Latest reviews for Food & Drink in Notting Hill, London, United Kingdom

The Hummingbird Bakery - Small and (too) Sweet by sue

sue — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 15:59:04 +0000

Review by sue

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7229 6446

Website: http://www.hummingbirdbakery.com

Just happened upon the Hummingbird Bakery one afternoon and couldn't resist having a closer look. I had heard about it before - reading horror stories about horrendous queues at the South Kensington branch, and so-so cupcakes.

Was thinking about sampling some cupcakes there with a cuppa, but the shop was not an inviting place to linger, so decided to buy a couple of cupcakes to take home instead.

I was pleasantly surprised that the price per cupcake was cheaper than ones I usually buy, but on closer inspection realised that these Hummingbird cupcakes were smaller. I was disappointed by the range of flavours - basically vanilla or chocolate cake with a few different icing options. Oh well, I had to try some.

Ended up buying a chocolate cupcake with green icing and sprinkles, and a vanilla cupcake with meringue icing. The cake part was ok, but nothing memorable. The icing on both was way too sweet. Not worth the calories.Just happened upon the Hummingbird Bakery one afternoon and couldn't resist having a closer look. I had heard about it before - reading horror stories about horrendous queues at the South Kensington branch, and so-so cupcakes.

Was thinking about sampling some cupcakes there with a cuppa, but the shop was not an inviting place to linger, so decided to buy a couple of cupcakes to take home instead.

I was pleasantly surprised that the price per cupcake was cheaper than ones I usually buy, but on closer inspection realised that these Hummingbird cupcakes were smaller. I was disappointed by the range of flavours - basically vanilla or chocolate cake with a few different icing options. Oh well, I had to try some.

Ended up buying a chocolate cupcake with green icing and sprinkles, and a vanilla cupcake with meringue icing. The cake part was ok, but nothing memorable. The icing on both was way too sweet. Not worth the calories.

The Spice Shop - Shop assistant with "issues" by QueenBee

QueenBee — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:52:10 +0000

Review by QueenBee

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7221 4448

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

Very rude and unhelpful shop assitant, who appears to have an issue with people of colour. Stock layout confusing, and no product advice given. Poor quality packaging, oh and did I mention the very rude shop assistant, who greeted me the most evil look as I stepped into the store - best avoid.

Given one star as this website would not allow me to publish without a rating.
Very rude and unhelpful shop assitant, who appears to have an issue with people of colour. Stock layout confusing, and no product advice given. Poor quality packaging, oh and did I mention the very rude shop assistant, who greeted me the most evil look as I stepped into the store - best avoid.

Given one star as this website would not allow me to publish without a rating.

The Grocer on Elgin - Tim Tam lovers rejoice by sue

sue — Sun, 18 May 2008 13:00:51 +0000

Review by sue

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7221 3844

Website: http://www.thegroceron.com

Tags: australian, friendly, trendy

After having read about the Grocer on Elgin, when I spied it whilst taking a casual wander along Portobello Road a detour was in order. The grocer specialises in ready made meals, and although we didn't buy any on this visit, they did sound/look good and decent value considering the location.

There was also a small selection of grocery items and fruit and veg, but the thing that excited us the most was the selection of Australian products available - always exciting for us ex-pats! Not one, but three flavours of Tim Tams, chocolate bars, Vita Wheats, Nutra Grain and more. We stocked up on a few "essentials" and now know where to shop next time we get a craving that only a Caramel Tim Tam with satisfy.After having read about the Grocer on Elgin, when I spied it whilst taking a casual wander along Portobello Road a detour was in order. The grocer specialises in ready made meals, and although we didn't buy any on this visit, they did sound/look good and decent value considering the location.

There was also a small selection of grocery items and fruit and veg, but the thing that excited us the most was the selection of Australian products available - always exciting for us ex-pats! Not one, but three flavours of Tim Tams, chocolate bars, Vita Wheats, Nutra Grain and more. We stocked up on a few "essentials" and now know where to shop next time we get a craving that only a Caramel Tim Tam with satisfy.

Gail's - Bread, Cakes and Coffee by sue

sue — Sun, 18 May 2008 12:58:52 +0000

Review by sue

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7460 0766

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

Tags: cakes, bread, quick bite

After a visit to the very interesting Museum of Brands, Packaging & Advertising, a coffee was in order and the first place we came across was the inviting looking Gail's on Portobello Road.

Gail's is a bakery and cafÃ© which has a mouth-watering array of tasty looking goodies, along with a variety of fresh baked breads including the biggest loaf of sourdough I have ever seen!

The four of us took a while to decide what we wanted to eat with our coffee - everything looked great. In the end we opted for a healthy-ish muffin, a cute little pecan tart, a ricotta babka, and a mini maple cake. All were very good, apart from the maple cake which tasted like it had been sitting around for a couple of days. Plotting a return visit though for some of that sourdough.After a visit to the very interesting Museum of Brands, Packaging & Advertising, a coffee was in order and the first place we came across was the inviting looking Gail's on Portobello Road.

Gail's is a bakery and cafÃ© which has a mouth-watering array of tasty looking goodies, along with a variety of fresh baked breads including the biggest loaf of sourdough I have ever seen!

The four of us took a while to decide what we wanted to eat with our coffee - everything looked great. In the end we opted for a healthy-ish muffin, a cute little pecan tart, a ricotta babka, and a mini maple cake. All were very good, apart from the maple cake which tasted like it had been sitting around for a couple of days. Plotting a return visit though for some of that sourdough.

Melt - Willy Wonka Lookout! by belinda

belinda — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:59:27 +0000

Review by belinda

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7727 5030

Website: http://www.meltchocolates.com

Tags: expensive, special, chocolate

Unusual and yummy chocolates ( in this chocolate shop, they are not a cafe but they do have hot chocolate.

Its a "select your own" set-up but don't go crazy as these chocolates are very expensive. My husband went a tad crazy when we first went there and we ended up with a box of chocolates for Â£30 (thats after I made him put some back!). Luckily these chocolates are so divine that you only need a couple to overdose.

They do these chocolate hearts where you can put a gift inside and they seal it up, very cute!

They used to have the most amazing chocolate fudge cake but it was made by some woman not by Melt and she stopped making it, get it back! it was divine.

They package the chocolate very nice so it always makes a great gift and you can sometime see the chocolates being made as the shop/kitchen is open.Unusual and yummy chocolates ( in this chocolate shop, they are not a cafe but they do have hot chocolate.

Its a "select your own" set-up but don't go crazy as these chocolates are very expensive. My husband went a tad crazy when we first went there and we ended up with a box of chocolates for Â£30 (thats after I made him put some back!). Luckily these chocolates are so divine that you only need a couple to overdose.

They do these chocolate hearts where you can put a gift inside and they seal it up, very cute!

They used to have the most amazing chocolate fudge cake but it was made by some woman not by Melt and she stopped making it, get it back! it was divine.

They package the chocolate very nice so it always makes a great gift and you can sometime see the chocolates being made as the shop/kitchen is open.

Ottolenghi - Really yum (but helps to have deap pockets) by kellytron

kellytron — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 16:54:50 +0000

Review by kellytron

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7727 1121

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

Tags: expensive, pricey, lunch

Now the food here (mainly salad, breads and cold meats) is just amazing tasting and even better looking. But it really isn't cheap.

Four types of salad on a plate for Â£13 (i think) is a lot, even if they are the nicest salads I've ever tasted.

So until my pockets get deeper or my live of salad gets stronger I might stick to walking past, drooling and stealing ideas for salads to make at home!

NB: I have eaten at the one on Upper Street, Islington

Now the food here (mainly salad, breads and cold meats) is just amazing tasting and even better looking. But it really isn't cheap.

Four types of salad on a plate for Â£13 (i think) is a lot, even if they are the nicest salads I've ever tasted.

So until my pockets get deeper or my live of salad gets stronger I might stick to walking past, drooling and stealing ideas for salads to make at home!

NB: I have eaten at the one on Upper Street, Islington

Tea Palace - An alternative tea place by cpque1

cpque1 — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 21:32:14 +0000

Review by cpque1

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7727 2600

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

Tags: good value, british, family & home feel

Surprisingly this neat little joint tucked away in the streets of notting hill really lived up to its reputation. The place was deceivingly quiet when we walked in on a weekday for lunch (perhaps because it was near the peaceful zone of surburbia) but people slowly trickled in afterwards. Slightly clinical in approach, but I could only imagine it was intended that way. Tea is their pride and joy hence the ultra preened image to emphasize its place on a pedestal. I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food served, given how much attention, talk and menu space is devoted to tea. Lunch was a platter of very clean and crisp flavours (surprisingly rare), perhaps brought out by the clearness in quality of the tea? and the prices were fairly reasonable for lunch. Also expect full stories and histories of tea, and an array of tea flavours you never knew existed, but regardless, tea palace is a delightful find, perfect for weekend brunches with the ladies. Surprisingly this neat little joint tucked away in the streets of notting hill really lived up to its reputation. The place was deceivingly quiet when we walked in on a weekday for lunch (perhaps because it was near the peaceful zone of surburbia) but people slowly trickled in afterwards. Slightly clinical in approach, but I could only imagine it was intended that way. Tea is their pride and joy hence the ultra preened image to emphasize its place on a pedestal. I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food served, given how much attention, talk and menu space is devoted to tea. Lunch was a platter of very clean and crisp flavours (surprisingly rare), perhaps brought out by the clearness in quality of the tea? and the prices were fairly reasonable for lunch. Also expect full stories and histories of tea, and an array of tea flavours you never knew existed, but regardless, tea palace is a delightful find, perfect for weekend brunches with the ladies.

Kingsland Butcher - by gilka

gilka — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 17:43:19 +0000

Review by gilka

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7727 6067

Tags: cheeses, organic produce

If you are in Portobello market and need meat, this is the place. The butchers have a very interesting characters. The senior looking butcher, looks like he has been doing this for all his life and has so much confident in the way he prepare the meat that you feel safe...
There is usually a queue so you canâ¬"t mess around- know what you want and be clear, otherwise you are going to get some nasty looks...If you are in Portobello market and need meat, this is the place. The butchers have a very interesting characters. The senior looking butcher, looks like he has been doing this for all his life and has so much confident in the way he prepare the meat that you feel safe...
There is usually a queue so you canâ¬"t mess around- know what you want and be clear, otherwise you are going to get some nasty looks...

Tom's Delicatessen - Tom Conrans hip cafe/ delicatessen by Hugo

Hugo — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 22:56:57 +0000

Review by Hugo

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7221 8818

Tags: cosy, trendy, cool

A good spot for a proper Notting Hill cool breakfast.

You will probably have to queue (unless you are going at Trustafarian O'Clock) but it is fun, quite hip with good Grotting Hill people watching potential.

I think this used to be cooler than it is now but still a great spot to get some breakfast or lunch in a very pleasant environment. The inside of the cafe is quite cramped with little tables but they have a little balcony and garden out the back with a few tables - this is probably the most fun spot to be but can be hard to get a vacancy.

Tom Conran does things very well indeed with a great personal touch and a fun vibe. He is the Mr Westbourne Grove of Nosh. Also did, The Cow (great fish pub) and Lucky 7 (a diner).A good spot for a proper Notting Hill cool breakfast.

You will probably have to queue (unless you are going at Trustafarian O'Clock) but it is fun, quite hip with good Grotting Hill people watching potential.

I think this used to be cooler than it is now but still a great spot to get some breakfast or lunch in a very pleasant environment. The inside of the cafe is quite cramped with little tables but they have a little balcony and garden out the back with a few tables - this is probably the most fun spot to be but can be hard to get a vacancy.

Tom Conran does things very well indeed with a great personal touch and a fun vibe. He is the Mr Westbourne Grove of Nosh. Also did, The Cow (great fish pub) and Lucky 7 (a diner).