Latest reviews for Restaurants in Liverpool Street, London, United Kingdom

S & M Cafe - Juicy sausages and creamy mash... by CristinaA

CristinaA — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:00:41 +0000

Review by CristinaA

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7247 2252

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

I love the concept of this place... The sausages juicy and mash creamy, just like it should be. S&M are also doing their bit for the â¬ÜGreat British Grubâ¬" industry by supporting local and sustainable food sources. Specialising in the obivious, doesn't mean that's all they serve but the menu can be confusing and a much needed reworked version will lauch in a couple of weeks.

DÃ©cor is reminiscent of old English diners and thereâ¬"s a pleasant, buzzing vibe in the evening. Only criticism on appearance, is that the upmarket cafe could do with a spruce, a lick of paint and a bit more thought put into what goes on the walls.

I love the concept of this place... The sausages juicy and mash creamy, just like it should be. S&M are also doing their bit for the â¬ÜGreat British Grubâ¬" industry by supporting local and sustainable food sources. Specialising in the obivious, doesn't mean that's all they serve but the menu can be confusing and a much needed reworked version will lauch in a couple of weeks.

DÃ©cor is reminiscent of old English diners and thereâ¬"s a pleasant, buzzing vibe in the evening. Only criticism on appearance, is that the upmarket cafe could do with a spruce, a lick of paint and a bit more thought put into what goes on the walls.

Itsu - Great takeaway! by seconds

seconds — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:03:15 +0000

Review by seconds

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7374 0440

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

Tags: bar, takeaway, japanese

The overall description of this venue is rather misleading. This venue is not actually a restaurant, but is a very superior takeaway. It is possible to eat your takeaway inside the restaurant, but there is no revolving sushi bar here, only prepacked bento boxes.

OK, Itsu is quite expensive for a workaday lunch. However, very well stocked boxes start at around Â£6 and are extremely satisfying, full of sushi and delicious salad (my husband, who is allergic to coriander, has problems with this as there is a very varied mix of leaves). In addition, they do lovely desserts â¬ tiny little pots of passionfruit seeds or coconut delight (if a Bounty died and went to Heavenâ¬¦.) for only Â£1.70 each. Worth double just for the experience!

The overall description of this venue is rather misleading. This venue is not actually a restaurant, but is a very superior takeaway. It is possible to eat your takeaway inside the restaurant, but there is no revolving sushi bar here, only prepacked bento boxes.

OK, Itsu is quite expensive for a workaday lunch. However, very well stocked boxes start at around Â£6 and are extremely satisfying, full of sushi and delicious salad (my husband, who is allergic to coriander, has problems with this as there is a very varied mix of leaves). In addition, they do lovely desserts â¬ tiny little pots of passionfruit seeds or coconut delight (if a Bounty died and went to Heavenâ¬¦.) for only Â£1.70 each. Worth double just for the experience!

Aurora - Nice decor, shame about the food by Jongleur

Jongleur — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 19:57:56 +0000

Review by Jongleur

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7618 7000

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

Tags: expensive, cocktails, pretentious

I went to this restaurant on business to impress a client and it worked â¬ the decor is very elegant and the clientele are very conscious of their own superiority. (My male colleagues and client were very excited that we were sitting near Sepp Blatter!)

Service was friendly and attentive, food however was pretentious and overdone for my taste, and prices sky-high. I had a dish that was basically a deconstructed rabbit â¬ terrines, a little meat, sausage, etc. It sounded gorgeous on the menu but what I got was rather bland and had been processed to death without much taste of the rabbit remaining. Dessert however was much better and less fussy.I went to this restaurant on business to impress a client and it worked â¬ the decor is very elegant and the clientele are very conscious of their own superiority. (My male colleagues and client were very excited that we were sitting near Sepp Blatter!)

Service was friendly and attentive, food however was pretentious and overdone for my taste, and prices sky-high. I had a dish that was basically a deconstructed rabbit â¬ terrines, a little meat, sausage, etc. It sounded gorgeous on the menu but what I got was rather bland and had been processed to death without much taste of the rabbit remaining. Dessert however was much better and less fussy.

Wagamama - tasty by t_moussa

t_moussa — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:51:44 +0000

Review by t_moussa

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7588 2688

Website: http://www.wagamama.com

Tags: lively, good value, japanese

Having never been to wagamamas but hearing lots of good things about it I decided to go there with my boyfriend after obtaining those 2 for 1 vouchers they regularly put up on their website. We were both apprehensive at first as we had never tried japanese food before. The menu at first glace can be a bit daunting but we took our time to pore over the descriptions, the food didn't seem that scary. My boyfriend decided to play it safe and go for a vegetarian fried noodle dish whilst I decided to risk it and ordered noodles in a spicy coconut soup. The only cutlery on the table were chopsticks but we asked for forks and were provided with them. When our food arrived it looked fantastic and smelt wonderful. Mine was a bit too spicy for my liking but the free mug of green tea soon helped to ease the fieryness! The service was great and the staff very helpful in demonstrating how the various strange cutlery that accompanied our food were used. Enjoyed this experience immensely.Having never been to wagamamas but hearing lots of good things about it I decided to go there with my boyfriend after obtaining those 2 for 1 vouchers they regularly put up on their website. We were both apprehensive at first as we had never tried japanese food before. The menu at first glace can be a bit daunting but we took our time to pore over the descriptions, the food didn't seem that scary. My boyfriend decided to play it safe and go for a vegetarian fried noodle dish whilst I decided to risk it and ordered noodles in a spicy coconut soup. The only cutlery on the table were chopsticks but we asked for forks and were provided with them. When our food arrived it looked fantastic and smelt wonderful. Mine was a bit too spicy for my liking but the free mug of green tea soon helped to ease the fieryness! The service was great and the staff very helpful in demonstrating how the various strange cutlery that accompanied our food were used. Enjoyed this experience immensely.

Haz Restaurant - Good Turkish Food by ocean0201

ocean0201 — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:28:16 +0000

Review by ocean0201

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7929 7923

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

Tags: turkish, good value, business

Haz offers a modern turkish fare and is quite popular amongst city workers. The interior is nice and there is plenty of space. But,it can get very busy during lunch. If you area big group, getting a reservation done in advance is a good idea.

The food is not very spicy and there are plenty to choose from. The lamb kofte are excellent. There are also lot of casseroles options available. Vegetarians have a smaller menu but I was told by my "veggie" friend that it was allright.

The food is reasonably priced and the quality is good. Service is little slow (i guess due to the lunch time rush).

if you want good turkish food for lunch, Haz is worth a try.
Haz offers a modern turkish fare and is quite popular amongst city workers. The interior is nice and there is plenty of space. But,it can get very busy during lunch. If you area big group, getting a reservation done in advance is a good idea.

The food is not very spicy and there are plenty to choose from. The lamb kofte are excellent. There are also lot of casseroles options available. Vegetarians have a smaller menu but I was told by my "veggie" friend that it was allright.

The food is reasonably priced and the quality is good. Service is little slow (i guess due to the lunch time rush).

if you want good turkish food for lunch, Haz is worth a try.

Osteria Appennino - Good food, okay service by baks162

baks162 — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:39:09 +0000

Review by baks162

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7247 4472

Tags: italian, lively, crowded

I've been here for lunch quite a few times this year. Note - it does get quite busy so to avoid not getting a table, I'd advise to call and book!

Staff arent always very friendly but the food more than makes up for it. I've had the Funghi pizza each time I have been and it has never disspointed.

But you do feel a bit rushed - a few times they've made it a point to remind me that we have to eat within the hour!I've been here for lunch quite a few times this year. Note - it does get quite busy so to avoid not getting a table, I'd advise to call and book!

Staff arent always very friendly but the food more than makes up for it. I've had the Funghi pizza each time I have been and it has never disspointed.

But you do feel a bit rushed - a few times they've made it a point to remind me that we have to eat within the hour!

Hokkien Chan - Disappointing by kranti

kranti — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:56:26 +0000

Review by kranti

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7628 5772

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

Tags: expensive, chinese

The Hokkien Chan restaurant is located in the City on London Wall, a short walk from Moorgate underground station. I recently booked Hokkien Chan for a large group outing for about 25 people.

The restaurant was busy, though not crowded and there was a lively ambience. After being seated, the service disappeared with waiters taking an age to take our orders. The food took a significant time to arrive and was poor. Some of the vegetables in the curry main course were not cooked properly and were inedible. Though tempted to send the food back it was difficult to do so in a group of this size. There are far better restaurants which provide far better value in LondonThe Hokkien Chan restaurant is located in the City on London Wall, a short walk from Moorgate underground station. I recently booked Hokkien Chan for a large group outing for about 25 people.

The restaurant was busy, though not crowded and there was a lively ambience. After being seated, the service disappeared with waiters taking an age to take our orders. The food took a significant time to arrive and was poor. Some of the vegetables in the curry main course were not cooked properly and were inedible. Though tempted to send the food back it was difficult to do so in a group of this size. There are far better restaurants which provide far better value in London

L'Anima - l'Anima - 01 July 2008 by Food_Snob

Food_Snob — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:26:37 +0000

Review by Food_Snob

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7422 7000

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

Tags: italian, mediterranean, french

Illustrated Critique:

http://foodsnobblog.wordpress.com/category/restaurant-reviews/lanima-restaurant-reviews/

Text-only Critique:

l'Anima, the Cityâ¬"s new authentic, regional Italian hotspot, has been on my list since even before its long-anticipated, much-delayed opening only a couple of months ago. A five-month wait has created much suspense and expectation, but Chef Francesco Mazzei, formerly of St. Alban, is not complaining - â¬SIâ¬"ve had time to travel more and source better suppliers, weâ¬"ve tested the equipment and I have the costings sorted. The kitchen is under control and I feel like we can manage things properlyâ¬

Moshi Moshi Sushi - Never go there by Dr_Yip

Dr_Yip — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 19:14:03 +0000

Review by Dr_Yip

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7247 3227

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

Tags: japanese, lively, takeaway

I will never go there again!

We were regulars since the restaurant is right next to the bank I work in, though the food is not that fresh and it's overpriced. Last night we went again and ordered our favourite - soft shell crab handroll, which always has been coming on a flower plate, every time we have been there. We made an order to the chef behind the belt and as usual, it came on a flower plate. My friend did the same. But when we order two more to the chef, the waitress interrupted and she insisted to take the order instead of the chef. When the food was ready, she insisted that the handrolls should be placed on another plate, which made them more than twice the price! We declined to have it but she then said we had to pay for the higher price for the handrolls we had already eaten! That's absolutely unacceptable since we ordered it on a flower plate and we ate them on a floor plate. That's how it works in a Japanese sushi restaurant. It's amazing how they could raise the price AFTER the customers have eaten the food! If there were a mistake with the plates they used, the staffs were responsible for them, not us! Moreover, we have been eaten the rolls on a flower plate every time we were there. It's unbelievable that such thing can happen in London!

If you want fresh sushi, I recommend Wasabi nearby, which is 1/3 the price! If you really want to sit at a belt, K10 nearby has much nicer food and better service.
I will never go there again!

We were regulars since the restaurant is right next to the bank I work in, though the food is not that fresh and it's overpriced. Last night we went again and ordered our favourite - soft shell crab handroll, which always has been coming on a flower plate, every time we have been there. We made an order to the chef behind the belt and as usual, it came on a flower plate. My friend did the same. But when we order two more to the chef, the waitress interrupted and she insisted to take the order instead of the chef. When the food was ready, she insisted that the handrolls should be placed on another plate, which made them more than twice the price! We declined to have it but she then said we had to pay for the higher price for the handrolls we had already eaten! That's absolutely unacceptable since we ordered it on a flower plate and we ate them on a floor plate. That's how it works in a Japanese sushi restaurant. It's amazing how they could raise the price AFTER the customers have eaten the food! If there were a mistake with the plates they used, the staffs were responsible for them, not us! Moreover, we have been eaten the rolls on a flower plate every time we were there. It's unbelievable that such thing can happen in London!

If you want fresh sushi, I recommend Wasabi nearby, which is 1/3 the price! If you really want to sit at a belt, K10 nearby has much nicer food and better service.

Gaucho Broadgate - worth it by deadleg21

deadleg21 — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:29:56 +0000

Review by deadleg21

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7256 6877

Website: http://www.gauchosgrill.com

Tags: lively, expensive, american

This is not a cheap restraunt but it is well worth it. You wont find a better steak in the area so close to the barbican. The sauces are amazing and complement the beautiful meat. I have visited a number of times and found my favorite dish was the stirloin which was nice and tender.

the furnishings for this restraunt are great and eccentric. The crowd usually consists of local workers during the day and a casual crowd in the evening. The sign of a good restraunt is a loyal local customer base.

The staff were very helpful and attentative. Their recommendations were spot on, they almost read my party like a book.This is not a cheap restraunt but it is well worth it. You wont find a better steak in the area so close to the barbican. The sauces are amazing and complement the beautiful meat. I have visited a number of times and found my favorite dish was the stirloin which was nice and tender.

the furnishings for this restraunt are great and eccentric. The crowd usually consists of local workers during the day and a casual crowd in the evening. The sign of a good restraunt is a loyal local customer base.

The staff were very helpful and attentative. Their recommendations were spot on, they almost read my party like a book.

Kazan City - Attentive Turkish by aimeealewis

aimeealewis — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:51:47 +0000

Review by aimeealewis

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7626 2222

Website: http://www.kazan-restaurant.com/kazan-city.html

Tags: quiet, expensive, turkish

Kazan City is a very up market Turkish restaurant with prices to match. However we found a special deal and ended up paying Â£25 per head, with wine on top. The wine, a rioja, was gorgeous and full of rich flavour and the food didn't disappoint either. The staff were very polite and attentive. Before we ordered we were given bread, olives and humus and then a bowl of lentil soup on the house. We started with a selection of cold meze for 3. Accidentally they made it for 4, but before we could worry they told us we would only pay for 3. By the main course we were already stuffed and only my male friend Greg managed to finish. I had the Sultan's favourite Casserole with lamb on a bed of aubergene mash. The lamb was tender and beautifully flavoured.

But I always judge a restaurant equally on it's toilets. Kazan City's are beautiful and smell of incense.

A lovely night in all. Would have been very expensive if we had not got 50% off.Kazan City is a very up market Turkish restaurant with prices to match. However we found a special deal and ended up paying Â£25 per head, with wine on top. The wine, a rioja, was gorgeous and full of rich flavour and the food didn't disappoint either. The staff were very polite and attentive. Before we ordered we were given bread, olives and humus and then a bowl of lentil soup on the house. We started with a selection of cold meze for 3. Accidentally they made it for 4, but before we could worry they told us we would only pay for 3. By the main course we were already stuffed and only my male friend Greg managed to finish. I had the Sultan's favourite Casserole with lamb on a bed of aubergene mash. The lamb was tender and beautifully flavoured.

But I always judge a restaurant equally on it's toilets. Kazan City's are beautiful and smell of incense.

A lovely night in all. Would have been very expensive if we had not got 50% off.

The Light Bar - Pumping Bar by Hilary

Hilary — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:34:43 +0000

Review by Hilary

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7247 8989

Website: http://www.thelighte1.com

Tags: lively, crowded, bar

The Light is a great spot with a large outdoor area. Very popular on a Friday night so you may want to book a table or get there early to grab a seat. Because it was busy getting a drink took a while unfortunately, but a good atmostphere.The Light is a great spot with a large outdoor area. Very popular on a Friday night so you may want to book a table or get there early to grab a seat. Because it was busy getting a drink took a while unfortunately, but a good atmostphere.

The Hoxton Grille - Not great by chrisp

chrisp — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:35:19 +0000

Review by chrisp

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7739 9111

Website: http://www.hoxtonhotels.com

Tags: international, bar, pretentious

I've often remarked upon my cameraphone's unique ability to judge quality through the level of focus it applies to pictures, so there is only one image I need to show you today to sum up my feelings towards the Hoxton Grille:

Yes, the Hoxton Grille was pretty bad. And this is a shame because I actually wanted it to be good and went in with quite an open mind. Service was good enough too, although the place was nearly empty so allowing us to choose where we wanted to sit probably wasn't too much of an imposition. And we were also (initially) impressed by the budget pre-7pm menu, which had a choice of 7 dishes from the main menu for half price.

But oh dear, the food. The two of us ordered rump steak, one with peppercorn sauce and the other with bernaise. Of the two, the bernaise was the better - the peppercorn just tasted like slightly peppery milk, a horrible thin concoction. The steaks were cooked to the required medium-rare but were anaemic looking things, tough and stringy and quite a battle to eat, even with steak knives. Is it really that hard to cook a good steak? There must be more to it than I understand because of all the steaks I've ever had in London, only those at Hawksmoor and Santa Maria del Sur have been any good. Even my own Fox & Hounds can't really pull off a good rib eye. I have a sneaking suspicion it's all to do with the sourcing of the meat, and to make a profit on anything less than a Â£18 steak you have to sacrifice quality somewhere down the line. Hawskmoor steaks are expensive - about Â£18 for the rump from memory, much more for the sirloin - but they are drop dead gorgeous things and never disappoint. Is it really worth boasting a Â£7 steak and chips on your menu if it tastes bloody awful?

We paid up and left, the modest bill going some way to offset the disappointment. When I got home my sister had made chocolate covered strawberries, and the bitter memory of the Hoxton Grille faded away for good.

P.S. I have just gone through this post correcting the spelling of "Grille". A ridiculous bit of Hoxtony pretention but I suppose it's their call.I've often remarked upon my cameraphone's unique ability to judge quality through the level of focus it applies to pictures, so there is only one image I need to show you today to sum up my feelings towards the Hoxton Grille:

Yes, the Hoxton Grille was pretty bad. And this is a shame because I actually wanted it to be good and went in with quite an open mind. Service was good enough too, although the place was nearly empty so allowing us to choose where we wanted to sit probably wasn't too much of an imposition. And we were also (initially) impressed by the budget pre-7pm menu, which had a choice of 7 dishes from the main menu for half price.

But oh dear, the food. The two of us ordered rump steak, one with peppercorn sauce and the other with bernaise. Of the two, the bernaise was the better - the peppercorn just tasted like slightly peppery milk, a horrible thin concoction. The steaks were cooked to the required medium-rare but were anaemic looking things, tough and stringy and quite a battle to eat, even with steak knives. Is it really that hard to cook a good steak? There must be more to it than I understand because of all the steaks I've ever had in London, only those at Hawksmoor and Santa Maria del Sur have been any good. Even my own Fox & Hounds can't really pull off a good rib eye. I have a sneaking suspicion it's all to do with the sourcing of the meat, and to make a profit on anything less than a Â£18 steak you have to sacrifice quality somewhere down the line. Hawskmoor steaks are expensive - about Â£18 for the rump from memory, much more for the sirloin - but they are drop dead gorgeous things and never disappoint. Is it really worth boasting a Â£7 steak and chips on your menu if it tastes bloody awful?

We paid up and left, the modest bill going some way to offset the disappointment. When I got home my sister had made chocolate covered strawberries, and the bitter memory of the Hoxton Grille faded away for good.

P.S. I have just gone through this post correcting the spelling of "Grille". A ridiculous bit of Hoxtony pretention but I suppose it's their call.

30 St Mary Axe - Cuisine with view by Cedric

Cedric — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 09:47:21 +0000

Review by Cedric

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7071 5009

Website: http://www.30stmaryaxe.com/

Tags: french, pretentious, expensive

Situated on the very last floor of the Ghirken building this restaurant combined with a lounge offers a fantastic 360Â° view on London, even more enjoyable at dusk when the sun sets and you are sipping a glass of wine.

The restaurant is facing west, so you can enjoy the view on St Paul, the Mall and other buildings between two dishes.

The plates are not ambundantly filled but the content is really good and the menu offers some treats that are of prime quality. I personally opted for the following (sorry for rephrasing/simplifying the content of my plates, and certainly omitting some of the ingredients though):
- Starter: raviolo of salted beef
- Main: monkfish tail wrapped in cured ham with new potatoes and scallops in beurre blanc sauce
- an extensive cheese platter (and that's a French speaking here)
- Rice pudding with vanilla ice scoop and marinated peached jelly

Overall very satisfied by the food and the service which is really good. The manager was really savvy and provided us with extensive guidance when we needed to make a selection on the cheese board. Recommendations were very good and the bespoke cheeses were niche products instead of common ones. Really enjoyed discovering new tastes.

Final point, it seems that this restaurant is part of a member club, with an annual fee to pay to be granted access. I was fortunate enough to be invited and do not have the full details. But if you have the opportunity, jump on it. The food might not be a Michelin-star level but is still really good and combined with the stunning view you end up having a fantastic experience on the 39th floor of one the most iconic building in the world.Situated on the very last floor of the Ghirken building this restaurant combined with a lounge offers a fantastic 360Â° view on London, even more enjoyable at dusk when the sun sets and you are sipping a glass of wine.

The restaurant is facing west, so you can enjoy the view on St Paul, the Mall and other buildings between two dishes.

The plates are not ambundantly filled but the content is really good and the menu offers some treats that are of prime quality. I personally opted for the following (sorry for rephrasing/simplifying the content of my plates, and certainly omitting some of the ingredients though):
- Starter: raviolo of salted beef
- Main: monkfish tail wrapped in cured ham with new potatoes and scallops in beurre blanc sauce
- an extensive cheese platter (and that's a French speaking here)
- Rice pudding with vanilla ice scoop and marinated peached jelly

Overall very satisfied by the food and the service which is really good. The manager was really savvy and provided us with extensive guidance when we needed to make a selection on the cheese board. Recommendations were very good and the bespoke cheeses were niche products instead of common ones. Really enjoyed discovering new tastes.

Final point, it seems that this restaurant is part of a member club, with an annual fee to pay to be granted access. I was fortunate enough to be invited and do not have the full details. But if you have the opportunity, jump on it. The food might not be a Michelin-star level but is still really good and combined with the stunning view you end up having a fantastic experience on the 39th floor of one the most iconic building in the world.

The Mercer - City Treasure? by Hugo

Hugo — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:54:32 +0000

Review by Hugo

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7628 0001

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

Tags: tasty, modern, wines

In the heart of the city, in a converted Bank (what else would you expect in this area) is the crisp, modern and rather stylish Mercer. I don't often stray into the city but I was woo'd by the prospect of a tasty meal. I was with a notable food critic, so was probably spoilt rotten by the very friendly staff at The Mercer (thank you!) and am not entirely able to give an entirely unbiased review.

The first thing to mention is that this is one of the few restaurants in London to have a wine preserving machine, called an Enomatic, which allows the restaurant to have an inordinate choice of wine's by the glass. Refreshing and, apparently, the future - I'd agree.

The food was tasty and the menu full of things I wanted to try. I had Mackerel Pate, which was tasty - capers were a good touch, otherwise could have been a touch dull. Then for main course I had a punchy Monkfish with a curried sauce, which I enjoyed a lot. I was a touch envious of my fellow diners giant ravioli, which looked rather novel (pictured).

All in all, most enjoyable and a recommended spot within the city, a bit of turf I am not very familiar with. I was there for dinner and it was a relaxing ambiance but I understand that lunchtime is its busiest time and I can imagine it is a bustlingly popular place.In the heart of the city, in a converted Bank (what else would you expect in this area) is the crisp, modern and rather stylish Mercer. I don't often stray into the city but I was woo'd by the prospect of a tasty meal. I was with a notable food critic, so was probably spoilt rotten by the very friendly staff at The Mercer (thank you!) and am not entirely able to give an entirely unbiased review.

The first thing to mention is that this is one of the few restaurants in London to have a wine preserving machine, called an Enomatic, which allows the restaurant to have an inordinate choice of wine's by the glass. Refreshing and, apparently, the future - I'd agree.

The food was tasty and the menu full of things I wanted to try. I had Mackerel Pate, which was tasty - capers were a good touch, otherwise could have been a touch dull. Then for main course I had a punchy Monkfish with a curried sauce, which I enjoyed a lot. I was a touch envious of my fellow diners giant ravioli, which looked rather novel (pictured).

All in all, most enjoyable and a recommended spot within the city, a bit of turf I am not very familiar with. I was there for dinner and it was a relaxing ambiance but I understand that lunchtime is its busiest time and I can imagine it is a bustlingly popular place.

Nakhon Thai - Poor Service, too dark, food not memorable by princessjasmine

princessjasmine — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 16:00:51 +0000

Review by princessjasmine

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7628 1555

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

Tags: thai, romantic, bar

Located off a side street in the city this restaurant did not have the atmosphere to be a memorable evening. It is poorly lit (couldn't see food properly which I think is important in a restaurant). The waitresses although friendly struggled to understand, starters were cold when they arrived. Main dishes were plentiful but more rice would have been nice. Decor is a bit old fashioned with too much on the tables (endless glasses, menus, cutlery, flowers etc). Would probably not go again.

Located off a side street in the city this restaurant did not have the atmosphere to be a memorable evening. It is poorly lit (couldn't see food properly which I think is important in a restaurant). The waitresses although friendly struggled to understand, starters were cold when they arrived. Main dishes were plentiful but more rice would have been nice. Decor is a bit old fashioned with too much on the tables (endless glasses, menus, cutlery, flowers etc). Would probably not go again.

Kenza - Great! by perinouk

perinouk — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:28:25 +0000

Review by perinouk

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7929 5533

Website: http://www.kenza-restaurant.com

Tags: romantic, business, crowded

From the moment you enter and walk down the stairs to the treasure room you are absorbed by the magic of arabia, africa, whatever. The food is out of this world, the waiters nice and knowledgeable, the drinks (bring more!) great and the decor fantastic. Try it - you won't be disappointed. Not cheap but great.From the moment you enter and walk down the stairs to the treasure room you are absorbed by the magic of arabia, africa, whatever. The food is out of this world, the waiters nice and knowledgeable, the drinks (bring more!) great and the decor fantastic. Try it - you won't be disappointed. Not cheap but great.

St John Bread & Wine - Scary animal bits = pretty tasty by kellytron

kellytron — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 16:48:05 +0000

Review by kellytron

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7251 0848

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

Tags: british, trendy, meat

My friend and I decided to slink in here one day for a quiet Sunday dinner while nursing hangovers and were pretty impressed. Granted, this may have been a dangerous call as a restaurant known for the assortment of animal parts on their menu and a hangover don't seem to go together, but it worked out well.

The menu changes daily with a variety of starters (great for sharing) and a couple of main options. They sell the bread to take way and it is well worth buying too.

First up, I found the service charming especially as we were asking lots of questions in an attempt to figure out exactly what part of the animal was being served. And we got to try some dessert for free! (but couldnâ¬"t fit in anything else after our sample)

I can't remember the details of the food but here is a summary. We shared four starter plates and one main)
Cuttle fish: (Really tasty. Generous portion.)
Quail: (I didn't really try this as its pinky purple flesh scared me. Maybe this is the right colour but my hangover wouldn't let me try it)
Pork belly bits (I forget its proper name: Really moreish. We ate these until we felt ill. And then ate some more.)
Blood cake and poached duck egg: (Pretty tasty but we had a fair bit of this left over as you can only eat so much blood.)
Venison (main): (Nice and succulent)

We shied away from the more 'scary' animail bits such as heart, but they are meant to do that really well if you like that sort of thing.

My friend and I decided to slink in here one day for a quiet Sunday dinner while nursing hangovers and were pretty impressed. Granted, this may have been a dangerous call as a restaurant known for the assortment of animal parts on their menu and a hangover don't seem to go together, but it worked out well.

The menu changes daily with a variety of starters (great for sharing) and a couple of main options. They sell the bread to take way and it is well worth buying too.

First up, I found the service charming especially as we were asking lots of questions in an attempt to figure out exactly what part of the animal was being served. And we got to try some dessert for free! (but couldnâ¬"t fit in anything else after our sample)

I can't remember the details of the food but here is a summary. We shared four starter plates and one main)
Cuttle fish: (Really tasty. Generous portion.)
Quail: (I didn't really try this as its pinky purple flesh scared me. Maybe this is the right colour but my hangover wouldn't let me try it)
Pork belly bits (I forget its proper name: Really moreish. We ate these until we felt ill. And then ate some more.)
Blood cake and poached duck egg: (Pretty tasty but we had a fair bit of this left over as you can only eat so much blood.)
Venison (main): (Nice and succulent)

We shied away from the more 'scary' animail bits such as heart, but they are meant to do that really well if you like that sort of thing.

Ekachai - Fancy Thai much?... by mazphd

mazphd — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 04:40:34 +0000

Review by mazphd

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7626 1155

Tags: thai, malaysian, crowded

Taking some time out for a Thai lunch? Ekachai provides quick service, and offering of 'authentic' Thai dishes thats superior to the likes of Wagamama's. But then thats not that difficult right!

Much like the Waga's experience, there's a range of juices, teas and the usual accompanying beers etc. before your menu is scribbled on for food orders. Remind you of anywhere yet?...

So Waga's analogies aside, Ekachi success relies on the provision of easy to cook in large quantities Thai food. Mostly very noddle based soups, very rice based curries, and the usual 'traditional' Thai dish chicken and cashew nuts. So nothing to really inspire and make the mouth water, but what is made is fast, just a little predictable and lack lustre. My miso soup may have been the size of a bucket, but it was mostly noodles, very limited vegetables (clearly straight from a tin/ frozen) and the tofu was inedible.

Other people's dishes looked the part, so passed the 'pretty on the plate' test, but again were let down by disappointing accompanying salad, 2 leaves each!, more rice than spice and nothing really that awe inspiring.

Still if you want a quick eat and 'Thai' experience then you could do worse than Ekachai. You could do Waga's, but then at least you'd spot some Z-list celebrities too! Taking some time out for a Thai lunch? Ekachai provides quick service, and offering of 'authentic' Thai dishes thats superior to the likes of Wagamama's. But then thats not that difficult right!

Much like the Waga's experience, there's a range of juices, teas and the usual accompanying beers etc. before your menu is scribbled on for food orders. Remind you of anywhere yet?...

So Waga's analogies aside, Ekachi success relies on the provision of easy to cook in large quantities Thai food. Mostly very noddle based soups, very rice based curries, and the usual 'traditional' Thai dish chicken and cashew nuts. So nothing to really inspire and make the mouth water, but what is made is fast, just a little predictable and lack lustre. My miso soup may have been the size of a bucket, but it was mostly noodles, very limited vegetables (clearly straight from a tin/ frozen) and the tofu was inedible.

Other people's dishes looked the part, so passed the 'pretty on the plate' test, but again were let down by disappointing accompanying salad, 2 leaves each!, more rice than spice and nothing really that awe inspiring.

Still if you want a quick eat and 'Thai' experience then you could do worse than Ekachai. You could do Waga's, but then at least you'd spot some Z-list celebrities too!

Gattis - Italian with Flair by dextermoscow

dextermoscow — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 23:07:13 +0000

Review by dextermoscow

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7247 1051

Tags: italian, lively, good value

The Executive Network chose this excellent restaurants as the location for their Christmas get together. My wife and I joined 50 or so other discerning people to enjoy the ambience and friendly, highly efficient service.

The menu was typically Italian and I had the roasted vegetables with veal to follow. Allowing for the number of people being served at the same time the food was well presented, tasty and served hot without fuss. I highly recommend this attractive and well managed restaurants.The Executive Network chose this excellent restaurants as the location for their Christmas get together. My wife and I joined 50 or so other discerning people to enjoy the ambience and friendly, highly efficient service.

The menu was typically Italian and I had the roasted vegetables with veal to follow. Allowing for the number of people being served at the same time the food was well presented, tasty and served hot without fuss. I highly recommend this attractive and well managed restaurants.