Latest reviews for Food & Drink in Knightsbridge, London, United Kingdom

Harrods Famous Deli - by queenie1

queenie1 — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:42:51 +0000

Review by queenie1

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7730 1234

Website: http://www.harrods.com

My first visit to London, I had to go to this Knightsbridge gem. As you enter the deli your senses are confronted with aromas from around the world. From the sushi bars where you can sit and eat to the weird and wonderful meats from around the world. From dolmados to individually sushi you are guaranteed a treat. Everything I bought (dolmados, garlic olives with provencial herbs, fresh bread and honey roast ham) was of top quality. Some things were on the pricey side but well worth it for a treat. Highly recommended is going and eating your spoils in Green Park, a short tube journey away!My first visit to London, I had to go to this Knightsbridge gem. As you enter the deli your senses are confronted with aromas from around the world. From the sushi bars where you can sit and eat to the weird and wonderful meats from around the world. From dolmados to individually sushi you are guaranteed a treat. Everything I bought (dolmados, garlic olives with provencial herbs, fresh bread and honey roast ham) was of top quality. Some things were on the pricey side but well worth it for a treat. Highly recommended is going and eating your spoils in Green Park, a short tube journey away!

Max Brenner Chocolate Bar - Willy Wonka's birthplace?!!! by nell4tune

nell4tune — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:28:48 +0000

Review by nell4tune

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7730 1234

Website: http://www.harrods.com

Tags: lively, crowded, quick bite

It was my birthday and my family opened their cheque books and risked it by asking me where I wanted to spend my birthday. BIG BIG MISTAKE!! Never mind how old I am, I wanted to indulge in blissful sin...this is my chance. Alarm bells started getting louder and louder till it deafened their ears when I locked myself in our little study and started chomping away at the keyboard googling for Chocolate restaurants... And hey presto! this place came up. Oh oh Harrods - hmmm that might be expensive. Just mention Harrods and every wallet in this planet will start to tremble nervously as if wanting to flee from pockets. My answer to that is research, research and research - prepares you for anything... Catch my drift? It paid off, I even got a copy of the menu and emerged out of the study with a big grin on my face like a kid in a candy store! Well at least I will be a big kid but in a Chocolate... Ha ha ha! can you hear the thunder crackling above... Anyway we got to Harrods - found the cafe pretty easily. On a weekend Harrods is pretty packed and yes you guessed it - there was a long queue just to get into this cafe. By hook or by crook I am going in there to have my chocolate indulgence. No actually I NEED to get in there no matter how many bodies I have to trod on...!!! 30 minutes later we're at the head of the queue!!! Yippee!!! By now you may probably have sussed that this cafe is really not that big. To get a table you have to wait for people to leave. So there I was at the top of the queue peering hard at people happily eating away at their melted chocolate wishing them to go away as quickly as possible. I began to grow horns. My heart tells me "why are these greedy ba...s taking so long to eat for goodness sake", but my head tells me "patience Nadia patience...your time is coming soon - you will get your fix". Oh my god what is happening to me? I must be going mad!!! A waiter comes up and escorts us to a table - YIPPEEEEHHH!!!we made it! I'm thinking - there is fondue set in my name - A Fantastic Chocolate Desire - A chocolate Miserable - A Chocolate Milkshake - A Chocolate Bar Colibri - aaarrrgggghhh!!! everthing there has my name on it. My kids had to calm me down - what is wrong with me??!! Would you believe it even my kids! I am a chocoholic!! I need help. The fondue arrived and dipping my fingers into it and licking the melted chocolate off was absolutely am mammia - heaven - hmmm. It was warm and oozing. My first sip of the Chocolate milkshake was just... ooooh la la! Need I say anymore?! Frankly I nearly got carried away by wanting to order the white, the dark and the milk chocolate fondue but as everyone else like milk chocolate that was the unanimous decision. The fresh strawberries and champagne needed to be tried so moi tried it... It is a glass of tasty Harrods champagne with melted chocolate dip where you can dip your strawberries into. I guess that is how posh people do it - a bit pretentious to me as it felt like a contradiction of tastes - the chocolate and champagne. Maybe it is me - I am not big on champagne. Give me a Guinness, melted dark chocolate and a Cohiba cigar and I am yours!!! Anyway I had my fix and washed everything down with an expresso and a capuccino with sprinkled chocolate. What a good way to put a finale to my fix. Strangely enough though the cafe has an open concept to it, we could not hear or feel the shopping hustle & bustle around us. Okay so I was in another planet indulging & working my way through the menu but the cafe seems to be placed in one corner and the acoustics seemed to have worked to keep the noise level down. Clever. Remember it is a very popular place and you cannot make reservations. It is on a first come first serve basis so be patient with the wait. Our party consisted of 6 people and the bill was very affordable. By the way the menu do cater for a light lunch and it is not all for chocoholics like me. So if you just want a sandwich and/or salad you will not be disappointed. I would advise you to leave your car at home - tube it! Do not be frightened of the HARRODS name - go to their website and access the menu and you will see what I mean about the price. Please for goodness sake you really do not need to dress up in your best 'whistle & flute' to get there. It is a pretty relaxed atmosphere. It is one of the best & memorable birthdays I have ever had.It was my birthday and my family opened their cheque books and risked it by asking me where I wanted to spend my birthday. BIG BIG MISTAKE!! Never mind how old I am, I wanted to indulge in blissful sin...this is my chance. Alarm bells started getting louder and louder till it deafened their ears when I locked myself in our little study and started chomping away at the keyboard googling for Chocolate restaurants... And hey presto! this place came up. Oh oh Harrods - hmmm that might be expensive. Just mention Harrods and every wallet in this planet will start to tremble nervously as if wanting to flee from pockets. My answer to that is research, research and research - prepares you for anything... Catch my drift? It paid off, I even got a copy of the menu and emerged out of the study with a big grin on my face like a kid in a candy store! Well at least I will be a big kid but in a Chocolate... Ha ha ha! can you hear the thunder crackling above... Anyway we got to Harrods - found the cafe pretty easily. On a weekend Harrods is pretty packed and yes you guessed it - there was a long queue just to get into this cafe. By hook or by crook I am going in there to have my chocolate indulgence. No actually I NEED to get in there no matter how many bodies I have to trod on...!!! 30 minutes later we're at the head of the queue!!! Yippee!!! By now you may probably have sussed that this cafe is really not that big. To get a table you have to wait for people to leave. So there I was at the top of the queue peering hard at people happily eating away at their melted chocolate wishing them to go away as quickly as possible. I began to grow horns. My heart tells me "why are these greedy ba...s taking so long to eat for goodness sake", but my head tells me "patience Nadia patience...your time is coming soon - you will get your fix". Oh my god what is happening to me? I must be going mad!!! A waiter comes up and escorts us to a table - YIPPEEEEHHH!!!we made it! I'm thinking - there is fondue set in my name - A Fantastic Chocolate Desire - A chocolate Miserable - A Chocolate Milkshake - A Chocolate Bar Colibri - aaarrrgggghhh!!! everthing there has my name on it. My kids had to calm me down - what is wrong with me??!! Would you believe it even my kids! I am a chocoholic!! I need help. The fondue arrived and dipping my fingers into it and licking the melted chocolate off was absolutely am mammia - heaven - hmmm. It was warm and oozing. My first sip of the Chocolate milkshake was just... ooooh la la! Need I say anymore?! Frankly I nearly got carried away by wanting to order the white, the dark and the milk chocolate fondue but as everyone else like milk chocolate that was the unanimous decision. The fresh strawberries and champagne needed to be tried so moi tried it... It is a glass of tasty Harrods champagne with melted chocolate dip where you can dip your strawberries into. I guess that is how posh people do it - a bit pretentious to me as it felt like a contradiction of tastes - the chocolate and champagne. Maybe it is me - I am not big on champagne. Give me a Guinness, melted dark chocolate and a Cohiba cigar and I am yours!!! Anyway I had my fix and washed everything down with an expresso and a capuccino with sprinkled chocolate. What a good way to put a finale to my fix. Strangely enough though the cafe has an open concept to it, we could not hear or feel the shopping hustle & bustle around us. Okay so I was in another planet indulging & working my way through the menu but the cafe seems to be placed in one corner and the acoustics seemed to have worked to keep the noise level down. Clever. Remember it is a very popular place and you cannot make reservations. It is on a first come first serve basis so be patient with the wait. Our party consisted of 6 people and the bill was very affordable. By the way the menu do cater for a light lunch and it is not all for chocoholics like me. So if you just want a sandwich and/or salad you will not be disappointed. I would advise you to leave your car at home - tube it! Do not be frightened of the HARRODS name - go to their website and access the menu and you will see what I mean about the price. Please for goodness sake you really do not need to dress up in your best 'whistle & flute' to get there. It is a pretty relaxed atmosphere. It is one of the best & memorable birthdays I have ever had.

Allen & Co - Best Butcher in London ? by gastro1

gastro1 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 13:16:45 +0000

Review by gastro1

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7499 5831

Tags: rare finds

Along with Lidgate , Harrods Jack O'Shea and The Ginger Pig this is the best Butcher in London.

At any time they have simply the best beef , lamb and pork available mainly from the British Isles. Meats are well hung and cut to your taste.

There is also very good game in season and decent chickens. In terms of the latter I'd like to see some good French Label Rouge as well as top Bresse as they are in a different league.

Provenance is clearly stated in some cases right down to the individual farmer.
Along with Lidgate , Harrods Jack O'Shea and The Ginger Pig this is the best Butcher in London.

At any time they have simply the best beef , lamb and pork available mainly from the British Isles. Meats are well hung and cut to your taste.

There is also very good game in season and decent chickens. In terms of the latter I'd like to see some good French Label Rouge as well as top Bresse as they are in a different league.

Provenance is clearly stated in some cases right down to the individual farmer.

The Chocolate Society - Bland by spokane12

spokane12 — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:04:31 +0000

Review by spokane12

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7259 9222

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

Tags: cosy, quiet & relaxed, cultured

I wandered in here as part of my personal chocolate tour around london after a trip to Belgium enjoying all their delicious delights. I left here feeling fairly underwhelmed. There are definitely better places around London for chocolate - pop into Nehaus. That, of course, is Belgian. Paul A Young in Camden Market is more ambitous and very British. I cannot quite put my finger on what this place lacks. The chocolate is okay but when you go to a chocolatier, you want the whole experience. I did not get that here.I wandered in here as part of my personal chocolate tour around london after a trip to Belgium enjoying all their delicious delights. I left here feeling fairly underwhelmed. There are definitely better places around London for chocolate - pop into Nehaus. That, of course, is Belgian. Paul A Young in Camden Market is more ambitous and very British. I cannot quite put my finger on what this place lacks. The chocolate is okay but when you go to a chocolatier, you want the whole experience. I did not get that here.

Poilane - sliced bread by mazphd

mazphd — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:42:47 +0000

Review by mazphd

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7808 4910

Tags: rare finds, helpful staff, healthy food

oh this place is so sweet, but it's the aroma of perfectly baked loaves that makes my stomach rumble most.

Everything is baked freshly, daily and with panache to give variety of some really extraudinary and satisfying breads: their milk bread (slow-made, so i'm informed) is ideal for picnic sandwiches or just under toasting and spreading with lashings of quality thick marmalade. YUM!

Ingredients are freshely sourced, and flour stone-ground: And this in the world of bread making is supremely important! As a resulf loaves take on a smooth texture and lightness that tempts any taste buds. I remember the light golden crust of the rye and raison loaf I bought, but do not remember finishing it quite so quickly!

My experience is always happy one where fine flour means loaves are for tearing and eating fresh; and if you're feeling friendly sharing with others! And what could be better than sliced bread!oh this place is so sweet, but it's the aroma of perfectly baked loaves that makes my stomach rumble most.

Everything is baked freshly, daily and with panache to give variety of some really extraudinary and satisfying breads: their milk bread (slow-made, so i'm informed) is ideal for picnic sandwiches or just under toasting and spreading with lashings of quality thick marmalade. YUM!

Ingredients are freshely sourced, and flour stone-ground: And this in the world of bread making is supremely important! As a resulf loaves take on a smooth texture and lightness that tempts any taste buds. I remember the light golden crust of the rye and raison loaf I bought, but do not remember finishing it quite so quickly!

My experience is always happy one where fine flour means loaves are for tearing and eating fresh; and if you're feeling friendly sharing with others! And what could be better than sliced bread!

Harvey Nichols Wine Shop - Not as good as one might expect by Thomasinho

Thomasinho — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:08:18 +0000

Review by Thomasinho

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7201 8538

Website: http://www.harveynichols.com

This place let me down a bit, my Mother loves a good chauteu Margaux and they didnt even have that, I have to say something that is supposed to sell everything was very poor..
Also the V floor food hall, has gone right down aswell. mind you it was only relativley recently the V floor bar, stopped the sale of "pay by the hour fun", from the wide range of females ranging from lithuanian to Chilean young ladys.

Harveys is great for cosmetics and parfumes, some clothes are ok aswell, but leave the food, bar and any eating experience to Selfridges or Harrods, infact even House of Fraser, or John lewis.This place let me down a bit, my Mother loves a good chauteu Margaux and they didnt even have that, I have to say something that is supposed to sell everything was very poor..
Also the V floor food hall, has gone right down aswell. mind you it was only relativley recently the V floor bar, stopped the sale of "pay by the hour fun", from the wide range of females ranging from lithuanian to Chilean young ladys.

Harveys is great for cosmetics and parfumes, some clothes are ok aswell, but leave the food, bar and any eating experience to Selfridges or Harrods, infact even House of Fraser, or John lewis.

Baker & Spice - brunch in a classy chelsea place by shelo9

shelo9 — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 23:05:50 +0000

Review by shelo9

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7589 4734

Tags: brunch, bakery, organic

Great little place for brunch. There is a large table and tall side tables for about 20 people to sit on. The large table in the centre of the dining area as big slabs of delicious french butter, jams and cream to add to your breakfast.

Both my friend and I ordered the scrambled eggs which were cooked in the gorgeous french butter. It was divine. I also had a piece turkey from the deli with my eggs which was coated in breadcrumbs, coloured peppered corns, and other bits and pieces. You could order toast as well and could choose the bread to be toasted!!

The food was all organic. The blood red orange juice was not available as it "was not in season" so we had the freshly squeezed normal orange juice which was lovely. We also had a capuccino and latte which was nice. You can also order different kinds of eggs, american pancakes and other kinds of brunchy things.

The vibe was friendly (even though a bit posh). The service was friendly and a bit slow at the start but fast after a while. You had to queue up for a table and at certain times it may be a long wait, its all up to luck. The bill was about 50 quid for two people so a bit steep but it was delicious!

There is a bakery, deli and patisserie as well so you can buy some scrumptious looking food to take with your for afters. Great little find in a classy area. Great little place for brunch. There is a large table and tall side tables for about 20 people to sit on. The large table in the centre of the dining area as big slabs of delicious french butter, jams and cream to add to your breakfast.

Both my friend and I ordered the scrambled eggs which were cooked in the gorgeous french butter. It was divine. I also had a piece turkey from the deli with my eggs which was coated in breadcrumbs, coloured peppered corns, and other bits and pieces. You could order toast as well and could choose the bread to be toasted!!

The food was all organic. The blood red orange juice was not available as it "was not in season" so we had the freshly squeezed normal orange juice which was lovely. We also had a capuccino and latte which was nice. You can also order different kinds of eggs, american pancakes and other kinds of brunchy things.

The vibe was friendly (even though a bit posh). The service was friendly and a bit slow at the start but fast after a while. You had to queue up for a table and at certain times it may be a long wait, its all up to luck. The bill was about 50 quid for two people so a bit steep but it was delicious!

There is a bakery, deli and patisserie as well so you can buy some scrumptious looking food to take with your for afters. Great little find in a classy area.

Baker & Spice - Hmm...Baker & Spice not a return lunch venue for me by Hugo

Hugo — Tue, 08 May 2007 22:13:18 +0000

Review by Hugo

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7730 3033

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

Tags: expensive, mediterranean, take-away

This review comes with a caveat. It may be an excellent place to buy pucca take-away food or buy cakes...but when it comes to lunch i would not go back.

It just didn't quite seem to work. Choosing dishes from the counter that then came in rather large, over-the-top and over-priced portions was a tad irritating. I almost forgave Baker and Spice because the MonkFish was delicious but the meal did not quite hang together and I felt a bit robbed. I know you should expect to be a bit swindled in Belgravia but there are plenty of other places in the area that leave you feeling like you got an experience, meal and price that worked.

I guess I might be tempted to get a posh take-away for home cooking but I wouldn't hold your breath.
This review comes with a caveat. It may be an excellent place to buy pucca take-away food or buy cakes...but when it comes to lunch i would not go back.

It just didn't quite seem to work. Choosing dishes from the counter that then came in rather large, over-the-top and over-priced portions was a tad irritating. I almost forgave Baker and Spice because the MonkFish was delicious but the meal did not quite hang together and I felt a bit robbed. I know you should expect to be a bit swindled in Belgravia but there are plenty of other places in the area that leave you feeling like you got an experience, meal and price that worked.

I guess I might be tempted to get a posh take-away for home cooking but I wouldn't hold your breath.

Noura Knightsbridge - Lebanese Deli in Knightsbridge by lisas

lisas — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 20:48:56 +0000

Review by lisas

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7235 5900

Website: http://www.noura-brasseries.co.uk

Tags: lebanese, entertainment

Sometimes you have to put a negative review! You gotta do it... So let's start...

I have been to Noura Knightsbridge a few times last year, and it was OK. So I decided to go again yesterday as I was in the area with a couple of friends and wanted to have a deli-like lunch in the area. Unfortunately the place was full but the waiter kindly "created" a table for us in the middle of the deli. That was very kind of him, unfortunately they keep the entrance door open and we were sitting just in front of the door...so we had to keep our warm jackets on...not very comfortable.

We then ordered our food, something quite simple as we are still trying hard to detox, you know after Xmas everyone does it ;-) The big surprise was the bill, they charged us as much as eating in a fancy restaurant with a proper service and table....so not very good. Quite disappointing indeed.Sometimes you have to put a negative review! You gotta do it... So let's start...

I have been to Noura Knightsbridge a few times last year, and it was OK. So I decided to go again yesterday as I was in the area with a couple of friends and wanted to have a deli-like lunch in the area. Unfortunately the place was full but the waiter kindly "created" a table for us in the middle of the deli. That was very kind of him, unfortunately they keep the entrance door open and we were sitting just in front of the door...so we had to keep our warm jackets on...not very comfortable.

We then ordered our food, something quite simple as we are still trying hard to detox, you know after Xmas everyone does it ;-) The big surprise was the bill, they charged us as much as eating in a fancy restaurant with a proper service and table....so not very good. Quite disappointing indeed.

Patisserie Valerie - Awful Awful Place by walid

walid — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 00:17:43 +0000

Review by walid

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7823 9971

Website: http://www.patisserie-valerie.co.uk

Tags: expensive, pretentious, noisy

Alright, whatever you think, this place is NOT French. The Patisserie's they serve try to make you believe that they are French but whilst they may look the part they sure don't taste it. Imagine taking a 3 day stale lemon tart and adding loads of whipping cream on top to hide the fact that is stale... you've got that imagined... well that's how it is. As for the service, hmmmm what service, the waiters are arrogant, slow, and simply awful. So to sum it up, if you want to go have tasteless patisseries, awful staff, all in a very noisy venue then try Patisserie Valerie in Knightsbridge!Alright, whatever you think, this place is NOT French. The Patisserie's they serve try to make you believe that they are French but whilst they may look the part they sure don't taste it. Imagine taking a 3 day stale lemon tart and adding loads of whipping cream on top to hide the fact that is stale... you've got that imagined... well that's how it is. As for the service, hmmmm what service, the waiters are arrogant, slow, and simply awful. So to sum it up, if you want to go have tasteless patisseries, awful staff, all in a very noisy venue then try Patisserie Valerie in Knightsbridge!