All reader reviews by TommyChivs

Taste of India

We visited this restaurant in the same week we visited the nearby Mogul. This place came off worse, especially food-wise (the interior is also somewhat shabbier.) The dishes were ok at best; the worst being a pulpy lentil dish where the garlic was burnt and the chili the menu promised entirely missing. Maybe passable, but definitely inferior to its neighbour.

Friday, March 20, 2009
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3

mogul indian restaurant

Things have obviously gotten better here since the extremely negative previous reviews ---- at least, judging from our visit last week, when we enjoyed some tasty, fresh and well-made Indian standards.

Friday, March 20, 2009
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5

Browns (West India Quay)

We used to live a lot closer to Brown's and ate there semi-regularly. We returned last night after a longish absence, and it seems the menu has gotten considerably more expensive and a lot more Italian. Neither change is a good one, especially given my sardines with onion, tomato, tapenade and capers was just a mess of taste and poor ingredients. (Although the sardines on their own were ok.) It's probably best to stick to the traditional British stuff, eg the pies, as mains. My apple pie dessert was also poor, but my partner's brownie was ok and her fish and chips main good (especially the mushy peas and the chips.)

Our service was polite and pleasant; however, we know from previous experiences that this is not the norm for Brown's and I rather suspect we got lucky with our waitress. A nice atmosphere is hard to achieve in such a spacious, busy venue, but a reasonable attempt is made with lowered lights, candles on tables, relaxed music (albeit at an annoyingly variable volume).

One could comfortably spend over £30 on three courses at Brown's (not including drinks) and for food of this mixed quality and complete unoriginality that is rather a joke. Still, Brown's seems to be packing them in, for some reason, so presumably they have little incentive to improve, which is rather a shame.

Sunday, February 15, 2009
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 1

Inside

We ate here on Sunday and were impressed. The admittedly-uninventive food was of a consistently high quality. My beetroot soup was simple and delicious, my steak main was a solid job if unspectacular and perhaps not the best cut of meat around, the apple crumble and custard very good. My partner had two vegetarian options; to start a perfectly-textured quiche (called a tart on the menu) followed by a mushroom strudel beautifully accompanied by a spinach velouté and lashings of parmesan. Both were excellent as was her chocolate dessert. The cost was £22 for all three courses each; which is pretty good value for money for cooking of such quality.

The service here was ok. The restaurant itself is simply decorated with some nice paintings on the plain walls. As we were leaving several larger groups arrived which significantly increased the noise-levels; I suspect in busier periods especially the atmosphere is much more 'bustling local' than 'romantic destination'. Overall definitely worth a visit if you live nearby or are visiting Greenwich.

Monday, February 09, 2009
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8

Lalibela

We ate here early on Saturday night. It was my first experience of Ethiopian food, and I liked it enough that I would certainly return. We had a variety of vegetable and pulse dishes, which would be somewhat basic were it not for the spicing, all eaten with a sour, springy bread that apparently is an Ethiopian staple. The bread is interesting in that whilst not particularly nice on its own, it complimented the other dishes very well. Service was polite and pleasant, and the heavily-decorated restaurant has its own distinct mood.

Monday, February 09, 2009
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6

Chez Bruce

We ate here in early January. My rabbit starter was delicate and delicious, my cod main somewhat bland, my crumble dessert tasty if unspectacular. Service I felt was a little brisk. I should add that my two guests were much more impressed than I was. For fine-dining in London, Chez Bruce offers excellent value for money.

Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10

Gourmet Burger Kitchen (Greenwich)

It's not that I don't mind the idea of GBK ---- the semi-self-service, the basic decor, the highly flexible menu ---- I just have on particular, um, beef with the place: the burgers themselves aren't very good. And given that you are likely to spend >£10, they are actually very poor value for money ---- whilst compared to the average $10 burger in New York, they are a joke.

Incidentally, they do hand out discount vouchers left-right-and-centre at these places. Perhaps the promise of a bargain keeps people coming back; but even with the 2-4-1 offer, I cannot recommend this place.

Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0

The Hill

I am surprised this restaurant attracts such extreme ratings, both high and low. Based on the dinner we had there last night, it is very much middling.

My duck starter was confused and dry; a definite disappointment and the worst of what we ate. My pork chop main was slightly overcooked (& the mashed potato a touch too starchy) but overall undoubtedly a tasty, decent dish. My partner's fish cakes were definitely the best thing we ordered; good and nicely accompanied by the rest of the dish. Rather disconcertingly, the table next to us also ordered fish cakes, but theirs were cooked to a much lighter colour. We also had chips with our main; these were unevenly cooked ---- some well-done and a bit bland, others close to under-cooked and very strongly permeated by the rosemary. For dessert we shared cheesecake. This was enjoyable (I think it's impossible to make an unenjoyable cheesecake) but had a slightly odd texture and not quite enough of a base. Overall, then, the food is definitely passable whilst noticeably imperfect.

The atmosphere on our visit felt remarkably cozy for what is basically a big spacious converted pub. The service staff were efficient, helpful and polite. Overall, 'The Hill' seems handy as a local but not worth a special visit. Cost is £14 for two courses, £18 for three, which is quite reasonable.

Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7