Fika

Went to Fika a while ago, and commin from a SwedishFinnish family, I have to say that Id rather eat at Ikea for 10x cheaper than ever step my foot into Fika again. The meatballs tasted like cardboard mixed with stones and sand and I have no idea how somebody can go so wrong w mashed potatos, beer was warm and the service was bad.

Only good thing I can remember was the crowd watching since we had a window seat and the bagels we got from next door.
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Mikael
3 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Saturday, May 28, 2011

I went to this restaurant this evening with my partner and we were REALLY disappointed. First I would like to comment upon the atmosphere: The planks of reclaimed wood on the wall seen from outside go some way to making the place look cosy and welcoming. Unfortunately once inside after being given a rather indifferent welcome, it becomes clear that the 'shabby chic' expected of this Brick Lane eatery turned out to be just plain shabby.

There were electrical wires exposed here and there, with the fire alarm hanging loosely by it's own wire, ready to sway away from any emergency-driven hands attempting to break it's glass.

We ordered drinks, mine being a large still mineral water and I was presented with a small glass of tepid tap water. I pointed out the mistake (with a smile) and the waitress duly brought me a bottle of mineral water, leaving the original glass full of water I didn't want to drink.

The starters came - a tray with 4 plain Rivita, I had the Gravadlax (4 tiny pieces of smoked salmon (cheap cuts with brown edges) and a piece of lemon. My partner had the Reindeer salami (average).

However it was the main course that was the biggest disappointment. Having had a few absolutely amazing 'Plank Steaks' in a restaurant Spain, we were eager to try it in Fika. The steak was gristly and the mashed potato was lumpy and contained the skin (obviously a deliberate decision that just doesn't work). The simplest problem with the food though was that it was completely unseasoned, and I think when paying 15 quid or over for a main course, that's the least you should expect.
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3 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 2
Saturday, November 28, 2009

Before going to Fika I checked London Eating and was encouraged to go by the near-10 rating. I wondered whether this was just down to the low number of reviews and my experience there confirmed this is probably the case. Fika is a cozy little place but the food is average to mediocre. I ordered the waffle with cream cheese starter and what I got was less tasty than if I'd toasted a frozen waffle at home and smeared cream cheese on it. Oh, it came with a lemon, maybe that wouldn't have occurred to me at home. Someone else in my party ordered a salmon starter that was much nicer. I had the steak with Bearnaise plank main and while the steak was cooked well, the cut was really fatty. It was accompanied by a ring of dried, crusty mash florets filled with a pool of Bearnaise. Really strange, and disappointing. I feel obligated to bring the rating down so people go in with more realistic expectations than I did.
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Olivia
6 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Wonderful place. Quality food with some tiny exceptions. Overall loved it. Meatballs, salmon and beef steak on a planka or smth were delicious.
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Firuza
10 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, February 16, 2009