Little Bay (York Rd)

I was curious about the Little Bay experience before my visit last week, having been amazed by the low prices shown on their website. The dishes looked ambitious and utilised some premium-priced ingredients, so I wondered how the restaurant could make a living charging under £3 for a starter which would be double the price elsewhere.

The location is probably a contributory factor; the rents for what is a fairly unglamorous location are presumably low. In addition, the restaurant was packed (it was a Saturday evening, though), so that factor will keep the till full.

We were greeted by friendly, busy staff and seated around a fairly cramped table. However, a lack of comfort was compensated by interesting surroundings and opulent, over-the-top fixtures. The ostentatious manner of the design was matched by the entertainment provided by a man singing opera - he did so very well, and contributed to a fun atmosphere.

We were served fresh, complementary bread while waiting for our starters. I chose the Choux de Crab, which was a better portion than I'd expected for £2.95. Although the pastry could have been lighter, it was filled well and the flavours were good.

I had the duck main course, which looked delicious, but the meat was a little underdone. A friend who had the lamb made the same comment. That said, they were certainly edible and the accompaniments were prepared well, and enjoyable.

Being quite full after two good portions, I skipped pudding, only having a very enjoyable forkful of my friend's chocolate cheesecake. Everyone who ate pudding had great things to say about their choices.

Little Bay is an excellent-value night out. The food is decent enough, the service is friendly and the ambience is fun. It wouldn't be my first choice for a romantic evening, but is a great place for groups. The only reservation I might have in recommending Little Bay is the decor of the loos; cubicles are covered in very sexually-explicit drawings. I am pretty liberal, so wasn't offended, just highly-surprised. However, I can see that it really wouldn't be to everyone's taste.
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dawnage - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Sunday, November 11, 2007

I recently shared a meal here with friends for a birthday dinner. The food was impressive considering the prices, and the opera was entertaing, although perhaps a little over the top when he dragged himself across our table, sending cutlery and glassware flying.

The one thing that will make me never return to this restaurants is the "artwork" in the toilets. Really tasteless and pretty shameful.
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Sarah
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Thursday, September 27, 2007

What a fantastic place!! I booked a lunch there for 25 people. As with groups of that size people were running late and we needed to feed those who had arrived on time.

The staff were friendly helpful and always mainained a top level of service despite complications which were entirely our fault.

The prices of the menu are truly astounding and at lunchtime you can get a three course meal for about £10!!

Excellent restaurant. The only minor fault being that the location is not great.
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Jenny
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, September 01, 2007

The Little Bay Recipe

1. Add wonderful cuisine which over several visits never falters in quality, and amazing value for money - eat before 7 and the deal leaves even more change in your pocket.

2. Combine this with a magnificent helping of superbly talented opera singers who will serenade you at your table.

3. Mix these all together in a warm oven (they could do with turning the air conditioning up a little if you sit in one of the booths!)

4. Serve with ever so friendly staff who attend your every need but do not rush or hassle you - and can always find you a table!

5. Garnish with an individual sense of style and decoration - sitting in the thrones feels ever so majestic - and you get a wonderful, yet unique dining experince hidden amongst the grey buildings of Battersea!
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Kate Norton
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, June 04, 2007

An unexpected treasure in my own back yard! Just passing by and saw the blackboard - 'opera every night ' just didn't believe it so we went in to be amazed and we were. Just the tonic we needed after a fraught day. We were transported into a London with a 'nightingale in Berkley Square' and an America with 'corn as high as an elephant's eye'. What a treat! And as all the other reviewers have mentioned the food is great value and service friendly and attentive.
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Deborah Bates
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, May 31, 2007

From the outside the restaurant looks like nothing special, it is situated on the not very chic York Road, Battersea and appears to be a purple painted old pub, inside however you are taken away to an exotic crazy bohemian world with suspended gondolas, high backed chairs and curtain covered ceiling.

We were greeted at the door and seated straight away. The staff were very friendly and the service was quick.

The menu is not extensive, around 5 dishes to chose for Starter, Main and Dessert but there within this there is a vegetarian dish and a fish dish. I chose the goats cheese starter and the lamb main dish. The food was satisfactory, for the price you can't expect gourmet but the food was slightly old fashioned in style and the lamb was very fatty. We drank a bottle of Pinot Grigio which at £15 was very drinkable.

The famous opera singer came out after our main course was served and yes she can certainly sing, I'm not sure if I truely appreciated her singing so loudly! She also worked with room, singing to and kissing the male diners, it was all a bit over the top for my liking but I suppose it was quite entertaining.

The bill with coffee and dessert came to £45 for two people which considering if was a 3 course dinner with coffee and wine is very reasonable.
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Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Thursday, March 29, 2007

I visited here last night for my birthday dinner with a group of friends. Despite reading the great reviews below, some were unsure how the food could be so good and yet so cheap, I have to say we were not disappointed! We sat in one of the upstairs booths at the front of the restaurant, which gave us a great view of the restaurant. The décor is brilliant, extravagant and very over the top! The food was excellent, my boyfriend remarked that he would expect to pay twice as much in other restaurants for his delicious pork belly starter. I had the salmon to start, which was very tasty. For main course, between us we had fish, steak and the pasta of the day, all of which was very much enjoyed. The live opera was excellent, a most unusual and much enjoyed addition to the meal, especially when they sang happy birthday to me with my birthday cake! A great evening, we will be back!
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Katie
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Wow what can i say? This is a great place. I went there on Christmas day and loved the oppulent decor, crazy opera singers and tasty food! I have been since and it was even BETTER!!!!! The food is fantastic for the price, and the whole place is buzzing with life. Go, you wil not be dissapointed!!!! I have just booked for Friday!
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Emma
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, February 11, 2007

I went here for my anniversary and meal and really enjoyed it. only small downside was despite having booked we were kept waiting for our table. However staff were v apologetic and gave us lots of free beer to make our wait more pleasant. Food is good value for money. my favourite thing about this place is the completely mad interior decor- you really have to seee it! and the slightly mad but nice staff ensured I had an evening that was really special and memorable
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laura - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, February 01, 2007

lovely, amazingly cheap, with lots of little nooks and galleries - perfect for under-the-table shenanigans :)
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tom
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, January 17, 2007