Latest reviews for Restaurants in London, United Kingdom

Sofra - Really, really good turkish food by anthonykennedy

anthonykennedy — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:56:10 +0000

Review by anthonykennedy

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7240 3773

Website: http://www.sofra.co.uk

Went here last Sunday evening for dinner based on the feedback of my fellow reviewers. I can confirm that the food is very tasty, looks great and is well priced. On Sunday night we had a Mezze of 11 dishes for Â£13.95 per person. I will be returning here.

One point to note is that I will ensure that we are not seated at the six or so tables at the front of the restaurant. While we were there the front of house was forgotten and largely left to our own devices as staff focussed on the main restaurant towards the rear. Making service slow, occurring in starts and fits, and a terminable wait for a missed dish.Went here last Sunday evening for dinner based on the feedback of my fellow reviewers. I can confirm that the food is very tasty, looks great and is well priced. On Sunday night we had a Mezze of 11 dishes for Â£13.95 per person. I will be returning here.

One point to note is that I will ensure that we are not seated at the six or so tables at the front of the restaurant. While we were there the front of house was forgotten and largely left to our own devices as staff focussed on the main restaurant towards the rear. Making service slow, occurring in starts and fits, and a terminable wait for a missed dish.

Franco Manca - Quality pizza by lenalouise

lenalouise — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:08:24 +0000

Review by lenalouise

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7738 3021

Tags: italian, crowded, good value

Franco Manca is hidden in the maze that is Brixton market. Upon finding it, we joined the queue that ended up being a 10 minute wait (which was fine). It did seem to take a while though because we could see all the delicious looking pizzas being served and started to salivate. I was a bit dubious about it being next to one of the fish places in the market but it was unnoticeable through the lovely smells coming out of franco manca.

The menu is simple, 6 different pizzas, a red and a white wine, 1 type of beer or home-made lemonade.
I couldn't resist going for number 5 with cured organic chorizo (from brindisa) and mozzarella and the lemonade. The base was slightly charred and perfectly crisp, just how I like it! You could tell that the fillings are better quality but I was bit disappointed at how little there was on the pizza. I'd definitely have given them 5 stars if they fill the pizzas up a bit more.

All in all, an excellent addition to the fantastic eateries already in Brixton.Franco Manca is hidden in the maze that is Brixton market. Upon finding it, we joined the queue that ended up being a 10 minute wait (which was fine). It did seem to take a while though because we could see all the delicious looking pizzas being served and started to salivate. I was a bit dubious about it being next to one of the fish places in the market but it was unnoticeable through the lovely smells coming out of franco manca.

The menu is simple, 6 different pizzas, a red and a white wine, 1 type of beer or home-made lemonade.
I couldn't resist going for number 5 with cured organic chorizo (from brindisa) and mozzarella and the lemonade. The base was slightly charred and perfectly crisp, just how I like it! You could tell that the fillings are better quality but I was bit disappointed at how little there was on the pizza. I'd definitely have given them 5 stars if they fill the pizzas up a bit more.

All in all, an excellent addition to the fantastic eateries already in Brixton.

101 Thai Kitchen - Authentic Thai by bungeye

bungeye — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:48:26 +0000

Review by bungeye

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 8746 6888

Tags: thai, takeaway, delivery

101 Thai Kitchen is a hidden bastion dedicated to traditional Thai cuisine in a modest restaurant located near stamford brook tube station. The menu consists of a lot of classic thai dishes and an excellent selection of salads, grilled / steamed fish and stir fry options which you won't find in any other Thai restaurants around London. The winner of the day is the chalk board menu written in Thai; if you are lucky enough to get a waiter or waitress that doesn't say 'you won't like this its for Thai people' you will find an array of options including various pork based specialties (there is no pork on the main menu, only the specials) and classic thai recipes such as fermented fish guts.

101 Thai kitchen is extremely reasonable in price, and well spiced (beware, the salads are as hot as they are supposed to be and haven't been dulled down much, if at all, for the non thai patrons). The curry's are perfect, the salads well balanced, the service friendly and the dishes are all in proportion. You won't find a better thai option at this price (approximately Â£15 per person excluding drinks). I live in Hackney and will gladly travel from one side of London to the other to eat at this fantastic restaurant.101 Thai Kitchen is a hidden bastion dedicated to traditional Thai cuisine in a modest restaurant located near stamford brook tube station. The menu consists of a lot of classic thai dishes and an excellent selection of salads, grilled / steamed fish and stir fry options which you won't find in any other Thai restaurants around London. The winner of the day is the chalk board menu written in Thai; if you are lucky enough to get a waiter or waitress that doesn't say 'you won't like this its for Thai people' you will find an array of options including various pork based specialties (there is no pork on the main menu, only the specials) and classic thai recipes such as fermented fish guts.

101 Thai kitchen is extremely reasonable in price, and well spiced (beware, the salads are as hot as they are supposed to be and haven't been dulled down much, if at all, for the non thai patrons). The curry's are perfect, the salads well balanced, the service friendly and the dishes are all in proportion. You won't find a better thai option at this price (approximately Â£15 per person excluding drinks). I live in Hackney and will gladly travel from one side of London to the other to eat at this fantastic restaurant.

Occo - Brilliant! by dryremedy

dryremedy — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:38:40 +0000

Review by dryremedy

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7724 4991

Website: http://www.occo.co.uk

Tags: romantic, good value, moroccan

Until I had moved into London town, I had never been to a proper Moroccan restaurant before. I had tried Moroccan cuisine, but this would have been at gastro pubs so not authentic at all. The dÃ©cor is nice and comforting. The service here is absolutely first rate though! You really are made to feel welcome when you first arrive, they are so happy to see you! You donâ¬"t have to wait long before being seated either. The waiting staff are always at hand should you have any questions or need anything else. The food arrives promptly and tastes absolutely delicious. I really do love coming to this restaurant!Until I had moved into London town, I had never been to a proper Moroccan restaurant before. I had tried Moroccan cuisine, but this would have been at gastro pubs so not authentic at all. The dÃ©cor is nice and comforting. The service here is absolutely first rate though! You really are made to feel welcome when you first arrive, they are so happy to see you! You donâ¬"t have to wait long before being seated either. The waiting staff are always at hand should you have any questions or need anything else. The food arrives promptly and tastes absolutely delicious. I really do love coming to this restaurant!

Memsaheb - Amazing place for a meal! by dryremedy

dryremedy — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:33:53 +0000

Review by dryremedy

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7538 3008

Website: http://www.memsaheb.com

Tags: indian, romantic, good value

Yet another Indian restaurant. So what has this one got to offer that all the rest do not? The simple answer is everything! The atmosphere here is not what you would expect of an authentic restaurant and neither is the dÃ©cor. It is decorated with cool sophistication and it was something of a shock for me! The menu has all the usual meals with some I had not heard of before. As it is an Indian, there is also a good selection for vegetarians. The food here is head and shoulders above all other Indian restaurants, it truly is delicious. The prices are also a little less than other restaurantsYet another Indian restaurant. So what has this one got to offer that all the rest do not? The simple answer is everything! The atmosphere here is not what you would expect of an authentic restaurant and neither is the dÃ©cor. It is decorated with cool sophistication and it was something of a shock for me! The menu has all the usual meals with some I had not heard of before. As it is an Indian, there is also a good selection for vegetarians. The food here is head and shoulders above all other Indian restaurants, it truly is delicious. The prices are also a little less than other restaurants

Suk Saran - A little crammed in for me! by dryremedy

dryremedy — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:30:30 +0000

Review by dryremedy

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 8947 9199

Tags: thai, good value, romantic

I love this restaurant, it serves fantastic authentic thai food at a ridiculously low price. My main gripe is that you do sometimes feel very crammed in. The tables are quite small and there are a lot of them in the restaurant. Because you do not have much room between your table and the one next to you, there really isnâ¬"t any intimacy â¬ it feels as though you are dining will all around you. Whilst some people will like that, I donâ¬"t want to hear your neighbours conversation and I certainly donâ¬"t want them to hear mine! However the food more than makes up for that as it truly is delicious!I love this restaurant, it serves fantastic authentic thai food at a ridiculously low price. My main gripe is that you do sometimes feel very crammed in. The tables are quite small and there are a lot of them in the restaurant. Because you do not have much room between your table and the one next to you, there really isnâ¬"t any intimacy â¬ it feels as though you are dining will all around you. Whilst some people will like that, I donâ¬"t want to hear your neighbours conversation and I certainly donâ¬"t want them to hear mine! However the food more than makes up for that as it truly is delicious!

Mosaica @ the Factory - What a cool place! by dryremedy

dryremedy — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:27:17 +0000

Review by dryremedy

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 8889 2400

Website: http://www.mosaicarestaurants.com/

Tags: romantic, good value, international

What a cool place to have a restaurant! You really would not expect such a high class dining experience at a location like this! I think the location adds to the excitement, you really donâ¬"t know what to expect and also due to the location, it is probably why they arenâ¬"t that expensive considering the quality and quantity of food you are served. The staff are brilliant, really attentive without taking away the intimacy of the table which I think is a very tough thing to pull off. The food here is cooked perfectly and there is a great choice of food including many specials.What a cool place to have a restaurant! You really would not expect such a high class dining experience at a location like this! I think the location adds to the excitement, you really donâ¬"t know what to expect and also due to the location, it is probably why they arenâ¬"t that expensive considering the quality and quantity of food you are served. The staff are brilliant, really attentive without taking away the intimacy of the table which I think is a very tough thing to pull off. The food here is cooked perfectly and there is a great choice of food including many specials.

Rossopomodoro - I love this place! by dryremedy

dryremedy — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:24:22 +0000

Review by dryremedy

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7352 7677

Tags: italian, good value, romantic

I have to say, I have not got the stomach to try some of their more unique foods, I always opt for the normal fayre! This is a fabulous Italian restaurant which has a massive amount of choice, both for meat eaters and vegetarians. The service when you first arrive is fantastic, you are given such a warm welcome by the staff. They really are fantastic at their job â¬ they will offer advice about what to have and are never far away should you need them. The food is absolutely delicious and canâ¬"t be faulted at all. Prices are fair for the area and type of foodI have to say, I have not got the stomach to try some of their more unique foods, I always opt for the normal fayre! This is a fabulous Italian restaurant which has a massive amount of choice, both for meat eaters and vegetarians. The service when you first arrive is fantastic, you are given such a warm welcome by the staff. They really are fantastic at their job â¬ they will offer advice about what to have and are never far away should you need them. The food is absolutely delicious and canâ¬"t be faulted at all. Prices are fair for the area and type of food

Strada - I love strada! by dryremedy

dryremedy — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:21:13 +0000

Review by dryremedy

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 8392 9216

Website: http://www.strada.co.uk

Tags: italian, romantic, good value

Iâ¬"m not totally sure how I would categorise Strada. It is a chain of fabulous places that sell Italian food. However its not just a great restaurant. Its also a good meeting place, a fantastic cafÃ© and a perfect place for breakfast! If I were to have a choice between carluccios or strada for breakfast, I would always opt for Strada. You will get far more food for less money and the taste is the same if not better. Service is also far superior in Strada. The views in this particular one are also fantastic although you do need to venture upstairs! I love it lots!Iâ¬"m not totally sure how I would categorise Strada. It is a chain of fabulous places that sell Italian food. However its not just a great restaurant. Its also a good meeting place, a fantastic cafÃ© and a perfect place for breakfast! If I were to have a choice between carluccios or strada for breakfast, I would always opt for Strada. You will get far more food for less money and the taste is the same if not better. Service is also far superior in Strada. The views in this particular one are also fantastic although you do need to venture upstairs! I love it lots!

Zayka - Fantastic service by dryremedy

dryremedy — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:17:59 +0000

Review by dryremedy

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 8579 7378

Tags: indian, good value, romantic

I really like Indian food! When I was growing up, mu parents would always insist on serving traditional british food. The most adventurous they got was spaghetti bolognaise or chilli con carne. Nothing else outside of England would ever be cooked or tried! I suppose this is why I really do like tasting the food of other cultures. Maybe a little bit too much, my waistline is really bulging! A vast amount of that bulge is down to the food served in the restaurant here, and also their take away. It truly is delicious food! I love coming here with friends, they are also so friendlyI really like Indian food! When I was growing up, mu parents would always insist on serving traditional british food. The most adventurous they got was spaghetti bolognaise or chilli con carne. Nothing else outside of England would ever be cooked or tried! I suppose this is why I really do like tasting the food of other cultures. Maybe a little bit too much, my waistline is really bulging! A vast amount of that bulge is down to the food served in the restaurant here, and also their take away. It truly is delicious food! I love coming here with friends, they are also so friendly

Meson Bilbao - Gorgeous food! by dryremedy

dryremedy — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:15:05 +0000

Review by dryremedy

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7328 1744

Tags: spanish, romantic, good value

WOW! I had never been to a proper Spanish restaurant before. I have only ever had make believe Spanish food in normal restaurants and although I did like the food offered, it never seemed to be that authentic for me. However, I am pleased to report this place really does serve the most authentic food ever created! The staff here are also friendly, I got chatting to the waiter and we were talking for ages! The staff are absolutely brilliant and can not be faulted in any way. The food tastes delicious and the prices are also good for this area of London. You really must try them!WOW! I had never been to a proper Spanish restaurant before. I have only ever had make believe Spanish food in normal restaurants and although I did like the food offered, it never seemed to be that authentic for me. However, I am pleased to report this place really does serve the most authentic food ever created! The staff here are also friendly, I got chatting to the waiter and we were talking for ages! The staff are absolutely brilliant and can not be faulted in any way. The food tastes delicious and the prices are also good for this area of London. You really must try them!

Rochelle Canteen - Great place! by dryremedy

dryremedy — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:12:20 +0000

Review by dryremedy

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7729 5677

Website: http://www.arnoldandhenderson.com/index.php?section=5

Tags: good value, international, family & home feel

I went to Rochelle Kitchen in the summer and I had a truly wonderful time! It is a converted bike shed which opens up into the playground when the weather is warm. It really is a magnificent restaurant! The staff here is so lovely, they really make you feel welcome when you arrive, they have been equally wonderful every time I have been back. The menu is good, although not great for vegetarians. However there are several options to choose from. The food tastes delicious and you do get a good quantity of food. The prices are also quite good considering what you get!I went to Rochelle Kitchen in the summer and I had a truly wonderful time! It is a converted bike shed which opens up into the playground when the weather is warm. It really is a magnificent restaurant! The staff here is so lovely, they really make you feel welcome when you arrive, they have been equally wonderful every time I have been back. The menu is good, although not great for vegetarians. However there are several options to choose from. The food tastes delicious and you do get a good quantity of food. The prices are also quite good considering what you get!

Carnevale - Amazing vegetarian food by dryremedy

dryremedy — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:08:28 +0000

Review by dryremedy

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7250 3452

Website: http://www.carnevalerestaurant.co.uk

Tags: vegetarian, mediterranean, good value

I have been a struggling vegetarian for many years now, I keep wanting to stick to vegetarian food but I always give in to the dark side of eating meat! I think one of the problems is that the menu choices at most restaurants is ridiculous for vegetarians. They always have the same old things for us non meat eaters, it just gets so boring when you go out for a meal. I was so glad when someone told me about this vegetarian & vegan restaurant, I could not wait to try it! Iâ¬"m pleased to report the food here is delicious and I cannot wait to go back!I have been a struggling vegetarian for many years now, I keep wanting to stick to vegetarian food but I always give in to the dark side of eating meat! I think one of the problems is that the menu choices at most restaurants is ridiculous for vegetarians. They always have the same old things for us non meat eaters, it just gets so boring when you go out for a meal. I was so glad when someone told me about this vegetarian & vegan restaurant, I could not wait to try it! Iâ¬"m pleased to report the food here is delicious and I cannot wait to go back!

Tierra Brindisa - A Spanish Oasis in Soho by Niamheen

Niamheen — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:42:20 +0000

Review by Niamheen

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7534 1690

Tags: spanish, lively, tapas

I'm a big fan of Brindisa, I am a regular in their shop and have enjoyed tapas at Tapas Brindisa in Borough Market in the past. I enjoyed the tapas but I didn't enjoy the wait, you can't book and, being a popular spot, the waiting is almost unbearable. I went once and was so put off by the 2.5 hour wait, I didn't go back. Then recently I heard that they were opening a new central location, in Soho, and you could book a table there. How revolutionary! So, keen as ever, I orchestrated a couple of tapas evenings at the new Tierra Brindisa.

The first night didn't go very well, in fact it didn't go atall. A friend had booked a table for her birthday and when we arrived we found out that the reservation didn't exist, or at least they didn't have it. She had booked over the phone, and we know these things happen, especially in the early days of a restaurant, but it was disappointing. They compensated by inviting us to the bar for a glass of wine on the house while we waited for our remaining friends. This was a nice touch, but when we were told 10 minutes later that the seats were booked and we had to leave, not having time to finish the wine we had been given, it left a sour taste.

I had a booking for the following Wednesday with friends, and went with some trepidation, after my experience on my previous visit. I need not have worried, we were given a warm welcome, and more importantly our reservation existed, so we happily sat down and started to peruse the menu. The room itself is lovely, quite intimate and warm and with an open kitchen and tapas bar at the back, it's also quite vibrant and busy. Exactly what you would expect a tapas bar to be.

Service was brisk and friendly and in no time we had a fine bottle of white wine (As Laxas 2006) and some country toast with tomato. One of our party didn't eat meat so we decided to focus on the fish and vegetarian dishes, save one meat dish. It was the IbÃ©rico ham croquetas that I was weak for, having read about them on Dos Hermanos blog. We also ordered potato tortilla, lentil stew with soft TiÃ©tar goats curd, beetroot with Picos de Europa blue cheese and walnut vinaigrette, red mullet with oven potatoes and black olives, battered hake with allioli, we also got some more bread, this time country toast with allioli.

The food was all very, very good. My only criticism would be that the batter on the hake could have been a little crisper. The croquetas in particular were divine, the tortilla nice and moist and eggy in the middle as it should be, the red mullet combined fantastically well with the olives, and the lentil stew with the goats curd was superb. The beetroot was very delicate and was wonderful with the picos de europa blue cheese and the walnuts.

It was all over very quickly, but we weren't in anyway rushed, it was all a very relaxing and pleasant experience. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and am very happy that there is another fine rustic tapas establishment in the centre of town. When life gives you a Brindisa that you can book, you have to go there often!I'm a big fan of Brindisa, I am a regular in their shop and have enjoyed tapas at Tapas Brindisa in Borough Market in the past. I enjoyed the tapas but I didn't enjoy the wait, you can't book and, being a popular spot, the waiting is almost unbearable. I went once and was so put off by the 2.5 hour wait, I didn't go back. Then recently I heard that they were opening a new central location, in Soho, and you could book a table there. How revolutionary! So, keen as ever, I orchestrated a couple of tapas evenings at the new Tierra Brindisa.

The first night didn't go very well, in fact it didn't go atall. A friend had booked a table for her birthday and when we arrived we found out that the reservation didn't exist, or at least they didn't have it. She had booked over the phone, and we know these things happen, especially in the early days of a restaurant, but it was disappointing. They compensated by inviting us to the bar for a glass of wine on the house while we waited for our remaining friends. This was a nice touch, but when we were told 10 minutes later that the seats were booked and we had to leave, not having time to finish the wine we had been given, it left a sour taste.

I had a booking for the following Wednesday with friends, and went with some trepidation, after my experience on my previous visit. I need not have worried, we were given a warm welcome, and more importantly our reservation existed, so we happily sat down and started to peruse the menu. The room itself is lovely, quite intimate and warm and with an open kitchen and tapas bar at the back, it's also quite vibrant and busy. Exactly what you would expect a tapas bar to be.

Service was brisk and friendly and in no time we had a fine bottle of white wine (As Laxas 2006) and some country toast with tomato. One of our party didn't eat meat so we decided to focus on the fish and vegetarian dishes, save one meat dish. It was the IbÃ©rico ham croquetas that I was weak for, having read about them on Dos Hermanos blog. We also ordered potato tortilla, lentil stew with soft TiÃ©tar goats curd, beetroot with Picos de Europa blue cheese and walnut vinaigrette, red mullet with oven potatoes and black olives, battered hake with allioli, we also got some more bread, this time country toast with allioli.

The food was all very, very good. My only criticism would be that the batter on the hake could have been a little crisper. The croquetas in particular were divine, the tortilla nice and moist and eggy in the middle as it should be, the red mullet combined fantastically well with the olives, and the lentil stew with the goats curd was superb. The beetroot was very delicate and was wonderful with the picos de europa blue cheese and the walnuts.

It was all over very quickly, but we weren't in anyway rushed, it was all a very relaxing and pleasant experience. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and am very happy that there is another fine rustic tapas establishment in the centre of town. When life gives you a Brindisa that you can book, you have to go there often!

Great Queen Street - The best of British by Lacrimosa

Lacrimosa — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:19:32 +0000

Review by Lacrimosa

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7242 0622

Tags: lively, british, good value

Tempted by the positive reviews here, I tried out this restaurant on a busy Friday night recently and wasn't disappointed. Not with the restaurant, anyhow.

Having not pre-booked a table, we were offered seats along the bar on tall barstools. This proved an excellent spot in terms of getting the attention of the staff, although those with delicate digestive systems may find it uncomfortable sitting skewed round at an angle to the bar, particularly if - like us - you plan to munch your way through three courses.

To start, my date ordered a hearty sweetcorn soup, the taste of which reminded me not unpleasantly of Sunday chicken roasts and sage and onion stuffing. I gleefully ordered three oysters which sent me into such raptures I couldn't help but wonder if there's some truth about their having aphrodisiac properties. If so, it was wasted on my date, who went on to casually mention during the main course that he was still sleeping with his ex. Nice!

For the main course, my scumbag date ordered something that we weren't able to identify from the menu, but thought might be fish. It came with quince, which he liked, so that was the clincher for him. It turned out to be pork and apparently very nice indeed, despite not being fish. Playing it safe, I ordered skate wing with capers - one of my favourites, and delicious. Vegetables had to be ordered separately, which is always slightly hit and miss as it's difficult to gauge how much one needs. Taking the advice of our waiter, we just ordered a side of buttered new potatoes initially. This turned out to be woefully small and not enough on its own for two people, so we quickly ordered an extra side of white cabbage - a portion which proved inexplicably huge. It was all very tasty though.

Wine is available by the carafe, which is a great choice for those wanting more than a glass each but less than a bottle.

Not having much of a sweet tooth - and having somewhat lost my appetite by this stage, anyhow - I consoled myself with a large malt whisky while my erstwhile companion had, if I remember rightly, a poached pear with chocolate sorbet and ice cream.

All in all a great choice. Unlike my date. NEXT!Tempted by the positive reviews here, I tried out this restaurant on a busy Friday night recently and wasn't disappointed. Not with the restaurant, anyhow.

Having not pre-booked a table, we were offered seats along the bar on tall barstools. This proved an excellent spot in terms of getting the attention of the staff, although those with delicate digestive systems may find it uncomfortable sitting skewed round at an angle to the bar, particularly if - like us - you plan to munch your way through three courses.

To start, my date ordered a hearty sweetcorn soup, the taste of which reminded me not unpleasantly of Sunday chicken roasts and sage and onion stuffing. I gleefully ordered three oysters which sent me into such raptures I couldn't help but wonder if there's some truth about their having aphrodisiac properties. If so, it was wasted on my date, who went on to casually mention during the main course that he was still sleeping with his ex. Nice!

For the main course, my scumbag date ordered something that we weren't able to identify from the menu, but thought might be fish. It came with quince, which he liked, so that was the clincher for him. It turned out to be pork and apparently very nice indeed, despite not being fish. Playing it safe, I ordered skate wing with capers - one of my favourites, and delicious. Vegetables had to be ordered separately, which is always slightly hit and miss as it's difficult to gauge how much one needs. Taking the advice of our waiter, we just ordered a side of buttered new potatoes initially. This turned out to be woefully small and not enough on its own for two people, so we quickly ordered an extra side of white cabbage - a portion which proved inexplicably huge. It was all very tasty though.

Wine is available by the carafe, which is a great choice for those wanting more than a glass each but less than a bottle.

Not having much of a sweet tooth - and having somewhat lost my appetite by this stage, anyhow - I consoled myself with a large malt whisky while my erstwhile companion had, if I remember rightly, a poached pear with chocolate sorbet and ice cream.

All in all a great choice. Unlike my date. NEXT!

Casa Becci - always reliable by biggyz

biggyz — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:04:33 +0000

Review by biggyz

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7935 7031

Tags: italian, expensive, family & home feel

i take my family to eat at casa becci at least once a fortnight, and every time i visit the cinema on baker street.

the owners are all very friendly and the place is run like a traditional family trattoria, which we like and is such an antidote to all the chain restaurants.

i would recommend it to everyone, but if you expect it to be perfect it is not, like true a true trattoria the charm is in the roughness around the edges!!i take my family to eat at casa becci at least once a fortnight, and every time i visit the cinema on baker street.

the owners are all very friendly and the place is run like a traditional family trattoria, which we like and is such an antidote to all the chain restaurants.

i would recommend it to everyone, but if you expect it to be perfect it is not, like true a true trattoria the charm is in the roughness around the edges!!

The Brasserie - the brass by herb

herb — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:24:42 +0000

Review by herb

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 8672 0444

Website: www.thebrasserie.uk.com

Tags: good value, romantic, french

Had a lovely evening though have to say the main course 'Seafood Pancake' was only just hot enough & was brought out as soon as our starters were taken away. The Brandy sauce was great so i feel it must have been fresh, The white wine we ordered (1/2 bottle Sancerre) was nice, and realy cold. Service was excellent. They could do with some air con as being a warm evening it got very stuffy with all the glass!

Had a lovely evening though have to say the main course 'Seafood Pancake' was only just hot enough & was brought out as soon as our starters were taken away. The Brandy sauce was great so i feel it must have been fresh, The white wine we ordered (1/2 bottle Sancerre) was nice, and realy cold. Service was excellent. They could do with some air con as being a warm evening it got very stuffy with all the glass!

Chez Bruce - real bruce by herb

herb — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:18:35 +0000

Review by herb

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 8672 0114

Website: http://www.chezbruce.co.uk/

Tags: french, romantic, expensive

I choose Chez bruce at the as I thought it has ample area and the bar is really nice for my friends 30th birthday as well as being very central and easy for everyone to locate. There was about 20 of us and the area they reserved was tiny. On one of the hottest days of the year. The staff and service were lovely though and the nibbles I ordered really nice

I choose Chez bruce at the as I thought it has ample area and the bar is really nice for my friends 30th birthday as well as being very central and easy for everyone to locate. There was about 20 of us and the area they reserved was tiny. On one of the hottest days of the year. The staff and service were lovely though and the nibbles I ordered really nice

Hop & Spice - hop and sexy by herb

herb — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:14:29 +0000

Review by herb

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 8675 3121

Website: http://www.hopandspice.com/

Tags: good value, lively, romantic

hop and spice was a good place for a business meeting - to impress without being over the top. The bread, delicious butter, olives and almonds were a nice touch as I was starving but the curry and lamb was quite a small portion and the lamb a bit tough unfortunately. The service was top-notch and having just returned from a holiday in France I found it less surprising than my guest that we were chatting in French at one point to the waiter!

hop and spice was a good place for a business meeting - to impress without being over the top. The bread, delicious butter, olives and almonds were a nice touch as I was starving but the curry and lamb was quite a small portion and the lamb a bit tough unfortunately. The service was top-notch and having just returned from a holiday in France I found it less surprising than my guest that we were chatting in French at one point to the waiter!

Tom Ilic - tom tom by herb

herb — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:55:47 +0000

Review by herb

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7622 0555

Website: http://www.tomilic.com/

Tags: good value, romantic, british

4 of ate at Tom Ilic on a Sunday. 3 courses for Â£18.95 = very good value. Presentation of food is superb. 3 of us went for the scallops to start which were beautifully cooked; just a shame there were only two per plate...could have done with more. The rabbit for main course was excellent; those who ate the pork belly said again they could have done with another piece. Lemon tart was both sublime and very light. Thoroughly recommend, though starters and mains could be bigger portions

4 of ate at Tom Ilic on a Sunday. 3 courses for Â£18.95 = very good value. Presentation of food is superb. 3 of us went for the scallops to start which were beautifully cooked; just a shame there were only two per plate...could have done with more. The rabbit for main course was excellent; those who ate the pork belly said again they could have done with another piece. Lemon tart was both sublime and very light. Thoroughly recommend, though starters and mains could be bigger portions