Latest reviews for Restaurants in Temple, London, United Kingdom

Simpsons-in-the-Strand - Old English Elegance by StarCrossd

StarCrossd — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:53:56 +0000

Review by StarCrossd

Rating: 5.00

Tags: breakfast, entertainment, business

Simpsons is one of the oldest eating establishments in London, having formally been a club in which to play chess and eat in the 1828. Many of these original historical pieces are on display, with the original booths (where members would play) still used as seating and roast meats wheeled to the tables in original silver serving trolleys to be carved.
The restaurant is now owned and run by the Savoy group (the hotel is just down the road) which is usually a byword for luxury, and Simpsons does not disappoint. The food and wine selection is excellent and very much traditional English offerings â¬ even to the point that there is no â¬ÜMenuâ¬"; instead a â¬ÜBill of Fayreâ¬" and CrÃ¨me Brulee is given its proper name of â¬ÜBurnt Cambridge Creamâ¬". Simpsons certainly isnâ¬"t cheap however, (Â£130ish for 3 courses with wine for 2) but it is definitely worth it for a special occasion, or every day if someone else is paying.
Simpsons is one of the oldest eating establishments in London, having formally been a club in which to play chess and eat in the 1828. Many of these original historical pieces are on display, with the original booths (where members would play) still used as seating and roast meats wheeled to the tables in original silver serving trolleys to be carved.
The restaurant is now owned and run by the Savoy group (the hotel is just down the road) which is usually a byword for luxury, and Simpsons does not disappoint. The food and wine selection is excellent and very much traditional English offerings â¬ even to the point that there is no â¬ÜMenuâ¬"; instead a â¬ÜBill of Fayreâ¬" and CrÃ¨me Brulee is given its proper name of â¬ÜBurnt Cambridge Creamâ¬". Simpsons certainly isnâ¬"t cheap however, (Â£130ish for 3 courses with wine for 2) but it is definitely worth it for a special occasion, or every day if someone else is paying.

Gaucho Chancery - A truly average experience by anthonykennedy

anthonykennedy — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:11:46 +0000

Review by anthonykennedy

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7242 7727

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

Tags: argentinian, lively, expensive

This was my second visit to a Gaucho restaurant and it will be my last.

We arrived and ordered 3 cocktails and a beer that took 25 minutes to arrive. Following that the 'beef board' was presented orders taken for a variety of steaks with roasted vegetables, sauces and sides. Wine was ordered, a 2005 Pinot Noir, but a 2007 was presented to the table. I queried this was told that they were out of the 2005, fine - what would the revised price for a wine that was possibly under a year old, and was told that the same price would stand? (Sidenote: on my previous visit to Canary Wharf it took three different selections of wine to find one they had in stock).

So, main course delivered, still no wine, and the roasted vegetables is actually a selection of vegetables that 'could be roasted' but are in fact pan fried. To make this worse the butternut squash is stone cold, uncooked and raw, the carrots are still cold and almost snap frozen crunchy in the middle. The waiter took these two items away and removed them from the bill, leaving us with an expensive steak and chips.

So on to dessert. Be warned that the description of pancakes is misleading and should read 'pancake' in the singular, that is filled with caramel from the bottle that you would put on ice-cream at home

In addition, our first selection of dessert wine was no longer available either.

When asked if we would be paying the 10% service charge we firmly said no, to which the waitress was surprised and asked us why. I refreshed her memory of the above.

Overall, it took 3 hours and 15 minutes for cocktails and two courses - no coffee.

Total bill, four people, without service Â£239.

There is no way I will return to this chain of restaurants.This was my second visit to a Gaucho restaurant and it will be my last.

We arrived and ordered 3 cocktails and a beer that took 25 minutes to arrive. Following that the 'beef board' was presented orders taken for a variety of steaks with roasted vegetables, sauces and sides. Wine was ordered, a 2005 Pinot Noir, but a 2007 was presented to the table. I queried this was told that they were out of the 2005, fine - what would the revised price for a wine that was possibly under a year old, and was told that the same price would stand? (Sidenote: on my previous visit to Canary Wharf it took three different selections of wine to find one they had in stock).

So, main course delivered, still no wine, and the roasted vegetables is actually a selection of vegetables that 'could be roasted' but are in fact pan fried. To make this worse the butternut squash is stone cold, uncooked and raw, the carrots are still cold and almost snap frozen crunchy in the middle. The waiter took these two items away and removed them from the bill, leaving us with an expensive steak and chips.

So on to dessert. Be warned that the description of pancakes is misleading and should read 'pancake' in the singular, that is filled with caramel from the bottle that you would put on ice-cream at home

In addition, our first selection of dessert wine was no longer available either.

When asked if we would be paying the 10% service charge we firmly said no, to which the waitress was surprised and asked us why. I refreshed her memory of the above.

Overall, it took 3 hours and 15 minutes for cocktails and two courses - no coffee.

Total bill, four people, without service Â£239.

There is no way I will return to this chain of restaurants.

Chilango - The Best Burrito in London! by mnavin

mnavin — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:27:30 +0000

Review by mnavin

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7353 6761

Website: www.chilango.co.uk

Tags: mexican, good value, cheap eat

My partner hails from California and was always complaining that you can't get decent Mexican food in London. Chilango put an end to that- surprisingly quick service by a friendly team creating deliciously fresh burritos! Chilango makes an excellent choice for lunch or a quick (but incredibly filling) bite before hitting the town- and it's healthy too.My partner hails from California and was always complaining that you can't get decent Mexican food in London. Chilango put an end to that- surprisingly quick service by a friendly team creating deliciously fresh burritos! Chilango makes an excellent choice for lunch or a quick (but incredibly filling) bite before hitting the town- and it's healthy too.

San Francesco - Feels like home by DrKnowledge

DrKnowledge — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 23:30:04 +0000

Review by DrKnowledge

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7836 6354

Tags: italian, family & home feel, lively

My wife and I have been coming here for years and wouldn't miss it on our trips to London. Mr. Italo Muro, the owner, and Joe, the head waiter will treat you like part of the family. This place is about great food, ambiance, and people that treat you like you've come to their home for supper. Can't imagine a trip to London without going there to see our friends and have a great evening.My wife and I have been coming here for years and wouldn't miss it on our trips to London. Mr. Italo Muro, the owner, and Joe, the head waiter will treat you like part of the family. This place is about great food, ambiance, and people that treat you like you've come to their home for supper. Can't imagine a trip to London without going there to see our friends and have a great evening.

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.

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.

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.

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.