Tamesa@oxo Bar and Brasserie

Litro_K

A Great Riverside Experience 20th January 2008

5 found this helpful

I chose this restaurant at the last minute, from a selection of riverside options as a colleague of mine was leaving us to go back to Australia and I wanted to give her one last beautiful view of the city to remember us by. The original plan was to go to Bincho Yakitori, a few floors up in the same building, but that fell through as they were having their staff Christmas party (In January? Go figure).

Anyway, I booked this late on a Sunday evening for the Monday, and prayed that the view would be enough to compensate for the mediocre reviews I'dread almost everywhere- toptable, view London, Time Out. I figured our colleage would appreciate the thought, even if the food was less than outstanding.

Well, I needn't have worried. From the time I spoke to the Maitre'd, Stephan, who kindly sent me sample menus by email and assured me that we would have a table with great views, to the end of the fantastic meal, our experience at Tamesa was second to none.

Apart from being a little empty (hardly surprising on a cold Monday night in mid-January), I couldn't fault this place at all. Their service was perfect- attentive yet not overbearing, and wine suggestions were made gently, to enhance the food. We sank a few bottles of one of the nicest Riojas I have ever had, and couldn't believe the quality of the food, given the reviews we had read.

Many of us sampled the set menu, priced extremely reasonably at £15.50 for 2 courses or £17.50 for three. I had a wonderful tuna carpaccio salad followed by beef fillet with spinach and was left feeling totally satisfied. Around the table, the steaks got many satisfied murmurs, as did the pumpkin and onion soups. I sampled some desserts from around the table and all were warm, rich and creamy- comfort food for the winter.

The views, frankly, were the icing on the cake. We could see all the way from the Tate Modern over to St Paul's and beyond. Even though you're only on the second floor, it's enough to be highly impressive.

I would recommend this place without a moment's hestitation. Maybe the reviewers were harsh. Maybe the restaurant bucked up its ideas. Whatever the case, it's definitely one to watch.

david_2001 at 20/01/08

Although I have never eaten here I used to work very locally and occasionally have dropped in here for coffee and drinks.

The views are stunning and the bar area is understated chic, however, at one stage they were using bottled flat coke from Sainsburys an assorted carton concentrated juices which I complained about.

Litro_K at 20/01/08

I can't say I ordered coke or juice, but I had no complaints about the wine or water! I'm also pretty sure that they must have had one negative review too many and have probably made a bit of an effort to improve.

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lattebird

OXO OK...ish 20th December 2007

1 found this helpful

Distinctly average, this place was a bit of a let down after the good things I heard about it. the decor is attempting to be minimalist but looks like cheap plastic making the place feel empty and cold. The food is ok but really not special. I might go back on a Tuesday night for the view if it wasn't a special occassion but beyond that, no, I don't think so.

Frankie

Fresh and Lofty 23rd April 2007

4 found this helpful

I'm on a venue by the water theme tonight. Have been meaning to write about discovering Tamesa - a fairly new bar and brasserie on the South Bank underneath the OXO Tower - since Easter.

It's at second floor level and has a lofty feel at the same time as a cruise ship feel (well I've never actually been on a cruise ship, but with a pinch of imagination). The view and the light in the space are really exhilarating and refreshing. On a sunny bank holiday Monday, it wasn't crowded at all - the crowds were all down below checking out the amazing sand castles that some buskers were building on the embankment whilst the tide was out.

My sister and I drank some tasty white wine (can't help you any more on that, hopelessly ignorant on wine - suffice to say it would have been the house white) and ate some delicious hummous with warm pitta bread. It was probably the most delicious, fresh, smooth, garliccy hoummous either of us have ever tasted.

So, a thumbs up!