All reader reviews by juniperchick

Skylon Restaurant

Took advantage of the Evening Standard offer, which was £15 for 2 courses, £20 for 3 courses with complimentary glass of Portugese wine. The menu was small but well selected. There was one choice each of vege, seafood and meat dishes. I had the chicken liver foie gras parfait to start, confit duck leg for mains, wrapping up with the bitter chocolate icecream. The food was lovely, only gripe was that the parfait came with only a slice of sourdough. This goes for all restaurants where there’s never enough bread to go with the parfait. Duck confit could be a crispier on the outside but otherwise it was good. Service was good and attentive, there wasn’t a feeling that the cheapos have come to eat with the offer. Have also been there when there wasn’t an offer and the Grill had a reasonably priced menu. The restaurant is on the other side of the central bar area. You’re not missing much in terms of views at all. So if you want to splash out, then go to the Restaurant but if you want to keep it reasonable, go for the Grill. Simples.

Friday, September 02, 2011
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7

Bloody French

Bloody French, you can say that again! Not terribly impressed at all, and like another reviewer I’m actually surprised by the highly positive comments. I had the same experience with the duck confit and was rather taken a back by what looked like shepherd’s pie. It was shredded duck confit sitting under mashed potato. That didn’t go down too well as I was expecting a proper duck confit. Though admittedly, I didn’t read the menu carefully and it was parmentier of duck confit. My boyfriend had the rib eye steak, rare and it came out to be more medium rare. The steak looked rather flat and he wasn’t impressed either. The Moelleux au chocolat was about the only nice thing I had that evening. La Sophia’s chocolate mousse beats this hands down. Wine selection was also limited and the St Emillion that we had, was just average for the price we paid (£45). And another point to make, which no one raised at all, was the shared tables of about 6. No where was it suggested at all on the website that you would have to share the table if you’re a group of less than 6 persons. I booked it for my birthday dinner and ended up sharing with 4 other women. I noticed some of the diners being squeezed in an awkward corner of the dining room (or the restaurant). If I had known, I wouldn’t have booked it for my birthday. The seating arrangements would be alright for a more casual setting. Unfortunately, all the nicer restaurants in central London were fully booked. I know which local restaurant I won’t be going to again.

Monday, March 07, 2011
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 4

Eat Tokyo

When Mr Costa at Costa Fish and Chips closed, I was devasted. No more local chippy in the neighbourhood. Eat Tokyo took over and I was very pleased to have a local Japanes which is not the wannabe chic Feng Sushi. I've been there a number of occasions and never had any complaints until tonight. No complaints about the food but the appaling and shambolic service that the 2 waitresses provided. It was busy for a Tuesday night. When we got there, we were told to wait for about 20 mins, which was fine. A few minutes later, 2 women walked in and very quickly got a table. Admittedly, they bull dozed their way from wanting a takeaway to "we'll have that table that's just come free". When I asked the waitress, she merely said that they were willing to take a smaller table. Well, funny that as we weren't even given the choice! Never mind, a table came free and we were asked to sit down, whilst the table was still dirty. We ordered and waited patiently for our food. Our miso soup, didn't turn up until I had to ask very much later. We ordered prawn tempura which also didn't turn up, but I had a sneaky suspicion, ended up on someone else's table. We also ordered 2 additional dishes but only got one.

We decided to ask for the bill, which was checked and charged for a non existent prawn tempura and service. We did not pay for what we didn't get ie. the missing dish and the appaling service.

I want this place to work as the food is lovely and would give Feng Sushi and Itsu a run for their money. But if they keep up with the clueless service, they will drive away their customers.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 8

La Sophia

We went for dinner at La Sophia last night, after reading a number of reviews and they weren't wrong at all. Lovely local neighbourhood restaurant, friendly service and good food. We had escargot and wagyu beef steak tartare to begin with. Normally wouldn't go for the wagyu beef (it was £39 for the starters!) but we had the 50% discount. The steak tartare was really good, melts in your mouth, though slightly spicy for my boyfriend. He then had the tournedos with foie gras which was served rare, the way the French cook their steaks, which was again really lovely. I had the lamb cutlets with garlic mash - again, very yum. Finished it off with a chocolate souffle served with vanilla ice cream and tart tartin. The souffle was excellent, not sweet which worked well with the ice cream. The tart tartin was about the only average dish we had. The selection of wine was limited but we went for the St Emilion which was again, fantastic at £32. All in all, a very enjoyable meal, top quality and very friendly service. Totally recommended and if you live in the area, please support this local restaurant!

Sunday, August 08, 2010
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10