The Crazy Bear

Whilst I was impressed by the decor, the weirdest toilets in town and some lovely cocktails on a recent night out, I was really unimpressed with two factros: (a) the food, whilst nice is too expensive for what it actuually is. It should be at least half-price as you could easily visit Buseba on Store Street and get a much higher quality meal at half the price and (b) our waiter who incessantly throughout our emal kept reminding us we had to vacate our table. We were rushed throughout and felt aggrieved that what should have been a nice birthday meal was ruined due to the fact that the restaurant had not alloted enough time for each sitting. Worth checking out but Inot worth going out of your way for
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Andrew
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 6
Thursday, December 20, 2007

I took my girlfriend to Crazy Bear last night for her birthday. I didn't quite know what to expect after only knowing about the place from reviews here. We arrived early and made our way downstairs to the very cool bar. It's plush and comfy with leather stools and low lighting without being over the top. The table was ready for us before our alloted time and we were invited upstairs to the restaurant, the waitress bringing our drinks to the table.

This place has unusual character as much like a small club as a restaurant. Don't worry though, the music is soft. It's dark and intimate with just the right amount of people in the full restaurant to feel bustling in a good way. The tables are leather topped with unusual lamps fixed in the middle of each table providing the main light source. (This sounds weird but it works)

We were sitting next to each other on a banquette which is also added intimacy along with comfort.

The menu has a good range and it was notable that they would happily adjust most regular dishes to a vegetarian version on request. We started with glass noodle salad and vegetable rolls+hoisin sauce which were both tasty and fresh. Following this we had Tofu and cashew nuts and sea bream fillets with chilli along with a side of stir fried vegetables and rice. Rich flavours and fresh herbs were plentiful in both mains. We could tell all the food came to us straight from the pan/oven without delay. The rice even came in its own bamboo steamer to keep it warm (nice touch).

The staff were all smart friendly and helpful but not overly fussy. They even personalised a message on the dessert and provided a candle at no extra cost. This isn't an overly formal place, nor is the food overly designed in the way it is plated up. However the overall experience is special due to a high degree of care and attention across the board.

To me this is the perfect special occasion or take a date restaurant. You feel looked after in a nice environment with good food.

ps. Enjoy the difficult to find and highly reflective toilets!
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Cliff
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, November 15, 2007

Love this place. We always have a good meal followed by some drinks in the cosy cocktail bar downstairs. The staff are so friendly and professional. The food is good and the drinks excellent.
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Larry
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, October 09, 2007

I was taken to Crazy Bear last night for my birthday, and we were herded to a bench-seat-style table. Not a good first impression! I said that I wasnt too happy with the table, to which we were told that if we went to have a drink at the Bar then they would sort a table out...To which they did, and gave us a choice of 2.

We ordered dinner (the waitress was very helpful, and with a great sense of humour) and the food arrived with perfect timing, and it was without doubt the best Thai meal I have ever eaten. Great service throughout.

After dinner we decided to go to the bar to have a few drinks, we ordered another bottle of champagne, and was told that we needed to be out by 12:15. I appreciate the licensing laws however we were just finishing up around that time at the rude, abrupt, arrogant Bar man was trying to kick us out...Like being at the local Beefeater not a well reputed restaurant. His rudeness put a dampner on the night, but dont be put off, this place is truly amazing - like the Loos!!!
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Ben
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Friday, August 31, 2007

Five of us went to the Crazy Bear last night for my husband's 30th birthday. We were all very impressed! We started with champagne cocktails in the downstairs bar which was small and intimate with lots of lovely nooks and crannies to enjoy a drink in. The cocktails were first rate too.

The restaurant is lovely too, with great art deco style and lots of different seating arrangements. The food was great, not the best thai I've ever had, but it was certainly different from your average thai restaurant. The staff were great, friendly but not obtrusive and overall we really enjoyed the experience. They made an effort with the birthday too, bringing out a complementary dessert and candle at the end, and taking into account that I mentioned my husband was diabetic. Would definitely go again.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, July 24, 2007

I took a date to Crazy Bear recently, and it was perfect. I had the Sea Bream fillets, which were as succulent as my company, and she had the Sea Bass, and the sounds she was making seemed to confirm how good they were. The decor is fantastic, and service perfectly attentive. All in all, it was a supreme location which served its purpose flawlessly, and was a tantalising start to a wonderful night.
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dave - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Thursday, June 14, 2007

Lots of people have recommended this place both as a bar and a restuarant. I took some people for a business lunch last week and was impressed by all aspects. The decor is fantastic if not somewhat over the top (loos particularly) and reminded me a bit of Sketch (which is way too over the top). Food, service and atmosphere were all good without setting the world alight. It's not that expensive either so makes a great relaxed and non bank breaking business lunch venue.
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Phil - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, June 06, 2007

I reserved this restaurant for a birthday meal. What can I say...I was thoroughly impressed.

The service was attentive, friendly and efficient. The food was fantastic. We went for the 10 plate tasting menu and everything was wolfed down. The dessert was perhaps on the rich side and quite heavy, but I still managed to fit it in!

The ambience was spot on. The music was appropriate and exactly what I expected from this place...jazzy, full of verve and sophisticated. There was a real buzz that I felt was just right.

The interior is sumptuous and extremely confortable, with lots of dark tones and low lighting.

And the toilets. Well, having read the other reviews, I thought there must have been some degree of exaggeration but one of my friends, having come back from the Gents, just looked stunned and his words were along the lines of "I've not seen anything like it". I have to agree...

The bar downstairs is also impressive with lots of comfy looking sofas, chairs and booths. The drinks and cigar menus are impressive and extensive, though I thought the music was a touch on the loud side.

I will definitely be returning to this place.
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- View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Sunday, May 20, 2007

Had a great time at crazy bear. we did not have a reservation but the staff (Kat) was very helpful and advised us to get a drink at the bar downstairs while she worked her magic!

So we had a few drinks at the cool bar downstairs and got a table within 30 minutes. The food was good too ,so overall a fabulous evening was had by all.

Oh ! and make sure you visit the restrooms ....they are quite surreal !!!
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Angelica
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Saturday, April 21, 2007

excellent evening all round
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larry
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, April 10, 2007