Balls Brothers (Bishopsgate)

We stumbled across this restaurant while wandering about waiting for the train. We had a bad experience at another one of Balls Brothers restaurants so were a bit reluctant to go down into the basement. We did anyway and what a surprise. The staff were friendly, the bar area was very inviting and comfortable. We ordered an excellent bottle of CJ Pask white wine and a platter to share of mixed meats, pork pie, cheese and pickles. This was served very quickly and it was all very tasty. We could not manage a dessert as the main course was so big. This is one place we will return to.
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Teresa Baggott - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, May 08, 2008

This is a large room with a relaxed atmosphere, somewhat heavy unattractive furniture but comfortable seats, and the tables are reasonably well spaced. The small private rooms round the side look welcoming. However, because it is all at basement level and has subdued lighting, I would not choose to go here again on a sunny day, as I did this time.

Service was competent but not particularly friendly: maybe that’s better than over-friendly.

We had a very pleasant Tempranillo, two salads and two coffees, and the total came to £44. I had salmon with salade niçoise, and while the warm fish tasted good, the niçoise was small and grim. The potatoes, which seemed to have been cooked the day before, were grey and virtually tasteless, and so were the slightly mushy tomatoes and olives. Dressing was non-existent or, again, tasteless, and there was no garlic. It was straight out of the fridge, which never helps the taste of tomatoes etc.
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jez - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Friday, July 13, 2007