All reader reviews by Anonymous
Las Iguanas (Royal Festival Hall)
The only thing that stood out about this place was how terrible the service was. From the over-crowded bar area, to the terrible table service we were left waiting, waiting and waiting for everything. At one stage i was told (after asking 3 times for my drinks) "we're really busy"...well its a restaurant on the southbank...it will always be busy.....totally inexcusable.
food was average to poor, cocktails were average, thats about it!!
Friday, May 09, 2008
Overall rating 
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
St Alban
We went to St Alban for dinner with friends a week ago.
The first thing that struck me was how the room was decorated in what someone had clearly been taught was "cool". Weird shapes outlined on walls, bright orange seats... not cool at all! The place was too brightly lit and reminded me of the Gordon Ramsey Fword show...
The maitre d came over and seemed very nice and capable to start with. The wine list is great, dont be afraid to try an unknown as the wine waiter is very helpful there. The way in which the wine is rationed out over the meal drove me INSANE! I dont mind if you keep the wine in a bucket near the table, i don't mind if you prefer to fill the glasses ... but do it! Don't leave us gasping for a drink! And why, when we had finished a bottle didn't they tell us?! Very strange.
Now for the food. After a 30 minute wait the starters arrived. My starter was the grilled squid. Not great, quite gritty and a very large portion. The salad was dressed with the squid ink which wasn't mentioned in the menu and didn't impress me. My main was fantastic, pork belly with a thin and perfectly crisp crackling. It came with a potato fan of some sort which tasted great but was a pain to actually eat (you'll understand if you order it). My poor fellow diners were all left waiting for various components of their meals (late salads, wrong vegetables)...not what you'd expect in an emptying dining room. It was about 10.45 by this point. Finally the desserts were pretty good.
I was underwhelmed by the entire affair. By the end of the meal the heda waiter had let himself down, becoming snootily faux-knowledgable about the wine and too familiar.
I enjoyed the company and most of my meal, but I shan't return. Magdalen in London Bridge accomplishes far more and provides a more relaxed environment.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Overall rating 
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Magdalen
Went to Magdalen on a Saturday night without a booking (4 of us in total). We were shown to a table on the ground floor, where they do not take bookings. From the moment we arrived we loved it. The waitress was one of the friendliest I have encountered in London, and made some good menu reccommendations. My starter of pickled mackerel was ok, not great, but not bad. The rest of my party ate potted crab- which was DELICIOUS! it tasted so wonderfully fresh! I did pretty well with my main course of thin slices of Pigs head (i tend to pick odd things on the menu), and the flavours were so intense...lean meat mingled with salty fat- of the quality you would expect in St John. The two guys i was with had the steak, and were very pleased with both the size and the taste. Our desserts were chocolate brownies with bananas - heaven on a small plate. All of this plus a bottle of Sancerre for £50 a head. Not bad at all!
I am not sure why there are some poor reviews, our experience was great, and I am very keen to return soon to try something else on their regularly changing menu. I have heard the atmosphere on the 1st floor where you can book tables is a little better than where we were seated.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Overall rating 
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Banana Tree Canteen
The Banana tree is a neighbourhood favourite of mine. Always great for a relaxed cheap bite out with friends. The varied menu is great (always takes me ages to make up my mind), the service is good, and the brazilian waiter there is very friendly!
A couple of tips:
Avoid sitting by the doors on a cold day as it can be a little draughty
Try the blackened chilli pork Nasi Goreng if you like a bit of spice!
and take this place with a pinch of salt. It is not high-end dining, it is quick, cheerful and tasty (like a thai Wagamama).
Enjoy!
Monday, May 28, 2007
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Nobu
Went to Nobu for a special occasion dinner, and it matched the occasion perfectly. I have eaten sushi/sashimi all over london, and must say- in terms of freshness and presentation this place wins hand down.
The yellowfin with jalapeno was sublime, the beef sashimi (like a ceviche of beef) delicious, tempura rock shrimp- divine! Be prepared to watch the bill add up quicky. 3 starters and you're already at about £30- but thats why you're here- to blow the budget.
We then had a main of wagyu beef toban-yaki, and black cod (didnt quite live up to the expectations but still delicious). Finally the sushi and sashimi were good, the fatty tuna was wonderful.
I know you are probably full by the end of all this but you MUST try the chocolate bento box- the best dessert i have ever eaten.
It is a shame this is a one off treat, just waiting to have an excuse to go here on work account!
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Overall rating 
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 4
Le Cafe du Jardin
From the moment we arrived to the moment we left the entire experience wa abysmal. We booked for a group Christmas dinner and arrived on time for our meal, only to find the table still hadnt been set, the heating was on full max and the pre-ordered wine was nowhere to be seen. The wine finally arrived after 20 mins, in pre opened bottles tasting nothing like the label suggested it should. Vile. The food was even worse. Grilled Goats cheese that had probably been cooked by sitting out in the central heating, and main courses so dry you could scrape ice off your car with them. The accompaniments were sprouts and beans, which work well if you opted for the turkey but not so well with Pasta! The desserts were bland, the pastry inpenetrable and to top it off the waiters may as well have been on strike. They brought starters, whisked them away to other tables with no explanation, were rude and barely spoke english.
It is safe to say I will NEVER step foot in there again.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Overall rating 
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Sarracino
the best pizza i have eaten outside of Italy!!! This place is a treasure. Held my birthday dinner there and everyone loved it. They cater wonderfully for large groups, the service is friendly and the wine is reasonable to say the least. West Hampstead is a lucky neighbourhood, thats for sure!
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Bleeding Heart
Went here with the other half for a romantic birthday dinner. Was appauled by the service, i know french waiters are known to be surly but this was just rude. Specials had run out by 8pm, the time between courses seemed to be barely enough to breathe and the quality of the food was mediocre: My halibut was overdone and frankly i have had far better food at my neighbourhood gastropub where the prices are half of that at the Bleeding Heart. If anyone is looking for a romantic, good quality meal i urge you to try Andrew Edmunds and stay away from this cliche from Allo Allo.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Overall rating 
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
