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    <title>Latest reviews for  Restaurants in St James's, London, United Kingdom</title>
    <link>http://trustedplaces.com</link>
    <description></description>
    <language>en</language>
    <item>
      <title>Blossom - Not overwhelming, but not bad by curlyfries</title>
      <link>http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1833l8h/blossom/108ru8</link>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/placepics/ldc_1833l8h.140.jpg" /><img src="http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/userpics/curlyfries_580ac9ba.120.jpg" /><br /><b>Review by <a href="http://trustedplaces.com/user/curlyfries">curlyfries</a></b><br /><br /><b>Rating:</b> 3.00<p><b>Tags:</b> <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=japanese'>japanese</a>, <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=lively'>lively</a>, <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=crowded'>crowded</a></p>We had to queue for a few minutes at Blossom last week as it was pretty packed (but then it was Friday lunch in the city).  The staff were very helpful at repeatedly telling us we had only five minutes, two minutes, one minute, three minutes to wait, and were very efficient at taking our order, too, although how I was meant to have chosen when I&#39;d only had the menu for fifteen seconds I&#39;m not entirely sure. <br /><br />Still, when we finally got to sit down at our shared bench, and seeing as we were having a "meeting" on my mate&#39;s expenses, we went a bit to town on the ordering.  It&#39;s Korean-Japanese, this place, but I was all out for Japanese and sushi last week.  So for starters we went for deep fried chilli squid, which presented itself as tiny rings of very tasty breadcrumb-coated business; the allegedly-pork gyoza were crunchy, cold and entirely tasteless; and the duck salad was worth travelling to Moorgate and back on its own: divine rosy pink slices of melt-in-the-mouth breast draped lovingly over a leafy glass noodle salad.  The main-course sushi was boring, however: we both ordered the Makimono selection and were completely uninspired by bland vegetable rolls, salmon/avocado rolls and some other things that were rather heavily sprinkled with bright orange roe, although the tuna maki wasn&#39;t half bad.<br /><br />On the upside, Blossom was not revoltingly expensive (and having not paid for it, at least I felt I hadn&#39;t wasted my money on the sushi): all that food and a couple of freshly-squeezed fruit drinks came to 38 quid.  It&#39;s not as if I&#39;m frequently in the area but if I do ever find myself passing through I&#39;d be tempted to nip in for a couple of duck salads, and I&#39;m curious about the great steaming Korean stew-type things that were going on at the next table.  Still, I suppose if you work that way it&#39;s an easy option for a fast and relatively cheap tasty meal in the lively company of lunching suits.We had to queue for a few minutes at Blossom last week as it was pretty packed (but then it was Friday lunch in the city).  The staff were very helpful at repeatedly telling us we had only five minutes, two minutes, one minute, three minutes to wait, and were very efficient at taking our order, too, although how I was meant to have chosen when I&#39;d only had the menu for fifteen seconds I&#39;m not entirely sure. <br /><br />Still, when we finally got to sit down at our shared bench, and seeing as we were having a "meeting" on my mate&#39;s expenses, we went a bit to town on the ordering.  It&#39;s Korean-Japanese, this place, but I was all out for Japanese and sushi last week.  So for starters we went for deep fried chilli squid, which presented itself as tiny rings of very tasty breadcrumb-coated business; the allegedly-pork gyoza were crunchy, cold and entirely tasteless; and the duck salad was worth travelling to Moorgate and back on its own: divine rosy pink slices of melt-in-the-mouth breast draped lovingly over a leafy glass noodle salad.  The main-course sushi was boring, however: we both ordered the Makimono selection and were completely uninspired by bland vegetable rolls, salmon/avocado rolls and some other things that were rather heavily sprinkled with bright orange roe, although the tuna maki wasn&#39;t half bad.<br /><br />On the upside, Blossom was not revoltingly expensive (and having not paid for it, at least I felt I hadn&#39;t wasted my money on the sushi): all that food and a couple of freshly-squeezed fruit drinks came to 38 quid.  It&#39;s not as if I&#39;m frequently in the area but if I do ever find myself passing through I&#39;d be tempted to nip in for a couple of duck salads, and I&#39;m curious about the great steaming Korean stew-type things that were going on at the next table.  Still, I suppose if you work that way it&#39;s an easy option for a fast and relatively cheap tasty meal in the lively company of lunching suits.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:42:01 +0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">/review/uk/london/restaurant/1833l8h/blossom/108ru8473988345</guid>
      <dc:creator>curlyfries</dc:creator>
      <category>japanese</category>
      <category>lively</category>
      <category>crowded</category>
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    <item>
      <title>Abracadabra - Really, really, really bad by merfmerfmerf</title>
      <link>http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1863m8w/abracadabra/1o0q28</link>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/placepics/ldc_1863m8w.140.jpg" /><img src="http://trustedplaces.com/img/empty_user.gif" /><br /><b>Review by <a href="http://trustedplaces.com/user/merfmerfmerf">merfmerfmerf</a></b><br /><br /><b>Rating:</b> 1.00<p><b>Phone:</b> 020 7930 3111</p><p><b>Website:</b> http://www.abracadabra-online.co.uk</p><p><b>Tags:</b> <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=american'>american</a>, <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=expensive'>expensive</a>, <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=bar'>bar</a></p>This is the worst restaurant l have ever been to.<br /><br />The service was amateur and insulting. The food was so bad l actually thought l was going to vomit during the meal. The atmosphere was nonexistent. The only others in the place were Eastern European working girls smoking and drinking bottles of cheap plonk. But, worst of all, the price was extortionate. Two champaign cocktails were ordered to start the meal off at a price of &#0194;&#0163;12.50 each. They were disgusting, missing ingredients, bits floating in them I actually had to stir my own to make it at all palatable.<br /><br />This is a rich mans folly. Which l have no problem with. And as a bar, downstairs looked average for the area. But to advertise this a restaurant is misleading in the extreme. Clearly no one involved in this sham has any knowledge or interest in food. This place served one purpose; to show off the owners wealth and dubious taste in interior design. I can&#39;t believe we trusted them with a special birthday celebration and they ruined it. It actually makes me angry to think about it. Throwing away money for some fat scamster in a pink suits ego trip.<br /><br />It was so bad, at one point my girlfriend burst into tears, unable to cope with how hard she&#39;d tried to organise a special occasion and how much it had backfired due to this cheap, nasty place.<br /><br />ERGH&#33;<br /><br />Please don&#39;t assume because this review is so bad l&#39;m writing due to some personal/business vendetta. I just want to avoid any other hapless dinners falling into the same trap. Please avoid at all cost&#33;This is the worst restaurant l have ever been to.<br /><br />The service was amateur and insulting. The food was so bad l actually thought l was going to vomit during the meal. The atmosphere was nonexistent. The only others in the place were Eastern European working girls smoking and drinking bottles of cheap plonk. But, worst of all, the price was extortionate. Two champaign cocktails were ordered to start the meal off at a price of &#0194;&#0163;12.50 each. They were disgusting, missing ingredients, bits floating in them I actually had to stir my own to make it at all palatable.<br /><br />This is a rich mans folly. Which l have no problem with. And as a bar, downstairs looked average for the area. But to advertise this a restaurant is misleading in the extreme. Clearly no one involved in this sham has any knowledge or interest in food. This place served one purpose; to show off the owners wealth and dubious taste in interior design. I can&#39;t believe we trusted them with a special birthday celebration and they ruined it. It actually makes me angry to think about it. Throwing away money for some fat scamster in a pink suits ego trip.<br /><br />It was so bad, at one point my girlfriend burst into tears, unable to cope with how hard she&#39;d tried to organise a special occasion and how much it had backfired due to this cheap, nasty place.<br /><br />ERGH&#33;<br /><br />Please don&#39;t assume because this review is so bad l&#39;m writing due to some personal/business vendetta. I just want to avoid any other hapless dinners falling into the same trap. Please avoid at all cost&#33;]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:04:38 +0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">/review/uk/london/restaurant/1863m8w/abracadabra/1o0q281731668659</guid>
      <dc:creator>merfmerfmerf</dc:creator>
      <category>american</category>
      <category>expensive</category>
      <category>bar</category>
      <georss:point>51.5082985 -0.1371299</georss:point>
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    <item>
      <title>Wagamama - tasty by t_moussa</title>
      <link>http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1v7267e/wagamama/1j5jo8</link>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/placepics/ldc_1v7267e.140.jpg" /><img src="http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/userpics/t_moussa_0bbdcbf6.120.jpg" /><br /><b>Review by <a href="http://trustedplaces.com/user/t_moussa">t_moussa</a></b><br /><br /><b>Rating:</b> 4.00<p><b>Phone:</b> 020 7588 2688</p><p><b>Website:</b> http://www.wagamama.com</p><p><b>Tags:</b> <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=lively'>lively</a>, <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=good value'>good value</a>, <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=japanese'>japanese</a></p>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&#39;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&#33; 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&#39;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&#33; 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.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:51:44 +0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">/review/uk/london/restaurant/1v7267e/wagamama/1j5jo8117654618</guid>
      <dc:creator>t_moussa</dc:creator>
      <category>lively</category>
      <category>good value</category>
      <category>japanese</category>
      <georss:point>51.5198 -0.089453</georss:point>
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    <item>
      <title>The Ritz Restaurant - amazing food by beckyfox</title>
      <link>http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o42c7q/the-ritz-restaurant/1p2h98</link>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/placepics/124874_becb6f3b.140.jpg" /><img src="http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/userpics/beckyfox_7ee2071d.120.jpg" /><br /><b>Review by <a href="http://trustedplaces.com/user/beckyfox">beckyfox</a></b><br /><br /><b>Rating:</b> 5.00<p><b>Phone:</b> 020 7493 8181</p><p><b>Website:</b> http://www.theritzhotel.co.uk</p><p><b>Tags:</b> <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=expensive'>expensive</a>, <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=good food'>good food</a>, <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=posh'>posh</a></p>I have been to the ritz restaurant a few times for lunch with my mum. If you want to be treated like a princess for the day then this is the place to go. My mum and i both love it. The food is delicious there is a set menu and a la carte the cuisine is french. the set menu lunch is a great choice i think it is around 37 pounds for 3 courses and coffee. the staff are very attentive and friendly. Once it was my mum&#39;s birthday and i told one of the waiters and after desert they brought over a ritz birthday cake for my mum. it really made her day and shows the special treatment you get there. The setting of the hotel is great perfect if you have something special to celebrate&#33;I have been to the ritz restaurant a few times for lunch with my mum. If you want to be treated like a princess for the day then this is the place to go. My mum and i both love it. The food is delicious there is a set menu and a la carte the cuisine is french. the set menu lunch is a great choice i think it is around 37 pounds for 3 courses and coffee. the staff are very attentive and friendly. Once it was my mum&#39;s birthday and i told one of the waiters and after desert they brought over a ritz birthday cake for my mum. it really made her day and shows the special treatment you get there. The setting of the hotel is great perfect if you have something special to celebrate&#33;]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:00:31 +0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o42c7q/the-ritz-restaurant/1p2h98926289522</guid>
      <dc:creator>beckyfox</dc:creator>
      <category>expensive</category>
      <category>good food</category>
      <category>posh</category>
      <georss:point>51.507311 -0.141707</georss:point>
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      <title>Diyarbakir Restaurant Ltd - Not a good experience by izolda</title>
      <link>http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1y63i67/diyarbakir-restaurant-ltd/1q3g88</link>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://trustedplaces.com/img/empty_place.gif" /><img src="http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/userpics/izolda_82285d0f.120.jpg" /><br /><b>Review by <a href="http://trustedplaces.com/user/izolda">izolda</a></b><br /><br /><b>Rating:</b> 1.00<p><b>Phone:</b> 020 88092777</p><p><b>Tags:</b> <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=turkish'>turkish</a>, <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=cheap eat'>cheap eat</a></p>Had food poisoning after visiting this place which lasted a week, so wouldn&#39;t recommend it to anyone unless immune to the pathogens that frequent these sorts of places. This is a run of the mill turkish kebbab joint cum restaurant that I made the mistake of visiting when I first arrived in the UK. The cooked food is pre-prepared and is reheated - I actually wouldn&#39;t put it past them topping up the same three dishes daily, which is unjygienic to put it mildly. The food didn&#39;t taste bad though, and a lot of the locals were in enjoying a meal which is what attracted me and my friend to the restaurant. However given the fact that we both came down with food poisoning this was obviously not a coincidence. To be avoided.Had food poisoning after visiting this place which lasted a week, so wouldn&#39;t recommend it to anyone unless immune to the pathogens that frequent these sorts of places. This is a run of the mill turkish kebbab joint cum restaurant that I made the mistake of visiting when I first arrived in the UK. The cooked food is pre-prepared and is reheated - I actually wouldn&#39;t put it past them topping up the same three dishes daily, which is unjygienic to put it mildly. The food didn&#39;t taste bad though, and a lot of the locals were in enjoying a meal which is what attracted me and my friend to the restaurant. However given the fact that we both came down with food poisoning this was obviously not a coincidence. To be avoided.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:19:19 +0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">/review/uk/london/restaurant/1y63i67/diyarbakir-restaurant-ltd/1q3g88489156754</guid>
      <dc:creator>izolda</dc:creator>
      <category>turkish</category>
      <category>cheap eat</category>
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    <item>
      <title>Le Caprice - Top restaurant by jmcfar</title>
      <link>http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1z8nv7/le-caprice/143gi7</link>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/placepics/1z8nv7_f009c766.140.jpg" /><img src="http://trustedplaces.com/img/empty_user.gif" /><br /><b>Review by <a href="http://trustedplaces.com/user/jmcfar">jmcfar</a></b><br /><br /><b>Rating:</b> 5.00<p><b>Phone:</b> 020 7629 2239</p><p><b>Website:</b> http://www.le-caprice.co.uk/</p><p><b>Tags:</b> <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=romantic'>romantic</a>, <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=expensive'>expensive</a>, <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=good value'>good value</a></p>A fantastic high class restaurant in St. James&#0226;&#0172;"s The menu is pricey but the food absolutely incredible. Moreover, the service too is fantastic, with friendly yet professional waiters. My favourites are the delicious steak tartare, one of the best steak tartars I have ever eaten, the goats cheese risotto, the steaks which were cooked to perfection, and my absolute favourite, which I have every time I go, which is the iced berries with hot white chocolate sauce as a dessert. A great restaurant to go to for special occasions, and I would go all the time if it were not for the slightly prohibitive pricing&#33;A fantastic high class restaurant in St. James&#0226;&#0172;"s The menu is pricey but the food absolutely incredible. Moreover, the service too is fantastic, with friendly yet professional waiters. My favourites are the delicious steak tartare, one of the best steak tartars I have ever eaten, the goats cheese risotto, the steaks which were cooked to perfection, and my absolute favourite, which I have every time I go, which is the iced berries with hot white chocolate sauce as a dessert. A great restaurant to go to for special occasions, and I would go all the time if it were not for the slightly prohibitive pricing&#33;]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:15:21 +0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">/review/uk/london/restaurant/1z8nv7/le-caprice/143gi71831882289</guid>
      <dc:creator>jmcfar</dc:creator>
      <category>romantic</category>
      <category>expensive</category>
      <category>good value</category>
      <georss:point>51.506901 -0.140797</georss:point>
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    <item>
      <title>The Sitar Balti - Rubbish by bobidiot</title>
      <link>http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1p32o8z/the-sitar-balti/1i2fz9</link>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/placepics/ldc_1p32o8z.140.jpg" /><img src="http://trustedplaces.com/img/empty_user.gif" /><br /><b>Review by <a href="http://trustedplaces.com/user/bobidiot">bobidiot</a></b><br /><br /><b>Rating:</b> 1.00<p><b>Phone:</b> 020 7836 3730</p><p><b>Tags:</b> <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=indian'>indian</a>, <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=vegetarian dishes'>vegetarian dishes</a></p>This is not a very nice place to eat in my opinion. The food was far too spicy and everyone in my group had an upset stomach later in the night. The waiters served us very promptly but it took ages for it to get to us, and it was only warm. I think it may have been sitting around for a while. The naan&#0226;&#0172;"s were disappointing too. They reminded me of Tesco value naans&#33; I thought the chairs and tables were of lower quality as well, and they whole atmosphere put us off going there again. One of out ten for this place. Do not go there please&#33; You have been warned&#33;This is not a very nice place to eat in my opinion. The food was far too spicy and everyone in my group had an upset stomach later in the night. The waiters served us very promptly but it took ages for it to get to us, and it was only warm. I think it may have been sitting around for a while. The naan&#0226;&#0172;"s were disappointing too. They reminded me of Tesco value naans&#33; I thought the chairs and tables were of lower quality as well, and they whole atmosphere put us off going there again. One of out ten for this place. Do not go there please&#33; You have been warned&#33;]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 29 Aug 2008 21:50:13 +0000</pubDate>
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      <dc:creator>bobidiot</dc:creator>
      <category>indian</category>
      <category>vegetarian dishes</category>
      <georss:point>51.510453 -0.121378</georss:point>
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    <item>
      <title>Jom Makan - LOVE THIS PLACE!! by jimbob77</title>
      <link>http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g86c8c/jom-makan/135eg7</link>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/placepics/301116_022aac68.140.jpg" /><img src="http://trustedplaces.com/img/empty_user.gif" /><br /><b>Review by <a href="http://trustedplaces.com/user/jimbob77">jimbob77</a></b><br /><br /><b>Rating:</b> 5.00<p><b>Phone:</b> 020 7925 2402</p><p><b>Website:</b> http://www.jommakan.co.uk/</p><p><b>Tags:</b> <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=malaysian'>malaysian</a>, <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=cheap eat'>cheap eat</a>, <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=lively'>lively</a></p>i have eaten there 4 times in 2 weeks and its bin a long time since i got THAT excited about a restaurant in london<br /><br />keep up the good work jom makani have eaten there 4 times in 2 weeks and its bin a long time since i got THAT excited about a restaurant in london<br /><br />keep up the good work jom makan]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:39:21 +0000</pubDate>
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      <dc:creator>jimbob77</dc:creator>
      <category>malaysian</category>
      <category>cheap eat</category>
      <category>lively</category>
      <georss:point>51.507978 -0.13032</georss:point>
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    <item>
      <title>The Avenue Restaurant &amp; Bar - Great place to celebrate! by xLHGx</title>
      <link>http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1p32f88/the-avenue-restaurant-and-bar/1t8dv7</link>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/placepics/ldc_1p32f88.140.jpg" /><img src="http://trustedplaces.com/img/empty_user.gif" /><br /><b>Review by <a href="http://trustedplaces.com/user/xLHGx">xLHGx</a></b><br /><br /><b>Rating:</b> 5.00<p><b>Phone:</b> 020 7321 2111</p><p><b>Website:</b> http://www.theavenue.co.uk</p><p><b>Tags:</b> <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=romantic'>romantic</a>, <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=expensive'>expensive</a>, <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=bar'>bar</a></p>I went here recently with my boyfriend to celebrate exam results. I wasn&#39;t entirely sure what to expect as my boyfriend booked but it turned out to be a lovely evening&#33; We had gone with an offer from a website and the staff were really good about it, pointing out a more varied menu we could have under the offer meaning we got a free glass of champagne&#33; The food was really great and despite minimalist decor there was a lovely atmosphere. I&#39;m also not usually a fan of fancy restaurant food but I could find something I wanted for each course even off our set menu&#33; The staff were very friendly, helpful and attentive. All in all it was a great place to eat&#33;I went here recently with my boyfriend to celebrate exam results. I wasn&#39;t entirely sure what to expect as my boyfriend booked but it turned out to be a lovely evening&#33; We had gone with an offer from a website and the staff were really good about it, pointing out a more varied menu we could have under the offer meaning we got a free glass of champagne&#33; The food was really great and despite minimalist decor there was a lovely atmosphere. I&#39;m also not usually a fan of fancy restaurant food but I could find something I wanted for each course even off our set menu&#33; The staff were very friendly, helpful and attentive. All in all it was a great place to eat&#33;]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:03:59 +0000</pubDate>
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      <dc:creator>xLHGx</dc:creator>
      <category>romantic</category>
      <category>expensive</category>
      <category>bar</category>
      <georss:point>51.505768 -0.138586</georss:point>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Aura Kitchen &amp; Bar - So awful I feel like I need a drink to recover by kellytron</title>
      <link>http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/172387a/aura-kitchen-and-bar/1h6767</link>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/placepics/149338_7c9ffa07.140.jpg" /><img src="http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/userpics/kellytron_a622e02c.120.jpg" /><br /><b>Review by <a href="http://trustedplaces.com/user/kellytron">kellytron</a></b><br /><br /><b>Rating:</b> 1.00<p><b>Phone:</b> 020 7499 6655</p><p><b>Tags:</b> <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=bar'>bar</a>, <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=dj'>dj</a>, <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=expensive'>expensive</a></p>Awful, awful venue that attempts to make you feel like it&#39;s a priveledge to be there. But it&#39;s not. <br />Trashy women, horrible music (think of bastardising Michael Jackson with really bad disco tunes), expensive drinks and posers ordereing drinks with sparklers coming out of them<br /><br />Honestly, I feel like a worse person for having been there. <br />Awful, awful venue that attempts to make you feel like it&#39;s a priveledge to be there. But it&#39;s not. <br />Trashy women, horrible music (think of bastardising Michael Jackson with really bad disco tunes), expensive drinks and posers ordereing drinks with sparklers coming out of them<br /><br />Honestly, I feel like a worse person for having been there. <br />]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 08 Mar 2008 10:52:30 +0000</pubDate>
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      <dc:creator>kellytron</dc:creator>
      <category>bar</category>
      <category>dj</category>
      <category>expensive</category>
      <georss:point>51.506325 -0.139169</georss:point>
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    <item>
      <title>Il Vicolo - snug Italian in St James's by ProfMagellan</title>
      <link>http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1e21y8r/il-vicolo/1507k8</link>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/placepics/ldc_1e21y8r.140.jpg" /><img src="http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/userpics/sokratis_02802e83.120.jpg" /><br /><b>Review by <a href="http://trustedplaces.com/user/ProfMagellan">ProfMagellan</a></b><br /><br /><b>Rating:</b> 4.00<p><b>Phone:</b> 020 7839 3960</p><p><b>Tags:</b> <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=italian'>italian</a>, <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=lively'>lively</a>, <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=good value'>good value</a></p>The Wolseley would not take us for a last minute reservation (they laughed at such a crass idea as a table on the day despite my devotion to them and to Mr King, London&#39;s premier restauranteur).  So we went here instead.<br />If you like Italian food and you are in St James&#39;s, then this is for you. Hidden in tiny Crown Passage, just behind Berry Bros (London&#39;s oldest wine merchant), this restaurant has recently had a complete makeover. Although starkly modern, it remains intimate and appropriate both for business and for pleasure. The staff are Italian and thus service is professional and upbeat. Mrs Magellan and I<br />had the special pasta of the day (penne with bolognese),<br />a rocket salad and half a bottle of the house Merlot.<br />The pasta was fantastic, tasty and generous in portion<br />and the Merlot very quaffable. Most of the other punters appeared to be tourists - or perhaps "non-doms" for this area of London has become a bit prohibitive for local people. But they all looked as though they were having a good time.<br />But if you are having a night on the town (maybe a show<br />in Shaftesbury Avenue or a film on Leicester Square this is but ten minutes walk away). <br />I thought the &#0194;&#0163;60 bill (including service) was good value for this well run and comfortable place. My only criticism was the piped music<br />which was at least reasonably quiet. Why do restauranteurs insist on playing piped muic which is now about as welcome as smoking or a glass of Blue Nun?<br />Having recently removed nearby Automat from Prof Magellan&#39;s list of West End favourites, I congratulate "Il Vicolo" on having entered it.The Wolseley would not take us for a last minute reservation (they laughed at such a crass idea as a table on the day despite my devotion to them and to Mr King, London&#39;s premier restauranteur).  So we went here instead.<br />If you like Italian food and you are in St James&#39;s, then this is for you. Hidden in tiny Crown Passage, just behind Berry Bros (London&#39;s oldest wine merchant), this restaurant has recently had a complete makeover. Although starkly modern, it remains intimate and appropriate both for business and for pleasure. The staff are Italian and thus service is professional and upbeat. Mrs Magellan and I<br />had the special pasta of the day (penne with bolognese),<br />a rocket salad and half a bottle of the house Merlot.<br />The pasta was fantastic, tasty and generous in portion<br />and the Merlot very quaffable. Most of the other punters appeared to be tourists - or perhaps "non-doms" for this area of London has become a bit prohibitive for local people. But they all looked as though they were having a good time.<br />But if you are having a night on the town (maybe a show<br />in Shaftesbury Avenue or a film on Leicester Square this is but ten minutes walk away). <br />I thought the &#0194;&#0163;60 bill (including service) was good value for this well run and comfortable place. My only criticism was the piped music<br />which was at least reasonably quiet. Why do restauranteurs insist on playing piped muic which is now about as welcome as smoking or a glass of Blue Nun?<br />Having recently removed nearby Automat from Prof Magellan&#39;s list of West End favourites, I congratulate "Il Vicolo" on having entered it.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 16 Feb 2008 15:50:29 +0000</pubDate>
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      <dc:creator>ProfMagellan</dc:creator>
      <category>italian</category>
      <category>lively</category>
      <category>good value</category>
      <georss:point>51.505525 -0.137587</georss:point>
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    <item>
      <title>Barraco Cafe - Home-cooked Brazilian food by Sami</title>
      <link>http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c14c8j/barraco-cafe/1x94l7</link>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://trustedplaces.com/img/empty_place.gif" /><img src="http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/userpics/Sami_d74321b4.120.jpg" /><br /><b>Review by <a href="http://trustedplaces.com/user/Sami">Sami</a></b><br /><br /><b>Rating:</b> 5.00<p><b>Tags:</b> <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=brazilian'>brazilian</a>, <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=chalk farm'>chalk farm</a>, <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=small'>small</a></p>One very hungover Brazilian friend and one very hungry me came here this past Sunday for a meal as my friend missed food from home and felt that I should go to a restaurant "where Brazilians go to eat when they miss their own." <br /><br />Thinking that we would miss the lunch rush by eating at 3 pm in the afternoon, we arrived and sure enough the tiny restaurant (with only 7 or 8 tables) was bursting at the seams - but being Brazilian, my friend charmed the Brazilian hostess and she promised to call us as soon as a table became free.<br /><br />True to her word, we received a phone call half an hour later, at which point we were faint from starvation and the incredible smell emanating from the restaurant and wafting down the street.<br /><br />I had fejoiada, a traditional black bean stew, while my friend went for something a bit simpler and chose a grilled chicken breast.  My fejoiada was served with greens braised in an unholy amount of butter, and rice which tasted as if it had been cooked in beef broth.  Eaten with a bit of farina (sorry, I can&#39;t spell) and some hot peppers, it was just what I had needed - tasty, incredibly filling, and so moreish (I can&#39;t believe I just used that word, I destest it) that I&#39;ve been fantasizing about another portion for the past few days.  While I didn&#39;t taste my friend&#39;s meal, he said it was very, very good.<br /><br />This place, while tiny, is worth the wait for a free table - the service is friendly, the menu is composed entirely of Brazilian favourites, and is beyond cheap - my fejoiada was only 6 pounds&#33;<br /><br />They do take reservations and I would absolutely recommend it - because it was packed and while the food is so homey that people scarf it down in a matter of seconds, it&#39;s cozy inside and instills in you a desire to linger over a milk tart or cup of coffee.One very hungover Brazilian friend and one very hungry me came here this past Sunday for a meal as my friend missed food from home and felt that I should go to a restaurant "where Brazilians go to eat when they miss their own." <br /><br />Thinking that we would miss the lunch rush by eating at 3 pm in the afternoon, we arrived and sure enough the tiny restaurant (with only 7 or 8 tables) was bursting at the seams - but being Brazilian, my friend charmed the Brazilian hostess and she promised to call us as soon as a table became free.<br /><br />True to her word, we received a phone call half an hour later, at which point we were faint from starvation and the incredible smell emanating from the restaurant and wafting down the street.<br /><br />I had fejoiada, a traditional black bean stew, while my friend went for something a bit simpler and chose a grilled chicken breast.  My fejoiada was served with greens braised in an unholy amount of butter, and rice which tasted as if it had been cooked in beef broth.  Eaten with a bit of farina (sorry, I can&#39;t spell) and some hot peppers, it was just what I had needed - tasty, incredibly filling, and so moreish (I can&#39;t believe I just used that word, I destest it) that I&#39;ve been fantasizing about another portion for the past few days.  While I didn&#39;t taste my friend&#39;s meal, he said it was very, very good.<br /><br />This place, while tiny, is worth the wait for a free table - the service is friendly, the menu is composed entirely of Brazilian favourites, and is beyond cheap - my fejoiada was only 6 pounds&#33;<br /><br />They do take reservations and I would absolutely recommend it - because it was packed and while the food is so homey that people scarf it down in a matter of seconds, it&#39;s cozy inside and instills in you a desire to linger over a milk tart or cup of coffee.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 09 Oct 2007 18:47:53 +0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c14c8j/barraco-cafe/1x94l7281522604</guid>
      <dc:creator>Sami</dc:creator>
      <category>brazilian</category>
      <category>chalk farm</category>
      <category>small</category>
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    <item>
      <title>Just St James - Fabulous Looking Restaurant by sue</title>
      <link>http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o02d73/just-st-james/1o71m8</link>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/placepics/124887_742bc920.140.jpg" /><img src="http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/userpics/sue_bce3cf09.120.jpg" /><br /><b>Review by <a href="http://trustedplaces.com/user/sue">sue</a></b><br /><br /><b>Rating:</b> 3.00<p><b>Phone:</b> 020 7976 4444</p><p><b>Website:</b> http://www.juststjames.com</p><p><b>Tags:</b> <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=business'>business</a>, <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=cool'>cool</a>, <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=romantic'>romantic</a></p>We were keen for a mid-week dinner out so we headed to Just St James, a fancy looking place close to Piccadilly Circus & Green Park, that I had recently read good things about.  <br /><br />It is located in a magnificent looking old building, with high ceilings, marble columns and moody lighting. Service was professional and the food was well presented and good quality. There is a relaxing bar area at the front, with the restaurant area to the rear and a mezzanine area for private functions.<br /><br />To start we shared the Scallops, which were served in a large scallop shell and were cooked well. For main meals we had the Venison and the Sea Bass. Both meals were pretty tasty, though the Sea Bass was a little bit too salty. We couldn&#39;t resist ordering a side of &#39;Just fries&#39; to accompany our meals. For dessert we shared a tasty Pistachio & Choc Brownie...well I had one mouthful only...maybe two.<br /><br />This is a pretty stunning looking restaurant and the experience here was pretty good, only let down by the smoky atmosphere.<br />We were keen for a mid-week dinner out so we headed to Just St James, a fancy looking place close to Piccadilly Circus & Green Park, that I had recently read good things about.  <br /><br />It is located in a magnificent looking old building, with high ceilings, marble columns and moody lighting. Service was professional and the food was well presented and good quality. There is a relaxing bar area at the front, with the restaurant area to the rear and a mezzanine area for private functions.<br /><br />To start we shared the Scallops, which were served in a large scallop shell and were cooked well. For main meals we had the Venison and the Sea Bass. Both meals were pretty tasty, though the Sea Bass was a little bit too salty. We couldn&#39;t resist ordering a side of &#39;Just fries&#39; to accompany our meals. For dessert we shared a tasty Pistachio & Choc Brownie...well I had one mouthful only...maybe two.<br /><br />This is a pretty stunning looking restaurant and the experience here was pretty good, only let down by the smoky atmosphere.<br />]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 16 Mar 2007 08:19:59 +0000</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o02d73/just-st-james/1o71m8339159233</guid>
      <dc:creator>sue</dc:creator>
      <category>business</category>
      <category>cool</category>
      <category>romantic</category>
      <georss:point>51.505576 -0.140081</georss:point>
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      <title>Elysee Restaurant -  by TrustedBot</title>
      <link>http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52h7p/elysee-restaurant/1y70d8</link>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/placepics/1n52h7p_4c6df85d.140.jpg" /><img src="http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/userpics/TrustedBot_7d540f87.120.jpg" /><br /><b>Review by <a href="http://trustedplaces.com/user/TrustedBot">TrustedBot</a></b><br /><br /><b>Rating:</b> 0.00<p><b>Phone:</b> 0207 636 4804</p><p><b>Tags:</b> <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=smoking'>smoking</a>, <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=party'>party</a>, <a href='http://trustedplaces.com/places/search?tags=al fresco'>al fresco</a></p>
From the moment you walk in, the Elysee&#0180;s friendly service will put you at ease. <p>Relax and enjoy a complete evening entertainment, - the finest French and Greek cuisine, vintage wines, a lively cabaret and dancing till the early hours. <p>Cabaret entertainment is provided by Athens&acute;s most popular singers and musicians. At the Elysee, they want you to enjoy life. So let yourself go a little. May be you would like to indulge in that old Greek custom, and break a few plates!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<p>For the warm summer evenings, eat al fresco in the Roof Garden. Relax and enjoy the intimate atmosphere as you sip your wine under the stars. The Roof Garden is an ideal spot for after-theatre supper, or just a quiet evening together.<p>The Elysee&#0180;s chef came to them from the Savoy 27 years ago, and has established the Elysee&#0180;s reputation for fine food. They offer superb French cuisine, and a selection of delicious Greek specialities. And to accompany your meal, the very best of French and Greek wine from the Elysee&#0180;s carefully chosen wine list.<p>Elysee&#0180;s entertainment attracts personalities and celebrities from all over the world as numerous articles published in newspapers and magazines testify, a small sample is given below.<p>New York Times<p>&#39;You can always expect the people to crack up when they are entertained at the Elysee Greek restaurant in London. And that goes for the dishes too. Customers engaged in that time-honoured Greek tradition of hurling dishes to the floor when appreciating the talents of the restaurant&acute;s performers. Owners George, Michael and Ulysses Karageorgis supply a liberal amount of plates and saucer&acute;s at everyone&acute;s table. Since the restaurant is open 364 days a year (closed on Christmas) Karageorgis brothers estimate that more than a million plates are smashed annually. The restaurant owner has proved conclusively that he can dish it out - and take it too.&#39;
From the moment you walk in, the Elysee&#0180;s friendly service will put you at ease. <p>Relax and enjoy a complete evening entertainment, - the finest French and Greek cuisine, vintage wines, a lively cabaret and dancing till the early hours. <p>Cabaret entertainment is provided by Athens&acute;s most popular singers and musicians. At the Elysee, they want you to enjoy life. So let yourself go a little. May be you would like to indulge in that old Greek custom, and break a few plates!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<p>For the warm summer evenings, eat al fresco in the Roof Garden. Relax and enjoy the intimate atmosphere as you sip your wine under the stars. The Roof Garden is an ideal spot for after-theatre supper, or just a quiet evening together.<p>The Elysee&#0180;s chef came to them from the Savoy 27 years ago, and has established the Elysee&#0180;s reputation for fine food. They offer superb French cuisine, and a selection of delicious Greek specialities. And to accompany your meal, the very best of French and Greek wine from the Elysee&#0180;s carefully chosen wine list.<p>Elysee&#0180;s entertainment attracts personalities and celebrities from all over the world as numerous articles published in newspapers and magazines testify, a small sample is given below.<p>New York Times<p>&#39;You can always expect the people to crack up when they are entertained at the Elysee Greek restaurant in London. And that goes for the dishes too. Customers engaged in that time-honoured Greek tradition of hurling dishes to the floor when appreciating the talents of the restaurant&acute;s performers. Owners George, Michael and Ulysses Karageorgis supply a liberal amount of plates and saucer&acute;s at everyone&acute;s table. Since the restaurant is open 364 days a year (closed on Christmas) Karageorgis brothers estimate that more than a million plates are smashed annually. The restaurant owner has proved conclusively that he can dish it out - and take it too.&#39;]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 08 Feb 2007 18:19:50 +0000</pubDate>
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      <dc:creator>TrustedBot</dc:creator>
      <category>smoking</category>
      <category>party</category>
      <category>al fresco</category>
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