Latest reviews in Hatton Garden, London, United Kingdom

Fabric - Amazing night for anyone into their music &clubbin by ocundale

ocundale — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:54:29 +0000

Review by ocundale

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7336 8898

Website: http://www.fabriclondon.com

In my opinion this is definitely one of the top clubs in the Uk. I have been several times and everytime it has been good. The music is always brilliant, Fridays tend to be breakbeat/d&b/hip-hop and Saturdays tech-house kind of stuff. The crowd can be a bit dodgy sometimes, but this would happen anywhere in London. The entry and drinks are expensive, but obviously if you go to fabric you get your moneys worth by staying till the early hours of the morning â¬ 5or 6am and you can always drink before you get there or just be happy without alchahol like a lot of the people there!! One thing I would say is that its much better when its not rammed with people, as you can chill out and find a place to sit down. It can be a bit hectic otherwiseâ¬¦In my opinion this is definitely one of the top clubs in the Uk. I have been several times and everytime it has been good. The music is always brilliant, Fridays tend to be breakbeat/d&b/hip-hop and Saturdays tech-house kind of stuff. The crowd can be a bit dodgy sometimes, but this would happen anywhere in London. The entry and drinks are expensive, but obviously if you go to fabric you get your moneys worth by staying till the early hours of the morning â¬ 5or 6am and you can always drink before you get there or just be happy without alchahol like a lot of the people there!! One thing I would say is that its much better when its not rammed with people, as you can chill out and find a place to sit down. It can be a bit hectic otherwiseâ¬¦

St. John - St John - 24 June 2008 by Food_Snob

Food_Snob — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:24:30 +0000

Review by Food_Snob

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7251 0848

Website: http://www.stjohnrestaurant.com/

Tags: british, lively, expensive

Illustrated Critique:

http://foodsnobblog.wordpress.com/category/restaurant-reviews/st-john-restaurant-reviews/

Text-only Critique:

Whilst reflecting on the previous eveningâ¬"s meal at St. John, embellishing on the notes I had made mid-mouthful, it came to my attention that I had not left a tip when settling the bill. I must admit, having idly inured to seeing that now-standard syntax, 12.5%-discretionary-service-charge-included, so often, when it came to paying, I literally did not give the gratuity a single thought. An honest mistake, nâ¬"est-ce pas? Well, it was a mistake that would return to haunt me that very dayâ¬¦

This aforementioned reflection had made me hungry and memories of that lovely posset in particular stoked within me a pining for pudding(s). Now, I do think it a little particular to patronise the same restaurant twice in two days, but there were mitigating circumstances: I had yet to try anything truly curious or unfamiliar on the menu and St. John would be closing for the summer just two days later, making another visit impossible (for two months anyway). I had to make the most of this opportunity.

On arrival, given the same table as the night before â¬ I was on the road to becoming a regular â¬ I wasted no time analysing the menu. The pudding list, which was where my attention first focussed itself (please note the passive tense here), was indeed enticing, but alas, once again the rest of the menu disappointed: no sign of lambsâ¬" fry, squirrel, not even that Langoustines & Mayonnaise starter I had read of just about everywhere. I had to reconcile myself with rabbit.

A waiter approached. It was, of course, the very same gentleman that served me last night; as if it could have ever really have been anyone else. Now, not that I was expecting/looking forward to a hug or a bout of cheek-kissing, but I do think a friendly welcome should be de rigueur. He acknowledged me (just about). I greeted him with a joke. He (grudgingly) admitted remembering me. He demanded my order. â¬ÜAny specials today?â¬" I asked hopefully/gingerly. â¬ÜNone.â¬" Of course not, I said to myself. â¬ÜWhat do your recommend?â¬" â¬ÜEverything is good.â¬" Oh boy, this is going to be fun. â¬ÜHow is the Squid, Fennel & Green Sauce prepared?â¬" (I am a glutton for punishment). â¬ÜWith a Salsa Verde.â¬" â¬ÜAnd the Cured Beef & Celeriac?â¬" â¬ÜIt comes cold.â¬" OK, enough of this, I thought, it was becoming irksome; he had spurned the chance to milk my appetite. â¬ÜThe rabbit pleaseâ¬¦and for pudding, Gooseberry Crumble & Custard, Chocolate Terrine & CrÃ¨me Fraiche and half a dozen madeleines. I do love your puddings. That posset you recommended last night was excellent, thank you.â¬" Whatâ¬"s wrong with you? I sighed to myself.

Rabbit Saddle & Dandelion Salad was todayâ¬"s incarnation of one of my favourite meats. It certainly sounded enjoyable, but when it arrived, I quickly became dissatisfied: what appeared a decent cut of meat was on closer inspection a rather pathetic portion. The only flesh left for me to devour on the little beast consisted of two skinny shards either side of the backbone. Though served rare, with blood still visible closer to the bone, the rabbitâ¬"s certain lifelessness was evident by its total blandness. As if out of spite, the meat having already been stolen, what was left had been bled bone-dry of all the rabbitâ¬"s natural gamey richness. The salad of capers, radish and dandelion was, on the other hand, full of sour and bitter tangs. These converged in a last-bid attempt to revive the dull little bunnyâ¬¦but failed. The tender flesh did at least play nicely with the crisp roots and at least I did get to try dandelion for the first time. It tasted like chicory.

Unfortunately, over the course of my meal the attitude of the waiter did not improve. There was no pleasant banter. Dishes were brought and taken away unceremoniously. The bread was never replaced voluntary nor was the butter; if I wanted more, I had to ask for it. Then, when it was finally brought, instead of removing the empty bread basket from the table, the new one was indelicately plopped on top of the old; it was the same with the butter plates. Luckily for me, after my main course, a different waitress took over. She was sweet and friendly and for the first time that night, I received a smile.

Finally, it was time for the real (secret) reason behind my return: the puddings. Desserts are pretty, delicate objets dâ¬"art, usually better on the eye than in the bouche, but puddings, however, are real pleasures. The word itself conjures up, for me anyway, memories of cold winter days, curled up on the coach, wrapped in a warm blanket spoiling myself with a rich, naughty treat (I think Iâ¬"m treading a rather fine line here). Though not always attractive, not at all fancy nor pristine in preparation, they are gorgeous and luxurious nonetheless. At St. John, the retro-comfort puddings take the biscuit. I ordered three, well, two and a half dozen madeleines.

They arrived more or less together, allowing me to enjoy mixing and matching mouthfuls of eachâ¬¦mmmm! The madeleines were brought first and brought the warm, comfy, happy aroma of baking with them. On tasting, the slightly crisp delicate coat yielded a fluffy centre, all of which dissolved instantly in the mouth. Then came the Gooseberry Crumble & Custard. I rather like the humble old gooseberry; it is like rhubarb in use and tartness, just less cool. The white porcelain bowl could barely hold back its gushing, eager contents: the golden crust struggling to conceal the wealth bubbling beneath. The gooseberry filling had a satisfying balance of sweet and sharp. Broken almond pieces studied the firm crumble enjoyably enhancing the crunchiness of each bite. The accompanying custard was excellent; slightly runny, not too sweet and lukewarm, it tempered the thick, sugary, burning hot pud. A hint of vanilla was a nice addition. Finally, the Chocolate Terrine & CrÃ¨me Fraiche arrived. The presentation was austere: a clean thick brick of dark chocolate and one spoon of milk white crÃ¨me fraiche. The taste was decadent: the chocolate, deeply dark in flavour, had a playfully defiant consistency making each indulgent spoonful a game of push-and-pull. Having to fight for it only made it better. This is what a chocolate dessert ought to be. On the other hand, the crÃ¨me fraiche, there to tame the chocolateâ¬"s intensity, proved superfluous and pathetic in its pacification.

I would certainly return to St. John once it reopens: hopefully in not too long, but just long enough for that waiter to forget my face. As much as I enjoyed the marrow bones, loved the bread and adored the puddings, I felt short-changed by the mains. Having tried four in all, only the devilled kidneys were a hit. The petty attitude of the waiter disappointed too. After all, a tip is not an obligation, it is a reward; as far as I am concerned, you get paid a wage to do your job and a tip for going above and beyond that. However, in good Christian fashion I will forgive him. I just pray this disciple of St. John will forgive meâ¬¦

26 St. John Street, London, EC1M 4AY
tel: 020 7553 9842
nearest tube: Barbican, Farringdon
www.stjohnrestaurant.com
Illustrated Critique:

http://foodsnobblog.wordpress.com/category/restaurant-reviews/st-john-restaurant-reviews/

Text-only Critique:

Whilst reflecting on the previous eveningâ¬"s meal at St. John, embellishing on the notes I had made mid-mouthful, it came to my attention that I had not left a tip when settling the bill. I must admit, having idly inured to seeing that now-standard syntax, 12.5%-discretionary-service-charge-included, so often, when it came to paying, I literally did not give the gratuity a single thought. An honest mistake, nâ¬"est-ce pas? Well, it was a mistake that would return to haunt me that very dayâ¬¦

This aforementioned reflection had made me hungry and memories of that lovely posset in particular stoked within me a pining for pudding(s). Now, I do think it a little particular to patronise the same restaurant twice in two days, but there were mitigating circumstances: I had yet to try anything truly curious or unfamiliar on the menu and St. John would be closing for the summer just two days later, making another visit impossible (for two months anyway). I had to make the most of this opportunity.

On arrival, given the same table as the night before â¬ I was on the road to becoming a regular â¬ I wasted no time analysing the menu. The pudding list, which was where my attention first focussed itself (please note the passive tense here), was indeed enticing, but alas, once again the rest of the menu disappointed: no sign of lambsâ¬" fry, squirrel, not even that Langoustines & Mayonnaise starter I had read of just about everywhere. I had to reconcile myself with rabbit.

A waiter approached. It was, of course, the very same gentleman that served me last night; as if it could have ever really have been anyone else. Now, not that I was expecting/looking forward to a hug or a bout of cheek-kissing, but I do think a friendly welcome should be de rigueur. He acknowledged me (just about). I greeted him with a joke. He (grudgingly) admitted remembering me. He demanded my order. â¬ÜAny specials today?â¬" I asked hopefully/gingerly. â¬ÜNone.â¬" Of course not, I said to myself. â¬ÜWhat do your recommend?â¬" â¬ÜEverything is good.â¬" Oh boy, this is going to be fun. â¬ÜHow is the Squid, Fennel & Green Sauce prepared?â¬" (I am a glutton for punishment). â¬ÜWith a Salsa Verde.â¬" â¬ÜAnd the Cured Beef & Celeriac?â¬" â¬ÜIt comes cold.â¬" OK, enough of this, I thought, it was becoming irksome; he had spurned the chance to milk my appetite. â¬ÜThe rabbit pleaseâ¬¦and for pudding, Gooseberry Crumble & Custard, Chocolate Terrine & CrÃ¨me Fraiche and half a dozen madeleines. I do love your puddings. That posset you recommended last night was excellent, thank you.â¬" Whatâ¬"s wrong with you? I sighed to myself.

Rabbit Saddle & Dandelion Salad was todayâ¬"s incarnation of one of my favourite meats. It certainly sounded enjoyable, but when it arrived, I quickly became dissatisfied: what appeared a decent cut of meat was on closer inspection a rather pathetic portion. The only flesh left for me to devour on the little beast consisted of two skinny shards either side of the backbone. Though served rare, with blood still visible closer to the bone, the rabbitâ¬"s certain lifelessness was evident by its total blandness. As if out of spite, the meat having already been stolen, what was left had been bled bone-dry of all the rabbitâ¬"s natural gamey richness. The salad of capers, radish and dandelion was, on the other hand, full of sour and bitter tangs. These converged in a last-bid attempt to revive the dull little bunnyâ¬¦but failed. The tender flesh did at least play nicely with the crisp roots and at least I did get to try dandelion for the first time. It tasted like chicory.

Unfortunately, over the course of my meal the attitude of the waiter did not improve. There was no pleasant banter. Dishes were brought and taken away unceremoniously. The bread was never replaced voluntary nor was the butter; if I wanted more, I had to ask for it. Then, when it was finally brought, instead of removing the empty bread basket from the table, the new one was indelicately plopped on top of the old; it was the same with the butter plates. Luckily for me, after my main course, a different waitress took over. She was sweet and friendly and for the first time that night, I received a smile.

Finally, it was time for the real (secret) reason behind my return: the puddings. Desserts are pretty, delicate objets dâ¬"art, usually better on the eye than in the bouche, but puddings, however, are real pleasures. The word itself conjures up, for me anyway, memories of cold winter days, curled up on the coach, wrapped in a warm blanket spoiling myself with a rich, naughty treat (I think Iâ¬"m treading a rather fine line here). Though not always attractive, not at all fancy nor pristine in preparation, they are gorgeous and luxurious nonetheless. At St. John, the retro-comfort puddings take the biscuit. I ordered three, well, two and a half dozen madeleines.

They arrived more or less together, allowing me to enjoy mixing and matching mouthfuls of eachâ¬¦mmmm! The madeleines were brought first and brought the warm, comfy, happy aroma of baking with them. On tasting, the slightly crisp delicate coat yielded a fluffy centre, all of which dissolved instantly in the mouth. Then came the Gooseberry Crumble & Custard. I rather like the humble old gooseberry; it is like rhubarb in use and tartness, just less cool. The white porcelain bowl could barely hold back its gushing, eager contents: the golden crust struggling to conceal the wealth bubbling beneath. The gooseberry filling had a satisfying balance of sweet and sharp. Broken almond pieces studied the firm crumble enjoyably enhancing the crunchiness of each bite. The accompanying custard was excellent; slightly runny, not too sweet and lukewarm, it tempered the thick, sugary, burning hot pud. A hint of vanilla was a nice addition. Finally, the Chocolate Terrine & CrÃ¨me Fraiche arrived. The presentation was austere: a clean thick brick of dark chocolate and one spoon of milk white crÃ¨me fraiche. The taste was decadent: the chocolate, deeply dark in flavour, had a playfully defiant consistency making each indulgent spoonful a game of push-and-pull. Having to fight for it only made it better. This is what a chocolate dessert ought to be. On the other hand, the crÃ¨me fraiche, there to tame the chocolateâ¬"s intensity, proved superfluous and pathetic in its pacification.

I would certainly return to St. John once it reopens: hopefully in not too long, but just long enough for that waiter to forget my face. As much as I enjoyed the marrow bones, loved the bread and adored the puddings, I felt short-changed by the mains. Having tried four in all, only the devilled kidneys were a hit. The petty attitude of the waiter disappointed too. After all, a tip is not an obligation, it is a reward; as far as I am concerned, you get paid a wage to do your job and a tip for going above and beyond that. However, in good Christian fashion I will forgive him. I just pray this disciple of St. John will forgive meâ¬¦

26 St. John Street, London, EC1M 4AY
tel: 020 7553 9842
nearest tube: Barbican, Farringdon
www.stjohnrestaurant.com

Thorntons - thorntons by Cymru

Cymru — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:09:13 +0000

Review by Cymru

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7404 5018

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

Tags: truffles

Very friendly staff who are always willing to help in deciding the best gift to choose for a loved one.

This particular outlet has a larger than expected array or chocolates to choose from when considering the size of the outlet. Chocolates are available to buy singularly or in boxes/packs.

Seasonal treats are also available such as chocolate easter bunnies and christmas related shapes. Each product can be written on with icing in a message of your choosing quickly and easily by a member of staff on the til.

Gift bags are also available which makes Thorntons one of the first places i visit when buying a present.445h5a4hVery friendly staff who are always willing to help in deciding the best gift to choose for a loved one.

This particular outlet has a larger than expected array or chocolates to choose from when considering the size of the outlet. Chocolates are available to buy singularly or in boxes/packs.

Seasonal treats are also available such as chocolate easter bunnies and christmas related shapes. Each product can be written on with icing in a message of your choosing quickly and easily by a member of staff on the til.

Gift bags are also available which makes Thorntons one of the first places i visit when buying a present.445h5a4h

Pret A Manger - Great shop near street market by chocolatebutton

chocolatebutton — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:27:53 +0000

Review by chocolatebutton

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7831 7246

Website: http://www.pret.com

Tags: sandwiches, vegetarian dishes, seating area

It is easy to walk here (uphill) from Farringdon station. Leather Lane is an old-established lunchtime street market, with a great range of clothes and interesting other items, right in the City. The names of the nearby streets reflect the old trades of the residents, and there are many bargains to be found among these leather workers. This is a real location for people in the know. The Pret is towards the bottom of the street â¬ walk up, away from Holborn, to find the interesting stalls, once you have had your coffee and sandwich. Better still, go shopping first and then refresh your spirits with their excellent food and drink! I do find Pret the best sandwich shop, as their food is great, and their coffee is good (if not quite as good as Caffe Nero). Where on earth do Pret get their staff? As a connoisseur of coffee shops, I remain convinced that Pret staff are far nicer, and more friendly, than any other coffee shop.It is easy to walk here (uphill) from Farringdon station. Leather Lane is an old-established lunchtime street market, with a great range of clothes and interesting other items, right in the City. The names of the nearby streets reflect the old trades of the residents, and there are many bargains to be found among these leather workers. This is a real location for people in the know. The Pret is towards the bottom of the street â¬ walk up, away from Holborn, to find the interesting stalls, once you have had your coffee and sandwich. Better still, go shopping first and then refresh your spirits with their excellent food and drink! I do find Pret the best sandwich shop, as their food is great, and their coffee is good (if not quite as good as Caffe Nero). Where on earth do Pret get their staff? As a connoisseur of coffee shops, I remain convinced that Pret staff are far nicer, and more friendly, than any other coffee shop.

The Jerusalem Tavern - Ancient ales by chrisp

chrisp — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:56:50 +0000

Review by chrisp

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7490 4281

Tags: independent pub, traditional pub, relaxed

A charming pub, tucked away behind St. John's gate in Farringdon. The ancient building oozes character and full marks to the management in bravely serving only organic and independent ales. The bar staff are as friendly as you'd like and they'll even serve your pint in a sturdy plastic glass if you want to soak up the sun outside (or, as on the occasion I visited, huddle in the alleyway and shelter from the rain). Highly recommended, rain or shine.A charming pub, tucked away behind St. John's gate in Farringdon. The ancient building oozes character and full marks to the management in bravely serving only organic and independent ales. The bar staff are as friendly as you'd like and they'll even serve your pint in a sturdy plastic glass if you want to soak up the sun outside (or, as on the occasion I visited, huddle in the alleyway and shelter from the rain). Highly recommended, rain or shine.

Anexo - Decent Spanish cuisine by Rhydster

Rhydster — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:45:38 +0000

Review by Rhydster

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7250 3401

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

Tags: bar, mediterranean, spanish

I went here for a birthday meal once and it wasn't a bad experience.

The good: the tables were ready for all the numbers and we had our own TV screen, as there was an important football match on. The food was decent Spanish tapas, with the menu offering various pork and cheese appetisers as well as a variety of Paellas.

The table service is friendly and attentive, offering you a wide variety of drinks from the bar. It's relatively well priced for a London Spanish restaurant (some of which make you think itâ¬"s better value to take a Ryan Air flight to Spain for a day of eating out).

Whilst Ternmills was open you could get a discount entry if you had eaten here first.

The bad: Paella was a bit too salty.
I went here for a birthday meal once and it wasn't a bad experience.

The good: the tables were ready for all the numbers and we had our own TV screen, as there was an important football match on. The food was decent Spanish tapas, with the menu offering various pork and cheese appetisers as well as a variety of Paellas.

The table service is friendly and attentive, offering you a wide variety of drinks from the bar. It's relatively well priced for a London Spanish restaurant (some of which make you think itâ¬"s better value to take a Ryan Air flight to Spain for a day of eating out).

Whilst Ternmills was open you could get a discount entry if you had eaten here first.

The bad: Paella was a bit too salty.

Cittie Of Yorke - Beautiful building, great location, cheap beer! by tanzanitelilac

tanzanitelilac — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:08:41 +0000

Review by tanzanitelilac

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7242 7670

Tags: traditional pub, standard pub food, relaxed

It seems to me that Sam Smiths pubs are rather like Marmite. You love them or hate them. Both my colleagues and I fall in the former category, not least because of the abundance of inexpensive ale. The wine is not the greatest, but has improved recently but drinking in the centre of London in a beautiful building, you canâ¬"t go wrong.

However, on a glorious day it does seem a waste it inside as it can seem a bit dreary upstairs, let alone downstairs in the cellar bar, which incidentally does a nice hot meal at lunch time with your choices of pies, lasagne, moussaka and the like, it is on the stodgy side especially with the side of chips but washing it down with a nice pint of ale is great!
It seems to me that Sam Smiths pubs are rather like Marmite. You love them or hate them. Both my colleagues and I fall in the former category, not least because of the abundance of inexpensive ale. The wine is not the greatest, but has improved recently but drinking in the centre of London in a beautiful building, you canâ¬"t go wrong.

However, on a glorious day it does seem a waste it inside as it can seem a bit dreary upstairs, let alone downstairs in the cellar bar, which incidentally does a nice hot meal at lunch time with your choices of pies, lasagne, moussaka and the like, it is on the stodgy side especially with the side of chips but washing it down with a nice pint of ale is great!

Vinoteca - Just avoid the sherry by chrisp

chrisp — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:55:25 +0000

Review by chrisp

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7253 8786

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

Tags: bar, crowded

Nipped into Vinoteca last night for an aperitif before my meal at St. John over the road. I ordered a glass of dry Manzanilla, which arrived far too warm. A following glass of Australian Chardonnay was much nicer, and the house bread and olive oil made a decent snack. I will probably revisit and have a more substantial meal at some point in the future, as judging by its popularity Vinoteca is doing something right.Nipped into Vinoteca last night for an aperitif before my meal at St. John over the road. I ordered a glass of dry Manzanilla, which arrived far too warm. A following glass of Australian Chardonnay was much nicer, and the house bread and olive oil made a decent snack. I will probably revisit and have a more substantial meal at some point in the future, as judging by its popularity Vinoteca is doing something right.

Dovetail - by Niamheen

Niamheen — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:00:33 +0000

Review by Niamheen

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7490 7321

Website: http://www.belgianbars.com

Tags: excellent pub food, relaxed, food

This is a great bar with a fantastic range of beers. Tucked away in an alley, I struggled to find it the first few times, but I know how to beat a path there now. I haven't eaten there all that much and not for a long time so I won't comment on the food, but I am due a trip to try it.This is a great bar with a fantastic range of beers. Tucked away in an alley, I struggled to find it the first few times, but I know how to beat a path there now. I haven't eaten there all that much and not for a long time so I won't comment on the food, but I am due a trip to try it.

Ye Olde Mitre - Very olde worlde by chrisp

chrisp — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:54:34 +0000

Review by chrisp

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7405 4751

Tags: old, traditional pub, relaxed

Tiny, atmospheric little drinking den down a hidden alley near Holborn. It's centuries old, and therefore is of interest to those wanting the "I drank in London's oldest pub" badge, but they do a pretty good pint of interesting ale, and the bar snacks (sausage rolls and scotch eggs), although I didn't try them myself, looked good too. Clientele is a mix of suits from the Holborn offices and curious tourists, but everyone seems to get on well enough. Recommended.Tiny, atmospheric little drinking den down a hidden alley near Holborn. It's centuries old, and therefore is of interest to those wanting the "I drank in London's oldest pub" badge, but they do a pretty good pint of interesting ale, and the bar snacks (sausage rolls and scotch eggs), although I didn't try them myself, looked good too. Clientele is a mix of suits from the Holborn offices and curious tourists, but everyone seems to get on well enough. Recommended.

Match Bar - Matchless by chrisp

chrisp — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:19:22 +0000

Review by chrisp

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7250 4002

Website: http://www.matchbar.com

Tags: cool, trendy, european

The original and as far as I'm concerned still the best of the Match Bar mini-chain. When Match first opened, back in the late 90s, the Â£5.50 martinis were a revolution in reasonably-priced, lovingly-crafted drinks. Nowadays you can get pretty good cocktails in far more places and Match has lost its edge slightly, but it remains a cool, intimate place to enjoy an expertly made gin martini or the stunning Match Spring Punch. The bar menu nachos aren't bad either.The original and as far as I'm concerned still the best of the Match Bar mini-chain. When Match first opened, back in the late 90s, the Â£5.50 martinis were a revolution in reasonably-priced, lovingly-crafted drinks. Nowadays you can get pretty good cocktails in far more places and Match has lost its edge slightly, but it remains a cool, intimate place to enjoy an expertly made gin martini or the stunning Match Spring Punch. The bar menu nachos aren't bad either.

Portal Restaurant & Bar - Smart and light and airy by amandaharrison

amandaharrison — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:03:37 +0000

Review by amandaharrison

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7253 6950

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

Tags: lively, crowded, expensive

Was lucky enough to be taken here this week. It used to be Cafe Lazeez. The restaurant is a fantastic space, with gorgeous light coming through and a glass wall looking onto bamboo. Assorted tables offer intimate or more sociable dining. Food, just great. I had wonderful hake. Not cheap, but then where is anywhere in London these days that is halfway decent? Great for a treat or if someone else is paying!Was lucky enough to be taken here this week. It used to be Cafe Lazeez. The restaurant is a fantastic space, with gorgeous light coming through and a glass wall looking onto bamboo. Assorted tables offer intimate or more sociable dining. Food, just great. I had wonderful hake. Not cheap, but then where is anywhere in London these days that is halfway decent? Great for a treat or if someone else is paying!

The Viaduct Tavern - absolutely cacked myself by andybrown

andybrown — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 00:41:19 +0000

Review by andybrown

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7600 1863

Tags: food, after work crowd, good beer

I will admit that this pub is often full of lawyers and bankers, braying mindlessly at each other in mockney as they whomp down large amounts of the blandest lager they can find. However, this is one of the few places where they can effortlessly be ignored, through one or more of the following ways:

1 - admire the beautiful, original Victorian furnishings, mirrors, glass, etc, etc.
2 - get drunk in the old-fashioned way, on either numerous types of gin, or the delectable London Porter, invented for the specific benefit of the Smithfield Market meat carriers.
3 - take in the view, the Old Bailey, the 16th century church of St Sepulchre, the engineering wonder of Holborn Viaduct, etc.
4 - scare yourself absolutely and completely shitless.

Now, the more astute of you may have noticed that, of the four options, one tends to stick out somewhat. And it's the one that leads most people to think "no, let's not go there, if i want to be scared i can go to romford". and that is true up to a point, but what you're missing my darlings is the source of that fear. Will it help if i say i was rendered numb and terrified by the lime cordial in the cellar? No?

The Viaduct is built on the cellars/foundations/cells of the Giltspur Street Compter, an old remand prison in the Old City of London, which took the overflow from Newgate across the road. The misery of prison existence was almost unthinkable, what with the total corruption of the warders who weren't obliged to feed the prisoners. Some inevitably died in these cold dank places. Now I'm a rational human being, even after a couple of beers, so when I say that I felt something, you can be forgiven for assuming it was the barmaid's bottom.
But I did. I went down into the cellars, and it was all very interesting, and they took me round, and showed me the cells, and the cell numbers, and we got to cell where they stored lime cordial and somesuch other liquids, she opened the door, I went to enter...

and i couldn't. it was as if something was holding me there, pushing me. that's the only way i can describe it. like a forcefield. and, try as i might, my legs wouldn't obey, and i stood there in perfect terror as the lady showing me around told me someone had died in that cell, and the staff didn't like to be down in the cellar in the night time on their own because sometimes the lights went off and the doors locked themselves and noises were heard, terrible noises of pain and loneliness, echoing through the old bricks, cracked walls, and rusted iron bars in the awful, total blackness.

so you see, the lawyers and the bankers don't bother me at all. i don't even see them. i sit there and nurse my pint, and wonder how one experience can overturn a lifetime of reason. it's a good place, the Viaduct. But I wouldn't bloody work there.I will admit that this pub is often full of lawyers and bankers, braying mindlessly at each other in mockney as they whomp down large amounts of the blandest lager they can find. However, this is one of the few places where they can effortlessly be ignored, through one or more of the following ways:

1 - admire the beautiful, original Victorian furnishings, mirrors, glass, etc, etc.
2 - get drunk in the old-fashioned way, on either numerous types of gin, or the delectable London Porter, invented for the specific benefit of the Smithfield Market meat carriers.
3 - take in the view, the Old Bailey, the 16th century church of St Sepulchre, the engineering wonder of Holborn Viaduct, etc.
4 - scare yourself absolutely and completely shitless.

Now, the more astute of you may have noticed that, of the four options, one tends to stick out somewhat. And it's the one that leads most people to think "no, let's not go there, if i want to be scared i can go to romford". and that is true up to a point, but what you're missing my darlings is the source of that fear. Will it help if i say i was rendered numb and terrified by the lime cordial in the cellar? No?

The Viaduct is built on the cellars/foundations/cells of the Giltspur Street Compter, an old remand prison in the Old City of London, which took the overflow from Newgate across the road. The misery of prison existence was almost unthinkable, what with the total corruption of the warders who weren't obliged to feed the prisoners. Some inevitably died in these cold dank places. Now I'm a rational human being, even after a couple of beers, so when I say that I felt something, you can be forgiven for assuming it was the barmaid's bottom.
But I did. I went down into the cellars, and it was all very interesting, and they took me round, and showed me the cells, and the cell numbers, and we got to cell where they stored lime cordial and somesuch other liquids, she opened the door, I went to enter...

and i couldn't. it was as if something was holding me there, pushing me. that's the only way i can describe it. like a forcefield. and, try as i might, my legs wouldn't obey, and i stood there in perfect terror as the lady showing me around told me someone had died in that cell, and the staff didn't like to be down in the cellar in the night time on their own because sometimes the lights went off and the doors locked themselves and noises were heard, terrible noises of pain and loneliness, echoing through the old bricks, cracked walls, and rusted iron bars in the awful, total blackness.

so you see, the lawyers and the bankers don't bother me at all. i don't even see them. i sit there and nurse my pint, and wonder how one experience can overturn a lifetime of reason. it's a good place, the Viaduct. But I wouldn't bloody work there.

Piada - Piadines by walid

walid — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:17:39 +0000

Review by walid

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7253 0472

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

Tags: italian, crowded, good value

As littlevegemite's review explains, paidines are filled flatbread which with the right ingredients taste delicious. I've been there before and today had the chance to have another bite at one of their famous Piadines. They have 16 different varieties of piadines. Piadine zero for example has salame milanese and stracchine cheese, piadine nove has bresaola and parmesan and the one I had today is the piadine uno which comes with prosciutto and mozzarella. Whatever piadine you take you can pretty much guaranteed that the filling ingredients are quite fresh and tasty.

Prices are reasonable and vary between Â£4.10 and Â£5.00. If you find yourself in the area and want a little something different then try out Piada.As littlevegemite's review explains, paidines are filled flatbread which with the right ingredients taste delicious. I've been there before and today had the chance to have another bite at one of their famous Piadines. They have 16 different varieties of piadines. Piadine zero for example has salame milanese and stracchine cheese, piadine nove has bresaola and parmesan and the one I had today is the piadine uno which comes with prosciutto and mozzarella. Whatever piadine you take you can pretty much guaranteed that the filling ingredients are quite fresh and tasty.

Prices are reasonable and vary between Â£4.10 and Â£5.00. If you find yourself in the area and want a little something different then try out Piada.

The Clerkenwell Dining Room & Bar - Comical Service in Clerkenwell by sue

sue — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:14:00 +0000

Review by sue

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7253 9000

Website: www.theclerkenwell.com

Tags: business, international, british

I really wanted to like The Clerkenwell Dining Room. Friends had enjoyed it, the menu sounded good, and I am a fan of their sister restaurant, The Chancery. I think I should have stuck to The Chancery.

Ok, it wasn't all bad. For example, the starters were nice. We had the Octopus Carpaccio, braised baby octopus, squid, lemon and rosemary dressing; and the Crab chowder, crab dumplings, sweet corn and basil oil. The octopus was very well received, and the chowder was good but under-seasoned.

Main courses we had were the Sea bass, scallop ravioli, artichokes, asparagus, tomato consommÃ©; the Lamb Rump, provencal vegetables, samossas and balsamic jus; and the Rabbit saddle, potato puree, baby leeks, wild mushrooms and herb sauce. The lamb was really deliciousâ¬¦ unfortunately I didn't order it. I had the sea bass which was disappointing - it sounded good on paper, but the tomato consommÃ© was bland and watered down all the other flavours. Dessert was almost a success - the Lemon curd tart, lemon confit and coconut sorbet was nicely presented, but the tart was a little too gooey. Did like the sorbet though.

While most of the food we had was nice, the service really put a dampener on the evening. There were about 6 staff racing about, all apparently serving the same tables which lead to confusion and duplications, not to mention endlessly annoying water top-ups. Many of the staff didn't appear to understand English, and stared blankly at us when a request was made. We were all irritated more and more as the meal progressed.

But the biggest mistake was when they gave the remainder of our wine to another tableâ¬¦ They had the white wine from all tables sitting in coolers to one side - I noticed them trying to write our table number on the label of our wine initially, but their system fell apart and our wine disappeared. At one stage they mistakenly bought over a couple of new glasses and then a half-finished bottle of someone else's wine. When we told them it wasn't ours they then took it to another table and started pouring.

When the manager bought over our bill she asked how our meal had been. We then mentioned the issue with the wine and she looked shocked. She hurried off and we dug out cash/cards to pay the bill and prepared to leave. The manager returned with glasses of champagne for all of us by way of apology. To be honest I was horrified. Ok, it may have been a nice gesture, but we had finished our meal, and just wanted to pay and get out of there. Only one of us valiantly forced down a half glass of champers... I really wanted to like The Clerkenwell Dining Room. Friends had enjoyed it, the menu sounded good, and I am a fan of their sister restaurant, The Chancery. I think I should have stuck to The Chancery.

Ok, it wasn't all bad. For example, the starters were nice. We had the Octopus Carpaccio, braised baby octopus, squid, lemon and rosemary dressing; and the Crab chowder, crab dumplings, sweet corn and basil oil. The octopus was very well received, and the chowder was good but under-seasoned.

Main courses we had were the Sea bass, scallop ravioli, artichokes, asparagus, tomato consommÃ©; the Lamb Rump, provencal vegetables, samossas and balsamic jus; and the Rabbit saddle, potato puree, baby leeks, wild mushrooms and herb sauce. The lamb was really deliciousâ¬¦ unfortunately I didn't order it. I had the sea bass which was disappointing - it sounded good on paper, but the tomato consommÃ© was bland and watered down all the other flavours. Dessert was almost a success - the Lemon curd tart, lemon confit and coconut sorbet was nicely presented, but the tart was a little too gooey. Did like the sorbet though.

While most of the food we had was nice, the service really put a dampener on the evening. There were about 6 staff racing about, all apparently serving the same tables which lead to confusion and duplications, not to mention endlessly annoying water top-ups. Many of the staff didn't appear to understand English, and stared blankly at us when a request was made. We were all irritated more and more as the meal progressed.

But the biggest mistake was when they gave the remainder of our wine to another tableâ¬¦ They had the white wine from all tables sitting in coolers to one side - I noticed them trying to write our table number on the label of our wine initially, but their system fell apart and our wine disappeared. At one stage they mistakenly bought over a couple of new glasses and then a half-finished bottle of someone else's wine. When we told them it wasn't ours they then took it to another table and started pouring.

When the manager bought over our bill she asked how our meal had been. We then mentioned the issue with the wine and she looked shocked. She hurried off and we dug out cash/cards to pay the bill and prepared to leave. The manager returned with glasses of champagne for all of us by way of apology. To be honest I was horrified. Ok, it may have been a nice gesture, but we had finished our meal, and just wanted to pay and get out of there. Only one of us valiantly forced down a half glass of champers...

The Zetter Restaurant & Rooms - Make Me Happy by Litro_K

Litro_K — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 10:47:59 +0000

Review by Litro_K

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7324 4444

Website: http://www.thezetter.com

Tags: restaurant, room service, bar / lounge bar

This is a stylish and unpretentious place to have a drink and a bite to eat in a funky area. A group of colleagues and I went last night with the express intention of taking advantage of their 6-7 half-price Pimms offer, as part of the London Festival of Architecture, and we were not disappointed with the ambience of the place or the service we received. It was, surprisingly, very uncrowded and we sat in a great spot in the light-filled restaurant and bar at the front of the building.

Â£2.50 will get you a large glass of Pimms every Mon-Fri 6-7pm while the LFA is running (until the 20th July), so get yourself down there to sample that, as well as some of their other excellent cocktails and light bites. The 'Make Me Happy' cocktail, an uber-mojito that my friend described as 'liquid gold in a glass', is worth the trip alone!This is a stylish and unpretentious place to have a drink and a bite to eat in a funky area. A group of colleagues and I went last night with the express intention of taking advantage of their 6-7 half-price Pimms offer, as part of the London Festival of Architecture, and we were not disappointed with the ambience of the place or the service we received. It was, surprisingly, very uncrowded and we sat in a great spot in the light-filled restaurant and bar at the front of the building.

Â£2.50 will get you a large glass of Pimms every Mon-Fri 6-7pm while the LFA is running (until the 20th July), so get yourself down there to sample that, as well as some of their other excellent cocktails and light bites. The 'Make Me Happy' cocktail, an uber-mojito that my friend described as 'liquid gold in a glass', is worth the trip alone!

Red Room@Cicada - Excellent by nickvangelis

nickvangelis — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:54:32 +0000

Review by nickvangelis

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7608 1550

Website: http://www.rickerrestaurants.com

Tags: cool, friendly, posh

This classy open-plan bar / restaurant serves both cocktails and a wide variety of pan-asian cuisine.

Not far from either Farringdon or Barbican tube stations, Cicada is located on St John Street in Clerkenwell.

The restaurant has an excellent atmosphere and a classy, relaxed feel, as the other reviews will tell you. The food is of an extremely high quality and the service is always friendly (although occassionally a little slow!)

The red room is used for private functions and events and can seat up to twenty-four people.

The room is decorated in an appealing minimalist style, with it's own private bar and setaing area. Private dining and canape menus are available, along with tailor-made Cocktail Masterclasses among others for the more adventurous.

It's the perfect location for a posh business lunch or event.This classy open-plan bar / restaurant serves both cocktails and a wide variety of pan-asian cuisine.

Not far from either Farringdon or Barbican tube stations, Cicada is located on St John Street in Clerkenwell.

The restaurant has an excellent atmosphere and a classy, relaxed feel, as the other reviews will tell you. The food is of an extremely high quality and the service is always friendly (although occassionally a little slow!)

The red room is used for private functions and events and can seat up to twenty-four people.

The room is decorated in an appealing minimalist style, with it's own private bar and setaing area. Private dining and canape menus are available, along with tailor-made Cocktail Masterclasses among others for the more adventurous.

It's the perfect location for a posh business lunch or event.

Vivat Bacchus - Vivat Bacchus wine bar & deli - a new favourite by Cooksister

Cooksister — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:09:15 +0000

Review by Cooksister

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7353 2468

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

Tags: good value, bar, friendly

Vivat Bacchus in Farringdon comprises both a fine dining restaurant downstairs and a wine bar and deli section upstairs, which is where I recently went. Itâ¬"s co-owned by South Africans Gerrie Knoetze (who owned the well-regarded Browns of Rivonia in Johannesburg) and sommellier Neleen Strauss. The head chef Robert Staegemann is also South African, which explains the presence of things like crorodile spring rolls and biltong on the menu. Given that there are 5 cellars stocked with (largely) South African wines of impecable pedigree on the premises, itâ¬"s nice to know the affable and very knowledgeable Gerrie and Neleen are on hand to guide you through them.

There is an excellent selection of wines available by the glass, so the three of us thought we'd take full advantage and try all sorts of things, like Doolhof Cape Boar (a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot), Brampton MG (an unusual Mourvedre/Grenache blend), and excellent Bilton Shiraz.

The menu offers both a number of "daily dishes" for between Â£4 and Â£11 (as well as a set lunch for Â£11.95/Â£14.95 for 2/3 courses), and a selection of deli platters including French, Italian, vegetarian, Spanish, Greek - and South African. Both my companions went for the South African platter which featured droÃ« wors (dried spicy beef and pork sausage), biltong (air-dried beef), ostrich frikadels (meatballs), Simba crisps, dried apricots, sweet peppers and fresh mango. I was particularly impressed with the biltong which was sliced wafer-thin and elicited favourable comparisons with Italian bresaola. I had the French platter, featuring two kinds of saucisson sec (one spicy and chorizo-like), cured ham, celeriac remoulade, Roquefort, Camembert and some French bread. All the platters were attractively served on recycled panels of wooden wine crates and were priced between about Â£11 and Â£12.50. I was also pleased to note that on the website today, all the platters have slightly different contents to when we visited, so even if you visit often you won't be bored.

But the best was saved for last - a trip to the cheese room! When you order cheese and biscuits, you are invited to step into the cheese-lover's Aladdin's cave a.k.a. the cheese room where you are talked through the cheeses available, trying a few before you make your selection. If memory serves correctly, we shared a Comte, a Brie (or something very like Brie), a deliciously gooey log of goatâ¬"s cheese and a fourth which now escapes me. Dessert wines sampled included the delightful Paul Cluver Noble Late Harvest Riesling and the unudual De Trafford Straw Wine.

Best points for me are the knowledgeable sommeliers/owners and the glorious cheese room. If you find yourself at a loose end near Farringdon and feel like something a little different to your usual cookie-cutter wine bar, I can't recommend this place enough. There's also a wine club with weekly tasting events - and, even better, a new branch opening up in London Bridge in the foreseeable future.
Vivat Bacchus in Farringdon comprises both a fine dining restaurant downstairs and a wine bar and deli section upstairs, which is where I recently went. Itâ¬"s co-owned by South Africans Gerrie Knoetze (who owned the well-regarded Browns of Rivonia in Johannesburg) and sommellier Neleen Strauss. The head chef Robert Staegemann is also South African, which explains the presence of things like crorodile spring rolls and biltong on the menu. Given that there are 5 cellars stocked with (largely) South African wines of impecable pedigree on the premises, itâ¬"s nice to know the affable and very knowledgeable Gerrie and Neleen are on hand to guide you through them.

There is an excellent selection of wines available by the glass, so the three of us thought we'd take full advantage and try all sorts of things, like Doolhof Cape Boar (a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot), Brampton MG (an unusual Mourvedre/Grenache blend), and excellent Bilton Shiraz.

The menu offers both a number of "daily dishes" for between Â£4 and Â£11 (as well as a set lunch for Â£11.95/Â£14.95 for 2/3 courses), and a selection of deli platters including French, Italian, vegetarian, Spanish, Greek - and South African. Both my companions went for the South African platter which featured droÃ« wors (dried spicy beef and pork sausage), biltong (air-dried beef), ostrich frikadels (meatballs), Simba crisps, dried apricots, sweet peppers and fresh mango. I was particularly impressed with the biltong which was sliced wafer-thin and elicited favourable comparisons with Italian bresaola. I had the French platter, featuring two kinds of saucisson sec (one spicy and chorizo-like), cured ham, celeriac remoulade, Roquefort, Camembert and some French bread. All the platters were attractively served on recycled panels of wooden wine crates and were priced between about Â£11 and Â£12.50. I was also pleased to note that on the website today, all the platters have slightly different contents to when we visited, so even if you visit often you won't be bored.

But the best was saved for last - a trip to the cheese room! When you order cheese and biscuits, you are invited to step into the cheese-lover's Aladdin's cave a.k.a. the cheese room where you are talked through the cheeses available, trying a few before you make your selection. If memory serves correctly, we shared a Comte, a Brie (or something very like Brie), a deliciously gooey log of goatâ¬"s cheese and a fourth which now escapes me. Dessert wines sampled included the delightful Paul Cluver Noble Late Harvest Riesling and the unudual De Trafford Straw Wine.

Best points for me are the knowledgeable sommeliers/owners and the glorious cheese room. If you find yourself at a loose end near Farringdon and feel like something a little different to your usual cookie-cutter wine bar, I can't recommend this place enough. There's also a wine club with weekly tasting events - and, even better, a new branch opening up in London Bridge in the foreseeable future.