All reader reviews by Rex

Garlic & Shots

Decor is American diner meets teenage Twilight fan's bedroom. The dining area is at the front - there's a beer garden out the back.

Garlic beer tastes like an everyday lager with garlic added at the point of pouring - I doubt you'll want more than one.

The place is popular both with diners and drinkers (there are 101 different shots on the menu). There's a pleasant enough buzz about the place and the staff are very nice.

Food is okay. Portions are reasonable. Presentation is mixed. Unsuprisingly given the name of the place garlic features heavily on the menu but bizarrely less so in the food. Most mains go for between twelve and sixteen quid. Wine is reasonably marked up.

On balance I probably won't go back - there's not a lot wrong with the place but Soho has more exciting options nearby. I doubt that I'm their target demographic.

Thursday, October 04, 2012
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7

City Caphe

There's a queue for this place out of the door. Saying that service is quick so even if you're thirty feet away you've not long to wait.

I had a terrific beef Banh Mi. The spring rolls were a little small, insipid and disappointing. The bill was about £7.50, The food and value for money marks are an average for the excellent banh mi (10 and 10) and the spring rolls (4 and 4).

Atmosphere scores low mainly because there's an enormous queue of people snaking around the eating area and a small crowd waiting to pick up their orders.

I've scored service for speed and friendliness - it's primarily a takeway joint after all.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 7

BrewDog (Camden)

I can't comment on the food (I've left the mark at 5 to express neutrality) as I've not eaten here but the pizzas look pretty good.

The beer is excellent - there's a huge choice or craft-brewed beers of varying sorts and at various strengths. The staff really know their stuff. If you like real beer then you'll be in paradise.

Couple of whinges - the lighting is a little intense and additionally when I was there they had no lager. I don't really drink lager but there's always one unenlightened one in any crowd that will only drink the stuff. This makes Brewdog a difficult choice for groups.

Tuesday, August 07, 2012
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9

Phoenix Palace

Very reasonable dim-sum. Scallop cheung-fung (called rice pasta on menu) very nice as was the fried shredded squid. Wasabi prawn dumplings, pork and coriander dumplings, pig's belly and salad really good. Spring onion pancakes okay. Chicken gyoza ordinary. All in all above average.

Decor - this place couldn't look more like a mid-high end Chinese restaurant. The tables are well spaced - it's a very pleasant place to eat.

The service is very reasonable - the staff are friendly and warn you if they think that you may be wendering into parts of the menu less likely to please westerners.

Value for money is okay. Dim sum go for a little over three quick to a little over five. Beers are three and a half a pop.

All in all - better than most dim-sum joints in London. Not as good as Alisan in Wembley though. Perhaps a little more pricey.

Sunday, August 05, 2012
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7

Porters English Restaurant

Underwhelming. Started okay (Fish goujons with tartare pleasant, deep fried mushrooms okay). Mains less so (Steak served a la plancha thinnish, lukewarm, pie - poor - think Wetherspoons). Accompanying chips were pretty good.

Nice atmosphere although the lower floor didn't appeal. Staff nice enough.

Pricing - most mains come in at £15 or a shade under - not worth it. Drinks mark up okay. It's like a West End outpost of a Harvester without the salad bar.

Edited to add: Since submitting my review Porter's have sent an email pointing out something that I'd missed on their menu - you can get two courses (some restrictions) for £14 at any time. This certainly represents a couple of extra points on the value for money mark - I've asked that it my original mark be upgraded to 6/10. They also pointed out that unlike a Harvester or Wetherspoon outlet - they prepare all of their dishes from fresh ingredients which also merits a mention.

Friday, August 03, 2012
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6

The Pig & Whistle

From the outside this place isn't terribly promising. It's an unattractive 70's building containing a local pub and a grubby general store next to Latimer Road tube station. The principal attractions of the pub are a pool table and Sky TVs showing a selection sports from Premier League football to greyhound racing from Birmingham.

However the bar staff are friendly and welcoming and the place does as good a pint of Guiness as you can hope for this side of the Irish Sea. Additionally it's the home of Notting Dale pizza which lives in the back garden. The pizza are great - they're served without ceremony - or cutlery - either in the garden or in the bar. The garden itself isn't going to win Britain in Bloom but it's a great place to enjoy a beer from the bar - there's even a couple of tv screens.

Pizzas start at about a fiver for a small one up to about twelve fifty for a large with all the toppings. The bases are thin and there's plenty of stuff on each one.

You probably wouldn't come here for either your wedding anniversary or a first date but if you fancy a decent pizza and a great pint of Guiness served by staff who are actually glad of your custom then I really would recommend it.

Atmosphere is difficult to predict - it could be packed for a football match/Irish holiday or it could have half a dozen locals on a Tuesday night.

P.S. Don't take horse-racing tips from the guy with they grey hair.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9

Comptoir Libanais (Kensington)

Two of us shared a large mezze starter and a single mixed grill. Falafel a little on the crunchy side and lacking much in the way of taste. Hummus and Babaganoush pretty fair. The mixed grill comprises three different kebabs and a rice - all decent - the chicken kofte was very nice.

With a couple of beers and a fruit juice the bill came in at nearly fifty notes which seemed a little steep. No complaints with the service and the place has a buzzy atmosphere.

There are also tables outside which would be nice if summer ever arrives. All in all okay.

Friday, June 22, 2012
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5

Anchor & Hope

Quality food in pub surroundings at a price somewhere between pub and restaurant. The no-reservations / you must all be present to get your table system works for the venue rather than the diner. It certainly pays to get here early.

Anyway starting with the bar - very, very decent beer - a decent selection too. Extortionately priced freshly squeezed orange juice. It's a proper pub this side of the curtain - relaxed and buzzy.

As for the food - starters pretty good - decent sized portions although the samphire was a little 'side-dish-y'. Well prepared and pretty well presented. Mains very decent and a filling size. Side dish of greens a bit plain and eye-wateringly expensive.

Service friendly and helpful. No complaints at all. But it's a short menu and things do run out. Additionally a chunk of the food available was pre-prepared (chicken and foie gras pethivier (pie), cold silverside) to speed up turn-around. These are factors that drag my service score down a bit - no fault of the waiting staff.

Restaurant atmosphere pleasant and relaxed. If you want your own table - be here at about 5:30pm. (The restaurant opens at 6pm - the bar is open all afternoon)

My feelings on value for money are mixed - although balance on the positive.

Overall - good and I'll return. However I'll get there early to avoid the issues mentioned.

Friday, June 15, 2012
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7

Pearl Liang

Pretty fair dim sum. Pork and watercress dumplings very nice as were the four different cheung fung. A couple of the dishes were just ordinary. Nice enough ambience. Service was good. Price per dish was generally £3-£4. Beers about £4 a pop. Very good tea. I'd probably go back if I was in the area.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7

Water Margin

Decent and consistent. There's no ground broken here but it's always reliable. I've only had one bad dish in somewhere between twelve and fifteen visits (smoked chicked - it's sweet - yuck).

Soups are good as are either the salty pepper squid or eel. The roast duck is always delicious. There's a couple of (cooked) oyster dishes which are also very good. The aubergine in a clay pot is a great vegetable dish.

It's not terribly expensive - saying that I can't comment on the wine prices.

The waiting staff are generally okay - not much more than that.

It's generally pretty busy from 6pm until 9pm. I'd seriously recommend making a reservation for a table downstairs as upstairs is tatty and dingy. The khazi's decor could also use a serious make-over although hygene isn't a problem.

Wednesday, June 06, 2012
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7

Hunan

Pretty fantastic. It's an unusual format - there's no menu - they just keep bring food until you ask them to stop. Small dishes like chicken dumplings, tripe and frogs legs come along every five minutes or so. Presentation is excellint - some dishes resemble glistening works of art.

After these came duck and pancakes and a seabass steamed in soy sauce. If anything the duck was the weakest point. But the preceding thirteen or fourteen small courses could just have coloured my judgement.

I didn't feel rushed at all. Service is perfect. The atmosphere is great - most people there appeared to be repeat visitors. As for price - it was £45 per head without drinks. I'll definitely go back and hopefully soon - I left really happy.

I'm doing something I've not done on any of my previous reviews - giving a restaurant maximum points for everything. I just can't think of how my evening could have been better.

Wednesday, May 09, 2012
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10

Anh Dao

I love Vietnamese food and I've visited many on the Kingsland Road strip.

The meal at Anh Dao was the most disappointing to date. There was a feeling of carelessness - spring rolls with unpleasantly burnt edges, mains not well presented. There was none of the colour and herby / spicy variety that adds that special touch to Vietnamese cuisine. It was just bland. Nothing had any smell to it either.

Service was just about okay and it's inexpensive. Atmosphere is difficult to score - the place was pretty much empty.

There was nothing to suggest that a second visit would be worthwhile - fortunately there are great options nearby.

Wednesday, May 09, 2012
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1

La Cage Imaginaire

Pretty reasonable. It's a local restaurant rather than a fine dining experience. Service very pleasant. Nice touches 'around' the food.

Decent value. It's a prix-fixé format - two dishes for £22. There are a number of dishes (particularly fish) that attract a surcharge. There's a couple of sub-£20 bottles of wine but most start slightly above that.

Snail casserole starter nice but not many snails. Scallop starter (3) came with over-cooked and over-powering chorizo. Coq-au-vin main nice although perhaps of a home-cooked standard.

Seventy quid for two people including a bottle of wine seems great value these days. Hampstead doesn't offer an enormous amount of good food. I'll probably go back if I saw something appealing on the menu.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8

Royal China (Baker St)

Decent dim sum, service better than I expected having read previous reviews. Reasonably priced (£3 - £4.50 per portion - mainly three pieces per portion). Char Sui Puffs, Steamed Dumplings good. A bit of seasonal variety on the menu would be nice. Tables are a little close together.

No real complaints - I'd certainly go back.

Monday, September 05, 2011
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8

Wagamama (Camden)

I'm not a fan. Standard Wagamama format of rapid service, randomly arriving food (you are forewarned on the menu) and food prepared without enthusiasm. It's a nice situation with the big glass window onto the street and during busy times it's got a pleasant conversation buzz.

The food is just so average. It looks okay at first glance but you get the feeling that the chef never tastes it. Meats are bland and soups/sauces are nothing to write home about. The high-light of my meal was the carrot juice that I had with it.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 4

Delisserie (Temple Fortune)

Not really my cup of tea so take from this review what you will.

Nice interior in the style of an American-style diner with booths and New Yorker covers on the walls. It's a little brightly lit but it's generally comfortable. The staff are very nice.

The food is diner-ish: Burgers, steaks, chicken - mostly served in buns. There's also a nod to western jewish diaspora cuisine - Turkey viennas, salt beef.

I've been a couple of times - there's nothing at all wrong with the place and the food is always as described. It's just not my thing (hence the opening statement). It's a bit on the bland side and a little piri-piri sauce doesn't do enough. On a plus side it's reliable and you're not going to get a bad meal. Additionally the service is so much better than the 'Whadyawant' that you encounter in the other jewish places in the area.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6

Banana Tree (Angel)

Pleasant enough layout and atmosphere and okay service.

Food doesn'tmatch up. Started with dumplings (lukewarm) and chicken satay (ordinary). Mains - green curry (pleasant) and stir-fried lamb (tough). All in all about the same sort of standard that you'd get from mid-priced supermarket ready meals.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 4

Le Cellier du Midi

French cellar restaurant in the middle of Hampstead. Friendly and knowledgeable staff.

The food that we had was good. The menu is a little short and dominated by fillet steak. The night that we went even the special was a fillet steak. It's hardly representative of French cooking.To be fair the mains were nicely cooked - the starters less so.

Bill - £100 for two (starter and main each, bottle of wine, water).

I can see why the locals like the place (it seemed we were the only people in the place on a first visit). It's unpretentious with a pleasant ambience and the food's good. If it was just round the corner from me then I might go back but I'm not so next time I fancy French food then I'll try somewhere else.

Friday, August 05, 2011
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 6

Leong's Legends

Popped in for dim-sum. Both staff and food were mixed. All the dumplings were great but the Taiwanese-style pork kebab was bland. Spring onion pancake good. One of the waitresses that served us was friendly and helpful the other wasn't. Nice table upstairs next to the windown although the view isn't up to much. Reasonably priced. I'll probably go back and try some more of the menu.

Monday, July 04, 2011
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8

West End Kitchen

Cheap, cheerful and only a stone's throw away from Leicester and Trafalgar squares. It's never going to be an epicurean's paradise but the food is consistently good, served very quickly and very reasonably priced. If you've a hankering for a pre-theatre Liver and Bacon then head here. It's that sort of menu spaghetti bolognese, roast chicken and pork. Eat upstairs as downstairs is a little claustophobic. One complaint - the selection of beer is very limited/poor and it's never cold enough.

Monday, June 20, 2011
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10

Wing Tai

This is a vast Chinese restaurant near the junction of the A5 and North Circular road in Cricklewood – It’s not the easiest place to get to. It’s attached to the Wing Yip supermarket which is a treat in itself. To fulfil the cliché, invariably the majority of the clientele are Chinese.

I usually go for Dim Sum, occasionally with a plate of the roast duck or barbeque pork. It’s absolutely delicious. Going at lunchtime on a Saturday or a Sunday can lead to a long wait for a table. I’ve seen more than fifty people waiting to be seated – don’t forget to get a number from the front of house staff when you arrive. You can watch the chef chop and slice these in his glass booth while you’re waiting to be seated.

Value for money is very good – dim sum dishes go from just under £3 to a little over £4. Tea costs £1 per person with unlimited refills. The Char Sui buns are great as is the Cheung Fung XO and I really would recommend the barbeque meats. I’ve had dumplings that have been a little over-cooked but nothing to complain about.

Service is as good as it can be given the scale – your table won’t get their dishes at the same time. Dim sum ordering is done via a numbered form that you’re given by the waitress. Food comes surprisingly quickly. It's not a romantic venue but it's a great place to people watch.

After eating it’s well worth a walk around the supermarket – it sells a multitude of oriental canned, fresh and frozen goods. If you’re looking for frozen tilapia, fresh peppercorns or a wok then you can’t go wrong. Saying that I have bought stuff which hangs around the back of the kitchen cupboards for longer that I’d have hoped.

Thursday, June 16, 2011
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8

Ping Pong (Hampstead)

Generally pretty good although some of the steamed dumplings were stuck to the steamers. A decent enough selection of dishes too. Service pleasant but not terribly knowledgeable. The filling of the Char sui buns (baked) was a little bland. The dishes are each around the £3.50 mark (three pieces to a portion) - for Hampstead this is pretty good value. Pleasant ambience.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7

Chilli Cool

Food was decent and interesting. Two of us shared three dishes. (spiced aubergine and minced pork, belly pork in garlic sauce and a dry spicy chicken) and shared a rice. It's all pretty hot so if that's not your thing then you may be best off going somewhere else. The aubergine dish was very rich and filling - the chilli chicken was also tasty but was very dry. The belly pork in garlic sauce is served cold so I probably committed some terrible faux-pas by ordering this at the same time. Enjoyed all three dishes and the rice was very decent as well. With two beers and tea the bill was under £40 so very reasonable. Service good.

Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9

Roadhouse

Food - While not actually unpleasant not worth going out for.

Service - Front of house - smiley, Waiting staff - disinterested, Security - Surly.

Atmosphere - Brash, loud, badly lit.

Value for Money - This is Covent Garden so you don't expect it to be cheap. To be fair there are offers so you could economise a bit. Saying that I'm not going back. Ever.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 3

The Black Orchid @ The John Baird

I've drank in the John Baird on several occasions now and also had the food a couple of times. The food's good without being great - I don't want to sound snobby but it probably wouldn't pass muster in a restaurant but scores well for a pub. Curries are tasty without being over-hot. Staff are pleasant - the service is a bit odd when you eat in the pub section - it's bar service for drinks and table service for food. You're served pretty quickly.The beer is excellent. Starters are £4-5, mains are £7-9. Rice is an extra £2-3 and isn't included in most dishes.

I'm finding this one a difficult one to give marks to. I don't want to score it low because there's definitely nothing wrong with it. On the other hand the food isn't ground-breaking. It scores well on atmosphere as it's a great pub with very nice staff.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7

Alisan

Went in for dim-sum at lunchtime. Huge dim-sum menu - really varied - they take it pretty seriously. Everything we tried was decent although pumpkin and yam was a little stodgy. The service was decent and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's my new favourite dim-sum joint. Bit of a pain to get to but it does afford a new view of the stadium.

Sunday, November 07, 2010
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8

Dim T (Hampstead)

The hand-made dim-sum was probably the best that I've eaten. Since the dim-sum menu is limited to steamed dishes we went for a couple of fried starters as well - these were less good and have dragged down the scores accordingly. Decent service. Beer could have been colder. Will go back.

Thursday, September 30, 2010
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7

Thanh Binh

Enjoyed it. I have to admit that usually I go to Viet-Anh round the corner for my Vietnamese fix but this is a more restaurant-like atmosphere. Didn't have a bad dish between the two of us. Aubergine starter absolutely fantastic. Mid-range on price but a decent bottle of wine costs a little more than you'd hope.

Very good service. One small thing - front of the restaurant a little draughty and the back a little dark

Friday, September 04, 2009
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7

Hache (Camden)

Very, very good burger - I can't praise it highly enough. Fries poor - real budget rubbish (both chunky and french fry versions). Service friendly in a really nice way but maybe a little iffy. Burger, fries and a beer comes in at under twenty quid. An odd combination of great and bad. Decent enough environment to eat in.

For the marks - I'd give the burger 8 and the fries 2 but I'll average it out at 6 given the proportions of these two components.

Friday, September 04, 2009
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6

Sushi-Say

I can't pretend to be an expert in the cuisine of Japan (this is one of only three Japanese restaurants that I've been to). Saying that - this is a lovely place to eat. The waitresses in traditional dress and the sushi chef with his bandana enhance the atmosphere of the place.

The portions are small (I'm a big man, I ate again when I got home) but everything is so beautifully presented and delicious. It's not cheap - definitely not cheap for NW2.

Very very decent. I'm going to score a little lower on Value for Money than the other metrics because for this part of London £30+ per head is pricey but it's a very nice evening out.

Saturday, August 01, 2009
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7

The New Balti Tandoori

Really reliable local Indian.

The service is pleasant if a little erratic. There have been two waiters while I've been going there - both are friendly and attentive. but they do have very diiferent approaches. I'll leave the rest to you to find out.

Seriously thought all the starters have always good as for mains, tandoori trout is very decent as is the Lamb Tikka Madras.

The layout of the place suits all - there are tables for four at the front, nice tables for two at the back and a few larger tables in the middle. Not full of twats at eleven which is another bonus. Value for money is pretty good. The hand-drier in the Gents is probably the original article.

All in all - nothing wrong with the New Balti at all. Decent food. Good service. A pleasant place to eat and all fair value.

Saturday, August 01, 2009
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8

Charlie's Ristorante Italiano

Very reasonable Italian food at a decent price. Nice place to have a meal too - pleasant dining space with some picture of the eponymous Charlie (Chaplin) but nothing like a theme restaurant.

The antipasto starter would probably have been big enough for two. Pizza nice. Lasagne heavier on the pasta / bechamel than the meat sauce but still decent. Value for money excellent. Wine (Argentinian Malbec) decent. Really excellent staff.

It's probably not the venue for an important wedding anniversary but it's an excellent place to for casual dining and I'd definitely recommend it.

Friday, July 31, 2009
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8

Chutneys

Starters great especially Paneer Tikka which was fantastic and mixed ‘Mumbai’ appetisers, Bhel Puri not so great. Middle course of Onion Dosa very nice too. Mains mixed - Thoram especially was not terribly good, stir-fired vegetable curry decent. Service – one exceptional waiter: welcoming, friendly, prompt and one less so.

As for décor the dining room itself is nice with windows on two sides although the tables are fairly close together so whoever is sitting on the inside gets bumped when people go past. In addition the toilets are very small and could do with a spring-clean.

£22 a head (without service) including two beers and two very nice fresh juices – okay value.

Friday, July 17, 2009
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7

Orso

Very decent food (Venison delicious, Calves liver even better, vegetable side dishes about good enough, Pizza looked disappointing). Nice bottle of Merlot. Service a bit mixed but decent.

Interesting surrounding and busy even mid-week. Right in the West End – very conveniently located if you’re going to a show around Convent Garden.

I liked it and I’ll go again – it’s not cheap (starters around £10, mains around £20, veg. sides at £3.50) but it’s good for that special occasion. The mains look excellent value for money, starters less so.

Service is included on the bill - I hate that - I would have given the same amount in cash and felt better about knowing it went to the staff.

Friday, July 10, 2009
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8

The Holly Bush

The beer is very, very good and the pub itself a fantastically interesting place. The food is well-presented and it's okay although maybe a little bit salty and a little over-priced. I'd go back for drinks but I think I'd eat somewhere else. Saying that pub food in Hampstead isn't great - this place is certainly better some of the others. Maybe I'm just getting too choosy in my old age.

Thursday, June 25, 2009
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5

Ragam

Modest little South Indian near Warren Street tube. Service and ambience both good. Masala Dosa and Meat Masala Dosa starters were both pleasantly spiced and tasty. Dal and Okra mains also good. Giving 6/10 for the food may be a little severe on my part but I only ordered simple stuff. Beer nice and cold - ideal for a hot day. Not an 'occasion' venue but ideal for decent reasonably priced eats. I'd definitely go back.

Thursday, June 25, 2009
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8

Ravi Shankar

Puri starters average only. Dosa looked impressive standing up on the plate but was also only okay. Mains better although accompanying chapatis were not very good. The service was mixed. Won't go again.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 4

Fine Burger Co. (Finchley Rd)

Poor.

Burgers - bun was tasteless, the burger tough. The portion of hand-cut chips was small, dry and consisted mainly of very small and over-cooked chips. The onion rings were no better - very, very insubstantial and cooked in dreadful bland oil.

We only ate here because the Zizzi next door had some sort of oven problem and we were handed a 2-4-1 offer outside this place. Even at £20 for two of us including a drink each was over the odds.

Positives - the glass that came with the beer was chilled and the service was okay.

The London Hong Kong downstairs is so much better than this place - go there for pre-cinema Dim-Sum.

Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1

Masala

Popped in for a quick mid-week two courses after polite persuasion from the tout outside. We didn't fancy the wine list so he took us to an off-license 100 yards away where we picked up a decent bottle of red - the tout negotiated a 15% discount (in addition to 20% off the food bill) on this for us which was above and beyond the call of duty as far as I'm concerned.

Both starters and mains very well presented. Kebab and bhaji starters tasty. Mains decent especially their spin on Lamb dupiaza. Service decent if the tiniest bit erratic. Atmosphere okay for a half-full weeknight.

Standards in Brick lane have dropped in recent years but this place was worth the visit and I'll probably go back. Value for money with the discount and the off-license wine fantastic.

Friday, April 03, 2009
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9

Giacomo's Restaurant

My first vist - most of the other customers appeared to be repeat customers. The tables are a little crowded in the middle of the room - I'd recommend reserving a table in the window or on the wall.

Starters - excellent. Chicken livers and cured beed both very large portions. The livers especially were perfect (served with wild mushroms and apple). Mains slighty less good but still very decent - especially spaghetti a la vongole.

Service good. Wine - chianti classico at £18 a bottle pretty fair. Good all round.

Friday, April 03, 2009
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8

Fifteen London (Restaurant)

Had a family meal here. Service friendly and efficient without be matey - just right. Starters very decent - pasta starters are pretty big and filling, antipasti a very nice selection, seafood risotto excellent. Mains very good as well with the exception of the bavette steak which was very chewy, pork belly superb. All the vegetable accompaniments good too. Wine a little over £20 a bottle - I suppose this is an average mark-up, there were no duffs though. Would certainly recommend and will go back.

Monday, March 23, 2009
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8

Palm Court Brasserie

Not a briliant meal. If you're going to eat here then definitely get a table at the rear. Tables for four at the front of the restaurant are far too small. In addition if you're sitting on the non-wall side then you wil be continually bumped by people squeezing between the stools at the bar and the backs of your chairs.

Food is average. The fishcake starters are enormous but were 90% potato. The 'petit casserole' starter (clams, mussels, chorizo) wasn't great - the shell fish had been overcooked without liquid, the chorizo had been cooked to a spam-like bright pink. The small amount of liquid at the bottom was briny stock.

Mains - chargrilled chicken with chasseur sauce was dry and the tiny amount of sauce supplied wasn't enough to mitigate. Duck and tuna mains were better. Wine was okay and not extortionately priced. Service was cheerful and decent.

It's not cheap but it's right in the West End. I doubt I'll go again though.

Thursday, March 19, 2009
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3

Solo

Popped in for the two courses for ten quid offer - really good value. Drinks were two for one as well so it was a very reasonable bill (9/10 for value for money). Food was good (seafood linguine especially) and the service was pretty decent. I'd definitely recommend Solo's happy hour - not sure I'd pay full price.

Saturday, February 07, 2009
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9

Viet-anh Cafe

Loved it. Meat hot and sour soup with non-bought in spring rolls. Main of roast duck noodle soup. Very tasty, very satisfying. Date also had squid tom yum which was also delicious followed by chicken with noodles which was pretty fair. Couple of beers to accompany it and the total was well around £15 per head. It's a crowded place so maybe not the place for that initmate evening the 5/10 for atmosphere reflects the cafe ambience. Service cheerful.

Will definitely go back for a quick bite in the evening.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 9

Mien Tay

Had a superb meal at Mien Tay. The reviewers suggested dish of Quail was fantastic as was our other starter of mashed prawn on a sugar cane skewer. A beef salad as a middle course was tender, spicy and herby - perfect. The duck and chicken mains were both delicious. We left absolutely stuffed.

Service was great - and with a smile every time too. It makes the food taste better when the staff are this nice. Bring your own booze (there's an off-licence 50 yards away).

I'll definitely go back. The bill was £20 per head which is 10/10 on value for money for a meal this good.

Friday, December 12, 2008
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10

Muhib Indian Cuisine

One of the longest menus that you will ever see. Also unless it's pretty packed there will be a tout outside offering a substantial discount on the menu price (up to 30% + a free half a Cobra).

I've eaten here a couple of times a year for a good few years. It used to be one of the stars of City Indian food but it hasn't moved with the times and standards have dropped off quite a bit. The presentation of the food is poor and there is a generic feeling to the sauces. Kebab starters were tasty enough but looked unappetising. Service from one guy was pleasant and polite but dishes were pretty much thrown on to the table by another.

My most recent visit will probably be my last for a while as there are so many places that I would rather spend my money.

Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7

Tip Top Thai

First visit to TTT - great service from a polite and beaming Thai lady. It is a very crowded space that could do with taking a couple of tables out. Starters were bought-in and unimaginative, mains were very nice although a little salty. Pretty good value for Hampstead.

There is such a lot of great Thai food in London that it's difficult to get excited about somewhere that does good food. Ten years ago there would have been a queue down the road to get a table at this place now it's just expected.

The mains were nice enough that I might go back but I'd avoid the starter.

Monday, December 08, 2008
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7

La Tasca (Covent Garden)

Some good things and some bad things about this place.

There are two separate music systems playing different music - this is fine if you're only able to hear one of them. If you can hear both it is an absolute cacophany. One of the waiters was kind enough to switch one of them off so can't complain too much.

The tapas themselves are a very mixed bag. The chorizo were not great, the lamb casserole was delicious, the small paella was dreadful. Portions are fairly small and it's not cheap. Wine was okay and there are fair options at under £20 - for Covent Garden I would say that this is pretty competitive. The waiters do not wait while you taste the wine - it's left on your table and that's it.

To be honest I won't be going back. Tapas in a restaurant format doesn't work for me. The food isn't good enough and it's over-priced.

Friday, December 05, 2008
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 5

West End Kitchen

The least pretentious place in London but the food is always good and the service friendly. The three course menu is something list £8 and you are a two minute walk from Leicester square. A bottle of beer is under £3 a pop.

Some of the starters have fallen out of vogue in many places (Egg Mayonnaise, Avocado Vinagrette) but there's always a couple of specials that are worth trying. The mains are always well prepared and a very good size. I would really recommend their Liver and Sage - delicious. Lamb chops and Lasagne are also great.

The decor is simple, the staff are friendly and helpful. Service is quick so it's ideal if you've only got twenty minutes before that film starts. Don't expect haute cuisine just something tasty and filling and you won't be disappointed.

Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10

Atma

Very pleasant Indian near Finchley Road tube station. Service polite and attentive without ever being fawning. For starters we had a rabbit and a tandoori chicken salad - both were very tasty although the rabbit's natural flavour was a little swamped by the marinade. Mains of venison and methi lamb were both very good too. There was even an amuse-bouche in between starter and main - how about that in an Indian restaurant.

The bill was £30 per head with a couple of beers and a fantastic mango lassi. Will go back.

Monday, November 10, 2008
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8

Jimmy's

My first visit to this Swiss Cottage Thai - one of a number of Thai restaurants between here and Finchley Road tube. The configuration of the two front doors shielded by a wooden screen means that the tables at the front of the place are a little draughty - not great on an October evening. Service is very pleasant. Beer not as cold as you'd like. The selection of Thai starters is a little disappointing - most look like the kitchen's involvement is limited to taking them out of the freezer and chucking them in the deep fat fryer. Soups are better - the Tom Yum Kai especially and the Papaya salad is good too. Mains are pretty fair - the spicy lamb is good. £25 per head including two Heinekens each - this is a standard price now I suppose. There was nothing wrong with portion size or service but the food lacked any sense of individuality - there was no heart in it.

I won't be going back - not because this was a bad meal - but because if I'm in the area I'd rather try somewhere I haven't been before on the hope that it's better than here.

Friday, October 24, 2008
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6

Original Lahore Kebab House

My first visit to the Lahore Kebab house and it definitely won't be my last. Starters of lamb chops and mutton tikka both excellent. Mains of lamb on the bone and chicken on the bone both great. For a cheap meal this place must be nearly unbeatable. Complimentary salad and yoghurt a really nice touch - especially in a place which is so reasonably priced. Friendly service too. Don't forget to take your own booze.

Friday, October 17, 2008
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10

Anchor & Hope

This really is a great place to eat - busy even during the week so get there early or be prepared to hang around for some time. Service pleasant and attentive. Menu very interesting. Everyone starters looked great and all were well received - my razor clams were fat and tender. The main of rib of beef between two was perfectly cooked and there was a lot of it. The skate and the venison also looked fantastic. Wine is affordable - it's a proper pub too with three cask ales on. Downsides - you can't book (this may be an upside), the dining room is a squeeze and you may end up sharing a table if that's all they've got.

I'll definitely go back.

Thursday, October 16, 2008
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9