Latest reviews for Restaurants in Holborn, London, United Kingdom

Takari - dinner by rachel1bt

rachel1bt — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:17:09 +0000

Review by rachel1bt

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7836 1628

Tags: indian, good value, family & home feel

Takari was a really good find. It has a great location at the foot of the theatre land, and a really cosy atmosphere.The service was very attentive and helpful and the food was excellent, especially the Jungle Curry. I normally prefer Vindaloo but in this case the quality and lightness of the rice made me enjoy the Jungle Curry and maki even more, and the fish was extremely fresh as I would have expected. All in all a really good place to go for quality Indian food!Takari was a really good find. It has a great location at the foot of the theatre land, and a really cosy atmosphere.The service was very attentive and helpful and the food was excellent, especially the Jungle Curry. I normally prefer Vindaloo but in this case the quality and lightness of the rice made me enjoy the Jungle Curry and maki even more, and the fish was extremely fresh as I would have expected. All in all a really good place to go for quality Indian food!

Club Mangia, The Punch Tavern - Great friendly pub! by KellyMcAuley12

KellyMcAuley12 — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:56:27 +0000

Review by KellyMcAuley12

Rating: 4.00

Tags: breakfast, good value, cheap eat

Lovely British Food!Lovely British Food!

Abeno - okonomi-yaki oishii by taryneast

taryneast — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:09:53 +0000

Review by taryneast

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7405 3211

Tags: japanese, good value, family & home feel

I have been looking for somewhere that sold this dish, as it's one of my favourites. It's a cross between an omelette and a pizza, made by mixing finely chopped cabbage into egg, along with several other yummy and extremely fresh ingredients, then cooking it into a large patty on the hotplate on the table in front of you.

You then have the option to finish the dish with the traditional condiments - various sauces, bright green powered seaweed and bonito flakes that wave in even the most delicate breeze.

It's certainly an experience, and the food is so fresh, healthy and delicious. Well worth a visit.I have been looking for somewhere that sold this dish, as it's one of my favourites. It's a cross between an omelette and a pizza, made by mixing finely chopped cabbage into egg, along with several other yummy and extremely fresh ingredients, then cooking it into a large patty on the hotplate on the table in front of you.

You then have the option to finish the dish with the traditional condiments - various sauces, bright green powered seaweed and bonito flakes that wave in even the most delicate breeze.

It's certainly an experience, and the food is so fresh, healthy and delicious. Well worth a visit.

Tossed Salad Bar - Disorganised mess by emmanx

emmanx — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:13:24 +0000

Review by emmanx

Rating: 3.00

Tags: crowded, business, cheap eat

Just started working in the area a couple of weeks ago and already had two very dissapointing visits to Tossed on St. Martin's lane. The first time I happened to be helped by someone who had just started so I decided to be forgiving and give the place a second go. Mistake.

The salad bar staff have no specific work area so they just run around getting in each other's way. My server gave me lip because I asked for a wrap but didn't have a base salad in my hands. Apparently, a wrap without a tonne of lettuce is weird. After he put the ingredients in a bowl he passed it on to someone else who had no idea what they were doing - the process was about 15 minutes, bit much for someone on their lunchbreak run

I got bored of watching her so I walked over to the till waiting for my food. I got harrassed to pay before I received it, which I refused. Result? Dirty look.

After she finally managed to finish my wrap, she handed it over to someone else, who gave it to another customer who was waiting for another wrap. By the time I caught on, she walked off with it. At that point, I left and I will NEVER go back. Boo hiss.

AfterJust started working in the area a couple of weeks ago and already had two very dissapointing visits to Tossed on St. Martin's lane. The first time I happened to be helped by someone who had just started so I decided to be forgiving and give the place a second go. Mistake.

The salad bar staff have no specific work area so they just run around getting in each other's way. My server gave me lip because I asked for a wrap but didn't have a base salad in my hands. Apparently, a wrap without a tonne of lettuce is weird. After he put the ingredients in a bowl he passed it on to someone else who had no idea what they were doing - the process was about 15 minutes, bit much for someone on their lunchbreak run

I got bored of watching her so I walked over to the till waiting for my food. I got harrassed to pay before I received it, which I refused. Result? Dirty look.

After she finally managed to finish my wrap, she handed it over to someone else, who gave it to another customer who was waiting for another wrap. By the time I caught on, she walked off with it. At that point, I left and I will NEVER go back. Boo hiss.

After

H.K Diner Restaurant - by liangliang

liangliang — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:47:33 +0000

Review by liangliang

Rating: 5.00

Tags: lively, malaysian, vegetarian

have gone thee twice , excellenthave gone thee twice , excellent

Wagamama - Not authentic Japanese, but decent for the money by larsrose

larsrose — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 19:21:41 +0000

Review by larsrose

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7323 9223

Website: http://www.wagamama.com

Tags: japanese, good value, cheap eat

Wagamama has nothing to do with real Japanese food, but can still be considered a decent attempt for the price. I would strongly recommend the simple things, a simple udon or chicken katsu.Wagamama has nothing to do with real Japanese food, but can still be considered a decent attempt for the price. I would strongly recommend the simple things, a simple udon or chicken katsu.

Bi Won - Little Bi Won-der by Litro_K

Litro_K — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:25:31 +0000

Review by Litro_K

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7580 2660

Tags: good value, family & home feel, korean

Bi Won serves really good, honest food that has never disappointed each time I've come here. The staff are sweet, polite, and they never rush you. Try the Korean barbecue that they cook at your table (fun to watch, for starters!) - the beef fillet, pork belly and prawns are all excellent. The mixed seafood noodles are also particularly good. And the mark of a great Korean restaurant? Flawless kimchee, which they have in spades. It's good value and definitely deserves a look if you're in the area.Bi Won serves really good, honest food that has never disappointed each time I've come here. The staff are sweet, polite, and they never rush you. Try the Korean barbecue that they cook at your table (fun to watch, for starters!) - the beef fillet, pork belly and prawns are all excellent. The mixed seafood noodles are also particularly good. And the mark of a great Korean restaurant? Flawless kimchee, which they have in spades. It's good value and definitely deserves a look if you're in the area.

Spaghetti House - great place! by adiguy60

adiguy60 — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:21:45 +0000

Review by adiguy60

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7405 6658

Website: http://www.spaghetti-house.co.uk

Tags: italian, good value, lively

Really great food at very reasonable prices. Could not recommend highly enough... the terrace is wonderful and the staff are really friendly. Top eatery!Really great food at very reasonable prices. Could not recommend highly enough... the terrace is wonderful and the staff are really friendly. Top eatery!

Asadal - Largest and Best Korean restaurant in London by Ms_Lee

Ms_Lee — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:05:04 +0000

Review by Ms_Lee

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7430 9006

Tags: korean, business, good value

Largest and Best Korean restaurant in London

Over the last few years, I have regularly met with friends and family from Korea, China, United States, and Europe at the ASADAL restaurant. Now we meet at the new ASADAL at Holborn tube station. We are always craving its great and high quality Korean food, but also to share time together in an atmosphere that reminds us of Korea. For some of my friends and family, it is their first exposure to Korean food, others are really connoisseurs but invariably ASADAL is definitely our favourite Korean restaurant.

There are a wide variety of dishes available. Some of our favourite dishes are:

Starter:
Â·Japchae (sweat potato /glass noodles with stir-fried vegetables)
Â·Handmade mandu (dumplings)
Â·Nice and almost crispy Pacheon (Korean pancake)
Â·Sae-woo-twe-gim â¬ delicious type of King Tiger prawns and vegetable tempura to dip in a special sauce
Â·Kan-poong-gi â¬ sweet and spicy fried chicken
Main course:
Â·Bibimpap (they have several varieties: normal, with raw meat or raw fish) and you can ask the level of spiciness
Â·Our favourite is the creamy sundubu chigae (soft tofu soup with seafood) or kimchi chigae (kimchi soup)
Â·Bulgogi (Korean barbecue). It is even better with Sang-chu thatâ¬"s the fresh leaves of lettuce and Korean bean paste
Â·Dak-galbi, that's the spicy marinated chicken with vegetables that they cook at your table

Dessert:
Â·Fresh fruits always cut in a special way
Â·Children (and adults) also enjoy ice cream
Â·Alternatively, they have the sik hae or Korean sweet rice punch

Note that ASADAL also accommodates for our vegetarian friends. It is easily identifiable on the menu, but to make sure I always notify the waiter/waitress.

The restaurant can accommodate large crowds. It is possible to eat within the intimacy of our own group of people at a very large table. There are dividers and even free private rooms.

ASADAL is a child-friendly place. Children love tasting the food, especially when there is a large table full of different dishes and they can pick and choose what they like in the portion that suits them. ASADAL has special seats, small forks and small spoons for children, and the staff are always happy to help. They also have facilities to change the babies. There is a place near the table to place the buggy or other luggages. It is much larger than it appears from the outside and it is easily accessible for families and people with mobility difficulties as there is a lift. I heartily recommend it, as it is our favourite restaurant!!! Ms. Lee

Largest and Best Korean restaurant in London

Over the last few years, I have regularly met with friends and family from Korea, China, United States, and Europe at the ASADAL restaurant. Now we meet at the new ASADAL at Holborn tube station. We are always craving its great and high quality Korean food, but also to share time together in an atmosphere that reminds us of Korea. For some of my friends and family, it is their first exposure to Korean food, others are really connoisseurs but invariably ASADAL is definitely our favourite Korean restaurant.

There are a wide variety of dishes available. Some of our favourite dishes are:

Starter:
Â·Japchae (sweat potato /glass noodles with stir-fried vegetables)
Â·Handmade mandu (dumplings)
Â·Nice and almost crispy Pacheon (Korean pancake)
Â·Sae-woo-twe-gim â¬ delicious type of King Tiger prawns and vegetable tempura to dip in a special sauce
Â·Kan-poong-gi â¬ sweet and spicy fried chicken
Main course:
Â·Bibimpap (they have several varieties: normal, with raw meat or raw fish) and you can ask the level of spiciness
Â·Our favourite is the creamy sundubu chigae (soft tofu soup with seafood) or kimchi chigae (kimchi soup)
Â·Bulgogi (Korean barbecue). It is even better with Sang-chu thatâ¬"s the fresh leaves of lettuce and Korean bean paste
Â·Dak-galbi, that's the spicy marinated chicken with vegetables that they cook at your table

Dessert:
Â·Fresh fruits always cut in a special way
Â·Children (and adults) also enjoy ice cream
Â·Alternatively, they have the sik hae or Korean sweet rice punch

Note that ASADAL also accommodates for our vegetarian friends. It is easily identifiable on the menu, but to make sure I always notify the waiter/waitress.

The restaurant can accommodate large crowds. It is possible to eat within the intimacy of our own group of people at a very large table. There are dividers and even free private rooms.

ASADAL is a child-friendly place. Children love tasting the food, especially when there is a large table full of different dishes and they can pick and choose what they like in the portion that suits them. ASADAL has special seats, small forks and small spoons for children, and the staff are always happy to help. They also have facilities to change the babies. There is a place near the table to place the buggy or other luggages. It is much larger than it appears from the outside and it is easily accessible for families and people with mobility difficulties as there is a lift. I heartily recommend it, as it is our favourite restaurant!!! Ms. Lee

Konaki Greek Restaurant - Perfect Greek Food by GeorgeClark

GeorgeClark — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:36:34 +0000

Review by GeorgeClark

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7580 9730

Tags: greek, family & home feel, good value

As a Cypriot, this is our 'family' restaurant and does help that my Dad knows the chef but for over 20 years we have been coming to this lovely cute restaurant with an amazing Meze spread that you will be silly to order anything else. Such a convenient location, no rush to get you off your table, fantastic long-standing staff and brilliant ambience. You do need to book a couple of days in advance, but a little planning does you good. It is such that to patronise another Greek restaurant will feel treacherous and give too much guilt, and as a Greek, we have too much of that already. Enjoy, Cheers and Yamas !!As a Cypriot, this is our 'family' restaurant and does help that my Dad knows the chef but for over 20 years we have been coming to this lovely cute restaurant with an amazing Meze spread that you will be silly to order anything else. Such a convenient location, no rush to get you off your table, fantastic long-standing staff and brilliant ambience. You do need to book a couple of days in advance, but a little planning does you good. It is such that to patronise another Greek restaurant will feel treacherous and give too much guilt, and as a Greek, we have too much of that already. Enjoy, Cheers and Yamas !!

Mermaids Tail - Navy Boys chasing the Mermaids Tail by Boys_in_Blue

Boys_in_Blue — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 21:54:49 +0000

Review by Boys_in_Blue

Rating: 5.00

Tags: lively, good value, british

We had been to the Angus Steak House in Leicester Square the day before and had an amazing steak but today we only had a couple of hours so we decided to eat at another of their restaurants. We only wanted dessert and we werenâ¬"t disappointed. There were eight of us and some restaurants dont like such a big group of boys, but they were more than happy to seat us. They immediately put a group of tables together outside on the terrace and were more than happy to serve us. We had such a funny waiter who had us in stitches. There was a premier being set up right in front of us â¬ and we spotted a couple of comedians Sean Lock and Jason Manford from 8 out of 10 cats. Couldnâ¬"t get much better, sitting in the sunshine being served more and more desserts.
What a lovely restaurant â¬ inside was fantastic with massive murals on the walls and traditional fish and chip restaurant decor. The fish and chips looked great â¬ massive portions (shame we had our dinner on the ship)
We asked for them to make platters of desserts so we could all have some of each â¬ it was a fight among the boys to get to the Apple Pie and Custard but by the end we could hardly move. We went through, cheesecake, chocolate fudge cake, treacle sponge, strawberries and ice cream and we even had deep fried mars bar (and it was great). They were the best desserts Iâ¬"ve ever had (just wish they delivered to the ship).
Iâ¬"m just glad we stopped when we did, our buttons were ready to pop as we made our way back to the ship. We had such good meals in Angus and Mermaids Tail it really made our trip to London and we are already looking forward to returning (definitely be having the fish and chips next time).

We had been to the Angus Steak House in Leicester Square the day before and had an amazing steak but today we only had a couple of hours so we decided to eat at another of their restaurants. We only wanted dessert and we werenâ¬"t disappointed. There were eight of us and some restaurants dont like such a big group of boys, but they were more than happy to seat us. They immediately put a group of tables together outside on the terrace and were more than happy to serve us. We had such a funny waiter who had us in stitches. There was a premier being set up right in front of us â¬ and we spotted a couple of comedians Sean Lock and Jason Manford from 8 out of 10 cats. Couldnâ¬"t get much better, sitting in the sunshine being served more and more desserts.
What a lovely restaurant â¬ inside was fantastic with massive murals on the walls and traditional fish and chip restaurant decor. The fish and chips looked great â¬ massive portions (shame we had our dinner on the ship)
We asked for them to make platters of desserts so we could all have some of each â¬ it was a fight among the boys to get to the Apple Pie and Custard but by the end we could hardly move. We went through, cheesecake, chocolate fudge cake, treacle sponge, strawberries and ice cream and we even had deep fried mars bar (and it was great). They were the best desserts Iâ¬"ve ever had (just wish they delivered to the ship).
Iâ¬"m just glad we stopped when we did, our buttons were ready to pop as we made our way back to the ship. We had such good meals in Angus and Mermaids Tail it really made our trip to London and we are already looking forward to returning (definitely be having the fish and chips next time).

Bistro Savoir Faire - No mortgage french by BostonDave

BostonDave — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:21:55 +0000

Review by BostonDave

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7436 0707

Tags: french, good value, romantic

This is a great unpretentious French spot that I make a point of getting to every time I'm in London. Well prepared food at excellent prices. Try the duck!!This is a great unpretentious French spot that I make a point of getting to every time I'm in London. Well prepared food at excellent prices. Try the duck!!

Giotto - Uninspiring by vegimari

vegimari — Tue, 26 May 2009 03:17:36 +0000

Review by vegimari

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7323 0891

Tags: italian, romantic, vegetarian

Quaint as this restaurant may be, and despite the friendly accommodating staff and the just about reasonable price, I left Giotto with mixed feelings about the quality of the food. 4 of us dined here midweek. The restaurant was quite busy, but we were found a table within 10 minutes.

Two in the party had vegetarian/vegan (minus cheese) pizzas and were very happy with them. One had quite dull vegetarian pasta. I had a mushroom risotto, and, although it wasnâ¬"t the worst Iâ¬"ve had - some of the Prague restaurants score 1 out of 5 for this dish â¬ I donâ¬"t think Iâ¬"ve had a poorer one in the UK. The tiny black specks may have been mushroom; impossible to tell by the look or the taste, with any degree of certainty. The long grain rice and a short cooking time didnâ¬"t allow the dish to develop the characteristic creamy texture or the rich flavours of a risotto cooked with carnaroli or arborio. I would say that what I had was rice boiled in water rather than stock (perhaps fortunately for this vegetarian as I had forgotten to ask whether chicken stock wasn't used), to which had been added reconstituted dried mushroom flakes. Very disappointing!

However, when I saw dishes being taken to other tables, such as prawn salad starter consisting of half a dozen Tesco once-frozen prawns with two pieces of iceberg lettuce, or thee slices of finely sliced melon naked on the plate, without further garnish, I was reminded of some of the unimaginative restaurants to be found in busy tourist locations in the major Italian cities. I think, on the whole, that we chose fortuitously. I may go back to roll the dice once more but Iâ¬"d be much more likely to try another restaurant in the area.Quaint as this restaurant may be, and despite the friendly accommodating staff and the just about reasonable price, I left Giotto with mixed feelings about the quality of the food. 4 of us dined here midweek. The restaurant was quite busy, but we were found a table within 10 minutes.

Two in the party had vegetarian/vegan (minus cheese) pizzas and were very happy with them. One had quite dull vegetarian pasta. I had a mushroom risotto, and, although it wasnâ¬"t the worst Iâ¬"ve had - some of the Prague restaurants score 1 out of 5 for this dish â¬ I donâ¬"t think Iâ¬"ve had a poorer one in the UK. The tiny black specks may have been mushroom; impossible to tell by the look or the taste, with any degree of certainty. The long grain rice and a short cooking time didnâ¬"t allow the dish to develop the characteristic creamy texture or the rich flavours of a risotto cooked with carnaroli or arborio. I would say that what I had was rice boiled in water rather than stock (perhaps fortunately for this vegetarian as I had forgotten to ask whether chicken stock wasn't used), to which had been added reconstituted dried mushroom flakes. Very disappointing!

However, when I saw dishes being taken to other tables, such as prawn salad starter consisting of half a dozen Tesco once-frozen prawns with two pieces of iceberg lettuce, or thee slices of finely sliced melon naked on the plate, without further garnish, I was reminded of some of the unimaginative restaurants to be found in busy tourist locations in the major Italian cities. I think, on the whole, that we chose fortuitously. I may go back to roll the dice once more but Iâ¬"d be much more likely to try another restaurant in the area.

My Old Dutch - ummm huge pancakes by LondonH

LondonH — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:56:55 +0000

Review by LondonH

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7242 5200

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

Tags: good value, family & home feel, pancakes

A really cool place been a few times and even though i live about hour away it's well worth the trip.
chilli on a pancake! hell yeah!A really cool place been a few times and even though i live about hour away it's well worth the trip.
chilli on a pancake! hell yeah!

Kam Fung - good food, huge servings by joevu

joevu — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:05:27 +0000

Review by joevu

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7405 6820

Tags: chinese, takeaway, good value

I come here regularly for lunch. Usually order from the lunch menu (£6-£8) which has a good selection. Favorites are the kung pow chicken, pork & cashew nut dishes. The portions are huge, enough to make my colleagues and I fall asleep when we return to work. Drinks are a little on the expensive side, and the service is quick ,friendly and efficient. Usually fairly crowded come lunch time so if you have more than 4 people, its best to book aheadI come here regularly for lunch. Usually order from the lunch menu (£6-£8) which has a good selection. Favorites are the kung pow chicken, pork & cashew nut dishes. The portions are huge, enough to make my colleagues and I fall asleep when we return to work. Drinks are a little on the expensive side, and the service is quick ,friendly and efficient. Usually fairly crowded come lunch time so if you have more than 4 people, its best to book ahead

Shanghai Blues - by Nighthaven

Nighthaven — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:55:58 +0000

Review by Nighthaven

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7404 1668

Tags: chinese, good service, restaurant

Exquisite atmosphere, good food and excellent service. Dishes are very well presented. Prices are about right considering the service received... Did not make it to the kichen but I can feel that the ingredients they use are top quality (at least the rice is).

Might try the live jazz next time.Exquisite atmosphere, good food and excellent service. Dishes are very well presented. Prices are about right considering the service received... Did not make it to the kichen but I can feel that the ingredients they use are top quality (at least the rice is).

Might try the live jazz next time.

Sushi Hiroba - by armstrongp

armstrongp — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:48:03 +0000

Review by armstrongp

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7430 1888

Tags: japanese, friendly, sushi

Sushi Hiroba - fantasticSushi Hiroba - fantastic

Sfizio - Like Mamma Used To make by thamshere

thamshere — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:56:31 +0000

Review by thamshere

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 0207 831 1888

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

Tags: italian, lively, good value

A lovely little lunch-time getaway. Sick of the tired old cafes, faceless chain-takeaways and sandwiches from Sainsburys? Sfizio might well be the answer.

A well presented range of pastries, pizza, pasta and salads that make me wonder how so many places get it so very wrong. The food is perfect. No cafe slop here. This food tastes like it was shipped in from Italy fresh this morning. Lasagne that is light and flavourful rather than dense and dull. Giant plates of salad that made me wish I'd chosen them instead. Perfect little pastries for desert, so elegantly made, so light and fresh...

You might well ask what one has to pay for this little slice of Italy. Not everday prices, certainly! No! Um. Well. Maybe. Yes. A categorical yes, in fact. These are lunchtime prices. Four pounds for a bowl of fresh, home-made pasta? A fiver for a salad that's more like eating an Italian garden whole? Less than two pounds for a delicious crispy little ricotta and pistachio-filled treat? Could it be?

Can't recommend this one highly enough. Might want to book ahead though - it gets pretty busy around lunch time.A lovely little lunch-time getaway. Sick of the tired old cafes, faceless chain-takeaways and sandwiches from Sainsburys? Sfizio might well be the answer.

A well presented range of pastries, pizza, pasta and salads that make me wonder how so many places get it so very wrong. The food is perfect. No cafe slop here. This food tastes like it was shipped in from Italy fresh this morning. Lasagne that is light and flavourful rather than dense and dull. Giant plates of salad that made me wish I'd chosen them instead. Perfect little pastries for desert, so elegantly made, so light and fresh...

You might well ask what one has to pay for this little slice of Italy. Not everday prices, certainly! No! Um. Well. Maybe. Yes. A categorical yes, in fact. These are lunchtime prices. Four pounds for a bowl of fresh, home-made pasta? A fiver for a salad that's more like eating an Italian garden whole? Less than two pounds for a delicious crispy little ricotta and pistachio-filled treat? Could it be?

Can't recommend this one highly enough. Might want to book ahead though - it gets pretty busy around lunch time.

Itsu - This Isn't Japanese by thamshere

thamshere — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:32:32 +0000

Review by thamshere

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7242 0885

Website: http://www.itsu.co.uk/shops/high_holborn/

Tags: japanese

Itsu is a large, unweildy sort of a place. It offers a range of standardised 'Japanese' fare. Soup noodles, fried noodles, sushi sets, bento sets. That sort of thing. It's popular, which means it's got a fast turnaround, which means the food should be fresh.

On the downside, it also means the food is mass-produced and any attention to detail (is there a word for this in Japanese? Probably) is lost. I tried the soup noodles - a mass of over-cooked noodles in a uniform broth. The ingredients had gotten to know eachother. They had become old friends and, like old friends, they were rather difficult to separate.

As with most Japanese food, to be really good, soup noodles have to be made on the spot. The veg should be crispy. Flavours should stand out. The ingredients shouldn't just be fresh, but so recently introduced that they barely remember eachother's names.

I guess I'm asking too much from a fast-food chain store, but I don't see that as an excuse. It's more of a conceptual faliure. Soup noodles are fast food by definition. I've seen them prepared almost from scratch in front of me in 30 seconds or less. But no. Let's make it quicker. Cheaper. Nastier. Oh well.

Of course, if the price reflected this lack of ideals I might forgive them. Unfortunately, it doesn't. I can get a bowl of excellent noodles in the Bento Box Cafe in Camden for the same price.

I wish time and again that the art of the soup-noodle stand had made its way from the East over here. I wish I could go for lunch at a tiny place staffed by an old woman and wreathed in steam from the stock pots. I wish I could sit at one of the stools at the bar, have my food infront of me thirty seconds later and then, with my belly full of fine, fresh ingredients and my mouth full of flavour, be on my way, my pocket hardly feeling any lighter.

Instead, I have Itsu.Itsu is a large, unweildy sort of a place. It offers a range of standardised 'Japanese' fare. Soup noodles, fried noodles, sushi sets, bento sets. That sort of thing. It's popular, which means it's got a fast turnaround, which means the food should be fresh.

On the downside, it also means the food is mass-produced and any attention to detail (is there a word for this in Japanese? Probably) is lost. I tried the soup noodles - a mass of over-cooked noodles in a uniform broth. The ingredients had gotten to know eachother. They had become old friends and, like old friends, they were rather difficult to separate.

As with most Japanese food, to be really good, soup noodles have to be made on the spot. The veg should be crispy. Flavours should stand out. The ingredients shouldn't just be fresh, but so recently introduced that they barely remember eachother's names.

I guess I'm asking too much from a fast-food chain store, but I don't see that as an excuse. It's more of a conceptual faliure. Soup noodles are fast food by definition. I've seen them prepared almost from scratch in front of me in 30 seconds or less. But no. Let's make it quicker. Cheaper. Nastier. Oh well.

Of course, if the price reflected this lack of ideals I might forgive them. Unfortunately, it doesn't. I can get a bowl of excellent noodles in the Bento Box Cafe in Camden for the same price.

I wish time and again that the art of the soup-noodle stand had made its way from the East over here. I wish I could go for lunch at a tiny place staffed by an old woman and wreathed in steam from the stock pots. I wish I could sit at one of the stools at the bar, have my food infront of me thirty seconds later and then, with my belly full of fine, fresh ingredients and my mouth full of flavour, be on my way, my pocket hardly feeling any lighter.

Instead, I have Itsu.

Great Queen Street - Greatest by gastro1

gastro1 — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 08:49:25 +0000

Review by gastro1

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7242 0622

Tags: british, lively, good value

This is the sister restaurant to one of my favourite tables in London - The Anchor and Hope.

Everything is the same in terms of great bourgeois cooking and well chosen and resonably priced wines and beers.

Last night which was pretty cold I had a very light beetroot soup with sour cream and dill followed by a superb ox cheek stew with (real) chips followed by a sublime seville orange and almond tart served with a scoop of home made vanilla ice cream ! Outstanding !

The main difference with the Anchor is that you can book and of course the location is better if you work nearby or happen to be a Mason !This is the sister restaurant to one of my favourite tables in London - The Anchor and Hope.

Everything is the same in terms of great bourgeois cooking and well chosen and resonably priced wines and beers.

Last night which was pretty cold I had a very light beetroot soup with sour cream and dill followed by a superb ox cheek stew with (real) chips followed by a sublime seville orange and almond tart served with a scoop of home made vanilla ice cream ! Outstanding !

The main difference with the Anchor is that you can book and of course the location is better if you work nearby or happen to be a Mason !