All reader reviews by sarahhighfield

L'Escargot

I had dinner at L'Escargot last Tuesday and it was delicious. I ordered the 'Severn & Wye Smoked Salmon, Pickled Shallots, Horseradish Cream, Capers & Blinis' to start, followed by '8 oz Ribeye Steak, Hand Cut Chips' and finally the 'Classic Blueberry & Custard Tart with Espuma Cream' for dessert - all washed down with the recommended wines. The service was excellent, the waiters were knowledgeable and polite. I will definitely return!

Thursday, March 07, 2013
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10

Nobu Berkeley St

I have been here twice now and both times it has been fabulous. The food, drink and service are 10/10.

It's a gorgeous restaurant and I highly recommend the 'Kyoho Queen' cocktail.

Monday, September 19, 2011
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10

Dean Street Townhouse

I came to the Dean Street Townhouse two weeks ago for brunch and it was superb.

I ordered the Baker’s Basket, a Full English Breakfast and a carrot, apple and ginger smoothie. The food portions were really large and everything tasted deliciously well-sourced. For the first time in a long time, I was unable to finish my food since I was so full!

I also really liked the setting; the townhouse has a lot of character, which significantly enhanced the overall experience.

I’m looking forward to going back!

Monday, September 19, 2011
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10

Bi Bim Bap

This is a great place for a quick lunch or dinner. The food is tasty, healthy, filling and unique.

Monday, September 19, 2011
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10

Bodean's (Soho)

This is where I discovered the mouth-wateringly, scrumptious pulled pork sandwich! A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I didn't even need the bread - I would've happily eaten a plate of pulled pork on its own!

Obviously, this isn't the healthiest place to eat but I highly recommend it as a weekly treat.

Monday, September 19, 2011
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10

Yalla Yalla (Winsley St)

I have been here a couple of times now and it has yet to disappoint – the food is wonderful and the portion sizes are generous. The service is quick and the prices are more than reasonable. The restaurant is quite ‘packed-in’ so don’t be upset if the table next to you may as well be on table with you! Both this restaurant and Haz (in the City), are my two favourite places for Middle Eastern food.

Monday, September 19, 2011
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10

Zuma

I came here last Tuesday and had a wonderful dinner. The food was delicious and unique, and I highly recommend the 'Zumanuka' cocktail - fresh basil muddled with 42 Below Manuka Honey Vodka, pineapple and a dash of apple. The atmosphere was lively and the service spot-on.

Monday, September 19, 2011
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10

Hakkasan

This restaurant is amazing! I came here for my birthday dinner last Friday and have spent the past week mentally planning my return and what I want to try next!

On entering the restaurant, my first impression of the place was good. It’s really dark, it’s really stylish and it’s really underground! Hakkasan is in the middle of the city but feels quite hidden and inscrutable.

I arrived at 7pm and went straight to the bar for a ‘Pink Mao Mao’ (recommended by the barman) – it was divine – a delicious mix of watermelon, strawberries, Belvedere vodka, Akashi-tai sake, strawberry liqueur and black pepper, and beautifully presented. My date had the refreshing ‘Chinese Mule’, which is a mix of vodka, Sake, cilantro, ginger, lime and ginger beer. I then ordered the Hakkasan signature cocktail ‘The Hakka’ (made from Belvedere vodka, Akashi-tai sake, lychee juice, lime, coconut and passion fruit); it was incredibly sweet but equally wonderful.

We were taken to our table at 7:30pm and introduced to our waiter, who was polite and efficient all evening. The menu is extensive and we opted for the Salt and pepper squid, Crispy duck roll and Lamb salad with spicy peanut dressing for our starter course, and the Stir-fry black pepper rib-eye beef with merlot, Sha Cha Seafood Toban with silver cod, scallop, prawn, squid, chow chow and edamame, with rice and noodles for our main course. It was ALL MOUTH-WATERINGLY DELECTABLE!

I don’t usually like squid but I liked the squid here, the Crispy duck roll wasn’t heavy or greasy and the lamb salad (albeit very, very spicy – I was warned beforehand) was lovely. The Sha Cha Seafood Toban went down quickly and the rib-eye beef with merlot was one of the most tasty dishes I have ever eaten – absolutely delightful – tender and juicy! I have no complaints whatsoever – it was quite simply decadent, yet heartening at the same time.

We then ordered some more cocktails, this time we tried the ‘Blue Wanda’, a luscious mix of Grey Goose Le Citron vodka, red grapes, apple, lychee liqueur and prosecco. The flavours in the mix were refined - strong and sharp, which was perfect since dessert was next!

For my dessert, I ordered the ‘Jivara Hazelnut Bomb’ – a milk chocolate and hazelnut ice cream parfait with hot chocolate sauce!!! It was like being served heaven on a plate! I have a sweet tooth, so this couldn’t have been more suited to my palate. The only way I can describe it is if you can imagine eating a really large Ferrero Rocher with hazelnut ice cream inside and then having hot chocolate sauce poured on top! If it didn’t look so greedy, I would have ordered two of these! My date had the sorbet – it looked pretty appealing but I was far too engrossed in my own dessert to even sample it (though I have been told it was very nice).

For me, Hakkasan isn’t just about the food; it’s about the setting the scene, providing a faultless service – which is both charming and relaxed, and ensuring that people have a truly enjoyable evening. To sum up the whole experience, I was really, really impressed. I must admit that I cannot comment on the prices since I never saw the bill at the end ;) but it was a genuinely special experience and I can’t wait to go back.

Hakkasan is the kind of place that every gluttonous human being, with a taste for luxury, will adore.

Monday, September 19, 2011
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10