All reader reviews by L Warren

Al Aya

Gosh, really mixed reviews below, I see. We had a great dining experience last Weds. It's "bring your own wine" (and there's no corkage charge), which keeps the cost down. Staff were really friendly/hospitable. Had a wonderful wafer-thin "tangy" Halloumi starter, minced lamb (patently marinated for ages in herbs & spices) for main and a Lebanese equivalent of a Creme Brulee for dessert. Everything was absolutely delicious.. ..can't wait to go back. Only word of advice, book your table at the back rather than the chilly area at the front by windows/door (and where cooking takes place).

Monday, April 08, 2013
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8

Pierre Victoire

Mixed reviews below, I see. Unfortunately our experience reflects the more negative ones.

The Sunday before Xmas, we thought it might be crowded, so were the first to arrive and ordered minutes before a party of c20 arrived (the rest of the restaurant quickly filled up post this).

It was an impressive/creative menu and the quality/quantity of our food was good (it was the much more expensive Xmas Set Lunch Menu, not the usual more reasonably priced one....so guess it should have been). However, it arrived lukewarm on cold plates.

As food arrived at other tables, we realised we hadn't been given the (quoted) "side selection of veg". But seated at the window seat, it proved impossible to catch the eye of our waitress ......well, until we wanted the bill !!

Service @ 12.5% was automatically added (for our table of 4) and we were tempted to ask for it to be removed (because we felt we didn't really get any service!!) but by then we were running out of time (we were en route to a theatre matinee performance) so (begrudgingly) simply handed over our credit card.

And be warned. The acoustics here are terrible, we could hardly hear ourselves speak (and we were well away from the party of 20). Goodness knows what it is like when the noise kicks in from Crossrail (the massive hole, for which, is only c2 metres from the restaurant door).

Thursday, December 22, 2011
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 8

Khanage

Finding myself in Morden the other day (and feeling decidedly chilly!!) I was tempted by the Lunch Buffet sign outside this new Indian restaurant (which is minutes from Morden Station)

At £4.99 I wasn't expecting too much, but ...boy was I wrong. The food offering was excellent with some really imaginative dishes ...a big step up from what one often finds on a Buffet menu.

There's a choice of starters; main courses (vegetarian and non-vegetarian); rice; salads and desserts, plus a plentiful supply of Naan bread. And when I requested a glass of tap water (in fact, if you want wine, you need to bring your own bottle) a large jug (of it) was immediately brought to my table by one of the really friendly waiters.

All the dishes had patently been freshly cooked using only top quality ingredients. And the subtle combination of aromatic herbs & spices gave everything a truly authentic taste. Plus some of the dishes were really creative. For example, Kheer - a rice based dessert infused with Cardamom and (a real "hit" of) rose water, topped with Pistachio nuts. Something I had never tried before.

I definitely intend going back there in the evening to sample their A la Carte offering.

Tuesday, December 06, 2011
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9

Cafe Koha

Couldn't believe this restaurant could be as good as its reviews ...it is !!

Went there on Saturday and had the 2 Course Set Lunch @ £10.99 (you choose from the Starters & Mains on the A la Carte).

I had the Squid (in a feather light batter) followed by Venison Sausages with Creamy Mash. Everything was cooked "fresh to order" and was delicious. No pressure was put to order wine, with tap water being brought on request (and automatically re-filled).

We ate on the Ground Floor, but there is an interesting/atmospheric Basement area (apparently often used for Private Parties) with a piano for the "once a month music evening" - "very popular" I was told, so you need to get there early to buy a ticket/ensure a seat.

Koha is a really great find, particularly as it resides in the heart of Theatreland. Will definitely go again.

Sunday, January 16, 2011
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9

Melur

Agree with all the positive comments of previous reviewers. As soon as we walked through the door this Friday, we knew we had made the right choice. The restaurant was full of regulars .....always a good sign.

As one of our party had (unbelievably!) never experienced Malaysian food before, we ordered the Set Menu @ £24.50 so she could experience the full range of this type of cuisine. We only ordered 2 of these, but there was more than enough for the 3 of us. And SO much did our "novice" love it, she asked for a "doggy bag" to take away what we couldn't eat.

The welcome was warm, the food delicious/authentic and the staff really friendly. They even made us an Ice Kacang , even though (by rights) it shouldn't have been included in our Set Menu ...which was a wonderfully, refreshing end to our meal.

We will definitely be going again!!!!.

Saturday, July 24, 2010
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8

Limon Shish & Mezze

Located in an unprepossessing concrete building (at the foot of Wimbledon Hill Rd), surrounded by To Let signs, Limon deserves better neighbours.

A (warm/inviting) cross between a cafe & a restaurant, the food served here is exceptionally good & patently made with fresh ingredients. Staff are friendly (without being intrusive) & everything is spotlessly clean ......you can even see your food being prepared as the "kitchen" is located in the top part of the restaurant area.

Particular favourites of ours are the Humus, Halloumi & Chicken Kofte. But to be honest it is all so good that it's hard to limit oneself ...which you don't really have to as there is a good (Starter) Mezze offering.

Their Set Menus (Lunch, Dinner, Family) are reasonably priced & the quantities (served) are generous. Plus, if you don't feel like cooking, they will prepare a Takeaway whilst you wait or they will deliver it (free of charge) to your home.

This is a small, independent restaurant that deserves to succeed ..as reflected in both my and the previous reviewers comments.

Thursday, November 19, 2009
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10

The Stage Door Restaurant

Wanting somewhere close to Wimbledon Theatre (we were going to a Saturday Matinee performance) and liking Greek, we decided to give The Stage Door a try. I've walked past it many times over the years, but have always been put off by its somewhat dark/unwelcoming exterior. However, having read the previous reviewer's positive experience, I made a reservation on the basis that "you can't judge a book by its cover".

Once inside, we realised the interior somewhat reflected the exterior. It had a slightly cold/imprersonal feel and felt a bit like stepping back into the 1980's ...with (fake) animal prints on the wall. However, the husband and wife (owners?) were lovely (really friendly & welcoming) so we hoped this "genuiness" would be reflected in the food ...and to a degree, it was.

The (home made) Houmous Starter was plentiful and served with a lot of Pitta Bread (not the measly portions one often gets). And my friend's Moussaka looked (and according to her, was) delicious. But my Kleftiko was somewhat dry and the Desserts were a real disappointment. As soon as we saw the photo shots accompanying each dish (on the separate Dessert Menu) we realised they were not home made, but frozen (and bought in). So we didn't order any. And although not incredibly expensive, nor was it a particularly cheap place to eat if you were simply going to a Matinee performance with children (as we were).

For only 4 tables to be occupied on a busy Saturday afternoon (in such a prime location) indicates something is fundamentally wrong (as, perhaps, does the fact that the last review was March 2008)....not least because Greek is one of the few restaurant "types" that Wimbledon is sadly lacking.

This could so easily be a REALLY good Greek Restaurant. All it needs (in my opinion) is a modern makeover (whilst still retaining its fundamental "Greekness") with a specific view to making the place more warm/inviting. Plus perhaps it could offer a Set Lunch Mezze (which would encourage families as their children could "pick 'n mix" what they want to eat. And last, but not least, ditch the frozen desserts and offer a few (home made) Greek classics like Baklava, etc.

Saturday, November 14, 2009
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 5

Halepi Restaurant and Kebab House

How strange, we were there the same evening as the previous reviewer (12th November) and had a completely different experience - and we aren't regulars, this was our first time.

We found it to be everything you look for in a Greek Restaurant, but rarely find: great food; friendly waiters; relaxed atmosphere. And the complementary dishes (Olives; Radishes; Peppers; etc) given to us on our arrival plus the complementary Turkish Delight (home made??) when we were given our bill was much appreciated.

We had the Mezze, but on hearing it was "generous", ordered 2 for the 3 of us. And as plate after plate of delicious food arrived, we were glad we did ...."generous" was probably an understatement. Sadly I can't comment on "Grandma's Baklava" - so positively reviewed by Rosie previously - as by the time we reached the Dessert stage, we were far too full.

The long (centre) table was occupied by around 30 delegates from a number of different countries (we assumed they were there for a conference in the UK), which we felt proved the point - "discover the Holy Grail and the world beats a path to your door"!!!

We will definitely be going back there again.

Friday, November 13, 2009
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9

Clarke's Restaurant

Seriously over priced. Disappointing food (eg vegetables very over cooked/steak tough). Condescending/patronising "maitre d" who gives the impression one should be grateful for being allowed to dine there. A stance designed, presumably, to appeal to the elderly/elite customers. No longer deserving of its previous high reputation.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 1