All reader reviews by -K-
Dotori
We had heard great things about this Korean-Japanese place and managed to secure a table for a Sunday evening. It's always very busy and we were told we could have the table for an hour and a half, which is fine for us but others may feel that's a bit rushed. That said, the food arrived promptly and the service was generally attentive. Yakitori were tasty but very skinny, Korean meat dumplings were fine, and the vegetable tempura was nice and light but tasted like the oil might need changing. A sizzling pork belly dish was decent, quite spicy, but chicken teriyaki seemed to have been cooked earlier and reheated so it was a bit chewy. Overall, the food had good flavour and came in generous portions but we weren't wowed and wouldn't rush back. The sushi looked good though, so maybe that's their strength. Good value too, so worth a try if you're local.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Overall rating 
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Pizza East Portobello
The friendly door staff were kind enough to squeeze us in upstairs on a busy Bank Holiday Monday. The place was full of wealthy families with immaculately dressed children but it wasn't overly noisy or chaotic. We shared a generous board of top quality mortadella, capacollo and taleggio, along with a delicious avocado and butter lettuce salad, some nicely minty pea croquettes, and tender lamb meatballs in a rich tomato sauce. Everything was hot, fresh and tasty - we had no complaints and couldn't manage dessert. With a glass of Prosecco and an Aperol spritz, the bill was £50 for two, including service, which we thought was great value, especially in that area. Recommended for Portobello Road locals and visitors alike!
Tuesday, May 07, 2013
Overall rating 
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Gordon's Wine Bar
Gordon's is a London institution, perfect for a glass of wine at any time of day. You can sit outside or in the quirky subterranean bar itself. On a recent visit, it was packed with guidebook-carrying tourists, glammed up groups of ladies, and couples splitting a bottle together. Chairs are prime real estate at busy times! It smells like damp and French cheese, but this doesn't seem to bother anyone. We haven't eaten there but the cheese and charcuterie plates seem popular. It's not perfect but if you like wine, you should visit it at least once.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Pandan Leaf Thai Kitchen
We had heard good things about this relatively new Thai restaurant in Crouch End and popped in for dinner recently. It's lovely inside - very modern with exposed brickwork, nice lighting and fresh herb pots on the tables.
The menu has a nice mix of classic Thai dishes and some lesser known specialties and seafood dishes. Chicken dim sum was pretty standard but we loved the zingy and spicy larb gai. For mains, we had pad see ew and a delicious dish of green curry fried rice and grilled chicken topped with green curry sauce and crispy onions. They were both really tasty and fresh-tasting. Generous portions too. Cocktails were surprisingly good - the lychee Martini had a great chilli kick to it. You could easily feed two with a drink each for £30 (total) but we were glad we over-ordered and thought the whole meal was good value.
Service was a little slow throughout but they were very friendly and generously offered us a Thai whisky on the house after dinner, as well as packing up our leftovers. We're returning this week to try out more of the menu. If you're local, they deliver and have some great value lunch sets.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
The Nightjar
We love this sexy subterranean speakeasy. It's no cheap thrill, with most drinks over £12, but they are beautifully put together. The combination of great cocktails, slick service and the gorgeous Art Deco decor make it an ideal place for a date. If you're a little shy, be aware that the Jungle Bird arrives in a giant silver bird-shaped vessel. A statement drink, if you will.
Thursday, April 04, 2013
Overall rating 
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Pizza East
I wanted somewhere low-key but buzzy for a birthday dinner-for-two and Pizza East was a great choice. It was rammed to the rafters on a cold Thursday night with a mix of 20-somethings on dates and larger groups. It's a vast space but this doesn't seem to affect the quality of food or service. Our waiter was on the ball and we didn't wait long for anything.
We ordered delicious burrata, prosciuttio, slow-cooked beef cheek and meatballs to start and then shared an excellent veal meatball pizza. This proved to be a perfect amount of food for two and with a couple of drinks the bill was about £50. (I'm sure if you had 2 pizzas and a bottle of wine, it could work out even cheaper). It's a little loud and very Shoreditch, but we had a great time and will definitely be going back.
Thursday, April 04, 2013
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
The Old Dairy
Decent Stroud Green gastropub - popular with local yummy mummies and their bearded hipster husbands. Bar service slow when it's busy and sometimes even when it's not. Enjoyed a decent baked Camembert with lovely bread and potatoes, but found the whole experience a bit overpriced. Roasts looked good though.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Hundred Crows Rising
Nice pub at the top of Chapel Market in Islington. Friendly staff and a good wine list, including some lovely English wines. (The Sandhurst rose is very drinkable, if a little pricey). I liked the chorizo croquettes with punchy smoked garlic dip but my aubergine dip suffered from being fridge cold. My companion's pork chop was excellent, really well cooked and served with leek mash and a tasty apple and bacon chutney. They always have interesting specials on. Some of the furniture is more shabby than chic - a few of the chairs are too low for the tables - but overall, it's a nice place to stop after shopping on Chapel Market.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Yum Bun
I popped in here on their first official day of opening and really enjoyed it. The girls who served me were lovely, very friendly and chatty. I tried two buns - one mushroom, one chicken. Both were delicious and very filling as the buns themselves are soft and springy, but a little doughy. The miso glaze on the mushrooms gave them a nice intense earthiness and I liked the contrasting crunch from the fresh cucumber and toasted walnuts. The chicken bun was equally tasty with plenty of shredded lettuce, sticky chicken and tartare sauce. I've never had tartare sauce with anything other than fish but it worked well.
You can supposedly take your buns next door to eat in Rotary Bar & Diner, but staff there made me feel pretty awkward about doing so. (Waitress made me transfer them from box to plate - why?!). Next time, I would just grab a takeaway and head for Bunhill Fields. It's a welcome addition to Old St - cheap, cheerful and different. I will be back!
Monday, March 18, 2013
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
The Pig & Butcher
We managed to squeeze in here on a busy Friday night and the food was as good, if not better, than it was when it first opened. The dining room was packed and therefore quite loud, so it's best to book ahead and go earlier in the week if you want a quieter evening.
The venison Scotch egg from the bar snacks board was excellent and we loved the salt cod croquettes with their feisty aioli and a nicely dressed salad garnish. My partner's main course of venison was beautifully cooked, though a little rare for his taste. My wild bream with leeks, ham and perfect potato fondants was delicious, full of strong flavours and a generous portion. We couldn't find room for dessert.
We were in and out within 60 minutes which seemed a little brisk but there are plenty of places nearby for a post-dinner drink. It's not cheap - these are most definitely restaurant prices - but for the quality of cooking, it's worth it. It was lovely to see the head chef at the pass checking every dish that went out, even though it was incredibly busy.
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Salvation Jane
A popular choice for brunch, coffee and lunch near Old Street station. They also open in the evenings and serve wine and a handful of small plates. Stick to the wine - the cocktail I ordered was badly made, heavy on the lime juice and borderline unpleasant. If you can't make them, don't offer them.
You order and pay at the counter so service is low-key but pleasant. Our small plates were fine but it's clearly more of a brunch/lunch place. A cherry tomato and basil risotto was nice enough but lacked flavour. The tomatoes should have been roasted until they were sweet and caramelised and the ricotta they use is no match for the traditional parmigiano. Lemon pepper squid was good, nicely crunchy and with a punchy aioli, but grilled haloumi struggled under too much salsa verde. Hand cut chips were excellent, deftly fried, skin on and not too salty.
A mixed bag then, but more than fine for lunch or a quick bite after work.
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
The Princess of Shoreditch
Having had a good meal at The Pig & Butcher (N1), we decided to try out their sister pub which is just a few minutes walk from Old St station. We ate downstairs in the pub area, rather than the upstairs dining room, and it was nearly full on a Thursday lunchtime. Service was a little slow but the waitresses were friendly and accomodating. The pie of the day was delicious - tender chicken and bacon in a rich sauce underneath a puff pastry lid. It came with lovely smooth mash and an unusual parcel of green beans that had been wrapped in ham (I think), battered and then fried. My partner's veal sausages were also very tasty, though he would have happily traded one of them for some green veg. (You need to order this separately). A shared sticky toffee pudding was fine, a little stodgy though and with not enough ice-cream. (There's never enough ice-cream when you're sharing a pudding...)
Overall, it was an enjoyable lunch and I would definitely go back for the pie of the day. It's not cheap but not over-the-top expensive either and seems popular with the local suits and media ladies-who-lunch.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Shoreditch Grind
I don't drink coffee but my colleagues assure me that it's very good here! They also serve cocktails, which is why I visited. The gin-based Bees Knees (with honey, obviously) was lovely and slipped down far too quickly. Staff are friendly and enthusiastic, maybe a touch over-familiar. It's very Shoreditch chic inside - rickety furniture, bearded Mac users - but a nice place to meet after work that isn't a pub. It's literally outside Old St station, so very handy.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Roti Chai Street Kitchen
We are big fans of Roti Chai's downstairs dining room so after braving the Selfridges sale we decided to try out the Street Kitchen (on the ground floor). The aroma of toasted spices that hits you as you walk is delicious and definitely whets the appetite! As ever, the service was spot on - friendly, efficient and happy to answer any questions about the menu. The Street Kitchen is a little more casual and it's great to be able to just walk in without a booking.
We ordered a mix of dishes to share and they all arrived quickly and pretty much at the same time so we could eat everything together. Highlights included the subtly spiced veg pulao with paneer and cashew nuts; warming tarka dahl; an earthy chicken curry; and papri chaat - a tasty and unusual cold dish of wheat crisps topped with potato, chickpeas and yoghurt. Don't leave without ordering the bhel puri - puffed rice in tamarind sauce studded with red onion, tomato and other bits. The mix of cool, crunchy, spicy and tangy is a winner!
We thought the bill was very reasonable for the quality of food and we found the portions just right. We have recommended Roti Chai to others in the past and have never known anyone to find fault with it. If you need feeding near Oxford St and don't fancy queuing at MEATliquor, this place should definitely be on your list.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
MEATmission
Like the rest of the MEAT empire, it's not for everyone but if you like MEATliquor, you'll love MEATmission - especially when they start taking bookings in the new year. The graffiti art is similar to MEATliquor (it's done by the same guys) but a bit more grown up - don't miss the sinister Last Supper on the ceiling. We've had a few bad experiences with burgerettes in the past but the staff here are great, very enthusiastic and on the ball.
The menu is a nice mix of their greatest hits (wings, burgers, chilli fries) and some new dishes like the garbage plates, their Peckham-inspired take on the French Dip, an edible bread bowl of chilli, and a roast beef sundae. Must-haves are the spicy currywurst and Monkey Fingers (boneless battered chicken bites doused in hot sauce). Cocktails are as well made and potent as ever.
We're thrilled to have the newest member of the MEAT family so close to our office and I hope people take it as it is and enjoy it. It's not overpriced and it's a damn sight more interesting than anything on nearby Hoxton Square.
Monday, December 24, 2012
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Bea's of Bloomsbury (One New Change)
My work colleagues and I had a lovely pre-Christmas afternoon tea at Bea's. They handled our large group very well and gave us a lovely table in a mezzanine area with a view over St Paul's and the Christmas tree opposite. Our waitress was very friendly and patient and they catered exceptionally well for our coeliac colleague who received a separate stand of gluten free cakes and pavlova. We couldn't fault any of it - the tea, mini baguettes and the sweet treats were all perfect. I thought there could have been more of the savoury bits but we left comfortably full, with our leftover cakes packed up to take home.
At under £25 a head, it was great value compared to lesser offerings in London hotels and I can highly recommend it for a work treat or as part of a girly day out. (One New Change has plenty of shops to keep you occupied after tea and it's much quieter than Oxford Street!)
Monday, December 24, 2012
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Coconut Grove Thai Cafe
Finding a decent, local Thai takeaway that delivers can be a struggle in London, so we consider ourselves very lucky that we can put Coconut Grove on speed dial. All of our orders so far have arrived promptly and still hot - always a bonus. Their curries are very good with that deep authentic flavour that can be difficult to replicate at home. We're looking forward to 'eating in' at the restaurant very soon!
Monday, November 26, 2012
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Enoteca Super Tuscan
I hosted a mini family reunion at the Super Tuscan and my guests were thrilled with both the food and service. The staff were knowledgeable about the wine and very patient with our late arrivals (victims of the London transport system). We shared generous, top quality antipasti platters to start, as well as fresh bruschette and delicious fresh and creamy burrata with tomatoes and balsamic dressing. Our mains, ranging from pasta dishes to veal chop and simply grilled chicken, were equally well received. Only one dish failed to impress - a slightly too dry swordfish pasta. The wine list is excellent, with plenty to suit all palates and budgets. The express lunch menu is good value and seemed popular with the local suits.
Highly recommend a visit if you work near Liverpool St. Well worth popping in, even for just a glass (or two) of wine and some antipasti at the bar.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Hawksmoor Air Street
We were extremely lucky to dine here during the sought after 'soft opening' period. The restaurant is, as you would expect, a stunning space with lovely Art Deco features, stained glass windows and a sweeping marble staircase. It is huge though and I imagine it would be very noisy when full. The staff were friendly and enthusiastic but service was understandably a little slow at times. This is pre-opening of course so small things are easily forgiven.
The food was close to faultless and the new fish dishes are a very welcome addition. The 'fried Queenies' were deliciously decadent bites of sweet scallop with a tangy homemade tartare sauce and the ribs were almost as good as when we had them at Hawksmoor Guildhall. The sirloin was cooked as requested with great char and depth of flavour. We loved the creamed spinach and chips but didn't enjoy the mushrooms which have a very strong flavour. Umami overkill. My monkfish was a very generous portion and beautifully cooked on the charcoal grill, although swimming a little in what looked like butter. Lovely fish, but very rich - go for the smaller portion.
We were tempted by the new puds (a Jaffa Cake inspired dessert and the Salted Caramel Rolos), but stuck to our favourite, the sticky toffee sundae, which was wonderful - just the right size to share. Loved the cocktails, though found the Tokaji Smash a little too tart, and found some very good wines by the glass on their list.
It's never going to be cheap but it's definitely worth considering for a 'special' night out. There is a lunchtime and early evening prix fixe which offers 2 courses for £22, which is great value.
Monday, November 05, 2012
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Petek
Every neighbourhood should have a local restaurant like Petek. It was the only eatery on Stroud Green Road that was packed to the rafters on a wet Saturday night, so booking is highly recommended. It doesn't look that exciting from outside, but inside it's dimly lit and almost romantic with all the candles and lanterns.
The complimentary warm bread and crushed tomato and chilli dip are delicious, as were our spiced koftes and hummus. Our grilled mains (chicken shish and a mixed shish) were smoky and tender, served with a generous green salad, yoghurt dip and lovely buttery rice studded with almonds. Portions are on the large side so order carefully.
Our bill (for two) came to £43 including service, which is a bargain in my book. There are great value set menus and lunch deals too. Will definitely be back.
Friday, November 02, 2012
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Delhi Grill
We have been fans of Delhi Grill since it opened back in 2010 and I'm thrilled that in two years, it has never let us down. On a recent Friday night visit, the friendly manager squeezed us in even though they were packed. (Booking at weekends is highly recommended!)
The mixed grill is still a smoky, spicy delight and a special of aloo paratha was authentic and delicious. Our favourite curry is still the rich and flavourful lamb rogan gosht, but all the slow-cooked dishes are good. Don't forget to order some dahl or a veggie dish - they're never an after though here.
I also highly recommend popping in at lunchtime for their daily thali, which is fantastic value for money and a perfect amount of food. The staff are so kind and efficient, it's a genuine pleasure to dine here.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Overall rating 
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
SliderBar
Finally visited SliderBar as part of a cocktail-fuelled work day out and had a great time. The pulled pork slider was delicious with great slaw and the cocktail I ordered was well made and nicely balanced. A stolen bite from a colleague's chicken bucket was also tasty and the kitchen coped admirably with our gluten free diner. Our only criticism was that the whack of garlic from the aioli was a bit overwhelming.
The service was excellent with both of our waiters coping well with our large and slightly rowdy group. The place had great buzz but didn't have that pretentious hipster vibe that some pop-ups / residencies do. There was a nice mix of groups and couples and it wasn't too loud, which is a plus. I'll definitely be back to try out more sliders.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Ba Shan
Having been big fans of Ba Shan when it first opened, we decided to return to try out the Hunanese menu. I still prefer the menu they opened with but we really couldn't fault the food. Our favourite dish, the spicy potato slivers, was just as good as before - fiery (but served cold), tangy from the black vinegar, and with that fantastic numbing heat that makes your lips tingle for hours afterwards. Pork dumplings were good, though the filling was a little garlic heavy, and we enjoyed a generous portion of General Tso's chicken. The crispy prawns with fish fragrant sauce are a must-have too. The sauce is delicious!
The only downsides are the fairly steep prices (as at sister restaurant Bar Shu) and the non-itemised bills. Our first bill was for £77 (!!), clearly incorrect and quickly fixed by the waitress, but I do wonder if we had been less careful / more intoxicated whether we would have noticed. As the reviewer below notes, there is no way to know if service is included so we assumed it was and left nothing extra.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
The Bohemia
The Good: Well, it's better than the grotty O'Neill's pub that was here before. They have made some effort to tart it up, though it is still very big and barn-like with an odd separating wall between the front seating area and the back bar. The front bit is fairly exposed to the elements when the doors are open. There's a decent range of bourbons behind the bar. Staff were reasonably friendly. The chips were decent.
The Bad: Service was slow, considering it was fairly quiet when we visited. Staff seemed happy to roam around picking up empty glasses when people were clearly waiting to be served. Our 'monkfish scampi' had been fried for too long and had a strange texture inside - almost like the fish had been minced. Calamari needed to be cut up a lot smaller. It was like they had fried the squid hoods whole - not easy to eat or very pleasant. Ketchup arrived in a huge glass bottle, maybe that's trendy but it's bloody annoying to get out. My dining companion tried two glasses of white wine from an uninteresting list, including an Albarino - both were decidedly average and not cold enough. Odd - I've never had a bad Albarino before!
The Ugly: The place doesn't seem to be finished. They've tried to hide an unfinished, junk-littered space behind a bookcase - why? The toilets also looked like there was still work to do and they weren't very fragrant. We ordered dessert - a white chocolate and pistachio mousse - and it arrived in a brandy glass (naff), not cold enough (is there a fridge issue here?), and topped with salted pistachio nuts (the bar snack kind). The chef assured us (via the waiter/barman) that this was intentional 'to offset the sweetness of the mousse'. This might work in, say, a salted caramel chocolate tart, but this just tasted like someone had thrown a bag of salted pistachios over a mediocre mousse. Because they had.
So in summary, they're going to have to work harder to impress the locals. In its current state, I couldn't recommend it and would rather head to Highgate for a proper gastropub meal. Our expectations weren't high (it's Finchley after all) but this was a waste of money.
Wednesday, October 03, 2012
Overall rating 
Food 4 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Scoop (Soho)
Excellent gelato in a cute and modern cafe-style space on Brewer Street. Prices are pretty reasonable and scoops are generous. Loved the look of the huge cones dipped in chocolate and then rolled in crushed nuts or coconut. The pale green pistachio and stracciatella (studded with chocolate shards) were both rich and intensely flavoured.
Wednesday, September 05, 2012
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Mele e Pere
We had a lovely unplanned dinner here recently and will definitely be returning. Dressed casually and weighed down with shopping bags, we chose to sit upstairs at the high tables but the real action is in the lovely basement dining room. We shared some good bread, top quality San Daniele ham, and arancini to start. All very tasty, though the arancini could have done with a dip or a little more seasoning. Our pasta dishes were simple but tasty, with great flavour in the fresh pesto (mine) and the meat ragu (his).
The pre-theatre menu looks like good value (2 courses 15.50), although the dishes are on the a la carte are (unsurprisingly) more appealing. Drinks are half price between 5-7pm if you're eating, so you could probably eat here very cheaply if you time it right. Looking forward to going back!
Wednesday, September 05, 2012
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
The Flask
Popular historic Highgate pub with a big, busy outside area. If you can grab a table in the covered and heated area that's strewn with fairy lights, it's easy to spend an evening here. I've never tried the food but it looks fairly standard. On our last visit we noticed that their steak is more expensive than the Wagyu steak we had at the Red Lion and Sun around the corner. So.. go for drinks, then head to the RL&S for first class food and whiskey!
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Antico
A must-visit if you're in the area. Excellent modern Italian food, charming service and some lovely wines by the carafe. Over two visits, we shared a beautifully fresh crab salad and deftly fried halibut fritti; an indulgent monkfish risotto; pasta with a rich pork ragu; and a light chocolate cake with some of the best caramel gelato I've had in a long time. On both visits, the dining room was buzzing but the service was attentive and friendly. It's relaxed, unpretentious and a welcome change from some of the super-hyped new openings.
With the current toptable deal of 50% off food, Antico offers incredible value, but the prices aren't outrageous anyway. It's an ideal post-Borough Market lunch spot or a date night venue, especially with the dimly lit bar downstairs. (Cocktails are well made and 2-for-1 before 7pm).
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
The Pig & Butcher
We visited this handsome new gastropub during their soft opening and had an excellent meal. The place looks great - light and airy with a buzzing bar area and a semi-separate dining area with a window into the kitchen. The menu is meaty - think rabbit, rillettes, venison etc - and our steak was top quality and beautifully cooked with a great char. The huge chips were more like wedges or roast potatoes but tasty nonetheless and we liked the colourful roasted tomatoes and bold sauces. Our monkfish 'scampi' with a punchy aioli were equally delicious.
There are some very good wines available by the carafe and plenty to keep beer drinkers happy in the bar. Our only criticism was that our treacle tart could have been a little sweeter. The pastry was perfect but the filling was a little breadcrumb heavy. Our waitress was sweet and knowledgeable, though easily distracted - the kitchen team had to call her and the others several times to pick up orders.
Looking forward to going back. It's a great addition to Islington and nicely tucked away from busy Upper Street. Recommended.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Rattlesnake
This place sounded great on paper. The pre-launch blurb promised American dive bar inspired decor, great music and a roof terrace. We popped in for a quick drink and the place was empty, with fairly lame pop music playing in the background. There is nothing remotely 'dive bar' at the interior and it has a very manufactured feel to it. It's all a bit neat and overly processed. The roof terrace wasn't open on our visit so we finished our (expensive) drinks and left the (charmless) staff to themselves. The lacklustre menu of tacos, taco salads, burgers and pizzas didn't inspire us to stay and eat.
Their newsletter today lists various DJ nights offering stuff like 'Indie, 90's, Techno and Party tunes' and '90's Dance, Hippity Hop and Indie Electro', so if you were hoping for rock, you will be disappointed.
Head up the road to Slim Jim's for better music, cheaper drinks and a more authentic dive bar vibe.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Golden Bee
Newly opened bar and roof terrace just a few minutes walk from Old Street station. The entrance is on Singer Street, so don't get confused and walk into The Horns (which is a strip pub). The bar itself is nicely done out with lots of 'gold' and honeycomb tiles, but the main attraction is the roof terrace which is up a few flights of spiral stairs. It was half-full on our visit, probably as it is very new, but the place looks great - smart garden furniture, a covered bar and a BBQ waiting to be put to good use. My Mojito was spot on. The views over Old Street aren't exactly picturesque but it's a great alternative to the busy Queen of Hoxton roof terrace nearby.
Wednesday, July 04, 2012
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
The Faltering Fullback
Lovely popular pub in Finsbury Park, just off the Stroud Green Road. The main bar areas are full of quirky pictures and odd things on the walls, while the larger room seems to be for overspill and is a bit barn-like and lacking in atmosphere. The main attraction is the decked multi-level garden out the back - perfect on sunny days. Bar staff are always polite and there's a nice interesting mix of locals most evenings. We tried the Thai food on our last visit but found it sadly disappointing - a mixed starter of frozen-to-fried things and a very watery and insipid curry. The Fullback comes highly recommended for drinks but if you want to eat in the area, try Petek or Season Kitchen.
Monday, July 02, 2012
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Shimogamo
Lovely new Japanese restaurant in Camden. So pleased we tried it! Service was very sweet and friendly and the food was great. Sushi platters looked very fresh and generous but we stuck with hot dishes and had some great tempura, chicken karaage and crispy panko prawns. The tempura batter was particularly good, very light, and the homemade chicken gyoza were delicious. They have a good selection of sake and the meal was excellent value. Looking forward to going back. There are still very few decent places to eat in Camden but this is one we would definitely recommend. Perfect for dinner with friends or date nights.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Shaker & Company
One of my favourite bars in London right now. Situated on a rather bleak stretch of Hampstead Road (walkable from Warren St or Euston), it's rarely rammed and therefore perfect for quiet drinks and dates. As you would expect from a company who own a bar school, the cocktails are first class - carefully put together and beautifully presented. (They are also exceptional value during Happy Hour!). Our favourite is the Cox's Gravespinner - Bacardi Superior, spiced mango, honey and apple cordial, and fresh lime over plenty of crushed ice. A truly grown-up mojito-style tipple with a gentle spiced flavour. Be careful not to suck up the cardamom pods with your straw...
They do serve food but it's not in the same league as the drinks. It's dressed up as 'soul food' but our platter was basically an assortment of fried things - sweet potato wedges, tempura okra, etc - with decent dips. Fine if you just want to soak up the alcohol but not for 'dinner' as such. (You can always jump in a taxi to Goodge St / Charlotte St for Salt Yard, Siam Central, and more.)
They have comedy and acoustic nights as well as a regularly changing booze branded basement bar, so it's worth following them on twitter or signing up to the newsletter to stay in the loop. The staff are lovely and really clued up about their cocktails. Definitely worth a visit.
Wednesday, May 09, 2012
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
The Parcel Yard
We had a few drinks in this handsome Fullers pub in the shiny new King's Cross concourse. It look a while to get served as it was full of after-work suits and the staff, obviously new, took a while to work out what we actually wanted and who was serving who. That aside, it's a great looking pub - lots of unusual rooms (a bit like train platform waiting rooms, which I suppose is the point) and a lovely airy conservatory style bit in the middle that lets in lots of light. Loved the unusual view of the King's Cross platforms from the (spotless) toilets. It is very much a station pub but they've managed to make it very comfortable, with comfy seating and tucked-away nooks. A lot of people had obviously settled in for the evening, so it didn't have that transient feeling that other station pubs can suffer from.
Nice wine list, little bit on the pricey side of course, and a good selection of premium spirits. Couldn't get close enough to the bar to see what was on tap, but then most of the suits were drinking Peroni anyway. (Note: I'm awarding the food a 7 at the moment because the menu looks good - lots of hearty British dishes, certainly a notch above pub grub - and all the food we saw around us looked top notch.) Will be back for a quick supper soon.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Yalla Yalla (King's Cross)
A nice grab-and-go option in the ultra-modern new King's Cross concourse. We have always enjoyed the original Yalla Yalla in Soho and while this is essentially just a kiosk, it has the same good food. We shared a lamb-topped lahmacun (bit like a small Lebanese pizza), some slightly rubbery cheese and mint pastries (better freshly baked than microwaved I guess?), and two top notch dips - excellent houmous and spicy muhammara (red pepper dip).
You can grab a seat on the mezzanine level by the kiosk or take the food to go. They do some good daily deals but it's not pricey in any case. A good-to-know King's Cross lunch / to-go option.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Isarn
Blink and you'll miss this wonderful little Thai restaurant on Upper Street. Be sure to book ahead as it is nearly always full of happy locals. It is essentially one long corridor of a restaurant, but it is nicely decked out and almost romantic in the evening. The food is great - well presented, judiciously spiced and not overly expensive. (The lunch sets, served in bento boxes, are particularly good value).
Dishes that have impressed so far - the fresh and light papaya spring rolls; delicate prawn and coconut dumplings; a rich and authentic massaman curry; the fragrant duck and ginger flower dish; a spot on green chicken curry; and an unusual dish of crispy fried chicken with chilli jam, peanuts and slivers of fresh mango.
A perfect 'date night' choice in Islington and great for a low-key lunch too. Looking forward to going back soon!
Friday, April 20, 2012
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Roti Chai Dining Room
We have eaten here several times and never been disappointed. The food is simply excellent - always beautifully presented; modern but still authentic. The room has a nice buzz to it and the service is always spot on. Yes, you pay West End prices for all of the above, but it is most definitely worth it.
Some dishes to look out for: the aloo tikki chaat; the Chicken 65; the paneer pasanda (paneer in a light, almost tempura-like batter in a mild but fragrant sauce); saagwala gosht (tender lamb in a rich, flavoursome spinach curry sauce); perfectly tempered daal; and addictive veg kulcha bread. In fact, we're yet to order a duff dish. Wash it all down with their vodka-spiked lychee teapot cocktail.
Honestly can't recommend Roti Chai highly enough. I hope they don't let standards slip over time! We have sent several friends there and only had excellent feedback. Must go back soon to try the Street Kitchen.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Duke's Brew & Que
We checked out Duke's shortly after it opened when it was packed and clearly still finding its feet. That said, both the bar staff and waitresses were clued up and friendly and the food definitely has potential. They brew their own beer and there was a good selection of British and US beers by the bottle and on tap. We liked the dimly lit dive bar feel of the place and being able to see into the open kitchen. It's not the sort of place you'd stumble across, as it's tucked away on a sidestreet between Hoxton and Dalston, but it's only a short bus ride from Old St.
We started badly with a plate of beef ribs that were clearly the end of a batch and very chewy, borderline inedible. Our waitress noticed immediately and swiftly replaced them with an order of pork ribs that were much better - smoky and tender but still with a bit of bite. Having been underwhelmed by some mushy pulled pork at Pitt Cue, I was much happier with Duke's version which is served in bitesize slider buns with pickled red onions and a nice fresh slaw. The pulled pork had great flavour and texture, with the soft tender bits mixed up with the smoky chewy bark. It's great on its own but you can douse it in one of their two BBQ sauces if you need to.
They had sadly run out of beans on our visit but we were more than happy with our excellent chunky chips (double or triple fried perhaps?) and some creamed leeks and spinach. Save room for (or share) the Hackney Mess - a just-the-right-size portion of ice-cream, berries, nuts and chocolate shards with a toasted marshmallow melting on top.
Unlike Pitt Cue, Duke's takes bookings which is a huge plus if you're travelling out of your way for a BBQ blow-out. We're not even remotely local but we will definitely be back.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Elliot's Cafe
We were lucky to squeeze into this busy market cafe-bistro for a lazy Friday lunch. The menu changes every day and showcases the best seasonal produce from Borough Market. We had a fantastic meal with spot-on service and a couple of excellent and reasonably priced glasses of wine.
To start, we shared a top notch charcuterie plate and a warm mini loaf that was vivid green with wild garlic butter in the middle. Mum loved her scallops served in the shell with chorizo and I was more than happy with my sweet potato gnocchi with wild mushrooms, almonds and tiny bits of broccoli. Both dishes were beautifully cooked and kept simple to allow the flavours to shine. A side of rustic roast potatoes was equally good, served with a pungent aioli. Sadly we didn't have room for dessert but rest assured we will be back soon to try out the dinner menu. Full marks for our friendly waitress and the great laid-back vibe too.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Tapas Brindisa
Having had a good meal at their Soho outpost, we decided to grab a quick lunch at the Borough Market original when the menu at nearby Elliot's failed to inspire. Thanks to its location, this place is always packed full of local suits, tourists and market-visitors, so perhaps we should have known better than to expect anything outstanding.
The food was fine, but then we ordered things that rely on sourcing rather than kitchen prowess - a charcuterie selection, cheese, padron peppers, etc. The cheese arrived with an oddly runny and gritty quince accompaniment - such a shame when their shop sells such lovely membrillo. The tepid patatas bravas resembled day-old roasties tossed in tomato puree. We ordered aioli to pep them up but the overly ferocious whack of garlic didn't help.
Service was lazy, inattentive and forgetful. Our waitress delivered wine instead of cava and then disappeared. An order of croquetas was forgotten entirely and no one asked if everything was alright until it was time for us to tip.
While it wasn't entirely bad, we should most definitely have gone to Jose instead and we would never return. Elliot's on the same street is much better and if you want a quick lunch, you are better off with street food in the market itself.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Overall rating 
Food 5 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Pitt Cue Co
Having enjoyed their van-based offerings on Southbank this summer, we dropped in before the official opening to try out their new (permanent) home just off Carnaby Street. It's a tiny corner site with just enough room for a bar and waiting area upstairs and a 30-seater dining room below. They don't take bookings - it's just too small for that. The drinks list is heavy on beer and bourbon, with cocktails (served in small on-trend tumblers) coming in at £6.
The food we tried was good and tasty, no more no less, but it's early days. Scratchings were ok but we loved the crispy pickled shitake mushrooms - bitesized earthy morsels with a hot vinegary kick. Beef ribs had a great flavour and char but were a little chewy. The brisket was better, moist and tender. Pulled pork had good flavour and wasn't over-sauced, but it seemed a little mushy - too soft for my taste. Great slaw and pickles though. The burnt ends mash was good, very smooth and creamy with a meaty tang, but we found the beans a little dry.
Save room for dessert. The bourbon-laced sticky toffee pudding was deliciously light and served with good ice-cream.
We left feeling like we wouldn't rush back, but it's nice to have a BBQ option in W1 and I'm sure they'll do very well. It will be interesting to see how the food develops over the next few months once they've settled in.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
MEATliquor
I can't understand some of the criticisms directed at MEAT Liquor. Obviously if you don't like dim lighting, loud (but excellent) music, and a bit of a queue, then it might not be the place for you. Similarly, if you're expecting the second coming - understandable given all the hype - then you might like to remember that IT'S JUST A BURGER, but a damn good one at that.
I fell in love with the meat when it was still served from a wagon so I guess I'm just grateful to be able to sit down (inside!) and have a few of their potent cocktails while I wait for my grease feast. I like the burgers and the messy Philly cheese steak but the menu's unsung hero has to be the buffalo chicken burger - a winning combo of crispy fried chicken, doused in hot sauce, and slammed in a bun with a bit of creamy slaw. If you can eat it without ending up with Hot Sauce Face, I salute you.
Don't leave without trying the Crack Pie - their take on the Momofuku classic. Their boozy ice-cream is great too. Service can be a little scatty, with waitresses seemingly hired for cool factor rather than experience, but I've never waited too long for my food and they're always friendly. I love the dark artwork and the dive bar vibe and have taken guests aged 21-55 who have all been equally impressed. SO glad to finally have somewhere to eat near Bond Street.
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
VyNam Cafe
Lovely low-key Vietnamese close to Finchley Central. Ideal for lunch but smart enough for supper. We've been several times and have never been disappointed by the friendly staff or the fresh, fragrant Viet dishes. Favourites include the banh xeo and the clay pot chicken with a wonderfully aromatic lemongrass sauce. Looking forward to trying their pho and seafood dishes. Highly recommended if you're local.
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Joe's
We had a great night at this stripped-back bar opposite the Roundhouse. The place was packed but the staff were on the ball and recommended some really good cocktails. Loved the DJ who played old school rock and roll until the early hours. If you're hungry, they do hot dogs which looked good but position yourself away from the grill behind the bar if you don't want to smell like one. A good pre- or post-Barfly option.
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Made in Camden
We arrived here with high expectations having heard nothing but praise for the place but sadly left feeling underwhelmed. The small plates were good, if not great, with at least one element of each dish tasting a bit wrong or out of place. For example, we liked the slow braised beef cheek and the zingy apple salad it came with, but the jus was so over reduced it was sticky and almost bitter. Pickled mushrooms were much better, with a tasty little cheese croquette, and I really enjoyed the crisp calamari with sweet potato puree, slithers of red chilli and pumpkin seeds.
Unfortunately, the service was a let-down. Our inattentive and cocky waiter assured us that he didn't need to write our order down and then, as expected, forgot a dish. (A cold rillette dish that we ended up eating after our hot dishes). No apology was offered. We asked for the dessert menu and he brought the bill, so we took the hint and left, making sure the undeserved service charge was knocked off on our way out. Still no apology. A shame really, as we enjoyed most of the food and probably would have stayed for dessert and more drinks. As it stands, I doubt we will return.
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Ci Vediamo Li
A hidden gem in the wilds of zone 5. It's a small restaurant on a rather unattractive street but inside it's warm and welcoming, almost charming in the candlelight. I'm told there is a garden out back where you can dine in good weather. The staff are friendly and generous, although service was a little slow towards the end of our meal.
I believe the owner is from Tuscany so there are some interesting Florentine dishes on offer like the spaghetti al vino rosso and 'peposo', a peppery beef and red wine stew. We liked the hot little coccoli (bitesize puffed breads) but needed a few more to go with the soft stracchino cheese and excellent (imported) Parma ham. Three simple pasta dishes took a while to come out but were obviously made fresh with the best of the lot being a light, cream-free carbonara. Our only worry is that the short menu is a bit limited if you are local and visiting often. Perhaps a couple of daily specials could be introduced for variety.
All in all, a wonderful neighbourhood restaurant that we will definitely return to. The place was almost full on a very wet Wednesday evening, so it seems Ci Vediamo Li is already a hit with the locals.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
GRAB Thai Street Kitchen
An excellent new Old Street lunch option! The green and red curries are pretty authentic, tasty and nicely spicy, with lots of fresh veg swimming about and your choice of white or brown rice. You can choose from a civilised small pot (3.95) or a very generous 'regular' pot/bucket (6.95). A pot of Pad Thai noodles was a little dry from having sat around but it was easy to jazz up with chilli and lime and very filling. They also do skewers, salads and soups (tom yum or tom kha, with or without noodles) and congee for breakfast. It's great for takeaway but you can also sit in at the shared tables. Lovely sweet staff too. A welcome change from City Road's Eat / Pret / Subway monotony.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
The Red Lion & Sun
Easily my favourite pub in Highgate. Inside is smart and cosy and there's a suntrap of a garden to the rear but if the weather's nice we like to sit out front and check out the local celebs. The place is run by a lovely New Zealander who really knows his whisky and the pub has a standard North London gastropub menu which is pretty good and changes daily. The pub is sometimes visited by London street food vans like ChocStar, the Meatwagon and Big Apple Hot Dogs. They also do a cracking hog roast. Highly recommended.
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Eat Me Drink Me Lick Me
This new-ish cafe / ice-cream parlour was doing a roaring trade on a sunny Saturday. It's bright and clean inside with their gelato on display and little tables and colouring supplies for kids. We shared the three-scoop sundae which felt a little pricey at £6.50, given that the (exquisite) sticky toffee sundae at Hawksmoor is only a fiver. That said, the gelato was good quality and we liked the strawberry cheesecake flavour a lot. (The stracciatella and Oreo flavours were good but needed more 'bits' in them). All in all, a nice place to grab a milkshake or some ice-cream if you're in the area.
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Polpo Covent Garden
We had a quick meal here during the soft opening period. If you've been to Polpo, you'll know the drill. We dined early but I imagine the place would have the same candlelit buzz as the rest of the empire after dark.
Food all good, no surprises. Much of the menu is familiar but there is a heavier emphasis on meatballs and pizzette, which is a good thing. Complimentary focaccia with whipped ricotta was nice enough and provided a much needed dip for the deftly fried arancini and potato and parmesan crochetta. Pizzette are thin and crisp, ranging from the classic Bianca (always delicious) to the new pork shoulder and pickled pepper option. Order cautiously - we didn't need the spaghettini -and- the meatball smash; portions were more than generous and rather filling. We appreciated being given a choice of balls and both dishes were tasty and comforting.
Service, provided by Norman's favoured brand of oh-so-cool Shoreditch types, was fine but tailed off as the place filled up. We would have ordered dessert but after sitting with our half-finished mains in front of us for 20 mins, we gave up and got the bill. Reasonable with the soft opening discount but at full price your bill quickly adds up.
Guaranteed to be busy so it's best to reserve or dine off-peak. In that area, I'm not sure it would tempt me away from Opera Tavern but it's nice to have another option in WC2. Handy for the pre-theatre crowd, obviously.
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
The Riding House Cafe
We had a lovely evening at this W1 newcomer. The place looks great - stylish but not over-done. Lots of smart wood flooring, comfy banquettes and quirky squirrel light fittings. Every seat at the bar was taken which might explain why our cocktails took a while to arrive, but when they did they were excellent.
The menu is a nice mix of reasonably priced sharing plates and full size mains and everything we tried was tasty, if not spectacular. Of the small plates, the highlight was the pork belly - great crackling, beautifully tender meat and a deliciously sticky jus. (Shame our waiter whipped the plate away before we could mop it up with our bread). Veal and pork sausages were small but tasty with some garlicky lentils beneath but the chermoula poussin (which turned out to be a sort of chicken skewer) had a fair bit of inedible skin / stringy bits - a shame because it was nicely spiced and we liked the herby chilli-flecked quinoa (?) it came with.
Chorizo hash browns with poached eggs and spinach was a generous portion but maybe better suited to brunch - it was a little heavy for dinner. My sea trout was beautifully cooked and the accompanying crab and leeks were lovely, though I couldn't taste much lemon in the vinaigrette. Of our puds, the ultra-light creme caramel was the winner. (My sundae proved hard work and overly sweet - not a patch on the sticky toffee sundae at Hawksmoor).
Service was a little slow but our waiter was great - very friendly, clued-up and attentive. (Impressive given that the place has only been open a few days. The place had a nice buzz to it and It was good value with the soft opening offer. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Yoisho
Yoisho is a lovely authentic Japanese izakaya on Goodge Street. As other reviewers have noted, Japanese diners outnumber Westerners and the staff speak better Japanese than they do English. We sat at the bar on the tiny (not very comfortable) stools and feasted on gyoza, freshly grilled yakitori and deliciously crisp tempura, washed down with excellent sake. It's not cheap but we would definitely return for a light meal, rather than a full on dinner. It felt authentic and all the food that went past us looked great. Recommended.
Monday, April 04, 2011
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
The Bull & Last
Finally visited this famous north London gastropub last year. On our first visit, we sat downstairs in the busy bar area and had an excellent meal. The short-haired lady who looked after us was wonderful - very friendly and knew the menu inside out. My fish dish was beautifully cooked and my partner declared his steak 'as good as Hawksmoor, and for half the price'. (Praise indeed!)
We returned in the same week and sat upstairs in the slightly more formal dining room, which has a hunting lodge theme complete with antler light-fittings and some taxidermy. The food was, again, excellent with the vension and a starter of intensely flavoured fish soup amongst the highlights. A dish that was sent back was changed quickly and without any fuss.
Be prepared for restaurant, rather than pub grub, prices. This is no cheap thrill. However, we left - on both occasions - feeling that it was worth every penny. Looking forward to trying their famed Sunday lunch, if we can ever squeeze in amongst the locals.
Monday, March 07, 2011
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Opera Tavern
As fans of both Salt Yard and Dehesa, we were always going to love Opera Tavern. From the gorgeous exterior to the buzzing bar and dimly lit upstairs dining room; it is a delight. (We particularly like the smart pigs' trotter door handles). Staff are friendly and clued-up on both the menu and the excellent wine list.
Over two visits, we tried most of the menu, including the delicious Iberico pork and foie gras mini-burger - a bite-sized revelation. We also loved the pork rillions (like crunchy piggy popcorn); the crispy squid; the slow-braised beef short rib; and a wonderful almost-vegetarian dish of gnocchi, Trompette mushrooms, spinach and gooey Taleggio cheese. Our only complaint was with the patatas fritas which are served shoe-string size here, rather than the chunkier version we love at Salt Yard.
Yes, it's not cheap but you can always sit at the bar and enjoy a good glass of wine and some charcuterie without blowing your budget. Fabulous for pre- or post-theatre. Love it.
Monday, March 07, 2011
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Salt Yard
Salt Yard remains one of my favourite restaurants in London. We grabbed a last minute table here on Friday and were seated downstairs next to the pass - a great chance to watch the incredible kitchen team at work. (Well oiled machine doesn't even come close.) We love the candlelit buzz here and it's obviously as popular with couples on dates as it is with big groups of friends.
The charcuterie and croquetas were as good as ever and we also tried some great new dishes. The ox cheek was wonderful - flavour-rich meltingly tender meat on creamy Parmesan polenta - and the crispy hake was delicious and deftly fried, though the accompanying aioli could have used more punch. For dessert, the warm chocolate ganache with turron ice-cream (and a cheeky glass of PX) was obscenely good.
Service was slick, friendly and knowledgeable as always, with the exception of one rather abrupt and frosty waitress who we didn't recognise. With so many places to eat in London, we rarely visit places twice but we find ourselves returning to Salt Yard again and again. Go, eat, enjoy.
Monday, March 07, 2011
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Bill's Restaurant (St Martin's Courtyard)
We grabbed a quick meal here in December, not long after it had opened. The 'produce store' look is all a bit Disney, quite similar to Jamie's Italian (next door), but we were happy enough in a cosy corner upstairs. (Too many blackboards covered in barely legible handwriting though.)
Staff were friendly and generally on the ball. The food was good, if not great, but reasonably priced for WC2. We enjoyed a generous chorizo starter followed by a nicely cooked risotto and a decent burger. Desserts were a bit underwhelming and a chocolate milkshake was served warm, but the 'hedgerow fizz' aperitif was lovely and a bargain at £3.95.
A good option for breakfast or a quick, cheap meal in Covent Garden.
Monday, March 07, 2011
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Tsuru (Bishopsgate)
This is a recent discovery for me and is fast becoming a lunchtime favourite. I love the canteen-style space with its high stools and origami cranes fluttering over head. The staff are always friendly and helpful and the food is fresh, simple and great to eat-in or take-out. I'm hooked on their katsu curry but the teriyaki and sushi boxes are good too. It's lovely in the evening too - very relaxed and informal - and the menu expands to include crisp tempura prawns, tasty little gyoza, miso aubergine and chicken karaage. Just lovely.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Yum Cha
We had a lovely dim sum supper here recently. There are very few places in North London that serve great dim sum and while the dishes here weren't the best we've had, they were all fresh, delicious and a step above the stuff they serve at chains like Ping Pong, Dim T, etc. Prawn and scallop dumplings were delicately steamed and very tasty, and we loved the fiery Szechuan pork dumplings topped with crushed peanuts, garlic and chilli oil. Service was good throughout, though a little slow to bring the bill. We will definitely return at lunchtime when the dim sum menu is more extensive to try their cheung fun and pork buns.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
The Draft House (Tower Bridge)
While its siblings sit pretty in busy corners of SW London, the third member of the Draft House family seems a little lost. The south side of Tower Bridge Road isn't somewhere you end up by accident so I hope there are enough locals and office types to fill the place up in the evening. Staff are young, foppish types - polite and clued-up, if a little surprised to see us. As you'd expect, it's a handsome space - light and airy with burger-bar banquettes and Formica tables instead of the usual 'mismatched' / vintage gastropub furniture.
The beer list is huge, with everything you could possibly wish for, but the wines have been selected with equal care. The menu is meaty and swings from steaks and burgers to bagels and 'proper' mains in an attempt to please everyone who walks in. Meat-free options are not an afterthought, though. A creamy girolle and broad bean risotto was probably not cooked the day I ate it but was delicious nonetheless. Gnocchi with crispy edges and soft middles arrived with more mushrooms and a rich but not overwhelming Keen's cheddar cream sauce. A shared mini burger was well seasoned and, most importantly, adorable.
They had run out of all the desserts except cheese and crumble, which was a shame as I'm sure they're good. At £50, it was pricier than your average gastropub lunch but we left satisfied and would happily return.
Thursday, October 07, 2010
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Delhi Grill
A fantastic find on a rather dreary stretch of Chapel Market. Inside it's bright, welcoming and spotlessly clean with colourful Indian posters on the walls (like a scruffier version of Dishoom). It's run by an enthusiastic young team and the menu is reassuringly concise and impossibly reasonable with few dishes breaking the £6 mark.
We ordered a veritable feast for £30 including punchy grilled lamb chops that arrived still sizzling; succulent and well-spiced chicken tikka; and a wonderfully hot and flavoursome slow-cooked rogan gosht. Freshly made rotis and light, buttery naan was great for mopping up a fragrant tarka dal and tangy beetroot chutney. An uninteresting aloo gobi let the side down but overall, we were impressed by the fresh flavours and judicious use of chilli.
With no room for dessert, we rolled out into the night. We'll definitely be back to try the seekh kebabs and the mattar paneer. Hope they can keep the prices low and the quality as high as it is now. Recommended.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Polpetto
A small but undeniably sexy space above one of Soho's best loved drinking establishments. Don't complain that you can't book for dinner - use the waiting time as an excuse to order a Breton cider before climbing the stairs, squeezing into one of the zinc tables and ordering tumblers of prosecco or carafes of surprisingly good wine served in typically tiny Venetian-style glasses.
What to order? Oh, everything! But definitely the pizzetta bianca (a Polpo classic); the refreshing pea, mint and fennel salad; the feisty chilli and garlic prawns; the addictive zucchini frites; and the polpette, meaty balls of deliciousness in a rich tomato sauce. Save room for waistline-friendly portions of tiramisu, sgroppino or beautifully creamy panna cotta with raspberries.
It's not for everyone, but if you liked Polpo, you'll love it here.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Dishoom
After a great opening week meal, I returned to Dishoom hoping that standards hadn't slipped. They haven't. The place was buzzing but not packed on a Monday evening and service was as swift and efficient as before. The cocktails are lovely and fairly priced at under £6 and everything we ordered was fresh, hot and delicious. The stand-out dish was the curry of the day - a creamy but flavour-packed chicken curry spiked with tamarind and fresh herbs. Very nice indeed and quickly mopped up, along with the homely house dal, with a papery roomali roti.
Easily one of your best options in Covent Garden, for pre-theatre, pre-pub or breakfast - (bacon naan!). Someone needs to direct the tourists past the Angus Steakhouse to this reasonably priced gem.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
500 Restaurant
Yes, I reviewed this little gem in May, but after a recent visit I'm duty bound to heap more praise on it. 500 is to Archway what Trullo is to Highbury and Zucca is to SE1 - a 'proper' Italian serving up generous platefuls of excellent food. On a Friday evening, the restaurant was packed and a little loud - I think our table was the only one not celebrating a birthday - so maybe eat mid-week if you fancy a quiet dinner.
The food highlights included tender, pink lamb cutlets with roasted aubergine; a special of veal with asparagus sauce; a sinfully creamy saffron and crab risotto; and a scoop of intense pistachio ice-cream. The pasta is always good - this time, the winner was tagliatelle with a rich, slow-cooked sausage and fennel ragu. These are dishes you could probably cook at home but why would you, when you can enjoy them with friends and a good bottle of wine, without any of the washing up.
Easily in my Top 10 favourite restaurants right now. If you live 'up North' and haven't been, you're missing out.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Jamie's Italian (Covent Garden)
Having had a good meal in the Brighton branch, we decided to try out Jamie's latest opening in Covent Garden. It was predictably packed and with no bar / holding pen like the Brighton outpost, we were sent down the road to the pub to wait. 'We'll call' they said. "You didn't" we replied, having returned after a lengthy wait. "We called you lots of times..." Er, no. Anyway, they finally found us a table and no one was injured. Once you're past the door minions, service is good - our American waiter was especially perky and helpful.
The food was good - no more, no less. A shared meat 'plank' was generous, with lots of good salami, Mortadella; some zingy carrot slaw; a little cheese, etc. A sizeable burger was pretty tasty, though a side of polenta chips were more like fluffy little roasties. Pasta was pasta, with good ingredients and a fresh sauce, but nothing you couldn't throw together at home. Maybe that's the point.
We'd go back, but at a quieter time (if such a time exists). It's not overly pricey and the food, for now, is much better than the chains you usually associate with the area. If all else fails, pop next door to Dishoom for cocktails and snacks while you wait. Maybe give two phone numbers to the door minions, just in case.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Gauthier Soho
Visited for the soft opening. As expected, portions are bijou but flavours are excellent. Stand-out dishes included a sinfully good wild garlic risotto; asparagus with an intense beef jus; a perfect herb ravioli with broad beans; and a light and creamy Paris Brest. From an impressive bread basket, the bacon and onion, wild garlic and Parmesan, and tomato options were all lovely. Less successful was a dull seabass dish and a slightly sickly Louis XV. The wines, handpicked by the sommelier, were very good and the room (on the first floor) is cosy, if a touch formal. Perfect if you're looking for fine dining in W1 but too pricey for regular visits. Would recommend to fans of tasting menus though, as the menu (divided into 'plats' rather than starters/mains) is very much in that style.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Jamie's Italian
Didn't plan to eat here but ended up being pleasantly surprised. Bit of a long wait in the bar / holding pen area, but the place was clearly rammed and they slung a bit of salami our way to keep the peace.
Jamie's on to a winner with this chain. The cosy lighting, semi-open kitchen, well-stocked ham bar, etc - all looks great. The staff we encountered were friendly and knowledgeable, recommending dishes they liked without being pushy.
Two drinks, two puds, one pork belly special, and one sausage pappardelle later; we'd spent about £40. Great value (though we are used to London prices) and everything was tasty, if not mindblowing. The chocolate brownie gets a special mention for being ultra-gooey in the middle, laced with booze and accompanied by some excellent ice-cream.
As chains go, we felt it was miles better than the usual suspects (ASK, Carluccios, etc) and expect the Covent Garden branch (opening in June) to be seriously popular.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
The Ginger Dog
Popped in for a quick lunch on a recent trip to Brighton. It had only open for a few days but was clearly already popular - the phone was ringing every few minutes with booking requests. Liked the look, especially the quirky touches like the bowler hat lights above the bar.
Our burgers were pretty good. Good quality meat, proper chunky chips and a tasty red cabbage and onion slaw. We weren't asked how we wanted them cooked and perhaps should have spoken up as they were served far too pink for our taste. To their credit, one of the staff noticed and offered us a drink on the house.
Seems like a welcome addition to the area. Would return for the evening menu to see how the place looks and feels after dark. Final tip: avoid the organic cider, it was warm, flat and vile.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
500 Restaurant
Finally secured a table at this ever-popular restaurant in Archway. We were rewarded for our patience with one of the best meals we've had in North London this year.
Loved the atmosphere as soon as we stepped inside and out of the rain. It's a small space but not cramped or noisy, despite every table being full on a Friday night. Fellow diners were a mix of couples, regulars, and locals who had drifted down the hill from Highgate and Hampstead.
The food was flawless. From vast tagliere platters of meat and cheese to the gorgeous homemade bread, rustic pea and mint soup to a perfectly cooked veal chop with a rich Marsala jus. Pasta was light and flavoursome - we loved the beef ravioli and the gnocchi with its rich fennel-spiked sausage ragu. With a bottle of decent wine and some Peronis thrown in for good measure, we were sadly too full for dessert.
Prices are reasonable and being able to choose smaller portions of pasta is good news for both wallet and waistline. Service was low-key but attentive throughout and we weren't rushed, spending a leisurely couple of hours over some excellent food and wine. Already planning a return visit.
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Byron (Islington)
Hurrah! No more trekking into Soho for a Byron fix!
Upper Street has never been great for food. With a few exceptions (like Isarn for Thai), you're usually there for a gig or the bars. There may be other burger joints in N1, but how many actually offer quality beef cooked to a perfect medium? Buns aside, the burgers are tasty and affordable. On opening night, our onion rings were a bit limp but that's a teething problem that can be easily remedied with hotter oil. Shakes are ice-cold and deliciously thick - try the Oreo cookie option.
I think the reviewer below missed the point with the decor. The rough and ready look suits the area and makes this branch different from their others (Soho, for example, is more of a classic diner). Not sure what they were expecting from the menu either - it's a burger bar, there's no tasting menu. We find short menus reassuring. A few things done well is much better than lots of things done badly.
Service was slick and our chatty waiter, Jack, was on the ball throughout. With locals, students and post-work drinkers to cater for, Byron is never going to be empty, and it certainly won't be up for sale any time soon. Looking forward to going back.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Bob Bob Ricard
Visited for drinks recently and, while pricey, these were some of the best cocktails we've had in London recently. The best of the bunch was the Blackberry Lady Bob, but we couldn't fault anything we tried. Will definitely return on a busier night to see the deliciously Art Deco interior in its full glory.
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Soho Pizzeria
Popped in for a quick feast at the end of the lunch rush. The place was packed with locals, tourists and families when we arrived so we had to wait a while for our food but our waiter was friendly and efficient throughout. (Even replacing momentarily dropped cutlery despite being very busy).
We both enjoyed the hot, crispy Caterina with generous toppings of onion, mushroom, ham and pepperoni. Bases were good, not too doughy, and it wasn't smothered in cheese. The pizzas are a decent size - not too big, so you can order sides without worrying about leftovers. Prices, for the area, are very reasonable. Lunch for two came to under £20. We will definitely be back. There's no excuse for ending up in the Pizza Express round the corner!
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
The Old Brewery
We travelled across London to try this newcomer after hearing good things. Maybe we were unlucky as it was their first full weekend service, but we left feeling completely underwhelmed.
After we were seated, we were ignored for about 20 minutes and struggled to get the attention of the staff (who were monosyllabic if not mute throughout). My companion enjoyed his steak but, as he pointed out, it's hard to mess up a decent cut of meat. Chips were twice-cooked but not particularly enjoyable and our side of green beans went cold shortly after its arrival.
My dish of hake with leeks and fennel in a crab broth was the single most tasteless thing I have eaten this year. The fish itself was fine and there was some crab meat in the broth, but as to what gave it the reddish colour, I have no idea. It was underseasoned and almost entirely devoid of flavour.
Desserts of sticky toffee pudding and chocolate fondant were fine, if nothing special. Shame there wasn't anything more creative on offer - I can eat cheaper, better versions of both of those anywhere in London.
I hope it improves because the room itself looks great. We liked the beer bottles snaking across the ceiling and the terrace will certainly be popular in the summer. We wouldn't return but would recommend it to serious beer/ale drinkers rather than foodies.
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Overall rating 
Food 4 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Siam Central
For a quick Sunday night supper, Siam Central was an excellent choice. There are at least three other Thai restaurants within walking distance but this place had been recommended by several foodies-in-the-know. It's a cute-and-cosy corner site opposite the Charlotte St Hotel and on our visit it was quiet and relaxed, though I imagine it gets busy at lunchtime and mid-week.
The food? Not the best Thai I've ever had but miles better than some of the stuff we've eaten in London. Weeping tiger and a very fresh and fragrant red curry were the highlights, while I chose badly and didn't really rate the stir-fry. Would definitely opt for the curry next time.
Service was polite and efficient throughout and the bill came to about £35 (2 mains, 2 starters, 2 drinks). Great value for that area. Would happily go back as you can easily spend twice that for mediocre fare on the same street.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Yoshino
We had a lovely weekend lunch here after it was recommended to us - we would never have found it otherwise. It's tucked away from the chaos of Piccadilly Circus and was refreshingly quiet and calm. We ate upstairs in a minimalist cafe-style room, but you can also eat downstairs at the sushi bar.
The food was great - tasty, unpretentious Japanese classics. Prawn tempura was excellent. Sweet, sizeable, succulent prawns in a crisp, greaseless batter. Vegetable tempura was less exciting - battered edamame and green beans. Chicken katsu curry was a generous plateful, including some sweet glazed carrots, pickled veg and sesame beans, and didn't taste synthetic or overly sweet as it sometimes can. Everything we ordered was hot, fresh and flavoursome. Don't expect a Roka-style menu - this is simple, everyday Japanese fare.
Service was sweet and attentive throughout and the bill came to £35, including a seemingly bottomless flask of sake. Excellent value for that area. Ideal if you're looking for somewhere to actually have a conversation, as there was no piped-in music. A lovely hidden gem we will certainly return to.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
The Lexington
Sad to read that the reviewer below was disappointed. I would agree that The Lexington's not a destination venue, though it has never claimed to be. It's just the only pub in Kings Cross with a decent jukebox and a huge range of bourbons. Cocktails (from a short list of about 6) are great and the bar staff will sometimes bring them over so you don't have to stand at the bar while they take their time over them.
We visited this week and, funnily enough, also ordered the ribs. While not the best we've had, they were tasty and we didn't find them overly fatty. The burger was pretty good - well seasoned, piping hot and much better than you'd usually get in a pub. It's worth noting that they've just hired a new chef so presumably they're still settling in. Still, with everything under a tenner, I don't think you can go wrong here if you just want to drink, eat and leave. You can certainly pay a lot more for a lot worse in Kings Cross, especially in the over-priced gastro joints closer to the station. Don't go expecting gourmet grub and you won't be disappointed.
Friday, January 08, 2010
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Salt Yard
Loved Dehesa so decided to try its sister restaurant recently. Couldn't fault anything - from the food to the extremely helpful staff, it was wonderful. That said, it's not the sort of place I'd do go for a full-on 'fancy' dinner, but it's perfect for relaxed mid-week tapas and drinks.
Charcuterie arrived first - really good manchego with quince, some good ham, toasted bread with deliciously garlicky aioli. Then the fried stuff, which can often go wrong but not here. Salt cod fritters, tasty patata bravas and jamon croquetas - crispy on the outside and wickedly creamy within. Wine was great, though I forget what we chose, and my Cava cocktail was lovely.
It's probably a little dark and noisy for some people, but I'll definitely be back on one of those evenings where you just want small plates done well.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Charlotte Street Blues
Loud, busy blues bar with a decent bourbon list and live music seven nights a week. Music on our visit was amateurish but they seem to have some good stuff on at the weekends. Food looked pretty good (burgers, 'soul food' stuff) but I would probably recommend this place for drinks rather than food. (There are plenty of good eating options on Goodge St and Charlotte St).
Monday, November 16, 2009
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
The Pembroke
Popped in here for a quick drink after a day at Olympia. Ended up staying about six hours because the place is so welcoming. It's smarter than your average 'pub' inside, but there's no attitude - from staff or punters - and the bar prices aren't bad either.
On a Saturday evening, it was buzzing but not packed and they had the football on but not at an offensive volume. Lighting is low so the place feels cosier than it might otherwise. Very comfortable. Full marks for the clued-up, friendly bar staff.
The steak was well received to my left while I tucked into a very good veggie option - pearl barley risotto with butternut squash, red pepper and rocket. Pretty sure it was lifted from a recent Delicious magazine, but either way it was tasty and good value for a generous portion. We ate in the bar but there's a smart dining room to the rear with booths etc for groups.
I don't often find myself in this part of London but I'll definitely be back when I'm next at Earls Court.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Meera's Express (Finchley)
Meera's is an all-vegetarian takeaway but you can also sit inside, albeit at a few basic tables facing a mirror. Cutlery is plastic and it's a self-service affair - you order and pick up food at the counter. This is fine by me but it was hard to get the attention of the staff and we didn't exactly get a warm welcome.
That said, the food is great and very cheap. We ordered far too much, starting with an excellent masala dosa (served with fiery sambhar and a cooling coconut chutney). The dosa is definitely the best I've had close to home and the filling (spiced potatoes and onions) was well spiced and fragrant. It was plenty for two to share and cost £2.99!
The thalis are equally cheap at £3.99 (or £2.99 at lunchtime) and were very fresh. (They were being prepared as we ate our dosa). Already full, we struggled through the delicious lentil dish, some channa masala, raita, and perfectly fluffy rice. The thalis come with your choice of paratha and our stacks of hot aloo paratha was so good we took most of it home.
We might not go back to sit in but would definitely swing by to pick up a dosa or two!
Friday, September 04, 2009
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Sedap
A quick mid-week meal here was thoroughly enjoyable. Really sweet service and great food. Chicken curry was fragrant and full-flavoured and the crisp rotis were good for mopping up the sauce. Loved the char kway teow, full of fat juicy prawns and with that great smoky flavour.
Would definitely recommend. Looking forward to going back for the (incredibly reasonable) lunch deal!
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Ba Shan
After enjoying an opening week meal at Ba Shan, we decided to go back to see if it was just beginners luck. Thankfully, it wasn't. We ate early at 6pm in the little puppet theatre room and by the time we left the place was packed. Yes, the tables are tiny and the stools aren't exactly comfortable, but given the style of food and the location - do you really need to linger? That said, I still think it would be great for a first date, as long as you can handle chopsticks!
We enjoyed: Xi'an potato slivers (fiery but addictive); 2 portions of the deep-fried prawns; crisp and delicate vegetarian guotie; cute hamburger-like lotus leaf buns with beef; special fried rice; and delicious chicken and mushroom dumplings in spicy garlic sauce. We couldn't fault any of it and left feeling content and full, having paid £50. You can pay a lot more for worse food in Soho and you can save money by skipping the wine list. (The iced teas and fruit drinks we had seemed a much better match to the food anyway).
The previous review seems unnecessarily bitter. I don't think anyone eating at Ba Shan last night thought they were any better than the crowds eating in an average Chinatown eatery. Is the food authentic? I don't know, and neither will 90% of Ba Shan's clientele. Be realistic, we're in Soho - not Hunan. I'm sure you will pay less in China for the real deal but, for now, this is as good as it gets in the West End!
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Carluccio's (St Pancras)
The good: If you sit 'outside' (i.e. not in the restaurant but still with the lovely St Pancras roof above you), then the view of the Eurostar platform is quite fun. Good for people watching.
The bad: It's not difficult to make a decent pasta dish, but somehow they never manage it here. The food is competent at best. Bland, serviceable carbs that I actually resent paying for.
The verdict: Only if you're desperate. Feels like a real waste of a great location.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
YO! Sushi (St Pancras)
I've eaten here a few times out of desperation because St Pancras has yet to offer any appealing eateries. (Crepe Affaire, Peyton & Byrne, meh...)
This branch of Yo! Sushi is right in the middle of the Circle so you can become a side show for tourists who have never seen conveyor belt food before. Not a major problem but having someone peering over your shoulder, inches from your chopsticks, can be a bit off-putting.
The food is fine as Yo! Sushi goes - no one is expecting miracles. It's usually quiet so the hot food is cooked fresh out the back and brought to you within minutes. Never had a problem with service either.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Rasa Sayang
Basic, canteen-style decor with no-nonsense service to match. We shared hot and crispy rotis with a fiery curry sauce and a portion of Hainanese chicken rice. The skin-on, bone-in chicken was very tender and the fluffy rice (which I believe is cooked in chicken stock) was fragrant and tasty. The accompanying broth was warming and wholesome and the various condiments (kecap manis, sambal, and garlic-ginger paste) added fire and spice where necessary.
I can't comment on authenticity but would certainly go back to try out more dishes. (The nasi lemak and huge bowls of laksa looked pretty good). You could eat here cheaply by yourself or with friends at lunch or after work, but I'd avoid busy times if you want to linger over your meal. (Low prices = table turning!)
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
King William
We ate here on a recent trip to Bath and really enjoyed it. The venue is split into a small, comfortably 'rustic' pub / bar on the ground floor and a cosy first floor dining room. It was totally packed on a Friday night and we were lucky to be squeezed into a candlelit corner table.
The menu is quite heavy on the meat and is definitely a cut above your average pub fare. Our battered hake and chips was enormous and delicious, served with homemade tartare sauce. I would have preferred peas to the salad but that's a minor quibble. For dessert, my chocolate pot with honey ice-cream was well worth the wait. Service was slightly slow throughout because it was so busy and there is only a small team of staff, but the warmth and friendliness of the manager and bar staff made up for any delays.
Would definitely recommend to anyone visiting Bath, especially if you're looking for somewhere away from the centre.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Rani
It sounds like this place has been going for years. Who knew a vegetarian Indian restaurant would survive in Finchley? Ok, it's not going to win any style awards and the (delicious) smell of curry does tend to follow you home on your clothes, but it's still a very decent local restaurant. The service is ultra polite too.
The buffet, along with various other discount deals, seems popular but if you're not into competitive eating then the a la carte is your best bet. It's worth noting that the food is authentically spiced so if you're used to bland creamy curries, you might want to order some raita and a lassi to cool things down.
The Rani thali is a nice way of tasting a few different dishes but our favourite is the masala dosa, which is easily the best I've had in North London. (There doesn't seem to be much South Indian food around here unfortunately!). The coconut chutney and sambhar are both really tasty, and Rani's coriander chutney is also worth ordering.
Give it a go - maybe not for a first date, but for a full-on feast.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
dose espresso
The smallest and loveliest place to eat on Long Lane. Soup was amazing - full of flavour - and their sandwiches and filled croissants all looked super-fresh and delicious. My brownie was perfect and I'm definitely going back for one of their hot chocolates. Coffee looked good too - they obviously know their stuff.
The only downside is that there's only a small 'eat-in' space but if you're lucky enough to work nearby, the take-out option is the way to go. If you've ever felt robbed by the sandwich chains up the street, try here - you'll never look back.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Dehesa
As the reviewer below explains, Dehesa is an oasis of calm on Sundays. (At most other times you can expect a queue and a very busy dining room).
The wine list is wonderful and tap water was brought to the table in a carafe, without any problems. Our Serrano ham, sourdough with aioli, and patatas bravas were all delicious; while other dishes like the scallops with cauliflower puree and roasted squash were nice but nothing special. Soft chocolate cake with ice-cream to finish was rich and sinfully good.
Service was attentive, knowledgeable and polite throughout - a very rare treat in London. I would definitely go back for cheese and charcuterie, or for the Sunday brunch menu.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Tsunami (West End)
Really lovely. The restaurant is quite small and narrow, but it didn't feel cramped when we visited on a Tuesday evening and the decor is very cute. (It would be an ideal setting for a first date as it's not over-the-top).
Service varied. We were left standing at the door for a while but once seated, our waiter was attentive and unobtrusive.
Everything we ordered was delicious - we only regret not ordering more, as it wasn't always clear from the menu what the portion size might be. I would recommend the chicken gyoza and the black cod tempura with wasabi mayo - both light and very tasty. My pineapple mojito was also excellent.
I think if you were really eating to feel full, the bill might add up but with the special offer it's good value. I will definitely visit again and would recommend it to anyone looking for a low-key dinner before heading into Soho for the night.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
G Wadley's Meat Room at The Stag
My only complaint is that this pub puts my locals to shame!
The burgers are great; the cheese selection is excellent; cocktails are good and staff are lovely. The garden will be a big hit in warmer weather with its cosy covered booths and nooks. The highlight of my visit was the white chocolate bread and butter pudding - almost indecently good.
Looking forward to going back soon. This is a real gem.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
York & Albany
We had lunch here on a Saturday before Christmas and thought that the food was very good, though not particularly challenging. Staff were well trained but seemed tired and stressed, which is understandable as this place has been booked up since it opened.
My soup to start was excellent and my companion enjoyed the chicory, pear and parma ham salad. Her main of turkey was nice enough but the winning dish was my cod - firm, white and tender in a light curried saffron sauce with mussels. For dessert, chocolate torte was good but needed more of the delicious fromage blance ice-cream. We couldn't really find fault with anything, but nothing stood out as a 'wow factor' dish.
The bar was full of pram-wielding 'yummy mummies' when we arrived but they were replaced by a smarter, younger crowd later in the evening. My Albany Cream (bourbon, maple syrup and ice-cream) was wonderful but my pre-lunch Mojito could have been better. Wine was just ok throughout, but then we did stick to the by-the-glass options so that's understandable.
Overall, it's one of the few places you could take someone for a date in Camden; but also ideal for lunch with your parents. I would go back, but preferably at someone else's expense! It has made me eager to try Murano too.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
The Establishment
We live miles away in Herts but made a special trip here to celebrate my Mum's birthday and it was well worth the journey. On a Sunday lunchtime, it was buzzing with families in the dining room, couples in the bar and well-heeled young locals tucking into huge burgers in the al fresco area. We were greeted by Sal, the lovely front of house lady, and took our seats in the dining area just off the bar.
My parents thoroughly enjoyed the roast Galloway beef, which came with enough vegetables to feed a small army and piping hot gravy. My brother's haddock (with light, crunchy beer batter) and chips was equally well received.
I was disappointed that the pea and broad bean risotto I'd been looking forward to had disappeared from the menu, but luckily it had been replaced with a more seasonal butternut squash and sage version. Deliciously creamy, topped with chunks of sweet roasted squash and pumpkin seeds - it was perfect.
I couldn't resist the sticky toffee pudding with rum butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice-cream for dessert, but I made the mistake of telling everyone how light and moist it was and ended up fending off three invading spoons!
The bill was very reasonable, considering the area and the quality of the food, and our only complaint that day was about the traffic in Chelsea on the way home. I'll certainly be back!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Raduno Lounge
Drinks are ok, but the food is grim. Everything we ordered, even the chips, were greasy. We could taste it all afternoon - and that's no good thing. Burgers looked ok but there are plenty of pubs in the area serving up much better food so there's really no excuse to find yourself here for lunch.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Barrio Bars to open a new site in Shoreditch next month (via Caterer) -