All reader reviews by J

The Harwood Arms

The food is great, always very carefully cooked and served. Sometimes it can be a bit twee - partridge starters with about 5 things on the plate, it's best when they keep it simple. I've had fantastic ox cheek, some really cracking venison and great bar snacks like kipper croquettes. They have been inspired by (or borrowed from) some very good restaurants but have managed to do it all well - scotch egg way better than the hind's head!

I like the use of wild food - both game and foraged greens and the menus are always a great read.

Staff are a mixed bag, some have been charming but some have been a bit too surly to be working in a restaurant!

Love the doughnuts!

Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8

Polpo

Fantastic new restaurant. Food was nice. Staff were great. One of the few restaurants that lives up to the hype. (Unlike Hix and Bocca di Lupo!) I think it will get better too!

Saturday, October 31, 2009
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8

Hix Soho

Just like the restaurant in Smithfields, the menu was beautifully written. Lots of exciting ingredients and interesting things to eat. The problem lies in the execution. I have this picture of Hix writing menus for his restaurants from the comfort of his own home, emailing them to his chefs and expecting them to work out how to do it themselves....which they generally fail to do. The food is disappointing on the plate, nothing shines as much as it should. I did have a wonderful autumn berry mess and some chocolate truffles but the starters and mains would have been completely forgettable were it not for the price!

Disappointing food, overpriced (others are doing similar food far cheaper in london) but the excellent waiters made the evening a good one.

Saturday, October 31, 2009
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5

Market

I've been to market 5 times this new year. I think it's great. The menu is always appealing and interesting, although I must admit I've had onglet more than a couple of times! The food is not mind blowing, but absolutely nothing has disappointed me yet. There is a growing number of restaurants in this price range but very few do as good a job as market. It has a nice dining room and friendly waiters, I strongly recommend it.

Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10