Latest reviews for Food & Drink in Covent Garden, London, United Kingdom

Primrose Bakery - by tomaplaw

tomaplaw — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:51:38 +0000

Review by tomaplaw

Rating: 5.00

Tags: cakes, cupcakes, cupcake

Far better than Hummingbird.Far better than Hummingbird.

Monmouth Coffee Company - The Bean's Knees by laissezfare

laissezfare — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:39:24 +0000

Review by laissezfare

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7645 3560

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

Tags: amazing brew, rare finds, cosy

This is part of a larger review of London coffee houses which can be found here: http://wp.me/pwXBH-or]

Having tried all of their espresso based drinks and their black coffee (Americano), I have settled on â¬Üdry cappuccinoâ¬" as my beverage of choice, although all their drinks are fantastic and they probably do make the best Americano Iâ¬"ve had in London. Their house espresso blend has a nice intensity, lots of chocolate on the palate and is very smooth, with an almost velvety mouth feel. To me, it has a lovely rich, round flavor that beautifully balances the sweeter fruity notes with a not-too-harsh streak of acidity. Paired with the dense and luxurious yet butterfly-light foam from Monmouthâ¬"s organic milk to balance the just slightly bitter tannic undertones of the espresso, it is a very competent, highly enjoyable espresso drink and does the trick for me every time.

The gist of it: Their drinks are consistently good, and I just like the charm of the place and the impressive knowledge and passion of most of the staff. I mean, they have a wooden bench and table for one person â¬ how quirky and great is that? They also sell a wide range of coffee beans that are painstakingly sourced from around the world and can tell you all about the differences between them. There is normally a long queue if you donâ¬"t know what times to go, but I like that itâ¬"s on a little street in Covent Garden, that remains slightly funky and has a nice vibe and independent streak about it. I donâ¬"t really like the one across from Borough Market as it is too large and too busy.This is part of a larger review of London coffee houses which can be found here: http://wp.me/pwXBH-or]

Having tried all of their espresso based drinks and their black coffee (Americano), I have settled on â¬Üdry cappuccinoâ¬" as my beverage of choice, although all their drinks are fantastic and they probably do make the best Americano Iâ¬"ve had in London. Their house espresso blend has a nice intensity, lots of chocolate on the palate and is very smooth, with an almost velvety mouth feel. To me, it has a lovely rich, round flavor that beautifully balances the sweeter fruity notes with a not-too-harsh streak of acidity. Paired with the dense and luxurious yet butterfly-light foam from Monmouthâ¬"s organic milk to balance the just slightly bitter tannic undertones of the espresso, it is a very competent, highly enjoyable espresso drink and does the trick for me every time.

The gist of it: Their drinks are consistently good, and I just like the charm of the place and the impressive knowledge and passion of most of the staff. I mean, they have a wooden bench and table for one person â¬ how quirky and great is that? They also sell a wide range of coffee beans that are painstakingly sourced from around the world and can tell you all about the differences between them. There is normally a long queue if you donâ¬"t know what times to go, but I like that itâ¬"s on a little street in Covent Garden, that remains slightly funky and has a nice vibe and independent streak about it. I donâ¬"t really like the one across from Borough Market as it is too large and too busy.

Boulevard Deli - Could do better by sheilaellen

sheilaellen — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:36:21 +0000

Review by sheilaellen

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7240 2992

Website: http://www.boulevardbrasserie.com

Tags: mediterranean, delicatessen, cosy

Although I enjoy their food, the service is appalling. I am often left with the impression that the staff would prefer it if the money just rolled in without them having to actually have any contact with customers. These days I generally try to avoid going but invariably, after a few months, forget just how bad the service is, remembering only how tasty the food is and go back. It takes only 1-2 visits before I'm sworn off again.Although I enjoy their food, the service is appalling. I am often left with the impression that the staff would prefer it if the money just rolled in without them having to actually have any contact with customers. These days I generally try to avoid going but invariably, after a few months, forget just how bad the service is, remembering only how tasty the food is and go back. It takes only 1-2 visits before I'm sworn off again.

Paul - by pipo

pipo — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 07:30:53 +0000

Review by pipo

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7836 3304

Website: http://www.paul.fr

Tags: french, bakery, covent garden

I really do adore this place. I go all the time with my friends. We love the decor, the ambience and most importantly the food....when I say food I mean the pastries, cakes etc. I don't think I've ever eaten anything savory in there before! Their hot chocolate is a must try.I really do adore this place. I go all the time with my friends. We love the decor, the ambience and most importantly the food....when I say food I mean the pastries, cakes etc. I don't think I've ever eaten anything savory in there before! Their hot chocolate is a must try.

Thorntons - yum by clubby2

clubby2 — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 20:33:53 +0000

Review by clubby2

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7836 2173

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

Tags: truffles

Thorntons at the piazza , covent garden are a good place to top up on all you chocolate favorites. The small bars like the truffle bar are a nice lunch time treat when you are on the go. There is a new selection of chocolate bars which have unusual flavours to them, such as the dark choc and balsamic vinegar bar, which is very good and nothing like you would imagine, the orange and cardemon bar is equally moorish and tasty. I think they have an offer on those right now which is 3 for Â£5, which is really great value. Thorntons are very good value and go down well when you give them as presents too. On the whole a good little shop in a busy location.Thorntons at the piazza , covent garden are a good place to top up on all you chocolate favorites. The small bars like the truffle bar are a nice lunch time treat when you are on the go. There is a new selection of chocolate bars which have unusual flavours to them, such as the dark choc and balsamic vinegar bar, which is very good and nothing like you would imagine, the orange and cardemon bar is equally moorish and tasty. I think they have an offer on those right now which is 3 for Â£5, which is really great value. Thorntons are very good value and go down well when you give them as presents too. On the whole a good little shop in a busy location.

The Tea House - turn over a new leaf! by Navajo_Pete

Navajo_Pete — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:26:16 +0000

Review by Navajo_Pete

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7240 7539

Tags: rare finds, covent garden, asian

A modest looking and unassuming frontage in between the shoe and fashion shops of Covent Gardenâ¬"s Neal Street, the Tea House is easily missed and overlooked.

Once inside, the shop oozes â¬Üqualityâ¬" wherever you look. Many of the tea pots and gorgeous looking crockery come at a price, but if you are a tea pot collector you can eat your heart out.

Much more affordable are the many different blends of tea and the huge selection of flavoured teas, many if attractive tins or boxes (these make useful gifts â¬ who doesnâ¬"t drink tea?).

This shop is also famous for its many specialist teas, including many different green teas and fine Indian teas. Although expensive when compared with the cheap & cheerful blends, these are some of the worldâ¬"s finest teas and who can place a value on that? Worth every penny!
A modest looking and unassuming frontage in between the shoe and fashion shops of Covent Gardenâ¬"s Neal Street, the Tea House is easily missed and overlooked.

Once inside, the shop oozes â¬Üqualityâ¬" wherever you look. Many of the tea pots and gorgeous looking crockery come at a price, but if you are a tea pot collector you can eat your heart out.

Much more affordable are the many different blends of tea and the huge selection of flavoured teas, many if attractive tins or boxes (these make useful gifts â¬ who doesnâ¬"t drink tea?).

This shop is also famous for its many specialist teas, including many different green teas and fine Indian teas. Although expensive when compared with the cheap & cheerful blends, these are some of the worldâ¬"s finest teas and who can place a value on that? Worth every penny!

Neal's Yard Dairy - best and smelliest by Alsation

Alsation — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:11:39 +0000

Review by Alsation

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7240 5700

Tags: delicatessen, rare finds, helpful staff

By far the best and most inspiring cheese retailer in the UK.
Started by Raldolph and his band of merry troubadours back in the late 70s, this is still the only shop to have a HUGE queue during the last week before Christmas.
They specialise in British cheeses, and now stock Irish ones too.
Many of the Cheddars are ripened in the cellar below the shop. Staff are brilliant, very enthusiastic and generally knowledgeable.
Always ask to taste a cheese you like the looks of - you never know....
They now also stock a great range of breads, sauces, pickles and condiments, with even some imported delicacies.
For cheese accessories and gift you could look elesewhere, although there is a limited (and seasonal?) range available in the shop.
One of my favourite shops in the whole of London!By far the best and most inspiring cheese retailer in the UK.
Started by Raldolph and his band of merry troubadours back in the late 70s, this is still the only shop to have a HUGE queue during the last week before Christmas.
They specialise in British cheeses, and now stock Irish ones too.
Many of the Cheddars are ripened in the cellar below the shop. Staff are brilliant, very enthusiastic and generally knowledgeable.
Always ask to taste a cheese you like the looks of - you never know....
They now also stock a great range of breads, sauces, pickles and condiments, with even some imported delicacies.
For cheese accessories and gift you could look elesewhere, although there is a limited (and seasonal?) range available in the shop.
One of my favourite shops in the whole of London!

Scoop - Ice cream you can test by faders321

faders321 — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:12:06 +0000

Review by faders321

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7240 7086

Website: http://www.scoopgelato.com/

Tags: rare finds, bargain, helpful staff

Ice cream is one of my favourite foods and it comes in lots of different flavours which is what makes it so great. I often find that whilst I am out shopping I will get hungry and want some ice cream and so thatâ¬"s when I visit Scoop. I think itâ¬"s one of the best ice cream parlours there are. The great thing about it is that you can test the ice cream before you buy it, only a tiny bit but still it helps you to decide which one you want to buy. I personally loved most of the tester samples but in the end I managed to chose one. It was delicious and the quality of the ice cream was superb, very creamy and extremely tasty, 10 out of 10.
Ice cream is one of my favourite foods and it comes in lots of different flavours which is what makes it so great. I often find that whilst I am out shopping I will get hungry and want some ice cream and so thatâ¬"s when I visit Scoop. I think itâ¬"s one of the best ice cream parlours there are. The great thing about it is that you can test the ice cream before you buy it, only a tiny bit but still it helps you to decide which one you want to buy. I personally loved most of the tester samples but in the end I managed to chose one. It was delicious and the quality of the ice cream was superb, very creamy and extremely tasty, 10 out of 10.