Latest reviews for Restaurants in London, United Kingdom

Acorn House - mixed salads... mixed quality by ricoeurian

ricoeurian — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:24:46 +0000

Review by ricoeurian

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7812 1842

Website: http://www.acornhouserestaurant.com/

I've been to Acorn five times now and am still unsure if this place is great or overrated - 2 awesome meals, 2 not so good, 1 crappy. So maybe on balance it's not so good.

The menu changes a bit each time you go, especially the salads, which always have descriptions that are one part challenge, one part intrigue.

Ingredients (and general philosophy) are organic.

Things I've loved about Acorn House: my first meal there... the humungous round board of meats and cheeses platter to share that we ordered for a party of ten... the organic UK ales.

Things I've *not* loved about AH: some of the prices... that more recently lovely tasty tender baby vegetables in the salads have become more leggy grown-up vegetables... that I had to ask for some carrots to be put into my beetroot and carrot salad... that the veggie pie was just ghastly and sickeningly rich.

Maybe you'll be lucky and have a fantastic meal (as I have done) or maybe you'll be unlucky and pay a lot for an unspectacular meal (as I have also done).I've been to Acorn five times now and am still unsure if this place is great or overrated - 2 awesome meals, 2 not so good, 1 crappy. So maybe on balance it's not so good.

The menu changes a bit each time you go, especially the salads, which always have descriptions that are one part challenge, one part intrigue.

Ingredients (and general philosophy) are organic.

Things I've loved about Acorn House: my first meal there... the humungous round board of meats and cheeses platter to share that we ordered for a party of ten... the organic UK ales.

Things I've *not* loved about AH: some of the prices... that more recently lovely tasty tender baby vegetables in the salads have become more leggy grown-up vegetables... that I had to ask for some carrots to be put into my beetroot and carrot salad... that the veggie pie was just ghastly and sickeningly rich.

Maybe you'll be lucky and have a fantastic meal (as I have done) or maybe you'll be unlucky and pay a lot for an unspectacular meal (as I have also done).

Ye Olde Cherry Tree - Never again by Enuff

Enuff — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:23:57 +0000

Review by Enuff

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 8886 1808

A great place, if you enjoy standing at the bar. Not to enjoy any 'Ye Olde' ambience, ratherâ¬¦ just to stand at the barâ¬¦ waiting to be served.

Mediocre, apparently 'bought in', luke warm, processed food plus poor table service. On one occasion we had to ask for one diners meal three times, even then, when it finally arrived, it was wrong.

I would also advise on checking your bill. I have been unfortunate enough to have had to question it on two occasions. There won't be third.A great place, if you enjoy standing at the bar. Not to enjoy any 'Ye Olde' ambience, ratherâ¬¦ just to stand at the barâ¬¦ waiting to be served.

Mediocre, apparently 'bought in', luke warm, processed food plus poor table service. On one occasion we had to ask for one diners meal three times, even then, when it finally arrived, it was wrong.

I would also advise on checking your bill. I have been unfortunate enough to have had to question it on two occasions. There won't be third.

C & R Cafe Restaurant - Some great dishes, some average dishes by tedc

tedc — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:17:13 +0000

Review by tedc

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7434 1128

Tags: malaysian, crowded, good value

Need to be specific-some of the stuff on the menu is your generic stir fry, tastes of groundnut oil and not much else-the sort of thing that is par for the course in Chinatown. But ask the waitresses what they recommend, and they will tell you to have the no 10, 42 or 77 on the menu (check with them because they may have reordered it since my last visit). I've had all of them and they're fantastic-the other stuff on the menu is possibly more hit and miss. Need to be specific-some of the stuff on the menu is your generic stir fry, tastes of groundnut oil and not much else-the sort of thing that is par for the course in Chinatown. But ask the waitresses what they recommend, and they will tell you to have the no 10, 42 or 77 on the menu (check with them because they may have reordered it since my last visit). I've had all of them and they're fantastic-the other stuff on the menu is possibly more hit and miss.

Simply Lebanese - What a letdown by goldtibor

goldtibor — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:16:39 +0000

Review by goldtibor

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7584 5805

Website: http://www.simplylebanese.com/

Tags: expensive, mediterranean, lively

A huge disappointment, took an important US friend, very unfriendly reception from a steely-faced, unsmiling woman, hustled to order drinks but repeatedly failed to bring ice for the water on one of London's hottest days, trying to whip plates away before we were finished. Now for the food: terrible! I do know my Lebanese food but this was inadequate in every way, The meze platter was a sorry sight and poor value. our mains were greasy and small portions. When asked for fresh fruit the aforesaid 'charming' woman said the display was only for show. Hergeneral tone was so abrupt as to be rude. And we had to wait a long time for her to stop chattering before she brought our bill. Overall: NEVER AGAIN!A huge disappointment, took an important US friend, very unfriendly reception from a steely-faced, unsmiling woman, hustled to order drinks but repeatedly failed to bring ice for the water on one of London's hottest days, trying to whip plates away before we were finished. Now for the food: terrible! I do know my Lebanese food but this was inadequate in every way, The meze platter was a sorry sight and poor value. our mains were greasy and small portions. When asked for fresh fruit the aforesaid 'charming' woman said the display was only for show. Hergeneral tone was so abrupt as to be rude. And we had to wait a long time for her to stop chattering before she brought our bill. Overall: NEVER AGAIN!

Sadya - A local curry house to go back to by ilovelucy

ilovelucy — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:33:05 +0000

Review by ilovelucy

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 8673 5393

Tags: indian, smoking, takeaway

Went to Sadya with my dad last night as it is 50% off with the Tastelondon card and only round the corner so we thought we'd give it a go rather than venturing out to the usual suspects in Tooting. Sadya is a small homely restaurant specialising in Southern Indian cuisine so it was a nice change from the bog stanadard jalfrezis and tandooris. The menu was varied and there were lots of dishes which we could have ordered. Dad had the lentil soup and we also ordered a rice pancake with a prawn filling. Both were delicious and had interesting flavours. For the main we had the masala chicken, the grilled king fish plus a side order of okra. Portions were good. Food was fresh and surprisingly not greasy. Everything was made with care and tasted like home cooking. The lady serving was lovely and explained the dishes. It wasn't busy but when we where nearly leaving a large group came in and it took ages getting the bill. Anyway we were very stuffed and for Â£26 with the discount, for 2 large cobras, 2 rice, 2 starters, 2 mains +vegetable and chappathi we were more than happy. Looks like this one will be our local, can't wait to try other dishes. Went to Sadya with my dad last night as it is 50% off with the Tastelondon card and only round the corner so we thought we'd give it a go rather than venturing out to the usual suspects in Tooting. Sadya is a small homely restaurant specialising in Southern Indian cuisine so it was a nice change from the bog stanadard jalfrezis and tandooris. The menu was varied and there were lots of dishes which we could have ordered. Dad had the lentil soup and we also ordered a rice pancake with a prawn filling. Both were delicious and had interesting flavours. For the main we had the masala chicken, the grilled king fish plus a side order of okra. Portions were good. Food was fresh and surprisingly not greasy. Everything was made with care and tasted like home cooking. The lady serving was lovely and explained the dishes. It wasn't busy but when we where nearly leaving a large group came in and it took ages getting the bill. Anyway we were very stuffed and for Â£26 with the discount, for 2 large cobras, 2 rice, 2 starters, 2 mains +vegetable and chappathi we were more than happy. Looks like this one will be our local, can't wait to try other dishes.

Kaifeng - kosher Chinese by Angella

Angella — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:08:54 +0000

Review by Angella

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 8203 7888

Website: http://www.kaifeng.co.uk/index.html

Tags: expensive

I've eaten here twice. Both times reached the same conclusion. Food nothing special. Very pricey. Fascinating menu about the history of Kaifeng.I've eaten here twice. Both times reached the same conclusion. Food nothing special. Very pricey. Fascinating menu about the history of Kaifeng.

Benihana - Rev-up your time machine back to 1980 by pretzel

pretzel — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:50:09 +0000

Review by pretzel

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7376 7799

Website: http://www.benihana.com

Tags: japanese, live music, smoking

I experienced Benihana for the first, and most definitely last time, last night. If i'd dressed up in shoulder pads, stepped out of my gold capri and been arm in arm with a nice man sporting a moustache and 'burns, I couldn't have felt more back to 1980.
The 'reception' area is like a hotel foyer of the naffest kind. I assume they're used to truck loads of tourists and felt the need to pen my friend and I in there, refusing to allow us to go through to the restaurant area until the rest of our party of 10 had arrived.
Finally through to the restaurant area. I'm now in danger of sounding like Alan Whicker, but then the 'dinner theatre' began. x2 chefs set light to the teppanyaki plates, piled high onion rings into spouting volcanos, and fried up bits of fish, meat and seafood. At Â£18/head any restaurant would represent good value, but the food was bland beyond belief, totally inauthentic and frankly cheap and nasty. Since when did japanese food come with egg friend rice and onion soup? Since when did Japanese food come with horseradish dip, rather than wasabi? Benihana should have diversified in 1980 and gone into the Vesta Curry ready meal-market. It'd have been a totally natural brand extension.I experienced Benihana for the first, and most definitely last time, last night. If i'd dressed up in shoulder pads, stepped out of my gold capri and been arm in arm with a nice man sporting a moustache and 'burns, I couldn't have felt more back to 1980.
The 'reception' area is like a hotel foyer of the naffest kind. I assume they're used to truck loads of tourists and felt the need to pen my friend and I in there, refusing to allow us to go through to the restaurant area until the rest of our party of 10 had arrived.
Finally through to the restaurant area. I'm now in danger of sounding like Alan Whicker, but then the 'dinner theatre' began. x2 chefs set light to the teppanyaki plates, piled high onion rings into spouting volcanos, and fried up bits of fish, meat and seafood. At Â£18/head any restaurant would represent good value, but the food was bland beyond belief, totally inauthentic and frankly cheap and nasty. Since when did japanese food come with egg friend rice and onion soup? Since when did Japanese food come with horseradish dip, rather than wasabi? Benihana should have diversified in 1980 and gone into the Vesta Curry ready meal-market. It'd have been a totally natural brand extension.

Cafe Pacifico - An old favourite by LiG

LiG — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:49:49 +0000

Review by LiG

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7379 7728

Website: http://www.cafepacifico-laperla.com

Tags: mexican, crowded, good value

In tourist-trap Covent Garden it is easy to get ripped off with expensive, diluted cocktails. At Cafe Pacifico the very professional bartenders will mix them to your taste (and strength) and they have more than 100 tequilas to choose from.
Mexican food is not fashionable or pretentious - it's stodgy and filling, so don't expect culinary fireworks.
Having been to most Mexican restaurants in London, including Texas Embassy, Wahaca etc, I think CP is one of the most consistent, and the staff are really friendly (I witnessed a manager and waitress helping a customer who had clearly consumed too much alcohol, making arrangements for her to get home safely).
CP has been owned by the same people for 25 years and they even grow their own avocados in Spain to make their guacamole. I think that attention to detail speaks for itself.In tourist-trap Covent Garden it is easy to get ripped off with expensive, diluted cocktails. At Cafe Pacifico the very professional bartenders will mix them to your taste (and strength) and they have more than 100 tequilas to choose from.
Mexican food is not fashionable or pretentious - it's stodgy and filling, so don't expect culinary fireworks.
Having been to most Mexican restaurants in London, including Texas Embassy, Wahaca etc, I think CP is one of the most consistent, and the staff are really friendly (I witnessed a manager and waitress helping a customer who had clearly consumed too much alcohol, making arrangements for her to get home safely).
CP has been owned by the same people for 25 years and they even grow their own avocados in Spain to make their guacamole. I think that attention to detail speaks for itself.

Gourmet Burger Kitchen - Gourmet Burger Kitchen by miffy

miffy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:58:31 +0000

Review by miffy

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 8998 0392

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

Tags: lively, good value, crowded

Though small the gourmet burger kitchen is within easy reach of every bus that goes through ealing and the train station if you are coming from further a field to enjoy the food here. Of course a place like this in ealing is bound to attract families from around the area and I can see why. The food is definitely child friendly but this is not mac donalds or burger king and the more sophisticated side of gourmet burger makes it popular with parents and young professionals alike. The food is delicious and very varied with plenty to choose from on your burner. The decor is comfortable but modern and attractive and in summer the front disappears meaning, though small and crowded it is not stuffy and hot. Looking for food in ealing? try here!Though small the gourmet burger kitchen is within easy reach of every bus that goes through ealing and the train station if you are coming from further a field to enjoy the food here. Of course a place like this in ealing is bound to attract families from around the area and I can see why. The food is definitely child friendly but this is not mac donalds or burger king and the more sophisticated side of gourmet burger makes it popular with parents and young professionals alike. The food is delicious and very varied with plenty to choose from on your burner. The decor is comfortable but modern and attractive and in summer the front disappears meaning, though small and crowded it is not stuffy and hot. Looking for food in ealing? try here!

The Cinnamon Club - Beautiful setting Beautiful eating by french_girl

french_girl — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:51:05 +0000

Review by french_girl

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7222 2555

Website: http://www.cinnamonclub.com

Tags: indian, expensive, cocktails

Beautiful food and setting makes a meal out a luxurious event.

The spices are delicate and well balanced. Even when hot you can actually taste all the flavours not just feel a burning heat.

Well worth ordering fish and seafood dishes so that you can experience how to complement with spices rather than killing the flavour that you find with fish in many Indian restaurants.

Good mixture of british food and ingredients in their menus just approached with modern Indian freshness.

Cocktails are a must. Real luxury treat in the bar. Best I've even had.

And service is excellent, smooth knowlegable and polite.Beautiful food and setting makes a meal out a luxurious event.

The spices are delicate and well balanced. Even when hot you can actually taste all the flavours not just feel a burning heat.

Well worth ordering fish and seafood dishes so that you can experience how to complement with spices rather than killing the flavour that you find with fish in many Indian restaurants.

Good mixture of british food and ingredients in their menus just approached with modern Indian freshness.

Cocktails are a must. Real luxury treat in the bar. Best I've even had.

And service is excellent, smooth knowlegable and polite.

Rosa's - Great by bakerga1

bakerga1 — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:19:09 +0000

Review by bakerga1

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7247 5830

Tags: lively, good value, thai

This place is fantastic. I almost do not want to write a review as it may get popular and this would spoil the charm of the place. The food was fantastic I recommend the fried seabass. Also worth noting that it is a bring your own booze restaurantThis place is fantastic. I almost do not want to write a review as it may get popular and this would spoil the charm of the place. The food was fantastic I recommend the fried seabass. Also worth noting that it is a bring your own booze restaurant

Archipelago - Fun, but not for the squeamish by char23

char23 — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:17:41 +0000

Review by char23

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7383 3346

Tags: lively, terrace, expensive

With a menu full of things like kangaroo and chocolate-covered scorpions, this restaurant is for adventurous eaters. I loved the atmosphere, and the staff were all very friendly and helpful. It's a bit expensive, but worth the experience! With a menu full of things like kangaroo and chocolate-covered scorpions, this restaurant is for adventurous eaters. I loved the atmosphere, and the staff were all very friendly and helpful. It's a bit expensive, but worth the experience!

Out of the Blue Bar & Kitchen - by Browners

Browners — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:00:55 +0000

Review by Browners

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7207 8548

Tags: relaxed, lunch, food

Good breakfast. Probably one of the best in the Clapham Junction area. No idea what it is like as a bar.Good breakfast. Probably one of the best in the Clapham Junction area. No idea what it is like as a bar.

Farshad Restaurant - Very good! by lisahappe

lisahappe — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:45:17 +0000

Review by lisahappe

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 8998 8118

Tags: lively, family & home feel, good value

I went here for a birthday in May and had a wanderful time! the food was lovely and the service was great. They put on live music and there was dancing, we were treated very well, almost as if we were the only people there! the only disappointment was that their belly dancer didnt arrive...I went here for a birthday in May and had a wanderful time! the food was lovely and the service was great. They put on live music and there was dancing, we were treated very well, almost as if we were the only people there! the only disappointment was that their belly dancer didnt arrive...

Aroy - just tasty by canmanjoe

canmanjoe — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:30:14 +0000

Review by canmanjoe

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 8540 8887

Tags: thai, good value, family & home feel

tasty food, good price, food made fresh with good ingredients.
portions are medium sized, but that's no harm :-)tasty food, good price, food made fresh with good ingredients.
portions are medium sized, but that's no harm :-)

Pizza Bella - Very family friendly by french_girl

french_girl — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:24:53 +0000

Review by french_girl

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 8342 8541

Tags: italian, lively, crowded

Always a great place to bring the children. Staff are really attentive without being smothering. My favourite pizzas in london, less generic than the big chains.Always a great place to bring the children. Staff are really attentive without being smothering. My favourite pizzas in london, less generic than the big chains.

Banners - folksy foody fun by french_girl

french_girl — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:21:04 +0000

Review by french_girl

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 8348 2930

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

Tags: international, good food, great atmosphere

always great if you need a huge portion of food. Great for brunch but gets very crowded.always great if you need a huge portion of food. Great for brunch but gets very crowded.

Leon - Great post-Tate pit stop by Litro_K

Litro_K — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:34:02 +0000

Review by Litro_K

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7620 0035

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

Tags: lively, international, cheap eat

This stylish Leon branch sits in a shiny new development right behind the Tate modern. Large, airy, and true to the best bits of the chain, it was a welcome pit stop after a recent trip to the gallery. Like all other Leons, the food if fast, healthy and fresh, with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients. I had the original superfoods salad and a lovely iced lemonade with ginger and mint. All very decent and came in at under Â£6. Service came with a smile and I'd happily return anytime!This stylish Leon branch sits in a shiny new development right behind the Tate modern. Large, airy, and true to the best bits of the chain, it was a welcome pit stop after a recent trip to the gallery. Like all other Leons, the food if fast, healthy and fresh, with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients. I had the original superfoods salad and a lovely iced lemonade with ginger and mint. All very decent and came in at under Â£6. Service came with a smile and I'd happily return anytime!

J - love em, but often busy by rodomel

rodomel — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:05:45 +0000

Review by rodomel

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7435 3703

Tags: italian, lively, crowded

Love these guys when friends are in town, but they do get very busy - a good sign! But sucks when you are hungry. Week days are better! Love em! All on the menu is great.Love these guys when friends are in town, but they do get very busy - a good sign! But sucks when you are hungry. Week days are better! Love em! All on the menu is great.

Edokko - Authentic by StephenGrayston

StephenGrayston — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:59:34 +0000

Review by StephenGrayston

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7242 3490

Tags: japanese, business, lively

This restaurant is owned by Ito-san, who trained to be a Sushi chef under one of Japan's top Sushi chefs in Tokyo. Edokko means 'Child of Tokyo'...

The food is superb and like many of the UK Japanese Sushi chefs, Ito-san rises early in the morning to go to the fish market and select the fish himself. If it is one thing that Japanese Sushi chefs know about - it's fish and freshness.

I truly recommend the food, the atmosphere and the service, and prices have risen owing to food price increases across the country, but I still think it is very good value considering to the quality of the food.

Can be very crowded in evenings and lunchtimes - make sure you book.

Stephen.This restaurant is owned by Ito-san, who trained to be a Sushi chef under one of Japan's top Sushi chefs in Tokyo. Edokko means 'Child of Tokyo'...

The food is superb and like many of the UK Japanese Sushi chefs, Ito-san rises early in the morning to go to the fish market and select the fish himself. If it is one thing that Japanese Sushi chefs know about - it's fish and freshness.

I truly recommend the food, the atmosphere and the service, and prices have risen owing to food price increases across the country, but I still think it is very good value considering to the quality of the food.

Can be very crowded in evenings and lunchtimes - make sure you book.

Stephen.