Latest reviews in Temple, London, United Kingdom

Knight's Templar - Impressive decor by mapocathy

mapocathy — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:40:20 +0000

Review by mapocathy

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7831 2660

Website: http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/pub/theknightstemplar

Tags: posh, excellent pub food, food

For someone who wants to check out a more posh/professional side of London, the Knight's Templar provides you with the legal crowd and occassional students from King's College since their library is just opposite to the pub.

The food is good - as usual with all the WSP chains, and their lunch curry is fantasy - good for value as well. About Â£7-8 for lunch with drinks included. Perfect for someone who wants to escape the tourists and venture into somewhere local. Chancery Lane itself is an interested lane, with a lot of hidden little cafes and restaurants, also mostly cater for the legal professionals.For someone who wants to check out a more posh/professional side of London, the Knight's Templar provides you with the legal crowd and occassional students from King's College since their library is just opposite to the pub.

The food is good - as usual with all the WSP chains, and their lunch curry is fantasy - good for value as well. About Â£7-8 for lunch with drinks included. Perfect for someone who wants to escape the tourists and venture into somewhere local. Chancery Lane itself is an interested lane, with a lot of hidden little cafes and restaurants, also mostly cater for the legal professionals.

115 At Hodgson's - Not bad, but not great by t0m

t0m — Sun, 04 May 2008 22:59:51 +0000

Review by t0m

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7242 2836

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

Tags: conservatory, good value, cocktails

A large group of us went here for an evening meal. The food that we had was reasonable, but the chef was in fact off work ill, and so they had a restricted menu.

The prices are very reasonable, especially for this part of town. It's a nice atmosphere, but the service was patchy, and the lack of most dishes was a little bit frustrating. I'd definitely give it another go though. A large group of us went here for an evening meal. The food that we had was reasonable, but the chef was in fact off work ill, and so they had a restricted menu.

The prices are very reasonable, especially for this part of town. It's a nice atmosphere, but the service was patchy, and the lack of most dishes was a little bit frustrating. I'd definitely give it another go though.

G Casella - Comfort lunch from Casella by bigal76

bigal76 — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:36:58 +0000

Review by bigal76

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7353 2264

Tags: cosy, crowded, quick bite

The mission: continue to find small, independent (well, 5 or less outlets) lunch food outlets that offer something worth seeking out.

Todayâ¬"s chapter: After a difficult morning at work, I really didnâ¬"t fancy another mayonnaise filled super-something from one of the sandwich chains. Enter: Casella. A small Italian sandwich and pasta bar, just off the Blackfriars end of Fleet Street.

Look in the window and youâ¬"ll see the usual array of Italian sandwiches. Having had a selection of these previously, I can say that theyâ¬"re good value and the ingredients do actually taste of the ingredients: prosciutto is moist and flavoursome, artichokes tangy etc. They have a good variety of sandwiches and rolls/ciabatas with generous fillings at good prices (e.g. Â£4 or less). If thereâ¬"s nothing you like, theyâ¬"ll slice something fresh from the array of salamis, cheeses and cured meats proudly displayed in sandwich counter, and stuff it into a crusty roll.

If youâ¬"re in there, youâ¬"ll see lots of Italian customers walking straight past the sandwich counter to the little dining area at the back of the shop where you can order one of the cook-to-order pastas, which change daily. I had a Spaghetti Bolognese to take-away today, to use as a pasta yardstick. I was very pleased with the quality of ingredients (chopped vegetables and herbs clearly visible in the sauce - not a quick pour from a jar), the pasta itself was quite nice, and the portion generous. Iâ¬"ll be back to try more of their seemingly home-made pasta specials.

Iâ¬"d highly recommend Casella as a good value and decent quality cheap eat just off Fleet Street â¬ to take something away, or for a quick sit-down lunch with a friend.

The mission: continue to find small, independent (well, 5 or less outlets) lunch food outlets that offer something worth seeking out.

Todayâ¬"s chapter: After a difficult morning at work, I really didnâ¬"t fancy another mayonnaise filled super-something from one of the sandwich chains. Enter: Casella. A small Italian sandwich and pasta bar, just off the Blackfriars end of Fleet Street.

Look in the window and youâ¬"ll see the usual array of Italian sandwiches. Having had a selection of these previously, I can say that theyâ¬"re good value and the ingredients do actually taste of the ingredients: prosciutto is moist and flavoursome, artichokes tangy etc. They have a good variety of sandwiches and rolls/ciabatas with generous fillings at good prices (e.g. Â£4 or less). If thereâ¬"s nothing you like, theyâ¬"ll slice something fresh from the array of salamis, cheeses and cured meats proudly displayed in sandwich counter, and stuff it into a crusty roll.

If youâ¬"re in there, youâ¬"ll see lots of Italian customers walking straight past the sandwich counter to the little dining area at the back of the shop where you can order one of the cook-to-order pastas, which change daily. I had a Spaghetti Bolognese to take-away today, to use as a pasta yardstick. I was very pleased with the quality of ingredients (chopped vegetables and herbs clearly visible in the sauce - not a quick pour from a jar), the pasta itself was quite nice, and the portion generous. Iâ¬"ll be back to try more of their seemingly home-made pasta specials.

Iâ¬"d highly recommend Casella as a good value and decent quality cheap eat just off Fleet Street â¬ to take something away, or for a quick sit-down lunch with a friend.

The Tipperary - The Tipperary by dartwolf

dartwolf — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:41:34 +0000

Review by dartwolf

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7583 6470

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

Tags: relaxed, friendly, food

One of London's hidden gems, well not so hidden as it's right on Fleet Street.

A traditional pub with no prententions, Bill and Wendy the licensees make everyone feel welcome whether you're stopping for a quick 1/2 or maybe a couple more.

Always a great place to pop in for a quick beer and chat with people at the bar.

The food is down to earth pub grub not gastropub nonsense,
you order bangers and mash that's what you get
.... not hand reared gloucestershire caviar fed pork sausages with mashed shiatsu massaged potatoes.....

All in all a great traditional pub, the only thing that detracts from the experience is the ridiculous smoking ban which means you can't enjoy a smoke with your pint.

One of London's hidden gems, well not so hidden as it's right on Fleet Street.

A traditional pub with no prententions, Bill and Wendy the licensees make everyone feel welcome whether you're stopping for a quick 1/2 or maybe a couple more.

Always a great place to pop in for a quick beer and chat with people at the bar.

The food is down to earth pub grub not gastropub nonsense,
you order bangers and mash that's what you get
.... not hand reared gloucestershire caviar fed pork sausages with mashed shiatsu massaged potatoes.....

All in all a great traditional pub, the only thing that detracts from the experience is the ridiculous smoking ban which means you can't enjoy a smoke with your pint.

Fuzzy's Grub - Fuzzy's Grub by bigal76

bigal76 — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 18:25:29 +0000

Review by bigal76

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7583 6060

Website: http://www.fuzzysgrub.com/

Tags: lively, lunch, crowded

Some say it's a City secret. Fuzzy's Grub between Bank and London Wall is so secretive, it isn't even on their own website. Trust me - walk up Coleman Street, in the block between Bank and London Wall, and there it is, hiding in one of the laneways running off Coleman Street.

I had high hopes of finding a replacement for my beloved Birley's Salt Beef. I had a roast beef with roast vegies at about 1:30pm one day. Quick and helpful service. Lovely fresh thick (i.e. 1 inch thick) slices of bread, a generous portion of sliced beef, and a good shake of roast potato/onion/something else looking suspiciously like aubergine.

Value was excellent - 4 and a bit quid in that area normally buys you a piece of prosciutto and cheap cheese on an focaccia. This was a brick of fresh bread and roasted goodies.

The meat was good, but not in the same league as Birleys. I had a bit of an issue with the vegies, they were a bit soggy and past it, but perhaps I struck a bad batch towards the end of the lunch run. In the interests of science and research, I'll give it another shot.

Good comfort food, generous serve, but the soggy roast vegies and Carvery-esque meat taste let it down on this occasion.Some say it's a City secret. Fuzzy's Grub between Bank and London Wall is so secretive, it isn't even on their own website. Trust me - walk up Coleman Street, in the block between Bank and London Wall, and there it is, hiding in one of the laneways running off Coleman Street.

I had high hopes of finding a replacement for my beloved Birley's Salt Beef. I had a roast beef with roast vegies at about 1:30pm one day. Quick and helpful service. Lovely fresh thick (i.e. 1 inch thick) slices of bread, a generous portion of sliced beef, and a good shake of roast potato/onion/something else looking suspiciously like aubergine.

Value was excellent - 4 and a bit quid in that area normally buys you a piece of prosciutto and cheap cheese on an focaccia. This was a brick of fresh bread and roasted goodies.

The meat was good, but not in the same league as Birleys. I had a bit of an issue with the vegies, they were a bit soggy and past it, but perhaps I struck a bad batch towards the end of the lunch run. In the interests of science and research, I'll give it another shot.

Good comfort food, generous serve, but the soggy roast vegies and Carvery-esque meat taste let it down on this occasion.

The George - City pub, what more do you want? by t0m

t0m — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 09:06:15 +0000

Review by t0m

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7427 0941

Tags: food, traditional pub, independent pub

It's a pub on Fleet Street.. pretty standard. Some good beers on tap, but it's empty by 9.30pm when all the city guys and girls have moved on. It's a pub on Fleet Street.. pretty standard. Some good beers on tap, but it's empty by 9.30pm when all the city guys and girls have moved on.

Cheshire Cheese - Not bad for a city pub.. by t0m

t0m — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 23:06:31 +0000

Review by t0m

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7836 2347

Website: http://www.thecheshirecheese.com

Tags: food, traditional pub, pool

It's fine. I wouldn't get too excited about it, but given some of the competition locally (e.g. Walkabout), this is a good alternative. It's often possible to get a seat here, and usually quite relaxed.

In summer the city folk pour onto the street, you know how it is. It has pool downstairs, if you like that sort of thing. It's fine. I wouldn't get too excited about it, but given some of the competition locally (e.g. Walkabout), this is a good alternative. It's often possible to get a seat here, and usually quite relaxed.

In summer the city folk pour onto the street, you know how it is. It has pool downstairs, if you like that sort of thing.

Walkabout Inn - no atmosphere by t0m

t0m — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 23:04:10 +0000

Review by t0m

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7395 3690

Website: http://www.walkaboutinns.com

Tags: food, sports, fun

It's a typical Walkabout - the place is full of TV screens showing sport, and not much else.

If you want a drink with your mates, don't go here because yo can't see for moving images. There isn't much of note here, either in the customers or the bar itself.

I'm told the food is average, but I won't be going to eat there in a hurry. It's a typical Walkabout - the place is full of TV screens showing sport, and not much else.

If you want a drink with your mates, don't go here because yo can't see for moving images. There isn't much of note here, either in the customers or the bar itself.

I'm told the food is average, but I won't be going to eat there in a hurry.

Gaucho Chancery - excellent food and service by t0m

t0m — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 09:49:49 +0000

Review by t0m

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7242 7727

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

Tags: argentinian, lively, expensive

I'm not a big fan of expensive restaurants, but a trip to the Gaucho this week changed all that. The food was actually incredible (on a table of 8, all 8 people were blown away by the taste of the steaks!).

Really, you have never experienced a good steak until you go to the Gaucho.

The service was also excellent. Highly attentive, but not pushy.

Highly recommended.I'm not a big fan of expensive restaurants, but a trip to the Gaucho this week changed all that. The food was actually incredible (on a table of 8, all 8 people were blown away by the taste of the steaks!).

Really, you have never experienced a good steak until you go to the Gaucho.

The service was also excellent. Highly attentive, but not pushy.

Highly recommended.

Ye Olde Cock Tavern - Bigger than you would Think by cbetta

cbetta — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:19:46 +0000

Review by cbetta

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7353 3454

Tags: lively, good value, food

This place looks small on the outside, but is way bigger on the inside. With 4 floors including 2 areas perfectly suited for parties or other activities, it is a good place to be. Located near some very prestigious buildings it is a nice and safe location to spend your evening getting wasted.

They are said to have some good food, and although I watched some friends eat some food here a few times, I never personally did. The food did look mighty good though.

This is also the place where occasionally Geek Dinners are held on the 3rd or 4th floor: Geekdinner.co.uk

This place looks small on the outside, but is way bigger on the inside. With 4 floors including 2 areas perfectly suited for parties or other activities, it is a good place to be. Located near some very prestigious buildings it is a nice and safe location to spend your evening getting wasted.

They are said to have some good food, and although I watched some friends eat some food here a few times, I never personally did. The food did look mighty good though.

This is also the place where occasionally Geek Dinners are held on the 3rd or 4th floor: Geekdinner.co.uk

Thai Square - Bargain Thai by lenalouise

lenalouise — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 20:01:36 +0000

Review by lenalouise

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7497 0904

Tags: restaurant, takeaway, thai

Based about 20m down from my old uni, this thai has satisfied my hungry tummy on many occasions. It is amazing value for money - I think for a few months, their menu was put back to the prices it was in 1997!! They have many different branches around central london but for me, it doesn't have the feel of a chain restaurant. The decor is warm and makes you feel at ease.

I'm not sure how authentically Thai the food is but it's pretty tasty nonetheless. (Apparently it has won the thai prime minister's award of thailand for the best thai restaurant in the UK for 2006-2007). My favourite is the duck curry with lychees. The flavours just work really well together. Be sure to try it out if you want a fairly quick and cheap meal.Based about 20m down from my old uni, this thai has satisfied my hungry tummy on many occasions. It is amazing value for money - I think for a few months, their menu was put back to the prices it was in 1997!! They have many different branches around central london but for me, it doesn't have the feel of a chain restaurant. The decor is warm and makes you feel at ease.

I'm not sure how authentically Thai the food is but it's pretty tasty nonetheless. (Apparently it has won the thai prime minister's award of thailand for the best thai restaurant in the UK for 2006-2007). My favourite is the duck curry with lychees. The flavours just work really well together. Be sure to try it out if you want a fairly quick and cheap meal.

Watch This Space - Free arts and performance by the river by andreams

andreams — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 13:51:44 +0000

Review by andreams

Rating: 4.00

Website: http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/wts

Tags: theatre, outdoor, music

Every summer the National Theatre holds this free festival - a chance to forget about the grey, dreary working day and enjoy the thrills of the circus, a dash of music and a firework or three. Already this year we've seen a bicycle ballet, puppet escapology and an explosive storm - tea dances, promenade performances and miniature circuses are still to come. Shows take place Wed-Sat throughout the summer - and its all free!Every summer the National Theatre holds this free festival - a chance to forget about the grey, dreary working day and enjoy the thrills of the circus, a dash of music and a firework or three. Already this year we've seen a bicycle ballet, puppet escapology and an explosive storm - tea dances, promenade performances and miniature circuses are still to come. Shows take place Wed-Sat throughout the summer - and its all free!

India Club - a real unreformed gem. by comradem

comradem — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 14:12:43 +0000

Review by comradem

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7836 0650

Tags: indian, takeaway, unique

Do not expect class or service in the traditional sense, but for an unusual curry (not to mention less obvious dishes) it's a good place to start looking. Do not expect class or service in the traditional sense, but for an unusual curry (not to mention less obvious dishes) it's a good place to start looking.

The Three Tuns - The LSE bar by alexandros

alexandros — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 19:57:49 +0000

Review by alexandros

Rating: 4.00

Tags: cool, relaxed, cheap

This is a typical university bar. This means that at the Three Tuns you will find lots of students from all over the world, cheap beer and a relaxed mood. It gets really crowded after 5, when classes end and students go there to quench their thirst, play pool or watch a football game! The staff are cool and friendly and the prices are surprisingly low. Highlight: the large leather sofas which are loved by all kinds of students, from those who go there to discuss on a group project to those who just want to flirt a little bit...This is a typical university bar. This means that at the Three Tuns you will find lots of students from all over the world, cheap beer and a relaxed mood. It gets really crowded after 5, when classes end and students go there to quench their thirst, play pool or watch a football game! The staff are cool and friendly and the prices are surprisingly low. Highlight: the large leather sofas which are loved by all kinds of students, from those who go there to discuss on a group project to those who just want to flirt a little bit...

Admiralty Restaurant - by TrustedBot

TrustedBot — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 18:19:47 +0000

Review by TrustedBot

Rating: 0.00

Phone: 020 7845 4646

Website: http://www.somersethouse.org.uk

Tags: french, discount, 2 for 1

All Taste London members simply have to visit the Admiralty - housed in a grade two listed building that was once home to the Naval Operations Office, the Admiralty at Somerset House is a truly grand experience from the moment you set foot on the grounds to the moment you´ve finished your meal.

The dining room is divided into two rooms (the ´Green´ Room and the ´Orange´ Room), of roughly equal size and décor, although the Orange Room is a bit larger. Chandeliers in the shape of galleons remind us of the building´s heritage - these hang above the rows of lined clothed tables and long banquette´s steps.

So enough about the decorations and surroundings what about the food?!

Well what can we say except for ´truly divine Modern British cuisine at it´s best´?!

The service also matches the scene and cuisine; graceful and inviting.

Each dish on the menu is paired with wines selected by the service team. On the a la carte menu you purchase them by the glass. The menu (which changes often) offers such dishes as Terrine of Fois Gras, Goats Cheese Tart, Roast Sea Bass and Venison Rump - a wide and varied selection. The Fois Gras is perfect, presented very well with the classic accompaniment of jellies and brioche.

The crab tortellini is also very good. For entrees, the Roast Sea Bass with Saffron Sauce is an excellent choice as is the Venison with Artichoke Puree - both very flavourful and presented elegantly.

Chef´s Speciality Dish:

Loin of venison, glazed apple, parsnip puree with juniper and bay leaf jus it is delicious, but you could confidently order from any corner of the menu. All Taste London members simply have to visit the Admiralty - housed in a grade two listed building that was once home to the Naval Operations Office, the Admiralty at Somerset House is a truly grand experience from the moment you set foot on the grounds to the moment you´ve finished your meal.

So enough about the decorations and surroundings what about the food?!

Well what can we say except for ´truly divine Modern British cuisine at it´s best´?!

The service also matches the scene and cuisine; graceful and inviting.

The crab tortellini is also very good. For entrees, the Roast Sea Bass with Saffron Sauce is an excellent choice as is the Venison with Artichoke Puree - both very flavourful and presented elegantly.

Chef´s Speciality Dish:

Loin of venison, glazed apple, parsnip puree with juniper and bay leaf jus it is delicious, but you could confidently order from any corner of the menu.