottle of Vouvray, Chateau Gaudrelle. It's described on Sonny's website as tasting of 'apples sauted (sic) in butter' with 'delicious fresh acidity'. Once it had warmed up a bit, it oozed pleasure.

Main courses arrived promptly and were very well presented. My friend's halibut (£18) was softer at one end than at the other – he remembered halibut as being quite firm, so was initially a bit reticent but was won over. My pithivier (£15.75) was a treat: a light pastry dome with an egg-shine filled with goat's cheese and spinach. We complemented the mains with a bottle of Bourgeuil, "Les Vingts Lieux Dit" (£24.50).

I finished the meal with a slice of chocolate mousse cake with calvados ice cream and stewed apple (£6), which turned out to be a good choice. My friend had a glass of vin santo (£7.50) with two large cantuccini. A small cafetiere of coffee (£2.75) set us up for the walk back to the station.

As the afternoon progressed, more locals turned up and for a while it was at least two-thirds full, with a mixture of families, couples and friends. As we were settling the bill, a couple next to us compared the previous chef to the current one: "This one's better", they agreed. It seems as though the current management have returned Sonny's to its former glories and that its regulars are happy.
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Justin Dillon - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Sunday, April 20, 2008

Went to Sonnys last night with 5 friends, were seated at the circular table flanked by badly lit glass walls, so bright it gave me a headache. Restaurant not busy, service poor, menu tiny and already sold out of 2 items. We complained that the place was too cold but turning the heating up did not help. The halibut with saffron rice was only warm, could not eat rissoto as it was overcooked. The tart for dessert was too big for one portion

We will not return.
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susan barry - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Thursday, February 28, 2008

We checked reviews before we booked. Spot on, excellent food service slow. We where in no hurry but could have annoyed some.
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guy pearson
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 9
Saturday, December 08, 2007

We reserved one lunchtime because we felyt that a restaurant under the same ownership as 11 Abingdon Road was likely to be interesting. We weren't diasppointed. My wife ate from the good value set menu at £17.50 for three courses and was happy with her broad-bean soup, Green pea & asparagus risotto, and passion-fruit sorbet. My prawns in a garlicky sauce were tasty and the following cassoulet a valid take on one of my favourite dishes. Service was chatty and pleasant, though to be fair the place wasn't busy and so didn't put the staff under pressure. We'll certainly go back.
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David Henderson
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Sunday, April 22, 2007

What a Place !!!

I need to say ... Sonny's in Barnes went trough few changes, food was excelent.

Menu is very tasty as every one can find something that will adore.

Calves Liver is a masterpice, pink inside as it shoud be. The buquet of taste is incredible.

Service is friendly and on high professional level. There is nothing like a waiter that knows what your'e missing!

This is the place that i can recomend to everyone, design of the place is modern and decorated with taste.

Manager of the place ... is a high professional that can help with sugesstion based on a long catering expirience. Asked for a recomendation of wine didn't hesitate to describe all the flavours hiden in the bottle. Taste mached in 100%.

I will visit again and can recomend this place to everyone.
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Marzena
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Very nice atmosphere and decor !

I really enjoyed the restaurant, very romantic too in the evening...

The staff is nice, descret and very helpful.

I would definitly come back soon with colleagues this time for a lunch or dinner.
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Rachel
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Friday, September 22, 2006

I used to visit very often although the last year has seen a dramatic drop in standards.This june I finally gave up on this restaurant which had gone from great to awful in just eight months.However I was convinced to give sonnies one last try by a trusted friend and foodie.The new chef (whoever he is)has turned things around nicely.Simple ,well executed and not over fussy.My meal was a perfect example of good honest cooking,that showed a great knowledge of ingridients and passion.Well done to everyone for pulling this place from the ashes.I will be back and I now feel confident again to bring friends.
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Mr R Mcmillan
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, September 14, 2006

We entirely agreed with the short review written by Katherine Caruana Patron, and also a few of the comments made by others. Sonny’s used to be a restaurant set in a lovely friendly atmosphere, and the staff gave a real sense of team effort. The food used to be imaginative and a pleasure to taste. Nowadays the atmosphere amongst the staff is dry, the attitude towards clients is impatient, and the food is absolutely FORGETTABLE. What on earth has happened? Wherever the problem lies, it needs to be sorted out – and fast!
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Jenna Tolls & Joe King
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, July 19, 2006

I have been going to Sonny's on a semi frequent basis for some time now, they have been through 3 head chefs since I started going. What is going on? Where has the fantastic South African chef gone? He had real flare and imagination, I have been once since the new chef started, I find his food lacks everything, it does not excite my palette in anyway.
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Katherine Caruana Patron
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 2
Monday, July 17, 2006

Sunday lunch,table for 3 booked in advance, restaurant busy but not jam packed, kept wating over an hour for our first course. Explanation was that the squid was taking a long time to cook(!)Were then told that the mussels were a problem (we hadn't ordered mussels) Finally informed that they had run out of squid. Then waited over 30 minutes for main course. The roast beef was inedible so sent it back. No longer hungry by now. Ordered cheese and bisciuts and lemon tart for dessert. Were told that the lemon tart was off and they had run out of biscuits! Offered stale olive bread instead. One of us doesn't like olives. Mens' loo being refurbished and out of action, no loo paper in the ladies. Manager waived the bill but implied that we had been over fussy and the fault lay with us. Very disappointing experience. Several choices were unavailable, the service was chaotic, the roast beef was inedible and the facilities were way below par.
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Harriet Hovanessian
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Monday, March 20, 2006