All reader reviews by Lady Cheesecake

Nazmin's

One of my local favourites :)

Always tasty, always pleasant. Their online delivery service is good too.

Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7

Rodizio Brazil (Clapham)

Didn't know this place existed until advertised on Groupon so we thought we'd give it a go! It's hidden away in Earlsfield but is definitely worth a visit if you live nearby. Please be aware that there a cover charge per person.

Upon arrival, we received our complimentary Capirinas, which were delicious! We opted for the "prime rodizio" - a selection of all-you-can-eat brazilian meats, salads and sides. The meat comes around at semi-regular intervals with the server describing the meat you are being offered. There are a range of carnivorous treats from fillet steak to chicken hearts! All very well seasoned and served from the skewer. The sides were very nice, especially the vegetable fritters!

The restaurant itself is nothing special with the decor almost non-existent, but if you want a filling and delicious meal with decent service, then this is the place to be!

They also have samba classes and live music on certain days of the week, so have a look on their website!

Sunday, February 20, 2011
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 8

Zizzi (Hampton Court)

Popped in for lunch one Sunday afternoon and had a pleasant experience. Staff were friendly and efficient, portion sizes were generous and food was really rather good.

Worth visiting after touring Hampton Court Palace!

Sunday, February 20, 2011
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8

Fakhreldine

I bought a voucher worth £40 pounds from Groupon for £16 and booked it for a Friday night. Unfortunately, I forgot to have a look at the reviews before doing so!

Upon arrival, we were seated at the bar whilst we waited for a table, even though we were booked for a specific time. Unexpected - I have never had to wait for a booked table. Nevertheless, we had some lovely cocktails and it took around 20 minutes for our table to be ready.

The restaurant itself is in a very nice location, with nice views over Green Park (if you sit at the window). When we opened the menu, however, it was a different story. The mezze menu was over £30 per person, even though the portions were tiny compared to what you would expect at that price. Luckily, we noticed these dishes on the tables next to us and instead ordered hummus and calamari for starters and two main courses from the grill.

We we served quickly and everyone was friendly. When the dishes came, they were tasty, but in no way worth the money. I have once been to a tiny local restaurant which served dishes twice the size but at a quarter of the price. It's simply not worth it.

This restaurant appears to price itself based largely on its location, rather than quality and quantity. If you are after a hearty meal at a reasonable price, I suggest you look elsewhere.

Sunday, February 20, 2011
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 2

Amaranth Thai Market

We went on a Tuesday night and were surprised and how busy it was! But we booked a table so that was no problem.

The decor isn't exactly first class, but it's charming nontheless. We were seated downstairs, which has low ceilings but has a cosy feel to it. Not for the tall, though! The food was great. We didn't wait very long at all even though it was completely full. The service was definitely above the level you would expect for this kind of restaurant! They were quick, efficient, and were very kind even though they had to go up and down stairs every 2 minutes. The menu includes all your favourite, traditional, Thai dishes, and some new and exciting ones too! The lemongrass and ginger sparkling drink is very different and quite refreshing.

It's not the cheapest place around, but the food is certainly worth the money. A very nice local place to eat after work. Make sure to book!

Friday, December 10, 2010
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8

All Star Lanes (Holborn)

Just what an American-style bowling place should be.

I had booked a surprise party meal for 12 people, including a bowling session beforehand. On arrival, the service was great and they made us feel welcome straight away. I had explained that it was for a birthday party and they gave the birthday boy a free drink at the bar with a birthday card! So lovely.

The one thing that I loved about the place was the cosyness of it all. Any other bowling lanes I've ever been to just felt too big and too busy. It was busy on the night we were there, but the atmosphere filled the room and you really felt like you had your own space for your party.

The food was surprisingly good. I say surprisingly, as many American-style places make everything a bit sloppily, not paying much attention to the flavours and combinations. ASL was spot on! The burgers weren't overcooked, the garlic dough balls weren't too greasy, the chilli was seasoned just right, the cheesecake (my favourite, of course) was not too heavy. It was such a pleasant surprise to have fairly filling food that did not make you feel over-full due to poor preparation. Really, the food was excellent. Please don't forget to have a milkshake while you're there - simply delicious.

The service was exceptional. They let me put up my own balloons and even helped me decorate the table! They made sure everyone was happy. The food came very quickly, but we had pre-ordered so I'm afraid I can't comment on the timing there. All in all, the staff were very helpful and genuinely happy to be working there.

Finally, the cocktails afterwards! We came on a Shake, Rattle, and Bowl night seeing as the birthday boy loves the 50's! It was not overly full but still very busy, but you could get a drink within 10 minutes no problem. The drinks menu was complete, and the cocktails were made with passion and precision. The bar staff were very friendly and the super cool red sofas were very comfy and suited our party size perfectly.

We had an absolutely fabulous time - I really recommend this place!

Sunday, November 07, 2010
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8

Clos Maggiore

It was just the two of us for our anniversary, and we got one of the tables in the extra room upstairs.

It was a cosy, warm and relaxing atmosphere with a fire place and neutral decor. The waiters were very attentive and pleasant.

We couldn't resist having a full meal a la carte, seeing as it was a special night. The starters were light and very tasty, the main meal was cooked to perfection, and the desserts were very original. Try the roasted pear with gingerbread ice-cream! Delicious.

The wine selection was also exceptional and the somellier was at hand when we needed him.

All in all it was a lovely experience and well-worth the money. Just not too often!

Sunday, November 07, 2010
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8

Patara (Fulham Rd)

Simply delicious. One of the best Thai I've ever had. The menu offers a large range of dishes, all of which look and taste exquisite. The service was very friendly and quick. I stumbled upon this restaurant by chance and it was well worth it! The prices are higher than expected, but not any different from any good-quality Chelsea restaurant. The decor is also very nice, but the Mexican music (which I imagine was a wrong CD) confused me a little! Nevertheless, a must!

Sunday, October 25, 2009
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8

Princess Garden of Mayfair

Food was very disappointing, but the atmosphere was nice. The restaurant was very busy but the waiters and waitresses didn't have a problem keeping up. The food arrived quickly, but just wasn't as good as expected. It just didn't taste like proper Chinese. Quite a shame for a place that looks very nice and is lively inside.

Sunday, October 25, 2009
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6

Zizzi (Strand)

As a restaurant that is part of chain, it's not bad. The food is very fresh and is exactly what you would expect. The service was a bit slow, and there is often a queue if you haven't reserved in advance (so do book). In terms of pizza, I personally prefer Ask and Pizza Express. However, the atmosphere is great and you're unlikely to find groups of kids screaming, which is bonus. Dessert is nice and the staff are kind enough to find a candle to put in my friend's cake for her birthday!

Saturday, September 19, 2009
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7

Paradiso E Inferno

Food was good, service was very reasonable, providing a back room for our function. Value for money is lacking, as most dishes were £10 and didn't include vegetables/salad/etc. Nevertheless a cosy place to eat if you don't mind paying extra for your veg! Maybe bring it with you?

Saturday, September 19, 2009
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5

Busaba Eathai (Wardour St)

This is the best Thai restaurant I have ever been to so far in London. Not a place for people who dislike sitting at a table with strangers, but this doesn't bother me at all. The menu includes some traditional thai dishes, as well as some original specialities. My favourite is the Green Curry Fried Rice. The food looks great, tastes great! Don't forget to try the lemonade! Lively atmosphere and excellent service. Yum!

Saturday, September 19, 2009
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8

Rules

This place is lovely inside and looks very posh, but I'm afraid to say the food doesn't match the interior. The quality of food is poor and not much better than simple pub food, even though it's over £20 more expensive. The "atmosphere" doesn't exist, as the restaurant is often visited by stuck-up individuals and you might feel too scared to laugh out loud. The service was fairly good, but not nearly good enough for the price of the food. Maybe just come in for a drink.

Saturday, September 19, 2009
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3

Vijaya Krishna (Tooting)

Out of the many Indian restaurants in Tooting, Vijaya Krishna is certainly one of the best. The food varies between good and excellent, depending on the chef, but is always worth the money spent. The restaurant is nothing special and the service charge can prove irritating for students, but that doesn't stop me going! Food is prepared fast and well. Give it a go!

Saturday, September 19, 2009
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7

Ricks Cafe

Rick's is a great place for an impromptu dinner! The food is always great and offers a variety of dishes. Rick is often around to greet the guests, which I find is a great approach. The service is quick and since the place is quite small, your food arrives fast. It has a very warm and lively atmosphere, and full every night. Arrive early to avoid disappointment, or book. The specials represent excellent value for money. Highly recommended.

Saturday, September 19, 2009
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9