Latest reviews for Cafes & Coffee Shops in Aldwych, London, United Kingdom

Cafe Valerie - Covent Garden Lunch by kristainlondon

kristainlondon — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:29:51 +0000

Review by kristainlondon

Rating: 3.00

I was very tired, I was very merry. And I was very hungry. Long story but my friend Amy from school--who's bad cop to my good cop--told me I had to meet her friend ConAnn who now lives in London with her husband. So ConAnn and I met up for lunch and, well, what else do you do on a Saturday afternoon but get a manicure?

She lives in an awesome flat on Covent Garden. Rupert Everett was considering buying upstairs. Fancy! So we needed a quick lunch so we could make our manicure appointments so we went to Cafe Valerie.

Oh my God. (And you must imagine my Long Island Accent now.) It was so crowded. We couldn't even enter. But lucky for us, a table had opened up outside and we scooped it up because it was drizzly and no one else wanted it.

Service was prompt and friendly and efficient. I got the chicken ceasar and it was satisfying. Not the best, but certainly not the worse. It was good. ConAnn got the tomato mozeralla salad, and some french fries. (And why not?) The frites were served in the French bistro way--the big bowl--which I'm a big fan of after spending so much time in the International terminal at Heathrow. (The restaurant in the corner--my secret!)

The Verdict: I'd go again if I needed a quick lunch that was slower than fast food but faster than slow food. This review originally appeared on my Web site here: http://www.londonelicious.com/dining/2004/06/saturday_aftern.htmlI was very tired, I was very merry. And I was very hungry. Long story but my friend Amy from school--who's bad cop to my good cop--told me I had to meet her friend ConAnn who now lives in London with her husband. So ConAnn and I met up for lunch and, well, what else do you do on a Saturday afternoon but get a manicure?

She lives in an awesome flat on Covent Garden. Rupert Everett was considering buying upstairs. Fancy! So we needed a quick lunch so we could make our manicure appointments so we went to Cafe Valerie.

Oh my God. (And you must imagine my Long Island Accent now.) It was so crowded. We couldn't even enter. But lucky for us, a table had opened up outside and we scooped it up because it was drizzly and no one else wanted it.

Service was prompt and friendly and efficient. I got the chicken ceasar and it was satisfying. Not the best, but certainly not the worse. It was good. ConAnn got the tomato mozeralla salad, and some french fries. (And why not?) The frites were served in the French bistro way--the big bowl--which I'm a big fan of after spending so much time in the International terminal at Heathrow. (The restaurant in the corner--my secret!)

The Verdict: I'd go again if I needed a quick lunch that was slower than fast food but faster than slow food. This review originally appeared on my Web site here: http://www.londonelicious.com/dining/2004/06/saturday_aftern.html

Abokado - Great new venue! by chocolatebutton

chocolatebutton — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:41:51 +0000

Review by chocolatebutton

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7242 5600

Tags: takeaway, seating area

Abokado seems a fairly new venue to London, and at present I have found only about 3 branches. It specialises in wraps, and in particular their sushi wraps are very delicious and well filled. The staff are extremely helpful, and an unusual and filling lunch can be had here for about Â£5 - expensive for everyday, but a nice change and a treat for your tastebuds.

One thing which really surprised me about the shops was the quality of their coffee. I wasn't expecting anything special, but in fact their coffee was better than Starbucks - a really excellent tasty cuppa!Abokado seems a fairly new venue to London, and at present I have found only about 3 branches. It specialises in wraps, and in particular their sushi wraps are very delicious and well filled. The staff are extremely helpful, and an unusual and filling lunch can be had here for about Â£5 - expensive for everyday, but a nice change and a treat for your tastebuds.

One thing which really surprised me about the shops was the quality of their coffee. I wasn't expecting anything special, but in fact their coffee was better than Starbucks - a really excellent tasty cuppa!

Boswells - Change of management - not for the better by pantagruel

pantagruel — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:51:59 +0000

Review by pantagruel

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7240 0064

Tags: takeaway, seating area

This used to be a Patisserie Valerie. But on going there recently with my spouse found it is now Boswell's. However, it looked unchanged inside so we thought we'd try it anyway.

The staff seemed friendly, although with English weak enough to cause a problem with ordering. One of the reasons I like Patisserie Valerie is because of the generous portions. You feel well fed, and that you've had good value for money. Sadly this is no longer the case here. I had a mozzarella and avocado salad - very disappointing with a few tiny pieces of mozzarella and avocado hiding in some unexciting greens. My spouse had a "crouque monsieur" (sic) reported to be reasonable but also far from P.V. standards.

Service was only 'fair' at best and it was difficult attracting attention - (staff busy chatting to each other) another lapse from P. Valerie days.

Overall, still quite 'gemutlich' as a venue, but the pace of service and language difficulties, coupled with disappointing food and poor value means I probably won't go there any more. Pity. This used to be a Patisserie Valerie. But on going there recently with my spouse found it is now Boswell's. However, it looked unchanged inside so we thought we'd try it anyway.

The staff seemed friendly, although with English weak enough to cause a problem with ordering. One of the reasons I like Patisserie Valerie is because of the generous portions. You feel well fed, and that you've had good value for money. Sadly this is no longer the case here. I had a mozzarella and avocado salad - very disappointing with a few tiny pieces of mozzarella and avocado hiding in some unexciting greens. My spouse had a "crouque monsieur" (sic) reported to be reasonable but also far from P.V. standards.

Service was only 'fair' at best and it was difficult attracting attention - (staff busy chatting to each other) another lapse from P. Valerie days.

Overall, still quite 'gemutlich' as a venue, but the pace of service and language difficulties, coupled with disappointing food and poor value means I probably won't go there any more. Pity.

Majjo's - Majjas Foods by gilka

gilka — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 19:08:36 +0000

Review by gilka

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7831 0138

Tags: indian, takeaway, deli

Indian deli. The best deal is the wrap with a selection of salads and meat. it is a very cool place for lunch. Best spot is by the window where you can watch the crowd. The owner is very friendly. Downstairs there is a shop which sells cloths and accessories. The only bad thing about this place is that the food is heated in the microwave because they don't keep the food hot all the time. (still worth to try)Indian deli. The best deal is the wrap with a selection of salads and meat. it is a very cool place for lunch. Best spot is by the window where you can watch the crowd. The owner is very friendly. Downstairs there is a shop which sells cloths and accessories. The only bad thing about this place is that the food is heated in the microwave because they don't keep the food hot all the time. (still worth to try)