All reader reviews by abu892

Waterloo Bar and Kitchen

I have been a regular diner at this restaurant for around a couple of years, less so recently as I am not in the area so much, but I still pop once a month or so. The best thing about this place is the menu - it's not huge, but the dishes have been picked so thoughfully that each time I go in there seem to be four or five dishes for both starter and main that I just can't decide between. I don't know why this 'problem' is such a rarity in restaurants, but I can't think of anywhere else it happens!

The food is always excellent, the steak is particularly recommended (but then so is the smoked haddock, the fishcakes, the lamb shank, etc, etc...!), but sadly my favourite beef wellington no longer makes an appearance (please bring it back, along with the prawns you used to have as a starter!).

Service is great (although as a regular service is always going to be pretty friendly whichever restaurant you go to), and dishes are resonably priced (although in line with the area).

Much more than just a pre-theatre eatery, I rate this as one of the best restaurants in the local area.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8

RSJ Restaurant

RSJ's location behind the National Theatre means that it appears to get few visits from customers not in the area for that purpose, which is a bit unfair. It is a little unusual, although since its revamp it feels rather more restaurant-like than the 'sitting in someone's front room' vibe that they previously appeared to be going for. The menu caters pretty well for most tastes, and the food is excellent; last time I visited I had some delicious smoked salmon and a roast shoulder of lamb, which was cooked to perfection. They also have an intimidatingly large wine list, so large in fact that I generally end up getting tired of reading and just chance my arm with a random selection - I've never had a bad one yet though.

I don't agree with other reviewers' negative comments on the service, I've been four or five times and have always been welcomed as if I were an old friend!

Well worth a visit if you're in the South Bank area, or even a trip from further afield.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6

Le Chardon (East Dulwich)

We ate in the garden here Saturday luncthime, not a particularly special setting, but nice to be able to take advantage of the last rays of summer in the open air.

The lunch menu was superb value at £8.50 for 2 courses, £11.50 for 3 (I base my value for money rating on this, the standard menu was of course pricier, but didn't look unreasonable). Starters of salmon gravadlax and courgette soup allayed our fears that the budget price would mean budget portion sizes, both dishes were very tasty. Main courses of steak were pretty good, although my partner's order of medium was more well done (suspect mix up in the kitchen as my rare steak was spot on). Dessert of French cheeses was the weakest course with a meagre 2 small slices on offer, although viewed in context of the entire meal and the price, it feels curmudgeonly to complain.

Lots of comments on the service from other reviewers, I noticed the Gallic bent but our waitress was fine. Well worth a visit for lunch.

Monday, September 29, 2008
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9

Chez Lindsay

I have eaten here perhaps five or six times over the last 3 years, and I must say my experiences differ significantly from the last reviewer. I have always found the service excellent, friendly and accomodating (although a little slow on a couple of occasions), and I have enjoyed every meal I've had here. The menu is a bit different to anything else I've seen in this part of London as it concentrates on French dishes from Brittany - it includes a large galette (pancake) selection, which I recommend highly. Nice views over the river too, if you can get a table next to the window.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6

Bingham Hotel Restaurant & Bar

The Bingham is simply fantastic. I happened to be passing with my partner, and popped in on the offchance they had a table. They asked us if we could wait, so we had some marvellous cocktails in the bar, which is worth a visit in its own right. Both the bar and the restaurant have stunning views over the river and there is a terrace where you can sit and have drinks - lovely in the early evening sunshine.

The staff managed to find us a table in the restaurant (which was otherwise full), and the meal that followed was just superb - starters of pork belly and quail, followed by saddleback pork and rump of lamb, all cooked perfectly and with thoughtfully picked accompaniments. I couldn't manage a desert, but the selection was tempting. Service was spot on, polite and discreet without being snooty.

It's quite a smart place so I felt a little underdressed in jeans and will dress up a bit next time I go (and I will definitely return), however, the staff certainly gave no hint of disapproval! It's not cheap, but worth every penny.

A great place for a special night out.

Thursday, September 18, 2008
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9

Leonardo Wine Bar

Leonardo's is run by the same people that run Mamma Mia's next door. It seems to be served by the same kitchen, and my comments on their food also apply here - it is very good although not spectacular, prepared with fresh ingredients and with generous portion sizes. The menu also covers pretty much the same ground although with more of a leaning towards pasta dishes.

The only real difference is the setting - Leonardo's is more wine bar-like (the clue is in the name...) as opposed to Mamma Mia's which is more trattoria-esque(?!).

Both are worth visiting, pick the one that suits your mood!

Thursday, September 18, 2008
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7

The Tapestry Tapas Bar and Restaurant

The blanket ten out of tens that the majority of 'reviewers' are showing here are a bit over the top, but the Tapestry is a pretty good restaurant/gastropub. We ate from the tapas menu (although there is an extensive non-tapas specials board), and on the whole what we were served was far superior to what is often passed off as tapas. Desserts were good too, anywhere that serves rhubarb crumble (the best dessert in the world. Fact.) gets a big thumbs up from me. Service was efficient and friendly. I'll be returning.

Sunday, August 10, 2008
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8

Pizza Metro

A public transport meltdown left me stranded in Clapham Junction with friends whilst en route to Waterloo, so we happened across this place. A happy accident - despite being Friday night they squeezed 4 of us in plus baby buggy, and later when the baby started crying they found us a table when we asked to be moved outside. The food was great, tasted very fresh, I liked the way the pizza is served on the raised platters; the deserts weren't bad, although what we received wasn't quite the same as what was presented when we were choosing. Service was good, being Friday night staff were run rather ragged and when we moved outside they forgot us a bit, but overall they were very friendly and helpful. Worth a visit if you're in the area.

Saturday, August 09, 2008
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7

TJ's Cafe & Resturant

TJs is an excellent place for a fried breakfast - huge portions and great value for money.

Not a place for health freaks...just stop eating when you feel the shooting pains up your arms.

Saturday, August 09, 2008
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10

Mamma Mia East Sheen

I have visited Mamma Mia a number of times since I moved to the area recently, and have found it to be a very decent local restaurant. The food is not spectacular, but that is no complaint - it is consistently tasty, prepared with fresh ingredients and with generous portion sizes.

The owner and the staff are very relaxed and friendly, although my only issue would be that they are occasionally a bit too slow - one Sunday lunch turned into a 3 hour marathon as they were understaffed, and seemed unwilling to pick up their usual laid-back pace. However, if you are not in a hurry this is a small problem.

Worth a visit.

Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5

Sohpita Thai Cuisine

Sohpita is easily the best restaurant in East Sheen, and that's coming from someone who never previously really ate Thai food. As a recent mover to the area, I now regard it as my 'local'.

The food is consistently delicious, the service is extremely friendly, and the prices are more than reasonable. Highly recommended.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10

Naked Turtle

I recently moved to the area, and was looking forward to trying this place as the menu looked great (if a little pricey), and it had a nice style about it. And, to be honest, on my first visit it ticked a lot of boxes: lively atmosphere, funky decor, friendly service. But the one box it didn't tick was the one that no restaurant can afford to miss: the food. Oh Christ, the food. The 'roast' I ordered was on a par with the worst type of motorway carvery fayre, my partner's food was no better, and both portions were tiny.

However, so desperate was I for this to be my new 'local' that I made their excuses for them, and returned a few weeks later. The experience was not improved. My starter of peri-peri chicken tasted like it came from a supermarket value jar, with a handful of chilli powder thrown in to raise the temperature to a million degrees or so (at least it obscured the taste a little), while the mussels I had for my main course were clearly off. When I complained, I was told that they had been delivered that morning. Oh, fine, I'll keep on eating them then shall I? My partner's steak was fatty, overcooked and undersized, and they had managed to defy the laws of physics to create chips/wedges that were both leathery on the outside, yet uncooked in the middle. Extraordinary.

Why this place continues to surive is a mystery to me when there are many better and cheaper places locally (try Sohpita or Ancora), I can only assume its patrons are more interested in the admittedly nice surroundings and young attractive waitresses than they are in decent food.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 1