Locale (Blackheath)

An uneasy mix of cocktail-quaffing barflies and diners who might enjoy their conversation more if they could hear one another. Perhaps the answer is not to go Friday or Saturday and ensure you are at the back of the room well away from the bar.

Good food and good wine, both on the pricey side. Service also a mix of the uninformed (not knowing the ingredients of cocktails) and patronising (to anyone who wants a slight change of content in the meal).
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Geoff the Gourmet
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Sunday, February 10, 2008

For the first year we decided not to trapse into Town on new years eve but to book a restaurant that we have been meaning to go to for some time. We booked a table at Locale and had the most memorable night for years. Everything from the band, the food and service was fantastic. So good that we will be booing my 30th birthday there.
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C E Walker
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Thursday, January 03, 2008

Also used to be our favourite restaurant in Blackheath when it was Loco. Decor and atmosphere still fabulous, but the food is decidely average and so it now seems expensive despite the menu remaining broadly similar. Seafood linguine now tastes like it has been cooked some time ago and kept warm, in a watery sauce. The same dish when Loco was fresh, juicy, and with a tasty sauce.

Similarly strange service experience as some other reviewers. Waited ages to get served a drink and then had 3 staff ask us with 60 seconds of each other giving a chaotic atmosphere, but friendly.

Used to be our obvious choice but now I've tried it a couple of times hoping it was just a one off bad experience and won't be so hasty to go again.
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Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 4
Thursday, December 20, 2007

I went to Locale last night (7 Nov). It used to be excellent when it was Loco and was our favourite local restaurant.

But last night the food was VERY ORDINARY. The bread basket consisted of 6 pieces of fatty, cheese-soaked bread. I had the sirloin steak, which was OK, but was on a bed of cold tasteless mash. My husband had the ravioli; the sauce was tasteless and watery.

The service was twitchy as well - everytime we glanced around to look at the decor, someone would rush over saying "are you OK? do you want something".
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Mel de B
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Thursday, November 08, 2007

I went here a couple of weeks ago with my boyfriend, it was late on a Friday and we were just happy to have found a table.

I have walked passed but never eaten here before and the decor and atmosphere seemed promising. However, we left disappointed but only with the food.

The serivces was fantastic, some very pleasant staff.

The food was edable but certainly not great or even good, lack in taste and my veal was so over cooked it was difficult to cut it let alone chew.

The meal cost £100 and we had only had 4 drinks, 3 beers and 1 large glass of wine so very pricey.

I left knowing that for all the atmosphere and good service in the world I would never return to this over priced, unmentionable food restaurant.
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Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 2
Friday, October 12, 2007

We were very happy with the food here, it isn't exceptional (like Chapter Two in Blackheath) but it was of a good standard and we would go back. The service left a lot to be desired, we felt rushed from our predinner drinks to our table.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, August 24, 2007

I really enjoyed this restaurant. I'd been hearing good things about it for months before I gave it a whirl last Friday evening with my wife and a couple of friends from Bath. They had been banging on about the good restaurants they had in Bath and I was a little apprehensive about how they would rate Locale. It could have been a big mistake taking them to a place I hadn't tried myself. I needn't have worried. It really was very good. I'm not a restaurant critic but I would rate the food right up there with the best I've had. But more important so did my guests. 'You should open a place in Bath,' they told the manager as we left. Music to my ears. The wine waiter knew what he was talking about, the service was first-class, and the bill was no more than one would expect at a quality establishment. Although Locale is not exactly in our neck of the woods, it was worth the drive.
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P.J. Hunter
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Thursday, June 28, 2007

My husband and I went to Locale to celebrate his birthday and the evening was absolutely perfect.

The staff were friendly and helpful but gave us privacy as well.

The food was FANTASTIC!

We had a lovely, lovely time and are anxious to book another visit soon.

I highly recommend it.
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Karen Moseley
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Ive visisted the Locale in Blackheath on several occasions and been hugely impressed each time by the service, the ambience, the decor and the fabulous wine and food menus. The attentive service from the moment you arrive is perfect; not too in-your-face but there when you need it. The food is always great whether you want a light lunch or the full dinner experience and the presentation is amusingly imaginative (the squid-ink coloured pasta was a real feast for the eyes!). Ive noticed that the wine list is constantly being updated and the recommended wines have always gone very well with the food. I also had a Sunday lunch there late last year which was accompanied by live jazz which was a great touch. And dont get me started on the desserts !

"Locale" is a perfect name as it has the feel of somewhere local coupled with the expertise and finesse of somewhere quite upmarket.

BELLA LOCALE ! See you there :)
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TONy CAMPBELL
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, May 16, 2007

I LOVED MY RECENT VISIT TO LOCALE'S BLACKHEATH LOCATION.

VISITING FROM THE USA, I HAVE A TERRIFIC CHOICE OF GOOD ITALIAN RESTAURANTS.....INDIVIDUAL AND CHAIN.....AND, THEREFORE, AM PRETTY FUSSY.

ON A RECENT FRIDAY NIGHT, I ENTERED THE FESTIVE AND SPACIOUS BLACKHEATH LOCALE AND WAS GREETED BY SHAREEF, THE MANAGER, AND SERVED BY THE DELIGHTFUL MAGDA, WHO SUGGESTED I START WITH THE SEAFOOD SALAD: IN MANY PLACES A POTENTIAL DISASTER. LOCALE'S WAS FRESH, VARIED AND DRESSED TO PERFECTION.

FOR MY MAIN DISH, I CHOSE PAPARADELLE WITH SPICEY RAGU OF LAMB SAUCE. IT WAS MORE THAN TASTY...IT WAS MOUTH WATERINGLY GOOD.

FOR WINE, I CHOSE THE SANGIOVESE..............TWO LARGE GLASSES WERE PERFECT.

THE ROOM IS BIG, WITH HIGH CEILINGS, COLOURFUL IN RED WITH HUGE PORTRAITS ON THE WALL AND A LIVELY BAR WITH THE BUZZ OF GOOD CHEER ON A FRIDAY NIGHT.

COME JUNE, I SHALL ENJOY THE PLACE EVEN MORE WHEN THE BRITISH NO SMOKING RULE COMES INTO EFFECT.

IN THE MEANTIME, I URGE READERS TO MAKE LOCALE THEIR OWN LOCAL. THEY HAVE TWO OTHER OUTPOSTS IN LONDON , WITH MORE PLANNED.

BON APETITE

BGW, FROM PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, USA.
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BRIAN WELLS
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Saturday, May 05, 2007