Latest reviews for Restaurants in Green Park, London, United Kingdom

Spacca Napoli - La vita e bella by nat08

nat08 — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:03:39 +0000

Review by nat08

Rating: 4.00

I first discovered this restaurant about 10 years ago in its first incarnation as "Bella Napoli" - and what a true find it was! Thanks Miranda! It was the most traditional restaurant in Soho, as far as I could see, and it made a welcome difference to all the other places trying to be cool and trendy and not focusing on the main event - the food!!

It was such a gem that of course it's popularity grew and fans kept coming back for some wonderful food along with the personal touch that the owner Mimmo gives to each and every customer that walks through his door.

A facelift came but still his fans poured through the door each and every night. Food is wonderful and portions are big - just the way I like my Italian food! It's true comfort food at it's best - i love the Vitello Milanese - mouth-watering and just so tender and succulent - not chewy and bland as you can find many times with this dish.

Pizzas are great and if you are in a big party it makes sense to get it by the meter and share - such a great way of making food fun as well as delicious! And the atmosphere and service is first class. It's a great location too on Dean Street.

So why not mosey on down to Dean Street and say Ciao to Spacca Napoli....I first discovered this restaurant about 10 years ago in its first incarnation as "Bella Napoli" - and what a true find it was! Thanks Miranda! It was the most traditional restaurant in Soho, as far as I could see, and it made a welcome difference to all the other places trying to be cool and trendy and not focusing on the main event - the food!!

It was such a gem that of course it's popularity grew and fans kept coming back for some wonderful food along with the personal touch that the owner Mimmo gives to each and every customer that walks through his door.

A facelift came but still his fans poured through the door each and every night. Food is wonderful and portions are big - just the way I like my Italian food! It's true comfort food at it's best - i love the Vitello Milanese - mouth-watering and just so tender and succulent - not chewy and bland as you can find many times with this dish.

Pizzas are great and if you are in a big party it makes sense to get it by the meter and share - such a great way of making food fun as well as delicious! And the atmosphere and service is first class. It's a great location too on Dean Street.

So why not mosey on down to Dean Street and say Ciao to Spacca Napoli....

Abracadabra - Really, really, really bad by merfmerfmerf

merfmerfmerf — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:04:38 +0000

Review by merfmerfmerf

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7930 3111

Website: http://www.abracadabra-online.co.uk

Tags: american, expensive, bar

This is the worst restaurant l have ever been to.

The service was amateur and insulting. The food was so bad l actually thought l was going to vomit during the meal. The atmosphere was nonexistent. The only others in the place were Eastern European working girls smoking and drinking bottles of cheap plonk. But, worst of all, the price was extortionate. Two champaign cocktails were ordered to start the meal off at a price of Â£12.50 each. They were disgusting, missing ingredients, bits floating in them I actually had to stir my own to make it at all palatable.

This is a rich mans folly. Which l have no problem with. And as a bar, downstairs looked average for the area. But to advertise this a restaurant is misleading in the extreme. Clearly no one involved in this sham has any knowledge or interest in food. This place served one purpose; to show off the owners wealth and dubious taste in interior design. I can't believe we trusted them with a special birthday celebration and they ruined it. It actually makes me angry to think about it. Throwing away money for some fat scamster in a pink suits ego trip.

It was so bad, at one point my girlfriend burst into tears, unable to cope with how hard she'd tried to organise a special occasion and how much it had backfired due to this cheap, nasty place.

ERGH!

Please don't assume because this review is so bad l'm writing due to some personal/business vendetta. I just want to avoid any other hapless dinners falling into the same trap. Please avoid at all cost!This is the worst restaurant l have ever been to.

The service was amateur and insulting. The food was so bad l actually thought l was going to vomit during the meal. The atmosphere was nonexistent. The only others in the place were Eastern European working girls smoking and drinking bottles of cheap plonk. But, worst of all, the price was extortionate. Two champaign cocktails were ordered to start the meal off at a price of Â£12.50 each. They were disgusting, missing ingredients, bits floating in them I actually had to stir my own to make it at all palatable.

This is a rich mans folly. Which l have no problem with. And as a bar, downstairs looked average for the area. But to advertise this a restaurant is misleading in the extreme. Clearly no one involved in this sham has any knowledge or interest in food. This place served one purpose; to show off the owners wealth and dubious taste in interior design. I can't believe we trusted them with a special birthday celebration and they ruined it. It actually makes me angry to think about it. Throwing away money for some fat scamster in a pink suits ego trip.

It was so bad, at one point my girlfriend burst into tears, unable to cope with how hard she'd tried to organise a special occasion and how much it had backfired due to this cheap, nasty place.

ERGH!

Please don't assume because this review is so bad l'm writing due to some personal/business vendetta. I just want to avoid any other hapless dinners falling into the same trap. Please avoid at all cost!

Chor Bizarre - India's Restaurant - My Reviews by Witherspoon

Witherspoon — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 09:23:28 +0000

Review by Witherspoon

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7629 9802

Website: http://www.chorbizarre.com

Tags: indian, good value, lively

Well, me and my wife, we have been to Chor Bizarre many a times. To tell you we fell in love with the food on our first visit itself. We go their often and would recommend it to all Indian food lovers.They have a really amusing theme of the restaurant even the food is amongst the best being served by any Indian restaurant in London.Well, me and my wife, we have been to Chor Bizarre many a times. To tell you we fell in love with the food on our first visit itself. We go their often and would recommend it to all Indian food lovers.They have a really amusing theme of the restaurant even the food is amongst the best being served by any Indian restaurant in London.

Hard Rock Cafe - Hard rock cafe by sexyuklad

sexyuklad — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:03:45 +0000

Review by sexyuklad

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7629 0382

Website: http://www.hardrock.com

Tags: american, lively, expensive

I have only eaten here the once and probably wont eat there again as to me it is too expensive and the wait to be seated is unbelievable!

I will admit that the food portions were relatively big and tasted pretty good but the prices are just too much. I would only recommend going there as a treat or if you can afford their prices.

You definitely need to pre-book your table as when I went there they gave us this little control thing that beeps when it is your turn but we waited for nearly two hours!

Oh they also have a little shop/museum thing next door.
I have only eaten here the once and probably wont eat there again as to me it is too expensive and the wait to be seated is unbelievable!

I will admit that the food portions were relatively big and tasted pretty good but the prices are just too much. I would only recommend going there as a treat or if you can afford their prices.

You definitely need to pre-book your table as when I went there they gave us this little control thing that beeps when it is your turn but we waited for nearly two hours!

Oh they also have a little shop/museum thing next door.

El Pirata Of Mayfair - Great ambience and tapas by Camelia

Camelia — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:32:27 +0000

Review by Camelia

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7409 1315

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

Tags: spanish, romantic, friendly

A short walk from Green Park tube will take you to Down Street and a world away from the hustle and bustle of London, to soak up the taste of Spain.

Having been to the home of tapas, Seville, I was transported back to Andalucia with the easy charm of the waiting staff and the delicious food and wine.

I chose the most Andalucian dishes I could find, to pretend that I was on holiday, instead of just up the road from the office. The broad bean casserole with pancetta was delicious and the kidneys in sherry, sublime.

Go on your own for a quiet lunch or take your friends - either way you can take advantage of the lunch special of 2 tapas and a glass of wine or beer for under a tenner.

Muy bien!A short walk from Green Park tube will take you to Down Street and a world away from the hustle and bustle of London, to soak up the taste of Spain.

Having been to the home of tapas, Seville, I was transported back to Andalucia with the easy charm of the waiting staff and the delicious food and wine.

I chose the most Andalucian dishes I could find, to pretend that I was on holiday, instead of just up the road from the office. The broad bean casserole with pancetta was delicious and the kidneys in sherry, sublime.

Go on your own for a quiet lunch or take your friends - either way you can take advantage of the lunch special of 2 tapas and a glass of wine or beer for under a tenner.

Muy bien!

Andaman by Dieter Muller - Andaman by Dieter Müller - 29.08.08 by Food_Snob

Food_Snob — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 05:50:59 +0000

Review by Food_Snob

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7316 1600

Website: http://www.stjamesclubandhotel.co.uk/en/restaurant

Tags: french, international, good value

Illustrated Critique:

http://foodsnobblog.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/andaman-by-dieter-muller-london/

Text-Only Critique:

â¬SAndaman is a very big island. The people have no king. They are idolaters and live like wild beastsâ¬¦You may take it for a fact that all the men of this island have heads like dogs, and teeth and eyes like dogs; for I assure you that the whole aspect of their faces is that of big mastiffs. They are a very cruel race: whenever they can get hold of a man who is not one of their kind, they devour him.â¬

I know you must be eager for an explanation; you must be dying to know what these opening lines are all about. Well, I shall explain. The above is an extract from Il Milione, also (better) known as The Travels of Marco Polo, the chronicle of the eponymous fourteenth century Venetian trader/explorer who gained everlasting fame for his trailblazing travels along the Silk Road between the occident and Orient. It was on one of these travels that Signor Marco noticed, if not actually visited, Andaman.

Be patient; here comes the important/relevant bit. Thus, aware of this trivia titbit, I was left curious, surprised and, if honest, maybe a little scared when Dieter MÃ¼ller chose to name his new London venture Andaman. Then it hit me, MÃ¼ller, a German gentleman, actually a German chef with three Michelin stars, is trying to be funny, but he just cannot help but do it in awkward, formidable German fashion.

Whether his wit tickles you or not, no one can laugh at MÃ¼llerâ¬"s credentials. He is one of Germanyâ¬"s most respected and experienced chefs and a pioneer of German haute cuisine - for those who think that term a wry oxymoron, snuff those chuckles: Germany holds more Michelin stars than any country bar France. Born in the Black Forest into a family of restaurateurs, MÃ¼ller grew up dreaming of cooking and in a castle no less. But this dream came true in 1992 when he opened Restaurant Dieter MÃ¼ller at Schlosshotel Lerbach, a charming chateau near Cologne. Muller must have thought himself still dreaming when in 1997, Michelin awarded him drei stars here.

Originally from Baden, but a self-professed Francophile, his style is a blend of hearty German cooking, refined French cuisine and also creative Asian accents gained from his many travels. Maybe these travels have given him an affinity for Marco Polo and led him to mould Andaman and its menu on Poloâ¬"s voyage; MÃ¼ller, renowned for his five course, nineteen dish Amuse-Bouche Menu, has created Andamanâ¬"s own unique Amuse Menu inspired by the silk route. He has also installed two protÃ©gÃ©s to run the kitchen from day to day: Christian Rosse and Philipp Vogel, from Schlosshotel Lerbach and Gleneagles respectively.

Andaman is part of the recently refurbished, swish St Jamesâ¬"s Hotel and Club in Mayfair. Divided into two dining rooms, with the hotel bar providing additional seating if required, it holds a maximum of around fifty covers. The focal point of the first room is a small kitchen, which runs along one wall and through whose glass front one is able to view the labouring chiefs in their culinary laboratory stuffed with spices, oozing with oils and heaving with herbs. It is unbelievable that full meals could possibly be prepared in this miniature space and indeed it is untrue - sorry to ruin the magic - but this is only a finishing kitchen; the principal cooking is done downstairs and sent here, via dumbwaiter, to have the final touches added. The dining area adjacent has definitely been designed with Marco in mind; the dÃ©cor draws heavily on Oriental themes and Eastern influences. The room is bordered with black lacquered Venetian (Marco was Venetian too) screens set off against a dark mahogany floor. Lighting comes largely from yellow backlit panels lining the kitchenâ¬"s exterior, which contrast strikingly with the dark furniture; low, soft armchairs; and glossy, onyx-like tables, adorned with nothing but a duo of yellow calla lilies and faux leather, latticed tablemats. The second, larger room glows with a golden glimmer. Three luxurious booths are lined with plush, blonde banquettes; tables are covered in creamy napery; and walls, ornate with a plethora of paintings, urns, statuettes and other various virtu and motley trinkets, shine saffron.

Amuse Bouche 1: Watermelon and mint soup. To begin with a minty soup shot was served with floating watermelon chunks. Its consistency was very pleasing, neither too dense nor too dilute, whilst the melon morsels added a welcome firm bite. The mild mint and melon combined refreshingly.

Amuse Bouche 2: Tandoori chicken mousse cornetto. Side by side with the soup came a delicate cornet filled with a creamy, crumbly mousse, which was light, but rich with spicy Indian seasoning; the vividness and distinctness of flavours was startlingly clear and clean.

Les Pains: Ciabatta; rye with nuts and figs; and wholegrain with seeds (sesame, sunflower or poppy). The clearly German-influenced bread tray offered small slices of crusty, soft ciabatta; dense rye embedded with hazelnut halves and sweet, dried figs; and crisp, milky-middled wholegrain buns seeded with sesame, sunflower or poppy. All the bread was homemade and delectably warm, but there was only unsalted butter. I liked most the nutty poppy seed.

EntrÃ©e 1: Deep fried scampi with pea purÃ©e and papaya-chilli vinaigrette. Upon a pea purÃ©e island, surrounded by a warm nage of papaya and chilli, came a couple of interlocked subtly-battered still-shelled scampi standing in soon-to-strike-scorpion-esque stance together with a decorative, vertical choux pastry stick. The first stimulus to my senses, to my surprise, was the smell of â¬Üfish and chipsâ¬" springing from the sweet shellfish, whose taste contrasted nicely with the earthy, sugary peas and spicy chilli-spiked vinaigrette. Textures also worked off one another: varying between lissom langoustine, mushy purÃ©e and crunchy papaya. Conversely, the long choux baton seemed surplus.

EntrÃ©e 2: Duo of soups - cappuccino of curry and lemongrass with prawns & clarified duck essence Ã la chinois. Two demitasses arrived, one of Sino-seasoned duck consommÃ© and shredded-duck-stuffed ravioli and another of intoxicating, highly spiced soup with prawn brochette. Some instructions were attached: first, consume the ravioli and drink its soup, then eat the prawns, finishing with the cappuccino. The duck was rich; the pasta soft; and the clear soup (I assume a la chinois refers to both its strained and Oriental nature), with carrot, enoki mushroom and snips of squidgy spring onion, was hearty and warming. The second soup was even better with two salty, smoky prawns and an exotic, quixotic fusion of spices. This is a Dieter MÃ¼ller signature and it is clear why: the taste is unique, ingredients hard to identify and flavours difficult to define. It is apparently made from fish stock, apple, pineapple, banana, onion and seasoned with lemongrass, lemon, garlic and curry paste, but whatever it contained, this heady blend was fruity, sweet, earthy and tangy all at once.

EntrÃ©e 3: Pea mint soup. A bowl of fresh peas and shredded lettuce was brought out into which a beautifully bright yellow-green chartreuse-coloured pea-mint potage was poured. Again the perfect consistency was achieved; a grainy creaminess with occasional croquant highlights of pea and lettuce ribbons. Each spoonful delivered a range of distinct flavours: the soupâ¬"s initial saltiness was quickly succeeded by the principal savour of sweet pea, which was followed by refreshing, tamed mint and finished with cooling lettuce; additionally, the whole peas were like sudden taste bombs. The bowl held a seriously generous portion, with the teapot filled with enough for a full second helping. The soft bread was very useful for soaking up the palatable herby pea pottage.

Plat Principal 1: Poached cod with horseradish and herb risotto. A poached rotund ring of cod was served with a horseradish crust upon herb-rich risotto and soya beans surrounded in shallow horseradish foam and garnished with spring onions and a drizzle of violet mustard. The cod was extremely soft and milky, being closer to cru, the closer the centre one came; the rice was a little sticky, but formed a nice pairing with the al dente beans; and the onions were pleasingly crisp. The fish, though milder than expected, was well complemented by the light foam and (soggy) coat of sharp horseradish with its distinctive aroma. A further flowery flush of spicy sweetness came from the violet mustard - FYI, this moutarde de violette is a terrific little thirteenth century PÃ©rigordian condiment made of black grapes, mustard seeds, wine vinegar and spices.

Plat Principal 2: Pigeon breast with anise polenta and corn. Two tender fillets of Pigeon arrived upon an anise-infused crostini di polenta in a rich demi-glace sauce and sweet corn emulsion accompanied by baby sweet corn and a saucisse of pigeon liver and heart. The soft, crimson-pink pigeon, with its lovely gaminess, worked delightfully with the deep, velvety red glaze and sweeter, lighter corn foam. A welcome crunch came from the corn, cooked firm to the bite, and thick, meaty sausage. The golden polenta fritta was hot and crumbly, but barring the juices that had soaked through from the bird, was rather tasteless. This dish was full of relish and rich aroma.

Either my praise of the curry and lemongrass cappuccino was appreciated indeed or maybe it was just tiresomely generous and the staff wished to shut me up, but whatever the reason, a second serving of this captivating concoction was kindly brought out.

No pre-dessert - I accepted this as sufficient excuse to order a second dessert. I had chosen one from the Amuse Menu already, but was having difficulty deciding on another, until the staff unanimously suggested, from the lunch menu in fact, the following:

Dessert 1: Tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream. A pretty pastry parcel of poached apples, frosted with sweet sugar, was served with broken biscuit, crÃ¨me fraiche and vanilla ice cream. The crispiest, fragile pastry, deliciously dainty and light, with the sugar and crÃ¨me was strongly reminiscent of Frosties cornflakes. The warm apples were soft and moist, the ice cream intense with vanilla and thick, whilst the crÃ¨me cut refreshingly through the dishâ¬"s sweetness. The biscuit gave some nice textural variation, whilst small shavings of mint offered a very subtle earthy aftertaste. This was a very pleasing bonne bouche.

Dessert 2: Mousse of Jiavara chocolate and peanut toffee, cracknel of cocoa beans with sea salt and caramel ice cream. The second dessert consisted of a creamy brick of Jiavara chocolate mousse, decked with a thin feuille of sea salt and pine nut, upon which was a scoop of peanut toffee and caramel ice cream, decorated with a twisty tuile of dark chocolate. The first taste was of peanut butter from the velvety caramel nut toffee ice cream. A second spoonful, this time of the smooth cocoa mousse, revealed a hidden middle of peanut toffee. The feuille was nutty and crunchy and offered another contrast to the softer ice cream and mousse. All the elements, together, were evocative of a Snickers bar.

Petit Fours: Berliner; strawberry gelÃ©e; and vanilla cream with strawberry purÃ©e and berry mousse. The meal concluded with a nice trio of diverse PFs: an iced, vanilla custard-filled Berliner (fried German sweet beignet); a triangle of strawberry fruit-jelly; and a shot of vanilla crÃ¨me thinly topped with strawberry purÃ©e and finished with airy berry foam. The doughnut was light with a crispy coat and melted middle whilst the jam-like gelÃ©e, sugary and creamy, resembled Turkish delight. The effervescent berry mousse had an almost astringent tartness that was quickly assuaged by the vanilla, whilst the strawberry gave the shot stronger savour.

I am delighted to say that I enjoyed the food very much and left the restaurant content. Courses were carefully crafted and well-designed. Cooking was precise and skilful. The cuisine was refined yet satisfying. However, what impressed me much more was the intensity and clarity of flavour that all the dishes possessed. I also appreciated the interesting, more unusual touches and ingredients, such as the moutarde de violette and offal-filled side saucisse, and liked the fresh approach to ordering. There are two menus, the Classic Selection and the themed Amuse Bouches; together these amount to essentially an ALC and tapas-like tasting menu (4/5/6 courses) respectively. It is though a versatile, very fluid setup, allowing one to choose items off either menu or both and tailor-make their own menu dÃ©gustation.

The FOH, led by Francesco di Meglio, was hospitable, enthusiastic and efficient. Service was professional, but courteous; always attentive and never intrusive. I was well tended by Francesco himself and sommelier, Massimo, with both of whom I was able to enjoy some pleasant conversation. They were friendly and affable without being familiar.

Bearing in mind that Andaman is still in its trial phase, having opened its doors just a week ago, the capability and smoothness of both kitchen and serving staff is doubly remarkable; and it will surely only improve before its official opening on 25 September. The restaurantâ¬"s arrival has so far made a rather stifled splash - though Michelin chefs and a few critics have already dropped by - but I am sure we shall soon hear that inevitable revving of the PR machine. Actually, Dieter has already started making all the right noises, proclaiming London the â¬Shottest restant scene in the worldâ¬ and praising the â¬Sopen-mindednessâ¬ of the British. I think it will be enough to let the food do the talking.

7-8 Park Place, St Jamesâ¬"s Hotel & Club, SW1A 1LP
tel: 020 7316 1600
nearest tube: Green Park
www.stjameshotelandclub.com
Illustrated Critique:

http://foodsnobblog.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/andaman-by-dieter-muller-london/

Text-Only Critique:

â¬SAndaman is a very big island. The people have no king. They are idolaters and live like wild beastsâ¬¦You may take it for a fact that all the men of this island have heads like dogs, and teeth and eyes like dogs; for I assure you that the whole aspect of their faces is that of big mastiffs. They are a very cruel race: whenever they can get hold of a man who is not one of their kind, they devour him.â¬

I know you must be eager for an explanation; you must be dying to know what these opening lines are all about. Well, I shall explain. The above is an extract from Il Milione, also (better) known as The Travels of Marco Polo, the chronicle of the eponymous fourteenth century Venetian trader/explorer who gained everlasting fame for his trailblazing travels along the Silk Road between the occident and Orient. It was on one of these travels that Signor Marco noticed, if not actually visited, Andaman.

Be patient; here comes the important/relevant bit. Thus, aware of this trivia titbit, I was left curious, surprised and, if honest, maybe a little scared when Dieter MÃ¼ller chose to name his new London venture Andaman. Then it hit me, MÃ¼ller, a German gentleman, actually a German chef with three Michelin stars, is trying to be funny, but he just cannot help but do it in awkward, formidable German fashion.

Whether his wit tickles you or not, no one can laugh at MÃ¼llerâ¬"s credentials. He is one of Germanyâ¬"s most respected and experienced chefs and a pioneer of German haute cuisine - for those who think that term a wry oxymoron, snuff those chuckles: Germany holds more Michelin stars than any country bar France. Born in the Black Forest into a family of restaurateurs, MÃ¼ller grew up dreaming of cooking and in a castle no less. But this dream came true in 1992 when he opened Restaurant Dieter MÃ¼ller at Schlosshotel Lerbach, a charming chateau near Cologne. Muller must have thought himself still dreaming when in 1997, Michelin awarded him drei stars here.

Originally from Baden, but a self-professed Francophile, his style is a blend of hearty German cooking, refined French cuisine and also creative Asian accents gained from his many travels. Maybe these travels have given him an affinity for Marco Polo and led him to mould Andaman and its menu on Poloâ¬"s voyage; MÃ¼ller, renowned for his five course, nineteen dish Amuse-Bouche Menu, has created Andamanâ¬"s own unique Amuse Menu inspired by the silk route. He has also installed two protÃ©gÃ©s to run the kitchen from day to day: Christian Rosse and Philipp Vogel, from Schlosshotel Lerbach and Gleneagles respectively.

Andaman is part of the recently refurbished, swish St Jamesâ¬"s Hotel and Club in Mayfair. Divided into two dining rooms, with the hotel bar providing additional seating if required, it holds a maximum of around fifty covers. The focal point of the first room is a small kitchen, which runs along one wall and through whose glass front one is able to view the labouring chiefs in their culinary laboratory stuffed with spices, oozing with oils and heaving with herbs. It is unbelievable that full meals could possibly be prepared in this miniature space and indeed it is untrue - sorry to ruin the magic - but this is only a finishing kitchen; the principal cooking is done downstairs and sent here, via dumbwaiter, to have the final touches added. The dining area adjacent has definitely been designed with Marco in mind; the dÃ©cor draws heavily on Oriental themes and Eastern influences. The room is bordered with black lacquered Venetian (Marco was Venetian too) screens set off against a dark mahogany floor. Lighting comes largely from yellow backlit panels lining the kitchenâ¬"s exterior, which contrast strikingly with the dark furniture; low, soft armchairs; and glossy, onyx-like tables, adorned with nothing but a duo of yellow calla lilies and faux leather, latticed tablemats. The second, larger room glows with a golden glimmer. Three luxurious booths are lined with plush, blonde banquettes; tables are covered in creamy napery; and walls, ornate with a plethora of paintings, urns, statuettes and other various virtu and motley trinkets, shine saffron.

Amuse Bouche 1: Watermelon and mint soup. To begin with a minty soup shot was served with floating watermelon chunks. Its consistency was very pleasing, neither too dense nor too dilute, whilst the melon morsels added a welcome firm bite. The mild mint and melon combined refreshingly.

Amuse Bouche 2: Tandoori chicken mousse cornetto. Side by side with the soup came a delicate cornet filled with a creamy, crumbly mousse, which was light, but rich with spicy Indian seasoning; the vividness and distinctness of flavours was startlingly clear and clean.

Les Pains: Ciabatta; rye with nuts and figs; and wholegrain with seeds (sesame, sunflower or poppy). The clearly German-influenced bread tray offered small slices of crusty, soft ciabatta; dense rye embedded with hazelnut halves and sweet, dried figs; and crisp, milky-middled wholegrain buns seeded with sesame, sunflower or poppy. All the bread was homemade and delectably warm, but there was only unsalted butter. I liked most the nutty poppy seed.

EntrÃ©e 1: Deep fried scampi with pea purÃ©e and papaya-chilli vinaigrette. Upon a pea purÃ©e island, surrounded by a warm nage of papaya and chilli, came a couple of interlocked subtly-battered still-shelled scampi standing in soon-to-strike-scorpion-esque stance together with a decorative, vertical choux pastry stick. The first stimulus to my senses, to my surprise, was the smell of â¬Üfish and chipsâ¬" springing from the sweet shellfish, whose taste contrasted nicely with the earthy, sugary peas and spicy chilli-spiked vinaigrette. Textures also worked off one another: varying between lissom langoustine, mushy purÃ©e and crunchy papaya. Conversely, the long choux baton seemed surplus.

EntrÃ©e 2: Duo of soups - cappuccino of curry and lemongrass with prawns & clarified duck essence Ã la chinois. Two demitasses arrived, one of Sino-seasoned duck consommÃ© and shredded-duck-stuffed ravioli and another of intoxicating, highly spiced soup with prawn brochette. Some instructions were attached: first, consume the ravioli and drink its soup, then eat the prawns, finishing with the cappuccino. The duck was rich; the pasta soft; and the clear soup (I assume a la chinois refers to both its strained and Oriental nature), with carrot, enoki mushroom and snips of squidgy spring onion, was hearty and warming. The second soup was even better with two salty, smoky prawns and an exotic, quixotic fusion of spices. This is a Dieter MÃ¼ller signature and it is clear why: the taste is unique, ingredients hard to identify and flavours difficult to define. It is apparently made from fish stock, apple, pineapple, banana, onion and seasoned with lemongrass, lemon, garlic and curry paste, but whatever it contained, this heady blend was fruity, sweet, earthy and tangy all at once.

EntrÃ©e 3: Pea mint soup. A bowl of fresh peas and shredded lettuce was brought out into which a beautifully bright yellow-green chartreuse-coloured pea-mint potage was poured. Again the perfect consistency was achieved; a grainy creaminess with occasional croquant highlights of pea and lettuce ribbons. Each spoonful delivered a range of distinct flavours: the soupâ¬"s initial saltiness was quickly succeeded by the principal savour of sweet pea, which was followed by refreshing, tamed mint and finished with cooling lettuce; additionally, the whole peas were like sudden taste bombs. The bowl held a seriously generous portion, with the teapot filled with enough for a full second helping. The soft bread was very useful for soaking up the palatable herby pea pottage.

Plat Principal 1: Poached cod with horseradish and herb risotto. A poached rotund ring of cod was served with a horseradish crust upon herb-rich risotto and soya beans surrounded in shallow horseradish foam and garnished with spring onions and a drizzle of violet mustard. The cod was extremely soft and milky, being closer to cru, the closer the centre one came; the rice was a little sticky, but formed a nice pairing with the al dente beans; and the onions were pleasingly crisp. The fish, though milder than expected, was well complemented by the light foam and (soggy) coat of sharp horseradish with its distinctive aroma. A further flowery flush of spicy sweetness came from the violet mustard - FYI, this moutarde de violette is a terrific little thirteenth century PÃ©rigordian condiment made of black grapes, mustard seeds, wine vinegar and spices.

Plat Principal 2: Pigeon breast with anise polenta and corn. Two tender fillets of Pigeon arrived upon an anise-infused crostini di polenta in a rich demi-glace sauce and sweet corn emulsion accompanied by baby sweet corn and a saucisse of pigeon liver and heart. The soft, crimson-pink pigeon, with its lovely gaminess, worked delightfully with the deep, velvety red glaze and sweeter, lighter corn foam. A welcome crunch came from the corn, cooked firm to the bite, and thick, meaty sausage. The golden polenta fritta was hot and crumbly, but barring the juices that had soaked through from the bird, was rather tasteless. This dish was full of relish and rich aroma.

Either my praise of the curry and lemongrass cappuccino was appreciated indeed or maybe it was just tiresomely generous and the staff wished to shut me up, but whatever the reason, a second serving of this captivating concoction was kindly brought out.

No pre-dessert - I accepted this as sufficient excuse to order a second dessert. I had chosen one from the Amuse Menu already, but was having difficulty deciding on another, until the staff unanimously suggested, from the lunch menu in fact, the following:

Dessert 1: Tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream. A pretty pastry parcel of poached apples, frosted with sweet sugar, was served with broken biscuit, crÃ¨me fraiche and vanilla ice cream. The crispiest, fragile pastry, deliciously dainty and light, with the sugar and crÃ¨me was strongly reminiscent of Frosties cornflakes. The warm apples were soft and moist, the ice cream intense with vanilla and thick, whilst the crÃ¨me cut refreshingly through the dishâ¬"s sweetness. The biscuit gave some nice textural variation, whilst small shavings of mint offered a very subtle earthy aftertaste. This was a very pleasing bonne bouche.

Dessert 2: Mousse of Jiavara chocolate and peanut toffee, cracknel of cocoa beans with sea salt and caramel ice cream. The second dessert consisted of a creamy brick of Jiavara chocolate mousse, decked with a thin feuille of sea salt and pine nut, upon which was a scoop of peanut toffee and caramel ice cream, decorated with a twisty tuile of dark chocolate. The first taste was of peanut butter from the velvety caramel nut toffee ice cream. A second spoonful, this time of the smooth cocoa mousse, revealed a hidden middle of peanut toffee. The feuille was nutty and crunchy and offered another contrast to the softer ice cream and mousse. All the elements, together, were evocative of a Snickers bar.

Petit Fours: Berliner; strawberry gelÃ©e; and vanilla cream with strawberry purÃ©e and berry mousse. The meal concluded with a nice trio of diverse PFs: an iced, vanilla custard-filled Berliner (fried German sweet beignet); a triangle of strawberry fruit-jelly; and a shot of vanilla crÃ¨me thinly topped with strawberry purÃ©e and finished with airy berry foam. The doughnut was light with a crispy coat and melted middle whilst the jam-like gelÃ©e, sugary and creamy, resembled Turkish delight. The effervescent berry mousse had an almost astringent tartness that was quickly assuaged by the vanilla, whilst the strawberry gave the shot stronger savour.

I am delighted to say that I enjoyed the food very much and left the restaurant content. Courses were carefully crafted and well-designed. Cooking was precise and skilful. The cuisine was refined yet satisfying. However, what impressed me much more was the intensity and clarity of flavour that all the dishes possessed. I also appreciated the interesting, more unusual touches and ingredients, such as the moutarde de violette and offal-filled side saucisse, and liked the fresh approach to ordering. There are two menus, the Classic Selection and the themed Amuse Bouches; together these amount to essentially an ALC and tapas-like tasting menu (4/5/6 courses) respectively. It is though a versatile, very fluid setup, allowing one to choose items off either menu or both and tailor-make their own menu dÃ©gustation.

The FOH, led by Francesco di Meglio, was hospitable, enthusiastic and efficient. Service was professional, but courteous; always attentive and never intrusive. I was well tended by Francesco himself and sommelier, Massimo, with both of whom I was able to enjoy some pleasant conversation. They were friendly and affable without being familiar.

Bearing in mind that Andaman is still in its trial phase, having opened its doors just a week ago, the capability and smoothness of both kitchen and serving staff is doubly remarkable; and it will surely only improve before its official opening on 25 September. The restaurantâ¬"s arrival has so far made a rather stifled splash - though Michelin chefs and a few critics have already dropped by - but I am sure we shall soon hear that inevitable revving of the PR machine. Actually, Dieter has already started making all the right noises, proclaiming London the â¬Shottest restaurant scene in the worldâ¬ and praising the â¬Sopen-mindednessâ¬ of the British. I think it will be enough to let the food do the talking.

7-8 Park Place, St Jamesâ¬"s Hotel & Club, SW1A 1LP
tel: 020 7316 1600
nearest tube: Green Park
www.stjameshotelandclub.com

The Ritz Restaurant - amazing food by beckyfox

beckyfox — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:00:31 +0000

Review by beckyfox

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7493 8181

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

Tags: expensive, good food, posh

I have been to the ritz restaurant a few times for lunch with my mum. If you want to be treated like a princess for the day then this is the place to go. My mum and i both love it. The food is delicious there is a set menu and a la carte the cuisine is french. the set menu lunch is a great choice i think it is around 37 pounds for 3 courses and coffee. the staff are very attentive and friendly. Once it was my mum's birthday and i told one of the waiters and after desert they brought over a ritz birthday cake for my mum. it really made her day and shows the special treatment you get there. The setting of the hotel is great perfect if you have something special to celebrate!I have been to the ritz restaurant a few times for lunch with my mum. If you want to be treated like a princess for the day then this is the place to go. My mum and i both love it. The food is delicious there is a set menu and a la carte the cuisine is french. the set menu lunch is a great choice i think it is around 37 pounds for 3 courses and coffee. the staff are very attentive and friendly. Once it was my mum's birthday and i told one of the waiters and after desert they brought over a ritz birthday cake for my mum. it really made her day and shows the special treatment you get there. The setting of the hotel is great perfect if you have something special to celebrate!

The Wolseley - Wolseley by Barney752

Barney752 — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:08:17 +0000

Review by Barney752

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7499 6996

Website: http://www.thewolseley.com/

Tags: business, lively, good value

the wolseley is a great restaurant. Lets just get that straight. It is by far the most grand place that i have ever dined at. There are impossibly huge ceilings and marbles floors and all that jazz. Doormen that are paid to remeber your face, it is more than just a restaurant it is a dining experience. But what about the food? The food is great, really tasty, some of the best in london i would go as far as to say. But of course it is not cheap. Oh no. It is expensive but not extortionate. That is to say there are plenty more expensive restaurants with lesser food on the menu. All in all a great restaurant.the wolseley is a great restaurant. Lets just get that straight. It is by far the most grand place that i have ever dined at. There are impossibly huge ceilings and marbles floors and all that jazz. Doormen that are paid to remeber your face, it is more than just a restaurant it is a dining experience. But what about the food? The food is great, really tasty, some of the best in london i would go as far as to say. But of course it is not cheap. Oh no. It is expensive but not extortionate. That is to say there are plenty more expensive restaurants with lesser food on the menu. All in all a great restaurant.

Mamounia Lounge - Terrible service and inedible food by tomc

tomc — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:45:30 +0000

Review by tomc

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7629 2211

Website: http://www.mamounialounge.com

Tags: moroccan, cocktails, bar

I was extremely disappointed by this restaurant. I've never had worse service and one of the dishes they served was inedible.

Firstly the food: we ordered a lebanese mezze for starters which was actually very tasty however the main courses were much worse. My lamb tagine was ok, I can't really complain about it though it was nothing special but my girlfriend's beef tagine was horrible. It was sandy (sandy?! for a tagine?! I'm no expert but I don't think you should expect a dry gritty taste from a tagine) and had far too much cumin in (to the point where it was inedible) and normally I'm a big fan of cumin!

Then the shisha: after we'd eaten we asked if we could get a table outside to smoke some shisha and were told there was a small wait since the tables were full. This seemed fair since it did appear it was full. However, as the evening went on and as we waited longer it became apparent that they were seating people outside ahead of us (and this happened with several groups).

When we asked again to sit outside we were told we weren't allowed since you'd need to get two pipes to sit outside (this feels very ridiculous to write but frankly the whole thing was quite farcical - it was so obvious what was happening that the waitress was embarrassed to even speak to us). Meanwhile, they continued to seat outside anyone who didn't posses a white Caucasian complexion.

In short: Avoid it at all costs. If you're looking for a nice middle-eastern restaurant with shisha then try the Kaslik restaurant in Soho - I've been there several times - the food and service are a delight (and cheaper as well).I was extremely disappointed by this restaurant. I've never had worse service and one of the dishes they served was inedible.

Firstly the food: we ordered a lebanese mezze for starters which was actually very tasty however the main courses were much worse. My lamb tagine was ok, I can't really complain about it though it was nothing special but my girlfriend's beef tagine was horrible. It was sandy (sandy?! for a tagine?! I'm no expert but I don't think you should expect a dry gritty taste from a tagine) and had far too much cumin in (to the point where it was inedible) and normally I'm a big fan of cumin!

Then the shisha: after we'd eaten we asked if we could get a table outside to smoke some shisha and were told there was a small wait since the tables were full. This seemed fair since it did appear it was full. However, as the evening went on and as we waited longer it became apparent that they were seating people outside ahead of us (and this happened with several groups).

When we asked again to sit outside we were told we weren't allowed since you'd need to get two pipes to sit outside (this feels very ridiculous to write but frankly the whole thing was quite farcical - it was so obvious what was happening that the waitress was embarrassed to even speak to us). Meanwhile, they continued to seat outside anyone who didn't posses a white Caucasian complexion.

In short: Avoid it at all costs. If you're looking for a nice middle-eastern restaurant with shisha then try the Kaslik restaurant in Soho - I've been there several times - the food and service are a delight (and cheaper as well).

Le Caprice - Top restaurant by jmcfar

jmcfar — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:15:21 +0000

Review by jmcfar

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7629 2239

Website: http://www.le-caprice.co.uk/

Tags: romantic, expensive, good value

A fantastic high class restaurant in St. Jamesâ¬"s The menu is pricey but the food absolutely incredible. Moreover, the service too is fantastic, with friendly yet professional waiters. My favourites are the delicious steak tartare, one of the best steak tartars I have ever eaten, the goats cheese risotto, the steaks which were cooked to perfection, and my absolute favourite, which I have every time I go, which is the iced berries with hot white chocolate sauce as a dessert. A great restaurant to go to for special occasions, and I would go all the time if it were not for the slightly prohibitive pricing!A fantastic high class restaurant in St. Jamesâ¬"s The menu is pricey but the food absolutely incredible. Moreover, the service too is fantastic, with friendly yet professional waiters. My favourites are the delicious steak tartare, one of the best steak tartars I have ever eaten, the goats cheese risotto, the steaks which were cooked to perfection, and my absolute favourite, which I have every time I go, which is the iced berries with hot white chocolate sauce as a dessert. A great restaurant to go to for special occasions, and I would go all the time if it were not for the slightly prohibitive pricing!

Fountain Restaurant - A classy choice for lunch on Piccadilly by Izabel_blue

Izabel_blue — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 10:54:31 +0000

Review by Izabel_blue

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7734 8040

Website: http://www.fortnumandmason.com/Our-Restaurants/Fountain-Restaurant.aspx

Tags: brasserie, piccadilly, good value

My husband and I stopped in here after seeing an exhibition at the Royal Academy across the road. We had a light lunch - aubergine parmigiana for him, pasta with artichokes for me - the food was excellent, especially the wonderful bread which showed up first. Good quality ingredients, simply prepared. Oh, and a nice wine list with some great wines by the glass. Service was slightly haphazard (there were lots of them) but very congenial.

It was a good value central London lunch but note that it's not cheap - I'd think of this as the ideal place to take visiting relatives or to have a bit of a special lunch after shopping or gallery hopping!My husband and I stopped in here after seeing an exhibition at the Royal Academy across the road. We had a light lunch - aubergine parmigiana for him, pasta with artichokes for me - the food was excellent, especially the wonderful bread which showed up first. Good quality ingredients, simply prepared. Oh, and a nice wine list with some great wines by the glass. Service was slightly haphazard (there were lots of them) but very congenial.

It was a good value central London lunch but note that it's not cheap - I'd think of this as the ideal place to take visiting relatives or to have a bit of a special lunch after shopping or gallery hopping!

New Taj Mahal - average by annepotter1984

annepotter1984 — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:59:52 +0000

Review by annepotter1984

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7493 0024

Tags: indian, vegetarian dishes

This restaurant does exactly what it says on the tin! I have to say the location is good, with good transport links nearby. The decor inside is good, but probably fairly typical of indian restaurants in general. I was not too keen on the music, but I have often been told that I have weird musical tastes. As for the food, I found it to be of average quality. Not unpleasant at all, but not overly delicious. The prices were very reasonable though in my opinion, and I enjoyed the glass of wine I had there. The desser was also quite nice. All in all, not a bad place, and I would give it an average six out of ten. You could easily go to worse places to eat, but nothing particularly special.This restaurant does exactly what it says on the tin! I have to say the location is good, with good transport links nearby. The decor inside is good, but probably fairly typical of indian restaurants in general. I was not too keen on the music, but I have often been told that I have weird musical tastes. As for the food, I found it to be of average quality. Not unpleasant at all, but not overly delicious. The prices were very reasonable though in my opinion, and I enjoyed the glass of wine I had there. The desser was also quite nice. All in all, not a bad place, and I would give it an average six out of ten. You could easily go to worse places to eat, but nothing particularly special.

Nobu Berkeley - Japan meets London by Lacrimosa

Lacrimosa — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:46:20 +0000

Review by Lacrimosa

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7290 9222

Website: http://www.noburestaurants.com/

Tags: japanese, romantic, bar

I dined here a few days ago, and found the food, decor and service to be terrific.

Our meal was preceded by some lovingly crafted cocktails, ordered at the bar downstairs, which took a good ten minutes to order and prepare and a degree of tactful negotiation with the barman in terms of content, as I think he was somewhat appalled by my choice of a vodka sake martini with lemon and lime - but, hey, I enjoyed it!

After proceeding to our table upstairs, we ordered a variety of dishes, including octopus, cod, crispy pork belly and a selection of sushi, including one with soft shell shrimps - the taste and texture of which, I must admit, strongly reminded me of ready salted crisps. The crispy pork belly, which was my choice and strongly resisted by my companion, proved mouth-wateringly tasty and possibly the nicest thing we ordered. All this was washed down with ice-cold sake.

We visited on a Saturday night over the August Bank Holiday when many Londoners might reasonably be expected to be out of town. The bar was rather quiet when we arrived circa. 8pm, but humming by the time we left. By contrast the restaurant seemed to reasonably busy the whole time we were there, with a buzzy multi-national atmosphere. People were dressed in the expensively low-key way that is typical of these types of places, although (in common with Nobu Milan, as I recall) the air conditioning will make you glad you've covered your arms. Service was quietly attentive throughout, which is reflected in the above-average 15% gratuity charge added to the bill.

Which brings me to the prices. Thankfully I wasn't paying so don't know what the final bill was, but this place is very VERY expensive. As a rough guide, expect to pay well in excess of Â£100 a head.I dined here a few days ago, and found the food, decor and service to be terrific.

Our meal was preceded by some lovingly crafted cocktails, ordered at the bar downstairs, which took a good ten minutes to order and prepare and a degree of tactful negotiation with the barman in terms of content, as I think he was somewhat appalled by my choice of a vodka sake martini with lemon and lime - but, hey, I enjoyed it!

After proceeding to our table upstairs, we ordered a variety of dishes, including octopus, cod, crispy pork belly and a selection of sushi, including one with soft shell shrimps - the taste and texture of which, I must admit, strongly reminded me of ready salted crisps. The crispy pork belly, which was my choice and strongly resisted by my companion, proved mouth-wateringly tasty and possibly the nicest thing we ordered. All this was washed down with ice-cold sake.

We visited on a Saturday night over the August Bank Holiday when many Londoners might reasonably be expected to be out of town. The bar was rather quiet when we arrived circa. 8pm, but humming by the time we left. By contrast the restaurant seemed to reasonably busy the whole time we were there, with a buzzy multi-national atmosphere. People were dressed in the expensively low-key way that is typical of these types of places, although (in common with Nobu Milan, as I recall) the air conditioning will make you glad you've covered your arms. Service was quietly attentive throughout, which is reflected in the above-average 15% gratuity charge added to the bill.

Which brings me to the prices. Thankfully I wasn't paying so don't know what the final bill was, but this place is very VERY expensive. As a rough guide, expect to pay well in excess of Â£100 a head.

The Avenue Restaurant & Bar - Great place to celebrate! by xLHGx

xLHGx — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:03:59 +0000

Review by xLHGx

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7321 2111

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

Tags: romantic, expensive, bar

I went here recently with my boyfriend to celebrate exam results. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect as my boyfriend booked but it turned out to be a lovely evening! We had gone with an offer from a website and the staff were really good about it, pointing out a more varied menu we could have under the offer meaning we got a free glass of champagne! The food was really great and despite minimalist decor there was a lovely atmosphere. I'm also not usually a fan of fancy restaurant food but I could find something I wanted for each course even off our set menu! The staff were very friendly, helpful and attentive. All in all it was a great place to eat!I went here recently with my boyfriend to celebrate exam results. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect as my boyfriend booked but it turned out to be a lovely evening! We had gone with an offer from a website and the staff were really good about it, pointing out a more varied menu we could have under the offer meaning we got a free glass of champagne! The food was really great and despite minimalist decor there was a lovely atmosphere. I'm also not usually a fan of fancy restaurant food but I could find something I wanted for each course even off our set menu! The staff were very friendly, helpful and attentive. All in all it was a great place to eat!

Automat - High standards return at Mayfair's Automat by ProfMagellan

ProfMagellan — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:47:58 +0000

Review by ProfMagellan

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7499 3033

Website: http://www.automat-london.com

Tags: american, lively, expensive

My friend Polarmarco persuaded me to return and this I did in the company of a top PR person. We were on a mission to see whether or not Automat deserves a chance given a dreadful experience I had earlier this year. This time everything worked well. The staff were utterly in control, the waitress could not have been kinder, and - despite a full Tuesday lunchtime - the food arrived promptly. The PR person enjoyed his lamb confection whilst I opted for my usual burger: not quite as good as that served by Joe Allen, it was none the less perfectly acceptable. The surroundings are very new century. Automat opened about three years ago) in contrast to the retro-look of Joe Allen's (in which personally I feel more comfortable). Acoustics are very poor so not a place for the hard of hearing.
Other punters included the usual suspects: hedge fund managers, venture capitalists and ladies who lunch. Blackberries and cellphones in profusion. Very few real working stiffs.My friend Polarmarco persuaded me to return and this I did in the company of a top PR person. We were on a mission to see whether or not Automat deserves a chance given a dreadful experience I had earlier this year. This time everything worked well. The staff were utterly in control, the waitress could not have been kinder, and - despite a full Tuesday lunchtime - the food arrived promptly. The PR person enjoyed his lamb confection whilst I opted for my usual burger: not quite as good as that served by Joe Allen, it was none the less perfectly acceptable. The surroundings are very new century. Automat opened about three years ago) in contrast to the retro-look of Joe Allen's (in which personally I feel more comfortable). Acoustics are very poor so not a place for the hard of hearing.
Other punters included the usual suspects: hedge fund managers, venture capitalists and ladies who lunch. Blackberries and cellphones in profusion. Very few real working stiffs.

The Old Express - Pretty weak... by asslad

asslad — Thu, 29 May 2008 11:12:56 +0000

Review by asslad

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7499 1299

Tags: romantic, terrace, french

This place is a bit lame, it's not god awful but there are SOOOOO many other cooler roomier and better tasting places in London for the same price... Picture your standard mayfair local cafe.This place is a bit lame, it's not god awful but there are SOOOOO many other cooler roomier and better tasting places in London for the same price... Picture your standard mayfair local cafe.

Richoux - Old favourite by Hugo

Hugo — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 23:07:11 +0000

Review by Hugo

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7493 2204

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

Tags: french, brasserie, coffee

An old favourite of mine with a hugely diverse range of food to suit your mood. I actually have a soft spot for their Salmon Teriyaki but they have an eclectic range of traditional dishes from prawn cocktail to scrambled eggs on toast. Sounds odd but the setting is fantastically traditional. At the entrance is a small patisserie section displaying the heritage of Richoux as a patisserie shop.

Calming, tranquil and traditional - a breath of fresh air in a hectic London. They even have papers for you to read and it is a brilliant place to eat if you are on your own.

An old favourite of mine with a hugely diverse range of food to suit your mood. I actually have a soft spot for their Salmon Teriyaki but they have an eclectic range of traditional dishes from prawn cocktail to scrambled eggs on toast. Sounds odd but the setting is fantastically traditional. At the entrance is a small patisserie section displaying the heritage of Richoux as a patisserie shop.

Calming, tranquil and traditional - a breath of fresh air in a hectic London. They even have papers for you to read and it is a brilliant place to eat if you are on your own.

Aura Kitchen & Bar - So awful I feel like I need a drink to recover by kellytron

kellytron — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 10:52:30 +0000

Review by kellytron

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7499 6655

Tags: bar, dj, expensive

Awful, awful venue that attempts to make you feel like it's a priveledge to be there. But it's not.
Trashy women, horrible music (think of bastardising Michael Jackson with really bad disco tunes), expensive drinks and posers ordereing drinks with sparklers coming out of them

Honestly, I feel like a worse person for having been there.
Awful, awful venue that attempts to make you feel like it's a priveledge to be there. But it's not.
Trashy women, horrible music (think of bastardising Michael Jackson with really bad disco tunes), expensive drinks and posers ordereing drinks with sparklers coming out of them

Honestly, I feel like a worse person for having been there.

Il Vicolo - snug Italian in St James's by ProfMagellan

ProfMagellan — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 15:50:29 +0000

Review by ProfMagellan

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7839 3960

Tags: italian, lively, good value

The Wolseley would not take us for a last minute reservation (they laughed at such a crass idea as a table on the day despite my devotion to them and to Mr King, London's premier restauranteur). So we went here instead.
If you like Italian food and you are in St James's, then this is for you. Hidden in tiny Crown Passage, just behind Berry Bros (London's oldest wine merchant), this restaurant has recently had a complete makeover. Although starkly modern, it remains intimate and appropriate both for business and for pleasure. The staff are Italian and thus service is professional and upbeat. Mrs Magellan and I
had the special pasta of the day (penne with bolognese),
a rocket salad and half a bottle of the house Merlot.
The pasta was fantastic, tasty and generous in portion
and the Merlot very quaffable. Most of the other punters appeared to be tourists - or perhaps "non-doms" for this area of London has become a bit prohibitive for local people. But they all looked as though they were having a good time.
But if you are having a night on the town (maybe a show
in Shaftesbury Avenue or a film on Leicester Square this is but ten minutes walk away).
I thought the Â£60 bill (including service) was good value for this well run and comfortable place. My only criticism was the piped music
which was at least reasonably quiet. Why do restauranteurs insist on playing piped muic which is now about as welcome as smoking or a glass of Blue Nun?
Having recently removed nearby Automat from Prof Magellan's list of West End favourites, I congratulate "Il Vicolo" on having entered it.The Wolseley would not take us for a last minute reservation (they laughed at such a crass idea as a table on the day despite my devotion to them and to Mr King, London's premier restauranteur). So we went here instead.
If you like Italian food and you are in St James's, then this is for you. Hidden in tiny Crown Passage, just behind Berry Bros (London's oldest wine merchant), this restaurant has recently had a complete makeover. Although starkly modern, it remains intimate and appropriate both for business and for pleasure. The staff are Italian and thus service is professional and upbeat. Mrs Magellan and I
had the special pasta of the day (penne with bolognese),
a rocket salad and half a bottle of the house Merlot.
The pasta was fantastic, tasty and generous in portion
and the Merlot very quaffable. Most of the other punters appeared to be tourists - or perhaps "non-doms" for this area of London has become a bit prohibitive for local people. But they all looked as though they were having a good time.
But if you are having a night on the town (maybe a show
in Shaftesbury Avenue or a film on Leicester Square this is but ten minutes walk away).
I thought the Â£60 bill (including service) was good value for this well run and comfortable place. My only criticism was the piped music
which was at least reasonably quiet. Why do restauranteurs insist on playing piped muic which is now about as welcome as smoking or a glass of Blue Nun?
Having recently removed nearby Automat from Prof Magellan's list of West End favourites, I congratulate "Il Vicolo" on having entered it.

Damask - Damask by ChipMonk

ChipMonk — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 19:13:55 +0000

Review by ChipMonk

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7499 3464

Website: http://www.athenaeumhotel.com

Tags: romantic, pretentious, expensive

Expensive but the chef offers wonderful food. Decor bit strangeExpensive but the chef offers wonderful food. Decor bit strange