All reader reviews by Howard Popeck

Toffs

If proof were needed that when it comes to success in restaurant business that there is no substitute for “position” then this is most certainly it – for surely it can’t be because of the food!

Tuesday, July 03, 2012
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 4

Strada (Great Queen St)

Be VERY careful to check the 2-for-1 deal BEFORE you visit. Apparently it isn't valid during weekends - which is fair enough. However in their view the weekend is 3 days, starting at noon on a Friday - any Friday. Also it might be challenging to find anyone who understands Engish let alone speaks it. Finger-pointing on the menu does work but is I feel a tad unconventional.

Tuesday, July 03, 2012
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 4

Bali Bali

Cutting to the chase, I've now eaten here over 40 times over 5 years. Without hesitation, without qualification and without exaggeration Bali Bali has provided truly the most consistently pleasurable series of eating experiences I have yet encountered in London

Thursday, February 02, 2012
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 9

Indian Palace

Sadly, they have closed. Truly the finest food of its type I have ever eaten other than the late lamented Bombay Spice (two doors away) which also closed down about 18 month earlier. As a regular eater in and around London once again I’m forced to conclude that outstanding quality food plus great value plus first-rate service are not despite what would seem a winning combination, a guarantee of success. Given the number of competitors serving food varying between reasonable to mediocre in dull and predictable surroundings, I’m astonished that these also-rans survive let alone survive. Residents of North London, you’ve missed the boat on this one; on of Britain’s truly great Indian restaurants on your doorsteps is now no more.

Thursday, February 02, 2012
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 9

Giraffe (Spitalfields)

Based on my recent experience and contrasted against the previous review (below) which I hadn’t read before my visit they have certainly got their act together. This is good (but not exceptional) food, efficiently served by friendly staff in a warm and clean environment. The value (given the highly-priced) location is good. Okay, yes compared to other chains such as Zizzi, Prezzo and Ask this particular location’s overall offering is not outstanding value nor outstanding in any particular aspect. But it is pleasant. If one takes into account that they are not in my experience claiming to offer anything more than a basic uncomplicated experience, then it delivers on that promise. A more imaginative menu with perhaps a 10% to 15% reduction in a typical bill could easily elevate them to the next quality and value band.

Thursday, February 02, 2012
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 6

Friends

A brief story to illustrate what a fine place this is. Last week I turned up for lunch but the restaurant was shut. My fault rather than theirs. The adjacent takeaway was open. They opened the restaurant section for I and my colleague! The cod (in Matzo meal) was not only delicious but superbly cooked as indeed was everything else. Courtesy, flexibility, outstanding cuisine, an overall very enjoyable experience and fine value too. Unhesitatingly recommended. This is fish and chips at a higher level in North London and where the competition in terms of quality and value is tough – but Friends remains THE benchmark – and has done during the past 18 months.

Thursday, February 02, 2012
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 9

Adams Cafe

Every one of the reviews on this page are, in my direct personal experience, correct. This externally unassuming little restaurant is most certainly a ‘destination’ restaurant by which I mean very well worth travelling to from anywhere in London. Unhesitatingly recommended based on 9 visits so far.

Thursday, February 02, 2012
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10

Delisserie (Temple Fortune)

Disappointing. Especially as I've eaten here so many times previously. Yes it’s still clean, parking is easy after 6.30pm and service is fast. And the portions are big. However all 4 of my Viennas were cold. The latkes were, as always, spot on. The salt beef was plentiful, of good colour and texture and – utterly tasteless. I guess that if I had been blind I’d not be able to tell what meat I was eating.

Re the Viennas, I didn’t make a fuss, but I told the pretty bimbo behind the cash desk in a very polite and calm way. She explained that the chef (chef?) inserted these in boiling water but didn’t check them! Had I wanted a detailed explanation for the failure I’d have asked. What I wanted was a reassurance that a repeat order next time wouldn’t result in (a) 4 more cold sausages and (b) the same gormless response.

Given the nature of the first part of the dialogue I though it best not to enquire. A pretty face and a decent bra do not in my view present a reasonable substitute for an intelligent response. But perhaps that’s just me?

Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9

Mumbai

Very fine quality food in this modest-looking but very clean and unpretentious little 'oasis' at bit off the beaten track but very well worth travelling to. My comments are based on 7 visits.

Sunday, March 27, 2011
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 8

Indian Palace

I eat out twice or week or so and have done for around 30 years. Truly I have never eaten Indian food of this quality in the UK. Spotlessly clean, easy parking nearby after 6.30pm and attentive but not pushy staff make this a 'destination restaurant' They offer from time to time an outstanding value 50% discount menu. The range of dishes on this discounted menu is less than the full menu and naturally the portions are slightly smaller BUT - it's the same quality as you get from the full menu. Unhesitatingly recommended and no, I have no commercial association with them whatsoever.

Sunday, March 27, 2011
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8