All reader reviews by Helen

YO! Sushi (Farringdon)

I've been here a number of times- the staff have always been nice, the restaurant itself looks good, and is comfortable- we usually get a booth next to the conveyer belt. Although a bit of slightly tired-looking food DOES start circulating toward the end of the night, you can always ask them to make something. It's a good novelty-type place to take people from out of town- the little taps for drinking water at your table- the cute wooden utensils, and if they are new to sushi, it's not intimidating and they can see what dishes look like before trying them. I find the atmosphere very relaxed and really like it here!

Monday, August 10, 2009
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10

Anchor & Hope

I came here with my mother on a Friday, before going to a concert at the RF Hall. We hadn't booked, but the restaurant was just opening for the evening, so they told us we just needed to have 1 drink in the bar and our table would be ready. Good drinks- hate the glasses though. A Martini served in a shot glass?

Table was ready- they seemed very concerned that we left in time for the concert, and suggested the venison stew for 2, which we had- absolutely delicious. The place filled up quickly while we were there, so we felt lucky to have got a table when we did. The prices were reasonable, and a good atmosphere. I'd definately go again- especially if they got some cocktail glasses to serve their cocktails in!

Thursday, February 12, 2009
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9

Faulkner's

I took my husband, mother, and sister to Faulkners recently on a week night. We'd been there before a while ago and thought the food was lovely (except the pale, hard, greasy chips), and we liked the hokey, old-fashioned atmosphere.

This time.....the place was empty apart from us and 2 very shabby-looking men in dirty work clothes who were drinking beer at a front table and conversing loudly. There were 2 waitresses, neither of whom spoke English at all well. It was hard to communicate with them- we asked for a set meal for my mother from the menu, and they said it was only available for 2 people, although this was not mentioned on the menu.

We all ordered starters and mains- the food was...variable. The fish was very good, with big portions. Mains took a long time to arrive. The side dishes, chips and starters were not so good. My husbands prawn cocktail starter was quite horrible and limp. Kalimari was rubbery beyond belief. I was feeling crazy so I ordered a cocktail- a Woo-Woo. I had to ask for it 3 times. It was a bit overpriced, and not good- tasted quite medicinal, and was very small. It was hard to get the waitresses attention as they were by the bar chatting intently with their backs to us. Nobody else came in during the hour and a half we were there.

It was sort of like a scene from a David Lynch movie- all they needed was a flickering lightbulb overhead. I like David Lynch, so I had a good time in a kind of a way- but certainly I would never take anyone there I wanted to impress.

There is a nice aquarium, though, with good tropical fish.

I got some grilled salmon from there to take away a while ago- delicious. Had to wait nearly half an hour for them to cook it, though.

Friday, November 21, 2008
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 3

Cats Cafe Des Artistes

I've only been here once, and have been meaning to go back ever since- it's just hard to get to from where we live. The food was sooo good- really addictive and delicious. The wacky decor makes it a fun, unusual place to go. If you're looking for it- easy to find. It's the joint with the massive black cat sculpture over the door :-)

Friday, November 21, 2008
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10

LMNT

I've been to LMNT many times, and went again recently for my husbands birthday. They weren't terribly helpful when I tried to book a table- said I couldn't reserve a table for 2, as the 2-person tables were already booked, and we couldn't reserve a 4-person table for 2 people. So, I just called 2 friends to come with us, and booked for 4. The table near us was a 2-person table, which was empty all the time we were there :-{}

Other than that, it was it's usual fantastic self- delicious food, great cocktails, reasonable prices- we've only ever had good service there. The atmosphere is just great- if you have one of the little tiny tables up the little flights of stairs, or the "cage" table over the bar, or the table inside the big bottle- you'll have a really special time.

Friday, November 21, 2008
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10

Green Papaya

The Green Papaya is conveniently just around the corner from us- we have eaten there often and have never been disappointed. The food is delicious and reasonably priced, the staff are friendly and helpful, and it looks nice. Try the lamb stew- SO DELICIOUS!

Friday, November 21, 2008
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10

Marine Ices

I went to Marine Ices for lunch with my sister, her toddler, and a friend for my birthday this year (we'd been to the zoo). They were very good about finding a high chair for the tot, and seated us for our reserved table fairly quickly. We were late for our table, actually, but they didn't give us a hard time.

I found the food delicious, and reasonably priced. The staff were a bit grim-faced- not really friendly, but efficient. The only thing I would really say is that the decor is fantastically charming and old-school, but seriously needs tidying up a bit. Having battered black and yellow plastic safety tape marking the edges of every step doesn't look nice. It'd be a shame to really overhaul the 30's ice cream parlour look of it, but they should have a bit of a clean up.

The clientel were mostly old people and families, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Friday, November 21, 2008
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 8

Dim T (London Bridge)

My husband had been to Dim T for a cast & crew party, and loved it- insisted we go there with 2 friends after work one Friday night. We got there at around 8pm, and asked for a table upstairs so we could see the view. We were seated immediately, upstairs as requested. We had dim sum to start, which came quickly, and was delicious. All our drinks and food were good, came quickly, and our waiter was more than charming, and looked like Bruce Lee, kinda!

For such a good location, and such plush decor, the prices were really surprisingly reasonable- we paid approx. £20 each for: 1 bottle of wine, 3 beers, dim sum starters for 4, main courses for 4, and 2 puddings.

The veiw upstairs at night are gorgeous.

Friday, November 21, 2008
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10