Cicada

Cicada is, quite simply, one of my favourite restaurants in London.

On arrival we were greeted by a wonderfully enthusiastic and chatty waitress who clearly knew the menu inside-out and had some really helpful suggestions and explanations. We started with a selection of Dim Sum including dumplings, pumpkin gyoza and tofu-all cooked and presented immaculately to the very last detail. For main course I had chicken green curry- this wasn't heavy in the slightest and didn't leave one with the slightly uncomfortably bloated feeling experienced in lesser establishments.

It is not often that one finds a restaurant that combines such exquisite attention to detail with delicious and original tastes and impeccable service.

However, I wouldn't reccomend desserts as they are very pricey, £6 for a very ordinary banoffee pie (for which I could have bought the whole thing probably twice!)

If you haven't been yet you're missing out!
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Jacob Barnes - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, June 14, 2008

Another great meal at the restaurant on Saturday night. Lovely service and food, came out to about £40 per head with 3 bottles of wine and cocktails before. Plenty to eat. Left very satisfied
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Vicki
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, July 09, 2007

I used to go to Cicada a lot when I was working just up the road on St John Street. It was always good. Yesterday I found myself on St John St with a spare hour so I decided to go back there (alone). It was about 1.30pm so I doubted my chances of getting a table. The place has been refurbished since I was last here, smaller bar and more restaurant space. The re-furb looked excellent and I loved the new semi circular banquettes and also the new dining space where the old bar banquette used to be. Cicada was packed yesterday lunchtime and the atmosphere was superb. Although extremely busy the staff seemed relaxed and completely in control. I was greeted immediately by a professional and apologetic manager who explained that he had no table for me but I was welcome to eat in the bar. I sat in the bar and was served very well by one of the bartenders who took my food and drink order and then brought it to my table. She later even moved me to a table in the dining section when one came free. The dim sum was as exellent as I remembered (thank god the chilli salt squid is still on I thought!). I loved the new tofu dish. All in all I was very impressed with the new design, the level of service which was excellent and also the food. I am delighted that this Clerkenwell stalwart is still here and continues to impress everytime.
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Tom Martin
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Saturday, February 03, 2007

Went to Cicada on Sat night and once again the food was brilliant. I have been coming here for the past 3 years and never been disappointed. It was a special occasion for me and I can say it went perfectly as not only was the service excellent and food great, after eating the fabulous salt beans as an apertif, my girlfriend and I got engaged. The night got better, especially as I think the atmosphere at Cicada is great with the relaxed contemporary feel and the food and service to back it up - great stuff!!
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Scott - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, July 17, 2006

Having been a few times to E&O on Bleinheim Crescent, I fancied a change of location and slight variation from the style of food,so I decided to go to its sister restaurant in Clerkenwell,Cicada. I booked the restaurant with relative ease for my birthday, for 6 people.The interior is stylish and modern,the seating in the restaurant was somewhat comfortable, with those drinking at the bar relaxing on large, sofa-booths and those eating sitting on wooden chairs that were borderline.

On arrival,no-one was there to greet us,and we lingered on in the "atrium" for a real 5 mins before I lost my patience and asked the "maitre d'" to find our booking and seat us.Once ordered,the food arrived in a haphazard and piecemeal fashion,with the green fried rice arriving last,when there was nothing left for it to accompany.The dishes on the menu seemed to suggest simplicity and no-nonsense; the duck and watermelon salad,though a great combination,was drowned in coriander which took away much of the duck's flavour,but it was still an interesting dish to have and i would recommend it to most,providing they tell the (pretentious) waiter to go easy on the coriander and rare tuna was engulfed by beansprouts.Nonetheless,the chilli squid was tasty,salt and pepper chicken could have done without its accompanying tangy sauce and the chicken would have benefitted from a sweeter sauce to smooth the chicken down the gullet.The blackened cod was by far the best we had at the table.

The chocolate fondant was average to be fair,i have had better fondants at Balans in High Street Kensington to be perfectly honest.However,though i found the food to be the very epitome of over-compensating oriental fusion food,the service was the very epitome of pretentiousness and lacked the very essence that makes a restaurant experience worthwhile.If you like your table service served indifferent with a dash of rudeness,then Cicada is the restaurant for you.I personally would not come back to Cicada and would just stick to E&O, at least their the table staff do not try to second guess you.
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Karim Coumine
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Saturday, July 08, 2006

The food is really good, the restaurant is a nice space, but the service when I went was appalling. We were left alone for ages, and despite flagging various waiting staff and asking to order, we were still left sitting. This spoiled the whole experience.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Thursday, June 01, 2006

I went to Cicada last night for a private party in the downstairs room. The staff were really friendly--I always appreciate advice on what cocktail to have, and it's always a good sign when the cocktail they recommend is delicious! Lots of fresh ginger and coriander!

We had a selection of all the bar food: sushi, tempura, fried fish--all sorts. It was all delicious, and makes a change from the 'chunky chips' or 'thin chips' bar snacks that are often all one has to choose from.

I'd really recommend Cicada. The prices are reasonable (£6.50 cocktails, £3 beers) and the decor is gorgeous downstairs if you fancy hiring somewhere for a party.
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LT
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Saturday, April 08, 2006

I have been coming here for some time as I work down the road from it and last week was the first time in a long time (about 6 months).

The menu was pretty much the same as it was the first time I ate here 2 years ago and food is not as good as I remembered it to be. A lot of dishes were ordered and although there some nice dishes (the sashimi and the chilli salt squid) the other four/five dishes were either too salty or a bit of a let down. I was a little disappointed as I've always liked eating here.

One thing that has remained the same is the atmosphere.

I think that Cicada is best suited as a place to come and have drinks be it a nice hot beverage one by their open fire when it's freezing (they do the best hot chocolate in london) or a refreshing mojito/beer outside in the summer. Staff are always friendly and I have always found it nice to go to for a quick one during working hours or for drinks after work in a Friday.
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hp5al - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Monday, February 06, 2006

I have been coming to Cicada on a weekly basis for two years and have never had a bad meal. If I have a new client to entertain I will always bring them here and most ask to be taken back there the next time! This is the sister (and original) restauarant to E&O, Great Eastern Dining Rooms and Eight over Eight - so if you have eaten in any of those expect the same standard. Bar food is excellent and the staff are friendly and very knowledgable. A glass of wine and a couple of bar snacks will set you back about £15. A three course lunch with bottle of decent wine about and coffee about £100. Def try the chilli salt squid!
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Katie M - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Monday, January 30, 2006

I can't believe the first review for this. I can imagine this reviewer getting strung out throughout the meal worrying about the cost. The food is quite pricey, but you get what you pay for. I've been going to Cicada for years and it has yet to disappoint.

The food is imaginative, well presented and always of high quality. The staff are very friendly and enthusiastic about the food. The service has at times been on the slow side but I would certainly recommend Cicada be checked out. The sheer fact it has survived as long as it has in a constantly fluctuating area is proof in itself. I would like to see Cicada become a Clerkenwell institution.
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Felicia Macdonald
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, January 18, 2006