Hare and Tortoise (Blackfriars)

It is funny reading the story about the 'rice' running out at lunchtime, as the same thing happened to me on a Saturday night.

We got there at 9.30pm and last orders were 10pm. We were eating our starters, when the waitress came up and told there was no rice for main meal (as the machine was cleaned out). There was only enough rice for one of us. As both our dishes were 'rice and curry' dishes, it was terrible dilema. They did not give us the option of choosing another dish in its place (I guess they kitchen was closing up).

They offered 'noddles' instead of 'rice' but that is not an appropriate replacement. How can you have curry Laksha with noodles??, they just don't match. I assumed they would not charge us for this blunder, but they did!.

However, I have been to this branch two time before and the food has been good and parking is not too difficult. It is a quieter branch then the Russell Square/Bloomsbury one. No queues.
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RK
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Saturday, September 11, 2010

I wanted to carry on liking this place and have been there before and its all been pretty good, but my recent trip there has changed all that and I wont be going again.

Reservation made, no record of it when we got there, 20 minute wait for a table even though they had free tables that werent reserved ready.

The point that must annoyed me about the whole dining experience was the fact that at 12.45 on Tuesday they had run out of rice, yes you heard that correctly a pan-Asian restaurant where most of the dishes come with rice in a city where you can buy rice in bulk in every shop and cash and carry, the restaurant RAN OUT OF RICE, I couldnt quite believe it myself either.

A second choice dish came without my request not to have crab sticks in it ignored, despite the waitress checking with me twice before it came. 10 minute wait between dishes being delivered for other diners.

All in all a pretty abysmal experience, no particular care by the brusque waiting staff... although a lot cheaper than the default wagamama option on Fleet Street at least you can go there for a reliable if not terribly exciting but fairly pricey meal or much better go to Chi Noodles on the corner of Fleet Street and New Bridge Street for excellent service and great food and reasonable prices with the atmosphere to match...
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Foodie_UK
2 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 0
Thursday, July 08, 2010

The Hare and Tortoise is a welcome new addition to the restuarants in the Blackfriars area, and already a new favourite. The menu is extensive, something for everyone from sushi to rice and noodle dishes. The decor is cool, with dark wood tables and low lighting, the atmoshpere welcoming. All in all a very good place to do lunch.
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Emma Williams
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, March 13, 2009