All reader reviews by Gizmogwai

Ping Pong (Soho)

Eeewwww. Just NO.

Although the restaurant looks flash the food is terrible. Heavy pastry with bland filling. I couldn't really tell the difference between different dishes. Ok, as an Asian I can be picky about Asian food, but this is definitely NOT me being fussy. Just awful.

On the other hand fantastic cocktails and atmosphere and I had a wonderful time.

Perfect for meeting friends, but don't ever try to eat a full meal there.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 3

Thai Pepper

This used to be my very favourite restaurant.

Unfortunately I was so disgusted by my last visit I will not be returning again. My partner's 35th birthday was RUINED.

Previously staffed by attentive Asian ladies, staff were down to an elderly couple who were rude, argued with customers (several while we were there) and after 2 hours of waiting for a main course (despite being the FIRST customers to get there) we cancelled our order and left.

They tried to charge us for dishes they never made, once they took that off the bill they STILL tried to overcharge.

We paid £80 for starters for 4 adults and 2 children and left hungry so the children got KFC from next door.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0

El Vaquero (Mill Hill)

Like the previous reviewer I found the service a bit lacking compared to the other branch in Whetstone.

We booked for 9pm with a note to call us if there were any cancellations earlier which they did. Lucky really because by 9pm they had forgotten all about us. We asked for drinks and food which they forgot about.

Eventually we gave up and asked for the bill and very rarely for us we didn't leave a tip.

I'll be going back to the Whetstone branch next time!

PS make sure you're hungry when you go! At £23.50 plus service charge you want to get your money's worth!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5

Man Chui III

Probably the best Chinese restaurant in Finchley, but as Finchley is a culinary Bermuda Triangle it's not saying much.

The usual Chinese fare, a little greasy and cooked to local tastes. I wouldn't go out of my way to visit, but very reasonable for a local Chinese. Nothing too luminous/neon in colour and not overly flavoured with MSG.

If non-asian friends insist on a Chinese, this is probably the best of a very mediocre bunch.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5

Meera's Express (Finchley)

Excellent value for money.

It's lovely to see a successful veggie place. Only £3 for a vegetarian Thali and generously sized dosas for a few pennies more.

It has to be said I'm not Indian, but the food seems much better and more home-cooked than the stuff you get in your average take away.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 10

Water Margin

Like Alan, I've been coming here since I was a child! 30 years and counting :)

Other than the one time the manager embarassed me by telling my partner about how much I used to eat when I was still in a highchair (!) they have always been wonderful to me. XD

I used to nag my parents to take me and now my children nag me :)

Food always arrives quickly, it's always delicious, what more can you ask for?

Monday, February 20, 2012
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10

Yijo

I've been going to this restaurant for nearly 20 years. Unfortunately, it has gone downhill.

It's very expensive and whist it used to be worth it, since it's changed hands it's nowhere near as good.

Mr Kim is no longer there, I heard this son took over, but apparently, the staff don't know who the owner is now...???

I've been for lunch recnetly, and that was quite good, but I've been for dinner and been really disappointed.

These days I go to Kimchee in GOlders Green. Much better value for money. Yijo just isn't worth the extra pennies anymore

Saturday, October 16, 2010
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3

Welcome Restaurant

Went there when we first moved to Finchley a few years ago.

The most UNwelcoming place I've been to locally. There was one Chinese family eating who seemed to be related to the staff so it was impossible to get anybody's attention. There were 2 members of staff and 2 tables (including ours). No excuse for the bad service really.

Then we dared to ask for plain tofu for a baby. We were ordering tofu dishes anyway, so just asked if they could make our tofu dish smaller and could they please just give us a small amount of quickly blanched tofu. They very grumpily told us it would be £8 EXTRA because they would have to open a new packet of tofu. (Which wholsale is under £1 each).

I'm British/Asian so my chinese isn't that good, when I dared ask about the chinese menu on the back page, they told me it was for Chinese people only and refused to answer any questions. All I asked was "What kind of fish is this?" And "Is this chicken?"

We just gave up, shut up and quietly ate our food, getting up ourselves and helping ourselves to cutlery from other tables (as we didn't have the right amount), getting menus ourselves, getting soy sauce from other tables... you get the picture.

The food was clearly full of MSG and cooked to "chippie" standards. Given the treatment we received (and being brought up in the Asian restaurant business) I know what kind of place this is. They specify if you are CHINESE/NON CHINESE when you order so they cook your dishes differently. The standard of food at our table was COMPLETELY below par compared with the Chinese family.

I'm sticking with the good, authentic, friendly Chinese restaurant I've gone to for 30 years in Golders Green. Despite ALWAYS being busy, they're always VERY nice.

Saturday, October 16, 2010
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 3

Hola

We found Hola two days ago (Jan 09) and loved it so much we went back today! I give it 12 out of 10! We used to live in Spain so we are quite particular about Spanish food and we were really, really pleased.

The restaurant seems to be family run and all the staff are Spanish. They are all really nice and immediately made us feel welcome.

The food is excellent. Real, traditional food cooked by a lovely Spanish lady who came out to make sure everything was ok.

The restaurant obviously uses the BEST quality ingredients. The olive oil, olives, bread and vinegar were all clearly genuine Spanish produce. (Take note chain "Spanish" restaurants - foodies know the different between Spanish barra de pan and Tesco's French stick).

We ordered the patatas bravas and canaria to start. The bravas came with a lovely homemade sauce using fresh tomatoes. The ailioli for was amazing. Definitely very fresh! Good garlicy kick without being overpowering.

We then had pinchos (they use FILLET!) amazing flavour! Then the platter of meats. (Wonderful selection, the Jamon had beautiful, even marbling and it's not even the reserva!) Then the mixed grill. All beautifully cooked and seasoned.

Until recently we'd been driving to Essex to eat Spanish food so we're so pleased we've found Hola on our doorstep. Excellent value for money (we felt guilty at paying so little at lunchtime) and the food is the best I've had in a LONG, LONG time.

Now I've raved about the food so I also have to say the service didn't let us down. At lunchtime, we were in a hurry and we managed to be out of there in 20 minutes! I've queued longer than that for a Sandwich before!

At dinner it was lovely. We took the kids and in true Spanish style they immediately welcomed us and asked about them. Service is really quick, the waitress is attentive (but doesn't hang around staring at you).

It has such as lovely atmosphere. The kitchen is open and the waitress would sometimes call out to the other staff in the kitchen. She told the owner when we were leaving and he came out to say goodbye and thank you.

We will definitely be going back on a regular basis. It's cheap, friendly and delicous. You can't go wrong!

Saturday, January 17, 2009
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10