Latest reviews in Castelnau, London, United Kingdom

Strada - I love strada! by dryremedy

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

Review by dryremedy

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 8392 9216

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

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

Giuliano - Do try the black spaghetti with prawns.... by smartman

smartman — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:36:55 +0000

Review by smartman

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 8563 8223

Tags: cultured, proper food, amazing brew

Here I have tried some very fantastic Italian dishes as well as deserts,always being spoilt for choice.
The ambience is cultured, and if you like cooking then maybe purchase some of the ingredients used in their meals right in store.
As well as the in door accomodation there is seating at the front and rear of the cafe, but no need to stress you sit and their helpful staff would be at your service.Here I have tried some very fantastic Italian dishes as well as deserts,always being spoilt for choice.
The ambience is cultured, and if you like cooking then maybe purchase some of the ingredients used in their meals right in store.
As well as the in door accomodation there is seating at the front and rear of the cafe, but no need to stress you sit and their helpful staff would be at your service.

Annie's - Great for brunches by Ludovic

Ludovic — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:44:23 +0000

Review by Ludovic

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 8878 2020

Website: http://www.anniesrestaurant.co.uk/barnes/

Tags: romantic, family & home feel, french

There's strangely an un-explored niche in the Richmond dining area: good places for brunch.

What's in a brunch? To me, a good brunch is informal (need to be able to bring the kids), good value and offering a range of options, not just a cooked breakfast.

We went to Annie's this Mothering Sunday and liked it. We've been there before and liked it: the decoration is warm, the uncovered oak tables inviting but the chairs are cosy rather than too pub-like. They do offer a brunch menu: full English Breakfast, but also a few eggy versions (Benedict, Florentine, with smoked salmon, etc...), all between Â£8 and Â£9, kiddies go full English for a fiver (one is enough for two sub-7 fairies).

I really like it at night too: it's a classic brasseie menu, not too extensive and fresh. Dishes are between Â£10 and Â£15 -now I wonder why we don't come back more often? I guess the wine list could be more researched, but it would be adequate for most.There's strangely an un-explored niche in the Richmond dining area: good places for brunch.

What's in a brunch? To me, a good brunch is informal (need to be able to bring the kids), good value and offering a range of options, not just a cooked breakfast.

We went to Annie's this Mothering Sunday and liked it. We've been there before and liked it: the decoration is warm, the uncovered oak tables inviting but the chairs are cosy rather than too pub-like. They do offer a brunch menu: full English Breakfast, but also a few eggy versions (Benedict, Florentine, with smoked salmon, etc...), all between Â£8 and Â£9, kiddies go full English for a fiver (one is enough for two sub-7 fairies).

I really like it at night too: it's a classic brasseie menu, not too extensive and fresh. Dishes are between Â£10 and Â£15 -now I wonder why we don't come back more often? I guess the wine list could be more researched, but it would be adequate for most.

Orange Pekoe - Breakfast in Barnes by sue

sue — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 18:22:01 +0000

Review by sue

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 8876 6070

Website: http://www.orangepekoeteas.com/

Tags: cosy, quick bite, friendly

Independent cafes are disappearing, so when you find a good one you should share it. Therefore, I give you Orange Pekoe. This cute cafÃ© is located in Barnes, and not only serves up decent coffee and yummy looking cakes, but breakfast and lunch too.

We headed there for breakfast one Sunday, specifically choosing it as they open at 9am on the weekends. The tables out the front looked inviting, but as rain was threatening, we ventured in.

Orange Pekoe have one of those tempting front counters filled with good looking cakes and savoury treats. Staff greeted us and explained that we should order at the counter, from the blackboard menu, and then take a seat. Order placed, be chose a table in the narrow seating area and I snapped arty photos of the quaint table settings and tea-cup-art on the walls.

To eat we had the 'Pekoe Benedict'; the Granola; and a toasted Croissant with jam. The Pekoe Benedict was like Eggs Benedict but there was no hollandaise sauce, and it was served like a sandwich. It was ok, but I wouldn't order it again. The winning dish was the granola which was good and nutty.

Coffee was served in big mugs, which I don't usually like as it often mucks up the coffee/milk ratio, but Orange Pekoe got away with it. However, this cafÃ© specialises in tea (they have over 100 different blends apparently), so next time I will order a pot, and one of those tasty looking cakes.Independent cafes are disappearing, so when you find a good one you should share it. Therefore, I give you Orange Pekoe. This cute cafÃ© is located in Barnes, and not only serves up decent coffee and yummy looking cakes, but breakfast and lunch too.

We headed there for breakfast one Sunday, specifically choosing it as they open at 9am on the weekends. The tables out the front looked inviting, but as rain was threatening, we ventured in.

Orange Pekoe have one of those tempting front counters filled with good looking cakes and savoury treats. Staff greeted us and explained that we should order at the counter, from the blackboard menu, and then take a seat. Order placed, be chose a table in the narrow seating area and I snapped arty photos of the quaint table settings and tea-cup-art on the walls.

To eat we had the 'Pekoe Benedict'; the Granola; and a toasted Croissant with jam. The Pekoe Benedict was like Eggs Benedict but there was no hollandaise sauce, and it was served like a sandwich. It was ok, but I wouldn't order it again. The winning dish was the granola which was good and nutty.

Coffee was served in big mugs, which I don't usually like as it often mucks up the coffee/milk ratio, but Orange Pekoe got away with it. However, this cafÃ© specialises in tea (they have over 100 different blends apparently), so next time I will order a pot, and one of those tasty looking cakes.

Monzil Tandoori - Comfort curry by Corky

Corky — Wed, 07 May 2008 09:06:37 +0000

Review by Corky

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 8748 9757

Tags: indian, takeaway, crowded

When you've just got to have a curry this is the only place in Barnes. All the old favourites, nothing fancy but it never fails. And it's cheap.

If only it had a delivery service.When you've just got to have a curry this is the only place in Barnes. All the old favourites, nothing fancy but it never fails. And it's cheap.

If only it had a delivery service.

Tree House Restaurant - hit & miss by Corky

Corky — Wed, 07 May 2008 08:54:42 +0000

Review by Corky

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 8392 1617

Tags: lively, expensive, european

Another local of mine & I'd really like to like this place.

The bar is nice, staff friendly & it has a super garden at the back but the food is very hit and miss and for the prices it has to be consistent.

Both the Brown Dog and The Depot nearby are better for the price.

Another local of mine & I'd really like to like this place.

The bar is nice, staff friendly & it has a super garden at the back but the food is very hit and miss and for the prices it has to be consistent.

Both the Brown Dog and The Depot nearby are better for the price.

Reef - Fish & Chips just got Glamorous by sue

sue — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 14:05:43 +0000

Review by sue

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 8994 1988

Website: http://reefchiswick.co.uk

Tags: european, quirky, stylish

I do like the occasional meal of Fish & Chips. To be honest, it is more about the chips than the fish. I'm not a fan of battered fish and it seems near impossible to get grilled fish instead of battered in the UK. Anyhoo, when I heard about a new "glamorous" F&C place in Chiswick called Reef, owned by the same people that run the excellent Annie's (in Chiswick & Barnes) and Rock & Rose (in Richmond), I immediately added it to the wish list.

We tried to go for Sunday lunch the week they opened, but they were closed. Only open Mon-Sat at this stage. Then one evening, a couple of weeks later, we were heading off on our annual mecca to Ikea, and decided to pop in to Reef for a quick meal before stocking up on some flat-pack furniture and Swedish treats.

Reef is located opposite Chiswick British Rail station, so not handy to the High Street, but great for the Grove Park residents. I have actually eaten in the restaurant twice in the past - this is the third restaurant to be located here in the past 5 years. Let's hope they have more success than the previous tenants.

Thankfully we booked ahead, as the compact restaurant was full on the Thursday night we visited. We were given a warm welcome and seated at a comfortable table in the corridor to the side. There is a small courtyard at the rear which I am sure will be very popular as the weather improves. The dÃ©cor is quirky, with candles, chandeliers and fishy wallpaper.

The menu is fairly short and uncomplicated, and entirely seafood focused apart from a vegetarian pie. To eat, we had the Battered Cod, with a side of chips and a side of mushy peas, and the Reef Goan fish curry & rice. The piece of cod was huge, the mushy peas were perfectly mushy and the chips were delicious. The fish curry was pretty good too. My only complaint would be that the traditional battered fish didn't automatically come with chips, these had to be ordered as a side at an additional cost. But then they were so tasty I shouldn't quibble. We will return.I do like the occasional meal of Fish & Chips. To be honest, it is more about the chips than the fish. I'm not a fan of battered fish and it seems near impossible to get grilled fish instead of battered in the UK. Anyhoo, when I heard about a new "glamorous" F&C place in Chiswick called Reef, owned by the same people that run the excellent Annie's (in Chiswick & Barnes) and Rock & Rose (in Richmond), I immediately added it to the wish list.

We tried to go for Sunday lunch the week they opened, but they were closed. Only open Mon-Sat at this stage. Then one evening, a couple of weeks later, we were heading off on our annual mecca to Ikea, and decided to pop in to Reef for a quick meal before stocking up on some flat-pack furniture and Swedish treats.

Reef is located opposite Chiswick British Rail station, so not handy to the High Street, but great for the Grove Park residents. I have actually eaten in the restaurant twice in the past - this is the third restaurant to be located here in the past 5 years. Let's hope they have more success than the previous tenants.

Thankfully we booked ahead, as the compact restaurant was full on the Thursday night we visited. We were given a warm welcome and seated at a comfortable table in the corridor to the side. There is a small courtyard at the rear which I am sure will be very popular as the weather improves. The dÃ©cor is quirky, with candles, chandeliers and fishy wallpaper.

The menu is fairly short and uncomplicated, and entirely seafood focused apart from a vegetarian pie. To eat, we had the Battered Cod, with a side of chips and a side of mushy peas, and the Reef Goan fish curry & rice. The piece of cod was huge, the mushy peas were perfectly mushy and the chips were delicious. The fish curry was pretty good too. My only complaint would be that the traditional battered fish didn't automatically come with chips, these had to be ordered as a side at an additional cost. But then they were so tasty I shouldn't quibble. We will return.

Coach & Horses - by flojo

flojo — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 13:05:14 +0000

Review by flojo

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 8876 2695

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

Tags: food, crowded, friendly

Went there last week for a friday night drink.

The coach and horses is not a huge pub. It looks like it was originally two small bars which have been knocked through to make one largish room.

As I said there's not masses of room, but the C&H had friendly bar staff and seems much more a locals pub, perhaps because of it's location away from the river? Anyway wasn't complaining as the Garden was lovely, perfect for the balmy evening!

Most of my companions were sinking the beer (it's a Young's pub) and a couple of us were knocking back the Rose. The pub does do food, but we weren't partaking.

A very enjoyable evening was had by all.Went there last week for a friday night drink.

The coach and horses is not a huge pub. It looks like it was originally two small bars which have been knocked through to make one largish room.

As I said there's not masses of room, but the C&H had friendly bar staff and seems much more a locals pub, perhaps because of it's location away from the river? Anyway wasn't complaining as the Garden was lovely, perfect for the balmy evening!

Most of my companions were sinking the beer (it's a Young's pub) and a couple of us were knocking back the Rose. The pub does do food, but we weren't partaking.

A very enjoyable evening was had by all.

The Sun Inn - by dizzle

dizzle — Wed, 09 May 2007 15:06:17 +0000

Review by dizzle

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 8876 5256

Tags: good food, mediterranean, food

This is one of those dark pubs, the kind with dark wood interior, an almost oldish smell (in a good way), classic stuff.
The place has some nice nooks for groups, and two bars.
They have a decent choice of drinks, and the food can be pretty good. It's a fairly young crowd in there, and can get lively in the summer.
It's also opposite the pond/mere & park, and within reasonable walking distance from The Idle Hour. There are also quite a few close pubs/bars/restaurants, which is always handy.
Barnes village is a nice area.This is one of those dark pubs, the kind with dark wood interior, an almost oldish smell (in a good way), classic stuff.
The place has some nice nooks for groups, and two bars.
They have a decent choice of drinks, and the food can be pretty good. It's a fairly young crowd in there, and can get lively in the summer.
It's also opposite the pond/mere & park, and within reasonable walking distance from The Idle Hour. There are also quite a few close pubs/bars/restaurants, which is always handy.
Barnes village is a nice area.

Pissarro - Stylish Dining by the River in Chiswick by sue

sue — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 21:58:02 +0000

Review by sue

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 8994 3111

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

Tags: romantic, international, expensive

Pissarro is a modern restaurant located by the Thames in Chiswick. The food is excellent and service generally friendly and efficient.
It is a great place for lunch with friends - try to book a table in the (covered and heated) conservatory area as the inside part of the restaurant is not as nice.

We have dined there for lunch and dinner and really enjoyed it both times. They serve modern European cuisine, with a good selection of seafood. On our first visit for lunch we all ordered fish dishes which were fresh and perfectly cooked and presented. When we were there for dinner we had the Rib eye steak, followed by delicious desserts including a rich Chocolate Tart, the Baked Pear, a Souffle, and one of my fav's, the humble Sticky Date Pudding.

Oh, and don't be alarmed if you see the resident white cat napping nearby your table, it is friendly : )Pissarro is a modern restaurant located by the Thames in Chiswick. The food is excellent and service generally friendly and efficient.
It is a great place for lunch with friends - try to book a table in the (covered and heated) conservatory area as the inside part of the restaurant is not as nice.

We have dined there for lunch and dinner and really enjoyed it both times. They serve modern European cuisine, with a good selection of seafood. On our first visit for lunch we all ordered fish dishes which were fresh and perfectly cooked and presented. When we were there for dinner we had the Rib eye steak, followed by delicious desserts including a rich Chocolate Tart, the Baked Pear, a Souffle, and one of my fav's, the humble Sticky Date Pudding.

Oh, and don't be alarmed if you see the resident white cat napping nearby your table, it is friendly : )