All reader reviews by ajp50

Essence

Overall, we really enjoyed our trip to Essence - principally because the food is excellent. Some really tasty and innovative tapas dishes (as well as some classics, done very well). Service was OK - we didn't have the massive problems that some other reviewers seem to have had - they were fairly friendly, but did manage to forget 2 of our dishes (which were then taken off the bill). Not particularly impressed with the atmosphere - the dining tables seemed like a bit of an after-thought to the bar, and the prices were pretty steep for what weren't huge portions. Overall though, the food was good enough to make up for any of the rest, and I'd recommend giving it a go.

Friday, September 15, 2006
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7

Siam CENTRAL

Good Thai food in a nice setting. We were lucky enough to get a table outside, so I'm not sure what the atmosphere inside is like - outside, though, was perfectly pleasant. Food was good - nothing particularly surprising on the menu, but I had a good green curry, and the vegetables were nicely done too. Service was fine, if a little moody at times, and it all seemed fairly priced for the area and quality. I would definitely go back for a decent Thai meal.

Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8

Ten Tables

We were fairly disappointed in our visit to Ten Tables.

Three of us visited using the London Eating offer of 3 tapas + drink for £15, which was very good value, but unfortunately the quality of food, service, and atmosphere were not up to standard.

The restaurant has a slightly strange atmosphere, being just off a hotel lobby, and not that much care seems to have been taken with the decoration. The service was very friendly – the waiters we spoke to were all nice, but the main problem came with the timing of the food. Firstly, it took a very long time between ordering and the food arriving. And when it did, they brought 3 of our tapas out, which we started to nibble on, but we wanted to share all of our tapas, so waited for the others to arrive. When they still hadn’t arrived after 15 minutes, we asked if they were coming, and were told they were on their way. It was then another 20 minutes until they did actually arrive (4 of them at least, then there was a further wait for the remaining 2). There was no real explanation as to what had caused the delay, and while the waiter was apologetic, it really caused a disjointed meal. The quality of the food was also disappointing – not terrible, but far from the best tapas I’ve had in London.

Thursday, June 29, 2006
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8

Donna Margherita

Consistently excellent - we are lucky enough to live just round the corner, so Donna Margherita has become our local whenever we want to go out for excellent food, in a friendly, unpretentious setting, at decent prices. I would strongly recommend the mixed antipasti to start with (a great way to try 3 different, but all tasty, dishes), and you really can’t beat that pizzas. Definitely the best I’ve had in London (and I have to say, based on a recent trip to Italy, the pizzas compare pretty favourably to most of them there too…). The atmosphere is good – not necessarily the most sophisticated and can feel a little rushed, but always friendly and efficient. Highly recommended.

Monday, May 22, 2006
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8

Chez Bruce

I took my parents to Chez Bruce for lunch for their wedding anniversary, and we were all very impressed. Expectations were high having seen the reviews on this site and elsewhere, and we were not disappointed. The food was excellent, some of the best I have had, and the wine was very good too - I picked it myself (mostly by luck rather than through any great knowledge), but the sommelier was also helpful in describing it. The service was slightly disappointing - it took a long time for our order to be taken, and even longer for the wine order, but you couldn't fault the friendliness and willingness to please. Value wise, while not cheap, compared to eating this sort of food in central London, prices are very reasonable. Chez Bruce is definitely one of those places you have to try, and for top-notch food, you won't regret it.

Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8

RSJ Restaurant

We went to the RSJ Brasserie after seeing a play at the National and were really pleased to have found a decent place to eat very close by. Overall I'd say this was good - good food and relatively well priced (an unusual, but welcome, surprise to see a reasonably-priced set menu for dinner at the weekend). Service was OK - took a long time to take our order and the food arrived before the wine did, but they were very friendly about it. Atmosphere was also fairly lacking, but the food was good enough to make this a place worth coming back to - recommended.

Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 8

Petrus

Probably the best food I've had in London, and I was particularly impressed with the service - it's rare to have such good, attentive service, but for it to be nice, relaxed and friendly as well. Good atmosphere only slightly marred by being sat next to the door to the private dining room, with lots of traffic in and out. Not cheap though. Really not very cheap at all. Overall - perfect for a special occasion.

Friday, March 31, 2006
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6