All reader reviews by Champers

The Folly

Came here last night for food and drinks and the place was packed on a wednesday night with a good atmosphere. The decor in the place is very cool and this definitely adds to the atmosphere. Ordered the scampi and chips, which I was looking forward to. The presentation was great. In a metal sieve and on a wooden board, however the chips weren't cooked properly and the scampi wasn't scampi, but fish goujons.... Fairly disappointing for £10 and no garnish or anythingon the side, which for the price would have been nice!

The service was friendly and efficient. More of a place for a drink really than to eat!

Thursday, January 24, 2013
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 6

Hawksmoor Spitalfields

I came here as a treat for my birthday.. We started off with a nice cocktail in the bar, which was lovely and the barman was very friendly and good. Then we had a starter in the restaurant, followed by a steak to share from the board, which was amazing. Perfectly cooked and the triple cooked chips were amazing. Compared to Gaucho, the steak was much better and the service a lot more friendly. For dessert I had the rolos, which were lush. A lovely evening and lovely food, I'll definitely be returning.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7

Busaba Eathai (Westfield)

Came here to eat on Saturday after a day's shopping on Saturday. From the moment we entered we should have left after the surly service received by the doorman. Then even though the restaurant was half empty we were squashed onto a busy table with a couple having a domestic. Then we were dying for a drink and the drinks then took about 15 mnins to arrive. We ordered starters and mains, but they all arrived at the same time and were distinctly average/below average and overpriced. The service was rude and poor and slow and the food was nothing special. The pad thai was ridiculously spicy and was not nice. I won't be returning.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1

Chez Bruce

Excellent food and service, lovely restaurant, will definitely be returning for another special ocassion!

I went to Chez Bruce on Sunday for lunch with my family and the meal was great. We started with champagne, and then had the set 3 courses for £35 for lunch, which was great value. The service was prompt and good and not intrusive.The scallop sashimi for the starter and the cheeseboard for dessert were without doubt the highlights.

Definitely a great restaurant and one to try if you are in the Wandsworth, Clapham, Balham area.

Thursday, September 15, 2011
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8

Wahaca (Soho)

Great mexican street food in a really funky setting.

The staff are great, very friendly and attentive and service is fast.

The cocktails are a must, try the hisbiscus Mojito or margarita.. I've been here 4 times so far and it never fails to live up to expectations. On the last 3 visits I've gone for the wahaca selection at £19.95 for 2 people, which is excellent value and is definitely enough food to satisfy even hungry diners!

Will definitely be returning, love it!

Friday, July 29, 2011
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9

Mirch Masala (Tooting)

Best curry restaurant in Tooting by far. I've lived in the area for 5 years now, and this has always been my favourite place. We have tried several other places nearby, but none of them are anywhere near as good.

The poppadoms arrive as soon as you sit down. The orders are taken quickly and the food arrives fairly quickly. The lamb tikka for starters is amazing and is lovely and spicy with nice corriander too. The the methi gosht for mains, with pilau rice and gorgeous nan, you can't go wrong.

It is definitely a spit and sawdust place, so if you want refined, romantic quiet eating, best avoid, but if you want a meal in a place with tons of atmosphere and great food at bargain basement prices then go for it!

Monday, July 11, 2011
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10

The Antelope

I've been here a couple of times for sunday lunch and it is great value and really big portions of good roast.

We came here on Sunday and I had roast chicken and the others had beef. The yorkshires are nice and homemade and everything was well done. The only minus was that only 4 potatoes were served per plate, so we had to order some more!!

Service was friendly, but sometimes a bit slow, but then they were very busy.

Definitely a good value roast £9.95 and a great atmosphere in a stylish pub! Very pleased to have such a place in Tooting.

Monday, July 11, 2011
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8

The Paddyfield

Ate here on saturday night for the first time and the place was packed. The food was great, nicely spiced and very well cooked. I had Xao Sa, chicken and noodles, which was delicately spiced and not too hot, and my boyfriend had the seafood pho, which he liked, but was probably too hot! They did ask and he said medium hot, so who knows what it would have been like if he had just simply said hot!

The service was friendly and pretty good, although we did move tables and this seemed to cause them a bit of confusion! Also the service charge (15%) is automatically added on for parties of 2 or more, so everyone I assume. I prefer adding my own tip as I can then reflect what tip to give.

BYO was a good idea, so made for a cheap meal.. I think we'll be returning!

Monday, July 11, 2011
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8

maze Grill

I went here yesterday for my birthday with my boyfriend and we had a lovely lunch. The light dishes we had to start were perfect (clams with bacon and cheese sauce + mini crab cakes with a chilli dipping sauce) and at £6 each were good value and a cheaper option than the starters for £13 each! For main courses we both went for steak. He went for rib eye and I went for sirloin. My steak wasn't piping hot and was slightly overseasoned, but was still good overall. They came nicely presented on a wooden board with the knives poking out of the boards and with half a bulb of roasted garlic on the side. Sides such as chips and veg and sauces were extra, so overall it is a pretty pricey deal when compared with other notable steak houses in London. The service was generally good, but could have been better. I would definitely recommend it for a special occasion, but am not sure if I would go back.

Monday, October 18, 2010
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6

Cah Chi (Earlsfield)

We went here for a lovely Korean meal a few weeks ago. We went for the bbq chicken and beef, which they cook in front of you on the stoves setup in the tables, which makes it a really novel meal and something completely different. The food was flavoursome + healthy and the BYO policy, meant the meal was very good value. The service was extremely friendly and genuine, with free samples of dessert wine, when we asked the difference between a few. We will definitely be coming back..!

Thursday, January 21, 2010
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10

Pizza Express Jazz Club

Great Pizza, Great Atmosphere, Great Jazz.... If the usual pizza express is too 'express' for you, then you can take your time and savour your pizza in this relaxed underground jazz club. The jazz on Sunday was very relaxing and smooth. The place was packed and the service was great. Brilliant! Love it!

Thursday, January 21, 2010
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9

Giraffe (Spitalfields)

The food here was not great. Very greasy and overloaded with cheese and mayo. I had a salad, which was completely drenched in dressing. It was meant to be a chicken salad, but I was literally having to hunt the chicken, as there was so much feta cheese in it. The service was abrupt and not friendly and the 12.5% service charge was added on, even though the food was far from great. I won't be going back!

Thursday, January 21, 2010
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 2