Joanna’s
our review
Joanna’s has been in Crystal Palace as long as I can remember, and I’ve lived around the area since before decimilisation. For a restaurant to be still going after all those years it has to be meeting and exceeding a need and Joanna’s clearly does. The street it’s located in is now one-way, so the traffic jams are no longer so bad, but trying to park in the area is never easy. The local streets are narrow and the gradient so steep that if you don’t put your handbrake on firmly you may come back to find your car a long way from where you left it.
It’s fairly large restaurant, but busy and vibrant, and you find your way in blocked by a velvet rope designed to hold customers in the lobby while bookings are checked. It adds to a rather clubby feel, increased by the fact that the senior staff members are wearing suits, and while polite and pleasant, do remind one of bouncers for some reason. The rest of the staff have the Parisian waiters’ kit on which is pleasant. It’s a good mix of customers of all ages and the menu is clearly designed to meet all needs, but is sensibly not too long. You get the feeling its been honed by experience to be just right for the market. And so it oscillates between Chicken liver parfait or Cajun prawns for starters; Joanna’s Hamburger (sic) or Fillet of Sea bass with a shellfish and saffron broth for mains. There’s a sensible wine list with some wines offered by the large and small glass and it’s good to see a choice of bottled beers too, some of them small specialist breweries.
A Thai fish cake with ‘mixed young leaves’ and a chilli and coriander sauce is good and loosely constructed, not the hockey puck that some places serve up. The fish is flaked, not minced, and all it needs to be improved is some spikes of fresh chilli actually in the mix and maybe some Nam Plam fish sauce. Slow cooked belly of pork with apple and ginger puree is very good indeed, the pork well rendered down then seared to give some excellent crackling. The apple and ginger puree is a good idea, but personally I would have just crushed the apple leaving it lumpy; there’s no getting away from the fact that apple puree is too close to baby food for comfort. One of the staff discreetly puts some tooth picks on the table, belly pork is murder for getting caught in the teeth and tasty though it is, you don’t want to be eating it two hours later.
Beetroot, spinach and goats cheese tart with artichoke and olive salad suffers a bit from being burnt on top. Goats cheese and beetroot are a good combination though so it’s a tasty little tart all the same. Someone should have drained those tinned olives though, they’re leaking brine all over the plate. Battered haddock is just right, a good crispy oil-free batter surrounding firm well-cooked fish and there’s plenty of chunky tartare sauce and mushy peas to go with it, plus a separate bowl of decent chips. Nice to be asked if we want vinegar; some places might get all snobby about that but it’s not fish and chips without a bit of malt vinegar to splash on is it?
Once again we can’t manage dessert, although the choice seems about right – sticky toffee pudding, chocolate nemesis, Banoffee pancake etc – I can’t see anyone having a problem with those. In fact it’s hard to see anyone having a problem with anything at Joanna’s, they’ve got a tight little formula and it’s no wonder it’s busy. They’re also open for breakfast and brunch 12 am to 6pm.
Nick Harman - November 2007
your comments review this restaurant and win a bottle of champagne
I went to this restaurant on the basis of the reviews on this site, taking my mother and her partner, my aunt and uncle, so I wanted a place that didn't disappoint. We were having a trip round memory lane as my mother an my aunt grew up in this area. I didn't know it, but my aunt, whose daughter is called Joanna, had often meant to eat here, but just hadn't gotten around to it before moving.
I was really impressed, right from the moment I rang to book. The staff were friendly without being obsequious, and I felt really at home. The food was very good and the coffee was delicious - often something that restaurants don'[t bother with. I will definitely return!
My only (tiny) gripe was that we had to pay for bread, which was about 1% of our total bill, and the bread provided was a bit meagre - although also delicious. If anyone from Joanna's reads this, I think bread should be included in the cost of a meal, and you could be a leetle more generous.
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Cass
Overall rating 
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
I moved to Crystal Palace about a year ago but only fairly recently tried Joanna's, having heard good things. I've taken my parents there on a Saturday evening, and had Sunday breakfast with friends, and both were very good. We are lucky to have a place like this locally - really good, friendly service and excellent food. It's fast becoming a favourite for me. Highly recommended.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Thursday, May 29, 2008
I eat at Joannas last Saturday and it was really lovely the staff were friendly and the food was superb .Although when I made my booking for 6oclock they did say they would need the table for 8oclock----that didnt happen and we were able to stay well after 9 oclock .I live at the Palace and I will be certinally be going back very shortly.Wonderful evening was had by all.
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Jo Wills
Overall rating 
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Simply Excellent!
I eat out as often as possible (believe me if you cooked like I do you would too), everything from a naughty donner on the way home to the (supposedly) fancy places in town and I've yet to find anything as good as Joanna's.
It's not particulalrly cheap but for the quality of food it's still a huge bargain. If this place was in the West End they could easily double the price and still fill every night.
It's a good mix of traditional British and modern European quizine. Whether it's on as a starter or a main the belly pork is simply amazing! I understand the head chef has been with them for about 15 years - all I can say is they must be paying him very well for him not to have moved on to bigger and better things as I've yet to experience anything but the highest quality food at Joanna's.
Try it!
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Friday, April 18, 2008
Went for the first time on Saturday night with the boyfriend and his parents. We could not fault the great service, great food and brill atmosphere. Definitely going back there as there are so many other dishes that i want to try out.
A great find!!
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, February 07, 2008
It's nice to see that after a couple of negative reviews Joanna's are back to top marks and this corresponds with my own experience. This restaurant is perfect for either a good value special occasion or just a well-earned treat now and again.
I had family guests from abroad recently and they wanted to take us out. I wanted to take them somewhere impressive while not costing the earth and from a previous visit I knew that Joanna's should fit the bill and it did. When reserving I asked to be seated near the window (it can get a bit dark at the back) and we were duly given the best table in the restaurant. The menu and wine list were well priced and there was a good selection of meat, fish and veggie. No need to make individual mention of the dishes and wine as they were all excellent, as was the desert, with all the classics and more appearing on the menu. We thoroughly enjoyed the meal and it came in as expected at £100 on the nail for 4 people. The nicest thing of all? Joanna's are one of the few places left in London who don't charge service. Call me a traditionalist but I just hate getting charged service and it always leaves a nasty taste in the mouth.
Any room for improvement? The service, while impeccably polite and helpful got a bit slow, but it was saturday night and the place was understandably packed so I can live with that.
This is a really great restaurant and remains one of my favourite eating out experiences. They do good breakfasts as well.
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Andrew Jones
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, January 26, 2008
We use this site a lot to get reviews of places - but this is the first time I've written a review. We went to Joanna's and it was a great expereince - the waiter was warm and friendly, the food outstanding and the expereince a real pleasure. We hada great time - would thoroughly recommend it and are going again - today.
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Ali Quirk
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, November 11, 2007
I have been going to Joanna's for a couple of years now, and it never fails to please. I look forward to every visit.
The atmosphere/decor, service, menu choice, quality of food, tasty cocktails are all superb.
Have taken several friends and family here and they all agree that Joanna's could rival some of the top eateries in town.
How lucky we are to have this restaurant so close!!!!
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Jazlin Petz
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Lovely atmosphere, nice room, warm and welcoming, good comfort food with many dishes one would like to order, service very good for the type of restaurants especially the Maitre d'.
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Olivier
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, June 18, 2007
I have been meaning to write a review of Joanna's since taking my wife and the in-laws there over a year ago. The service was first class - way beyond anything we have received at many of the 'big name' restaurants. The food was excellent and the atmosphere was buzzy without being raucous. The staff were charming and the bill very reasonable. I can't recommend Joanna's enough.
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Jim
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, January 22, 2007
