Latest reviews in Charing Cross, London, United Kingdom

Texas Embassy Cantina - by AliZebu

AliZebu — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:58:03 +0000

Review by AliZebu

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7925 0077

Website: http://www.texasembassy.com

I have been going to the 'Texas Embassy Cantina' for a number of years and what keeps me coming back are few dishes that I can't find elswhere.

The Cheese Enchiladas are a must have everytime I go here - no other Tex-Mex in London does them the way they make them here.

The Fajitas are up there with ANYWHERE I have had in London and I like their Salsa more than most.

The Southern Fried chicken is milder in taste than from the Colonel's KFC chain but at least I do not detect any MSG in the recipe.

Burritos & Chimchangas are other top choices.
The Burgers are decent, and if you go for the more unusual toppings they are very good.
The Ribs are fine but not outstanding.
The chilli con carne is the about the best of the minced meat kind you will find in London.

Service is hit & miss depending on the indvidual server.
AVOID getting seated upstairs as you are liable to be forgotten if you are anything other than a large pre-booked private function.

RECOMMENDED!I have been going to the 'Texas Embassy Cantina' for a number of years and what keeps me coming back are few dishes that I can't find elswhere.

The Cheese Enchiladas are a must have everytime I go here - no other Tex-Mex in London does them the way they make them here.

The Fajitas are up there with ANYWHERE I have had in London and I like their Salsa more than most.

The Southern Fried chicken is milder in taste than from the Colonel's KFC chain but at least I do not detect any MSG in the recipe.

Burritos & Chimchangas are other top choices.
The Burgers are decent, and if you go for the more unusual toppings they are very good.
The Ribs are fine but not outstanding.
The chilli con carne is the about the best of the minced meat kind you will find in London.

Service is hit & miss depending on the indvidual server.
AVOID getting seated upstairs as you are liable to be forgotten if you are anything other than a large pre-booked private function.

RECOMMENDED!

Mint Leaf Restaurant - Don't go! I suffered from food poisoning! by mezza789

mezza789 — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:12:59 +0000

Review by mezza789

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7930 9020

Website: http://www.mintleafrestaurant.com

Tags: indian, expensive, romantic

We went with a group of girlfriends, two out of three of us suffered from food poisoning! We went on a toptable special and the waiter seemed very arrogant, rather he was the owner then a mere waiter! Gorgeous interior, but never again for us, food alert are looking it for us!We went with a group of girlfriends, two out of three of us suffered from food poisoning! We went on a toptable special and the waiter seemed very arrogant, rather he was the owner then a mere waiter! Gorgeous interior, but never again for us, food alert are looking it for us!

Wahaca - wahaca is cool by kamus

kamus — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:38:52 +0000

Review by kamus

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7240 1883

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

Tags: lively, cheap eat, good value

:):)

Terroirs - by barbd

barbd — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:36:53 +0000

Review by barbd

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7036 0660

Website: www.terroirswinebar.com

Tags: lively, french, good value

I love food served this way. The staff know their stuff, and are happy to guide you towards the most amazing wine as you order from one of the most fun menus I've had the pleasure of reading in quite some time!I love food served this way. The staff know their stuff, and are happy to guide you towards the most amazing wine as you order from one of the most fun menus I've had the pleasure of reading in quite some time!

Herbie Frogg - OK Clothes, Dreadful Service by josephkelly

josephkelly — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:41:41 +0000

Review by josephkelly

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7734 4206

Jermyn Street is home to many great shops to buy men's clothing, so there is a lot of competition. I have visited Herbie Frogg a few times and I consistently received poor service. It is unfortunate because some of the clothes are acceptable, particularly for the price. However, it is not worth a visit given the poor treatment from staff (they are out-of-date, rude and unprofessional) you are likely to receive, which is likely why they now have signs indicating they are closing down... let's hope a better shop takes its place.Jermyn Street is home to many great shops to buy men's clothing, so there is a lot of competition. I have visited Herbie Frogg a few times and I consistently received poor service. It is unfortunate because some of the clothes are acceptable, particularly for the price. However, it is not worth a visit given the poor treatment from staff (they are out-of-date, rude and unprofessional) you are likely to receive, which is likely why they now have signs indicating they are closing down... let's hope a better shop takes its place.

The Harp - A gem amongst the usual central London mediocrity by oogywawa

oogywawa — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:52:26 +0000

Review by oogywawa

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7836 0291

Tags: traditional pub, relaxed, food

Hunting for a good central London pub if you're not a resident can be a bewildering and ultimately futile experience. You end up sipping flat warm beer knowing that there is better out there whilst weeping gently in the corner.

That's why I was so happy to be introduced by an old friend to this gem in the very heart of London, yards from Trafalgar Square. My heart skipped a beat as we crossed over the road from Charing Cross to Chandos Place to this bijou drinking hole that is 100% pub, without the prefix "gastro" and hurrah for that. There is still a real place for uncomplicated traditional boozers that deliver first class real ale, ciders and lagers and leave faux fine dining to others.

Judging by the brisk and often hectic trade it's cheery bar staff were coping with - lots of others say "aye" to that also. The 6 real ales were proving very popular, with Harvey's Best Bitter being the pick of the bunch. Delicious proper sausage baguettes were being used as gastronomic mops to soak up the beer by workers that had come for a couple of beers after work and been beguiled into staying for more than was wise.

Who can blame them - this is a thoroughly likeable, convivial Free House serving superb beer that values it's patrons and works hard to deserve the plaudits is so richly deserves.Hunting for a good central London pub if you're not a resident can be a bewildering and ultimately futile experience. You end up sipping flat warm beer knowing that there is better out there whilst weeping gently in the corner.

That's why I was so happy to be introduced by an old friend to this gem in the very heart of London, yards from Trafalgar Square. My heart skipped a beat as we crossed over the road from Charing Cross to Chandos Place to this bijou drinking hole that is 100% pub, without the prefix "gastro" and hurrah for that. There is still a real place for uncomplicated traditional boozers that deliver first class real ale, ciders and lagers and leave faux fine dining to others.

Judging by the brisk and often hectic trade it's cheery bar staff were coping with - lots of others say "aye" to that also. The 6 real ales were proving very popular, with Harvey's Best Bitter being the pick of the bunch. Delicious proper sausage baguettes were being used as gastronomic mops to soak up the beer by workers that had come for a couple of beers after work and been beguiled into staying for more than was wise.

Who can blame them - this is a thoroughly likeable, convivial Free House serving superb beer that values it's patrons and works hard to deserve the plaudits is so richly deserves.

Tossed Salad Bar - Disorganised mess by emmanx

emmanx — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:13:24 +0000

Review by emmanx

Rating: 3.00

Tags: crowded, business, cheap eat

Just started working in the area a couple of weeks ago and already had two very dissapointing visits to Tossed on St. Martin's lane. The first time I happened to be helped by someone who had just started so I decided to be forgiving and give the place a second go. Mistake.

The salad bar staff have no specific work area so they just run around getting in each other's way. My server gave me lip because I asked for a wrap but didn't have a base salad in my hands. Apparently, a wrap without a tonne of lettuce is weird. After he put the ingredients in a bowl he passed it on to someone else who had no idea what they were doing - the process was about 15 minutes, bit much for someone on their lunchbreak run

I got bored of watching her so I walked over to the till waiting for my food. I got harrassed to pay before I received it, which I refused. Result? Dirty look.

After she finally managed to finish my wrap, she handed it over to someone else, who gave it to another customer who was waiting for another wrap. By the time I caught on, she walked off with it. At that point, I left and I will NEVER go back. Boo hiss.

AfterJust started working in the area a couple of weeks ago and already had two very dissapointing visits to Tossed on St. Martin's lane. The first time I happened to be helped by someone who had just started so I decided to be forgiving and give the place a second go. Mistake.

The salad bar staff have no specific work area so they just run around getting in each other's way. My server gave me lip because I asked for a wrap but didn't have a base salad in my hands. Apparently, a wrap without a tonne of lettuce is weird. After he put the ingredients in a bowl he passed it on to someone else who had no idea what they were doing - the process was about 15 minutes, bit much for someone on their lunchbreak run

I got bored of watching her so I walked over to the till waiting for my food. I got harrassed to pay before I received it, which I refused. Result? Dirty look.

After she finally managed to finish my wrap, she handed it over to someone else, who gave it to another customer who was waiting for another wrap. By the time I caught on, she walked off with it. At that point, I left and I will NEVER go back. Boo hiss.

After

H.K Diner Restaurant - by liangliang

liangliang — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:47:33 +0000

Review by liangliang

Rating: 5.00

Tags: lively, malaysian, vegetarian

have gone thee twice , excellenthave gone thee twice , excellent

One Twenty One Two - Food was Fabulous by Jameson56

Jameson56 — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:59:38 +0000

Review by Jameson56

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7839 3400

Website: http://www.thistlehotels.com

Tags: good value, international, vegetarian dishes

Upscale service in Royal Horseguards Hotel just down from the Defence Ministry on Whitehall and a block over from the Battle of Britain Monument on the Thames. The duck and sea bass were excellent as were their potatoes. Creamed potatoes might seem too plebian but theirs were exquisite. Lobster Bisque tasted very fresh, served hot with many pieces of lobster. Highly recommended! Located at old Scotland Yard, hence the name, One Twenty One Two, which was the Scotland Yard phone number.Upscale service in Royal Horseguards Hotel just down from the Defence Ministry on Whitehall and a block over from the Battle of Britain Monument on the Thames. The duck and sea bass were excellent as were their potatoes. Creamed potatoes might seem too plebian but theirs were exquisite. Lobster Bisque tasted very fresh, served hot with many pieces of lobster. Highly recommended! Located at old Scotland Yard, hence the name, One Twenty One Two, which was the Scotland Yard phone number.

Jom Makan - Very rude staff. Food was 'okay' by Zahasman

Zahasman — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 01:43:44 +0000

Review by Zahasman

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7925 2402

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

Tags: malaysian, good value, cheap eat

I just came back from Buka Puasa at Jom Makan today, a day before Raya. It was the most uncomfortable meal i have ever had in my life. But i do have some positive and some negative feedback to be fair.

The positive side of thing is that their Satay (with the peanut sauce) is very close to authentic. And so does their beef rendang which was absolutely brilliant. As the dinner was for my Raya celebration, having an authentic beef rendang definitely brought me back home.

The ugly side is, unfortunately, a lot. First of all their Roti Canai.... it did not come with any curry! This is absolutely a let down and a shock to me considering that im a Malaysian eating in a Malaysian restaurant. Although the Roti Canai bread itself is authentic, but there's no point eating Roti Canai without a curry to be dipped with. It wouldn't cost a dime to add a small curry to it and i wonder why they would leave this open for complaint.

But the biggest let down was their staff service, and this is the real reason why I said it was the most uncomfortable meal I have ever had. Their staff kept eyeing on us to make sure we finish our food fast so that we can leave early for their next customers - worse is they made this very obvious. At one point their manager (the bald guy who kept running around) even shouted at us saying that they have customers outside queing and they will lose customers if we dont leave soon (yes, shouted). How can a manager embarrassed us like that in front of other customers while we were having a meal? I have never felt so abused and insulted as a customer. Substitute that with a nice talk we would have left the premise happily.

So no, I will not recommend anyone to come to this place and I will also never return to this place. We had such a bad experience to do otherwise.I just came back from Buka Puasa at Jom Makan today, a day before Raya. It was the most uncomfortable meal i have ever had in my life. But i do have some positive and some negative feedback to be fair.

The positive side of thing is that their Satay (with the peanut sauce) is very close to authentic. And so does their beef rendang which was absolutely brilliant. As the dinner was for my Raya celebration, having an authentic beef rendang definitely brought me back home.

The ugly side is, unfortunately, a lot. First of all their Roti Canai.... it did not come with any curry! This is absolutely a let down and a shock to me considering that im a Malaysian eating in a Malaysian restaurant. Although the Roti Canai bread itself is authentic, but there's no point eating Roti Canai without a curry to be dipped with. It wouldn't cost a dime to add a small curry to it and i wonder why they would leave this open for complaint.

But the biggest let down was their staff service, and this is the real reason why I said it was the most uncomfortable meal I have ever had. Their staff kept eyeing on us to make sure we finish our food fast so that we can leave early for their next customers - worse is they made this very obvious. At one point their manager (the bald guy who kept running around) even shouted at us saying that they have customers outside queing and they will lose customers if we dont leave soon (yes, shouted). How can a manager embarrassed us like that in front of other customers while we were having a meal? I have never felt so abused and insulted as a customer. Substitute that with a nice talk we would have left the premise happily.

So no, I will not recommend anyone to come to this place and I will also never return to this place. We had such a bad experience to do otherwise.

Angel & Crown - Watered down beer scam . by peteros

peteros — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:48:34 +0000

Review by peteros

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7557 9841

Tags: traditional, tv for sporting events

I'm afraid I caught the barman watering down my beer . They've got a scam going on .I'm afraid I caught the barman watering down my beer . They've got a scam going on .

Cucina Creativa - Borgia - Dont go to this place by mumoftwo

mumoftwo — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 07:25:14 +0000

Review by mumoftwo

Rating: 1.00

Tags: italian, expensive, pretentious

What a horrible place, the stuff are so rude, the food is crap, the cakes are disgusting and its so expensive, plus you can only pay with cash, yak place !!!What a horrible place, the stuff are so rude, the food is crap, the cakes are disgusting and its so expensive, plus you can only pay with cash, yak place !!!

ID Photoshop - Good value!! by gj79

gj79 — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:19:16 +0000

Review by gj79

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7508 0004

Website: www.idphotoshop.co.uk

Tags: great photographer

Very helpful, polite and professional.
Will strongly recommend.Very helpful, polite and professional.
Will strongly recommend.

Gordon's Wine Bar - by cbp

cbp — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:42:04 +0000

Review by cbp

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 0845 2247604

Tags: relaxed, friendly, underground

good 10/10good 10/10

Bank Of Scotland - by PSS

PSS — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 08:29:19 +0000

Review by PSS

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 0845 780 1801

DEAR SIR,

WE HAVE A CLIENT VERY MUCH REQUIRING SBLC/BG FOR US$10 MILLION ON LEASE FOR ONE YEAR FROM A TOP BANK AND THE INSTRUMENT WILL BE RETURNED UNENCUMBERED AT THE END OF ONE YEAR PERIOD

AND WE ALSO HAVE IMMEDIATE REQUIREMENT FOR FRESHCUT OR SEASONED INSTRUMENTS FOR 10M TO 500M. WE SHALL BE GLAD TO RECEIVE YOUR OFFERS AND CONTRACT, AS WE LOOKING FOR SERIOUS AND GENUINE BUSINESS, THEREFORE KINDLY ENABLE US TO PROCEED FURTHER.

REGARDS
P.S

DEAR SIR,

WE HAVE A CLIENT VERY MUCH REQUIRING SBLC/BG FOR US$10 MILLION ON LEASE FOR ONE YEAR FROM A TOP BANK AND THE INSTRUMENT WILL BE RETURNED UNENCUMBERED AT THE END OF ONE YEAR PERIOD

AND WE ALSO HAVE IMMEDIATE REQUIREMENT FOR FRESHCUT OR SEASONED INSTRUMENTS FOR 10M TO 500M. WE SHALL BE GLAD TO RECEIVE YOUR OFFERS AND CONTRACT, AS WE LOOKING FOR SERIOUS AND GENUINE BUSINESS, THEREFORE KINDLY ENABLE US TO PROCEED FURTHER.

REGARDS
P.S

Spaghetti House - Perfect pre-theatre dining by adiguy60

adiguy60 — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:41:16 +0000

Review by adiguy60

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7836 1626

Website: http://www.spaghetti-house.co.uk

Tags: italian, lively, romantic

I often eat at spaghetti house so I thought it only proper to write a review. Great atmosphere, great food and friendly waiters... what more could you ask for!?I often eat at spaghetti house so I thought it only proper to write a review. Great atmosphere, great food and friendly waiters... what more could you ask for!?

Fitness First Kingley Street - OK if you work in the area... by lowjohnny

lowjohnny — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:52:17 +0000

Review by lowjohnny

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7734 6226

Tags: gym

I have been using Kingley St Fitness First for about 10 months now. The main selling point is its location 3 minutes from my office.

As gyms go it is quite average. It tends to be very crowded during the week, especially in the afternoons and evenings.

The equipment is adequate and generally in good working order, although be prepared for a wait for benches during busy times.

However it did take them several weeks to repair the broken water fountain - quite an inconvenience being summer.

Avoid using the lockers at all costs. Shady characters blatantly have a master key, because I had my wallet and phone stolen from my LOCKED locker twice in two weeks, in the couple of minutes I was in the shower.

Needless to say I either leave my valuables at the office, or take them in the shower if I cycle in of a morning.

On the positive side I find most of the staff very pleasant to deal with, and I have never had any issues with fellow patrons.I have been using Kingley St Fitness First for about 10 months now. The main selling point is its location 3 minutes from my office.

As gyms go it is quite average. It tends to be very crowded during the week, especially in the afternoons and evenings.

The equipment is adequate and generally in good working order, although be prepared for a wait for benches during busy times.

However it did take them several weeks to repair the broken water fountain - quite an inconvenience being summer.

Avoid using the lockers at all costs. Shady characters blatantly have a master key, because I had my wallet and phone stolen from my LOCKED locker twice in two weeks, in the couple of minutes I was in the shower.

Needless to say I either leave my valuables at the office, or take them in the shower if I cycle in of a morning.

On the positive side I find most of the staff very pleasant to deal with, and I have never had any issues with fellow patrons.

The National Dining Rooms - Excellent! by KateLondon

KateLondon — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:54:51 +0000

Review by KateLondon

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 0207 747 2525

Website: www.thenationaldiningrooms.co.uk

Tags: romantic, good value, business

I visited the National Dining Rooms during a visit to the Gallery, and had the most fantastic meal. They have a number of options, from the less formal 'Bakery' through to the set menu's and a la carte in the fine dining restaurant. I had the 'County of the Month' menu which was great value at 2 courses for Â£22.50 and was just delicious. I had duck to start followed by lemon sole, and both were superb.
The restaurant has a great atmosphere and makes you feel like you're somewhere a bit special, especially with the views over Trafalgar Square. Brilliant choice for a romantic lunch or special occasion! Definately recommend.I visited the National Dining Rooms during a visit to the Gallery, and had the most fantastic meal. They have a number of options, from the less formal 'Bakery' through to the set menu's and a la carte in the fine dining restaurant. I had the 'County of the Month' menu which was great value at 2 courses for Â£22.50 and was just delicious. I had duck to start followed by lemon sole, and both were superb.
The restaurant has a great atmosphere and makes you feel like you're somewhere a bit special, especially with the views over Trafalgar Square. Brilliant choice for a romantic lunch or special occasion! Definately recommend.

Albannach - Fantastic night! by vkaro

vkaro — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:24:43 +0000

Review by vkaro

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7930 0066

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

Tags: scottish, lively, cocktails

We had a lovely night at Albannach! A friend of mine recommended but I was a bit exceptical because of the location, right in Trafalgar Square.

I booked a table for 8 people but we have some drinks before hand, the food was really really lovely, the scallops and the fillet were spot on, service was efficient and friendly. we decide to go to the ground floor bar for more dirnks after and the bartender made me this amazing cocktail with apple and grapes!

Overall a lovely place to catch up with friends, lovely food and great value for money, I will be back and I will recommend this place to anyone!We had a lovely night at Albannach! A friend of mine recommended but I was a bit exceptical because of the location, right in Trafalgar Square.

I booked a table for 8 people but we have some drinks before hand, the food was really really lovely, the scallops and the fillet were spot on, service was efficient and friendly. we decide to go to the ground floor bar for more dirnks after and the bartender made me this amazing cocktail with apple and grapes!

Overall a lovely place to catch up with friends, lovely food and great value for money, I will be back and I will recommend this place to anyone!

Mermaids Tail - Navy Boys chasing the Mermaids Tail by Boys_in_Blue

Boys_in_Blue — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 21:54:49 +0000

Review by Boys_in_Blue

Rating: 5.00

Tags: lively, good value, british

We had been to the Angus Steak House in Leicester Square the day before and had an amazing steak but today we only had a couple of hours so we decided to eat at another of their restaurants. We only wanted dessert and we werenâ¬"t disappointed. There were eight of us and some restaurants dont like such a big group of boys, but they were more than happy to seat us. They immediately put a group of tables together outside on the terrace and were more than happy to serve us. We had such a funny waiter who had us in stitches. There was a premier being set up right in front of us â¬ and we spotted a couple of comedians Sean Lock and Jason Manford from 8 out of 10 cats. Couldnâ¬"t get much better, sitting in the sunshine being served more and more desserts.
What a lovely restaurant â¬ inside was fantastic with massive murals on the walls and traditional fish and chip restaurant decor. The fish and chips looked great â¬ massive portions (shame we had our dinner on the ship)
We asked for them to make platters of desserts so we could all have some of each â¬ it was a fight among the boys to get to the Apple Pie and Custard but by the end we could hardly move. We went through, cheesecake, chocolate fudge cake, treacle sponge, strawberries and ice cream and we even had deep fried mars bar (and it was great). They were the best desserts Iâ¬"ve ever had (just wish they delivered to the ship).
Iâ¬"m just glad we stopped when we did, our buttons were ready to pop as we made our way back to the ship. We had such good meals in Angus and Mermaids Tail it really made our trip to London and we are already looking forward to returning (definitely be having the fish and chips next time).

We had been to the Angus Steak House in Leicester Square the day before and had an amazing steak but today we only had a couple of hours so we decided to eat at another of their restaurants. We only wanted dessert and we werenâ¬"t disappointed. There were eight of us and some restaurants dont like such a big group of boys, but they were more than happy to seat us. They immediately put a group of tables together outside on the terrace and were more than happy to serve us. We had such a funny waiter who had us in stitches. There was a premier being set up right in front of us â¬ and we spotted a couple of comedians Sean Lock and Jason Manford from 8 out of 10 cats. Couldnâ¬"t get much better, sitting in the sunshine being served more and more desserts.
What a lovely restaurant â¬ inside was fantastic with massive murals on the walls and traditional fish and chip restaurant decor. The fish and chips looked great â¬ massive portions (shame we had our dinner on the ship)
We asked for them to make platters of desserts so we could all have some of each â¬ it was a fight among the boys to get to the Apple Pie and Custard but by the end we could hardly move. We went through, cheesecake, chocolate fudge cake, treacle sponge, strawberries and ice cream and we even had deep fried mars bar (and it was great). They were the best desserts Iâ¬"ve ever had (just wish they delivered to the ship).
Iâ¬"m just glad we stopped when we did, our buttons were ready to pop as we made our way back to the ship. We had such good meals in Angus and Mermaids Tail it really made our trip to London and we are already looking forward to returning (definitely be having the fish and chips next time).