Latest reviews in Belgravia, London, United Kingdom

Signor Sassi - Could do better by moorej

moorej — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:39:06 +0000

Review by moorej

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7589 8772

Ok, so here's the contrary view! I don't doubt that this place can be good, but my experience was a little different. I went with an Italian friend who described the menu as "old fashioned favourites", which sounded perfect. The place was buzzing and full and although they had no recollection of my reservation, they found us a table nevertheless. Service was a little haphazard (we waited a while for our starters, then they brought our order twice - I wish we'd tucked in for a second time!) Mains and deserts were tasty but not grand. Total with a bottle of wine? Â£100 - so not too expensive given its location. The best part of the night was spotting a US tourist carrying a huge box of Krispy Kreme in a see-through Harrods bag. What a waste of air miles! Ok, so here's the contrary view! I don't doubt that this place can be good, but my experience was a little different. I went with an Italian friend who described the menu as "old fashioned favourites", which sounded perfect. The place was buzzing and full and although they had no recollection of my reservation, they found us a table nevertheless. Service was a little haphazard (we waited a while for our starters, then they brought our order twice - I wish we'd tucked in for a second time!) Mains and deserts were tasty but not grand. Total with a bottle of wine? Â£100 - so not too expensive given its location. The best part of the night was spotting a US tourist carrying a huge box of Krispy Kreme in a see-through Harrods bag. What a waste of air miles!

Zafferano - Si manga benne by gastro1

gastro1 — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 22:41:56 +0000

Review by gastro1

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7235 5800

Website: http://www.zafferanorestaurant.com/

Tags: italian, expensive, lively

One of the best Italian Restaurants in London even after the departure of Mr Locatelli.

However just like Locanda Locatelli the starters be it risotti or pasta are miniscule.

One of the best Italian Restaurants in London even after the departure of Mr Locatelli.

However just like Locanda Locatelli the starters be it risotti or pasta are miniscule.

Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Cafe - Good quality food - but not cheap by Izabel_blue

Izabel_blue — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 17:18:04 +0000

Review by Izabel_blue

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7235 1839

Website: http://www.prismrestaurant.com

Tags: lively, european, quiet

The Harvey Nicks cafe is quite a pleasant place to while away a lunchbreak or dinner, with nice service and a lovely view over Knightsbridge and beyond. It's a nice trad brasserie style menu (sandwiches, steaks, pasta) with a few nods to the Knightsbridge set in the form of salads and cocktails. It never gets too busy (in the PM at last) and you are almost guaranteed a nice-enough experience in one of the most exclusive areas of town.

Only caveat is that the bill always winds up being higher than you'd expect, mainly because the drinks are on the expensive side. It's hard to get a *bad* glass of wine here, but equally hard to get a *cheap* one, and the coffees and bottles of water add up too. The Harvey Nicks cafe is quite a pleasant place to while away a lunchbreak or dinner, with nice service and a lovely view over Knightsbridge and beyond. It's a nice trad brasserie style menu (sandwiches, steaks, pasta) with a few nods to the Knightsbridge set in the form of salads and cocktails. It never gets too busy (in the PM at last) and you are almost guaranteed a nice-enough experience in one of the most exclusive areas of town.

Only caveat is that the bill always winds up being higher than you'd expect, mainly because the drinks are on the expensive side. It's hard to get a *bad* glass of wine here, but equally hard to get a *cheap* one, and the coffees and bottles of water add up too.

Uno - Numero Uno in Pimlico? by Hugo

Hugo — Sun, 25 May 2008 09:11:20 +0000

Review by Hugo

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7834 1001

Tags: italian, friendly, modern

I was impressed by my experience; I'm a huge fan of Italian food and this hits the spot. The restaurant has been completely renovated and now has a fun but not over the top modern atmosphere.

The food is carefully presented and seems lovingly prepared, but without too much fuss. The menu was rammed with Italian specialities and it was a menu that begs you go back before you have even completed your first meal. I had a simple faggioli soup and then grilled monkfish with potato and beetroot cake, which was succulent and tasty. I was especially intrigued by the wild seasonal mushrooms on toast and want to try that next time.

The staff could not have been friendlier, so all in all the package was a good one. This is likely to become a regular for me.I was impressed by my experience; I'm a huge fan of Italian food and this hits the spot. The restaurant has been completely renovated and now has a fun but not over the top modern atmosphere.

The food is carefully presented and seems lovingly prepared, but without too much fuss. The menu was rammed with Italian specialities and it was a menu that begs you go back before you have even completed your first meal. I had a simple faggioli soup and then grilled monkfish with potato and beetroot cake, which was succulent and tasty. I was especially intrigued by the wild seasonal mushrooms on toast and want to try that next time.

The staff could not have been friendlier, so all in all the package was a good one. This is likely to become a regular for me.

The Cardinal - A proper local by Hugo

Hugo — Mon, 19 May 2008 19:17:46 +0000

Review by Hugo

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7834 7260

Tags: quiet, local, food

This pub ticks all the boxes as a tip-top local pub: quiet, always a seat, no music, great beer, a sense of community and fun characters to watch. I even spotted a chap drinking from his usual pewter mug (presumably in his usual seat too).

This is a Samuel Smith pub (nothing to do with John Smiths, despite the rumours) so everything is furnished with their traditional brand and quality. The Oatmeal Stout is well worth trying...close your eyes and it feels like slipping back into a bygone era.

Pub food looks pretty basic but traditional. Will report back on that one.

If its an old fashioned local you are after then this hits the spot. This is an endangered species.This pub ticks all the boxes as a tip-top local pub: quiet, always a seat, no music, great beer, a sense of community and fun characters to watch. I even spotted a chap drinking from his usual pewter mug (presumably in his usual seat too).

This is a Samuel Smith pub (nothing to do with John Smiths, despite the rumours) so everything is furnished with their traditional brand and quality. The Oatmeal Stout is well worth trying...close your eyes and it feels like slipping back into a bygone era.

Pub food looks pretty basic but traditional. Will report back on that one.

If its an old fashioned local you are after then this hits the spot. This is an endangered species.

The Laughing Halibut - Best fishie in london by a country mile by papachumba

papachumba — Fri, 02 May 2008 14:02:19 +0000

Review by papachumba

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7799 2844

Tags: fish and chips, cheap eat

Last poster, I cannot believe how incorrect you are. Been to a lot of fish & chip places in London and most of them serve you with fish which is at least 2 days old, soggy and disgusting.

Not this place. Originally recommended by a resident friend, I managed to get most of my department's colleagues hooked on this little takeaway. Fish quality has been EXCEPTIONAL every time we've been there. I can honestly put a hand on my heart and say its the freshest fish I had from a fish&chip place in London.

Wilton's in Victoria? I hope you do not mean Seafresh on Wilton Road which is just opposite our offices? Looks nice and modern - crap fish. We prefer to go for a 10 minute walk down to Halibutts, thank you very much. Usually we order skinless cod & chips, which is out of this world (make sure you phone and pre-order, then just collect or sit in and eat. If you are in Victoria/Pimlico and fancy fish & chips - do not this give this place a miss.Last poster, I cannot believe how incorrect you are. Been to a lot of fish & chip places in London and most of them serve you with fish which is at least 2 days old, soggy and disgusting.

Not this place. Originally recommended by a resident friend, I managed to get most of my department's colleagues hooked on this little takeaway. Fish quality has been EXCEPTIONAL every time we've been there. I can honestly put a hand on my heart and say its the freshest fish I had from a fish&chip place in London.

Wilton's in Victoria? I hope you do not mean Seafresh on Wilton Road which is just opposite our offices? Looks nice and modern - crap fish. We prefer to go for a 10 minute walk down to Halibutts, thank you very much. Usually we order skinless cod & chips, which is out of this world (make sure you phone and pre-order, then just collect or sit in and eat. If you are in Victoria/Pimlico and fancy fish & chips - do not this give this place a miss.

The Grenadier - (Really) hidden gem of a pub by Hugo

Hugo — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:23:49 +0000

Review by Hugo

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7235 3074

Tags: food, hidden, traditional pub

Want a pub to show johnny-foreigner what a proper British pub is all about? Take your friends from overseas to The Grenadier and I think they will get the picture.

The Grenadier is ridiculously hidden away down a small private road just off Belgrave Square. Even with a map in my hand I stood at the entrance to the small cobbled lane thinking, well it can't be down here, how can my map be so wrong.

The beer is good and you can stand out on the street (they give you a plastic glass).

Part of me isn't too happy to share the knowledge of this pub with everyone because it is a hidden treasure trove and more to the point it isn't very big. After reading this review you really should reciprocate with your hidden treasures too!

Want a pub to show johnny-foreigner what a proper British pub is all about? Take your friends from overseas to The Grenadier and I think they will get the picture.

The Grenadier is ridiculously hidden away down a small private road just off Belgrave Square. Even with a map in my hand I stood at the entrance to the small cobbled lane thinking, well it can't be down here, how can my map be so wrong.

The beer is good and you can stand out on the street (they give you a plastic glass).

Part of me isn't too happy to share the knowledge of this pub with everyone because it is a hidden treasure trove and more to the point it isn't very big. After reading this review you really should reciprocate with your hidden treasures too!

The Quilon Restaurant & Bar - Posh Indian (with unusual seafood dishes) by Hugo

Hugo — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 09:28:09 +0000

Review by Hugo

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7821 1899

Website: http://www.thequilonrestaurant.com/

Tags: indian, posh, unusual

I have been meaning to test out Quilon restaurant for a while and got the chance last night. It has a reputation for being a posh Indian and I think that is pretty much spot on.

I had a delicious lobster curry (that's a first for me), an excellent 2 aubergine curry (mushed/ spicey and slice roasted) and a satisfyingly tasty chick pea curry. Top drawer. There were also plenty of other things on the menu that I was itching to try....for example the seafood curry broth appetizer (sounds intriguing).

A nice touch was the unusual amuse bouche of a glass of vegetable or chick pea curry soup - which was more palatable than it sounds and is certainly the first amuse bouche I have ever been offered in an Indian restaurant.

The service was excellent but perhaps the only slightly disappointing thing is the rather cheesy 80's style decor, I was expecting something with a little more atmosphere and pucca-ness - esp for the price. It is certainly not cheap but as I understand it, a very popular and well known spot in Westminster. I have been meaning to test out Quilon restaurant for a while and got the chance last night. It has a reputation for being a posh Indian and I think that is pretty much spot on.

I had a delicious lobster curry (that's a first for me), an excellent 2 aubergine curry (mushed/ spicey and slice roasted) and a satisfyingly tasty chick pea curry. Top drawer. There were also plenty of other things on the menu that I was itching to try....for example the seafood curry broth appetizer (sounds intriguing).

A nice touch was the unusual amuse bouche of a glass of vegetable or chick pea curry soup - which was more palatable than it sounds and is certainly the first amuse bouche I have ever been offered in an Indian restaurant.

The service was excellent but perhaps the only slightly disappointing thing is the rather cheesy 80's style decor, I was expecting something with a little more atmosphere and pucca-ness - esp for the price. It is certainly not cheap but as I understand it, a very popular and well known spot in Westminster.

Mango Tree - Fine... in all sense of the term by Cedric

Cedric — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:06:08 +0000

Review by Cedric

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7823 1888

Tags: thai, expensive, romantic

This is a great thai restaurant serving a very fine thai food. Of course it is a high end place with the prices that come along, but overall if you are after something more elaborate than a quick and dirty pad thai, then this is a great place to go. Service is top notch, even if it can be a bit busy, with a crowd of business people having a semi-casual night out. Interior design is on par with what you are expecting from a restaurant of this standard. Worth the trip to the Victoria area for a dinner.This is a great thai restaurant serving a very fine thai food. Of course it is a high end place with the prices that come along, but overall if you are after something more elaborate than a quick and dirty pad thai, then this is a great place to go. Service is top notch, even if it can be a bit busy, with a crowd of business people having a semi-casual night out. Interior design is on par with what you are expecting from a restaurant of this standard. Worth the trip to the Victoria area for a dinner.

Seafresh Fish Restaurant - Seafood - plain, simple & excellent by Hugo

Hugo — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:31:59 +0000

Review by Hugo

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7828 0747

Tags: take-away, fresh, takeaway

I was confused because SeaFresh has undergone a make-over since I visited many years ago. It is a famous spot for where cabbies meet politicians...apparently. In its new guise (whenever that was) it is now modern and very simple decor but in a cheesy 80's way. Quite an unlikely looking environment but then there is only one reason for coming here and that is to have fish, simply done and fresh. Period.

I sense the most popular thing on the menu (looking around) is a rather good classic fish, chips and mushy peas. However, I tucked into a terrific set of sardines, which really hit the spot. I plan on going back to tuck into more adventurous things and i seem to remember that the fish soup is a classic.

If you love fish then you will love this place.

It has a take-away fish service as well which is neatly tucked in next door.I was confused because SeaFresh has undergone a make-over since I visited many years ago. It is a famous spot for where cabbies meet politicians...apparently. In its new guise (whenever that was) it is now modern and very simple decor but in a cheesy 80's way. Quite an unlikely looking environment but then there is only one reason for coming here and that is to have fish, simply done and fresh. Period.

I sense the most popular thing on the menu (looking around) is a rather good classic fish, chips and mushy peas. However, I tucked into a terrific set of sardines, which really hit the spot. I plan on going back to tuck into more adventurous things and i seem to remember that the fish soup is a classic.

If you love fish then you will love this place.

It has a take-away fish service as well which is neatly tucked in next door.

The Station Hotel - Dirty, Unsecure, Un-friendly by smashingbirduk

smashingbirduk — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:13:23 +0000

Review by smashingbirduk

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7834 2751

Tags: televisions

We stayed there last night and we're disgusted. we paid Â£75 for a triple room which was a case of cramming a double and single bed into a tiny room. Upon arrival we were starred at by a foreign sounding man at reception who clearly did nt want to be there. he shoved a piece of paper at me to fill in to check in. He then said we were in the other building so taken outside and pointed in the direction of a wooden door next to some sort of kebab house. we were warned to be careful as they accept no responsibility for any loss which set alarm bells ringing. we got inside where it was just 3 floors of corridors and went down to the basement where our room was. once inside, we found the smoke detector was stuffed with toilet roll, the last guests rubbish was left on the dressing table, the beds didnt match and the window didnt lock. the plug was clogged in the shower so kept having to turn it off to avoid completely flooding the bathroom. the tv had 1 channel which played across numbers 1-4 and 5 didnt work. outside the window was masses of rubbish, disgusting. amazingly when we came back from our night out we still had all our belongings which we really did not expect. the room was freezing though and the only bed covers were a sheet and a felt blanket so no good nights sleep. i would not recommend staying here...We stayed there last night and we're disgusted. we paid Â£75 for a triple room which was a case of cramming a double and single bed into a tiny room. Upon arrival we were starred at by a foreign sounding man at reception who clearly did nt want to be there. he shoved a piece of paper at me to fill in to check in. He then said we were in the other building so taken outside and pointed in the direction of a wooden door next to some sort of kebab house. we were warned to be careful as they accept no responsibility for any loss which set alarm bells ringing. we got inside where it was just 3 floors of corridors and went down to the basement where our room was. once inside, we found the smoke detector was stuffed with toilet roll, the last guests rubbish was left on the dressing table, the beds didnt match and the window didnt lock. the plug was clogged in the shower so kept having to turn it off to avoid completely flooding the bathroom. the tv had 1 channel which played across numbers 1-4 and 5 didnt work. outside the window was masses of rubbish, disgusting. amazingly when we came back from our night out we still had all our belongings which we really did not expect. the room was freezing though and the only bed covers were a sheet and a felt blanket so no good nights sleep. i would not recommend staying here...

Harvey Nichols Wine Shop - Not as good as one might expect by Thomasinho

Thomasinho — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:08:18 +0000

Review by Thomasinho

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7201 8538

Website: http://www.harveynichols.com

This place let me down a bit, my Mother loves a good chauteu Margaux and they didnt even have that, I have to say something that is supposed to sell everything was very poor..
Also the V floor food hall, has gone right down aswell. mind you it was only relativley recently the V floor bar, stopped the sale of "pay by the hour fun", from the wide range of females ranging from lithuanian to Chilean young ladys.

Harveys is great for cosmetics and parfumes, some clothes are ok aswell, but leave the food, bar and any eating experience to Selfridges or Harrods, infact even House of Fraser, or John lewis.This place let me down a bit, my Mother loves a good chauteu Margaux and they didnt even have that, I have to say something that is supposed to sell everything was very poor..
Also the V floor food hall, has gone right down aswell. mind you it was only relativley recently the V floor bar, stopped the sale of "pay by the hour fun", from the wide range of females ranging from lithuanian to Chilean young ladys.

Harveys is great for cosmetics and parfumes, some clothes are ok aswell, but leave the food, bar and any eating experience to Selfridges or Harrods, infact even House of Fraser, or John lewis.

Mandarin Bar - Dying a slow painful death by Thomasinho

Thomasinho — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 14:52:40 +0000

Review by Thomasinho

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7235 2000

Website: http://www.mandarinoriental.com/london

Tags: live music, air conditioning, cocktails

This place was once the ultimate in Opulence, lately it seems to be full of pretentious wannabees, or old men hoping to glimpse some "pay by the hour" entertainment..
Once a highlight of manys Weekend, this place has seemingly gone down greatly in my estimations,
Its last refurb, was proberbly never.. and the staff nowadays, dont offer the same high level of service, you could expect in such an establishment.
On the upside, they serve amazing bar food, and nibbles, but im afraid this old favourite, has lost it.. This place was once the ultimate in Opulence, lately it seems to be full of pretentious wannabees, or old men hoping to glimpse some "pay by the hour" entertainment..
Once a highlight of manys Weekend, this place has seemingly gone down greatly in my estimations,
Its last refurb, was proberbly never.. and the staff nowadays, dont offer the same high level of service, you could expect in such an establishment.
On the upside, they serve amazing bar food, and nibbles, but im afraid this old favourite, has lost it..

Amaya - Oxymoron by gastro1

gastro1 — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:14:58 +0000

Review by gastro1

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7823 1166

Website: http://www.amaya.biz

Tags: indian, lively, romantic

Amaya is supposed to be about Indian Street food , little plates to share etc.

The food is very good especially the Tikkas like Chicken and Hamour (a fantastic fish common in the Arabian Gulf and I guess the Indian Ocean too )

However the positioning of this establishemnt is very much to be th Indian Nobu or the Indian Hakassan - a beautifully designed restaurant with wonderfully turned out staff.

The service unfortunatley is not up to scratch (or Nobu) and the food despite being very good cannot be said to be good value - portions are also very small so you need to order a lot unless you are like many of the guests Knightbridge shoppers who don't really eat

For me the words Amaya and Street Food is an Oxymoron !Amaya is supposed to be about Indian Street food , little plates to share etc.

The food is very good especially the Tikkas like Chicken and Hamour (a fantastic fish common in the Arabian Gulf and I guess the Indian Ocean too )

However the positioning of this establishemnt is very much to be th Indian Nobu or the Indian Hakassan - a beautifully designed restaurant with wonderfully turned out staff.

The service unfortunatley is not up to scratch (or Nobu) and the food despite being very good cannot be said to be good value - portions are also very small so you need to order a lot unless you are like many of the guests Knightbridge shoppers who don't really eat

For me the words Amaya and Street Food is an Oxymoron !

Ichi-Riki Sushi House - Super Sushi by MarkHarrison

MarkHarrison — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:48:27 +0000

Review by MarkHarrison

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7233 1701

Tags: japanese, good value, lively

Let's start with the bad news - this place is never going to get a Michelin star, because those guys really don't like restaurants with laminated adverts for beers on the wall.

Let's carry on with the worse news - it's much, much too small. I'm certain that if they had double the room, it would still be reservations only!

That's because the food is wonderful, and the staff are really friendly. My sushi background had started with the obvious chains but this is a clear cut above in terms of quality. The only complaint was that, on the day we went, they didn't have any toro... the reason being that they only use fresh fish and their supplier hadn't had any tuna that morning. The lady serving us, however, was quick to suggest a replacement which broadened by experience with sushi.

It's an easy walk from Victoria station, but hidden down a flight of stairs from Stratton Ground market (opposite the book stall, the day we were there.)

Not a cheap eat at Â£60 for two for a three-course lunch (including drinks), but no complaints on the value stakes.Let's start with the bad news - this place is never going to get a Michelin star, because those guys really don't like restaurants with laminated adverts for beers on the wall.

Let's carry on with the worse news - it's much, much too small. I'm certain that if they had double the room, it would still be reservations only!

That's because the food is wonderful, and the staff are really friendly. My sushi background had started with the obvious chains but this is a clear cut above in terms of quality. The only complaint was that, on the day we went, they didn't have any toro... the reason being that they only use fresh fish and their supplier hadn't had any tuna that morning. The lady serving us, however, was quick to suggest a replacement which broadened by experience with sushi.

It's an easy walk from Victoria station, but hidden down a flight of stairs from Stratton Ground market (opposite the book stall, the day we were there.)

Not a cheap eat at Â£60 for two for a three-course lunch (including drinks), but no complaints on the value stakes.

Yo! Sushi - Bargain if you have 50% off voucher from website by ilovelucy

ilovelucy — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 22:42:34 +0000

Review by ilovelucy

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7235 5000

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

Tags: japanese, lively, expensive

The last Friday of the month before payday is always a quiet night. FACT...! And this one was especially quiet with Christmas right behind us. However instead of Karaoke and dinner at our pregnant friend's place, we were left with no plans whatsoever as the baby decided to enter the world 10 days early. How inconvenient! ;o)

Before we were the last ones in the office (which is a situation reserved for only the saddest human beings), a plan was hatched and we decided to go for a few drinks down the road at the Swag & Tails before hitting Yo Sushi at Harvey Nichs. As a rule I never eat at Yo Sushi unless they have a promotion on - its just stupidly overpriced for the quality and with my appetite I would have to spend at least Â£30 to ever be satisfied. And who wants to spend Â£30 on the McDonalds of the sushi world?

However they have a 50% sale on at the moment so remembering that I was poor, I tediously entered all the details for all six of us, downloaded the vouchers from its website before we set sail for the Swag & Tails.

Two bottles of wine later we swaggered to Yo Sushi on the 5th Floor of Harvey Nichols via the Express Lift. Cute Doorman by the way. Yo Sushi I find, is not great for big-ish groups such as ours because we sat in a line facing the conveyor belt. However they do have two tables which also seat 6 each. We were ravenous so barely a word was spoken as we pulled dishes left right and centre off the conveyor belt - sad to say it - we could have been eating anything.

The open-plan restuarant wasn't busy and at this time 9pm there wasn't much variety left on the conveyor belts although you were able to order anything from the menu. I managed 6 plates - I particularly liked the sashimi especially yellowfin tuna and also the katsu prawns which are always pretty good.

With only one "waiter", service was very slow. He forgot a couple of times to give my order to the chefs and when I pointed out a maggot in one of my edaname peapods, he laughed and said "You are very lucky!" and scurried off! Lucky? Because I didn't eat the damn thing? I thought. Getting the bill also proved ridiculous. The manager at one point shouted to staff, "Who has been eating the sushi and putting it back on the conveyor belt!"....mmmm - didn't give us much confidence.

Ah well - we couldn't complain. Our bellies were full (mine sans maggot) and I was happy that it didn't break the bank with my dinner totaling up to Â£12. Great...roll on payday I say!

The last Friday of the month before payday is always a quiet night. FACT...! And this one was especially quiet with Christmas right behind us. However instead of Karaoke and dinner at our pregnant friend's place, we were left with no plans whatsoever as the baby decided to enter the world 10 days early. How inconvenient! ;o)

Before we were the last ones in the office (which is a situation reserved for only the saddest human beings), a plan was hatched and we decided to go for a few drinks down the road at the Swag & Tails before hitting Yo Sushi at Harvey Nichs. As a rule I never eat at Yo Sushi unless they have a promotion on - its just stupidly overpriced for the quality and with my appetite I would have to spend at least Â£30 to ever be satisfied. And who wants to spend Â£30 on the McDonalds of the sushi world?

However they have a 50% sale on at the moment so remembering that I was poor, I tediously entered all the details for all six of us, downloaded the vouchers from its website before we set sail for the Swag & Tails.

Two bottles of wine later we swaggered to Yo Sushi on the 5th Floor of Harvey Nichols via the Express Lift. Cute Doorman by the way. Yo Sushi I find, is not great for big-ish groups such as ours because we sat in a line facing the conveyor belt. However they do have two tables which also seat 6 each. We were ravenous so barely a word was spoken as we pulled dishes left right and centre off the conveyor belt - sad to say it - we could have been eating anything.

The open-plan restuarant wasn't busy and at this time 9pm there wasn't much variety left on the conveyor belts although you were able to order anything from the menu. I managed 6 plates - I particularly liked the sashimi especially yellowfin tuna and also the katsu prawns which are always pretty good.

With only one "waiter", service was very slow. He forgot a couple of times to give my order to the chefs and when I pointed out a maggot in one of my edaname peapods, he laughed and said "You are very lucky!" and scurried off! Lucky? Because I didn't eat the damn thing? I thought. Getting the bill also proved ridiculous. The manager at one point shouted to staff, "Who has been eating the sushi and putting it back on the conveyor belt!"....mmmm - didn't give us much confidence.

Ah well - we couldn't complain. Our bellies were full (mine sans maggot) and I was happy that it didn't break the bank with my dinner totaling up to Â£12. Great...roll on payday I say!

Mr Chow - Trendiest Chinese Restaurant in London? by Hugo

Hugo — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 10:22:07 +0000

Review by Hugo

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7589 7347

Website: http://www.mrchow.com

Tags: chinese, lively, trendy

Mr Chows is an institution. Perhaps all you need to know is that it started in the late 60's and has sister restaurants in New York (2), Beverly Hills and Miami...

Now, I am not in the habit of hunting out the trendiest places but I did eat here and feel duty bound to do a review.

Eating out in Mr Chow's (remember to book) is a fun and uplifting experience. Service is fantastic, the atmosphere fun/ eccentric and the restaurant is small, cosy and packed, which all hightens and invigorates the experience.

The food is undeniably very tasty and high quality. The dishes are mostly popular (I don't think the clientelle are looking for highly innovative Chinese cuisine) and excellently executed.

Expensive, yes, after all this is a Knightsbridge institution and it has to pay the rent and for all the highly attentive staff. A fun place to try for a treat.
Mr Chows is an institution. Perhaps all you need to know is that it started in the late 60's and has sister restaurants in New York (2), Beverly Hills and Miami...

Now, I am not in the habit of hunting out the trendiest places but I did eat here and feel duty bound to do a review.

Eating out in Mr Chow's (remember to book) is a fun and uplifting experience. Service is fantastic, the atmosphere fun/ eccentric and the restaurant is small, cosy and packed, which all hightens and invigorates the experience.

The food is undeniably very tasty and high quality. The dishes are mostly popular (I don't think the clientelle are looking for highly innovative Chinese cuisine) and excellently executed.

Expensive, yes, after all this is a Knightsbridge institution and it has to pay the rent and for all the highly attentive staff. A fun place to try for a treat.

Le Cercle - Very sexy indeed by ramanauskas

ramanauskas — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 10:38:20 +0000

Review by ramanauskas

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7901 9999

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

Tags: romantic, french, bar

Got a date you want to impress? Round about that stage in the relationship when they might come back to yours after dinner? Take them to Le Cercle. It will tick most, if not all, of their 'is this guy/gal serious 'n sexy 'n cool' boxes, and if it doesn't, I suggest you don't bother with the next date.

It's hidden away down a side street behind Sloane Square (expensive location: tick) and looks extremely exclusive, with a minimalist name hidden behind a screen of bamboos (gotta be in the know - tick). Hand your coat over at the door and then descend past a lounge area (hip hotel look-alike: tick) to the dining room (cosy banquette nooks and flattering lighting: tick and tick).

Staff are young and good looking, and just a bit ditzy. There's a dimly-lit bar area where you can perch with champagne cocktails. Other diners are also young and hip (especially considering we're slap bang in the middle of Chelsea). The wine list is varied and reasonably good value, and the bill overall should be around Â£40 each, unless you've plied him/her with a couple of bottles.

Oh - the food? Marvellous. The idea is French tapas, but executed with great style and superb ingredients. (Means you can eat quite a bit without being too full ...) Choose 3 or 4 dishes each from a selection of 5 or 6 from the different menu sections - vegetable, fish, game, meat. This changes regularly, but our dishes included pumpkin veloute, teal, onglet, and rabbit. Yes the portions are small but so full of flavour and interest that we didn't need dessert, but we were heading home afterwards to drink pink champagne and eat macaroons .. Got a date you want to impress? Round about that stage in the relationship when they might come back to yours after dinner? Take them to Le Cercle. It will tick most, if not all, of their 'is this guy/gal serious 'n sexy 'n cool' boxes, and if it doesn't, I suggest you don't bother with the next date.

It's hidden away down a side street behind Sloane Square (expensive location: tick) and looks extremely exclusive, with a minimalist name hidden behind a screen of bamboos (gotta be in the know - tick). Hand your coat over at the door and then descend past a lounge area (hip hotel look-alike: tick) to the dining room (cosy banquette nooks and flattering lighting: tick and tick).

Staff are young and good looking, and just a bit ditzy. There's a dimly-lit bar area where you can perch with champagne cocktails. Other diners are also young and hip (especially considering we're slap bang in the middle of Chelsea). The wine list is varied and reasonably good value, and the bill overall should be around Â£40 each, unless you've plied him/her with a couple of bottles.

Oh - the food? Marvellous. The idea is French tapas, but executed with great style and superb ingredients. (Means you can eat quite a bit without being too full ...) Choose 3 or 4 dishes each from a selection of 5 or 6 from the different menu sections - vegetable, fish, game, meat. This changes regularly, but our dishes included pumpkin veloute, teal, onglet, and rabbit. Yes the portions are small but so full of flavour and interest that we didn't need dessert, but we were heading home afterwards to drink pink champagne and eat macaroons ..

Pret-a-Portea at The Berkeley Hotel - Afternoon Tea is dead! Long live Afternoon Tea! by ONscotland

ONscotland — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 21:38:36 +0000

Review by ONscotland

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7201 1619

Website: http://www.the-berkeley.co.uk/restaurants_and_bars/restaurants/the_caramel_room/the_caramel_room/

Tags: expensive, afternoon tea, posh

The Berkeley, five minutes away from Hyde Park Corner has taken Afternoon Tea and turned it on its head. Let's face it, when you are competing with the Ritz, Claridge's (its sister hotel) and every other five star hotel in London, you need something pretty special to make your mark - but The Berkeley has and has made it well.

The previous reviews quite rightly focus on the amazing designs of the pastry chefs at the hotel, and the latest season has just been launched. I can't describe them - suffice to say that they are inspired by the latest fashions on the catwalk - but the pictures should help. Added to the canapes and puddings and biscuits, there are a range of lovely sandwiches, and again The Berkeley is different so they are a bit more adventurous. Chicken and Pesto, Ratatouille sandwiches replace the expected salmon and cucumber. And like everything else, they are replenished as often as you like. And just look at that gorgeous Paul Smith china!

For tea I had a beautiful infusion - Pear and Caramel, which really worked. Imagine the slight tartness of pear with the richness of caramel, it would be my tea of choice if I could get it anywhere else!

Pret-a-Portea is expensive yes, but the service, style and sheer indulgence of the experience means that it is something you won't forget. That's why I pick 'Good Value' for this.The Berkeley, five minutes away from Hyde Park Corner has taken Afternoon Tea and turned it on its head. Let's face it, when you are competing with the Ritz, Claridge's (its sister hotel) and every other five star hotel in London, you need something pretty special to make your mark - but The Berkeley has and has made it well.

The previous reviews quite rightly focus on the amazing designs of the pastry chefs at the hotel, and the latest season has just been launched. I can't describe them - suffice to say that they are inspired by the latest fashions on the catwalk - but the pictures should help. Added to the canapes and puddings and biscuits, there are a range of lovely sandwiches, and again The Berkeley is different so they are a bit more adventurous. Chicken and Pesto, Ratatouille sandwiches replace the expected salmon and cucumber. And like everything else, they are replenished as often as you like. And just look at that gorgeous Paul Smith china!

For tea I had a beautiful infusion - Pear and Caramel, which really worked. Imagine the slight tartness of pear with the richness of caramel, it would be my tea of choice if I could get it anywhere else!

Pret-a-Portea is expensive yes, but the service, style and sheer indulgence of the experience means that it is something you won't forget. That's why I pick 'Good Value' for this.

Chimes - Old English charm by jo104

jo104 — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 14:20:35 +0000

Review by jo104

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7821 7456

Tags: cider, british, pies

Well I must agree with previous reviews on this restuarant it has a fairly unusual ambience. The decor is sparse with wooden floors that helps the sound to carry around the room. I did find it rather odd that even though the restuarant was not full they seated a couple almost on top of us. I can also see what other reviewers may mean regarding the staff, they are noticebly withdrawn from the restaurant and flagging their attention can be difficult.

Now for the more important aspect being the food. Monthly specials are available on a separate menu, although they had run out of the Gloucestershire Lamb pie when we ordered. I opted for the Steak & mushroom pie, which comes in a round casserole dish topped with flaky puff pastry. The meat was superb quality and the accompanying vegetables were fresh and tasty. My friend chose the Lamb shank which he agreed was fist class. For dessert the apple and blackberry crumble was delicious.

There are several wines to choose from both by the glass or by the bottle. Cider is what makes this place special due to it stocking some unique brews, as well as the ability for you to enjoy fruit wine such as Elderflower or Blackberry. Well I must agree with previous reviews on this restuarant it has a fairly unusual ambience. The decor is sparse with wooden floors that helps the sound to carry around the room. I did find it rather odd that even though the restuarant was not full they seated a couple almost on top of us. I can also see what other reviewers may mean regarding the staff, they are noticebly withdrawn from the restaurant and flagging their attention can be difficult.

Now for the more important aspect being the food. Monthly specials are available on a separate menu, although they had run out of the Gloucestershire Lamb pie when we ordered. I opted for the Steak & mushroom pie, which comes in a round casserole dish topped with flaky puff pastry. The meat was superb quality and the accompanying vegetables were fresh and tasty. My friend chose the Lamb shank which he agreed was fist class. For dessert the apple and blackberry crumble was delicious.

There are several wines to choose from both by the glass or by the bottle. Cider is what makes this place special due to it stocking some unique brews, as well as the ability for you to enjoy fruit wine such as Elderflower or Blackberry.