All reader reviews by David

Clos Maggiore

Food: Really normal. Also, the menu doesn't change much with seasons. However, I do appreciate the fact that this place is cheap, i.e. most starters under £10 and most main courses under £20. So the food is actually quite good for this price level. If you are willing to spend more money, then there are many better restaurants in London.

Service: Generally quite warm and efficient. There is just one minor point to note. The sommelier didn't open the wine in front of me. He may have just forgotten that time. Not really big deal.

Atmosphere: The ground floor level is very nice. It is good/romantic/cosy to bring a date here. The first floor area is nothing special though.

Value for Money: see above under food section.

Overall: will return every now and then. Particularly for the wine selection.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8

Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester

This place has been awarded 2 michelin stars. Even more, it is called "rising 3 stars". I believe this means that it will gain 3 stars next year.

I have been to all the 2-star restaurants in London and all the 3-star restaurants in the UK. I must say that compared to these other places, Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester doesn't even deserve 1 star.

I must be fair to say first of all that the ambience and service are both 5-star hotel level (well, it is in a 5-star hotel, what should I expect otherwise?). However, that doesn't make up for the mediocre food it serves.

Just to give some examples, I had roast veal for main course. The veal is really dry and doesn't have much taste. My friends all went for the beef which is meant to be the chef's signature dish. I also tried a slice of the beef and we all agreed that the beef is no different from a steakhouse in London (with no michelin star).

After the meal, my whole thought is "How did it get 2 michelin stars this year?". May give it another try in the future to see. However, that won't do because 2 and 3-starred restaurants are meant to be consistent.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 3

Tom Aikens

I went to Tom Aikens last night with a friend of mine. Usually, I don't go for special offer at this type of places. However, last night we decided to try the 5-course special menu called "Flower Menu" because of the name.

What a mistake! The dishes are outright bizzare. Each dish basically has savoury and sweet tastes blended together. I think some chefs may be able to manage this well, but definitely not Tom Aikens.

Most of the dishes are either tasteless (e.g. the salmon) or taste weird (e.g. lemon risotto). My friend said that the lemon risotto is so sour that she can't eat it. I didn't find mine too sour so I tried hers. Surprisingly, hers is sourer than mine. It is very surprising to see such a place display this kind of inconsistency.

Also, with regard to the service, I am not sure if it is because we went for the special menu, we were only offered bread once during the meal.

In short, based on the meal last night, Tom Aikens doesn't deserve to be called "rising two stars". It should stay with one star for another few years.

On a more positive note, I have learned from the experience never to go for special menu at michelin-starred places.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6