Kate Spicer reviews

Friday, March 11, 2011 - The crab cakes are famous at the Crab Shakk, and deservedly so; we all had one of these little buttons of just crab, with a hint of chilli and seasoning, and no unnecessary bulking agent and all agreed they were near to perfect...For all the exuberant tales from locals about how hot Crab Shakk is, it lacked finesse - where were the proper chips, home-made mayo and finger bowl? But I'm an ambience slut at heart, not a mega foodie; if the company is appealing, the food somewhere in the universe of good, the lighting kind and the feeling right, if I walk out laughing more than I did when I went in, then I've had a good dinner.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - The view is achingly lovely, over the lake to the Serpentine bridge. We both glowed with love for London’s parks. My friend liked what they’d done inside: gone is the airport-lounge vastness of the old cafeteria and, in its place, wood panelling, shades of aubergine and muddy lime, and the tatty-chic muddle of country-kitchen type furniture… I will definitely be back for a gin and tonic on the terrace; it has to be the perfect spot for a summer birthday champagne breakfast.

Sunday, October 05, 2008 - I arrived alone, and the restaurant was empty, so I wanted to sit at the back, where an open table in front of the kitchen would have made me feel a little less solo. It was warm and a bit scruffy and unfinished back there, reminding me of Cal Pep, the Barcelona tapas bar and restaurant that everyone blatantly imitates when opening a decent tapas place outside Spain.

Sunday, April 20, 2008 - Eaves’s cooking is baby’s first haute cuisine, informal entry-level fine dining at prices that aren’t much higher than a decent gastropub. This is lovely food without any ball-busting service or twiddly napery; if they can chill out the atmosphere a bit more, L’Autre Pied would service that need for relaxed restaurants where you can eat grown-up food.