All reader reviews by Anonymous

Chino Latino

Excellent food and cocktails but slightly-stingy portions. Our waiter was arrogant - kept pushing his ideas and asking us to commit to the set menu. Atmosphere noisy and raucous - offputting when all you are up for is a catch-up with friends.

Would return on a quieter weekday night as our food was exceptional.

Saturday, July 31, 2010
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6

Everest Curry King

Very authentic, very spicy Sri Lankan food. Friendly, speedy service and reasonable prices. I have to admit the food was too spicy for me, so I won't be heading there again.

Saturday, July 31, 2010
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10

Mango Tree

Excellent food, shame about the diabolical service. Orders mistaken and forgotten. Waiters rude; the team were determined to rush our meal and deny us our 50% toptable offer. Would not return.

Saturday, July 31, 2010
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6

The Meat & Wine Co (Westfield)

Excellent decor, friendly service and lovely burgers. Side options and sauces were tasty. Mocktails were excellent. The Halal steaks were slightly overcooked (my medium-rare appeared to be medium).

The halal steakhouse in Tooting does better steaks for more reasonable prices. Avoid.

Saturday, July 31, 2010
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 3

Riverside Vegetaria

Excellent service. Non-Asian options delicious - 7/10. Asian options shocking, given the owner is from the subcontinent (3/10). Asian options are bland and the dosa fillings are watery. The curries could be presented with more panache. Avoid if authentic Indian food is what you're looking for.

Saturday, July 31, 2010
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7

Jamie's Italian (Kingston)

I agree with Gordon Riby (the review below) - this place is overpriced and unimpressive. The food at Carluccio's and other Italian places (such as Al Forno) is much better. Avoid.

Saturday, July 31, 2010
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4

Cummin Up Caribbean (Lewisham High St)

One of the worst takeaways I have ever had the misfortune to visit. Slow service, reheated food and bones-a-plenty in the otherwise palatable goat roti. Avoid at all costs.

Saturday, July 31, 2010
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 5

Thai Square (Putney Bridge)

Gorgeous food, excellent location and attentive service. Reasonable prices. I note the mild Massaman curry was relatively spicy; akin to a vindaloo when it came to heat. Drinks, two main dishes, rice and pad thai plus dessert and tea came to £35 a head. I was especially impressed with the amount of protein served; nine King prawns for nine pounds is good going. Will definitely return - the food here is better than that at the South Ken Branch (pleasant but less spicy).

Saturday, July 31, 2010
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8

Benares

Four years have passed since Atul Kochar came to our screens as part of the Great British Menu. Great things were expected of the man with the first Indian restaurant to win a Michelin star. I am sorry to say the decor and super-attentive service were the best parts. The avocado-garlic mousse was an experiment gone wrong. The starters were miniscule - Indian potato cakes (aloo tikki), vegetarian samosas and pani poori. Served on a plate best suited to floating candles, they were a nightmare to eat. Adding insult to injury was the watered-down passionfruit mocktail and significant lack of spice; all three of us were disappointed by what the main course had to offer. Anorexics would serve bigger portions; the vegetarian meal served was no better than what an average North Indian vegetarian restaurant would serve. We felt cheated paying £40 a head for vegetarian food, no alcohol and no dessert.

I would advise vegetarians to head to Rasa, Diwanas, Sree Krishna or Woodlands for Asian vegetarian fare as prices are far more reasonable and food more heavily spiced. Avoid this place at all costs.

Saturday, July 31, 2010
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 1

Chutney Mary

Stunning atmosphere, knowledgable staff and efficient service. The Indian food was beautifully cooked but lacked character in places (biriyanis and Punjabi lamb - perhaps stronger spicing or thicker sauces could be looked into). Vegetarian dishes were excellent - the intriguingly named Purple Clouds and Tadka Daal in particular. The fusion options and desserts are more impressive; highly recommend the breast of duck and guinea fowl.

I'd be tempted to return for fusion options and skip the Indian Cuisine this place has built a name on. Highly recommended for atmosphere alone.

Saturday, November 29, 2008
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8

Awana

Excellent, beautifully-presented and authentic food. Attentive, friendly staff who make a real effort to ensure customer comfort. Will definitely come again.

Saturday, November 29, 2008
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8

Yauatcha

Classy atmosphere and fresh produce. An absolute delight to do dinner at.

We particularly liked the cheung fun, salt & pepper chicken wrapped in banana leaf and pork buns.

Saturday, November 29, 2008
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7

Mint Leaf

Save your pounds and go elsewhere - Mint Leaf is overpriced and badly staffed. My friends and I encountered the rudest, pushiest, most arrogant staff in town - not only did they get the orders wrong, but they kept pushing the wine menu despite our group making it clear we were not there to drink. The portions were miniscule and the meat options, most notably the twelve one-inch cubes of meat masquerading as a kebab tasting platter, were overcooked to the point of eliminating all nutritional value. The vegetarian curries were watery. Avoid, avoid, avoid - you can have a much better time at it's competitors.

Saturday, November 29, 2008
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4