Latest reviews for Restaurants in Chelsea, London, United Kingdom

Spago - Rude! by Mez

Mez — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 15:56:29 +0000

Review by Mez

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7225 2407

Tags: italian, takeaway, pretentious

It was a freezing night in South Ken and we wanted somewhere we could have coffee and drinks after 11pm. We stumbled upon Spago in our quest for warmth.

We took off our many layers of clothing and sat down. A busy waitress dished out our menus and was gone before we had time to finish 'we need the drinks menus plea..'. She was nowhere to be seen for the next 15 mins. She then comes back notebook in hand. She pulls a face when we say we only wanted drinks. She calls her manager.

Manager comes in, advises us very abruptly that the restaurant doesn't serve drinks without main courses. We politely make the point that it is past 11pm, and that the table would otherwise be empty and that we'd be happy to have desserts. He retorts 'we don't do that'. So one of us asks if they don't 'do coffee' and he answers: "we do but we DON'T WANT TO". He then rudely asks us to leave.

I'm fine with restaurants upholding their policies even when it doesn't make business sense to me. However, it is unnecessary rudeness and plain bad manners that I cannot accept.

This restaurant, as you may have guessed, will never be visited by me, nor my friends, again :)

It was a freezing night in South Ken and we wanted somewhere we could have coffee and drinks after 11pm. We stumbled upon Spago in our quest for warmth.

We took off our many layers of clothing and sat down. A busy waitress dished out our menus and was gone before we had time to finish 'we need the drinks menus plea..'. She was nowhere to be seen for the next 15 mins. She then comes back notebook in hand. She pulls a face when we say we only wanted drinks. She calls her manager.

Manager comes in, advises us very abruptly that the restaurant doesn't serve drinks without main courses. We politely make the point that it is past 11pm, and that the table would otherwise be empty and that we'd be happy to have desserts. He retorts 'we don't do that'. So one of us asks if they don't 'do coffee' and he answers: "we do but we DON'T WANT TO". He then rudely asks us to leave.

I'm fine with restaurants upholding their policies even when it doesn't make business sense to me. However, it is unnecessary rudeness and plain bad manners that I cannot accept.

This restaurant, as you may have guessed, will never be visited by me, nor my friends, again :)

Big Easy - Yummy Yummy Yummy to an American Tummy by nip_and_nosh

nip_and_nosh — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:55:04 +0000

Review by nip_and_nosh

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7352 4071

Website: http://www.bigeasy.uk.com

Tags: american, lively, good value

The Big Easy gives the homesick American a momentary taste of home. For others who enjoy American staples like ribs, onion rings, salads that have no mayonaisse whatsoever... this is a good spot to check out.

Whatever you do, make sure you have some onion rings with - delicious with a side of bbq sauce! The service is a little slow and distracted, but the food makes up for any shortcomings.

A little on the pricey side, but you are in Chelsea after all.The Big Easy gives the homesick American a momentary taste of home. For others who enjoy American staples like ribs, onion rings, salads that have no mayonaisse whatsoever... this is a good spot to check out.

Whatever you do, make sure you have some onion rings with - delicious with a side of bbq sauce! The service is a little slow and distracted, but the food makes up for any shortcomings.

A little on the pricey side, but you are in Chelsea after all.

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay - GRH: The Ultimate Dining Machine? by intoxicating

intoxicating — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 13:08:48 +0000

Review by intoxicating

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7352 4441

Website: http://www.gordonramsay.com

Tags: expensive, french, good value

WHAT GRIM timing? As my booking at possibly Londonâ¬"s swankiest restaurant matured, the nation declared itself collectively bankrupt. I could make light of it, claiming that I got a last minute deal: seven courses for a tenner, rinsed with a complimentary glass of â¬ÜPÃ©trusâ¬" â¬Ü90 (from another recession year). But the powers that be at Gordon Ramsay H.Q. are probably of the opinion that, like â¬ÜMacbethâ¬", it is best not to utter the name of that drama. Far too Wareingâ¬¦ (thump timpani).

The truth is that to scythe through 900 reservation requests per day (handled by two full timers with resilient nerves) towards one of only thirteen tables, I had to plan nearly two months ahead. The best they could do even then was 2:10pm. Rather more â¬Ülinnerâ¬" than lunch. The Editor of â¬ÜG.Q.â¬" magazine, Dylan Jones, who seems to prefer anything to editing, suggests that accepting a late lunch in an A-list haunt is tantamount to â¬Üâ¬¦touching Scarlett Johansenâ¬"s breast, but only when sheâ¬"s asleep, and only when no oneâ¬"s watchingâ¬¦â¬" In all honesty, only our Welsh taxi driver seemed bothered by the belated hour of the booking, buttressing his opinion of â¬Slunch is at 1pm!â¬ through the perspex partition. In fact we used our spare time to visit another Ramsay enterprise just down the Royal Hospital Road.

The much-maligned â¬ÜFoxtrot Oscarâ¬" loiters behind a sexy black canopy. It shines like baby-oiled latex. Inside, almost everything is wipe-cleanable. A distant radio ricocheted through the dark floored, pocked ceilinged space. Dramatic, high contrast portraits punctuate walls decorated with wide turquoise fringed verticals. Whilst we only stopped for flutes of Ayala Champagne (of â¬ÜTrust House Forteâ¬" fame, recently revitalised by Bollinger) and a bowl of fruity bread boomerangs, what I saw looked agreeable. The story goes that the chefs from the main attraction used to come down here, to come-down, following service.

Outside, turn left, and Restaurant Gordon Ramsay is discreet, discernible only by a signed slate. Inside, all is star-bright, glamorous and fresh. Along the corridor, full-length mirrors echo apertures into the square dining room. This culminates in a modestly sized lounge: textured leather sofas, gold leaf recesses, strokeable walls, and spiky chandeliers. It feels like the waiting room to a private dentist.

The same Champagne served down the road puts on four pounds here, albeit served in crystal with blanched almonds that are neatly in harmony with the overall colour scheme.

The picture-less dining room is pretty: a collage of various shades of ivory, with plain, comfortable chairs parked upon deep, fuselage grey carpet. Cream roses rise from sheer vases. Tables are double-clothed. It only just avoids resembling a wedding breakfast.

A prominent British critic once described Gordon Ramsayâ¬"s restaurants, from Dublin to Dubai, as being occupied by an identikit mingle of hushed, middle-class, middle-aged, middle-incomed couples stunned to be lucky enough to have triumphed reservations. That has not been my experience at the half a dozen I have ventured into. From tables of women in Burkhas to well-oiled octogenarians, the atmosphere is convivial. Conversations are had continuously, at normal volume.

At Royal Hospital Road, a lady sported a dashing hat. A lank gent braved bureaucracy by wearing jeans. Only my father and I appeared to wear ties. Excepting the elegant lady - and at the risk of sounding like an aspiring cholestosaurus - I lament this loss of decorum. This is a three star restaurant, thirteenth best in the world at last count. Is it too much for a chap to shave (also advisable for some women), bathe and generally beautify himself for a day?

The Maitreâ¬"d enquired "Who will be hosting the table?" - an amusing but shrewd gesture to which I volunteered. The menu opened with a watercolour of a younger Ramsay. We were presented with three options: a la carte, tasting menu and the set lunch. I had enticed my father with the promise of the comparatively affordable latter. And now I piled on the pathos, indicating what an adventure it would be to give the place a thorough test drive. Without too much difficulty, we swerved into the Menu Prestige. "Just donâ¬"t think about the bill" I counselled, "I will pay the lighter half".

A pungent passenger was presented from a kind of humidor. Apparently it was the largest white Alba truffle in London. Nestling between four subjects, the Buddha of the tuber world and â¬Üdiamond of the kitchenâ¬" (Brillat-Savarin) looked like a sleeping baby. Friends I since sent the picture to described it as â¬Üsomething from a Victorian operating tableâ¬" which might â¬Ülook better placed on the elephant manâ¬"s headâ¬". Either this could be shaved for a fee, or the mattress of preserving rice could render risotto remarkable. The dramatic waft was free, however.

An amuse bouche, arranged â¬Üespecially for usâ¬" featured chilled scallop tartare with tiny black pearls of explosively far-reaching caviar. This was flooded at table with tepid essence of broccoli which transcended the original brassica. Rosemary flecked potato bread was cottony, uplifting and absorbent. Butter was almost tear-salted.

I liberated the last bottle of Clos Poggiale â¬"05, a vibrant Vermentino from Corsica. It was incisor sharp: granite in a glass with warm garrigue herbs gusting from within.

Pressed, almost Genoese banded Foie Gras with smoked duck came aboard a petrified Madeira consommÃ©. This was overly conceited in my opinion. And the actual foie was slightly underwhelming, especially when compared to another culinary sanctuary like Le Gavroche (or even Le Caprice). Colourful, slender pickles included a curled tongue of carrot. A port reduction looked as if it had been applied with a ruler. The compilation tasted (and looked) symmetrical. In fact a feature of the meal, from attention to portion size and timing was well-judged balance.

A raviolo choc-full of fleshy lobster, tangy langoustine and supple, velvety salmon was crested with tomato chutney formed into a membrillo like paste. This was jabbed by a dried basil leaf. Moisture removed, the flavour of the leaf was made more poignant.

Every time we left a breadcrumb on the linen, a silver comb landed to cleanse our tablecloth.

A fillet of bright tasting Turbot was finely flavoured with a joyously luxuriously, supple texture. Tracing paper of black truffle nudged a soft spun linguine bale bathing within a musky, cep veloutÃ©. The Maitreâ¬"d reeled off a little history lesson â¬ this dish has been aboard the menu since Ramsay left Aubergine in â¬Ü98. Its indefatigability is not simply attributable to nostalgia, however. As Martial said â¬Ühowever great the dish that holds the turbot, the turbot is still greater than the dishâ¬¦â¬"

I headed for the loos only to have a member of staff dive in front of me to open the padded door. Rather Walter Raleigh. Soon after, my father tried to outwit them, choosing a rare moment where there were fewer staff to hand. The home team still won, however. â¬SOne day Iâ¬"ll get there before you do,â¬ my father warned. Incidentally, I noted a little message carved by the flush. It read â¬ÜSir G.R. woz ereâ¬".

The road forked for the following course. My tender roast pigeon from chicken capital, Bresse came with a crispy sandwich of grilled polenta, glycerous smoked pork belly and a nutty, glossy concentrated date sauce. The overall aftertaste, a bravura of game, oozingly luxurious pork grease and very posh, lustrous gravy juices stays with me still. A robust, rested, Malbec, which sounds more like a planet than a grape came from Cahors. It added dark, earthy, absorbent tannins.

My father had a Cannon of Cornish lamb which was pinkly centred, with confit shoulder, cossetting ratatouille and a sparky thyme â¬Üjusâ¬". Appealing, although I was smug in my superior selection.

The cheese cart pulled up next, wheeled in by the deputised mouse with nouse. The fact it constituted a supplementary charge left a slightly disagreeable aftertaste. My father asked whether anyone had ever requested a little of every morsel (there must be no fewer than 57 varieties hectically packed aboard). She said that a gent did once, although he backed down when she informed him that he would have to eat every last wedge. My favourite was a Corsican goatâ¬"s, which is apparently very high in protein. It was quiet on the nose, moistly textured, but firm and powerful in its brackish flavours. Bread baked specifically for cheese and a gallion of crackers marshalled, along with crisply skinned Muscat grapes.

The dessert (minor) was a witty prank: a mango and passion fruit soup, with lychee and coconut, drawn through a clear straw. Little eruptions ensued: â¬ÜFizz-wizzâ¬" popping candy had been layered into the cocktail...
My father suggested that the dessert (major) should be framed. A cylinder infilled with softness: cooling, cleansing ginger mousse, very cold milk ice cream and lagoons of blackcurrant cut into â¬ intentionally or otherwise â¬ the shape of a cockerel.

Cutlery replaced for the final time, we were invited on a guided tour of the tight, hectic - but ordered - kitchen, where a minimum of 18 chefs cook at Michelinâ¬"s zenith. A catwalk of recessed blue lights line the floor. A little natural light percolates too. Our guide opened a wine fridge and asked which bin we would like as a souvenir (and then reneged rapidly).

On our return, we were elegantly moved to the lounge for coffee so they could freshen the dining room (we were, as usual, the final diners). Creases were steamed out of tablecloths, silver cutlery and charger plates were polished. Roses were spruced and sprayed with a little mist, beautified for the evening performance. A silver tree bore an unconventional fruit of silvered truffles. Dry ice dramatically overspilled a drum of strawberry truffles.

At only 30, Head Chef, Clare Smyth had steered us through a balanced and entertaining procession of plates. At times they were wry. It may sound sexist, but I could detect an alluring femininity in her dishes.

When I eventually returned home I was told (without irony) that I looked like I had lost weight. This unequivocally serves to prove that lunching at linen is by far the best exercise...

As former bankers replacesilver forks for long handled shovels â¬ to deal with a prolonged period of gardening leave â¬ I wholeheartedly recommend mere mortals try their luck securing a table at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay. Perhaps in time they will consider doing a higher purchase lunch? -And only then can I return...WHAT GRIM timing? As my booking at possibly Londonâ¬"s swankiest restaurant matured, the nation declared itself collectively bankrupt. I could make light of it, claiming that I got a last minute deal: seven courses for a tenner, rinsed with a complimentary glass of â¬ÜPÃ©trusâ¬" â¬Ü90 (from another recession year). But the powers that be at Gordon Ramsay H.Q. are probably of the opinion that, like â¬ÜMacbethâ¬", it is best not to utter the name of that drama. Far too Wareingâ¬¦ (thump timpani).

The truth is that to scythe through 900 reservation requests per day (handled by two full timers with resilient nerves) towards one of only thirteen tables, I had to plan nearly two months ahead. The best they could do even then was 2:10pm. Rather more â¬Ülinnerâ¬" than lunch. The Editor of â¬ÜG.Q.â¬" magazine, Dylan Jones, who seems to prefer anything to editing, suggests that accepting a late lunch in an A-list haunt is tantamount to â¬Üâ¬¦touching Scarlett Johansenâ¬"s breast, but only when sheâ¬"s asleep, and only when no oneâ¬"s watchingâ¬¦â¬" In all honesty, only our Welsh taxi driver seemed bothered by the belated hour of the booking, buttressing his opinion of â¬Slunch is at 1pm!â¬ through the perspex partition. In fact we used our spare time to visit another Ramsay enterprise just down the Royal Hospital Road.

The much-maligned â¬ÜFoxtrot Oscarâ¬" loiters behind a sexy black canopy. It shines like baby-oiled latex. Inside, almost everything is wipe-cleanable. A distant radio ricocheted through the dark floored, pocked ceilinged space. Dramatic, high contrast portraits punctuate walls decorated with wide turquoise fringed verticals. Whilst we only stopped for flutes of Ayala Champagne (of â¬ÜTrust House Forteâ¬" fame, recently revitalised by Bollinger) and a bowl of fruity bread boomerangs, what I saw looked agreeable. The story goes that the chefs from the main attraction used to come down here, to come-down, following service.

Outside, turn left, and Restaurant Gordon Ramsay is discreet, discernible only by a signed slate. Inside, all is star-bright, glamorous and fresh. Along the corridor, full-length mirrors echo apertures into the square dining room. This culminates in a modestly sized lounge: textured leather sofas, gold leaf recesses, strokeable walls, and spiky chandeliers. It feels like the waiting room to a private dentist.

The same Champagne served down the road puts on four pounds here, albeit served in crystal with blanched almonds that are neatly in harmony with the overall colour scheme.

The picture-less dining room is pretty: a collage of various shades of ivory, with plain, comfortable chairs parked upon deep, fuselage grey carpet. Cream roses rise from sheer vases. Tables are double-clothed. It only just avoids resembling a wedding breakfast.

A prominent British critic once described Gordon Ramsayâ¬"s restaurants, from Dublin to Dubai, as being occupied by an identikit mingle of hushed, middle-class, middle-aged, middle-incomed couples stunned to be lucky enough to have triumphed reservations. That has not been my experience at the half a dozen I have ventured into. From tables of women in Burkhas to well-oiled octogenarians, the atmosphere is convivial. Conversations are had continuously, at normal volume.

At Royal Hospital Road, a lady sported a dashing hat. A lank gent braved bureaucracy by wearing jeans. Only my father and I appeared to wear ties. Excepting the elegant lady - and at the risk of sounding like an aspiring cholestosaurus - I lament this loss of decorum. This is a three star restaurant, thirteenth best in the world at last count. Is it too much for a chap to shave (also advisable for some women), bathe and generally beautify himself for a day?

The Maitreâ¬"d enquired "Who will be hosting the table?" - an amusing but shrewd gesture to which I volunteered. The menu opened with a watercolour of a younger Ramsay. We were presented with three options: a la carte, tasting menu and the set lunch. I had enticed my father with the promise of the comparatively affordable latter. And now I piled on the pathos, indicating what an adventure it would be to give the place a thorough test drive. Without too much difficulty, we swerved into the Menu Prestige. "Just donâ¬"t think about the bill" I counselled, "I will pay the lighter half".

A pungent passenger was presented from a kind of humidor. Apparently it was the largest white Alba truffle in London. Nestling between four subjects, the Buddha of the tuber world and â¬Üdiamond of the kitchenâ¬" (Brillat-Savarin) looked like a sleeping baby. Friends I since sent the picture to described it as â¬Üsomething from a Victorian operating tableâ¬" which might â¬Ülook better placed on the elephant manâ¬"s headâ¬". Either this could be shaved for a fee, or the mattress of preserving rice could render risotto remarkable. The dramatic waft was free, however.

An amuse bouche, arranged â¬Üespecially for usâ¬" featured chilled scallop tartare with tiny black pearls of explosively far-reaching caviar. This was flooded at table with tepid essence of broccoli which transcended the original brassica. Rosemary flecked potato bread was cottony, uplifting and absorbent. Butter was almost tear-salted.

I liberated the last bottle of Clos Poggiale â¬"05, a vibrant Vermentino from Corsica. It was incisor sharp: granite in a glass with warm garrigue herbs gusting from within.

Pressed, almost Genoese banded Foie Gras with smoked duck came aboard a petrified Madeira consommÃ©. This was overly conceited in my opinion. And the actual foie was slightly underwhelming, especially when compared to another culinary sanctuary like Le Gavroche (or even Le Caprice). Colourful, slender pickles included a curled tongue of carrot. A port reduction looked as if it had been applied with a ruler. The compilation tasted (and looked) symmetrical. In fact a feature of the meal, from attention to portion size and timing was well-judged balance.

A raviolo choc-full of fleshy lobster, tangy langoustine and supple, velvety salmon was crested with tomato chutney formed into a membrillo like paste. This was jabbed by a dried basil leaf. Moisture removed, the flavour of the leaf was made more poignant.

Every time we left a breadcrumb on the linen, a silver comb landed to cleanse our tablecloth.

A fillet of bright tasting Turbot was finely flavoured with a joyously luxuriously, supple texture. Tracing paper of black truffle nudged a soft spun linguine bale bathing within a musky, cep veloutÃ©. The Maitreâ¬"d reeled off a little history lesson â¬ this dish has been aboard the menu since Ramsay left Aubergine in â¬Ü98. Its indefatigability is not simply attributable to nostalgia, however. As Martial said â¬Ühowever great the dish that holds the turbot, the turbot is still greater than the dishâ¬¦â¬"

I headed for the loos only to have a member of staff dive in front of me to open the padded door. Rather Walter Raleigh. Soon after, my father tried to outwit them, choosing a rare moment where there were fewer staff to hand. The home team still won, however. â¬SOne day Iâ¬"ll get there before you do,â¬ my father warned. Incidentally, I noted a little message carved by the flush. It read â¬ÜSir G.R. woz ereâ¬".

The road forked for the following course. My tender roast pigeon from chicken capital, Bresse came with a crispy sandwich of grilled polenta, glycerous smoked pork belly and a nutty, glossy concentrated date sauce. The overall aftertaste, a bravura of game, oozingly luxurious pork grease and very posh, lustrous gravy juices stays with me still. A robust, rested, Malbec, which sounds more like a planet than a grape came from Cahors. It added dark, earthy, absorbent tannins.

My father had a Cannon of Cornish lamb which was pinkly centred, with confit shoulder, cossetting ratatouille and a sparky thyme â¬Üjusâ¬". Appealing, although I was smug in my superior selection.

The cheese cart pulled up next, wheeled in by the deputised mouse with nouse. The fact it constituted a supplementary charge left a slightly disagreeable aftertaste. My father asked whether anyone had ever requested a little of every morsel (there must be no fewer than 57 varieties hectically packed aboard). She said that a gent did once, although he backed down when she informed him that he would have to eat every last wedge. My favourite was a Corsican goatâ¬"s, which is apparently very high in protein. It was quiet on the nose, moistly textured, but firm and powerful in its brackish flavours. Bread baked specifically for cheese and a gallion of crackers marshalled, along with crisply skinned Muscat grapes.

The dessert (minor) was a witty prank: a mango and passion fruit soup, with lychee and coconut, drawn through a clear straw. Little eruptions ensued: â¬ÜFizz-wizzâ¬" popping candy had been layered into the cocktail...
My father suggested that the dessert (major) should be framed. A cylinder infilled with softness: cooling, cleansing ginger mousse, very cold milk ice cream and lagoons of blackcurrant cut into â¬ intentionally or otherwise â¬ the shape of a cockerel.

Cutlery replaced for the final time, we were invited on a guided tour of the tight, hectic - but ordered - kitchen, where a minimum of 18 chefs cook at Michelinâ¬"s zenith. A catwalk of recessed blue lights line the floor. A little natural light percolates too. Our guide opened a wine fridge and asked which bin we would like as a souvenir (and then reneged rapidly).

On our return, we were elegantly moved to the lounge for coffee so they could freshen the dining room (we were, as usual, the final diners). Creases were steamed out of tablecloths, silver cutlery and charger plates were polished. Roses were spruced and sprayed with a little mist, beautified for the evening performance. A silver tree bore an unconventional fruit of silvered truffles. Dry ice dramatically overspilled a drum of strawberry truffles.

At only 30, Head Chef, Clare Smyth had steered us through a balanced and entertaining procession of plates. At times they were wry. It may sound sexist, but I could detect an alluring femininity in her dishes.

When I eventually returned home I was told (without irony) that I looked like I had lost weight. This unequivocally serves to prove that lunching at linen is by far the best exercise...

As former bankers replace silver forks for long handled shovels â¬ to deal with a prolonged period of gardening leave â¬ I wholeheartedly recommend mere mortals try their luck securing a table at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay. Perhaps in time they will consider doing a higher purchase lunch? -And only then can I return...

Bombay Brasserie - A night to remember by SPS6659

SPS6659 — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:02:33 +0000

Review by SPS6659

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7370 4040

Website: http://www.bombaybrasserielondon.com

Tags: indian, good value, live music

After a major mix up with our booking, we were told our reservation had to be cancelled. My sister and I (eventually) took our mother here for her 70th birthday. The owner was extremely apologetic and made it a night to remember. On arrival my mother received a beautiful bouquet of flowers and we all sipped champagne in the lovely bar area until our table was ready. The decor was lovely - a very tranquil setting. The food was exceptional, we all had an asparagus, lime and coconut soup to start and we all had meat thalis for main course. It was all absolutely delicious. To complete the evening the owner said that because our reservation had been messed up, everything was on him! It was definitely a night to remember.After a major mix up with our booking, we were told our reservation had to be cancelled. My sister and I (eventually) took our mother here for her 70th birthday. The owner was extremely apologetic and made it a night to remember. On arrival my mother received a beautiful bouquet of flowers and we all sipped champagne in the lovely bar area until our table was ready. The decor was lovely - a very tranquil setting. The food was exceptional, we all had an asparagus, lime and coconut soup to start and we all had meat thalis for main course. It was all absolutely delicious. To complete the evening the owner said that because our reservation had been messed up, everything was on him! It was definitely a night to remember.

Awana - Delicious Durian Ice Cream To Die For by Angella

Angella — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:20:49 +0000

Review by Angella

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7584 8880

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

Tags: malaysian, expensive, bar

The ice creams on a Malaysian stand at the World Travel Market at Excel in East London were fantastic. Everybody crowded around eating more and more and more. The ice creams were presented in crisp cones with chocolate around the top.

I tried four or five of their ice cream flavours. The alluring pinky-orangey-red turned out to be chili and when she said hot she meant spicey - but I was not deterred because I knew there was furian to come. Cinnamon was good and different. Lemon grass which was so-so - more lemony than lemon grass - a bit disappointing as lemon grass is one of my favourite flavours, but I was just ready to try another flavour.

The durian ice cream was an absolute dream. If you haven't tried durian before, you must try it. A cross between chestnut, banana and sugared egg yolk (like the Spanish egg dessert yemas de Cartalenas).

Oddly enough, I don't like durian fruit, which smells like bad eggs, and you are banned from carrying durians on the trains in Singapore. However, the first time I tried durian ice cream was in a Thai restaurant in Singapore. I knew at once that I'd grow to like it, and would have to try it three times.

To be able to get durian ice cream in London is just wonderful.

I've looked at the restaurant menu on line and it's extensive. Amazing. This place is definitely on my wish list. I agree with all the other commentators that the food is expensive and you would be well advised to opt for their lunchtime deals at Â£10, Â£12.50 and Â£15. You can also sign up to be sent notification of their special deals.

I suggest you go to the restaurant with other ice cream addicts and try a few flavours. If you are catering for any special event I recommend the ice creams.

The restaurant name Awana means in the clouds and I was definitely on cloud nine after eating their durian ice cream. Just the words 'durian ice cream' make me smile.The ice creams on a Malaysian stand at the World Travel Market at Excel in East London were fantastic. Everybody crowded around eating more and more and more. The ice creams were presented in crisp cones with chocolate around the top.

I tried four or five of their ice cream flavours. The alluring pinky-orangey-red turned out to be chili and when she said hot she meant spicey - but I was not deterred because I knew there was furian to come. Cinnamon was good and different. Lemon grass which was so-so - more lemony than lemon grass - a bit disappointing as lemon grass is one of my favourite flavours, but I was just ready to try another flavour.

The durian ice cream was an absolute dream. If you haven't tried durian before, you must try it. A cross between chestnut, banana and sugared egg yolk (like the Spanish egg dessert yemas de Cartalenas).

Oddly enough, I don't like durian fruit, which smells like bad eggs, and you are banned from carrying durians on the trains in Singapore. However, the first time I tried durian ice cream was in a Thai restaurant in Singapore. I knew at once that I'd grow to like it, and would have to try it three times.

To be able to get durian ice cream in London is just wonderful.

I've looked at the restaurant menu on line and it's extensive. Amazing. This place is definitely on my wish list. I agree with all the other commentators that the food is expensive and you would be well advised to opt for their lunchtime deals at Â£10, Â£12.50 and Â£15. You can also sign up to be sent notification of their special deals.

I suggest you go to the restaurant with other ice cream addicts and try a few flavours. If you are catering for any special event I recommend the ice creams.

The restaurant name Awana means in the clouds and I was definitely on cloud nine after eating their durian ice cream. Just the words 'durian ice cream' make me smile.

Bibendum - Well worth a visit by Hmm

Hmm — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:08:13 +0000

Review by Hmm

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7581 5817

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

Tags: seafood, vegetarian dishes, romantic

The building itself is an experience and the food has been good, although it's been a while since my last visit.The building itself is an experience and the food has been good, although it's been a while since my last visit.

Beirut Express - One of my faves by LKnight

LKnight — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:27:00 +0000

Review by LKnight

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 75910123

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

Tags: lively, good value, middle eastern

Had a fab dinner at Beirut Express last night - itâ¬"s one of my regular favourites. Fabulous lebanese food, with quick service, and quality ingredients.

Just one warning - the portions are generous, so be careful not to over-order. If youâ¬"re still hungry once youâ¬"ve finished you can always order more and itâ¬"ll be on your table in just a couple of minutes.

Iâ¬"ll be back there in a week or two, no doubt.

Had a fab dinner at Beirut Express last night - itâ¬"s one of my regular favourites. Fabulous lebanese food, with quick service, and quality ingredients.

Just one warning - the portions are generous, so be careful not to over-order. If youâ¬"re still hungry once youâ¬"ve finished you can always order more and itâ¬"ll be on your table in just a couple of minutes.

Iâ¬"ll be back there in a week or two, no doubt.

Le QuecumBar & Brasserie - Great experience, though the food falls short... by AlexWoods

AlexWoods — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:51:08 +0000

Review by AlexWoods

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7787 2227

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

Tags: live music, lively, romantic

If Iâ¬"m brutally honest, and letâ¬"s face it â¬ I tend to be, one does not go to Le Quecumbar for fine dining, not even for authentic French cuisine. One goes to experience Le Quecumbar. And it is an utterly unique experience. The closest I have ever come to it was actually in a brasserie in France, on a balmy summer night listening to Romane, probably the greatest living gypsy guitarist, strumming away in the corner surrounded by doting fans, tourists and protÃ©gÃ©es.

Now, I have a vested interest. I love gypsy swing. (for those who donâ¬"t know, think Django Rheinhart. [For the plebs among you, think Jonny Depp in Chocolate, if you must.])
Le Quecumbar is a fine, fine jazz venue, and the only one in the UK dedicated largely to the performance and promotion of gypsy swing and traditional Romany music. Because of this, Le Quecumbar hosts some of the greatest gypsy swing musicians in the world and I would strongly recommend that any one with a passing interest to go and enjoy!

So, on to the review!

As I said, this is principally a music venue and for most gigs you will need to buy tickets in advance. Le Que operates a rather curious â¬Sminimum Â£15 per head spendâ¬ policy, though frankly Iâ¬"ve never found to be a problem. The beer isnâ¬"t cheap, and once youâ¬"ve had a gin and a bottle of wine youâ¬"re over that any way.

The menu is disappointing. I think it has recently been changed as not so long ago I remember seeing quite a selection of traditional French dishes on the menu. On my last visit however there was no coq-au-vin (which used to be excellent), no cheese board (we did negotiate one, but it boasted a pretty poor supermarket selection), a few too many burgers and BBQ ribs for my liking. So note: Do Not Go Expecting a French Dinner.

I started with escargots, which were delicious if a little mean and a little dear. I followed with a very rich, if slightly salty, beef bourguignon. These two dishes, good though they were, were more or less the only references to traditional French cuisine and satisfied rather than impressed me.

They do, however, boast a stonkingly good wine list! There is enough middle range, reasonably priced wine there to keep the session drinkers and large parties happy but you can quite easily push the boat out and enjoy some very fine drinking indeed. With familiar disregard to the â¬SFrenchnessâ¬ of the Le Que, the wine list does not limit itself to serving exclusively French plonk, for which I applaud it! Iâ¬"ve been to too many French restaurants which ruin themselves by arrogantly and mistakenly restrict themselves to serving only French wine. (Insert your preferred racial slur here.)

For all that the food was not amazing (it was good, mind you, just not amazing) dinner at Le Que, especially when there is a band playing, is a wonderful, wonderful experience. The staff really are top drawer. I mean, Proper Good! Sharp, attentive, discrete, knowledgeable and passionate about the place. And the Proprietaire is one of the best hostesses I have come across. Charming, glamorous, attentive and sociable, she makes a point of greeting all the diners during the evening. Admittedly many of them she knows, as itâ¬"s the kind of place where you get a lot of returning customers, but even if youâ¬"re a stranger youâ¬"ll be attended to in your turn.

So, I would reluctantly recommend that you go there for dinner. Therefore I am docking one star. However, if you want a night out with some wonderful music, a good meal, some great wine andll the glitz, glamour, and ambience of 1930s Paris then I challenge you to find a better place outside of France itself!

In the mean time I am going to order another bottle of this excellent Bordeaux and continue to pray for the arrival of a modern, French chefâ¬¦
If Iâ¬"m brutally honest, and letâ¬"s face it â¬ I tend to be, one does not go to Le Quecumbar for fine dining, not even for authentic French cuisine. One goes to experience Le Quecumbar. And it is an utterly unique experience. The closest I have ever come to it was actually in a brasserie in France, on a balmy summer night listening to Romane, probably the greatest living gypsy guitarist, strumming away in the corner surrounded by doting fans, tourists and protÃ©gÃ©es.

Now, I have a vested interest. I love gypsy swing. (for those who donâ¬"t know, think Django Rheinhart. [For the plebs among you, think Jonny Depp in Chocolate, if you must.])
Le Quecumbar is a fine, fine jazz venue, and the only one in the UK dedicated largely to the performance and promotion of gypsy swing and traditional Romany music. Because of this, Le Quecumbar hosts some of the greatest gypsy swing musicians in the world and I would strongly recommend that any one with a passing interest to go and enjoy!

So, on to the review!

As I said, this is principally a music venue and for most gigs you will need to buy tickets in advance. Le Que operates a rather curious â¬Sminimum Â£15 per head spendâ¬ policy, though frankly Iâ¬"ve never found to be a problem. The beer isnâ¬"t cheap, and once youâ¬"ve had a gin and a bottle of wine youâ¬"re over that any way.

The menu is disappointing. I think it has recently been changed as not so long ago I remember seeing quite a selection of traditional French dishes on the menu. On my last visit however there was no coq-au-vin (which used to be excellent), no cheese board (we did negotiate one, but it boasted a pretty poor supermarket selection), a few too many burgers and BBQ ribs for my liking. So note: Do Not Go Expecting a French Dinner.

I started with escargots, which were delicious if a little mean and a little dear. I followed with a very rich, if slightly salty, beef bourguignon. These two dishes, good though they were, were more or less the only references to traditional French cuisine and satisfied rather than impressed me.

They do, however, boast a stonkingly good wine list! There is enough middle range, reasonably priced wine there to keep the session drinkers and large parties happy but you can quite easily push the boat out and enjoy some very fine drinking indeed. With familiar disregard to the â¬SFrenchnessâ¬ of the Le Que, the wine list does not limit itself to serving exclusively French plonk, for which I applaud it! Iâ¬"ve been to too many French restaurants which ruin themselves by arrogantly and mistakenly restrict themselves to serving only French wine. (Insert your preferred racial slur here.)

For all that the food was not amazing (it was good, mind you, just not amazing) dinner at Le Que, especially when there is a band playing, is a wonderful, wonderful experience. The staff really are top drawer. I mean, Proper Good! Sharp, attentive, discrete, knowledgeable and passionate about the place. And the Proprietaire is one of the best hostesses I have come across. Charming, glamorous, attentive and sociable, she makes a point of greeting all the diners during the evening. Admittedly many of them she knows, as itâ¬"s the kind of place where you get a lot of returning customers, but even if youâ¬"re a stranger youâ¬"ll be attended to in your turn.

So, I would reluctantly recommend that you go there for dinner. Therefore I am docking one star. However, if you want a night out with some wonderful music, a good meal, some great wine and all the glitz, glamour, and ambience of 1930s Paris then I challenge you to find a better place outside of France itself!

In the mean time I am going to order another bottle of this excellent Bordeaux and continue to pray for the arrival of a modern, French chefâ¬¦

Tendido Cero - Excellent Tapas Bar by nip_and_nosh

nip_and_nosh — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 18:23:30 +0000

Review by nip_and_nosh

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7370 3685

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

Tags: lively, spanish, bar

This is an excellent tapas bar that stays pretty busy on all evenings. The owners of this restaurant also own the Spanish restaurant across the street, Cambio de Tercio.

It is actually quite fun to sit at the bar, which I opted for on my second visit there when I had not booked in advance... The service is professional and knowledgeable about the food on offer.

The food is delicious! Typical dishes like Spanish cheeses with quince, patatas bravas, Serrano ham and bechamel croquettes, and Spanish omelette are all lovely. And then there are some stand-out dishes I had never had before like: Fillet of pork with fresh figs and a light blue cheese sauce (the bartender, who served as our waiter recommended this one when we asked for his personal favorite) - absolutely wonderful! The almond tarte for dessert was also a wonderful finish.

The delicious food and helpful service at Tendido Cero will keep me coming back - whenever I'm missing the taste of Spain, this is the restaurant I head to.This is an excellent tapas bar that stays pretty busy on all evenings. The owners of this restaurant also own the Spanish restaurant across the street, Cambio de Tercio.

It is actually quite fun to sit at the bar, which I opted for on my second visit there when I had not booked in advance... The service is professional and knowledgeable about the food on offer.

The food is delicious! Typical dishes like Spanish cheeses with quince, patatas bravas, Serrano ham and bechamel croquettes, and Spanish omelette are all lovely. And then there are some stand-out dishes I had never had before like: Fillet of pork with fresh figs and a light blue cheese sauce (the bartender, who served as our waiter recommended this one when we asked for his personal favorite) - absolutely wonderful! The almond tarte for dessert was also a wonderful finish.

The delicious food and helpful service at Tendido Cero will keep me coming back - whenever I'm missing the taste of Spain, this is the restaurant I head to.

As Greek As It Gets - In an area with few good options, I choose here by nip_and_nosh

nip_and_nosh — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:06:25 +0000

Review by nip_and_nosh

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7244 7777

Tags: greek, lively, cheap eat

As Greek As It Gets never gets too busy. In fact, anytime I go (typically weeknights), I have to preface entering the door with "trust me, the food is good, it's just never that busy."

Earls Court is a bit tricky - there are some great great restauarants that require a decent walk from the station. This restaurant, however, is a convenient 3 minutes from the station - so if you are meeting up in Earls Court for an event or to catch a band, it is a good choice.

The restaurant is actually 2 stories - this is part of the reason that it doesn't feel too busy - there might be 5 full tables up and 5 full tables down.. On this last visit, I sat upstairs, along the cute little tablesapce that overlooks a pretty chandelier and the downstairs.. The decor of the place is fresh and eccentric - greens on the wall and wood floors make it feel fresh and clean.. while wooden spoons speckled all over the staircase make it a little quirky.

The service has always been great! Waiters are very attentive and also accomodating should you have special requests (I asked for saganaki without sesame seeds and they were fine to accomodate).

Prices depend on what you order. Souvlaki, for instance is 3-4pounds... but true mains can set you back 14 pounds. I have always shared the mezes with friends rather than ordering mains.. but this too can add up. The food is pretty good, but the showstopping standout is the Baklava - it is the best I have ever tasted - even trumps various types I have had in Greece and Turkey!! It is huge as well so you can probably share with a friend (Though I was perfectly content eating one all on my own).

Meze are pretty tasty. Saganaki (without sesame) is good.. as are all of their dips, the Greek salad, the meatballs, the shrimp/chorizo/halloumi skewers...

If you order wine (1 carafe, for two people) and have mezes and dessert - expect to spend around 20-25 pounds each... a little steep, but you are in London...
As Greek As It Gets never gets too busy. In fact, anytime I go (typically weeknights), I have to preface entering the door with "trust me, the food is good, it's just never that busy."

Earls Court is a bit tricky - there are some great great restauarants that require a decent walk from the station. This restaurant, however, is a convenient 3 minutes from the station - so if you are meeting up in Earls Court for an event or to catch a band, it is a good choice.

The restaurant is actually 2 stories - this is part of the reason that it doesn't feel too busy - there might be 5 full tables up and 5 full tables down.. On this last visit, I sat upstairs, along the cute little tablesapce that overlooks a pretty chandelier and the downstairs.. The decor of the place is fresh and eccentric - greens on the wall and wood floors make it feel fresh and clean.. while wooden spoons speckled all over the staircase make it a little quirky.

The service has always been great! Waiters are very attentive and also accomodating should you have special requests (I asked for saganaki without sesame seeds and they were fine to accomodate).

Prices depend on what you order. Souvlaki, for instance is 3-4pounds... but true mains can set you back 14 pounds. I have always shared the mezes with friends rather than ordering mains.. but this too can add up. The food is pretty good, but the showstopping standout is the Baklava - it is the best I have ever tasted - even trumps various types I have had in Greece and Turkey!! It is huge as well so you can probably share with a friend (Though I was perfectly content eating one all on my own).

Meze are pretty tasty. Saganaki (without sesame) is good.. as are all of their dips, the Greek salad, the meatballs, the shrimp/chorizo/halloumi skewers...

If you order wine (1 carafe, for two people) and have mezes and dessert - expect to spend around 20-25 pounds each... a little steep, but you are in London...

Vama - Slightly above-average Indian by nip_and_nosh

nip_and_nosh — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 10:59:05 +0000

Review by nip_and_nosh

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7351 4118

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

Tags: indian, expensive, takeaway

Vama uses quality ingredients and offers some unique menu items that go beyond the typical curry houses. It is a higher-end establishment with main courses averaging around 10-12 pounds. Dishes are for sharing, and there are plenty of choices for mains, starters, and sides.. very good vegetarian selection as well.

The service is fairly slow and the ambience did not leave an impression. The food was above average, but I did feel that it was a little expensive when compared to other Indian restaurants with similar offerings. This is likely due to its location in Chelsea.

If I was in Chelsea and craving Indian - this would be a safe bet and I wouldn't be disappointed with the food. But since I don't live in Chelsea, I would not make a specific pilgrimage to go back to Vama - for the money, there are better places.Vama uses quality ingredients and offers some unique menu items that go beyond the typical curry houses. It is a higher-end establishment with main courses averaging around 10-12 pounds. Dishes are for sharing, and there are plenty of choices for mains, starters, and sides.. very good vegetarian selection as well.

The service is fairly slow and the ambience did not leave an impression. The food was above average, but I did feel that it was a little expensive when compared to other Indian restaurants with similar offerings. This is likely due to its location in Chelsea.

If I was in Chelsea and craving Indian - this would be a safe bet and I wouldn't be disappointed with the food. But since I don't live in Chelsea, I would not make a specific pilgrimage to go back to Vama - for the money, there are better places.

Foxtrot Oscar - by RobertReuben

RobertReuben — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 01:14:23 +0000

Review by RobertReuben

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7352 4448

Website: http://www.gordonramsay.com/foxtrotoscar/

Tags: british, vegetarian dishes

Excellent food, great wine, very good service (and on a Saturday night too). Yes, FO lives up to the Gordon Ramsay empire's reputation, and you can safely ignore all the lousy reviews you can find from some bitter restaurant critics. This punter enjoyed the experience and would be happy to return.Excellent food, great wine, very good service (and on a Saturday night too). Yes, FO lives up to the Gordon Ramsay empire's reputation, and you can safely ignore all the lousy reviews you can find from some bitter restaurant critics. This punter enjoyed the experience and would be happy to return.

Santa Lucia - Disagree with other reviews by mattencolin

mattencolin — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:29:20 +0000

Review by mattencolin

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7352 8484

Tags: italian, lively, crowded

After i read all the other reviews I had a great expectation about Santa Lucia, I was looking for a place where have a dinner pretty often with a good value, unfortunately they haven't been met.
The start was really good we had a delicious scamorza on the grill with bacon and mushroom to share, then i ordered Gnocchi Santa Lucia and my partner Pasta allo Scoglio.
After more than 45 minutes we received them but my Gnocchi was with 4 Formaggi sauce instead Santa Lucia, I told them and very kindly after 10 min i had the right course.
My gnocchi was ok, nothing special but ok, my partner's pasta was really too raw.
We drank 3 glasses of Red wine and a bottle of sparkling water, no coffee, no desert. We paid 63Â£.
I'm pretty sure I've been not so lucky and they had a bad evening but....

PS
I tag it as expensive, not in the way of classy/posh restaurant but as far as we ate and how much we paid.After i read all the other reviews I had a great expectation about Santa Lucia, I was looking for a place where have a dinner pretty often with a good value, unfortunately they haven't been met.
The start was really good we had a delicious scamorza on the grill with bacon and mushroom to share, then i ordered Gnocchi Santa Lucia and my partner Pasta allo Scoglio.
After more than 45 minutes we received them but my Gnocchi was with 4 Formaggi sauce instead Santa Lucia, I told them and very kindly after 10 min i had the right course.
My gnocchi was ok, nothing special but ok, my partner's pasta was really too raw.
We drank 3 glasses of Red wine and a bottle of sparkling water, no coffee, no desert. We paid 63Â£.
I'm pretty sure I've been not so lucky and they had a bad evening but....

PS
I tag it as expensive, not in the way of classy/posh restaurant but as far as we ate and how much we paid.

Jimmy's - Brian Hughson is back! by snout

snout — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 22:27:10 +0000

Review by snout

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7351 9997

Website: http://www.jimmyschelsea.com/

Tags: british, italian, good value

I have eaten Mr Hughson's food at The Belvedere, The Savoy Grill, The Gerkin and Rhodes W1 where he won his Michelin star and I have remained a firm fan over many years. His food is simple yet exquisite in its combining of flavours. How delightful that he has chosen a local restaurant in SW3 to make his own as opposed to a showy Mayfair venue. Jimmy's is glamorous, yet elegant with buttery cream leather and crystal creating a light room in the day and a sparkly romantic destination at night. The food is simply to die for and incredibly good value for the standard and the service compliments it perfectly. The very tall manager is both charming and knowledgable and seems delighted to serve you and his team follow suit. If I had to fault anything at all it would be simply that this place is a too well kept secret and I only found out about it a week ago! Needless to say, I will be spreading the word. I have been a Hughson fan for years, but now I am very much a Jimmy's fan!I have eaten Mr Hughson's food at The Belvedere, The Savoy Grill, The Gerkin and Rhodes W1 where he won his Michelin star and I have remained a firm fan over many years. His food is simple yet exquisite in its combining of flavours. How delightful that he has chosen a local restaurant in SW3 to make his own as opposed to a showy Mayfair venue. Jimmy's is glamorous, yet elegant with buttery cream leather and crystal creating a light room in the day and a sparkly romantic destination at night. The food is simply to die for and incredibly good value for the standard and the service compliments it perfectly. The very tall manager is both charming and knowledgable and seems delighted to serve you and his team follow suit. If I had to fault anything at all it would be simply that this place is a too well kept secret and I only found out about it a week ago! Needless to say, I will be spreading the word. I have been a Hughson fan for years, but now I am very much a Jimmy's fan!

Rossopomodoro - I love this place! by dryremedy

dryremedy — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:24:22 +0000

Review by dryremedy

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7352 7677

Tags: italian, good value, romantic

I have to say, I have not got the stomach to try some of their more unique foods, I always opt for the normal fayre! This is a fabulous Italian restaurant which has a massive amount of choice, both for meat eaters and vegetarians. The service when you first arrive is fantastic, you are given such a warm welcome by the staff. They really are fantastic at their job â¬ they will offer advice about what to have and are never far away should you need them. The food is absolutely delicious and canâ¬"t be faulted at all. Prices are fair for the area and type of foodI have to say, I have not got the stomach to try some of their more unique foods, I always opt for the normal fayre! This is a fabulous Italian restaurant which has a massive amount of choice, both for meat eaters and vegetarians. The service when you first arrive is fantastic, you are given such a warm welcome by the staff. They really are fantastic at their job â¬ they will offer advice about what to have and are never far away should you need them. The food is absolutely delicious and canâ¬"t be faulted at all. Prices are fair for the area and type of food

Thai On The River @ Battersea - Pleasant thai food on the Thames by Niamheen

Niamheen — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:48:40 +0000

Review by Niamheen

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7924 6090

Tags: thai, lively, good value

On a recent riverside amble, we happened upon Thai on the River. I didn't know anything about it but it had lovely outdoor seating by the river and the menu looked respectable so we thought that we would give it a try.

We got a last minute booking and asked for an outside table, the waiter strongly advised we didn't but we insisted, shortly before returning inside and asking could we have a table inside as it was pretty chilly after all... he handled it very well and gave us his last table indoors.

The interior is very pleasant and the tables well spaced. We ordered some soft shell crabs to start and a thai green chicken curry and singapore noodles with roast pork and prawns for main courses with a bottle of sauvignon blanc. The food was very good, I was really impressed, some of the better thai food that I have had in London. It is more expensive than most regular thai restaurants so, it should be so. The wine list was vast but at Â£17 the bottle we chose was quite disappointing, I would have expected better for that price.

The service was very friendly and efficient and it was altogether a very pleasant meal. The only thing was that, bizarrely, there is a flat screen tv by the bar area, and from where I was sitting, directly in my eyeline. The tv appeared to be be on mute, but regardless, I found my eye being drawn to it. I don't think they need it, and would be better off without it. But, it's only a tv, so I guess not that big a deal unless you are highly distractable, like me!

If in the area, I would definitely go again for the food, and might be more careful about the wine choice.On a recent riverside amble, we happened upon Thai on the River. I didn't know anything about it but it had lovely outdoor seating by the river and the menu looked respectable so we thought that we would give it a try.

We got a last minute booking and asked for an outside table, the waiter strongly advised we didn't but we insisted, shortly before returning inside and asking could we have a table inside as it was pretty chilly after all... he handled it very well and gave us his last table indoors.

The interior is very pleasant and the tables well spaced. We ordered some soft shell crabs to start and a thai green chicken curry and singapore noodles with roast pork and prawns for main courses with a bottle of sauvignon blanc. The food was very good, I was really impressed, some of the better thai food that I have had in London. It is more expensive than most regular thai restaurants so, it should be so. The wine list was vast but at Â£17 the bottle we chose was quite disappointing, I would have expected better for that price.

The service was very friendly and efficient and it was altogether a very pleasant meal. The only thing was that, bizarrely, there is a flat screen tv by the bar area, and from where I was sitting, directly in my eyeline. The tv appeared to be be on mute, but regardless, I found my eye being drawn to it. I don't think they need it, and would be better off without it. But, it's only a tv, so I guess not that big a deal unless you are highly distractable, like me!

If in the area, I would definitely go again for the food, and might be more careful about the wine choice.

Simply Lebanese - SIMPLY AWFUL by foodfoodfood

foodfoodfood — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:00:04 +0000

Review by foodfoodfood

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7584 5805

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

Tags: expensive, mediterranean, middle eastern

This has to be my worst dining experience in over 15 years of living in London. The service was terrible--waitress yawning over the food as she dumped it before us. Reheated, and hence very dry, tough, chicken, which hadn't even been reheated thoroughly enough to melt the congealed fat on its underside!
I mean, catering school 101: Never reheat chicken!! But to do so and not do it thoroughly is so unforgivable.
The lamb, which was supposed to be the house special, was so tough it was almost impossible to cut with a standard knife and the sauce it was in tasted of dishwater with a dash of orange juice--bizarre (and foul).
The rice, which was supposed to be two portions looked more like a half-portion and was similarly (barely) reheated.
Of course we complained and the waitress didn't apologise; indeed it was almost as if she expected us to complain, and immediately offered us a refund as if to get us out the door as soon as possible.
We chose to wait for the owner, who we had been told was on her way. She didn't seem surprised either only concerned that we didn't make a scene and let the incoming patrons know our thoughts! To this end she was incredibly rude.
To reiterate. This is without any doubt my worst dining experience in London in over 15 years. If you want Middle Eastern food you can get it at a third of the price, authentically cooked to order in view of you, in large portions and with polite service. For such a dining experience you will have to go North to Stoke Newington, Green Lanes or Hackney where you will find countless eateries where the food is divine: try Anatolya on Mare st., Hackney, for example.
Posh Middle Eastern and posh Lebanese is possible, there are many such restaurants on the Edgeware road. If you want to eat Lebanese and want plusher surroundings than Mare st. can offer then go to one of these.
Simply Lebanese is simply an insult to its unfortunate customers and to a fine culinary tradition.This has to be my worst dining experience in over 15 years of living in London. The service was terrible--waitress yawning over the food as she dumped it before us. Reheated, and hence very dry, tough, chicken, which hadn't even been reheated thoroughly enough to melt the congealed fat on its underside!
I mean, catering school 101: Never reheat chicken!! But to do so and not do it thoroughly is so unforgivable.
The lamb, which was supposed to be the house special, was so tough it was almost impossible to cut with a standard knife and the sauce it was in tasted of dishwater with a dash of orange juice--bizarre (and foul).
The rice, which was supposed to be two portions looked more like a half-portion and was similarly (barely) reheated.
Of course we complained and the waitress didn't apologise; indeed it was almost as if she expected us to complain, and immediately offered us a refund as if to get us out the door as soon as possible.
We chose to wait for the owner, who we had been told was on her way. She didn't seem surprised either only concerned that we didn't make a scene and let the incoming patrons know our thoughts! To this end she was incredibly rude.
To reiterate. This is without any doubt my worst dining experience in London in over 15 years. If you want Middle Eastern food you can get it at a third of the price, authentically cooked to order in view of you, in large portions and with polite service. For such a dining experience you will have to go North to Stoke Newington, Green Lanes or Hackney where you will find countless eateries where the food is divine: try Anatolya on Mare st., Hackney, for example.
Posh Middle Eastern and posh Lebanese is possible, there are many such restaurants on the Edgeware road. If you want to eat Lebanese and want plusher surroundings than Mare st. can offer then go to one of these.
Simply Lebanese is simply an insult to its unfortunate customers and to a fine culinary tradition.

Brompton Quarter Cafe - dinner at brompton quarter restaurant by wissper32

wissper32 — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:32:25 +0000

Review by wissper32

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7225 2107

Website: http://www.bromptonquarter.com/directory/?no_cache=1&tx_bqdirectory_pi1%5Bcat%5D=16&tx_bqdir

Tags: romantic, mediterranean, good value

Had a dinner at Brompton Quarter restaurant last night with my wife.
Great food, we eat only organic food and it is really hard to find good food outside - not to mention how yummie it was, i really recommand the lamb and sea bass
service was really good, we been served by a nice gentleman who was making us smile all evening!
great romantic candle light ambiant - we were sitting downstairs where it was nice and quiet and really romantic.

amazing bread with fruits and nuts, which aperently was made in the kitchen an hour before we had it
price was good - it is organic food and you expect to pay more, but its not that much comparing that you are paying more then double at the supermarket.

i recommand to all, if you love food, and if you care about yourself - go eat there!

sorry for my bad english..

thanks.

baredHad a dinner at Brompton Quarter restaurant last night with my wife.
Great food, we eat only organic food and it is really hard to find good food outside - not to mention how yummie it was, i really recommand the lamb and sea bass
service was really good, we been served by a nice gentleman who was making us smile all evening!
great romantic candle light ambiant - we were sitting downstairs where it was nice and quiet and really romantic.

amazing bread with fruits and nuts, which aperently was made in the kitchen an hour before we had it
price was good - it is organic food and you expect to pay more, but its not that much comparing that you are paying more then double at the supermarket.

i recommand to all, if you love food, and if you care about yourself - go eat there!

sorry for my bad english..

thanks.

bared

Sophie's Steakhouse & Bar - Still Hoppin... by simonB

simonB — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:06:21 +0000

Review by simonB

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7352 0088

Tags: lively, american, tasty

Went there earlier this week for a catch up with a couple of old friends. Whilst overheard conversations around the bar hinted darkly of 'market stresses' and 'credit crunches' the chelsea crowd were determined to enjoy their tuesday evening and the place was as packed as ever.

We got there for around 8pm and, with about a 25 minute wait for a table (no reservations), ordered a bottle of Montepulciano from their well priced wine menu and stood jawing at the bar. Service was fantastic throughout the meal and as soon a table became availiable we were ushered through.

Started with the whitebait special and had a great ribeye for main. Total for the 3 of us with starters, mains, sides (no desert) and 2xbottles of good wine came to about Â£135.

In summary, Sophies is friendly, warm and and packed with the well-groomed 20-40 year old Chelsea crowd. Not somewhere I'd suggest for a romantic first date, but good for a fun evening out with friends.
Went there earlier this week for a catch up with a couple of old friends. Whilst overheard conversations around the bar hinted darkly of 'market stresses' and 'credit crunches' the chelsea crowd were determined to enjoy their tuesday evening and the place was as packed as ever.

We got there for around 8pm and, with about a 25 minute wait for a table (no reservations), ordered a bottle of Montepulciano from their well priced wine menu and stood jawing at the bar. Service was fantastic throughout the meal and as soon a table became availiable we were ushered through.

Started with the whitebait special and had a great ribeye for main. Total for the 3 of us with starters, mains, sides (no desert) and 2xbottles of good wine came to about Â£135.

In summary, Sophies is friendly, warm and and packed with the well-groomed 20-40 year old Chelsea crowd. Not somewhere I'd suggest for a romantic first date, but good for a fun evening out with friends.

Bluebird Restaurant & Bar - by NickR

NickR — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 16:50:53 +0000

Review by NickR

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7559 1000

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

Tags: expensive, pretentious, international

The restaurant space is fantastic. Large and open. The service is very good too. The food was generally tasty, but not exceptional. My ribeye steak a little stringy!
I do enjoy it for a large boozy lads lunch every now and then. They did let us get quite messy only leaving from lunch at6:30 pm!!The restaurant space is fantastic. Large and open. The service is very good too. The food was generally tasty, but not exceptional. My ribeye steak a little stringy!
I do enjoy it for a large boozy lads lunch every now and then. They did let us get quite messy only leaving from lunch at6:30 pm!!