All reader reviews by Deji

Arbutus

I feel compelled to write a review about this restaurant after Valentines Day dinner here with my wife.

Its funny because our favourite restaurant is actually right next to the restaurant so we've walked passed Arbutus a lot but never thought to give it a try but after a thankless task of trying to book a restaurant for Valentine's Day at the last minute I was happy to settle for a Michelin starred restaurant, in an area I knew well and that seemed to have a very interesting menu.

The meal was a real triumph. Service was impeccable, starters, main course and dessert arrived like clockwork, which could have been excused on a night like this. The highlight for me was the squid and mackerel 'burger.' What a stunning dish, with a real taste of the sea from that purslane. Cod fillet main and chocolate mousse dessert were also excellent! The key obviously being the restaurant's commitment to the absolute best ingredients, nothing overpowering, very delicate, fresh flavours washed down with a chilled Chablis from Burgundy.

I'd go back in a second!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8

Yauatcha

Went to Yauatcha yesterday for dim sum for about the third or fourth time and I have to say I'm still trying to understand how it achieves Michelin star status. The menu is very uninspiring and the food even less so. It's not terrible but you expect a lot more from a restaurant of this stature and standing. Put it this way, if I want high-end Chinese I'll go to Hakkasan....if I want every day Chinese I'll to Royal China. Yauatcha is somewhere in the middle!

Monday, April 04, 2011
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3

Barrafina

The first time I went to Barrafina was about two years ago. I've been back a dozen or so times since then and love it a bit more everytime I go back. The 'bar-style' setting creates an incredible buzz, however because of the seating arrangement you wouldn't really want to be in a group of more than two. What I love about this restaurant is its fast-paced, random nature. The staff are great, the head chef Alicia works magic in the kitchen. This is the way Spanish food, particularly tapas should be served and eaten: fresh, bold, creative, artistic, bursting with flavour and leading the taste buds on a merry dance!

Monday, April 04, 2011
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9

Aqua Kyoto

The top Japanese restaurants in London have set a very high standard and clearly Aqua Kyoto has ambitions to be elevated into that exhaulted company.

If I were to judge this restaurant by those standards I would say it fails. However Aqua Kyoto is still quite enjoyble The setting is great, 5th floor of a building overlooking Regents Street, modern minimalist interior, the atmosphere has a great buzz. The food is good but from a dinner that included sashimi, soup, black cod, tempura to say that the highlight for me was the twice baked pork belly seems a bit odd for a Japanese restaurant.

This restaurant huffs and puffs but didnt quite deliver the knock-out blow!

Saturday, March 19, 2011
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 6

Busaba Eathai (Wardour St)

THIS IS THE SPOT!!!

Excellent food, excellent value, shame about the seating arrangements!!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10

Zafferano

Zafferano is pleasant enough, even though I find the Michelin star billing somewhat unfounded.

I wasnt particularly blown away by my tagliolini starter, it was competent without being spectacular. The sea bass main course showed some flair, and the flourish came in the form of an excellent chocolate fondant for dessert.

The problem with Zafferano is the expectation, sitting down for a meal at a Michelin starred restaurant you expect great things, sadly Zafferano didn't deliver that and for me is not in the same league as other Michelin satrred restaurants.

Worth a go I suppose.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7

Franco's

If you're looking for top quality Italian food, unfortunately Franco's is NOT the place to find it.

Don't be fooled by the location, or the lavish interior, the food is very mediocre. Its not cheap either, though you would'nt expect it to be however good the food is, a restaurant of this size just off St. James, would cost an arm and a leg!

My tagliolini starter was competent but lacked depth, for my main though the lamb cutlets were very tender, they were slightly over-cooked and not well seasoned.

Its unfortuante because it is a very well presented establishment but not in the same class as Cecconi's, Locanda Locatelli or Scallini's.

Thursday, August 07, 2008
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6

Royal China (Queensway)

I will not have a bad word said about Royal China (Queensway)!

I have been a regular for a number of years and eat dim sim here most Saturdays. I must say you would be hard pressed to find more consistently excellent chinese food anywhere in London.

I have been to Hakassan, Yauatcha, Mr. Chow a number of times and Royal China(Queensway) at its best is on a par with any of these, and better value.

Granted the black lacquer and gold interior is slightly vulgar but too many 'top London restaurants' are style over substance!

Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9

Paradise By Way Of Kensal Green

Its amazing how a couple of well publicized visits from a certain Miss K. Moss elevate a pub to 'hip' status.

Paradise though is a hidden gem. Especially those of you that know the area would appreciate that the location isn't the best. Whoever designed the interior though did an excellent job. Its beautiful, 'scruffy chic' at its best.

Very good for a chilled weekend drink or a pre big night somewhere else. Highly recommended!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9

Electric Brasserie

I like Electric, but generally not because of the food.

Its good for socialising or just hanging out. Its good for impressing the ladies if you just want somewhere relaxed. The food is hit and miss to say the least. I'm disappointed they've stopped doing their Sunday Roast, which was one of the highlights of a very ambitious menu.

I will always pop in, mainly because I love the cinema next door. The brasserie is very trendy but not particularly good if you want consistent execellece from the kitchen, contrary to other reviews I'm reading. Worth a go!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 6

L'Oranger

I'm almost embarrassed to admit that the evening my partner and I visited L'Oranger it wasn't actually our first choice but as fate would have it we stumbled across one of the best dining experiences one could wish for.

Particular highlights were the fois gras soup and salmon roulade, both combined great flavour with the most stunning presentation, at times I was happy just staring at the food!

This restaurant is as good as it gets.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8

Roka

Though I'm a regular on this site I've never been compelled to write a review until visiting Roka yesterday evening. I'd heard a lot about Roka from various people and had always planned to go. Yesterday provided the perfect opportunity for my partner and I and we weren't disappointed.

It was the perfect summer evening and they opened up the big glass doors to stunning effect. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and sticks out like a sore thumb on Charlotte Street in my opinion.

To cut a long story short we had an excellent experience, great service. We went for the tasting menu and "it just kept giving!" The seabream with white miso was truly memorable. I didnt get much change out of £150 but if you want top dollar food you've gotta pay top dollar!

Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6