Latest reviews in Covent Garden, London, United Kingdom

Tamarai - Visit To Tamarai by ben_colland

ben_colland — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:26:08 +0000

Review by ben_colland

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7831 9399

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

Very pleasant experience, we liked the atmosphere, the food was well presented and surprisingly tasty, all together it was well worth trying, especially with the offer on Tuesday evening. Was quite packed for a week night.
Very pleasant experience, we liked the atmosphere, the food was well presented and surprisingly tasty, all together it was well worth trying, especially with the offer on Tuesday evening. Was quite packed for a week night.

Takari - by Peteryth

Peteryth — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:45:45 +0000

Review by Peteryth

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7836 1628

Tags: indian, lively, romantic

The most original food in a good sence that we've had. service brilliant, Atmosphere fun. We enjoyed our selves, You will as well.The most original food in a good sence that we've had. service brilliant, Atmosphere fun. We enjoyed our selves, You will as well.

La Tasca - tapas o que? by herb

herb — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:05:02 +0000

Review by herb

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7240 9062

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

Tags: spanish, cosy, bar

well tapas you can have everywere in london, but good tapas with a smile ...very hard to find, you will enjoy this restaurant, good atmosphere and great food.well tapas you can have everywere in london, but good tapas with a smile ...very hard to find, you will enjoy this restaurant, good atmosphere and great food.

Walkabout Inn - Lively, to say the least! by Artflight

Artflight — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:14:25 +0000

Review by Artflight

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7379 5555

Website: http://www.walkaboutinns.com

Tags: food, students, pool

As you'd expect this place is full of Aussies. The males looking to drink as much as possible and to cop off, and the females, well, doing much the same really.

It's loud, full of sports video screens and always busy. Things get very cramped as the night goes on, and it can take ages to get served sometimes - but that's normal in this type of place. Things may get a little lewd at times, but as long as you've been keeping up with the drinking, you'll probably go along with the general mood. It's not the place to go into sober at 10pm, as you'll feel totally out of place, and want to get out as soon as possible.

Lots of Aussie music too!As you'd expect this place is full of Aussies. The males looking to drink as much as possible and to cop off, and the females, well, doing much the same really.

It's loud, full of sports video screens and always busy. Things get very cramped as the night goes on, and it can take ages to get served sometimes - but that's normal in this type of place. Things may get a little lewd at times, but as long as you've been keeping up with the drinking, you'll probably go along with the general mood. It's not the place to go into sober at 10pm, as you'll feel totally out of place, and want to get out as soon as possible.

Lots of Aussie music too!

La Perla Del Pacifico Bar - super mexican place by herb

herb — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:11:07 +0000

Review by herb

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7240 7400

Website: http://www.cafepacifico-laperla.com/laperla/index_cg.htm

Tags: cool, lively, relaxed

Not all the time we can enjoy a good mexican style restaurant, la perla (the pearl) its a very nice restaurant to go with your friends, food is very affordable,and service very efficient, have a mojito or a cuba libre...but don't sit out in the cold waiting to come to you...
Not all the time we can enjoy a good mexican style restaurant, la perla (the pearl) its a very nice restaurant to go with your friends, food is very affordable,and service very efficient, have a mojito or a cuba libre...but don't sit out in the cold waiting to come to you...

Palm Court Brasserie - Pre-theatre dinner perfection by AlexWoods

AlexWoods — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:02:42 +0000

Review by AlexWoods

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7240 2939

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

Tags: lively, brasserie, romantic

When ever I go to the theatre, opera, comedy store, anything in the West End really and need a quick and quality bite to eat I also dine at Palm Court.

It's a charming, well presented brasserie, always busy but presumably quite a high churn rate as I have never had to wait more than a few minutes for a table.

I have only ever eaten from the theatre menu. It's very straight forward. A pretty generic chicken with sauce/fish with sauce/vegetarian are you options for the main course but in my experience it has always been delicious and very well cooked. At least twice I have had chicken breast with tarragon sauce, which has now become a staple of my home cooking quick meals! I also recall a salmon in dill sauce which was just delicious.

They've really got it right as well. The food is always great, it is always served promptly and, most especially, they always get the portion size right! I have never come out of there feeling hungry, yet never too full either.

My one criticism is that the wine list is... off par. It would be nice also to see a little more available by the glass, to play further to their pre-theatre menu bag. a bottle pre-show between 2 or 3 is a touch OTT and the house wine sadly really isn't up to much.

I intend at some point to have a proper meal there as it is always busy, people speak very highly of it and it is a very cosy and romantic place.

To their credit, I once popped in with a friend before going to see Mousetrap (it was the... well, if you don't already know I'd hate to spoil it). We were running a little late so the conversation ran along the lines of;
"Can be in and out inside 40 minutes"
"Of course sir. Please, take a seat. Would you like drinks?"
"Dry white and a stiff gin please."
The waiter reappeared almost immediately with the drinks, took our order, starters hit the table inside 5 minutes, as soon as they were gone our main course arrived (I enjoyed a delicious and tender minute steak and frittes. They do a really good minute steak!), the waiter asked if we intended to order dessert, which we didn't but asked for a pair of coffees. They were served, with the bill, the moment our plates were cleared and we were done. Out the door inside 40 minutes, well fed, well watered and with enough change for interval drinks. The waiter even flagged down a rickshaw for us.

Not my preferred way to dine, but if you want an express dinner, and we did, I challenge you to find a better place!When ever I go to the theatre, opera, comedy store, anything in the West End really and need a quick and quality bite to eat I also dine at Palm Court.

It's a charming, well presented brasserie, always busy but presumably quite a high churn rate as I have never had to wait more than a few minutes for a table.

I have only ever eaten from the theatre menu. It's very straight forward. A pretty generic chicken with sauce/fish with sauce/vegetarian are you options for the main course but in my experience it has always been delicious and very well cooked. At least twice I have had chicken breast with tarragon sauce, which has now become a staple of my home cooking quick meals! I also recall a salmon in dill sauce which was just delicious.

They've really got it right as well. The food is always great, it is always served promptly and, most especially, they always get the portion size right! I have never come out of there feeling hungry, yet never too full either.

My one criticism is that the wine list is... off par. It would be nice also to see a little more available by the glass, to play further to their pre-theatre menu bag. a bottle pre-show between 2 or 3 is a touch OTT and the house wine sadly really isn't up to much.

I intend at some point to have a proper meal there as it is always busy, people speak very highly of it and it is a very cosy and romantic place.

To their credit, I once popped in with a friend before going to see Mousetrap (it was the... well, if you don't already know I'd hate to spoil it). We were running a little late so the conversation ran along the lines of;
"Can be in and out inside 40 minutes"
"Of course sir. Please, take a seat. Would you like drinks?"
"Dry white and a stiff gin please."
The waiter reappeared almost immediately with the drinks, took our order, starters hit the table inside 5 minutes, as soon as they were gone our main course arrived (I enjoyed a delicious and tender minute steak and frittes. They do a really good minute steak!), the waiter asked if we intended to order dessert, which we didn't but asked for a pair of coffees. They were served, with the bill, the moment our plates were cleared and we were done. Out the door inside 40 minutes, well fed, well watered and with enough change for interval drinks. The waiter even flagged down a rickshaw for us.

Not my preferred way to dine, but if you want an express dinner, and we did, I challenge you to find a better place!

Belgo Centraal - Oktoberfeast at Belgo by slagdog

slagdog — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:33:41 +0000

Review by slagdog

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7813 2233

Website: http://www.belgo-restaurants.com

Tags: lively, crowded, good value

Throughout October, the four Belgo restaurants - all in London - are celebrating Oktoberfeast with a food and beer matching menu. This is a great opportunity to sample the wonderful world of Belgian beer beyond the likes of Stella Artois.

We had the rich and smooth Chicken Terrine with raspberry beer chutney with a glass of DeKoninck, and asparagus with a Brugs white beer & chive sauce and the delicious Vedett Extra Blond beer.

For mains, the pork belly is to die for - must be the best crackling i've ever had - and it is paired with the unusual Rodenbach Grand Cru which is aged in wine casks to give it a delicious sour edge. Mussels are a speciality at Belgo, and the ones on this menu are steamed in beer - pure heaven for mussel lovers.

And puddings don't escape the beer matching magic - the the Leffe Ice Cream is a must, with its delicious syrup and praline.

This is a menu that will make you see (or should that be drink) beer in a whole new light...

Throughout October, the four Belgo restaurants - all in London - are celebrating Oktoberfeast with a food and beer matching menu. This is a great opportunity to sample the wonderful world of Belgian beer beyond the likes of Stella Artois.

We had the rich and smooth Chicken Terrine with raspberry beer chutney with a glass of DeKoninck, and asparagus with a Brugs white beer & chive sauce and the delicious Vedett Extra Blond beer.

For mains, the pork belly is to die for - must be the best crackling i've ever had - and it is paired with the unusual Rodenbach Grand Cru which is aged in wine casks to give it a delicious sour edge. Mussels are a speciality at Belgo, and the ones on this menu are steamed in beer - pure heaven for mussel lovers.

And puddings don't escape the beer matching magic - the the Leffe Ice Cream is a must, with its delicious syrup and praline.

This is a menu that will make you see (or should that be drink) beer in a whole new light...

Fire & Stone - Stick to something more simple by RR123

RR123 — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:35:40 +0000

Review by RR123

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7257 8613

Website: http://www.fireandstone.com

Tags: good value, lively, italian

I know people who rave about this restaurant, but whilst I liked that they were trying to do something a bit different, I think they over-did it here.

The pizzas are certainly different, but I felt as though there were so many flavours that it was a bit over-powering. It was certainly an interesting experience but not somewhere I would be desperate to go back to.

If you do decide to go there though, do check out their website as they have various deals including two pizzas for Â£10 if you book via the internet.I know people who rave about this restaurant, but whilst I liked that they were trying to do something a bit different, I think they over-did it here.

The pizzas are certainly different, but I felt as though there were so many flavours that it was a bit over-powering. It was certainly an interesting experience but not somewhere I would be desperate to go back to.

If you do decide to go there though, do check out their website as they have various deals including two pizzas for Â£10 if you book via the internet.

Disney's The Lion King at The Lyceum Theatre - Lion King by watermelon90

watermelon90 — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 23:28:11 +0000

Review by watermelon90

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 0870 243 9000

Website: http://www.disney.co.uk/MusicalTheatre/

The Lyceum theatre is set in a busy area of theatre land and easy to reach by train or bus. Places to eat near by also.
The lion king has been running at this theatre for a few years now and I saw it with a school trip. The children had been studying the lion king and the african animals portrayed in the show so they were really looking forwards to seeing it.
They had a great time and enjoyed it very much. Lots of happy faces.
The costumes are very clever and the stage has different sets that add to the feel of the show. The bit where they hold up the baby lion on top of the giant rock had them all excited. What a great family show.The Lyceum theatre is set in a busy area of theatre land and easy to reach by train or bus. Places to eat near by also.
The lion king has been running at this theatre for a few years now and I saw it with a school trip. The children had been studying the lion king and the african animals portrayed in the show so they were really looking forwards to seeing it.
They had a great time and enjoyed it very much. Lots of happy faces.
The costumes are very clever and the stage has different sets that add to the feel of the show. The bit where they hold up the baby lion on top of the giant rock had them all excited. What a great family show.

Adelphi Theatre - Adelphi by watermelon90

watermelon90 — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 23:11:24 +0000

Review by watermelon90

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 0870 403 0303

The Adelphi theatre is set in the middle of theatre land at the Strand. It can be reached easily by underground and you can see the sights at Covent Garden before the show.
The theatre itself is not as large as you would think.
The stage is very small, when you consider that this is a west end theatre putting on a top show. The seats are cramped and old fashioned, not very much leg room if you are tall. The better seats at the front of the theatre are double the money, but they are much closer to the action and you do get a better view.
The revolving stage was used a lot with some funny moments that included a few multi toned rainbow sheep, the show is good and a must see.The Adelphi theatre is set in the middle of theatre land at the Strand. It can be reached easily by underground and you can see the sights at Covent Garden before the show.
The theatre itself is not as large as you would think.
The stage is very small, when you consider that this is a west end theatre putting on a top show. The seats are cramped and old fashioned, not very much leg room if you are tall. The better seats at the front of the theatre are double the money, but they are much closer to the action and you do get a better view.
The revolving stage was used a lot with some funny moments that included a few multi toned rainbow sheep, the show is good and a must see.

San Francesco - Feels like home by DrKnowledge

DrKnowledge — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 23:30:04 +0000

Review by DrKnowledge

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7836 6354

Tags: italian, family & home feel, lively

My wife and I have been coming here for years and wouldn't miss it on our trips to London. Mr. Italo Muro, the owner, and Joe, the head waiter will treat you like part of the family. This place is about great food, ambiance, and people that treat you like you've come to their home for supper. Can't imagine a trip to London without going there to see our friends and have a great evening.My wife and I have been coming here for years and wouldn't miss it on our trips to London. Mr. Italo Muro, the owner, and Joe, the head waiter will treat you like part of the family. This place is about great food, ambiance, and people that treat you like you've come to their home for supper. Can't imagine a trip to London without going there to see our friends and have a great evening.

Sarastro - Skip this Show by sulin

sulin — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 11:15:07 +0000

Review by sulin

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7836 0101

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

Tags: romantic, mediterranean, lively

Last Friday, we met a few friends in Covent Garden and we were brought to the opera-themed Sarastro Restaurant on Drury Lane. Words cannot express what the decor is in this place - imagine half pseudo-rococo, half Liberaceâ¬"s home - those of you who have either been to or walked by this opera-themed restaurant will know what Iâ¬"m talking about.

Iâ¬"ll be honest - Iâ¬"ve always wanted to see what it was really like inside one of these flamboyant rooms. I could have had my pick of locations as there are two other restaurants with similar themes: Papageno (same owners) and Salieri. Upon entering, we were led to one of the upstairs booths that provide privacy and I guess is supposed to give one a feeling of exclusivity, like sitting in a real opera box. After settling in (which was a challenge as we had to contort ourselves to sit down at the table) and examining the bizarre tablecloth and napkins (crushed velvet!?), we were given menus and food immediately started arriving at the table. What was this? Glancing at our menus answered my questions - we had to choose from a three-course set menu. This was the first major bad sign of things to come. We were never told that we would be limited to this and nowhere on their website does it say this either.

I understand small menus - a small menu allows for the chef to have more control over the quality of the dishes and allows for your food to come quickly. At places like Sarrastro, though, this rather pricey set menu is obviously to cut costs and maximise profits. Appetizers were the cheap mass-produced kind: hummus, tzatziki, fried halloumi, cheese borek, fried calamari, dolmades. While the dips were presented in large-ish family-size bowls, the countable items were very stingily counted out to equal the number of people in our party. Never have I seen 6 sad calamari rings (count â¬Üem, 6!) presented on a bed of lettuce. The cheese pastries and halloumi was almost inedibly salty but luckily the fluffy Turkish bread that accompanied all this was quite nice with the dips.

When the waiter came to take our orders for the main course, I asked for his recommendation between the braised lamb shank and the duck a lâ¬"orange. After some hesitation, he suggested the lamb - but when the food came out, I saw that his recommendation really meant the lesser of the two evils. The lamb shank was enormous. What a massive dish - I felt a bit like a cave-woman tackling this beast.

Unfortunately, quality and quantity cannot mutually exist in a dish at places like these. While the portion was huge, the lamb didnâ¬"t taste of muchâ¬¦just very dull lamb. The meat wasnâ¬"t exactly falling off the bone and there were dangerous shards of bone throughout my shank. The duck eaters fared no better - a limp, overly-gamy, and probably from frozen, sliced duck breast with a thin, translucent, and possibly bottled, orange sauce poured on top. One of our friends just couldnâ¬"t eat hers and asked for a replacement. To their credit, they quite happily switched it for the more edible salmon; to their discredit, the salmon arrived approximately 5 seconds after the duck was taken away. Hmmmâ¬¦suspiciously quickâ¬¦ Accompanying our meals were family-sized bowls of boiled potatoes and boiled, yet undercooked, mixed vegetables.

The real kicker came at dessert time. The set menu proclaimed that we would receive Turkish sweets and a fresh fruit platter. Turkish sweets turned out to be a tiny syrup soaked sweet, not baklava but tulumba, for each of us (count â¬Üem, 6!) and alongside lay some of the thinnest slices of pineapple the world has ever seen. The fruit platter was a large platter with whole, uncut, cheap fruits - apples, bananas, oranges, grapesâ¬¦and the biggest joke of all, a whole pineapple in the centre, with no proper knives to cut any of them. Well, I was feeling slightly bitter by this time and proceeded to bag up that pineapple - weâ¬"re currently enjoying it at home!

And what did we pay for this catering-style meal? - Â£30 a head. Just looking at that number causes me to reminisce of the wonderful meals Iâ¬"ve had at Le Vacherin that came to about that amount. And I havenâ¬"t even come to the musicians! Being an opera-themed restaurant, I would expect some music to be played. I do not, however, expect the band to sound like a mariachi band - nor do I expect the tambourinist to come around to each table, demanding money and shouting â¬SOlÃ©! OlÃ©!â¬

Souk Medina - ok, not fantastic by curlynewf

curlynewf — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:14:58 +0000

Review by curlynewf

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7240 1796

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

Tags: good value, north african, moroccan

I wasn't all that impressed with the food here. Admittedly we didn't eat much, but what we did have didn't really whet my appetite for more. We had the mezze plate for two, grilled halloumi, calamari and a bottle of of Cuvee Du President (Moroccan red wine). We enjoyed the wine, but the halloumi was dry, the falafel was too hard and the calamari was too rubbery. The tabouleh wasn't bad and the pita was nice and warm but there was too much of it. We also ordered a bottle of sparkling water which arrived warm (when we asked for ice we were given a gigantic bowl of ice cubes with a spoon :-)) I'm pretty sure the tiny tables and low-lighting are meant to be part of the charm, but we sat at a *really* cramped table downstairs which was literally squished up against the next table, and it was so dimly lit that we could barely see the food on our plate. The wait staff was friendly though (and like amandaharrison our waitress spoke little English). But considering it was extremely busy and we'd no reservation the staff were all really attentive and accommodating. The belly dancer was good too - and it was pretty cheap! Considering the location, the vibrancy and the cost I might go again and try some other dishes. Maybe it was just an off-night.I wasn't all that impressed with the food here. Admittedly we didn't eat much, but what we did have didn't really whet my appetite for more. We had the mezze plate for two, grilled halloumi, calamari and a bottle of of Cuvee Du President (Moroccan red wine). We enjoyed the wine, but the halloumi was dry, the falafel was too hard and the calamari was too rubbery. The tabouleh wasn't bad and the pita was nice and warm but there was too much of it. We also ordered a bottle of sparkling water which arrived warm (when we asked for ice we were given a gigantic bowl of ice cubes with a spoon :-)) I'm pretty sure the tiny tables and low-lighting are meant to be part of the charm, but we sat at a *really* cramped table downstairs which was literally squished up against the next table, and it was so dimly lit that we could barely see the food on our plate. The wait staff was friendly though (and like amandaharrison our waitress spoke little English). But considering it was extremely busy and we'd no reservation the staff were all really attentive and accommodating. The belly dancer was good too - and it was pretty cheap! Considering the location, the vibrancy and the cost I might go again and try some other dishes. Maybe it was just an off-night.

Wahaca - Disorganised service taints this cheap eat by Niamheen

Niamheen — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:51:04 +0000

Review by Niamheen

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7240 1883

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

Tags: lively, cheap eat, mexican

Let me set the scene. A friend of mine, a new Mum, had arranged a night off, one where she could leave her house for a few hours and indulge, priorities were nice food and cocktails and some company.

I had heard about Wahaca and was keen to try it, I love good Mexican food and it's not something that you can come across without some effort in London. I had heard that this was the real deal, a friend who had lived in Mexico was very impressed and highly recommended it. It's also in Covent Garden, a convenient point for both of us.

Another point of interest was that it was owned by winner of Masterchef, Thomasina Miers, someone I didn't have much affection for on the TV (at the time, she has since won me over with her Cooks Tour of Spain) but her knowledge of the cuisine and quest for authenticity appealed.

So, off we went, knowing the situation, our expectations were wagamama's canteen style eating and a cheap and authentic eat. We expected a queue and weren't surprised to find one. And so we queued.

While queueing we noticed alot of people were passing us out and it wasn't really very controlled. It seemed the guy manning it was more interested in theatrics and having everyone finding him funny than in being professional and efficient. At first I could ignore it, but, half an hour in I was beyond frustrated. Eventually we approached him and arranged to come back an hour later. This apparantly was the system and even though he was only 6 feet away from us, he didn't approach us at any point in that half an hour to tell us so. We trundled off an had a cocktail in nearby La Perla and returned promptly for our table only to be faced with the same scenario of lack of control or knowledge about who in the queue was next or when anyone would get a table.

About to leave, I expressed my frustration politely and it was handled very badly. The customer is always right, no? Not at Wahaca. Someone else took control and seated us, profusely apologising and provided drinks on the house. We had some nice mojitos and started to settle, things were getting better. We ordered some items from the street food menu and the mole. Both were very good, quite light and full of flavour, exactly what I would have expected.

The ambience? The decor is bright and modern, very nice. It's full on of a weekend evening, large groups, birthday parties, lots of noise, so great for groups but not so great if you just want to catch up with a friend. Happy Birthday was sang raucously more than once in our 2 hours here (there was even a tambourine) and while it was great for the birthday boy/girl, I could have done without it.

To sum up: the food is good and it's a vibrant place, nice decor, central location, but, the start of the evening left a sour taste in my mouth and did taint the experience for us. I wouldn't discount it and will try it again but for a nicer mexican street food experience I prefer the more intimate Taqueria in Westbourne Grove.Let me set the scene. A friend of mine, a new Mum, had arranged a night off, one where she could leave her house for a few hours and indulge, priorities were nice food and cocktails and some company.

I had heard about Wahaca and was keen to try it, I love good Mexican food and it's not something that you can come across without some effort in London. I had heard that this was the real deal, a friend who had lived in Mexico was very impressed and highly recommended it. It's also in Covent Garden, a convenient point for both of us.

Another point of interest was that it was owned by winner of Masterchef, Thomasina Miers, someone I didn't have much affection for on the TV (at the time, she has since won me over with her Cooks Tour of Spain) but her knowledge of the cuisine and quest for authenticity appealed.

So, off we went, knowing the situation, our expectations were wagamama's canteen style eating and a cheap and authentic eat. We expected a queue and weren't surprised to find one. And so we queued.

While queueing we noticed alot of people were passing us out and it wasn't really very controlled. It seemed the guy manning it was more interested in theatrics and having everyone finding him funny than in being professional and efficient. At first I could ignore it, but, half an hour in I was beyond frustrated. Eventually we approached him and arranged to come back an hour later. This apparantly was the system and even though he was only 6 feet away from us, he didn't approach us at any point in that half an hour to tell us so. We trundled off an had a cocktail in nearby La Perla and returned promptly for our table only to be faced with the same scenario of lack of control or knowledge about who in the queue was next or when anyone would get a table.

About to leave, I expressed my frustration politely and it was handled very badly. The customer is always right, no? Not at Wahaca. Someone else took control and seated us, profusely apologising and provided drinks on the house. We had some nice mojitos and started to settle, things were getting better. We ordered some items from the street food menu and the mole. Both were very good, quite light and full of flavour, exactly what I would have expected.

The ambience? The decor is bright and modern, very nice. It's full on of a weekend evening, large groups, birthday parties, lots of noise, so great for groups but not so great if you just want to catch up with a friend. Happy Birthday was sang raucously more than once in our 2 hours here (there was even a tambourine) and while it was great for the birthday boy/girl, I could have done without it.

To sum up: the food is good and it's a vibrant place, nice decor, central location, but, the start of the evening left a sour taste in my mouth and did taint the experience for us. I wouldn't discount it and will try it again but for a nicer mexican street food experience I prefer the more intimate Taqueria in Westbourne Grove.

Coffee, Cake & Kink - good coffee, bad cake, cheesy kink. by messydesk

messydesk — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:16:00 +0000

Review by messydesk

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7419 2996

Website: http://www.coffeecakeandkink.com

Tags: cosy, quick bite, good brew

This odd little place near the Tottenham court Road end of Covent Garden had not yet closed down, despite the notice on the info part of this page. Apparently, (eavesdropping ago-go) their lease won't be continued after the current one lapses but the landlord doesn't seem in too much of a hurry to boot them out. Anyway Coffee, Cake and Kink is a fetish and S/M styled coffee shop, the upstairs has lots of books and other sex positive paraphernalia lining the walls with a few tables and chairs dotted here and there, it's really quite pleasant and has a good, relaxed vibe. The majority of the seating however is downstairs, which is a bit of a different story. You have to negotiate the most difficult and dangerous set of stairs I've ever come across, so much so that the staff won't let you carry your own food down with you. They've done their level best to make it bareable in the low-ceilinged, windowless basement but to my taste they've not succeeded. Apart from two sofas the seating is very uncomfortable and every table or footstool area is too close to the next, couple that with the claustrophobic, natural light free feel of the room and it becomes just too oppressive. They have different erotic art exhibitions decorating the walls but both of the times I've visited the quality has been extremely low favouring cheesy, fantasy-esque and entirely predictable styles when they could have gone in a more interesting path.
The coffee is really, really good in large cups but the cake is bad, dry and overpriced. The chocolate fondue is a great idea but in reality tastes of wax to the extent that it's inedible. It's a fun place to go, but avoid the food and stay upstairs.This odd little place near the Tottenham court Road end of Covent Garden had not yet closed down, despite the notice on the info part of this page. Apparently, (eavesdropping ago-go) their lease won't be continued after the current one lapses but the landlord doesn't seem in too much of a hurry to boot them out. Anyway Coffee, Cake and Kink is a fetish and S/M styled coffee shop, the upstairs has lots of books and other sex positive paraphernalia lining the walls with a few tables and chairs dotted here and there, it's really quite pleasant and has a good, relaxed vibe. The majority of the seating however is downstairs, which is a bit of a different story. You have to negotiate the most difficult and dangerous set of stairs I've ever come across, so much so that the staff won't let you carry your own food down with you. They've done their level best to make it bareable in the low-ceilinged, windowless basement but to my taste they've not succeeded. Apart from two sofas the seating is very uncomfortable and every table or footstool area is too close to the next, couple that with the claustrophobic, natural light free feel of the room and it becomes just too oppressive. They have different erotic art exhibitions decorating the walls but both of the times I've visited the quality has been extremely low favouring cheesy, fantasy-esque and entirely predictable styles when they could have gone in a more interesting path.
The coffee is really, really good in large cups but the cake is bad, dry and overpriced. The chocolate fondue is a great idea but in reality tastes of wax to the extent that it's inedible. It's a fun place to go, but avoid the food and stay upstairs.

Franx Snack Bar - really good value by tomazeco

tomazeco — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:49:55 +0000

Review by tomazeco

Rating: 4.00

Tags: crowded, amazing brew, cosy

today was my first visit to Franx and honestly I'm quite surprised for the excellent value of the food there. For cheaper than usual prices you normally pay, you get a good yummy portion of food... in my case, today I tried the Paella, despite the lack of seafood it was pretty tasty, and I was almost tempted to ask them to get a container for the other half left on the plate to take back home for dinner... but I decided to finish it in one go!!! Really great stuff! On my next visit to central London will try to visit them again! Recommendedtoday was my first visit to Franx and honestly I'm quite surprised for the excellent value of the food there. For cheaper than usual prices you normally pay, you get a good yummy portion of food... in my case, today I tried the Paella, despite the lack of seafood it was pretty tasty, and I was almost tempted to ask them to get a container for the other half left on the plate to take back home for dinner... but I decided to finish it in one go!!! Really great stuff! On my next visit to central London will try to visit them again! Recommended

Giaconda Dining Room - Sydney's loss is London's gain. by bellaphon

bellaphon — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 19:59:49 +0000

Review by bellaphon

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7240 3334

Tags: french, good value, british

Most of what I want to say about this place has already been said on the well-judged and well-conceived reviews from the triumvirate of Sue, Gastro1 and Chrisp.

Just as well I booked for lunch, the dining room was already packed with business lunchers and arty luvvies by the time we turned up at 1pm. The service is akin to travelling First Class on Qantas (Iâ¬"m only assuming please), efficient and to the point but boy did I start to wonder whatâ¬"s going to be like during dinner instead. My signature starter of Crisped Pigs Trotters and Eggs Mayonnaise was perfectly balanced and delicately unctuous; I might request this as a mains option on my next visit. My dining companionâ¬"s Shellfish Bisque was unfortunately a little under-salted, personally I think this couldâ¬"ve been remedied with the addition of some grated GruyÃ¨re. For the main course I decided to go "off-piste", as everyone else in the room seemed to opt for either the Roast Salmon or Grilled Sirloin; my delicious Tripe Braised with Chorizo, Smoked Paprika & Butter Beans was basically grown up baked beans for the discerning palate. The companionâ¬"s Duck Confit and Roast Potatoes was pretty much epic in proportions, it took him forever to finish the plate up (obviously good enough as a dish as he has a habit of leaving most of his food half-finished). We ended up the meal with a shared pudding of Poached Peach and Eton Mess; this was the star dish of the meal for me at The GDR for it was so fruity, crunchy and sensibly creamy, it was the perfect end to a delicious and good value meal.

The location is great, one can now rid of the lunch excesses by window shopping around the guitar stores on the same street or admiring that fine carbuncle nearby otherwise known as the Centre Point tower.
Most of what I want to say about this place has already been said on the well-judged and well-conceived reviews from the triumvirate of Sue, Gastro1 and Chrisp.

Just as well I booked for lunch, the dining room was already packed with business lunchers and arty luvvies by the time we turned up at 1pm. The service is akin to travelling First Class on Qantas (Iâ¬"m only assuming please), efficient and to the point but boy did I start to wonder whatâ¬"s going to be like during dinner instead. My signature starter of Crisped Pigs Trotters and Eggs Mayonnaise was perfectly balanced and delicately unctuous; I might request this as a mains option on my next visit. My dining companionâ¬"s Shellfish Bisque was unfortunately a little under-salted, personally I think this couldâ¬"ve been remedied with the addition of some grated GruyÃ¨re. For the main course I decided to go "off-piste", as everyone else in the room seemed to opt for either the Roast Salmon or Grilled Sirloin; my delicious Tripe Braised with Chorizo, Smoked Paprika & Butter Beans was basically grown up baked beans for the discerning palate. The companionâ¬"s Duck Confit and Roast Potatoes was pretty much epic in proportions, it took him forever to finish the plate up (obviously good enough as a dish as he has a habit of leaving most of his food half-finished). We ended up the meal with a shared pudding of Poached Peach and Eton Mess; this was the star dish of the meal for me at The GDR for it was so fruity, crunchy and sensibly creamy, it was the perfect end to a delicious and good value meal.

The location is great, one can now rid of the lunch excesses by window shopping around the guitar stores on the same street or admiring that fine carbuncle nearby otherwise known as the Centre Point tower.

Travelodge - Was a fan, but no longer! by Littlereddress

Littlereddress — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:53:19 +0000

Review by Littlereddress

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7240 5957

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

Tags: helpful staff, car parking, bar / lounge bar

This is one hotel in two locations - neither really Covent Garden! Both are really in the Holborn area, which is still pretty central, but you'll have a 10 min walk to Covent Garden.

If you can get the rooms for a bargain price, then you can't really complain, but when you're paying the standard Â£110 a night, I would have expected a bit more. Plastic sheets covering the mattresses - making them crinkle when you move and causing you to sweat in the night (especially in the summer) - say it all really. The rooms are sparsely furnished, and have a bit of an unfinished feel about them. Family rooms can only be found in one of the hotels (the one further from Covent Garden), and if you turn up having lugged all your bags and kids to a hotel, only to be told that you've got to go another 200m up the road isn't really the best way to welcome you to the hotel. I can't believe they don't highlight this on their web site.

Oh well. I've found another budget hotel now, which is miles better - but I'm keeping it to myself, as I don't want it to get fully booked!This is one hotel in two locations - neither really Covent Garden! Both are really in the Holborn area, which is still pretty central, but you'll have a 10 min walk to Covent Garden.

If you can get the rooms for a bargain price, then you can't really complain, but when you're paying the standard Â£110 a night, I would have expected a bit more. Plastic sheets covering the mattresses - making them crinkle when you move and causing you to sweat in the night (especially in the summer) - say it all really. The rooms are sparsely furnished, and have a bit of an unfinished feel about them. Family rooms can only be found in one of the hotels (the one further from Covent Garden), and if you turn up having lugged all your bags and kids to a hotel, only to be told that you've got to go another 200m up the road isn't really the best way to welcome you to the hotel. I can't believe they don't highlight this on their web site.

Oh well. I've found another budget hotel now, which is miles better - but I'm keeping it to myself, as I don't want it to get fully booked!

Guanabara - Flawed latin flair by ben1982

ben1982 — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:02:40 +0000

Review by ben1982

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7242 8600

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

Tags: brazilian, friendly, cool

Live drums, samba, capoeira and table football are all good things, as are the happy hour caipirinhas - some of the best in london (and significantly cheaper). Set in a modern block reminiscent of a conference centre though makes the atmosphere a little sterile, preventing what could be a winning formula.Live drums, samba, capoeira and table football are all good things, as are the happy hour caipirinhas - some of the best in london (and significantly cheaper). Set in a modern block reminiscent of a conference centre though makes the atmosphere a little sterile, preventing what could be a winning formula.

Octopus - Kiddy fun for adults and children alike by Natnat

Natnat — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:47:48 +0000

Review by Natnat

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7836 2911

Tags: quirky

Octopus is a quirky, colourful, fun shop offering a cornucopia of wonderful gifts and knick knacks for the young at heart. There are handbags in the shape of watering cans, purses made from pressed and dried flowers, unusual jewellery and funky items for the home - including dusters - to jazz up even the most mundane household chore. Their tables and lamps go to show that even the most fun products can have a practical purpose. There are now several Octopus stores dotted around, including one in the Covent Garden arcade, and one in Carnaby Street, and the first was on Kings Road.Octopus is a quirky, colourful, fun shop offering a cornucopia of wonderful gifts and knick knacks for the young at heart. There are handbags in the shape of watering cans, purses made from pressed and dried flowers, unusual jewellery and funky items for the home - including dusters - to jazz up even the most mundane household chore. Their tables and lamps go to show that even the most fun products can have a practical purpose. There are now several Octopus stores dotted around, including one in the Covent Garden arcade, and one in Carnaby Street, and the first was on Kings Road.