Latest reviews for Food & Drink in Tottenham Court Road, London, United Kingdom

Monmouth Coffee Company - The Bean's Knees by laissezfare

laissezfare — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:39:24 +0000

Review by laissezfare

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7645 3560

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

Tags: amazing brew, rare finds, cosy

This is part of a larger review of London coffee houses which can be found here: http://wp.me/pwXBH-or]

Having tried all of their espresso based drinks and their black coffee (Americano), I have settled on â¬Üdry cappuccinoâ¬" as my beverage of choice, although all their drinks are fantastic and they probably do make the best Americano Iâ¬"ve had in London. Their house espresso blend has a nice intensity, lots of chocolate on the palate and is very smooth, with an almost velvety mouth feel. To me, it has a lovely rich, round flavor that beautifully balances the sweeter fruity notes with a not-too-harsh streak of acidity. Paired with the dense and luxurious yet butterfly-light foam from Monmouthâ¬"s organic milk to balance the just slightly bitter tannic undertones of the espresso, it is a very competent, highly enjoyable espresso drink and does the trick for me every time.

The gist of it: Their drinks are consistently good, and I just like the charm of the place and the impressive knowledge and passion of most of the staff. I mean, they have a wooden bench and table for one person â¬ how quirky and great is that? They also sell a wide range of coffee beans that are painstakingly sourced from around the world and can tell you all about the differences between them. There is normally a long queue if you donâ¬"t know what times to go, but I like that itâ¬"s on a little street in Covent Garden, that remains slightly funky and has a nice vibe and independent streak about it. I donâ¬"t really like the one across from Borough Market as it is too large and too busy.This is part of a larger review of London coffee houses which can be found here: http://wp.me/pwXBH-or]

Having tried all of their espresso based drinks and their black coffee (Americano), I have settled on â¬Üdry cappuccinoâ¬" as my beverage of choice, although all their drinks are fantastic and they probably do make the best Americano Iâ¬"ve had in London. Their house espresso blend has a nice intensity, lots of chocolate on the palate and is very smooth, with an almost velvety mouth feel. To me, it has a lovely rich, round flavor that beautifully balances the sweeter fruity notes with a not-too-harsh streak of acidity. Paired with the dense and luxurious yet butterfly-light foam from Monmouthâ¬"s organic milk to balance the just slightly bitter tannic undertones of the espresso, it is a very competent, highly enjoyable espresso drink and does the trick for me every time.

The gist of it: Their drinks are consistently good, and I just like the charm of the place and the impressive knowledge and passion of most of the staff. I mean, they have a wooden bench and table for one person â¬ how quirky and great is that? They also sell a wide range of coffee beans that are painstakingly sourced from around the world and can tell you all about the differences between them. There is normally a long queue if you donâ¬"t know what times to go, but I like that itâ¬"s on a little street in Covent Garden, that remains slightly funky and has a nice vibe and independent streak about it. I donâ¬"t really like the one across from Borough Market as it is too large and too busy.

The Fitzroy Patisserie - Avoid this place by jmd

jmd — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:18:50 +0000

Review by jmd

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7388 7928

Tags: cafe

The most ridiculously over priced cafe in the area. Â£5 for toast & coffee ! Cheap & nasty ingredients & sour service at the tills. Plenty of much better places on the surrounding side streetsThe most ridiculously over priced cafe in the area. Â£5 for toast & coffee ! Cheap & nasty ingredients & sour service at the tills. Plenty of much better places on the surrounding side streets

Fernandez & Wells - Wine Bar Bliss by littlevegemite

littlevegemite — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 11:51:50 +0000

Review by littlevegemite

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7734 1546

Website: http://www.fernandezandwells.com/

Tags: italian, mediterranean, delicatessen

This is a tricky one to classify - sometimes I wonder how well the trusted places categories really work.

This is a simple place - a small list of good wines by the glass and some of the best of Borough markets meat and cheeses as plates to snack on. There is a longer list of wines to buy, and during the day some food - a perfect spontaneous picnic pitstop.

Yes, the seating is limited, the space rather bare (no loo!) and the staff sometimes busy - but it is still a rather charming place to have a drink after work. There is a passion for wine and produce that you won't get with a house white at a pub, and a simplicity that makes this a great place to go before dinner, on the way home, or during the day.

Lots of character - a real gem of these parts. If only London had more of these types of secret corners!This is a tricky one to classify - sometimes I wonder how well the trusted places categories really work.

This is a simple place - a small list of good wines by the glass and some of the best of Borough markets meat and cheeses as plates to snack on. There is a longer list of wines to buy, and during the day some food - a perfect spontaneous picnic pitstop.

Yes, the seating is limited, the space rather bare (no loo!) and the staff sometimes busy - but it is still a rather charming place to have a drink after work. There is a passion for wine and produce that you won't get with a house white at a pub, and a simplicity that makes this a great place to go before dinner, on the way home, or during the day.

Lots of character - a real gem of these parts. If only London had more of these types of secret corners!

Gerry's Off Licence - drink - drink - drink by stantoncarlisle

stantoncarlisle — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 13:53:49 +0000

Review by stantoncarlisle

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7734 4215

Tags: soho, booze, spirits

I come here to ogle the bottles, this place is pornographic in the way that classy Hardware shops are with its own Bacchanalian zinger twist. One gawp at the window display and you know your heading into somewhere special with a sense of boozy humour to boot. There are a screed of brands of Absinthe in window, likewise with any other tipple you can think of. A great place for last minute presents or to sample natures bounty and mans inventiveness when it comes to creating new ways to get sizzled in an epicurean way.I come here to ogle the bottles, this place is pornographic in the way that classy Hardware shops are with its own Bacchanalian zinger twist. One gawp at the window display and you know your heading into somewhere special with a sense of boozy humour to boot. There are a screed of brands of Absinthe in window, likewise with any other tipple you can think of. A great place for last minute presents or to sample natures bounty and mans inventiveness when it comes to creating new ways to get sizzled in an epicurean way.

Thorntons - yum by clubby2

clubby2 — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 20:33:53 +0000

Review by clubby2

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7836 2173

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

Tags: truffles

Thorntons at the piazza , covent garden are a good place to top up on all you chocolate favorites. The small bars like the truffle bar are a nice lunch time treat when you are on the go. There is a new selection of chocolate bars which have unusual flavours to them, such as the dark choc and balsamic vinegar bar, which is very good and nothing like you would imagine, the orange and cardemon bar is equally moorish and tasty. I think they have an offer on those right now which is 3 for Â£5, which is really great value. Thorntons are very good value and go down well when you give them as presents too. On the whole a good little shop in a busy location.Thorntons at the piazza , covent garden are a good place to top up on all you chocolate favorites. The small bars like the truffle bar are a nice lunch time treat when you are on the go. There is a new selection of chocolate bars which have unusual flavours to them, such as the dark choc and balsamic vinegar bar, which is very good and nothing like you would imagine, the orange and cardemon bar is equally moorish and tasty. I think they have an offer on those right now which is 3 for Â£5, which is really great value. Thorntons are very good value and go down well when you give them as presents too. On the whole a good little shop in a busy location.

The Tea House - turn over a new leaf! by Navajo_Pete

Navajo_Pete — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:26:16 +0000

Review by Navajo_Pete

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7240 7539

Tags: rare finds, covent garden, asian

A modest looking and unassuming frontage in between the shoe and fashion shops of Covent Gardenâ¬"s Neal Street, the Tea House is easily missed and overlooked.

Once inside, the shop oozes â¬Üqualityâ¬" wherever you look. Many of the tea pots and gorgeous looking crockery come at a price, but if you are a tea pot collector you can eat your heart out.

Much more affordable are the many different blends of tea and the huge selection of flavoured teas, many if attractive tins or boxes (these make useful gifts â¬ who doesnâ¬"t drink tea?).

This shop is also famous for its many specialist teas, including many different green teas and fine Indian teas. Although expensive when compared with the cheap & cheerful blends, these are some of the worldâ¬"s finest teas and who can place a value on that? Worth every penny!
A modest looking and unassuming frontage in between the shoe and fashion shops of Covent Gardenâ¬"s Neal Street, the Tea House is easily missed and overlooked.

Once inside, the shop oozes â¬Üqualityâ¬" wherever you look. Many of the tea pots and gorgeous looking crockery come at a price, but if you are a tea pot collector you can eat your heart out.

Much more affordable are the many different blends of tea and the huge selection of flavoured teas, many if attractive tins or boxes (these make useful gifts â¬ who doesnâ¬"t drink tea?).

This shop is also famous for its many specialist teas, including many different green teas and fine Indian teas. Although expensive when compared with the cheap & cheerful blends, these are some of the worldâ¬"s finest teas and who can place a value on that? Worth every penny!

Algerian Coffee Stores - dark & yummy by Navajo_Pete

Navajo_Pete — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:24:40 +0000

Review by Navajo_Pete

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7437 2480

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

Tags: take-away, coffee, soho

Aromatic and pungent treasure trove of good quality coffees in the heart of Soho. This shop has been here for many years and has only had minor updates or â¬Üimprovementsâ¬". It is still a quiet, relaxed and old-fashioned little retail outlet.

Iâ¬"m not sure whether the â¬ÜAlgerianâ¬" accolade is still applicable, as it stocks coffees from around the world. There are plenty of blends to suit any taste, but the highlight here is the range of specialist and single estate coffees.

Worth trying is the dense and dark smelling Ethiopian coffee. Once youâ¬"re here, buy the beans, at least a whole pound, and store them in the freezer.

The shop has a â¬Ücolonialâ¬" feel to it and is a feast for the senses, including the eyes.

You will also find here every accessory you could possibly need to brew the best coffee at home.
Aromatic and pungent treasure trove of good quality coffees in the heart of Soho. This shop has been here for many years and has only had minor updates or â¬Üimprovementsâ¬". It is still a quiet, relaxed and old-fashioned little retail outlet.

Iâ¬"m not sure whether the â¬ÜAlgerianâ¬" accolade is still applicable, as it stocks coffees from around the world. There are plenty of blends to suit any taste, but the highlight here is the range of specialist and single estate coffees.

Worth trying is the dense and dark smelling Ethiopian coffee. Once youâ¬"re here, buy the beans, at least a whole pound, and store them in the freezer.

The shop has a â¬Ücolonialâ¬" feel to it and is a feast for the senses, including the eyes.

You will also find here every accessory you could possibly need to brew the best coffee at home.

Sainsbury's - brilliant solution to last-minute shopping needs by Navajo_Pete

Navajo_Pete — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:56:13 +0000

Review by Navajo_Pete

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7580 7820

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

Tags: bakery, bargain, newspapers / magazines

This was one of the first of the new breed of inner-London Sainsbury stores and still going strong. It is conveniently located along TCR, where itâ¬"s not too busy and where there are some similarly sized stores nearby.

The store is not too vast and has an â¬Üopenâ¬" layout, with lower aisles and shelving, a good selection of chilled meals and snacks, a large â¬Üfresh salad & fruitâ¬" bar and all the usual supermarket items you would expect in a decent Sainsburyâ¬"s.

The wine department is not huge, but has a good selection of decent wines in the Â£5-9 bracket.

The atmosphere in the store is remarkably pleasant and relaxed â¬ not a mean achievement in such a fast-paced and competitive environment. I think this is because light levels are lower than usual and a lot of use is made of spot lights.
This was one of the first of the new breed of inner-London Sainsbury stores and still going strong. It is conveniently located along TCR, where itâ¬"s not too busy and where there are some similarly sized stores nearby.

The store is not too vast and has an â¬Üopenâ¬" layout, with lower aisles and shelving, a good selection of chilled meals and snacks, a large â¬Üfresh salad & fruitâ¬" bar and all the usual supermarket items you would expect in a decent Sainsburyâ¬"s.

The wine department is not huge, but has a good selection of decent wines in the Â£5-9 bracket.

The atmosphere in the store is remarkably pleasant and relaxed â¬ not a mean achievement in such a fast-paced and competitive environment. I think this is because light levels are lower than usual and a lot of use is made of spot lights.

Oddbins - nice Burgundies by Alsation

Alsation — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:17:42 +0000

Review by Alsation

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7836 6331

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

Tags: delivery, cigarettes & tobacco, mail order

This small off-licence used to be located right on the Seven Dials, but moved a few years ago. Its range is not as wide and deep as the larger Oddbins stores such as Farringdon, but it still has an amazing selection of (mostly) decent wines, with some real stunners hidden among the plonk.
The Oz and Sth American range is good, but some of the best value for money wines Iâ¬"ve bought here have been French, mainly Rhones. A good selection of Rhone and white Burgundy is complemented by interesting Sth African wines. Some good mid-price Clarets too.
To make life even more interesting, they have some excellent special offers on bottles and cans of beer. There is also a reasonable selection of spirits and even some cigars and accessories.
Last time I checked they also offered free glass hire.
Many of the staff seem to move on very fast, and recommendations by staff vary, with not everyone being terribly familiar with what they stock. Trust your own nose and palate and do some research at home before you set off.This small off-licence used to be located right on the Seven Dials, but moved a few years ago. Its range is not as wide and deep as the larger Oddbins stores such as Farringdon, but it still has an amazing selection of (mostly) decent wines, with some real stunners hidden among the plonk.
The Oz and Sth American range is good, but some of the best value for money wines Iâ¬"ve bought here have been French, mainly Rhones. A good selection of Rhone and white Burgundy is complemented by interesting Sth African wines. Some good mid-price Clarets too.
To make life even more interesting, they have some excellent special offers on bottles and cans of beer. There is also a reasonable selection of spirits and even some cigars and accessories.
Last time I checked they also offered free glass hire.
Many of the staff seem to move on very fast, and recommendations by staff vary, with not everyone being terribly familiar with what they stock. Trust your own nose and palate and do some research at home before you set off.

Greggs - Bread is so soft! by pindulgence

pindulgence — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 16:11:52 +0000

Review by pindulgence

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7323 9052

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

Tags: bargain, patisserie, sandwiches

Of all the bakers there are, for a chain based one i'd say Greggs is my favourite. I first experienced the delightful tastes when i was in kent, so i was really excited when i found this one! The staff are really nice, friendly and eager to serve. Polite too which is a bit of a rarity now a days! The sandwiches here are fabulous, some are prepackaged ready for the lunchtime rush and some, like baguettes are inthe counter with fresh fillings. They are all bursting at the seams with the amount of filling though! Their cakes and other savoury goodies are also delicious and so fresh!Of all the bakers there are, for a chain based one i'd say Greggs is my favourite. I first experienced the delightful tastes when i was in kent, so i was really excited when i found this one! The staff are really nice, friendly and eager to serve. Polite too which is a bit of a rarity now a days! The sandwiches here are fabulous, some are prepackaged ready for the lunchtime rush and some, like baguettes are inthe counter with fresh fillings. They are all bursting at the seams with the amount of filling though! Their cakes and other savoury goodies are also delicious and so fresh!

Scoop - Ice cream you can test by faders321

faders321 — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:12:06 +0000

Review by faders321

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7240 7086

Website: http://www.scoopgelato.com/

Tags: rare finds, bargain, helpful staff

Ice cream is one of my favourite foods and it comes in lots of different flavours which is what makes it so great. I often find that whilst I am out shopping I will get hungry and want some ice cream and so thatâ¬"s when I visit Scoop. I think itâ¬"s one of the best ice cream parlours there are. The great thing about it is that you can test the ice cream before you buy it, only a tiny bit but still it helps you to decide which one you want to buy. I personally loved most of the tester samples but in the end I managed to chose one. It was delicious and the quality of the ice cream was superb, very creamy and extremely tasty, 10 out of 10.
Ice cream is one of my favourite foods and it comes in lots of different flavours which is what makes it so great. I often find that whilst I am out shopping I will get hungry and want some ice cream and so thatâ¬"s when I visit Scoop. I think itâ¬"s one of the best ice cream parlours there are. The great thing about it is that you can test the ice cream before you buy it, only a tiny bit but still it helps you to decide which one you want to buy. I personally loved most of the tester samples but in the end I managed to chose one. It was delicious and the quality of the ice cream was superb, very creamy and extremely tasty, 10 out of 10.

Gaby's Deli - Best falafel I've had in ages by coldclimate

coldclimate — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 23:47:11 +0000

Review by coldclimate

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7836 4233

Tags: mediterranean, turkish, delicatessen

I stopped in for falafel this evening, and it was excellent. For the centre of London it is cheap as chips. OK, so a can of coke is about 1.50, but a pitta stuff to bursting with falafel, tahini, crunchy salad and a bowl of good chilli sause was about a fiver.

The falafel themsleves were wonderfully crunky on the outside, and nicely chunky on the inside, not the lump of deep fried hummus or Mc Chickpea Nuggets that you sometimes get. The take out baklava to finish was also excellent.I stopped in for falafel this evening, and it was excellent. For the centre of London it is cheap as chips. OK, so a can of coke is about 1.50, but a pitta stuff to bursting with falafel, tahini, crunchy salad and a bowl of good chilli sause was about a fiver.

The falafel themsleves were wonderfully crunky on the outside, and nicely chunky on the inside, not the lump of deep fried hummus or Mc Chickpea Nuggets that you sometimes get. The take out baklava to finish was also excellent.

Lina Stores - by BasilKhalil

BasilKhalil — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 11:20:59 +0000

Review by BasilKhalil

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7437 6482

Tags: italian, deli, mediterranean

Very friendly owners, wide selection of great authentic Italian food.
Try their home-made pasta. Itâ¬"s the BEST!
Very friendly owners, wide selection of great authentic Italian food.
Try their home-made pasta. Itâ¬"s the BEST!