Joanna’s

My partner and I have been going to Joannas for a couple of years and decided to go last night for a special occasion. I am so sad to say that we left extremely disappointed and I was interested to read here on London-eating that we're certainly not the first people to notice this massive dip in the standard at Joanna's.

I started with the Crab, Prawn & Brown Shrimp Cocktail which was fantastic and the standard we have become accustomed to. My partner had the Salt & Pepper Squid with fresh chillies which I found to be a little bland and the squid too chewy.

For main course we had both ordered the rib-eye steak. What didn't help from the start was the fact that they were given to us the wrong way round, despite the waitress asking who the rare was for!! The steak, sadly once correctly distributed had been so charred so badly in cooking that despite being able to taste how beautiful the meat actually was, the taste of carbon was just too much and really ruined two great cuts of meat! Our side of veg had been totally over-cooked and smothered in so much butter I probably would not have been able to identify it as vegeatbles. Alas, when the waitress took our plates we were not even asked if we had enjoyed our meal!

To finish, my partner had the trifle and I had the cheese selection. The trifle was exquisite and another reminder of the "old Joanna's". The cheese was lovely and included a beautiful caerphilly but was totally let down by some kind of rancid blue brie, which was clearly off. On pointing this out to the Maitre D, he said it should taste mild and creamy (it had nearly bought a tear to my eye it was so taut!). He then shuffled off to the kitchen to "try" some. On returning, he stated that it should taste like that. Please note the complete turn around therefore of what it should actually taste like. He didn't even return the rest of the cheese plate for me to finish, nor did anyone ask us if we should want coffee!

Such a shame. We have enjoyed plenty of wonderful meals, and always enjoyed the service. There a still a few jems amongst the waiting staff, but what a disappointment.
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Alexandra
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Saturday, October 14, 2006

I live nearby in Dulwich and regularly dine at Joanna's. I've been coming here for about 6 years and have never had a bad meal. Service is discreet, knowledgable and relaxed. Food is fresh and provides a good balance... the wine list covers all the bases. Despite enjoying the regular menu changes it's always a pity when a dish you love is removed... Crystal Palace may not always be your first choice of venue... but this restaurant should be!!
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Chris Holding
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Saturday, September 09, 2006

Struggled to think of anywhere for two adults and two teenagers to have Sunday Brunch near Penge. (I know, I know.)

Then I remembered Joanna's.

I first went there over 20 years ago (cocktail bar + burgers from what I remember)and the last visit was over 5 years ago (so-so).

Now it appears to be flourishing, winning a London-wide award as best neighbourhood restaurant.

We booked for 11.30 (they open at 10) and the short Breakfast Menu is served until noon when Sunday Lunch kicks in.

Full English came with a choice of eggs -the kitchen poached them to perfection. They sensibly serve a single good quality sausage rather than more packed with rusk. Bacon, tomato, mushroom and fried potatoes... all spot on.

The muffin with scrambled eggs, bacon and maple syrup was well cooked.

Both were around the £6 mark - especially pleasing value considering the surroundings and particularly the service.

(A word of warning to those who like a restorative Bloody Mary without horseradish - ask for it. Ours automatically came with.)

All the waiters and waitresses were friendly and as attentive as we wanted them to be. And the manager was among the best I have encountered anywhere in London. Ever. When I went to move the car to another 1 hour parking bay, he ran out after me and suggested I use Joanna's small car park behind the restaurant. When we left, he checked that our waiter had given us the exit code. Top class.

I finished with a dessert from the lunch menu - an impressively executed trifle with fresh peaches and Amaretti. The passing Yorkshire Puds looked fabulous, incidentally.

Every neighbourhood should have a restaurant like this. Get cloning that manager and his staff.
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Jon Allen
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Monday, August 21, 2006

Second visit to Joanna's, and just as impressed as I was the first time.

Tbe service was friendly and relaxed and we enjoyed ourselves immediately because of this.

The starters were great - We ate Squid, Shellfish Cocktail and scallops between us - I think there was only one meat starter on the menu but I liked the look of these and there were also good veggie options.

Criticism here would be that we haven't been for a year and I think the starters were the same as before. I like a restaurant to keep some signature dishes constant, but menus have to be changed in a place like this more regularly to keep the interest up.

One such signature dish should be the Joanna Burger. This is quite simply the best burger I've ever had(beating Ramsay's Veal and Fois Gras effort from the Boxwood Cafe into second place!) - I had it last time and I will have it next time whatever they have on the menu. Boring I know because we also ate goats cheese tart and steak (probably would expect better quality meat for the price but it was cooked well) and these were good but nowhere near burger standards!!

Too full for pudding which was a shame because the chocolate nemesis looked good when I saw it being delivered to someone else, but HAD to finish that burger so no room!!

All in all very good meal, good atmosphere and a good little brasserie!
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FB
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Thursday, July 13, 2006

I've been going to Joanna's for several years now, but the last time I went I really didn't enjoy it. I don't know if they've changed their chef, but the meals didn't work this time. My starter was too heavy on many different flavours, whereas my partner's was disappointingly bland, and the hake I had for a main course was overcooked and served with a chutney that didn't work at all. It was my partner's main that was the worst, though - a prawn and lobster sauce spaghetti that was so bad we thought it couldn't have been worth more than £2 to them to make - and that was us being generous. I'd really like to go back and enjoy the wonderful food we used to have, but I'm just not sure I will. It might be time to move on.
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Susan
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Thursday, July 06, 2006

Sunday lunch here rocks.
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matt
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Great food with a good range of dishes to choose from in each section. We had fautless service, not overly attentive, but really intersted in helping us and ensuring that we had a good time.The atmosphere was also very good, background music not too loud, with a great buzz about the place. It was a family friendly environment. There is even a car park at the rear reserved for customers (essential in the location). I don't understand some of the previous negative reviews, as I could not find fault with Joanna's yesterday.
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Fiona Burke
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, May 30, 2006

I had a fantastic experience at Joanna's a couple of Saturdays ago. Fabulous food and service and thoroughly worth it.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, March 20, 2006

I cannot understand who wrote many of these reviews. Me and my boyfriend moved to Crystal Palace 18 months ago and after trying a number of restaurants in the area, I was more than pleased when we tried Joannas. We now go at least once a week, mostly on a Thursday evening or for a Sunday roast, and I cannot praise them enough. The service is second to none. Obviously, going there once a week means they know us on a first name basis now, but they have always been wonderfully friendly. The food can also not be faultered. I have tried almost everything on the menu, and I have never had a dissapointing meal. Whenever my parents visit I have great pleasure in taking them to Joannas, and even my picky father has never had anything but praise for them. I seriously can't understand where some of the previous reviews have come from. I'm sure they must have been talking about somewhere else - it just doesn't make sense. If you do go, I would seriously recommend the belly pork to start, and a Vodka Espresso for dessert.
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Susannah Leek
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Monday, February 13, 2006

Having heard some good reviews I decided to give teh place a try last week. I found the service and atmosphere to be good, but felt prices were alittle high for the food being offered. The wine selection was excellent though which more than made up for the uninspiring food menu.
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Koguma
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 6
Monday, January 30, 2006