Latest reviews in Golders Green, London, United Kingdom

Armando - Waste of MONEY by igorjian

igorjian — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 23:04:04 +0000

Review by igorjian

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 8455 8159

This was the worst kosher restaurant we have ever been to & we never got to eat anything as we walked out minutes after the owner starting insulting us. All fish options & most of the regular meat options where not available all but the well presented EXPENSIVE beef alternatives had been offered to us & when we questioned the limited menu we were made to feel like we are being cheap. The owner accused us of being arrogant & was rude enough to comment we should go elsewhere, my pregnant wife was disgusted by the owners attitude considering our party of four where the only customers in the restaurant. A restaurant that chooses for their customers what they can eat & charges them inflated prices without any shame should not be in business.
From one kosher eater to another - STAY AWAY, there are many places to enjoy the atmosphere & menu.
This was the worst kosher restaurant we have ever been to & we never got to eat anything as we walked out minutes after the owner starting insulting us. All fish options & most of the regular meat options where not available all but the well presented EXPENSIVE beef alternatives had been offered to us & when we questioned the limited menu we were made to feel like we are being cheap. The owner accused us of being arrogant & was rude enough to comment we should go elsewhere, my pregnant wife was disgusted by the owners attitude considering our party of four where the only customers in the restaurant. A restaurant that chooses for their customers what they can eat & charges them inflated prices without any shame should not be in business.
From one kosher eater to another - STAY AWAY, there are many places to enjoy the atmosphere & menu.

Water Margin - Top Chinese by flashydavid

flashydavid — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:14:23 +0000

Review by flashydavid

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 8458 5815

Tags: chinese, cheap eat, good value

Water Margin is the best Chinese in Golders Green and for that matter the surrounding area by a long measure. I have eaten here several times, so far only for lunch. For Â£5.50 you get an entree and a main. I have had both the chicken and sweetcorn soup (excellent, not at all gluggy) and the fresh and crispy Spring roles are divine.

After a short interval the main arrived. Crispy noodles with beef and vegetables. The noodles were superb, the crispy kind that are almost impossible to make at home. Service was fast and non intrusive. I strongly recommend this place.Water Margin is the best Chinese in Golders Green and for that matter the surrounding area by a long measure. I have eaten here several times, so far only for lunch. For Â£5.50 you get an entree and a main. I have had both the chicken and sweetcorn soup (excellent, not at all gluggy) and the fresh and crispy Spring roles are divine.

After a short interval the main arrived. Crispy noodles with beef and vegetables. The noodles were superb, the crispy kind that are almost impossible to make at home. Service was fast and non intrusive. I strongly recommend this place.

Eat Tokyo - by chuichi

chuichi — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:32:46 +0000

Review by chuichi

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 8209 0079

Tags: japanese, lively, good value

My favourite japanese restaurant in Golders Green after Akasaka's demise (how sad when that happened).

This place serves big portion of good quality japanese food, with the chance to collect points in exchange for some goodies!My favourite japanese restaurant in Golders Green after Akasaka's demise (how sad when that happened).

This place serves big portion of good quality japanese food, with the chance to collect points in exchange for some goodies!

L'artista - Ciao Bella by Joodle

Joodle — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:55:12 +0000

Review by Joodle

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 8731 7501

Tags: italian, pizzeria, lively

Fantastic Italian restaurant where the waiters and waitresses really go out of their way to make your dining experience enjoyable. The pizzas are cooked in a proper pizza oven and have a wide option of toppings. The portion sizes are very generous and they have a large range of pasta and meat or fish dishes.
It does get quite loud when its someones birthday, but it all adds to the lively atmosphere!
Definitely somewhere to visit for a quick bite to eat or a long meal with friends.
They do take away too.Fantastic Italian restaurant where the waiters and waitresses really go out of their way to make your dining experience enjoyable. The pizzas are cooked in a proper pizza oven and have a wide option of toppings. The portion sizes are very generous and they have a large range of pasta and meat or fish dishes.
It does get quite loud when its someones birthday, but it all adds to the lively atmosphere!
Definitely somewhere to visit for a quick bite to eat or a long meal with friends.
They do take away too.

Akasaka Restaurant - Cheaper alternative by LupusEvolve

LupusEvolve — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:04:20 +0000

Review by LupusEvolve

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 8455 0676

Tags: japanese, good value, family & home feel

This place is about a 30 second walk from the Golders Green bus/tube station, so it's very convenient.

However, the food doesn't quite measure up to that of Cafe Japan, just nearby. But all the same, it's noticeably cheaper, so it's not all bad.

The food isn't actually bad in itself, it just seems that way in comparison to Cafe Japan food. And with the cheaper prices, it's very good value.

Service is good, and the waiters/waitresses are very... Japanese... or at least oriental. That gives it an authentic feel I suppose. That feel is strengthened by the fact that it actually says "akasaka" in Japanese (but that won't make a difference to the general non-Japanese-reading public)

All in all, it's a good place, but is a little worse off considering its close proximity to Cafe Japan, so all it sums up to is a cheaper alternative.This place is about a 30 second walk from the Golders Green bus/tube station, so it's very convenient.

However, the food doesn't quite measure up to that of Cafe Japan, just nearby. But all the same, it's noticeably cheaper, so it's not all bad.

The food isn't actually bad in itself, it just seems that way in comparison to Cafe Japan food. And with the cheaper prices, it's very good value.

Service is good, and the waiters/waitresses are very... Japanese... or at least oriental. That gives it an authentic feel I suppose. That feel is strengthened by the fact that it actually says "akasaka" in Japanese (but that won't make a difference to the general non-Japanese-reading public)

All in all, it's a good place, but is a little worse off considering its close proximity to Cafe Japan, so all it sums up to is a cheaper alternative.

Cafe Japan - One of my favourites by LupusEvolve

LupusEvolve — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:12:06 +0000

Review by LupusEvolve

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 8455 6854

Tags: japanese, friendly, expensive

I've always been a fan of Japanese food (despite an allergy to salmon, which cuts out some sushi) and so I was pleasantly surprised when I found this Japanese restaurant in Golders Green - only a five minute drive from where I live.

The food is very good. In fact, it's so good that Cafe Japan is my favourite local Japanese restaurant, because I don't think there's better Japanese food around North-West London.

Service is good, with helpful waiters and waitresses. I don't bother about booking in advance, as I don't really go at busy times, but I've been told that on a Saturday evening it's better to book ahead.

The main problem with Cafe Japan is the price of the food. Everything else is great, but oh how expensive it is. Too much for me to go there regularly :(

Otherwise, I would thoroughly recommend Cafe Japan to any Japanese food lover or someone willing to try something new! 4/5, only missing out on 5/5 because of the prices.I've always been a fan of Japanese food (despite an allergy to salmon, which cuts out some sushi) and so I was pleasantly surprised when I found this Japanese restaurant in Golders Green - only a five minute drive from where I live.

The food is very good. In fact, it's so good that Cafe Japan is my favourite local Japanese restaurant, because I don't think there's better Japanese food around North-West London.

Service is good, with helpful waiters and waitresses. I don't bother about booking in advance, as I don't really go at busy times, but I've been told that on a Saturday evening it's better to book ahead.

The main problem with Cafe Japan is the price of the food. Everything else is great, but oh how expensive it is. Too much for me to go there regularly :(

Otherwise, I would thoroughly recommend Cafe Japan to any Japanese food lover or someone willing to try something new! 4/5, only missing out on 5/5 because of the prices.

Carmelli Bagel Bakery - Carmellis by oneandonly

oneandonly — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:45:11 +0000

Review by oneandonly

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 8455 2074

A kosher bakery in Golders Green, famous throughout the whole of London not just for the bagels but their fabulous range of sweet deserts as well, you don't need to keep kosher to enjoy. The smoked salmon bagel and cream cheese is absoloute heaven (nothing beats Kosher smoked salmon). They also do pizzas and other stuff like pastries too. Only problem is having a place to tuck in, I'd recommend going to golders green park afterwards if you're looking for somewhere nice other than a high street bench to it the food. I don't know what I'd do without carmellis!!A kosher bakery in Golders Green, famous throughout the whole of London not just for the bagels but their fabulous range of sweet deserts as well, you don't need to keep kosher to enjoy. The smoked salmon bagel and cream cheese is absoloute heaven (nothing beats Kosher smoked salmon). They also do pizzas and other stuff like pastries too. Only problem is having a place to tuck in, I'd recommend going to golders green park afterwards if you're looking for somewhere nice other than a high street bench to it the food. I don't know what I'd do without carmellis!!

Milk N Honey - Disgusting by madhorse

madhorse — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 22:34:28 +0000

Review by madhorse

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 8455 0664

Tags: kosher, non-smoking area

This is one of the worst restaraunts I have ever been to in my life. I went with a Jewish friend and I heard they had lots of vegetarian food.

They served a spring roll which was cold inside, a pizza which made me want to vomit, and very worst of all the dessert, a sorbet, had a huge lump of plastic in it and blobs of white liquid and mould. I would not recommend this even to one of my most hated enemies. A horrible, disgusting abomination of a 'restaraunt' with sneering staff that have no manners and have never apparently been trained in cooking foodThis is one of the worst restaraunts I have ever been to in my life. I went with a Jewish friend and I heard they had lots of vegetarian food.

They served a spring roll which was cold inside, a pizza which made me want to vomit, and very worst of all the dessert, a sorbet, had a huge lump of plastic in it and blobs of white liquid and mould. I would not recommend this even to one of my most hated enemies. A horrible, disgusting abomination of a 'restaraunt' with sneering staff that have no manners and have never apparently been trained in cooking food

Dizengoff Restaurant - Best kosher restaurant in London? by silverbrow

silverbrow — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:37:20 +0000

Review by silverbrow

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 8458 7003

Tags: crowded, middle eastern, good value

Ok, that might not be saying much, but the food here is very good. Simple grilled meats with great salads. Ok, that might not be saying much, but the food here is very good. Simple grilled meats with great salads.

Philpott's Mezzaluna - Foie Gras & Truffles For Me Please by Angella

Angella — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 17:00:22 +0000

Review by Angella

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7794 0455

Website: http://www.philpotts-mezzaluna.com

Tags: italian, modern italian

THE NAME
Mezzaluna is Italian for half moon or middle moon if you prefer to remember it that way. You know how the month starts with the full moon, later the half moon - ah! I learned that at reception in their restaurant

The proprietors are David Philpott and Alex Ross, according to the address card I picked up when I was there. I keep their card pinned on a board in the hall alongside a lot of other restaurant cards, in alphbatical order.

Their card is both grandest and most useful when you are trying to persuade somebody else that this is where you should go to eat. On the front of the card is a picture of the restaurant with the name address phone and fax numbers.

It's a double card, like a small book cover. The middle double page spread has testimonials from Time Out, the Ham & High (short for Hampstead and Highgate - the local newspaper) and from Fay Maschler of the Evening Standard.

On the right are the opening times, the webpage www.philpotts-mezzaluna.com and a handy map.

On the back are pictures of two dishes and of David Philpott.

FOOD
Seriously good food. I go there to eat foie gras at affordable prices. And truffles - the savoury sort.

Desserts are wonderful. I like to choose a chocolate concoction. We once left a friend's husband at home babysitting and we took him back a dessert as consolation.

The menu changes every Sunday. A sample menu is on the website and they say you can phone them to ask for the current menu.

BOOKING
You must book. It's not that big.

OPENING TIMES
Lunch noon to 2.30. Sunday noon until 3 pm.
Closed Saturday lunch and Monday. Dinner 7 pm until 11 pm.

SERVICE
Service charge is 12 and a half per cent. No comment.
THE NAME
Mezzaluna is Italian for half moon or middle moon if you prefer to remember it that way. You know how the month starts with the full moon, later the half moon - ah! I learned that at reception in their restaurant

The proprietors are David Philpott and Alex Ross, according to the address card I picked up when I was there. I keep their card pinned on a board in the hall alongside a lot of other restaurant cards, in alphbatical order.

Their card is both grandest and most useful when you are trying to persuade somebody else that this is where you should go to eat. On the front of the card is a picture of the restaurant with the name address phone and fax numbers.

It's a double card, like a small book cover. The middle double page spread has testimonials from Time Out, the Ham & High (short for Hampstead and Highgate - the local newspaper) and from Fay Maschler of the Evening Standard.

On the right are the opening times, the webpage www.philpotts-mezzaluna.com and a handy map.

On the back are pictures of two dishes and of David Philpott.

FOOD
Seriously good food. I go there to eat foie gras at affordable prices. And truffles - the savoury sort.

Desserts are wonderful. I like to choose a chocolate concoction. We once left a friend's husband at home babysitting and we took him back a dessert as consolation.

The menu changes every Sunday. A sample menu is on the website and they say you can phone them to ask for the current menu.

BOOKING
You must book. It's not that big.

OPENING TIMES
Lunch noon to 2.30. Sunday noon until 3 pm.
Closed Saturday lunch and Monday. Dinner 7 pm until 11 pm.

SERVICE
Service charge is 12 and a half per cent. No comment.

Kimchee - Korean and that's different by Angella

Angella — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 23:17:23 +0000

Review by Angella

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 8455 1035

Tags: korean, takeaway

This place won me over. I wasn't expecting to like Korean food. I'd been to South Korea and was not particularly enamoured by their favourite cuisine, kim chee, which is dozens of sorts of pickled food, mainly pickled vegetable.

Yes, I like gherkins. But if you eat several picked vegetables, you have to drink a lot of water, order lots of fresh acidic juice, and eat lots of dry rice or bread, to tolerate all that salt and vinegar.

However, my friends who live nearby said the restaurant was wonderful and we were outnumbered (four in their family, three in ours) and I am always willing to go somewhere new.

FOOD
I have to compliment the management by saying that, like the British Indian and Chinese restaurants, this restaurant has the knack of making or serving food which is more suited to local tastes than the dishes you are given when ordering in authentic restaurants overseas.

I'm sorry, dear readers, but after taking copious notes on names I could not pronounce, and ingredients I could not spell or recognize, I got to the end of the meal and still haven't a clue what I ate.

Dozens of different coloured bits, rather like sushi or Indonesian rijstaafel. We all ordered different things and shared dishes. I know we ended with something sweet which I liked.

It was beautifully presented in all sorts of different containers.

If you go in a group of seven as I did, that's ideal. Because you have no trouble giving away what you don't want and grabbing something which others are indifferent to.

LOCATION
Kim Chee is near the lights in front of the railway station.
Right opposite the old cinema which is now a supermarket.

The pavement is narrow and you are near traffic stopping at the lights. It's rather disconcerting to look up at the window and see a big red bus towering over you, waiting alongside, with passengers looking down at your dinner.

MENU TRANSLATION
Staff were helpful in explaining, quite baffled by our inability to recognize Korean dishes. Next time I go to Korea or the Far East I'll buy one of those electronic translators with half a dozen languages. The cheaper ones do just English, Korean and Japanese. One with Chinese and Thai too would be handy but more expensive.

The alternative would be to photograph the menu next time and later load the photo onto your computer and translate it on line. Or get a Korean to translate it. Then amaze your friends.

If you don't know Korean food, I recommend you try it just for the novelty.This place won me over. I wasn't expecting to like Korean food. I'd been to South Korea and was not particularly enamoured by their favourite cuisine, kim chee, which is dozens of sorts of pickled food, mainly pickled vegetable.

Yes, I like gherkins. But if you eat several picked vegetables, you have to drink a lot of water, order lots of fresh acidic juice, and eat lots of dry rice or bread, to tolerate all that salt and vinegar.

However, my friends who live nearby said the restaurant was wonderful and we were outnumbered (four in their family, three in ours) and I am always willing to go somewhere new.

FOOD
I have to compliment the management by saying that, like the British Indian and Chinese restaurants, this restaurant has the knack of making or serving food which is more suited to local tastes than the dishes you are given when ordering in authentic restaurants overseas.

I'm sorry, dear readers, but after taking copious notes on names I could not pronounce, and ingredients I could not spell or recognize, I got to the end of the meal and still haven't a clue what I ate.

Dozens of different coloured bits, rather like sushi or Indonesian rijstaafel. We all ordered different things and shared dishes. I know we ended with something sweet which I liked.

It was beautifully presented in all sorts of different containers.

If you go in a group of seven as I did, that's ideal. Because you have no trouble giving away what you don't want and grabbing something which others are indifferent to.

LOCATION
Kim Chee is near the lights in front of the railway station.
Right opposite the old cinema which is now a supermarket.

The pavement is narrow and you are near traffic stopping at the lights. It's rather disconcerting to look up at the window and see a big red bus towering over you, waiting alongside, with passengers looking down at your dinner.

MENU TRANSLATION
Staff were helpful in explaining, quite baffled by our inability to recognize Korean dishes. Next time I go to Korea or the Far East I'll buy one of those electronic translators with half a dozen languages. The cheaper ones do just English, Korean and Japanese. One with Chinese and Thai too would be handy but more expensive.

The alternative would be to photograph the menu next time and later load the photo onto your computer and translate it on line. Or get a Korean to translate it. Then amaze your friends.

If you don't know Korean food, I recommend you try it just for the novelty.

Solly's Exclusive - Authentic Ethnic Experience by Angella

Angella — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 21:12:06 +0000

Review by Angella

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 8455 0004

Tags: takeaway, kosher

The clientele of contented and well-fed customers shows that the heavy filling food like bubba* used to make is the most important thing here.

At Jewish restaurants the portions are huge and everybody eats as if they're about to catch a plane. If you are upstairs, when you can stop playing Jewish ping-pong (swapping food and finishing other people's leftovers), notice the amusing mural.

*Bubba - Jewish grannyThe clientele of contented and well-fed customers shows that the heavy filling food like bubba* used to make is the most important thing here.

At Jewish restaurants the portions are huge and everybody eats as if they're about to catch a plane. If you are upstairs, when you can stop playing Jewish ping-pong (swapping food and finishing other people's leftovers), notice the amusing mural.

*Bubba - Jewish granny

Hi Sushi - Sushi Indulgence by ergoron

ergoron — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:05:25 +0000

Review by ergoron

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 8201 8585

Website: http://www.hisushi.net/

Tags: lively, takeaway, japanese

I have to go here. Shirley from the office cannot stop speaking about it. All you can eat Sushi for about Â£15, with no compromise on the quality, quantity or variety.

Sign me up for a visit - in fact we have just organised an office assault.I have to go here. Shirley from the office cannot stop speaking about it. All you can eat Sushi for about Â£15, with no compromise on the quality, quantity or variety.

Sign me up for a visit - in fact we have just organised an office assault.

Atari-Ya - by johnspier

johnspier — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 16:36:45 +0000

Review by johnspier

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 8458 7626

Tags: japanese

The sushi at the small sushi bar is very good, but be warned that the sushi bar / counter is very small so you may have to wait. But waiting is no problem because you can browse the Japanese food store. The sushi is (as should be) made fresh infront of you, and the staff are always very friendly.The sushi at the small sushi bar is very good, but be warned that the sushi bar / counter is very small so you may have to wait. But waiting is no problem because you can browse the Japanese food store. The sushi is (as should be) made fresh infront of you, and the staff are always very friendly.

Bloom's Kosher Restaurant - Great Kosher Food by Gidz

Gidz — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 16:39:04 +0000

Review by Gidz

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 8455 1338

Website: http://www.blooms-restaurant.co.uk

Tags: kosher, takeaway, good value

Great traditional kosher restaurant. Food is rather expensive if you eat in but the take away is very cheap and quick. The burgers are probably the best kosher burgers in London and the chicken soup is definetly worth getting.Great traditional kosher restaurant. Food is rather expensive if you eat in but the take away is very cheap and quick. The burgers are probably the best kosher burgers in London and the chicken soup is definetly worth getting.