Latest reviews in Golders Green, London, United Kingdom

Cafe Japan - by desktopdan

desktopdan — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:16:53 +0000

Review by desktopdan

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 8455 6854

My favourite Japanese restaurant. Yes it is a bit pricey, but great for a special occasion. Book ahead, because it is smallMy favourite Japanese restaurant. Yes it is a bit pricey, but great for a special occasion. Book ahead, because it is small

Seoul Plaza - Best Oriental food store in London by kee

kee — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:50:53 +0000

Review by kee

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 8731 7999

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

I had Bulgogi-Korean BBQ, Tofu, Japanese snacks, Sake, Chinese hoisin sauce last week.
Very kind staffs...I had Bulgogi-Korean BBQ, Tofu, Japanese snacks, Sake, Chinese hoisin sauce last week.
Very kind staffs...

The Refectory - Not a nice place by Joeburton

Joeburton — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:55:31 +0000

Review by Joeburton

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 8455 2020

Tags: food, tv for sporting events

The new management would like to rip you off, the atmosphere is terrible. Go somewhere else.The new management would like to rip you off, the atmosphere is terrible. Go somewhere else.

Charlies Pizza - A gem of a restaurant by giovanna

giovanna — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:01:06 +0000

Review by giovanna

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 84586344

Tags: italian, lively, good value

As we walk through the door of Charlies Pizza, we are greeted by a lovely Italian Man called Angelo, who has a smile and treats us like old friends. Looking around, there are many tributes to Charlie Chaplin and i soon discover that Angelo the Restaurant owner was once a Chaplin Lookalike with Rula Lenska. The more i look at Angelo the more i find myself smiling, for he appears to act eactly like Chaplin and i cannot stop laughing.
The food arrives, and we all finish without leaving a scrap of food. Being Italian myself i always find myself disappointed when eating at Italian restaurants. For the first time in a very, very long time, i have walked out of a restaurant and felt excited at the propect of finding good real Italian cuisine, but also somewhere that is a real dining experience. A place that is fun, not merely a place you eat and quickly leave. Charlies has personality! After dessert, Angelo, appears with a mic in hand and bursts into song and begins to encourage everybody to join in. It soon turns into Karaoke, but Karaoke with class.
The night is over and we all leave with a smile. We can't wait to go to Charlies Pizza again. So if you want to dine on real Italian Cuisine by a proper Neopolitan chef and be entertained, then you must try Charlies Pizza!As we walk through the door of Charlies Pizza, we are greeted by a lovely Italian Man called Angelo, who has a smile and treats us like old friends. Looking around, there are many tributes to Charlie Chaplin and i soon discover that Angelo the Restaurant owner was once a Chaplin Lookalike with Rula Lenska. The more i look at Angelo the more i find myself smiling, for he appears to act eactly like Chaplin and i cannot stop laughing.
The food arrives, and we all finish without leaving a scrap of food. Being Italian myself i always find myself disappointed when eating at Italian restaurants. For the first time in a very, very long time, i have walked out of a restaurant and felt excited at the propect of finding good real Italian cuisine, but also somewhere that is a real dining experience. A place that is fun, not merely a place you eat and quickly leave. Charlies has personality! After dessert, Angelo, appears with a mic in hand and bursts into song and begins to encourage everybody to join in. It soon turns into Karaoke, but Karaoke with class.
The night is over and we all leave with a smile. We can't wait to go to Charlies Pizza again. So if you want to dine on real Italian Cuisine by a proper Neopolitan chef and be entertained, then you must try Charlies Pizza!

Kimchee - by chuichi

chuichi — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:02:41 +0000

Review by chuichi

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 8455 1035

Tags: korean, takeaway

This is one of my favourite Korean restaurants to go to. Love their spicy soup with silky tofu especially. Highly recommended!This is one of my favourite Korean restaurants to go to. Love their spicy soup with silky tofu especially. Highly recommended!

COMPUTER PLACE - by computerplace

computerplace — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:34:04 +0000

Review by computerplace

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 02071003555

Website: www.computerplace.co.uk

Tags: pc mac laptop computer repairs maintenance services support upgr

PC, Mac & Laptop Repairs Golders Green is Computer Place job and the shop is equiped with well experienced IT support engineers.PC, Mac & Laptop Repairs Golders Green is Computer Place job and the shop is equiped with well experienced IT support engineers.

Carmelli Bagel Bakery - by kerote1

kerote1 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:07:59 +0000

Review by kerote1

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 8455 2074

Open all night which is usefulOpen all night which is useful

M & D Grodzinski - Viennese Fingers to blow the diet for! by Glenys

Glenys — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:40:47 +0000

Review by Glenys

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 8458 3654

Tags: delicatessen, bargain

A big of a 'spit & sawdust' shop, but the food cannot be faulted. I try to get here whenever I am within an hours traveling distance. It is a parev bakery so it is really easy to just buy anything that grabs your fancy. The cornflake cakes and Viennese biscuits are wonderful. Plus they aren't that expensive, so you can easily top up your stores.....only problem is they often don't make the journey home before the temptation proves too much!!A big of a 'spit & sawdust' shop, but the food cannot be faulted. I try to get here whenever I am within an hours traveling distance. It is a parev bakery so it is really easy to just buy anything that grabs your fancy. The cornflake cakes and Viennese biscuits are wonderful. Plus they aren't that expensive, so you can easily top up your stores.....only problem is they often don't make the journey home before the temptation proves too much!!

J A Corney - Good fishmonger by lesleyI

lesleyI — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:16:48 +0000

Review by lesleyI

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 8458 6415

Tags: fish

What else can I say? They do good fishWhat else can I say? They do good fish

T G F Pizza - Good Pizza's by dibblex

dibblex — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:28:00 +0000

Review by dibblex

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 8458 4343

Tags: pizza, bargain, takeaway / collection

Never a bad pizza, and the burgersNever a bad pizza, and the burgers

Din Cafe - Great Food by spacey

spacey — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:44:23 +0000

Review by spacey

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 8731 8103

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

Tags: lively, quick bite, takeaway

I am not sure where to begin with Din Cafe, there are so many positives! I suppose I have to start with the staff, they are lovely, they sure make you feel at home.

The food is lovely too, my favourite being the eggs Benedict with salmon! Their South African- Boerewors are delicious too, that I now can't eat any other type of sausages.

Their English breakfasts are huge and good value for money and also very delicious bacon, I don't know where they get it from, I wish I did!

If I had to fault anything is that it's too popular on the weekends and I sometimes get there when it's crowded and I have to wait to eat their delicious food! That's mainly my fault though as that place should be popular!I am not sure where to begin with Din Cafe, there are so many positives! I suppose I have to start with the staff, they are lovely, they sure make you feel at home.

The food is lovely too, my favourite being the eggs Benedict with salmon! Their South African- Boerewors are delicious too, that I now can't eat any other type of sausages.

Their English breakfasts are huge and good value for money and also very delicious bacon, I don't know where they get it from, I wish I did!

If I had to fault anything is that it's too popular on the weekends and I sometimes get there when it's crowded and I have to wait to eat their delicious food! That's mainly my fault though as that place should be popular!

Hello Kitchen - by MOMA

MOMA — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 13:55:05 +0000

Review by MOMA

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 8209 3487

Tags: japanese

They sell lovely freshly made sushi! and lots of Japanese food you would love to try out. The location is great as it's just in front of the Golders Green tube station. I go to the shop at least twice a week. xThey sell lovely freshly made sushi! and lots of Japanese food you would love to try out. The location is great as it's just in front of the Golders Green tube station. I go to the shop at least twice a week. x

Capriccio - Perfect food, decor and service by Angella

Angella — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 12:09:06 +0000

Review by Angella

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 8455 4432

Tags: italian

Best Italian restaurant I've been to in years. Run by a chef you don't see - you just see his food, and front of house partner Gianni ('You can call me Johnny') who greets and goodbyes regular customers with smiles, handshakes or hugs.

The clean, cosy restaurant has a mural at the back showing the rock pillars in front of the Blue Grotto of Capri (made famous in a film) and this scene is echoed on the front of the menu.

At first sight it is unnervingly expensive in times of credit crunch. But a range of prices.

The kir was modestly priced. Dover sole is at the high end, over Â£20 for a main course. The chicken and veal are at the lower end, about Â£14.

Dress Code
Price clearly does not deter the subtly well dressed clientele. Every man wore a shirt and tie. Nobody flashy. But smart.

Noise and Conviviality
Everybody was smiling and jolly. On the night of our first visit (it won't be the last) we got talking to agreeable eighty year olds who'd been coming here for years.

Although I saw loudspeakers high on the ceiling I heard no music and at the end when most people had left I overheard one diner talking about the blocks of flats his company managed.

Delightful Decor
Completely clean. Totally Italian. Almost.

We could identify Venice with the gondolas. The trompe l'oeil mural as you face the front is Italian. I asked Gianni. The paintings on my left were of islands near Taormina, Sicily and Ischia island near the island of Capri.

The two landscape pictures are of London. One shows Hampstead nearby in North London. The other is of Kew Gardens in South London.

Seating
Chairs look pretty and elegant. The first restaurant I've been to out of about five in the past month where I didn't notice the shortcomings of the chair size, shape or softness as I sat down. I just felt comfortable. That's how it should be.

Drinks
I ordered kir. Very nice. I was asked if I wanted kir royale. I began to suspect I was being upsold but I was wrong. The service was brilliant. They checked at every stage to be sure you got exactly what you wanted and expected.

My dining companion ordered Orvieto. Gianni warned him that it was a slightly sweet wine and checked that was what he wanted. It wasn't. So the order was changed to something else. Which was perfect.

Starters
I ordered pumpkin soup. It happened to be one of the cheaper choices. It's also my all time favourite. The colour is great. I love the flavour.

My companion chose the stracciatelle, Italian egg drop soup. Chicken soup would catch the eye of the clientele in Golders Green. (Delisserie across the road serving Jewish style but not kosher food would be remembered by local diners for the chicken soup.) So here we have chicken soup reputed to cure a cold and any other ailment. An authentic Italian dish. Chicken soup with strands of beaten egg in two colours, white and cream.

Main courses
My main dish was veal.

As he finishes the top layer of the Dover sole and needs somewhere to put the bones, a long plate appears and is placed on the right.

Desserts
My dessert was fruit salad with mango sorbet. Good and fresh, no surplus syrup.
It contained mango, melon and pineapple. Sorbet always seems to me fresher and less fattening than ice cream.

My companion chose creme brulee with berries. Perfect. Crispy top. Creamy inside.

Coffee
We had espresso with the 'crema', dark froth, which you can only make with the more expensive espresso machines. In small cups bearing the restaurant name.

Two types of brown sugar appeared. The small grain easy to mix type. And the little funny shape crunchy rocks which I adore.

The waiter took a lot of trouble to swivel and straighten and generally arrange the plate bearing the sugar at an angle to look good on the table.

Toilets
Perfect. Absolutely clean. Looked brand new. Everything there. Toilet paper. Hook to hang up your handbag.

Clean gleaming basins with not a touch of limescale in sight. Two dispensers of soap gel and moisturiser.

In the Ladies' a vase with plant display.

Farewell
Somebody at the door to say goodbye.

Parking
On the street outside late at night.

Memories
What do you remember? My fellow diner remembers the service.

I remember the petit fours. As you see in the picture. Chocolates and chocolate covered biscuits and a liqueur chocolate. And a turkish delight. Only thing missing is marzipan and nuts. But more than nine chocolates and biscuits for two people is hardly a hardship, is it.

'Save up for your birthday,' I was advised when we arrived and looked at the menu. I thought that was a joke. I would be saving up for the Michelin starred Fat Duck at Bray. But I think many people would find this restaurant the right price and perfect for a birthday celebration.

How do you remember the restaurant name? Capriccio translates as caprice in English. It is the name of a Strauss opera.Best Italian restaurant I've been to in years. Run by a chef you don't see - you just see his food, and front of house partner Gianni ('You can call me Johnny') who greets and goodbyes regular customers with smiles, handshakes or hugs.

The clean, cosy restaurant has a mural at the back showing the rock pillars in front of the Blue Grotto of Capri (made famous in a film) and this scene is echoed on the front of the menu.

At first sight it is unnervingly expensive in times of credit crunch. But a range of prices.

The kir was modestly priced. Dover sole is at the high end, over Â£20 for a main course. The chicken and veal are at the lower end, about Â£14.

Dress Code
Price clearly does not deter the subtly well dressed clientele. Every man wore a shirt and tie. Nobody flashy. But smart.

Noise and Conviviality
Everybody was smiling and jolly. On the night of our first visit (it won't be the last) we got talking to agreeable eighty year olds who'd been coming here for years.

Although I saw loudspeakers high on the ceiling I heard no music and at the end when most people had left I overheard one diner talking about the blocks of flats his company managed.

Delightful Decor
Completely clean. Totally Italian. Almost.

We could identify Venice with the gondolas. The trompe l'oeil mural as you face the front is Italian. I asked Gianni. The paintings on my left were of islands near Taormina, Sicily and Ischia island near the island of Capri.

The two landscape pictures are of London. One shows Hampstead nearby in North London. The other is of Kew Gardens in South London.

Seating
Chairs look pretty and elegant. The first restaurant I've been to out of about five in the past month where I didn't notice the shortcomings of the chair size, shape or softness as I sat down. I just felt comfortable. That's how it should be.

Drinks
I ordered kir. Very nice. I was asked if I wanted kir royale. I began to suspect I was being upsold but I was wrong. The service was brilliant. They checked at every stage to be sure you got exactly what you wanted and expected.

My dining companion ordered Orvieto. Gianni warned him that it was a slightly sweet wine and checked that was what he wanted. It wasn't. So the order was changed to something else. Which was perfect.

Starters
I ordered pumpkin soup. It happened to be one of the cheaper choices. It's also my all time favourite. The colour is great. I love the flavour.

My companion chose the stracciatelle, Italian egg drop soup. Chicken soup would catch the eye of the clientele in Golders Green. (Delisserie across the road serving Jewish style but not kosher food would be remembered by local diners for the chicken soup.) So here we have chicken soup reputed to cure a cold and any other ailment. An authentic Italian dish. Chicken soup with strands of beaten egg in two colours, white and cream.

Main courses
My main dish was veal.

As he finishes the top layer of the Dover sole and needs somewhere to put the bones, a long plate appears and is placed on the right.

Desserts
My dessert was fruit salad with mango sorbet. Good and fresh, no surplus syrup.
It contained mango, melon and pineapple. Sorbet always seems to me fresher and less fattening than ice cream.

My companion chose creme brulee with berries. Perfect. Crispy top. Creamy inside.

Coffee
We had espresso with the 'crema', dark froth, which you can only make with the more expensive espresso machines. In small cups bearing the restaurant name.

Two types of brown sugar appeared. The small grain easy to mix type. And the little funny shape crunchy rocks which I adore.

The waiter took a lot of trouble to swivel and straighten and generally arrange the plate bearing the sugar at an angle to look good on the table.

Toilets
Perfect. Absolutely clean. Looked brand new. Everything there. Toilet paper. Hook to hang up your handbag.

Clean gleaming basins with not a touch of limescale in sight. Two dispensers of soap gel and moisturiser.

In the Ladies' a vase with plant display.

Farewell
Somebody at the door to say goodbye.

Parking
On the street outside late at night.

Memories
What do you remember? My fellow diner remembers the service.

I remember the petit fours. As you see in the picture. Chocolates and chocolate covered biscuits and a liqueur chocolate. And a turkish delight. Only thing missing is marzipan and nuts. But more than nine chocolates and biscuits for two people is hardly a hardship, is it.

'Save up for your birthday,' I was advised when we arrived and looked at the menu. I thought that was a joke. I would be saving up for the Michelin starred Fat Duck at Bray. But I think many people would find this restaurant the right price and perfect for a birthday celebration.

How do you remember the restaurant name? Capriccio translates as caprice in English. It is the name of a Strauss opera.

Locale - Comfy Italian by Angella

Angella — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 23:56:35 +0000

Review by Angella

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 8209 1199

Tags: italian

Location
Golders Green is always humming since the Boots chemist is open until 8 every night and there are several cafes and take aways and fast food places. On this occasion we did not want to eat Indian (had it yesterday) nor Chinese nor kosher. The two ladies sat in the car whilst the two gentlemen did a chase up and down the road to find a place that suited all four of us - Italian.

Osteria Italia means Italian hostelry, or inn, or bistrot. Locale means local.

Jolly Atmosphere
Friendly welcome so we went in. Even when half empty it's quite jolly with some great music, romantic and pop but constantly changing styles.

The walls are a warm red with silver letting, a huge mirror, and a separate back area where you can be private, for a twosome or a foursome. Tables are quite widely spaced. Never heard anybody else's conversation and never thought they could hear ours, with people far away, a quiet neatly dressed crowd, and background music.
At first seats seemed a bit small, didn't support my knees, but I soon got used to them.

The bar area at the front creates a secluded area behind it. A barrier creates a third area. At the back you can see where they mix up the pizza topping and the long poles presumably shove the pizzas in and out of the oven.

Good Tables
Pleasant pale wooden tables with rounded edges. Reasonably large. Pushed together they seat four or more. Very flexible. So twosomes will always find a place.

If you jolt the tables or move dishes towards the middle, watch out for small items tipping over where the tables join. We nearly lost a glass of red wine. Then the salt started leaning unnervingly like a miniature tower of Pisa.

Drinks
The chianti (red) pleased the red wine drinkers.

Starters
Others had vegetable soup. Usually it's called minestrone. The usual Italian menu but no melon to start. No canneloni. I could not eat the shellfish starters (allergy), so the avocado with crab sticks was out. I considered asking if they could do avocado without the crab sticks but decided it was not worth risking getting traces of something which would cause me problems.

I asked for the dessert menu and ordered a double espresso to keep me busy whilst others had starters.

From the dessert menu I considered lemon sorbet as a starter - I like something fruity, then changed to mango sorbet. If I'd realised I would get three balls of the sorbet I'd have asked for a mixture. Strangely the mango sorbet didn't taste of mango until half way through my savoury main course I went back to the last mouthful when the sweet and fruity flavour was intense. I've heard that wine changes its flavour according to what you've just been eating, hence the saying, 'buy on apple, sell on a cheese,' but I'm beginning to wonder how reliable my judgements of desserts and wines are, if they depend so much on what you had previously or alongside.

Smiling Service
The chief waiter brought me a long sundae spoon with a beaming triumphant smile, like a man who's ever to proud to have surprised you with your favourite Christmas present. I don't know if he's just the Sunday man, but his good humour brightened up the whole evening. That's what I like about Italian restaurants. As well as always getting veal. And potatoes.

Main Courses
My main course was veal with mushrooms. I'd expected the cream sauce I get most places. Never mind, it was okay. Potatoes okay.

The other diners with me were happy. One had fish. Another chose steak.

The risotto al mare (rice with shellfish) was pronounced 'Delicious! Soft squid - so unusual - I've only had that one time in ten. And a good giant prawn. And the rice just right, with saffron, not separated like basmati rice in an Indian restaurant, not dried out like in Spanish restaurants, but moist - the Italians do it the way I like it.'

Desserts
Tiramisu was a bit disappointing, solid cream and not much sponge, not as moist and alcoholic as the one we buy from the supermarket. But the lemon cheesecake was very lemony, if a bit too sweet. The Bramley apple pie, more refreshing but still sweet, came with vanilla ice cream.

No rose or sweet wine by the glass so I had to go without.

Happy Ending
The dessert list included limoncello, a lemon flavour liqueur, and all four of us were given a glass of this on the house. I asked if this was just 'for Christmas' but the waiter said, 'It's an Italian custom.' I imagine you get this after dinner drink if you have a three course meal and order wine.

Finally, toilets. Good blue mosaic mirror. Clean and correct. Price under Â£100 for four and the host deliberately chose a bottle of one of the better, ie dearer, red wines because he wanted quality. I always thought chianti was a nasty cheap wine but he was very happy and said you can't get a meal for four much cheaper anywhere nowadays. So, he who paid was happy and I was happy. I think you can eat cheap or dear at this place. Lingering over a three course meal, or ordering a quick pizza, or they have a board outside offering express lunch from Â£3.50.Location
Golders Green is always humming since the Boots chemist is open until 8 every night and there are several cafes and take aways and fast food places. On this occasion we did not want to eat Indian (had it yesterday) nor Chinese nor kosher. The two ladies sat in the car whilst the two gentlemen did a chase up and down the road to find a place that suited all four of us - Italian.

Osteria Italia means Italian hostelry, or inn, or bistrot. Locale means local.

Jolly Atmosphere
Friendly welcome so we went in. Even when half empty it's quite jolly with some great music, romantic and pop but constantly changing styles.

The walls are a warm red with silver letting, a huge mirror, and a separate back area where you can be private, for a twosome or a foursome. Tables are quite widely spaced. Never heard anybody else's conversation and never thought they could hear ours, with people far away, a quiet neatly dressed crowd, and background music.
At first seats seemed a bit small, didn't support my knees, but I soon got used to them.

The bar area at the front creates a secluded area behind it. A barrier creates a third area. At the back you can see where they mix up the pizza topping and the long poles presumably shove the pizzas in and out of the oven.

Good Tables
Pleasant pale wooden tables with rounded edges. Reasonably large. Pushed together they seat four or more. Very flexible. So twosomes will always find a place.

If you jolt the tables or move dishes towards the middle, watch out for small items tipping over where the tables join. We nearly lost a glass of red wine. Then the salt started leaning unnervingly like a miniature tower of Pisa.

Drinks
The chianti (red) pleased the red wine drinkers.

Starters
Others had vegetable soup. Usually it's called minestrone. The usual Italian menu but no melon to start. No canneloni. I could not eat the shellfish starters (allergy), so the avocado with crab sticks was out. I considered asking if they could do avocado without the crab sticks but decided it was not worth risking getting traces of something which would cause me problems.

I asked for the dessert menu and ordered a double espresso to keep me busy whilst others had starters.

From the dessert menu I considered lemon sorbet as a starter - I like something fruity, then changed to mango sorbet. If I'd realised I would get three balls of the sorbet I'd have asked for a mixture. Strangely the mango sorbet didn't taste of mango until half way through my savoury main course I went back to the last mouthful when the sweet and fruity flavour was intense. I've heard that wine changes its flavour according to what you've just been eating, hence the saying, 'buy on apple, sell on a cheese,' but I'm beginning to wonder how reliable my judgements of desserts and wines are, if they depend so much on what you had previously or alongside.

Smiling Service
The chief waiter brought me a long sundae spoon with a beaming triumphant smile, like a man who's ever to proud to have surprised you with your favourite Christmas present. I don't know if he's just the Sunday man, but his good humour brightened up the whole evening. That's what I like about Italian restaurants. As well as always getting veal. And potatoes.

Main Courses
My main course was veal with mushrooms. I'd expected the cream sauce I get most places. Never mind, it was okay. Potatoes okay.

The other diners with me were happy. One had fish. Another chose steak.

The risotto al mare (rice with shellfish) was pronounced 'Delicious! Soft squid - so unusual - I've only had that one time in ten. And a good giant prawn. And the rice just right, with saffron, not separated like basmati rice in an Indian restaurant, not dried out like in Spanish restaurants, but moist - the Italians do it the way I like it.'

Desserts
Tiramisu was a bit disappointing, solid cream and not much sponge, not as moist and alcoholic as the one we buy from the supermarket. But the lemon cheesecake was very lemony, if a bit too sweet. The Bramley apple pie, more refreshing but still sweet, came with vanilla ice cream.

No rose or sweet wine by the glass so I had to go without.

Happy Ending
The dessert list included limoncello, a lemon flavour liqueur, and all four of us were given a glass of this on the house. I asked if this was just 'for Christmas' but the waiter said, 'It's an Italian custom.' I imagine you get this after dinner drink if you have a three course meal and order wine.

Finally, toilets. Good blue mosaic mirror. Clean and correct. Price under Â£100 for four and the host deliberately chose a bottle of one of the better, ie dearer, red wines because he wanted quality. I always thought chianti was a nasty cheap wine but he was very happy and said you can't get a meal for four much cheaper anywhere nowadays. So, he who paid was happy and I was happy. I think you can eat cheap or dear at this place. Lingering over a three course meal, or ordering a quick pizza, or they have a board outside offering express lunch from Â£3.50.

The Dug Out Cafe - theres nowhere else like this by stantoncarlisle

stantoncarlisle — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:51:11 +0000

Review by stantoncarlisle

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 8458 5005

Tags: cosy, cultured, lively

Established in 1919, the great-great granddaddy of Londan Cafes can still show the young 'uns a trick or too. As one of my chums put it "McDonalds coming to Golders Green was just a blip in the life of the Dug-Out". There are a few books that tout the idiosyncratic colourful & individualistic folk art known as Roadside America; the Dug-Out would give those taste expanding pioneers a real run for their money. Its day glow Orange front and black lettering brighten up the mottled back alley that slides all the way down to the main street.
Past a few rows of plastic seating for al fresco dining the sign says Bikers Welcome in computer spaced lettering. A motorbike leans against the right wall as if to verify that the sign is true. The venerable Caff is down an orange soaked staircase lined with circular mirrorsand boasting a sculpted ashtray complete with carefully molded dog-ends. Inside the menu is a mixture of greasy classics and Hungarian delights. On the local front you have the English Breakfast fry-up, the Full Monty(even more heart attack fodder) and the Belly Buster - enough fried bacon, black pudding, eggs, hash brownies to quench the sturdiest of cabbie's hunger pangs. Hungarian dishes included Goulash, Beef Stew, Cabbage Stuffed with Spicy Pork, Chicken Kiev and Chicken Breast. The Stuffed Cabbage served with rice was excellent. The Chicken Kiev dry but pretty good. The Goulash had sadly gone - even though I got there just after 12 o'clock! Same with the Beef Stew. Looks like if you want the good stuff here you have to get there early. Most dishes were Â£4.50, the grease plate specials a bit more.
The staff are a friendly bunch of individuals working on a counter constructed from a few pieces of wardrobe. Behind them on the wall was a Northern Line tube map with Golders Green scratched out and the Dug-Out written in red. The main room of the cafe was dotted with a smorgasbord decor that would not have been out of place in John Waters' Pink Flamingos - that is if he's honed his taste over a decade. The walls were a delightful hodge-podge of record sleeves, photos of moustache champions, Euro erotica, religious imagery, rock'n'roll icons, pipes and other interesting folderol. Under the table behind me was a painted clay dog digging an escape hole. The whole dining space was a treasure chest of the absurd seamlessly blended. Low ceilinged & spacious with lots of tables, sofa nooks, places to hang out, eat or dally on the internet. A sign outside boasts of a Wi-Fi connection.
The notice board has flyers for "Ton-Up" events - bikers used to fuel up here before hitting the North Circular. The Dug-Out opens early around 7 am and closes at 3 in the afternoon. Get there if you love London Cafes - this place is to Caffs what Dracula is to Vampires. Older, wiser, more powerful, with chutzpah and style.Established in 1919, the great-great granddaddy of Londan Cafes can still show the young 'uns a trick or too. As one of my chums put it "McDonalds coming to Golders Green was just a blip in the life of the Dug-Out". There are a few books that tout the idiosyncratic colourful & individualistic folk art known as Roadside America; the Dug-Out would give those taste expanding pioneers a real run for their money. Its day glow Orange front and black lettering brighten up the mottled back alley that slides all the way down to the main street.
Past a few rows of plastic seating for al fresco dining the sign says Bikers Welcome in computer spaced lettering. A motorbike leans against the right wall as if to verify that the sign is true. The venerable Caff is down an orange soaked staircase lined with circular mirrorsand boasting a sculpted ashtray complete with carefully molded dog-ends. Inside the menu is a mixture of greasy classics and Hungarian delights. On the local front you have the English Breakfast fry-up, the Full Monty(even more heart attack fodder) and the Belly Buster - enough fried bacon, black pudding, eggs, hash brownies to quench the sturdiest of cabbie's hunger pangs. Hungarian dishes included Goulash, Beef Stew, Cabbage Stuffed with Spicy Pork, Chicken Kiev and Chicken Breast. The Stuffed Cabbage served with rice was excellent. The Chicken Kiev dry but pretty good. The Goulash had sadly gone - even though I got there just after 12 o'clock! Same with the Beef Stew. Looks like if you want the good stuff here you have to get there early. Most dishes were Â£4.50, the grease plate specials a bit more.
The staff are a friendly bunch of individuals working on a counter constructed from a few pieces of wardrobe. Behind them on the wall was a Northern Line tube map with Golders Green scratched out and the Dug-Out written in red. The main room of the cafe was dotted with a smorgasbord decor that would not have been out of place in John Waters' Pink Flamingos - that is if he's honed his taste over a decade. The walls were a delightful hodge-podge of record sleeves, photos of moustache champions, Euro erotica, religious imagery, rock'n'roll icons, pipes and other interesting folderol. Under the table behind me was a painted clay dog digging an escape hole. The whole dining space was a treasure chest of the absurd seamlessly blended. Low ceilinged & spacious with lots of tables, sofa nooks, places to hang out, eat or dally on the internet. A sign outside boasts of a Wi-Fi connection.
The notice board has flyers for "Ton-Up" events - bikers used to fuel up here before hitting the North Circular. The Dug-Out opens early around 7 am and closes at 3 in the afternoon. Get there if you love London Cafes - this place is to Caffs what Dracula is to Vampires. Older, wiser, more powerful, with chutzpah and style.

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

Tags: japanese, jewish, italian

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, good value, cheap eat

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, lively, pizzeria

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.