Tom Ilic
our review
Driving around Clapham Common on my way here I’m amazed at the number of joggers that are out. They outnumber pedestrians about three to one and are pounding along with a look of pained contentment and sanctity on their faces. These young people are choosing to spend a large part of their lives looking for immortality by running to an early grave and eating cereals. It’s a thought to ponder when you’re about to eat a lot of pig.
Ilic was chef at Addendum, a large room that was rarely filled, despite glowing and well-deserved reviews of his cooking. When I went there, much as I liked the food I was screaming out for some vegetables half way through, the relentless march of pork products had me wobbling home suffering from scurvy. Now he has his own place and knowing that he has to fill seats to make money, as no one is paying him a salary, has evolved his menu.
Inside the place still has the dodgy décor of the previous incumbent, including a giant mirror at one end. Because the tables are set at an angle instead of looking at my partner’s face all I can see is myself in giant reflection and it’s not pretty. What I can also see is a restaurant packed with people enjoying themselves. Not bad for a Thursday night.
The menu cover features Tom Ilic’s signature, a pig and, bizarrely, a TM symbol after his name. Does he intend to open a chain? Inside the menu is nice and short and has fish and vegetarian options for those too poncy to eat meat. Not me, I spy sweetbreads on an oxtail raviolo on offer and that’s just what I fancy. It’s elegantly plated so that the chewy, well-flavoured and well-cooked sweetbreads are on top of the raviolo and covered by a tidy pile of chopped peppers and capers. Underneath it all is a creamy puree of apple and parsnip which is a little under -flavoured so that I almost mistook it for simple potato. An excellent dish nonetheless. Across the table, seared mackerel with a horseradish soufflé, pickled beetroot and watercress salad is raved over. ‘Fantastic fish and the horseradish cuts the oiliness really well’.
Seared scallops with honey roast pork belly, Jerusalem artichokes and hazelnuts is classic Ilic. The pork a generous twirl, and not the puny cubes so many restaurants serve up, and rich in flavour. The scallops are perfectly cooked inside; I would have liked a bit more searing on the outside but this is a minor quibble. A small piece of sprouting broccoli, or maybe Cimi de Rapa, adds crunch to the dish which is just as well as I don’t really notice any hazelnuts. Also impressive is the breast and confit of Mallard. The bird perfectly cooked, as in pink, and the creamed Savoy cabbage a luxury mouthful. We share a bowl of broccoli, simply cooked so that the heads are melted and the stems al dente.
Desserts of Pear tarte tatin and a glazed lemon tart with berry compote don’t let the side down and neither does the last of the wine chosen from a list that has good choice below £20. On the way out I see Tom buzzing about his kitchen with the glow of a man who not only has his own restaurant but one that’s also full. He looks very happy and so are we. Recommended.
Nick Harman - January 2008
your comments review this restaurant and win a bottle of champagne
I reviewed this place in January; I don't normally re-review but we had such a great time on our second visit that I wanted to up my marks a little.
We went to Tom Ilic last Friday for my husband's birthday with his parents. I really enjoyed the food last time I went, but this time it was even better - surprisingly so, because the pork belly and scallops that I had last time (and wanted to have again!) wasn't on the menu. I had the pigs' cheeks again, followed by roast saddle and braised shoulder of lamb, which was absolutely amazing. I am desperate to go back and try it again, but it probably won't be on the menu next time round! For dessert, I had the white chocolate and marscapone cheesecake with rhubarb sorbet, which was beautiful - much better than the dessert we had last time. The service was much better this time too, and the large number of groups obviously having a very good time made the (somewhat plain) room friendly and inviting.
I know this building has in the past been a graveyard for good restaurants which is why I'm reviewing Tom Ilic again - his food is delicious and imaginative, very reasonably priced and he really really deserves to make a success of this place.
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Anna - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating 
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Thursday, May 15, 2008
I'm torn between raving about this place and keeping quiet - as its a local restaurant I want to be able to get a reservation easily! The only negative I can say about the Tom Ilic is the decor is a little dated and cold, but the food is divine and at very reasonable prices!!
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Overall rating 
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Thursday, February 28, 2008
We had been looking forward to our trip to Tom Ilic for weeks, and it certainly did not disappoint.
It's rare to find a restaurant of this quality so close to home, which serves seriously impressive and delcious food, all at a reasonable price. The service was also excellent; the man himself even came out for a chat after the performance.
Highlights include the beautiful trio of salmon (cured, baked and tartare) to start. The scallops with belly of pork was inspirational as a main and was cooked to perfection. The classic lemon tart was genuinely the best I've ever had.
This place is an absolute must for those who want to celebrate or treat a loved one with fabulous food served with a smile.
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Sarah Cowie
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, February 01, 2008
I don't think there's much I need to add here as the recent reviews (including London Eating's own) have said pretty much everything I wanted to say. So, in brief:
The good
Well, most of it really. Especially the chorizo with braised pig's cheeks and garlic and something-else-I-can't remember mash, closely followed by the lovely belly pork & seared scallops with Jerusalem artichokes and hazelnuts. Very lovely, and not horrendously expensive at around 6 pounds for the starter and 13.50 for the main. The dessert didn't let the side down either (pear tart). My companions also seemed to enjoy their starters (one foie gras, one pig's cheeks) and mains (one lamb, one belly pork & scallops). The menu is short and all sounds tempting. The wine was good and reasonably priced.
The bad
There was a pretty long delay before we got served, and our bubbly came very late - as we were getting our starters. We eventually lost the 'slow' waitress for a somewhat swifter one, who made up for the delay by giving us our 3 glasses of dessert wine free, which made the bill even more reasonable than we'd initially thought.
The restaurant was full even on a Wednesday night. People generally seemed to be happy with their food and their surroundings. Lovely place, and especially good to find it in South London. Please help keep it going!
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Anna - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating 
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Went to Tom Ilic last night on a special offer booking for 4. Champagne all round as part of the offer...very attentive waiter/waitresses, nice decor and really nice food from the menu. Had the foie gras for starter followed by seared scallops and honey roasted pork which were absolutely divine. Compliments to the chef!
The only down point was the central heating. It was not working but I am sure will be sorted out very soon.
Would definitely come back! Had a really good evening. Merci bien a tous ;-)
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Peter Le
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, December 20, 2007
I had the pleasure of eating at this restaurant last friday night with a girlfriend. And it truly was a pleasure. For the first time ever I found a menu which I wish to try everything on (except the Goat's chees but that is a personal dislike) and I was confused by the decision as it all looked so tempting.The food was stunning and sufficiently indulgent (as good French cuisine should be in my book). And the wine list was another menu which did not leave me wanting.
I ordered the sweetbreads as a starter and the scallops for the main and for the first time in my eating history I didn't run for the choclate dessert but instead was happily tucking into the roasted figs. My friend ordered the beef for her main which truly was the most delicious meat.
The service was excellent, although a nervy waitress did spill water on my lap but was more then mortified and I was not overly concerned. The decor is simple and reflects the fact that this restaurant is ALL about the food (as it should be), and the simplicity allows you to focus on it.
As the restaurant has only been open as Tom Ilic for the past few weeks I will just have to return repeatedly (to sample the entire menu bar the goats cheese) and truly hope Tom and his team manage to maintain the high standard they have set for themselves!
Many thanks for giving me an excellent birthday dinner!
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Moz
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Monday, November 26, 2007
What a fantastic find. Went there on the spur of the moment after reading Giles Coren's reviews of the last two restaurants the chef cooked at.
We were not disappointed. In fact I would go so far as to say it was the best restaurant meal I have had this year. The sweetbread starter was amazing, virtually melted in the mouth. Scallops and belly of pork equally good.
The service was as good as the food. Discreet yet friendly, the lady who looked after us was wonderful.
We will be going back very soon, we were already working out when we could go again as we were tucking into our starters, that has to be a good sign!
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Booked this restaurant then read the reviews and was worried I'd gone for the wrong place,
Staff were very good and attentive, house champagne excellent. Ambiance fine. BUT THE FOOD WAS FANTASTIC ! Every mouthful was an experinece. have eaten in much more pricey places but this food was better than almost all of them.
Sorry others have been non plus about it but when I went it was nothing less than first class. Book it , go, enjoy !!
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John Phillipson
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Thursday, February 15, 2007
