All reader reviews by Marcus Holden

Cafe Pacifico

I have been eating at Cafe Pacifico for years. Please don't ask me how many, it's not polite.... Up until my most recent visit, a quiet Monday, I would have said it was head-and-shoulders the best overall value Mexican I've been to in London - consistent quality food; snappy service; great cocktails and a very fair price for the package.

Sadly, no more. Well, at least not on my most recent experience. Service was still fine to good - swift, if not highly attentive. Atmosphere was lacking, but then it wasn't a Thursday or Friday night. Cocktails were still impressive - Margaritas (straight up) to die for. No, it was the food was the major let-down. The sharing-dipping starter was oily. Yes it was mainly fried but you can manage to leave some flavour of the underlying food over the fatty taste! Somehow the chilli-poppers managed not to have a bite; the "spicy baby shrimps" were just fatty crunchy breadcrumbs and there was no spice I could detect; the onion rings were just plain. My chicken chimichanga was ok, but again greasy; rice was cold and the refried beans looked like they might have been sat re-frying for quite a while too long. Yet were still cool on the plate. Quite a challenge.

I will give it another go, for old time's sake. But once more and I will count it as yet another "old friend" of a restaurant lost, perhaps in pursuit of swift profit?

Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7

Tapas Brindisa

I went to Tapas Brindisa a few months ago after hearing some positive comments from friends. Sadly my own experience lacked the punch that would have made it worth shelling out the extra to distinguish it from a "run of the mill" tapas bar.

Location cannot be faulted, on a busy corner of Borough Market and Southwark Street, and the friendliness of the staff on our entrance to the place was gratifying. Unfortunately the rest of the service experience went downhill rapidly. They were busy, yes. And they squeezed us in, true. But despite that, when you pay close to £100 for tapas for 2, the service should be spot-on. It was not, it was slow. It took over 15 minutes to get a drink. Our waitress's command of the names and content of the dishes fell short of even my own poor Spanish. Several tapas, once finally ordered, failed to materialise until we prompted again. A glass of water never made it despite 3 or 4 attempts at ordering.

The quality of the food is undoubtedly good. The ingredients were certainly superior. My one comment is that there seemed a confusion as to what was being offered - tapas or nouvelle cuisine? The efforts to mix flavours and be "different" seemed to detract from many of the dishes we tried, largely because there was so much going on that subtle flavours were lost. Why use expensive ingredients then swamp them?

I'm not saying I wouldn't go back if invited as part of a group - but I would be more vocal about poor service and pick my dishes with care. And with so much choice in London, I can't see I will be recommending it to my friends.

Friday, May 09, 2008
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3

Meson Don Felipe

I'm sorry the previous reviewers had a less than pleasing visit to this restaurant, but I have eaten at Meson Don Felipe several times over the last 2 or 3 years and have always be entirely satisfied with my experience. I think the key is to remember that it is not setting out to be "high class" or indeed anything other than a replication of a local Spanish tapas bar. Most of, if not all, the staff are Spanish too, adding to the authenticity. The food is in general basic but tasty. Go for the chorizo, squid, gambas, albondigas and boquerones and fill up on patatas bravas and tortilla. All, to my taste at least, indistinguishable from any I've had in many bars in Spain. The wine is usually fine, though much is "basic". Push the boat out for the Muga and be surprised at what you get for £22 (yes, it is one of the more expensive reds on the list!) in a restaurant in central London.

Yes the service can be scatty, but it is quick. The place is often crowded. Book by all means, but expect to be held to your times as, not charging a fortune, they rely on turnover. Or take your chance, turn up at 9pm and wait a while, get a space at the central bar and muck in. Enjoy the guitar music from the guy perched high-up on a precarious stage. Above all? Don't take it too seriously. How can you when two can eat their fill for less than £25, plus wine and a tip?

Sorry Cam and Steve, I think you were simply at the wrong restaurant!

Friday, May 09, 2008
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10