Latest reviews for Restaurants in Barbican, London, United Kingdom

Club Mangia, The Punch Tavern - Great friendly pub! by KellyMcAuley12

KellyMcAuley12 — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:56:27 +0000

Review by KellyMcAuley12

Rating: 4.00

Tags: breakfast, good value, cheap eat

Lovely British Food!Lovely British Food!

Moro - by dafinki

dafinki — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:15:00 +0000

Review by dafinki

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7833 8336

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

Tags: spanish, lively, good value

Just thought I'd mention the Moro stall on Exmouth market which is there at lunchtimesÂ â¬ brilliant! Lunch for Â£5, today it was flatbread topped with couscous, free range chicken, lentils, aubergines and salad with a beetroot dressing. Last week it was flatbread with lamb and couscous with a yoghurt dressing...delicious!Just thought I'd mention the Moro stall on Exmouth market which is there at lunchtimesÂ â¬ brilliant! Lunch for Â£5, today it was flatbread topped with couscous, free range chicken, lentils, aubergines and salad with a beetroot dressing. Last week it was flatbread with lamb and couscous with a yoghurt dressing...delicious!

St Pancras Grand, St Pancras International Station - Go for the decor, not for the food by paolaenergya

paolaenergya — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:47:02 +0000

Review by paolaenergya

Rating: 3.00

Tags: romantic, expensive, brasserie

I went to the Grand last Friday for a business networking lunch. We had a set menu and I chose betroot salad and pigeon in a port sauce with celery and chestnuts.
The salad was miser and the pigeon was a dark colour on the outside and raw on the inside. A few differently chopped pieces of celery accompanied the pigeon and I think I counted 3 small chestnuts with it.
I would go back for the decor as I find it's a beautiful place but I would eat elsewhere.I went to the Grand last Friday for a business networking lunch. We had a set menu and I chose betroot salad and pigeon in a port sauce with celery and chestnuts.
The salad was miser and the pigeon was a dark colour on the outside and raw on the inside. A few differently chopped pieces of celery accompanied the pigeon and I think I counted 3 small chestnuts with it.
I would go back for the decor as I find it's a beautiful place but I would eat elsewhere.

Little Bay - Cool place by bakerga1

bakerga1 — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:14:03 +0000

Review by bakerga1

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7278 1234

Tags: romantic, cheap eat, good value

All in all a nice little place, funky interior and the food was very nice indeed.All in all a nice little place, funky interior and the food was very nice indeed.

Gaucho Smithfield - Fabulous steaks by SallyYSP

SallyYSP — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:47:07 +0000

Review by SallyYSP

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7490 1676

Website: http://www.gauchorestaurants.co.uk/restaurants/restaurant.php?id=smithfield

Tags: steak, argentinian, argentinian steaks with great service

Great food here and excellent service. You are presented with the meat options at your table before cooking.

Lovely for a long lunch meeting.

(Go for the chorizo stake with garlic dressing)Great food here and excellent service. You are presented with the meat options at your table before cooking.

Lovely for a long lunch meeting.

(Go for the chorizo stake with garlic dressing)

The Breakfast Club - A very enjoyable breakfast by willcritchlow

willcritchlow — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:02:47 +0000

Review by willcritchlow

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7226 5454

Website: http://www.thebreakfastclubsoho.com/

Tags: american, breakfast, family & home feel

Very friendly with excellent breakfast.

I went with a good friend who was over from the states. Both the eggs royale and the full English breakfast rocked.

They only lost marks for being a little slow getting us drinks (coffee and tea arriving after we'd waited for the breakfasts) and giving confusing advice when we were trying to choose between two items on the menu.Very friendly with excellent breakfast.

I went with a good friend who was over from the states. Both the eggs royale and the full English breakfast rocked.

They only lost marks for being a little slow getting us drinks (coffee and tea arriving after we'd waited for the breakfasts) and giving confusing advice when we were trying to choose between two items on the menu.

Quality Chop House - quality chops by magical

magical — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:14:14 +0000

Review by magical

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7837 5093

Tags: british, vegetarian dishes, toptable

had lunch here with a friend, using the FT 2-for-1 offer. atmosphere and decor very old school ("progressive working class caterer" is the motto). staff attentive, friendly and informed - didn't feel like we were rushed or left hanging around. offered tap when asked for water - good sign. no-nonsense menu focussed on meat. devilled kidneys followed by pork chop with black pudding hash and crackling were outstanding. pewed seating not ideal for 6ft plus however food is good enough to balance out temporary discomfort. £4.75 for a bottle of bitter is very punchy - even if it does come with a handled jug glass.
highly recommended as a lunch venue if meeting a couple of old friends. maybe not for a first date.had lunch here with a friend, using the FT 2-for-1 offer. atmosphere and decor very old school ("progressive working class caterer" is the motto). staff attentive, friendly and informed - didn't feel like we were rushed or left hanging around. offered tap when asked for water - good sign. no-nonsense menu focussed on meat. devilled kidneys followed by pork chop with black pudding hash and crackling were outstanding. pewed seating not ideal for 6ft plus however food is good enough to balance out temporary discomfort. £4.75 for a bottle of bitter is very punchy - even if it does come with a handled jug glass.
highly recommended as a lunch venue if meeting a couple of old friends. maybe not for a first date.

Santore - Great pizza by dvojakovic

dvojakovic — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 06:06:35 +0000

Review by dvojakovic

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7812 1488

Tags: italian, good value, family & home feel

Smells great, tastes great, really good dough, perfectly baked and good ingredients. What else?Smells great, tastes great, really good dough, perfectly baked and good ingredients. What else?

Rhodes Twenty Four - Not worth the money by Imicola

Imicola — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:39:12 +0000

Review by Imicola

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7877 7703

Tags: expensive, british, business

I ended up going here because they had messed up my booking in Vertigo up the stairs. I was with my parents for a birthday celebration and I have to say we were all very disappointed by the meal.

The service was quite professional, but they did make us feel a little out of place. however, all the service was VERY slow. This was a weekday lunch time, and the restaurant was quite busy, but it took us about 3 hours to have a 3 course meal which in my opinion is way too slow, as we had an appointment later in the day.

As for the food - I thought it was a real let down. The partidge sausages were a really horrible texture...far too smooth and almost mousse like, with not much flavour. Also the rhubarb cheesecake had a sponge base which I just thought was horrible, and again lacked flavour. The overall meal was just really disappointing, particularly when you consider how much it cost!

Also, the view is great, but we were seated as far from the window as you could get, so we didn't see much. And the restaurant seemed to be full of business people having lunch meetings which wasn't the most relaxing of situations for us. I definately wont be going here again!I ended up going here because they had messed up my booking in Vertigo up the stairs. I was with my parents for a birthday celebration and I have to say we were all very disappointed by the meal.

The service was quite professional, but they did make us feel a little out of place. however, all the service was VERY slow. This was a weekday lunch time, and the restaurant was quite busy, but it took us about 3 hours to have a 3 course meal which in my opinion is way too slow, as we had an appointment later in the day.

As for the food - I thought it was a real let down. The partidge sausages were a really horrible texture...far too smooth and almost mousse like, with not much flavour. Also the rhubarb cheesecake had a sponge base which I just thought was horrible, and again lacked flavour. The overall meal was just really disappointing, particularly when you consider how much it cost!

Also, the view is great, but we were seated as far from the window as you could get, so we didn't see much. And the restaurant seemed to be full of business people having lunch meetings which wasn't the most relaxing of situations for us. I definately wont be going here again!

Blossom - Not overwhelming, but not bad by curlyfries

curlyfries — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:42:01 +0000

Review by curlyfries

Rating: 3.00

Tags: japanese, lively, crowded

We had to queue for a few minutes at Blossom last week as it was pretty packed (but then it was Friday lunch in the city). The staff were very helpful at repeatedly telling us we had only five minutes, two minutes, one minute, three minutes to wait, and were very efficient at taking our order, too, although how I was meant to have chosen when I'd only had the menu for fifteen seconds I'm not entirely sure.

Still, when we finally got to sit down at our shared bench, and seeing as we were having a "meeting" on my mate's expenses, we went a bit to town on the ordering. It's Korean-Japanese, this place, but I was all out for Japanese and sushi last week. So for starters we went for deep fried chilli squid, which presented itself as tiny rings of very tasty breadcrumb-coated business; the allegedly-pork gyoza were crunchy, cold and entirely tasteless; and the duck salad was worth travelling to Moorgate and back on its own: divine rosy pink slices of melt-in-the-mouth breast draped lovingly over a leafy glass noodle salad. The main-course sushi was boring, however: we both ordered the Makimono selection and were completely uninspired by bland vegetable rolls, salmon/avocado rolls and some other things that were rather heavily sprinkled with bright orange roe, although the tuna maki wasn't half bad.

On the upside, Blossom was not revoltingly expensive (and having not paid for it, at least I felt I hadn't wasted my money on the sushi): all that food and a couple of freshly-squeezed fruit drinks came to 38 quid. It's not as if I'm frequently in the area but if I do ever find myself passing through I'd be tempted to nip in for a couple of duck salads, and I'm curious about the great steaming Korean stew-type things that were going on at the next table. Still, I suppose if you work that way it's an easy option for a fast and relatively cheap tasty meal in the lively company of lunching suits.We had to queue for a few minutes at Blossom last week as it was pretty packed (but then it was Friday lunch in the city). The staff were very helpful at repeatedly telling us we had only five minutes, two minutes, one minute, three minutes to wait, and were very efficient at taking our order, too, although how I was meant to have chosen when I'd only had the menu for fifteen seconds I'm not entirely sure.

Still, when we finally got to sit down at our shared bench, and seeing as we were having a "meeting" on my mate's expenses, we went a bit to town on the ordering. It's Korean-Japanese, this place, but I was all out for Japanese and sushi last week. So for starters we went for deep fried chilli squid, which presented itself as tiny rings of very tasty breadcrumb-coated business; the allegedly-pork gyoza were crunchy, cold and entirely tasteless; and the duck salad was worth travelling to Moorgate and back on its own: divine rosy pink slices of melt-in-the-mouth breast draped lovingly over a leafy glass noodle salad. The main-course sushi was boring, however: we both ordered the Makimono selection and were completely uninspired by bland vegetable rolls, salmon/avocado rolls and some other things that were rather heavily sprinkled with bright orange roe, although the tuna maki wasn't half bad.

On the upside, Blossom was not revoltingly expensive (and having not paid for it, at least I felt I hadn't wasted my money on the sushi): all that food and a couple of freshly-squeezed fruit drinks came to 38 quid. It's not as if I'm frequently in the area but if I do ever find myself passing through I'd be tempted to nip in for a couple of duck salads, and I'm curious about the great steaming Korean stew-type things that were going on at the next table. Still, I suppose if you work that way it's an easy option for a fast and relatively cheap tasty meal in the lively company of lunching suits.

Carnevale - by Mitnik

Mitnik — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:20:29 +0000

Review by Mitnik

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7250 3452

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

Tags: vegetarian, mediterranean, good value

not bad!not bad!

Gaucho City - Steak! by faery81

faery81 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:02:26 +0000

Review by faery81

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7626 5180

Website: http://www.gauchosgrill.com

Tags: expensive, business, argentinian

Fantastic restaurant in the city. The decoration is cow hide, glass and sparkling chandeliers. It is very dark in the restaurant, though, particularly in the evenings so it can be hard to actually see what youâ¬"re trying to eat.

The waitresses were very attentive to our table: they remembered everyoneâ¬"s orders and were always there when you needed something, without being intrusive.

The food was lovely: everyone chose steaks and they were very well cooked â¬ our waitress showed the table the different cuts of meat before everyone made their selection.

The only downside to this place is that is was very very expensive and the side dishes you order with your steak (eg. chips) werenâ¬"t very big, especially for the price!
Fantastic restaurant in the city. The decoration is cow hide, glass and sparkling chandeliers. It is very dark in the restaurant, though, particularly in the evenings so it can be hard to actually see what youâ¬"re trying to eat.

The waitresses were very attentive to our table: they remembered everyoneâ¬"s orders and were always there when you needed something, without being intrusive.

The food was lovely: everyone chose steaks and they were very well cooked â¬ our waitress showed the table the different cuts of meat before everyone made their selection.

The only downside to this place is that is was very very expensive and the side dishes you order with your steak (eg. chips) werenâ¬"t very big, especially for the price!

Wagamama - tasty by t_moussa

t_moussa — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:51:44 +0000

Review by t_moussa

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7588 2688

Website: http://www.wagamama.com

Tags: lively, japanese, good value

Having never been to wagamamas but hearing lots of good things about it I decided to go there with my boyfriend after obtaining those 2 for 1 vouchers they regularly put up on their website. We were both apprehensive at first as we had never tried japanese food before. The menu at first glace can be a bit daunting but we took our time to pore over the descriptions, the food didn't seem that scary. My boyfriend decided to play it safe and go for a vegetarian fried noodle dish whilst I decided to risk it and ordered noodles in a spicy coconut soup. The only cutlery on the table were chopsticks but we asked for forks and were provided with them. When our food arrived it looked fantastic and smelt wonderful. Mine was a bit too spicy for my liking but the free mug of green tea soon helped to ease the fieryness! The service was great and the staff very helpful in demonstrating how the various strange cutlery that accompanied our food were used. Enjoyed this experience immensely.Having never been to wagamamas but hearing lots of good things about it I decided to go there with my boyfriend after obtaining those 2 for 1 vouchers they regularly put up on their website. We were both apprehensive at first as we had never tried japanese food before. The menu at first glace can be a bit daunting but we took our time to pore over the descriptions, the food didn't seem that scary. My boyfriend decided to play it safe and go for a vegetarian fried noodle dish whilst I decided to risk it and ordered noodles in a spicy coconut soup. The only cutlery on the table were chopsticks but we asked for forks and were provided with them. When our food arrived it looked fantastic and smelt wonderful. Mine was a bit too spicy for my liking but the free mug of green tea soon helped to ease the fieryness! The service was great and the staff very helpful in demonstrating how the various strange cutlery that accompanied our food were used. Enjoyed this experience immensely.

Coq d'Argent - Coq d'Argent by sweettirana

sweettirana — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:16:42 +0000

Review by sweettirana

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7395 5000

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

Tags: french, expensive, business

Paradise on top of London! I love this place! I love the food, the location, the views, the wine, the garden, the service...

I have been in the fortunate position where friends have taken me here for special celebrations so I havent been privy to the bill although I have been told that it certainly isnt cheap!

Although pricey Coq d'Argent should definitely be considered as a place to take someone special for a birthday lunch or for a relatives anniversary perhaps? It is certainly a place that I could not afford very often so is a special occasion type place that will always hold fond memories for me.

The lift that you go into go up to the restaurant is also fanatastic and the rooftop gardens are mesmerising. It certainly is one of London's hidden gems!Paradise on top of London! I love this place! I love the food, the location, the views, the wine, the garden, the service...

I have been in the fortunate position where friends have taken me here for special celebrations so I havent been privy to the bill although I have been told that it certainly isnt cheap!

Although pricey Coq d'Argent should definitely be considered as a place to take someone special for a birthday lunch or for a relatives anniversary perhaps? It is certainly a place that I could not afford very often so is a special occasion type place that will always hold fond memories for me.

The lift that you go into go up to the restaurant is also fanatastic and the rooftop gardens are mesmerising. It certainly is one of London's hidden gems!

Cottons - Good Caribbean food, a little expensive, great atm by nmerlet1

nmerlet1 — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 01:19:13 +0000

Review by nmerlet1

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7833 3332

Tags: lively, romantic, bar

I tried the Cottons on the week of my arrival in London. It is located in a lively and lovely street (Exmouth market) and offers good Caribbean food in a great atmosphere. We went for some mixed platters to try the different tastes of the Caribbean, and they were great! I can only recommend them if you have no prior knowledge of such food.
They also offer a huge selection of rhums and cocktails, but we didn't try them.
The bill was a little expensive, but I guess you have to pay both for the food and the ambience. I definitively want to go back there, but I donâ¬"t know if I will have the time since there are so many good restaurants in London.
I tried the Cottons on the week of my arrival in London. It is located in a lively and lovely street (Exmouth market) and offers good Caribbean food in a great atmosphere. We went for some mixed platters to try the different tastes of the Caribbean, and they were great! I can only recommend them if you have no prior knowledge of such food.
They also offer a huge selection of rhums and cocktails, but we didn't try them.
The bill was a little expensive, but I guess you have to pay both for the food and the ambience. I definitively want to go back there, but I donâ¬"t know if I will have the time since there are so many good restaurants in London.

Acorn House - Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns Grow by Niamheen

Niamheen — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:02:02 +0000

Review by Niamheen

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7812 1842

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

Tags: organic, expensive, crowded

Acorn House in Kingâ¬"s Cross has been on my radar for sometime. As Londonâ¬"s first truly eco-friendly training restaurant, it has had alot of press attention, with the Evening Standardâ¬"s Fay Maschler declaring that â¬All Restaurants should emulateâ¬ it and Giles Coren of The Times saying that itâ¬"s â¬SThe most important restaurant to open in London in the past 200 yearsâ¬. Itâ¬"s also less than 10 minutes from my workplace and has been recommended by colleagues and friends. In the OFM food awards in 2007 it won best newcomer.

Established by chef Arthur Potts Dawson and manager James Grainger-Smith both formerly of Fifteen in Shoreditch, itâ¬"s a social enterprise created by the Shoreditch Trust which delivers hands on training to the local community. The food is centred around health, training, community and the environment. They aim to be the most recyclable restaurant in London, by allowing as much as 80% of its waste to be recycled. In cooperation with the local councils and London Remade it will test out new waste management strategies in a restaurant environment, it offers reusable cutlery and all takeaway containers are eco-sensitive and they offer customers options of serving sizes to allow for differing appetites which creates less food waste. They have their own site for storage of dry recyclables with space for a â¬ÜPIGâ¬" compostor and a wormery providing soil for the restaurant and the roof of the storage area is used to grow herbs (and potentially grow insect attracting plants) in the centre of Kings Cross. Added to all of this, the restaurant and the recycling site act as an educational resource for the public, schools and a new breed of trainee chefs. When it comes to the food itself, the menus are seasonal with ingredients sourced from small independent suppliers, they buy fair trade where possible, locally and never use air freight, they have a strict fish purchasing policy and demand positive animal husbandry.

All that sounds great, truly an inspiration for other restaurants, but, what of the food? Iâ¬"ve availed of their takeway lunch a number of times, usually the half panini and small soup for Â£5, always flavoursome and healthy. So, why didnâ¬"t I eat there properly until this week? I think itâ¬"s one of those situations where itâ¬"s just down the road and I can go anytime (even if I subsequently donâ¬"t) and, ever the procrastinator I put it on the long finger. This week, however, I finally went there for lunch with some colleagues.

I like the interior of Acorn House, itâ¬"s bright and airy with a relaxed elegance. We got a nice round table by the open kitchen at the back and started off with some olives and bread. I started to peruse their January menu. There were two soups on offer: pumpkin, thyme and pancetta & celeriac, chestnut & horseradish. They sounded delicious, but time was short so I decided not to get one - I will definitely be trying them for a take-away lunch soon though. Thereâ¬"s also cured meat selections (including the sublime San Daniele ham) and salads on offer, which, again, look great but I had my eye on the fish dish - chargrilled organic salmon with cardamom and horseradish served with 2 salads. It was a popular dish - most of us had it with others opting for the duck confit, the ravioli with chard, mascarpone & fried sage or the tartine with pumpkin, mascarpone and stilton (changed from the option on the menu which was tartine with pumpkin, ricotta & onion marmalade).

Before I start, I am not sure about the diner choosing the salad accompanying their main course, I wonder if the chef is best placed to do this? It reminds me of create-your-own pizzas which, having once worked in a pizza restaurant, I can testify are often chosen badly. However, it is nice to have the choice, if you can trust yourself. Itâ¬"s January, and, (I am supposed to be) all about health and recuperation, so I decided to go for the beetroot with parsley, as beetroot helps your liver deal with xmas party stresses (I had a few of those!), and for the second one broccoli with almonds.

How was it? The fish was cooked perfectly - tender and moist, the cardamom and horseradish was a really unusual accompaniment and quite nice. The duck confit went down a treat as did the ravioli, but, the tartine was proclaimed too rich. The salads were really great: wholesome and healthy.

So, next for dessert. I opted for the ginger pudding with dark rum and double cream. It was wonderfully light. Other choices were the flourless chocolate cake with cardamom ice cream and Eccles Cake with Vanilla Custard. Everyone was really pleased with their choice, it a lovely end to the meal.

So, what did I think? Very good food but at Â£16 for a fish main course and Â£6.50 for a dessert it needs to be excellent. But it is sustainable, eco-friendly and a friend to the local community, and this, it seems, comes at a price. I think itâ¬"s worth it.Acorn House in Kingâ¬"s Cross has been on my radar for sometime. As Londonâ¬"s first truly eco-friendly training restaurant, it has had alot of press attention, with the Evening Standardâ¬"s Fay Maschler declaring that â¬All Restaurants should emulateâ¬ it and Giles Coren of The Times saying that itâ¬"s â¬SThe most important restaurant to open in London in the past 200 yearsâ¬. Itâ¬"s also less than 10 minutes from my workplace and has been recommended by colleagues and friends. In the OFM food awards in 2007 it won best newcomer.

Established by chef Arthur Potts Dawson and manager James Grainger-Smith both formerly of Fifteen in Shoreditch, itâ¬"s a social enterprise created by the Shoreditch Trust which delivers hands on training to the local community. The food is centred around health, training, community and the environment. They aim to be the most recyclable restaurant in London, by allowing as much as 80% of its waste to be recycled. In cooperation with the local councils and London Remade it will test out new waste management strategies in a restaurant environment, it offers reusable cutlery and all takeaway containers are eco-sensitive and they offer customers options of serving sizes to allow for differing appetites which creates less food waste. They have their own site for storage of dry recyclables with space for a â¬ÜPIGâ¬" compostor and a wormery providing soil for the restaurant and the roof of the storage area is used to grow herbs (and potentially grow insect attracting plants) in the centre of Kings Cross. Added to all of this, the restaurant and the recycling site act as an educational resource for the public, schools and a new breed of trainee chefs. When it comes to the food itself, the menus are seasonal with ingredients sourced from small independent suppliers, they buy fair trade where possible, locally and never use air freight, they have a strict fish purchasing policy and demand positive animal husbandry.

All that sounds great, truly an inspiration for other restaurants, but, what of the food? Iâ¬"ve availed of their takeway lunch a number of times, usually the half panini and small soup for Â£5, always flavoursome and healthy. So, why didnâ¬"t I eat there properly until this week? I think itâ¬"s one of those situations where itâ¬"s just down the road and I can go anytime (even if I subsequently donâ¬"t) and, ever the procrastinator I put it on the long finger. This week, however, I finally went there for lunch with some colleagues.

I like the interior of Acorn House, itâ¬"s bright and airy with a relaxed elegance. We got a nice round table by the open kitchen at the back and started off with some olives and bread. I started to peruse their January menu. There were two soups on offer: pumpkin, thyme and pancetta & celeriac, chestnut & horseradish. They sounded delicious, but time was short so I decided not to get one - I will definitely be trying them for a take-away lunch soon though. Thereâ¬"s also cured meat selections (including the sublime San Daniele ham) and salads on offer, which, again, look great but I had my eye on the fish dish - chargrilled organic salmon with cardamom and horseradish served with 2 salads. It was a popular dish - most of us had it with others opting for the duck confit, the ravioli with chard, mascarpone & fried sage or the tartine with pumpkin, mascarpone and stilton (changed from the option on the menu which was tartine with pumpkin, ricotta & onion marmalade).

Before I start, I am not sure about the diner choosing the salad accompanying their main course, I wonder if the chef is best placed to do this? It reminds me of create-your-own pizzas which, having once worked in a pizza restaurant, I can testify are often chosen badly. However, it is nice to have the choice, if you can trust yourself. Itâ¬"s January, and, (I am supposed to be) all about health and recuperation, so I decided to go for the beetroot with parsley, as beetroot helps your liver deal with xmas party stresses (I had a few of those!), and for the second one broccoli with almonds.

How was it? The fish was cooked perfectly - tender and moist, the cardamom and horseradish was a really unusual accompaniment and quite nice. The duck confit went down a treat as did the ravioli, but, the tartine was proclaimed too rich. The salads were really great: wholesome and healthy.

So, next for dessert. I opted for the ginger pudding with dark rum and double cream. It was wonderfully light. Other choices were the flourless chocolate cake with cardamom ice cream and Eccles Cake with Vanilla Custard. Everyone was really pleased with their choice, it was a lovely end to the meal.

So, what did I think? Very good food but at Â£16 for a fish main course and Â£6.50 for a dessert it needs to be excellent. But it is sustainable, eco-friendly and a friend to the local community, and this, it seems, comes at a price. I think itâ¬"s worth it.

Paolina Thai Cafe - just plain awful by jlonners

jlonners — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:49:50 +0000

Review by jlonners

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7278 8176

Tags: thai, friendly, lunch

Ok so as soon as you walk past this place you would normally keep on going, it looks dirty and horrid and awful. I didnâ¬"t have this choice as I was supposed to meet someone here (not suggested by me!) I was led downstairs (even worse) to a small area with tables and benches and plastic table cloths. I thought a drink would help only to be told their was no liquor licence!!! The food was actually ok and I didnâ¬"t die of food poisoning either, I had fully expected to get quite ill! I have no idea why they donâ¬"t tidy/clean this place up after all the business rates must be high so how do they make ends meet! if you are looking online (you must be or you wouldnâ¬"t be reading this!) then donâ¬"t go here, its just not nice. Search for another thai place insteadOk so as soon as you walk past this place you would normally keep on going, it looks dirty and horrid and awful. I didnâ¬"t have this choice as I was supposed to meet someone here (not suggested by me!) I was led downstairs (even worse) to a small area with tables and benches and plastic table cloths. I thought a drink would help only to be told their was no liquor licence!!! The food was actually ok and I didnâ¬"t die of food poisoning either, I had fully expected to get quite ill! I have no idea why they donâ¬"t tidy/clean this place up after all the business rates must be high so how do they make ends meet! if you are looking online (you must be or you wouldnâ¬"t be reading this!) then donâ¬"t go here, its just not nice. Search for another thai place instead

The Ambassador - Delicious... by Sami

Sami — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:37:08 +0000

Review by Sami

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7837 0009

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

Tags: good value, friendly, relaxed

Went here with a friend over the week-end and we were terribly pleased with our meal. We started with a cheese plate - lovely, well chosen French cheeses (I can't remember exactly what they were but there was a lovely, creamy goat's cheese, a blue, and a cheese similar to Comte), their prosciutto plate, and a whipped goat's cheese and heirloom tomato salad. All fresh, excellent quality and just generally very tasty.

The lamb we both had as our main was excellent; tender, with rich bits of bacon for flavouring, accompanied by a delicious potato cake. Their wine list seems as if a good deal of thought was put into it, and the service was super. Non-intrusive, helpful, and above all, with a smile.

I've wanted to eat here for a while and I'm glad we did - highly recommended.Went here with a friend over the week-end and we were terribly pleased with our meal. We started with a cheese plate - lovely, well chosen French cheeses (I can't remember exactly what they were but there was a lovely, creamy goat's cheese, a blue, and a cheese similar to Comte), their prosciutto plate, and a whipped goat's cheese and heirloom tomato salad. All fresh, excellent quality and just generally very tasty.

The lamb we both had as our main was excellent; tender, with rich bits of bacon for flavouring, accompanied by a delicious potato cake. Their wine list seems as if a good deal of thought was put into it, and the service was super. Non-intrusive, helpful, and above all, with a smile.

I've wanted to eat here for a while and I'm glad we did - highly recommended.

Digress City - Good city bar by LukeG

LukeG — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:12:08 +0000

Review by LukeG

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7382 1690

Website: http://www.digress-city.co.uk/

Tags: lively, romantic, bar

This bar is great on a Friday night after work. The queue can get long so get there early! Drinks are not badly priced for the city and the staff are very friendly. This is a great place to go with a group of friends, the music is pumping and it has a really good atmosphere.

However, its not the place to go if you want to catch up with your friends, as you will end up losing your voice!This bar is great on a Friday night after work. The queue can get long so get there early! Drinks are not badly priced for the city and the staff are very friendly. This is a great place to go with a group of friends, the music is pumping and it has a really good atmosphere.

However, its not the place to go if you want to catch up with your friends, as you will end up losing your voice!

Pride Of Siam - A pleasant enough restaurant by tanzanitelilac

tanzanitelilac — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:03:56 +0000

Review by tanzanitelilac

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7833 3383

Tags: thai, lively, good value

I have visited Pride of Siam on a number of occasions, both at lunch and dinner time. Their 2 course express lunch deal is good value and they never have a problem if all you want to drink is tap water, something I appreciate and am grateful to not feel obliged to buy a drink for the sake of it.

However, I donâ¬"t think I would go there especially for a meal. There is nothing wrong with the food, service or the restaurant, which is quite spacious by London standards but to be honest for lunch I prefer the Thai van, also in Exmouth Market. As a sit down meal, this is a relatively inexpensive and pleasant restaurant but it just doesnâ¬"t have that wow factor for me.
I have visited Pride of Siam on a number of occasions, both at lunch and dinner time. Their 2 course express lunch deal is good value and they never have a problem if all you want to drink is tap water, something I appreciate and am grateful to not feel obliged to buy a drink for the sake of it.

However, I donâ¬"t think I would go there especially for a meal. There is nothing wrong with the food, service or the restaurant, which is quite spacious by London standards but to be honest for lunch I prefer the Thai van, also in Exmouth Market. As a sit down meal, this is a relatively inexpensive and pleasant restaurant but it just doesnâ¬"t have that wow factor for me.