Latest reviews in Finsbury, London, United Kingdom

Moro - Why wait until toMOROw? by mazphd

mazphd — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:43:08 +0000

Review by mazphd

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7833 8336

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

It is not often that one comes across a restaurant that has style, vibe and some seriously fabulous food. I have been lucky enough to not only dine , but also to experience the wine here, and I intend to develop this very complimentary and devastingly evocative relationship some more.

On my visit, despite being full to bursting and busy every member of staff was attentive, helpful and catchingly perky! Now my experience may have been coloured by the delightful company for the evening (a perceptive, witty and charming dining companion) but Moro also holds all these qualities on its own just on the vibe alone.

For some reason I skipped the Tapas and went straight for the weekly menu, a sardine related dish full of spice, and just the right mix of olive oil and fennel seeds. Simplicity in itself. Now the dining was divine, but better was the wine, and I heartidly recommend, the OntaÃ±on, Gran Reserva a 2001 Spanish Rioja. On the side of 'pricey' at nearly Â£50 a bottle, but mmm so sumptuous.

It has been a while since I've had such great service (especially in the UK!) and wonderful food, and reading the other reviews it seems Moro gets this balance right at least 90% of the time. I'm hoping for those disappointed diners they will return and be charmed in the same way I have been.

My own intention is to revisit and take advantage of the tapas, and moment with a suitably charming dining partner. Oh and to remember to leave room for dessert.It is not often that one comes across a restaurant that has style, vibe and some seriously fabulous food. I have been lucky enough to not only dine , but also to experience the wine here, and I intend to develop this very complimentary and devastingly evocative relationship some more.

On my visit, despite being full to bursting and busy every member of staff was attentive, helpful and catchingly perky! Now my experience may have been coloured by the delightful company for the evening (a perceptive, witty and charming dining companion) but Moro also holds all these qualities on its own just on the vibe alone.

For some reason I skipped the Tapas and went straight for the weekly menu, a sardine related dish full of spice, and just the right mix of olive oil and fennel seeds. Simplicity in itself. Now the dining was divine, but better was the wine, and I heartidly recommend, the OntaÃ±on, Gran Reserva a 2001 Spanish Rioja. On the side of 'pricey' at nearly Â£50 a bottle, but mmm so sumptuous.

It has been a while since I've had such great service (especially in the UK!) and wonderful food, and reading the other reviews it seems Moro gets this balance right at least 90% of the time. I'm hoping for those disappointed diners they will return and be charmed in the same way I have been.

My own intention is to revisit and take advantage of the tapas, and moment with a suitably charming dining partner. Oh and to remember to leave room for dessert.

Dans Le Noir - Dans le Very Clever for a One Off by Browners

Browners — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 12:41:18 +0000

Review by Browners

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7253 1100

Website: http://www.danslenoir.com

Tags: expensive, lively, romantic

In a sudden fit of bravery we decided to take our wonderful Client out for an adventurous dinner. She is based in the States so we rarely get to see each other face to face.

This will now seem like a non-sequitor...

So we took her to Dans le Noir in Farringdon for a fabulous night of dining in the dark. We are working on a project that is all about sensual experiences, so it made perfect sense to finish the day's hard work with a meal that would push all of our sensual boundaries.

Arriving at the restaurant we were greeted in the foyer by a collection of very engaging maitre d's. They made us put all of our kit in a locker so that no mobile phones or watches with illuminated faces could disturb the sheer blackness of the dining room.

I don't think any of us were ready for the attack on our senese that was to follow. After a quick cocktail to instil a bit of Dutch courage in all of us, we queued up behind a blind waitress/guide and were led into the pitch black room. Some squealed. Others were a bit more stoical. We found our table using our hands and all sat down around what we all thought was a round table, but turned out to be oblong!

We groped around the table looking for water glasses and bottles. The only way you can pour everyone's wine is to put your finger in the glass and keep pouring until your finger gets wet! Not very hygenic. But great fun.

We all spoke very loudly to begin with as we acclimatised to the dark. Towards the end of the meal our voices became more calm and we shouted a lot less! It's bizarre just how reliant we all are on our sense of sight.

I found it really hard to determine what I was eating and to be honest can't quite remember. Memory works very badly when you remove the sense of sight. My starter may have involved something resembling spring rolls filled with what I thought was minced chicken and somebody else thought was tuna - which turned out to be duck.

Likewise I got terribly confused by my main course which I still swear to the this day was lamb, but turned out to be a mixture of ostrich fillet on one side of the plate and venison on the other. But we all recognised the distinctive smell and flavour of the truffled risotto that acted as a division between the two meats.

Personally I loved the whole experience. There is something very liberating about being in the dark. It may have been the amount of wine I was drinking because I was thirsty and couldn't find my water glass... but I found myself saying things at a work dinner that I would never otherwise have said. I've never had so much fun chatting a joking around a (now clearly rectangular) table. Everything seems funnier in the dark.

Be careful about coming here if you know people are claustrophobic or are a bit strapped for cash as it isn't cheap. But remember you are coming here for an experience and not simply a meal. In many ways this is the idea of a restaurant pushed to the extreme. It's not about the food. It's about opening your mind and having an entertaining time. We learnt a lot about each other during the course of the meal and feel like we all bonded along the way.

Will any of us return? Unlikely. But not in a bad way. We've all been talking about the experience ever since and won't ever forget that crazy meal we all had in the dark! It's a great place to come if you want to break the ice.In a sudden fit of bravery we decided to take our wonderful Client out for an adventurous dinner. She is based in the States so we rarely get to see each other face to face.

This will now seem like a non-sequitor...

So we took her to Dans le Noir in Farringdon for a fabulous night of dining in the dark. We are working on a project that is all about sensual experiences, so it made perfect sense to finish the day's hard work with a meal that would push all of our sensual boundaries.

Arriving at the restaurant we were greeted in the foyer by a collection of very engaging maitre d's. They made us put all of our kit in a locker so that no mobile phones or watches with illuminated faces could disturb the sheer blackness of the dining room.

I don't think any of us were ready for the attack on our senese that was to follow. After a quick cocktail to instil a bit of Dutch courage in all of us, we queued up behind a blind waitress/guide and were led into the pitch black room. Some squealed. Others were a bit more stoical. We found our table using our hands and all sat down around what we all thought was a round table, but turned out to be oblong!

We groped around the table looking for water glasses and bottles. The only way you can pour everyone's wine is to put your finger in the glass and keep pouring until your finger gets wet! Not very hygenic. But great fun.

We all spoke very loudly to begin with as we acclimatised to the dark. Towards the end of the meal our voices became more calm and we shouted a lot less! It's bizarre just how reliant we all are on our sense of sight.

I found it really hard to determine what I was eating and to be honest can't quite remember. Memory works very badly when you remove the sense of sight. My starter may have involved something resembling spring rolls filled with what I thought was minced chicken and somebody else thought was tuna - which turned out to be duck.

Likewise I got terribly confused by my main course which I still swear to the this day was lamb, but turned out to be a mixture of ostrich fillet on one side of the plate and venison on the other. But we all recognised the distinctive smell and flavour of the truffled risotto that acted as a division between the two meats.

Personally I loved the whole experience. There is something very liberating about being in the dark. It may have been the amount of wine I was drinking because I was thirsty and couldn't find my water glass... but I found myself saying things at a work dinner that I would never otherwise have said. I've never had so much fun chatting a joking around a (now clearly rectangular) table. Everything seems funnier in the dark.

Be careful about coming here if you know people are claustrophobic or are a bit strapped for cash as it isn't cheap. But remember you are coming here for an experience and not simply a meal. In many ways this is the idea of a restaurant pushed to the extreme. It's not about the food. It's about opening your mind and having an entertaining time. We learnt a lot about each other during the course of the meal and feel like we all bonded along the way.

Will any of us return? Unlikely. But not in a bad way. We've all been talking about the experience ever since and won't ever forget that crazy meal we all had in the dark! It's a great place to come if you want to break the ice.

Potemkin - дн вверх by messydesk

messydesk — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 22:21:53 +0000

Review by messydesk

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7278 6661

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

Tags: business, russian, cool

I love Russian food and Potemkin is pretty much the best place I've found for it. The upstairs is a pretty standard vodka bar but it has a good selection of vodkas and large, clear windows onto the street. It's a good place to meet someone before going down for dinner.
The restaurant is downstairs and they've chosen to decorate with subtle whites and browns with the occasional splash of colour and the effect is restful and contemporary. It's also comfortable, even if you stay there for hours and hours, and the staff are friendly and efficient.
They have the expected huge range of vodkas and despite not normally drinking alcohol at all, I often have a few glasses as they're so delicious and interesting, a favourite being tarragon, cucumber or the slightly more standard but no less delicious warm honey.
Best of all though, is the food. It's simple with strong traditional flavours and unusually, they serve a good vegetarian dish, even though the choice is pretty limited it's better than you usually get for food from this region. The borscht is fabulous, definitely the best in London and my meat-loving partner recommends the pork. They've also managed to deal with the common problem in Russian cooking, blandness and stodginess with excellent spicing and spot on cooking times. I love it here.I love Russian food and Potemkin is pretty much the best place I've found for it. The upstairs is a pretty standard vodka bar but it has a good selection of vodkas and large, clear windows onto the street. It's a good place to meet someone before going down for dinner.
The restaurant is downstairs and they've chosen to decorate with subtle whites and browns with the occasional splash of colour and the effect is restful and contemporary. It's also comfortable, even if you stay there for hours and hours, and the staff are friendly and efficient.
They have the expected huge range of vodkas and despite not normally drinking alcohol at all, I often have a few glasses as they're so delicious and interesting, a favourite being tarragon, cucumber or the slightly more standard but no less delicious warm honey.
Best of all though, is the food. It's simple with strong traditional flavours and unusually, they serve a good vegetarian dish, even though the choice is pretty limited it's better than you usually get for food from this region. The borscht is fabulous, definitely the best in London and my meat-loving partner recommends the pork. They've also managed to deal with the common problem in Russian cooking, blandness and stodginess with excellent spicing and spot on cooking times. I love it here.

Cocomo - welcome break by ben1982

ben1982 — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:51:15 +0000

Review by ben1982

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7613 0315

Tags: cosy, food, relaxed

Dirty (in a good way) and dark, this small bar has a lot of charisma - especially in the basement where a range of battered old sofas are clustered. The cocktails ordered on previous visits have been pretty badly thrown together, so maybe go for something that's harder to screw up, but doubles are often cheap. It represents a nice change from the more contrived scene around the corner in hoxton square.Dirty (in a good way) and dark, this small bar has a lot of charisma - especially in the basement where a range of battered old sofas are clustered. The cocktails ordered on previous visits have been pretty badly thrown together, so maybe go for something that's harder to screw up, but doubles are often cheap. It represents a nice change from the more contrived scene around the corner in hoxton square.

Fish Central - Fab Fish Central by jammiedodger

jammiedodger — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 20:35:52 +0000

Review by jammiedodger

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7253 4970

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

Tags: seafood, lively, takeaway

You'll receive a warm welcome and enjoy wonderful food at this fantastic family restaurant that has been here since the 1960s. A favourite among locals, it attracts regular repeat visits with its personal take on traditional 'fish and chips' (grilled or fried and cooked to perfection) as well as more adventurous cuisine and daily specials such as monkfish and scallops. There's plenty to attract the non-fish-eaters too. Tucked away between Barbican and Angel it's hard to stumble upon but worth seeking out.

It boasts a cool, crisp interior (although the chairs are not very luxurious) and a light, airy glass frontage that opens in summer months for almost al-fresco dining.

The food is great quality, all freshly prepared and the prices are reasonable. And the restaurant thankfully lacks the pretentions of so many other fish restaurants in the capital.You'll receive a warm welcome and enjoy wonderful food at this fantastic family restaurant that has been here since the 1960s. A favourite among locals, it attracts regular repeat visits with its personal take on traditional 'fish and chips' (grilled or fried and cooked to perfection) as well as more adventurous cuisine and daily specials such as monkfish and scallops. There's plenty to attract the non-fish-eaters too. Tucked away between Barbican and Angel it's hard to stumble upon but worth seeking out.

It boasts a cool, crisp interior (although the chairs are not very luxurious) and a light, airy glass frontage that opens in summer months for almost al-fresco dining.

The food is great quality, all freshly prepared and the prices are reasonable. And the restaurant thankfully lacks the pretentions of so many other fish restaurants in the capital.

Slaughtered Lamb - A solid choice by ben1982

ben1982 — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 17:42:26 +0000

Review by ben1982

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7253 1516

Website: http://www.theslaughteredlambpub.co.uk/index.asp

Tags: live music, relaxed, cool

Honey beer (sleemans), fishfinger sandwiches and an oaky smoky wooden interior makes a great setting after-work. Although most of the surrounding businesses have decided the same thing, making getting hold of a seat a tricky proposition, especially close to the weekendHoney beer (sleemans), fishfinger sandwiches and an oaky smoky wooden interior makes a great setting after-work. Although most of the surrounding businesses have decided the same thing, making getting hold of a seat a tricky proposition, especially close to the weekend

Cafe El Paso - just ok by richfair

richfair — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:00:20 +0000

Review by richfair

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7739 4202

Tags: lively, crowded, central

El Paso has okay Mexican food-- better than most Mexican food in London, but unfortunately I'm from Texas, where good Tex-Mex is everywhere, so I was inevitably disappointed with this food. The atmosphere is again okay... I felt they were trying to make it feel a little more lively than it was. There are much more lively and better quality places to eat in Shoreditch.

That said though, it was some of the best Mexican food I've had in London and the portions were generous. The staff was average, but like I said there are better places in Shoreditch so I probably won't be going back.El Paso has okay Mexican food-- better than most Mexican food in London, but unfortunately I'm from Texas, where good Tex-Mex is everywhere, so I was inevitably disappointed with this food. The atmosphere is again okay... I felt they were trying to make it feel a little more lively than it was. There are much more lively and better quality places to eat in Shoreditch.

That said though, it was some of the best Mexican food I've had in London and the portions were generous. The staff was average, but like I said there are better places in Shoreditch so I probably won't be going back.

Dollar Grills & Martinis - Porn Stars welcome! by VickieMac

VickieMac — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:41:30 +0000

Review by VickieMac

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7278 0077

Tags: american, cocktails, expensive

I went here early on a Saturday evening for a special occasion meal and I was overwhelmed. First, it's beautiful inside. The upstairs has gorgeous lighting and the seats were super comfy. The downstairs is very plush and would be a great spot for a cocktail on a date. It has little alcoves that offer the right amount of intimacy for a public place. ;o)

But it wasn't the decor the sold me, it was the cocktails - A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I had the pleasure of enjoying (among others) the Porn Star Martini and to this day have not found a drink I enjoyed more than this one. I take great pleasure in telling people that this is my favourite drink!

We also had food and although at the time I thoroughly enjoyed my fish soup thingy, it was only good enough to be remembered as a fish soup thingy. The cocktails simply stole the show.

I would definitely go here again and have but only for drinks. I'll have to try the burgers next time!I went here early on a Saturday evening for a special occasion meal and I was overwhelmed. First, it's beautiful inside. The upstairs has gorgeous lighting and the seats were super comfy. The downstairs is very plush and would be a great spot for a cocktail on a date. It has little alcoves that offer the right amount of intimacy for a public place. ;o)

But it wasn't the decor the sold me, it was the cocktails - A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I had the pleasure of enjoying (among others) the Porn Star Martini and to this day have not found a drink I enjoyed more than this one. I take great pleasure in telling people that this is my favourite drink!

We also had food and although at the time I thoroughly enjoyed my fish soup thingy, it was only good enough to be remembered as a fish soup thingy. The cocktails simply stole the show.

I would definitely go here again and have but only for drinks. I'll have to try the burgers next time!

The Three Kings - Archetypal boozer by ben1982

ben1982 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:14:11 +0000

Review by ben1982

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7253 0483

Tags: food, dj, jukebox

This pub just feels great; a little bit dark and dingy (in the best possible way), a healthy post-work bustle and a slight creative twist, particularly the upstairs rooms with its Fifties decor, which mirrors the Clerkenwell clientele...when it gets dark the candles come out and the food has a pub-grub quality lacking in many similar places. A place to return to again and again.This pub just feels great; a little bit dark and dingy (in the best possible way), a healthy post-work bustle and a slight creative twist, particularly the upstairs rooms with its Fifties decor, which mirrors the Clerkenwell clientele...when it gets dark the candles come out and the food has a pub-grub quality lacking in many similar places. A place to return to again and again.

Cay Tre - by joslyoung

joslyoung — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:31:04 +0000

Review by joslyoung

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7729 8662

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

Tags: vietnamese, lively, good value

Judging by the number of reviews, Cay Tre is a hidden gem no longer. Basically, the Old Street area is awash in Vietnamese restaurants, of which Cay Tre is the best. Unfortunately, on recent visits, it's also been the busiest, particularly at the weekends (then again, Old St is usually best avoided at weekends anyway for any reason if you're not into crowds of braying meeja folk). The food is very good indeed although not ALWAYS exceptional - there are some duff notes in the menu, which I suggest you avoid by steering away from the more predictable items. The point is that they do have interesting things on the menu that you might not see elsewhere, particularly by way of fish, and you can get in and out and extremely well fed and watered for under Â£20 a head. You really can't say fairer than that.Judging by the number of reviews, Cay Tre is a hidden gem no longer. Basically, the Old Street area is awash in Vietnamese restaurants, of which Cay Tre is the best. Unfortunately, on recent visits, it's also been the busiest, particularly at the weekends (then again, Old St is usually best avoided at weekends anyway for any reason if you're not into crowds of braying meeja folk). The food is very good indeed although not ALWAYS exceptional - there are some duff notes in the menu, which I suggest you avoid by steering away from the more predictable items. The point is that they do have interesting things on the menu that you might not see elsewhere, particularly by way of fish, and you can get in and out and extremely well fed and watered for under Â£20 a head. You really can't say fairer than that.

Smooth Juice Ltd - Healthy and Tasty by faders321

faders321 — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:41:51 +0000

Review by faders321

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 3119 1081

Tags: healthy, fresh, quick bite

I think that one of the most refreshing drinks you can have is a smoothie and they are much healthier than fizzy drinks as they are made from fruit. Thatâ¬"s why I try to drink them as often as possible. I came across Smooth Juice the other day and decided that I just had to try one of their smoothies. These are freshly made so you know that what youâ¬"re drinking is good. I have bought several smoothies from here over the past couple of months and have always found that they taste amazing. Also you can chose what it is you want to go into your smoothie so youâ¬"re definitely going to like it. Fruit Juice contains a lot of antioxidants so it will help you to feel better physically as well as mentally. This little juice bar is well worth a try.I think that one of the most refreshing drinks you can have is a smoothie and they are much healthier than fizzy drinks as they are made from fruit. Thatâ¬"s why I try to drink them as often as possible. I came across Smooth Juice the other day and decided that I just had to try one of their smoothies. These are freshly made so you know that what youâ¬"re drinking is good. I have bought several smoothies from here over the past couple of months and have always found that they taste amazing. Also you can chose what it is you want to go into your smoothie so youâ¬"re definitely going to like it. Fruit Juice contains a lot of antioxidants so it will help you to feel better physically as well as mentally. This little juice bar is well worth a try.

Kings Cross Tandoori - kings cross tandoooori by jakieahmed

jakieahmed — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:10:00 +0000

Review by jakieahmed

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7278 0506

Tags: indian, romantic, expensive

the food was mervolous
but the pricing was difficult
worth the money

was very delicious and spicy

top for business and romanticthe food was mervolous
but the pricing was difficult
worth the money

was very delicious and spicy

top for business and romantic

City University - EVENING COURSES - CITY UNIVERSITY by globalgujrati

globalgujrati — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:06:08 +0000

Review by globalgujrati

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7040 5060

Website: http://www.city.ac.uk

City university runs the world famous evening and aduly courses and well known for languages and techolgies. they are also having expert certificates in film making, enterprises, and novel writing and also guiding as a career which is for westminsiter , city and islington .they campus is well euipped and also you can get a certificate ones you finish 60 credits or 6 terms.these studies need not be in any specific subject as you can get a certificate in continued studies.there is a fish and chip shop on the way out and also there is a book store of a famous brand offering 10% discount.most professional are the most enrolled in these courses ranginf from art and archeology to computing and technology.Film making courses are highy competitive as demand is high and places are limited and so is their novel writinf certificate of 1 year.City university runs the world famous evening and aduly courses and well known for languages and techolgies. they are also having expert certificates in film making, enterprises, and novel writing and also guiding as a career which is for westminsiter , city and islington .they campus is well euipped and also you can get a certificate ones you finish 60 credits or 6 terms.these studies need not be in any specific subject as you can get a certificate in continued studies.there is a fish and chip shop on the way out and also there is a book store of a famous brand offering 10% discount.most professional are the most enrolled in these courses ranginf from art and archeology to computing and technology.Film making courses are highy competitive as demand is high and places are limited and so is their novel writinf certificate of 1 year.

Darbucka - Good ambience, poor food by Foodietravels

Foodietravels — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:42:39 +0000

Review by Foodietravels

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7490 8772

Website: http://www.darbucka.com

Tags: middle eastern, lively, shisha

Place looks great, lots of events take place in the downstairs area (might be too noisy for a cosy romantic dinner). Food is below average, although servings are big and service is poor. Price is extortion for the quality. I'm still looking for a decent couscous in London.Place looks great, lots of events take place in the downstairs area (might be too noisy for a cosy romantic dinner). Food is below average, although servings are big and service is poor. Price is extortion for the quality. I'm still looking for a decent couscous in London.

Old Red Lion Theatre - Best pub in Angel (if not London) by rokobabarovic

rokobabarovic — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:07:15 +0000

Review by rokobabarovic

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7837 7816

Tags: food

There really is not a bad word I can say about the Old Red (as its affectionately known)If conversation is your thing you will be hard pushed not to strike one up with its eclectic mix of customers who range from the locals to Theatregoers (from both Sadlers Wells and its own Theatre upstairs) from soap opera celebs to the occasional film star
and all in between, I do believe it has the best mix around!

The selection of ales is great and the rest is not bad either.

The staff are some of the friendliest you can meet and always seem to be having a good time which helps create an atmosphere hard to match.

And lets not forget its famous upstairs theatre which shows some of the best fringe theatre in the UK today.
The walls a littered with photos from plays down the years with many actors of note who have performed there through the years.

If you have never been you must go to sample what your missing out on and if you have... then im preaching to the converted!There really is not a bad word I can say about the Old Red (as its affectionately known)If conversation is your thing you will be hard pushed not to strike one up with its eclectic mix of customers who range from the locals to Theatregoers (from both Sadlers Wells and its own Theatre upstairs) from soap opera celebs to the occasional film star
and all in between, I do believe it has the best mix around!

The selection of ales is great and the rest is not bad either.

The staff are some of the friendliest you can meet and always seem to be having a good time which helps create an atmosphere hard to match.

And lets not forget its famous upstairs theatre which shows some of the best fringe theatre in the UK today.
The walls a littered with photos from plays down the years with many actors of note who have performed there through the years.

If you have never been you must go to sample what your missing out on and if you have... then im preaching to the converted!

The Fryer's Delight - Beef! Vegetarians beware! by foodbymark

foodbymark — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 01:52:32 +0000

Review by foodbymark

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7405 4114

Tags: fish and chips, takeaway, diner

Always packed, I see the staff prepping every morning on the way from my gym to the office. And the staff know me well enough to wave every morning... how embarrassing.

So their secret is in the title... vegetarians who love their chips were horrified to find out that the beautiful tasting chips found their flavour from the beef dripping they had been carefully cooked in.

The quality of the fish and freshness can be a little hit or miss here. But when it is a good, the fish is great, the batter is close to perfect and the chips are cooked just right. It was after all featured on the F word with Janet Street-Porter and it still remains a taxi drivers favourite.

Note that they do not serve mushy peas... just straight up peas...Always packed, I see the staff prepping every morning on the way from my gym to the office. And the staff know me well enough to wave every morning... how embarrassing.

So their secret is in the title... vegetarians who love their chips were horrified to find out that the beautiful tasting chips found their flavour from the beef dripping they had been carefully cooked in.

The quality of the fish and freshness can be a little hit or miss here. But when it is a good, the fish is great, the batter is close to perfect and the chips are cooked just right. It was after all featured on the F word with Janet Street-Porter and it still remains a taxi drivers favourite.

Note that they do not serve mushy peas... just straight up peas...

Cottons - Good Caribbean food, a little expensive, great atm by nmerlet1

nmerlet1 — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 01:19:13 +0000

Review by nmerlet1

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7833 3332

Tags: lively, bar, romantic

I tried the Cottons on the week of my arrival in London. It is located in a lively and lovely street (Exmouth market) and offers good Caribbean food in a great atmosphere. We went for some mixed platters to try the different tastes of the Caribbean, and they were great! I can only recommend them if you have no prior knowledge of such food.
They also offer a huge selection of rhums and cocktails, but we didn't try them.
The bill was a little expensive, but I guess you have to pay both for the food and the ambience. I definitively want to go back there, but I donâ¬"t know if I will have the time since there are so many good restaurants in London.
I tried the Cottons on the week of my arrival in London. It is located in a lively and lovely street (Exmouth market) and offers good Caribbean food in a great atmosphere. We went for some mixed platters to try the different tastes of the Caribbean, and they were great! I can only recommend them if you have no prior knowledge of such food.
They also offer a huge selection of rhums and cocktails, but we didn't try them.
The bill was a little expensive, but I guess you have to pay both for the food and the ambience. I definitively want to go back there, but I donâ¬"t know if I will have the time since there are so many good restaurants in London.

Candid Cafe - that's amore... by abcjess

abcjess — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:47:55 +0000

Review by abcjess

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7278 9368

Website: http://www.candidarts.com

Tags: cosy, cultured, good brew

truly a hidden gem! there's a beautiful, secluded courtyard from which to sip your coffee (but i warn you there's a long climb down the stairs, so be careful if balance and hot beverages sounds dangerous!)

It has a really humble feel and the velvet chairs, old wood and dripping candles that stand in old wine bottles gives it that intimate-"when the moon hits your eye"-feel.

Think Lady and the Tramp. Think spaghetti bolognese. Think sharing it.

They play very soft, almost subtle music and, saying this, I've only realised there's music playing a few times.

Most days open until 10pm its a must-see.
If only they sold spag bol to share...truly a hidden gem! there's a beautiful, secluded courtyard from which to sip your coffee (but i warn you there's a long climb down the stairs, so be careful if balance and hot beverages sounds dangerous!)

It has a really humble feel and the velvet chairs, old wood and dripping candles that stand in old wine bottles gives it that intimate-"when the moon hits your eye"-feel.

Think Lady and the Tramp. Think spaghetti bolognese. Think sharing it.

They play very soft, almost subtle music and, saying this, I've only realised there's music playing a few times.

Most days open until 10pm its a must-see.
If only they sold spag bol to share...

Paolina Thai Cafe - just plain awful by jlonners

jlonners — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:49:50 +0000

Review by jlonners

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7278 8176

Tags: thai, friendly, lunch

Ok so as soon as you walk past this place you would normally keep on going, it looks dirty and horrid and awful. I didnâ¬"t have this choice as I was supposed to meet someone here (not suggested by me!) I was led downstairs (even worse) to a small area with tables and benches and plastic table cloths. I thought a drink would help only to be told their was no liquor licence!!! The food was actually ok and I didnâ¬"t die of food poisoning either, I had fully expected to get quite ill! I have no idea why they donâ¬"t tidy/clean this place up after all the business rates must be high so how do they make ends meet! if you are looking online (you must be or you wouldnâ¬"t be reading this!) then donâ¬"t go here, its just not nice. Search for another thai place insteadOk so as soon as you walk past this place you would normally keep on going, it looks dirty and horrid and awful. I didnâ¬"t have this choice as I was supposed to meet someone here (not suggested by me!) I was led downstairs (even worse) to a small area with tables and benches and plastic table cloths. I thought a drink would help only to be told their was no liquor licence!!! The food was actually ok and I didnâ¬"t die of food poisoning either, I had fully expected to get quite ill! I have no idea why they donâ¬"t tidy/clean this place up after all the business rates must be high so how do they make ends meet! if you are looking online (you must be or you wouldnâ¬"t be reading this!) then donâ¬"t go here, its just not nice. Search for another thai place instead