Blah! Blah! Blah!

The last review seems rather unfair as we dine here regurlily and we know that prices here as very reasonable and food is excellent. Their menu clearly shows what they charge and and as they are BYO they have to make some gains on their nice glass bottled water and i have also seen that it is not practical for the staff to keep going to the one sink they have on the far end of their small kitchen. They have tried many times to revert to tap water but it distrubs the kitcken staff who are extremely busy as you can see from the open kitchen and i feel that people who are just out to find faults and dont want to spend to have a good meal should not really go out to eat . We see many diners thoroughly enjoying the food and service and on ocassions we could not get a booking as they are very often fully booked. We dined at Blah Blah Blah yesterday evening and loved every moment here and will would recommend it to anyone who enjoys good food,good atmosphere and at a reasonable prices. Dont forget your wine as you may not get your choice at local shops.
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Simon Davis
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, April 27, 2008

We'd been meaning to try Blah Blah Blah for a while - we have a vegetarian friend who always has to put up with some afterthought option of chickpea/lentil surprise in our usual steak-friendly haunts.

And I must admit the food was very good indeed - excellent mix of flavours and meticulously presented. Portions a bit on the small size for my liking, but the well-balanced dishes did not leave me hungry.

Perhaps it was the small, intimate surroundings in which we dined that explained why the prices were relatively prohibitive. As noted in earlier reviews, it is ridiculous to not accept card payments even in this price bracket. The plethora of independent off licenses in the area have no such problem.

However we were rudely denied tap water and relatively rushed through our courses. The owners were surprised when we questioned the bill, which was presented as a non-itemised hand-written total amount - only to find that service charge and corkage (per person) had been added covertly. We'd (personally) cracked open less than a can of lager each! Admittedly after a rather bitter discussion the manager "kindly" cancelled the corkage but still insisted we paid the service.

I'm by no means against these charges but they should be itemised on the bill plainly and indicated clearly on the menu. We left with the feeling that this was a restaurant that knew it was providing excellent food, and arrogantly thought it could skimp elsewhere. A Jekyll and Hyde experience, especially considering the restaurant's location.

If you want fantastic vegetarian food, are happy with the hidden charges, and manage to make it to the restaurant with enough cash to pay without being mugged (never a certainty on Goldhawk Road), then Blah Blah Blah is a must.

Alas, we at least will not be returning. My friend eagerly awaits her next mouthful of lentil surprise...
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Phil
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Saturday, April 19, 2008

Visited Blah Blah Blah last weekend after living in the area for almost a year and never having got round to going - first things first we generally enjoyed the meal and it was a special treat as my boyfriends parents were visiting. The food was good, if slightly over priced. The service was really good and the atmosphere was great too. However we did have a few gripes which unfortunately ruined the experience - firstly we were refused tap water and made to order expensive bottled water. Even some of the most expensive restaurants in London allow you to have tap water when requested so there is no reason a restaurant on Goldhawk Road should refuse to serve it. Secondly, we thought the corkage charge at £1.50 per person was again extortionate, seen as though I have never been charged more than £2 as a table for corkage at any other BYO. And thirdly, not accepting credit or debit cards - when a meal for 4 people costs almost £120 with service, and one person was paying, there are not many people who carry that amount of cash around with them, especially in London.

All the hidden extras ruined my enjoyment of this restaurant that I have heard great things about but unfortunately will not be going back too
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Thursday, March 20, 2008

Went there last night with a friend and really enjoyed the meal. I was on a pretty tight budget and as we were dining before a gig we were hoping to just grab a main meal and head off but you have to order two courses; it would have been helpful to know this earlier! The prices have gone up a little, but not a lot, the food is still very tasty and fresh, good value, the service is great and the atmosphere is lovely.
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jpswalsh - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, February 20, 2008

We were their on Friday and we enjoyed every moment . The atmosphere was excellent and the service was good. Out of our group of 14 only one was not satisfied with the taste of his vege. meal as he enjoys his meat more. He enjoyed his pudding anyhow. The prices we paid were very reasonable for what we had and also saved on the "byo" wine. We all left good tips as they dont also have a service charge. We will return sooner than later to enjoy more of their excellent food. Cheers to Blah blah blah and a happy new year
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Simon
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, December 24, 2007

Fantastic night . Service and food was of exceptional standard. Their christmas menu is great and prices are reasonable. I had the tostada and Anne the fennel tart. They were both delicious. The plum crumble and chocolate cake were of their usual high standard. We intend to be here at new year's night to celebrate the start of 2008 and raise our glasses to BLAH BLAH BLAH for the service they provide.
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Alex
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Sunday, December 02, 2007

I visited this restaurant tonight after hearing such good reports from Time Out and other reviews

The food was Ok but nothing to match other vegetarian restaurant such as Food for Thought. The plantain fritters were very good ,the lentil and potato wraps bland and on the cold side and the plum crumble stodgy and disappointing.

Prices were reasonable but had to renegoiate bill as it was £30 over due to confusion with other tables.

We wont be back again
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Margaret Buchan
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 4
Saturday, November 24, 2007

Been coming here for years and I've never been disappointed. Sometimes, though, it's only 'pretty good' rather than amazing and that happened to us last week.

Service was great as usual, friendly and efficient, but the food (haloumi tikka, lentil and potato wraps, yam chimichanga) failed to take off somehow. Perhaps the problem is there can be just a little too many ingredients in each dish which doesn't allow for a strong backbone of flavour...

Whatever, it's always good and sometimes it's amazingly good, so given that you can also bring your own wine, that's good enough for me!
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Monday, November 12, 2007

Definately the best vegetarian restaurant in London. Freshly made and wonderfully tastey, the food is faultless. Personally a few of my favourites inclued halloumi toast, sweetcorn tostada, aubergine schnitzel, plum crumble, passionfruit brulee, mango cheesecake and boozey trifle. The atmosphere is nice and relaxed and the staff are friendly and helpful. I have and would recommend this restaurant to others .You won't b disappointed, honestly.
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JAYSON AND BERNADETTE
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, November 04, 2007

Had dinner here last night and it was good. The fennel tart with the wine sauce was outstanding and Jack had the pear salad with blue cheese and walnuts and he too was pleased.For mains ,i had the curry which was well presented The various vegetables were not overcooked and the sauce was well made and with just a little spice and fresh corander leaves. Jack had the yam roll with salsas and loved it .Our desserts included the mango cake and the cheeses selection and these too were great. We will book here for christmas with friends and i hope they will keep to their high standards. Thank you all at blah blah blah
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gill
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, October 30, 2007