Latest reviews in Chelsea, London, United Kingdom

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

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

Review by pretzel

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7376 7799

Website: http://www.benihana.com

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

Bluebird Restaurant & Bar - Bluebird Bar by jill21

jill21 — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:25:34 +0000

Review by jill21

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7559 1000

Website: http://www.bluebird-restaurant.com/

Tags: expensive, pretentious, international

Just don't bother. The bar food is good ....... when it eventually arrives. the drinks are OK too but the wait is interminable and you have to order twice, wait until the wrong order is brought and wait again. We asked for napkins twice and finally got up to find our own. The management couldn't care less - an insincere apology delivered with a smirk. We definitely won't be going backJust don't bother. The bar food is good ....... when it eventually arrives. the drinks are OK too but the wait is interminable and you have to order twice, wait until the wrong order is brought and wait again. We asked for napkins twice and finally got up to find our own. The management couldn't care less - an insincere apology delivered with a smirk. We definitely won't be going back

Raison D'etre - Just an average experience by Tigerlily21

Tigerlily21 — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:49:57 +0000

Review by Tigerlily21

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7584 5008

Tags: quick bite, crowded, takeaway

While the sandwiches are decent and the coffee is good, the cafe (on the two visits I made) was jammed with screaming teens. The location is also a bit shabby for South Kensington. For the price, it's just not that special. I won't go back.While the sandwiches are decent and the coffee is good, the cafe (on the two visits I made) was jammed with screaming teens. The location is also a bit shabby for South Kensington. For the price, it's just not that special. I won't go back.

Phat Phuc Noodle Bar - faux pho by nopstar

nopstar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:37:19 +0000

Review by nopstar

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 07976 276 808

Tags: lively, terrace, vietnamese

I went looking for Pho and found a little hipster noodle bar owned by some nice Thai kids.

Nice spring rolls, and a decent noodle salad in a cute outdoor venue. Not really feeling their interpretation of Pho, with carrots and chinese cabbage...I went looking for Pho and found a little hipster noodle bar owned by some nice Thai kids.

Nice spring rolls, and a decent noodle salad in a cute outdoor venue. Not really feeling their interpretation of Pho, with carrots and chinese cabbage...

The Gourmet Oriental - DON"T USE THE WEBSITE by loriINlondon

loriINlondon — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 17:40:57 +0000

Review by loriINlondon

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7351 1714

Tags: home delivery, vegetarian dishes

DO NOT order from here on their website - the postcodes listed are apparently a guide to futility. After placing a very large order (Â£50) and waiting over an hour and a half, I called to check on my order but no branch of the chain would take responsibility for it. I was hung up on by one branch and when I finally found someone who could even find my order on their system I was told that it hadn't even been made. When they finally found which branch was making it, it seems my order for NW1 was being made in RICHMOND. Not exactly local to Camden!

I am still waiting for my food over 2 hours later with no update on when or if it will arrive - this despite the confirmation email I received from their site and my card being charged for the Â£50.

Never again.DO NOT order from here on their website - the postcodes listed are apparently a guide to futility. After placing a very large order (Â£50) and waiting over an hour and a half, I called to check on my order but no branch of the chain would take responsibility for it. I was hung up on by one branch and when I finally found someone who could even find my order on their system I was told that it hadn't even been made. When they finally found which branch was making it, it seems my order for NW1 was being made in RICHMOND. Not exactly local to Camden!

I am still waiting for my food over 2 hours later with no update on when or if it will arrive - this despite the confirmation email I received from their site and my card being charged for the Â£50.

Never again.

Beirut Express - Delicious meal for small price by ilovelucy

ilovelucy — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:48:34 +0000

Review by ilovelucy

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 75910123

Website: http://www.maroush.com/

Tags: lively, crowded, quick bite

I come here quite often as it is close to work. You can sit by the bar and eat your sandwiches/sharwarma at lunch without all the fuss of eating at the tables. Everything is very fresh and fragrant. I would usually have a mixed sharwarma - which consists of marinated lamb and chicken grilled meat from the spit roast, with tomatoes, mayonnaise and gerkins wrapped with lebanese bread. Absoultely delicious with all the different flavours and textures combined- and also very filling so its enough for lunch and only Â£4! I brought my Chinese friend here the other week so he could try lebanese food and he loved it. I've also eaten the vine leaves, tabouleh and hummous and a few other plates for dinner. Reasonable prices and it is very healthy foods. Another nice thing is that like tapas or Dim Sum, you can select a few dishes to share amongst friends. I come here quite often as it is close to work. You can sit by the bar and eat your sandwiches/sharwarma at lunch without all the fuss of eating at the tables. Everything is very fresh and fragrant. I would usually have a mixed sharwarma - which consists of marinated lamb and chicken grilled meat from the spit roast, with tomatoes, mayonnaise and gerkins wrapped with lebanese bread. Absoultely delicious with all the different flavours and textures combined- and also very filling so its enough for lunch and only Â£4! I brought my Chinese friend here the other week so he could try lebanese food and he loved it. I've also eaten the vine leaves, tabouleh and hummous and a few other plates for dinner. Reasonable prices and it is very healthy foods. Another nice thing is that like tapas or Dim Sum, you can select a few dishes to share amongst friends.

Tom's Kitchen - Mammoth disappointment by gourmand

gourmand — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:12:33 +0000

Review by gourmand

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7349 0202

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

Tags: british, expensive, lively

My wife and I visited this establishment with great expectations - probably too high!(although I do not think that our expectations were unwarranted in view of all the reports that we had read and received from friends who had visited Tom Aitken's restaurants).
We both chose the Gloucester Old Spot pork chop expecting it to be at least as good as that which we had experienced at The House in Islington - but Tom's dish was nowhere near as flavoursome or indeed as large as that at The House - in fact Tom's dish was very average and somewhat tasteless in comparison (and not dissimilar to a standard pork chop), although at least not bad enough to send back.
The bottle of wine that we had was good although overpriced.
Although we were invited to return (to give it another chance and try something different!) we shall not bother as we have other restaurants which we frequent where the quality and/or value for money is far better.My wife and I visited this establishment with great expectations - probably too high!(although I do not think that our expectations were unwarranted in view of all the reports that we had read and received from friends who had visited Tom Aitken's restaurants).
We both chose the Gloucester Old Spot pork chop expecting it to be at least as good as that which we had experienced at The House in Islington - but Tom's dish was nowhere near as flavoursome or indeed as large as that at The House - in fact Tom's dish was very average and somewhat tasteless in comparison (and not dissimilar to a standard pork chop), although at least not bad enough to send back.
The bottle of wine that we had was good although overpriced.
Although we were invited to return (to give it another chance and try something different!) we shall not bother as we have other restaurants which we frequent where the quality and/or value for money is far better.

Bowler Bar and Grill - Mmmmm Steak. by jezirwin

jezirwin — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:14:17 +0000

Review by jezirwin

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7589 5876

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

Tags: cocktails, good value, british

I was eager to check out the Bowler Bar and Grill after reading the reviews below - it seemed like it would be right up my alley. I was somewhat surprised once we got there though - I think I was expecting more of a burger and steak house with sort of pub food rather than a fine restaurant with a penchant for carnivorous feasting.

The starter list was dominated by seafood dishes (I had the Salt Chili Squid) while the main menu had a broad selection of steaks available in different sizes, I soon realised this was pretty much Mecca for any steak lover. In addition to the steak choices there were some more seafood and other modern european meals - however these never really came into serious consideration.

Since the folks were paying I went halves in a ChateauBriand with the old man, plus a few vegetable accompaniments, no regrets there.

There was also the option for a competitively priced 2 and 3 course set menu.

Despite feeling absolutely stuffed, I couldn't resist the chocolate pudding, we were warned that it would take about 20min (which it did), while a bit rich for my taste it was still very nice.

All the wait staff were very friendly, helpful, professional and well, easy on the eye also.

The bill came to about Â£150 for the three of us, including a delicious rioja. I'm definately looking forward to a return visit.I was eager to check out the Bowler Bar and Grill after reading the reviews below - it seemed like it would be right up my alley. I was somewhat surprised once we got there though - I think I was expecting more of a burger and steak house with sort of pub food rather than a fine restaurant with a penchant for carnivorous feasting.

The starter list was dominated by seafood dishes (I had the Salt Chili Squid) while the main menu had a broad selection of steaks available in different sizes, I soon realised this was pretty much Mecca for any steak lover. In addition to the steak choices there were some more seafood and other modern european meals - however these never really came into serious consideration.

Since the folks were paying I went halves in a ChateauBriand with the old man, plus a few vegetable accompaniments, no regrets there.

There was also the option for a competitively priced 2 and 3 course set menu.

Despite feeling absolutely stuffed, I couldn't resist the chocolate pudding, we were warned that it would take about 20min (which it did), while a bit rich for my taste it was still very nice.

All the wait staff were very friendly, helpful, professional and well, easy on the eye also.

The bill came to about Â£150 for the three of us, including a delicious rioja. I'm definately looking forward to a return visit.

OnlyRoses - The best roses ever! by Angie4114

Angie4114 — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 18:58:04 +0000

Review by Angie4114

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 02073739595

Website: www.only-roses.com

What a amazing shop! The best roses I ever seen! These roses are not just beautiful (full of colours, long stems, etc)....they're high quality too....last ones I bought lasted more than a week in my flat....! I definitely recommend this place!What a amazing shop! The best roses I ever seen! These roses are not just beautiful (full of colours, long stems, etc)....they're high quality too....last ones I bought lasted more than a week in my flat....! I definitely recommend this place!

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay - yay by Mitnik

Mitnik — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:34:17 +0000

Review by Mitnik

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7352 4441

Website: http://www.gordonramsay.com

Tags: expensive, french, good value

not badnot bad

Made In Italy - Just don't do it... by knowsgoodfood

knowsgoodfood — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:49:41 +0000

Review by knowsgoodfood

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7352 1880

Website: http://www.madeinitalygroup.co.uk/restaurants-madeinitaly.asp

Tags: italian, lively, expensive

Avoid this restaurant!!! The service was absolutely terrible. My friend and I were sat in a corner next to two very loud parties,so we were often forgotten; plus,I could barely hear my friend. After 15 minutes sat on our own,we finally had a chance to order.The starter was OK,but my main was very dry and without flavour. To top it off, we ordered desserts only to be further let down.I ordered the apple tart and the ice cream was absolutely disgusting.We complained to the waiter.When he returned, he explained that the chef spilled salt in my ice cream. How could he serve me my dessert after knowingly spilling salt into my ice cream? I found this absolutely disgraceful and absurd. Good luck!Avoid this restaurant!!! The service was absolutely terrible. My friend and I were sat in a corner next to two very loud parties,so we were often forgotten; plus,I could barely hear my friend. After 15 minutes sat on our own,we finally had a chance to order.The starter was OK,but my main was very dry and without flavour. To top it off, we ordered desserts only to be further let down.I ordered the apple tart and the ice cream was absolutely disgusting.We complained to the waiter.When he returned, he explained that the chef spilled salt in my ice cream. How could he serve me my dessert after knowingly spilling salt into my ice cream? I found this absolutely disgraceful and absurd. Good luck!

ASK - Not really worth it by evarley

evarley — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:51:38 +0000

Review by evarley

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7835 0840

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

Tags: italian, bar, air conditioning

Went here on the weekend as it was round the corner from where my parents are staying and we wanted something quick and easy. Both my step-mum and I ordered the special - an asparagus and pea risotto. We sent it back as it definitely wasn't risotto (they hadn't used arborio rice), and was tasteless mush. The four seasons pizza we shared instead was pretty tasty, and I was happy with that.

The service was average and the restaurant was playing weird disco music and didn't have much ambience, so all in all I wouldn't bother going back.Went here on the weekend as it was round the corner from where my parents are staying and we wanted something quick and easy. Both my step-mum and I ordered the special - an asparagus and pea risotto. We sent it back as it definitely wasn't risotto (they hadn't used arborio rice), and was tasteless mush. The four seasons pizza we shared instead was pretty tasty, and I was happy with that.

The service was average and the restaurant was playing weird disco music and didn't have much ambience, so all in all I wouldn't bother going back.

Saran Rom - Good food but very very expensive by andrewl

andrewl — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 16:53:58 +0000

Review by andrewl

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7751 3111

Website: http://www.saranrom.com

Tags: thai, bar, expensive

What should have been an enjoyable meal was spoiled by charges that made our eyes bulge. The good was good but quite modest portions.

My memory of the event is fogged by alcohol, I expect, but I recall dinner for 12 people being Â£990. The set banquet was about Â£35 but the charges came with 10 bottles of Â£28 wine, cocktails and coffees that were Â£10 a piece!

Excellent setting, attentive staff.What should have been an enjoyable meal was spoiled by charges that made our eyes bulge. The good was good but quite modest portions.

My memory of the event is fogged by alcohol, I expect, but I recall dinner for 12 people being Â£990. The set banquet was about Â£35 but the charges came with 10 bottles of Â£28 wine, cocktails and coffees that were Â£10 a piece!

Excellent setting, attentive staff.

Scalini - the best by BRP

BRP — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:57:53 +0000

Review by BRP

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7225 2301

Tags: italian, lively, expensive

This is not just one of the best Italian restaurants in London but one the best in any cuisine.

I was there recently with a friend, we had a Dover Sole each for main course and shared another fo dessert! - They are absolutely superb.

The ambience and noise make this the wonderful restaurant it is - if you can't have a good time here you have a problem! This applies to both lunchtimes and evenings.

Not cheap but worth every penny - the old adage of "you only get what you pay for" is exemplified here.

Absolutely brilliant.

This is not just one of the best Italian restaurants in London but one the best in any cuisine.

I was there recently with a friend, we had a Dover Sole each for main course and shared another fo dessert! - They are absolutely superb.

The ambience and noise make this the wonderful restaurant it is - if you can't have a good time here you have a problem! This applies to both lunchtimes and evenings.

Not cheap but worth every penny - the old adage of "you only get what you pay for" is exemplified here.

Absolutely brilliant.

Janet's Bar - the best night out! by kathy

kathy — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:42:03 +0000

Review by kathy

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7581 3160

Tags: cocktails, live music, cool

Cool music, lively atmosphere, the prices are upmarket but it's worth it since you get a good night out of it. i had my best friend's 21st birthday party there and now it has become a tradition for our group to have theirs there too!
Janet's cocktails have a personal touch and we were really pleased to get some complimentary bites and live music! Cool music, lively atmosphere, the prices are upmarket but it's worth it since you get a good night out of it. i had my best friend's 21st birthday party there and now it has become a tradition for our group to have theirs there too!
Janet's cocktails have a personal touch and we were really pleased to get some complimentary bites and live music!

Deliverance - Mmmm! by Harri

Harri — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:50:35 +0000

Review by Harri

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7801 0107

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

What a great service!
I love how you can order things from loads of different menus, it's perfect for parties and having friends round. They do it all really well, too, not so much a 'Jack of all trades'. The food is really lovely, and the price is reasonable given the quality. I had a couple of cold deliveries a few months ago, but when I complained the customer service team were outstanding. What a great service!
I love how you can order things from loads of different menus, it's perfect for parties and having friends round. They do it all really well, too, not so much a 'Jack of all trades'. The food is really lovely, and the price is reasonable given the quality. I had a couple of cold deliveries a few months ago, but when I complained the customer service team were outstanding.

Kwality Tandoori - Fresh but non-spicy curries by ilovelucy

ilovelucy — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:56:03 +0000

Review by ilovelucy

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7589 3663

Tags: indian, takeaway, buffet

Only a 5 minute stroll from work, the Kwality's eat-as-much-as-you-can buffet which is served lunchtime Monday to Friday is the place to come if you need a good feed. Usually Indian food at lunchtime is too heavy for me but Kwality's curries seem to be less stodgy - the problem is that i eat too much of it. The buffet consists of Onion bhajii's, salad, pilau rice, chicken korma, lamb curry, lentil curry and a vergetable curry. Not an extensive range but its not bad for the price. The restaurant is clean, modern but small so you might find you have to hover around for a bit before filling your plate. Food is fresh and they use Kwality (mind the pun) ingredients. However the curries could do with being spicier - I think they are addressing the mass market and perhaps the tourist that frequent the museum. More chilli please! Only a 5 minute stroll from work, the Kwality's eat-as-much-as-you-can buffet which is served lunchtime Monday to Friday is the place to come if you need a good feed. Usually Indian food at lunchtime is too heavy for me but Kwality's curries seem to be less stodgy - the problem is that i eat too much of it. The buffet consists of Onion bhajii's, salad, pilau rice, chicken korma, lamb curry, lentil curry and a vergetable curry. Not an extensive range but its not bad for the price. The restaurant is clean, modern but small so you might find you have to hover around for a bit before filling your plate. Food is fresh and they use Kwality (mind the pun) ingredients. However the curries could do with being spicier - I think they are addressing the mass market and perhaps the tourist that frequent the museum. More chilli please!

Eclipse Bar - Great beats by mazphd

mazphd — Fri, 16 May 2008 10:00:27 +0000

Review by mazphd

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7581 0123

Website: http://www.eclipse-ventures.com

Tags: cool, relaxed, posh

A friend of mine lives round the corner from here, so when I visit I insist on a cheeky visit to the bongo sleekness of Eclipse.

Cocktails are pretty good, but its the atmosphere and friendly bar staff that does it for me!

This is a nice intimate venue that does make things 'cosy' when things get crowded. Definately worth a stay for the w/e crowd who are always fun, vibrant and sexy rather than over loud, overheard and over.

During the week things are more relaxed. And whether you find yourself in Eclipse on a w/e or weekday night the staff are attentive and keep the vibe friendly and funky.

fa103's review mentioned bongo's. So worth a visit if only to find your rhythum! A friend of mine lives round the corner from here, so when I visit I insist on a cheeky visit to the bongo sleekness of Eclipse.

Cocktails are pretty good, but its the atmosphere and friendly bar staff that does it for me!

This is a nice intimate venue that does make things 'cosy' when things get crowded. Definately worth a stay for the w/e crowd who are always fun, vibrant and sexy rather than over loud, overheard and over.

During the week things are more relaxed. And whether you find yourself in Eclipse on a w/e or weekday night the staff are attentive and keep the vibe friendly and funky.

fa103's review mentioned bongo's. So worth a visit if only to find your rhythum!

Simply Lebanese - We aren't going back by jklondon

jklondon — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:15:13 +0000

Review by jklondon

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7584 5805

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

Tags: expensive, lively, lebanese

i just love the food here, but we wonâ¬"t be returning after last night. The service was slow & surly. Even though there were only 2 of us, they brought my main (a salad) about 15 minutes before my husbandâ¬"s main (mixed grill). The portions were tiny (a piss take, really). When we raised these issues with the owner, she didnâ¬"t seemed concerned at all. Whatâ¬"s worse (if not bizarre) is that she denied being the owner. This was despite the fact that two pictures of her were on the wall next to our table! This woman knows how to cook but has no business running a restaurant.

i just love the food here, but we wonâ¬"t be returning after last night. The service was slow & surly. Even though there were only 2 of us, they brought my main (a salad) about 15 minutes before my husbandâ¬"s main (mixed grill). The portions were tiny (a piss take, really). When we raised these issues with the owner, she didnâ¬"t seemed concerned at all. Whatâ¬"s worse (if not bizarre) is that she denied being the owner. This was despite the fact that two pictures of her were on the wall next to our table! This woman knows how to cook but has no business running a restaurant.

Troubadour Cafe - My second sitting room by mkdtw

mkdtw — Sun, 11 May 2008 00:25:51 +0000

Review by mkdtw

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7370 1434

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

Tags: lively, romantic, good value

Ah, Iâ¬"m a bit biased as I have so many childhood memories of this place! My Portuguese mum and English dad met in Earlâ¬"s Court during the 70â¬"s and our family spent many-a-Saturday afternoon in the Troubadour...I even have an old photo of my mum peering in through the coffee pots displayed in the window. Ok so to bring the review up to date...yes the place has a shabby chick feel to it and yes when itâ¬"s busy the service can be a little slow but you canâ¬"t beat the cozy feel and you could quite easy kill a few hours here chatting with friends. Ah, Iâ¬"m a bit biased as I have so many childhood memories of this place! My Portuguese mum and English dad met in Earlâ¬"s Court during the 70â¬"s and our family spent many-a-Saturday afternoon in the Troubadour...I even have an old photo of my mum peering in through the coffee pots displayed in the window. Ok so to bring the review up to date...yes the place has a shabby chick feel to it and yes when itâ¬"s busy the service can be a little slow but you canâ¬"t beat the cozy feel and you could quite easy kill a few hours here chatting with friends.