Green and Red Bar and Cantina

fantastico! The waitress asked if we were from Buenos Aires, and when we said yes, she could not do enough for us.

Manuel Endocarina - Friday, May 09, 2008

Eat Tokyo

A fantastic little gem of a place. Despite the low number of personnel, speed and quality of service was slick. Sushi was, as always, beautifully prepared and tasted wonderful and it didn't even break the bank ! A visit is highly recommended !

Friday, May 09, 2008

Vivat Bacchus

Went for lunch. I thought the food was good if a little sparing. Well seasoned and perfectly cooked steaks. Small starters, but very good quality ingredients. Quite pricey too.

The issue is the service which really took the edge off what could have been a very pleasant lunch. Not just inattentive, and we were right in the middle of the room, but almost surley. We waited and waited to order some wine and were asked brusquely 'still or sparkling?' . When I asked for a jug of tap water, the waitress tutted and swished off before I could ask for the wine. It took several attempts to get attention so we could order wine, then food. I asked advice about some red, a Sangiovese/Shiraz blend and was told shortly it was 'ok'. I thought with a short list there would be a little more knowledge but there was no help and the manner was abrupt. We found a disc of plastic in our spinach, which we thought was a contact lens. Again after several attempts we drew it to the attention of a waitress who simply whisked the dish away without a word. We waited for some sort of apology or offer of something to make us feel better, but nothing. We were asked if we wanted pudding and we asked what we might find in that! We remiinded her that we had had some plastic in the spinach and were told curtly 'These things happen'. I was aghast. It really felt like they thought they were doing us a favour. We declined pudding and asked for the bill at which point I was told I hadn't spent enough, although I realised it was a poorly delivered attempt at humour. Tumbleweed... ......£130! A South African joke is no laughing matter.

Whiters - Friday, May 09, 2008

Tamarai

Marginally ostentatious decor but was offset by the dim lighting. Overall quality of service could improve with a degree of finesse (quality and speed) but this factor was partially waived by the quality and presentation of the food. Individual flavours could be dissected out but the combination in a given dish did make for good consumption. The á la carte menu though brief was sufficient for the carnivorous diner but for vegetarians, may seem a little limited. As an Oriental, I could not justify the cost of certain dishes, especially the small plates ! I would suggest you raid the piggy bank to dine at Tamarai unless they are advertising a special offer (like now). I would probably go back to Tamarai for a drink but not so enthralled about the food.

Friday, May 09, 2008

Bouga Restaurant

I've eaten in this restaurant a fair few times now and never had a bad meal - whether we've gone for just mezze rather than the full on menu - the service has always been good. The Belly dancer is great entertainment even for the girlies because she get them involved too! It's not the cheapest of places to eat but definately somewhere when you fancy a bit of a treat!

Bels - Friday, May 09, 2008

Mohja Mohja

The decor is lacking a bit but this is one of the best curries i have had in london. Pure perfection and indian cooking as it should be.

Eric K - Friday, May 09, 2008

Chubby Panda

My first visit to the Chubby Panda was prompted by nothing other than the prospect of having eaten in a restaurant with an amusing name. However, once inside, I realised that behind this hilarious facade lay a very special restaurant. The staff are very attentive, without being invasive and the food is among the best Chinese food that I have eaten. The capital spare ribs and chicken satay are two of my favourite starters, and both are available on the mixed starter platter for 2, which also has crispy seaweed, veggie spring rolls and prawn toast. Another starter, not on this platter, sadly, is the smoked shredded chicken with chilli and this is lovely. As far as second courses go, the only way is duck! Following onto the main course, their crispy chilli beef has never let me down for being crunchy, and their lemon chicken is just the right side of sweet before it becomes sickly. Their aroma spiced lamb is very, very nice, and the char siu pork is cooked to perfection. They have a range of Malaysian curries, as well as a section of Thai food which includes curries and stir fries.

They have a large wine selection, including sake and some Chinese wines. They also do very nice Chinese tea. As far as desserts go, their mango sorbet in actual mango skin, and their pineapple ice cream in a pineapple skin are lovely, and a nice light way to end the evening, especially if you share!

They have a buffet option, which, thankfully, doesn't involve getting up. You have a (slightly) limited version of the main menu and you can have anything you want for £17 for an adult. You can definitely have a good meal for less than £20 if you choose the buffet option. However, if you do go for the buffet, make sure you eat it all, as in an effort to combat waste, they will charge you for anything that you don't eat - so long as you eat around 3/4 of the dish, you'll be ok, but anything less than that, and you might try to take it home, so you'd essentially be getting a takeaway for free!

For two, starter, second course, main course and dessert usually comes to between £45-60 (without alcohol, and depending how many dishes you have with your main course. as a guide, the mixed appetiser platter, 1/4 duck with pancakes, plain rice and 3 main dishes, with a pineapple or mango ice cream, plus a couple of soft drinks and Chinese tea comes to around £55).

If you've ever considered going to the Chubby Panda, but haven't got round to it, do it! Go there tonight, and you won't regret it!

Kat - Friday, May 09, 2008

Matsuri St James's

My first time dining at Matsuri was a really good experience. The staffs were all really nice and polite (from receptionist to waitress to chefs). The place had a really cosy atmosphere and it was beautifully decorated.

There were varities of Japanese food on the menu. They had sushis, soups, hand rolls, teppanyaki, tempura... the whole nine yards... Everything is fresh and delicious and they serve really good drinks as well. I sat at the teppanyaki table and it was fun to watch the chef prepare the dishes right in front of you. Definitely worth ordering... Prices were not as expensive as I thought it would be.... I actually thought it was reasonable considering you get really good ambience and fresh Japanese food.

I will definitely dine here again and would recommend this to everyone!!!

Gina - Friday, May 09, 2008

Momo

Great atmosphere and, I thought, efficient and friendly service. The food is good but somewhat overpriced for what it is but that is hardly to be unexpected in the restaurant's great location.

Rick Brown - Friday, May 09, 2008

Med Kitchen

Happened to have dinner at the Med Kitchen on a Bank holiday by chance -- we were on our way back to our hotel after a long, lovely walk on the Thames' South Bank. Although I usually respect my self-imposed rule of not entering a semi-empty restaurant, I chose to make an exception after reading the menu posted outside, since several dishes on offer were mouth-watering. I was not disappointed. Service was average, but food was very good. The tab (20 pounds per head) was reasonable. The only thing I found puzzling was that the only beers being served are Peroni and San Miguel. I have nothing against those beers (I'm Italian after all), but when I am in England I prefer a real ale!

FS - Friday, May 09, 2008

Green and Red Bar and Cantina

I went there with my family and mother/father in law. We have the misfortune of being Argentine, and from the moment the waitress heard our accents, well, how can I put it? I never felt so humiliated in a restaurant in my life. She treated us like garbage. A golden rule I try to follow always is NEVER to argue with who is serving you food until you are done with. Which is what I did. I went to the manager to describe the situation befoere leaving and although they were very nice and sympathetic, no employee was reprimanded as far as we are concerned and the attitude was a bit "yeah, really hard to get good staff nowadays, inni?". The food was OK, small portions but OK. But believe me, I will NEVER, EVER go back there.

John - Friday, May 09, 2008

Big Easy

I have been to the Big Easy twice now - whilst the first time I had an enjoyable meal, the second time was not such a great experience. I had the all you can eat bbq ribs and chicken - both the chicken and the ribs were dry and tough with not much meat on them. A disappointment considering how nice my steak was the first time. Whilst I would recommend the restaurant for steak, I would suggest avoiding their all you can eat menu.

Liv - Friday, May 09, 2008

Mestizo

It is with great shame and regret that I write this review. I have been coming to Mestizo for a long time now and have always loved the food. However, yesterday was a disgrace.

I had the mole chicken. I got a frozen processed slab of chicken covered in chocolate sauce that was out of a bottle. Not mole. I think I had the same sauce on pancakes at TGI Fridays on my 15th birthday. The chicken should have been fresh. I could have used it as a frisbee.

My wife asked for the potato enchiladas, one with red sauce and one with green. This has never been a problem in the past. However, this time they obviously forgot or couldnt be bothered. I am sure it wasnt the latter.

The waitress and service was generally fine. However, when I asked about the mole and the chicken she said that both were fresh. I told her not to lie and she admitted that they most probably werent freshly made. I did not pay for any of the food.

It is an insult to think you can get away with such poor standards.

I sincerely hope that this note inspires you to sort yourselves out or sell up and quit. There is no point sitting somewhere in the middle.

Good luck in whatever it is you decide.

- I could send this as a letter to the owner but I am very keen to see if the owner is concerned about quality and uses this website and if they acknowledge and respond.

Sarj - Friday, May 09, 2008

Oriel

We had dinner at Oriel on a busy Sunday night after a concert. Service was prompt but not overbearing; food was good (actually the sea bass was excellent), and the price was reasonable. I would return there at any time.

FS - Friday, May 09, 2008

Duke of Cambridge (Battersea)

I agree with Charlie. I live in Battersea and went for lunch with my boyfriend and 2 friends to the Duke of Cambridge a few weeks ago. It was so disappointing and I won't be eating there again. We all ordered a burger, and only one came. My friend didn't want to eat alone, so we asked how long the other 3 burgers were going to be and they said as soon as possible. After 10 minutes we sent the lonely burger back and asked for all 4 burgers to come at the same time (not a lot to ask, and not rocket science!). Although the waitress was apologetic, the service seemed very disorganised, with the chef ringing a bell, and leaving food to go cold at the counter, while the waiters ran around in the bar area the opposite end of the pub. Bad experience, totally over-priced, don't eat there!!

Mollie Halford - Friday, May 09, 2008