Latest reviews for Restaurants in Tottenham Court Road, London, United Kingdom

Trattoria Da Aldo - Authentic cheap & cheerful Italian in Soho by Niamheen

Niamheen — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:17:18 +0000

Review by Niamheen

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7437 3985

I've always had a really nice experience in Da Aldo, the other reviews really surprise me. They offer authentic Italian food at reasonable prices, the set menu especially is good value. Expect the likes of polenta with rabbit stew on the specials list and they do a good authentic carbonara.

The owner is a character and it's always a really pleasant evening. I've become semi-regular there over the years, it is what it is and offers a good quick, cheap & cheerful bite.I've always had a really nice experience in Da Aldo, the other reviews really surprise me. They offer authentic Italian food at reasonable prices, the set menu especially is good value. Expect the likes of polenta with rabbit stew on the specials list and they do a good authentic carbonara.

The owner is a character and it's always a really pleasant evening. I've become semi-regular there over the years, it is what it is and offers a good quick, cheap & cheerful bite.

Spacca Napoli - La vita e bella by nat08

nat08 — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:03:39 +0000

Review by nat08

Rating: 4.00

Tags: italian, crowded, lively

I first discovered this restaurant about 10 years ago in its first incarnation as "Bella Napoli" - and what a true find it was! Thanks Miranda! It was the most traditional restaurant in Soho, as far as I could see, and it made a welcome difference to all the other places trying to be cool and trendy and not focusing on the main event - the food!!

It was such a gem that of course it's popularity grew and fans kept coming back for some wonderful food along with the personal touch that the owner Mimmo gives to each and every customer that walks through his door.

A facelift came but still his fans poured through the door each and every night. Food is wonderful and portions are big - just the way I like my Italian food! It's true comfort food at it's best - i love the Vitello Milanese - mouth-watering and just so tender and succulent - not chewy and bland as you can find many times with this dish.

Pizzas are great and if you are in a big party it makes sense to get it by the meter and share - such a great way of making food fun as well as delicious! And the atmosphere and service is first class. It's a great location too on Dean Street.

So why not mosey on down to Dean Street and say Ciao to Spacca Napoli....I first discovered this restaurant about 10 years ago in its first incarnation as "Bella Napoli" - and what a true find it was! Thanks Miranda! It was the most traditional restaurant in Soho, as far as I could see, and it made a welcome difference to all the other places trying to be cool and trendy and not focusing on the main event - the food!!

It was such a gem that of course it's popularity grew and fans kept coming back for some wonderful food along with the personal touch that the owner Mimmo gives to each and every customer that walks through his door.

A facelift came but still his fans poured through the door each and every night. Food is wonderful and portions are big - just the way I like my Italian food! It's true comfort food at it's best - i love the Vitello Milanese - mouth-watering and just so tender and succulent - not chewy and bland as you can find many times with this dish.

Pizzas are great and if you are in a big party it makes sense to get it by the meter and share - such a great way of making food fun as well as delicious! And the atmosphere and service is first class. It's a great location too on Dean Street.

So why not mosey on down to Dean Street and say Ciao to Spacca Napoli....

Mon Plaisir - Former glory or a bad day?? by amandaharrison

amandaharrison — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:10:52 +0000

Review by amandaharrison

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7240 3757

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

Tags: french, crowded, romantic

I haven't been for years but I was very much looking forward to a return trip to Mon Plaisir. After hunting high and low on Monmouth Street to find it (a sense of direction was never my strong point)I entered into one of those traffic jam situations when everyone stands around looking gormless with a kerfuffle of coat-taking and the like.

It was worse for me as my nose was chilly wind-induced running(nice)and the first thing I did was to ask for a tissue which got 'em. By the time I was offered a serviette (napkin?)my host thought I was being most strange just hovering there not going to the table.

Anyway. At the table, I sat myself down, and said host offered me a sip of his kir royale, saying it had taken him ages to get a drink. I don't know about you but that's not what I want to hear when I go to a restaurant. I want to unwind from the journey before being hassled head-first into ordering food.

So I had to do that wave thing and try and catch the eye of a waiter/ress/ron ANYone to get me a drink, whilst trying to hold a "hello how are you isn't this nice thanks for inviting me to lunch" conversation. With my nose running. Not good.

Food was just OK. I didn't have the snails as I was going to the dentist the next day and didn't want to freak him out, particularly as he looks like he should be in a boyband. I had scallops (too salty) and I forget what else, and I only went last week. Just shows. I think there were all sorts of comfort food on the menu from what I recall, coq au vin and the such, but nothing waved any flags at me.

Happy to be taken (sort of); I wouldn't host lunch there myself.I haven't been for years but I was very much looking forward to a return trip to Mon Plaisir. After hunting high and low on Monmouth Street to find it (a sense of direction was never my strong point)I entered into one of those traffic jam situations when everyone stands around looking gormless with a kerfuffle of coat-taking and the like.

It was worse for me as my nose was chilly wind-induced running(nice)and the first thing I did was to ask for a tissue which got 'em. By the time I was offered a serviette (napkin?)my host thought I was being most strange just hovering there not going to the table.

Anyway. At the table, I sat myself down, and said host offered me a sip of his kir royale, saying it had taken him ages to get a drink. I don't know about you but that's not what I want to hear when I go to a restaurant. I want to unwind from the journey before being hassled head-first into ordering food.

So I had to do that wave thing and try and catch the eye of a waiter/ress/ron ANYone to get me a drink, whilst trying to hold a "hello how are you isn't this nice thanks for inviting me to lunch" conversation. With my nose running. Not good.

Food was just OK. I didn't have the snails as I was going to the dentist the next day and didn't want to freak him out, particularly as he looks like he should be in a boyband. I had scallops (too salty) and I forget what else, and I only went last week. Just shows. I think there were all sorts of comfort food on the menu from what I recall, coq au vin and the such, but nothing waved any flags at me.

Happy to be taken (sort of); I wouldn't host lunch there myself.

Hakkasan - they got everything right by missynm

missynm — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:11:40 +0000

Review by missynm

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7907 1888

Tags: expensive, lively, chinese

Yes its pretty pricey, but i'd say you definitely get what you pay for! An usual setting, Hakkasan is to be found down a side street of tottenham court road, very discreet. You are greeted at the door and make your way directly down steps into the basement of the building. Service is equally discreet but friendly and attentive. The way the restaurant is set out with decorative wooden screens separating the dining and bar areas work really well and even though the place is noisy (seating a couple of hundred people) the low lighting and choice of music creates a sense of privacy at your table. And the food completely matches up to the setting. The dim sum platters are great as is the clay pot poussin. I guess its possible some customers are pretentious types but if you pay attention to the environment that has been created rather than those sat at other tables i dont see why you wouldnt have a fabulous time. Perfect for a special occasion.Yes its pretty pricey, but i'd say you definitely get what you pay for! An usual setting, Hakkasan is to be found down a side street of tottenham court road, very discreet. You are greeted at the door and make your way directly down steps into the basement of the building. Service is equally discreet but friendly and attentive. The way the restaurant is set out with decorative wooden screens separating the dining and bar areas work really well and even though the place is noisy (seating a couple of hundred people) the low lighting and choice of music creates a sense of privacy at your table. And the food completely matches up to the setting. The dim sum platters are great as is the clay pot poussin. I guess its possible some customers are pretentious types but if you pay attention to the environment that has been created rather than those sat at other tables i dont see why you wouldnt have a fabulous time. Perfect for a special occasion.

Josephine's Filipino Restaurant - Authentic philipine food recommended by elite chef by Ann_Henderson

Ann_Henderson — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:18:06 +0000

Review by Ann_Henderson

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7580 6551

Tags: good value, family & home feel, lively

Seeing all the reviews here, I thought it might be interesting to share the opinion by one of the culinary elites; Gordon Ramsayâ¬"s ProtÃ©gÃ©: Jason Atherton; about Josephineâ¬"s Restaurant:

â¬SMy favourite cuisine is Filipino, and you get the best Filipino food in the country at Josephineâ¬"s on Charlotte Street. My wife is loves it and sheâ¬"s from the Philippines, so it must be pretty authentic. Filipino dishes are an interesting mix between Spanish and Asian flavours. They use a lot of tamarind, fish sauce and sour mango, but their international dish is Paella, because of the influx of Spanish in the 18th Century. I go to Josephineâ¬"s for my regular fix of pork lechon, which is pork rubbed in herbs, roasted and served with garlic fried rice. Josephineâ¬"s is reasonably priced and traditionally designed with pictures of the Philippines. The owners make you feel really welcomed, so my advice is to get down there and try it.â¬

Jason Atherton, Executive Chef for Gordon Ramsayâ¬Üsâ¬SMazeâ¬
â¬SMazeâ¬ Restaurant was winner of Restaurant Magazineâ¬"s 2008 â¬SBest UK Restaurant Awardâ¬ and â¬SBest English Restaurant Awardâ¬
The BMW 1 SERIES GOOD FOOD RIDE. 101 GREAT BRITISH FOOD ADVENTURES

Based on that article, I was persuaded to go with some friends to Josephineâ¬"s e all had a wonderful time, staff were welcoming and friendly, and the food was full of flavour, varied and excellent. We had quite a lot of pork though and were quite stuffed, we waited about half an hour sipping port before going after the desserts!
Seeing all the reviews here, I thought it might be interesting to share the opinion by one of the culinary elites; Gordon Ramsayâ¬"s ProtÃ©gÃ©: Jason Atherton; about Josephineâ¬"s Restaurant:

â¬SMy favourite cuisine is Filipino, and you get the best Filipino food in the country at Josephineâ¬"s on Charlotte Street. My wife is loves it and sheâ¬"s from the Philippines, so it must be pretty authentic. Filipino dishes are an interesting mix between Spanish and Asian flavours. They use a lot of tamarind, fish sauce and sour mango, but their international dish is Paella, because of the influx of Spanish in the 18th Century. I go to Josephineâ¬"s for my regular fix of pork lechon, which is pork rubbed in herbs, roasted and served with garlic fried rice. Josephineâ¬"s is reasonably priced and traditionally designed with pictures of the Philippines. The owners make you feel really welcomed, so my advice is to get down there and try it.â¬

Jason Atherton, Executive Chef for Gordon Ramsayâ¬Üsâ¬SMazeâ¬
â¬SMazeâ¬ Restaurant was winner of Restaurant Magazineâ¬"s 2008 â¬SBest UK Restaurant Awardâ¬ and â¬SBest English Restaurant Awardâ¬
The BMW 1 SERIES GOOD FOOD RIDE. 101 GREAT BRITISH FOOD ADVENTURES

Based on that article, I was persuaded to go with some friends to Josephineâ¬"s and we all had a wonderful time, staff were welcoming and friendly, and the food was full of flavour, varied and excellent. We had quite a lot of pork though and were quite stuffed, we waited about half an hour sipping port before going after the desserts!

Roka - Roka n Rolla by Ann_Henderson

Ann_Henderson — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:12:50 +0000

Review by Ann_Henderson

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7580 6464

Website: http://www.rokarestaurant.com

Tags: lively, japanese, expensive

Gloriously delicious Japanese food of the highest order, we stuck with the Â£75.00 tasting menu and the food was met by huge smiles on our faces, before, during and after eating. Came here for my birthday and left with our taste buds buzzing, if I close my eyes, I can still taste the scallops!
Gloriously delicious Japanese food of the highest order, we stuck with the Â£75.00 tasting menu and the food was met by huge smiles on our faces, before, during and after eating. Came here for my birthday and left with our taste buds buzzing, if I close my eyes, I can still taste the scallops!

The Ivy - Lively at The Ivy by Esther_Laurence

Esther_Laurence — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:34:48 +0000

Review by Esther_Laurence

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7836 4751

Website: http://www.the-ivy.co.uk/

Tags: romantic, good value, expensive

Went there wearing sunglasses indoors. People will think youâ¬"re a celebrity, a tw@t or maybe even both. Five of us ate Â£533.00 worth of food and it was absolutely worth every penny. Highly recommended, if a little noisy.Went there wearing sunglasses indoors. People will think youâ¬"re a celebrity, a tw@t or maybe even both. Five of us ate Â£533.00 worth of food and it was absolutely worth every penny. Highly recommended, if a little noisy.

Lorelei - An Institution by stantoncarlisle

stantoncarlisle — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:04:01 +0000

Review by stantoncarlisle

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7734 0954

Tags: italian, cheap eat, lively

This place is one of the heartbeats of old Boho Soho. Its always had that unfinished look, sandbags at the door and slightly rickety chairs - but the food is good homemade Italian fare. Smells excellent coming from the kitchen, and doesn't leave the wallet feeling like its been bled dry then thwapped repeatedly with a hammer. I remember one of my fussy Italian mates waffling on about its thin pizzas. He was right - they are good. As an extra plus you can bring your own wine in and they'll uncork it. Plain, unpretentious, no-frills - this is an escape from the hubbub of Soho and the doughy wastes of Pizzaland. Should have a Blue Plaque and a preservation order on it.This place is one of the heartbeats of old Boho Soho. Its always had that unfinished look, sandbags at the door and slightly rickety chairs - but the food is good homemade Italian fare. Smells excellent coming from the kitchen, and doesn't leave the wallet feeling like its been bled dry then thwapped repeatedly with a hammer. I remember one of my fussy Italian mates waffling on about its thin pizzas. He was right - they are good. As an extra plus you can bring your own wine in and they'll uncork it. Plain, unpretentious, no-frills - this is an escape from the hubbub of Soho and the doughy wastes of Pizzaland. Should have a Blue Plaque and a preservation order on it.

Woo Jung - Kool Korean by stantoncarlisle

stantoncarlisle — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:54:00 +0000

Review by stantoncarlisle

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7836 3103

Tags: cheap eat, korean, family & home feel

You often see queues outside. I wouldn't describe it as cheap - average cost of a 2 course meal will be Â£15-20. But the food is good, different and worth trying. Depending on what you order. The large bowls of spicy soup are excellent. They work out at around Â£9 each. Very tasty, warming and filling especially during the wet wintery weather. The marinated pork was pretty good as was the spicy soup with poached egg, beancurd and mussels. There are two other Korean restaurants in the same road - this is the most popular one! I'd come back again for the soup!You often see queues outside. I wouldn't describe it as cheap - average cost of a 2 course meal will be Â£15-20. But the food is good, different and worth trying. Depending on what you order. The large bowls of spicy soup are excellent. They work out at around Â£9 each. Very tasty, warming and filling especially during the wet wintery weather. The marinated pork was pretty good as was the spicy soup with poached egg, beancurd and mussels. There are two other Korean restaurants in the same road - this is the most popular one! I'd come back again for the soup!

Salvador & Amanda - Pleasantly surprised by LKnight

LKnight — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:47:37 +0000

Review by LKnight

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7240 1551

Website: http://www.salvadorandamanda.com/

Tags: lively, dancing, spanish

I found Salvador & Amanda through an offer on After Work Deals - we got a free jug of Sangria between a group of four of us whilst having dinner, it definitely made a great start to the night.

My first impression was surprise, I'd walked past S&A loads of times before and I had no idea that there was such a large venue underground. It's well decorated in a fairly typical tapas restaurant style, and there's a real buzz about the place.

Service was really fast and friendly, and they made some great recommendations from their tapas menu. On the whole, the food was very good although it was a bit on the expensive side and I certainly couldn't describe the portions as generous! And the After Work Deals offer certainly helped manage the cost. Nonetheless, for the overall atmosphere I would still recommend Salvador & Amanda.I found Salvador & Amanda through an offer on After Work Deals - we got a free jug of Sangria between a group of four of us whilst having dinner, it definitely made a great start to the night.

My first impression was surprise, I'd walked past S&A loads of times before and I had no idea that there was such a large venue underground. It's well decorated in a fairly typical tapas restaurant style, and there's a real buzz about the place.

Service was really fast and friendly, and they made some great recommendations from their tapas menu. On the whole, the food was very good although it was a bit on the expensive side and I certainly couldn't describe the portions as generous! And the After Work Deals offer certainly helped manage the cost. Nonetheless, for the overall atmosphere I would still recommend Salvador & Amanda.

Latium - A special birthday treat by Sarah_W

Sarah_W — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:56:35 +0000

Review by Sarah_W

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7323 9123

Website: http://www.latiumrestaurant.com

Tags: italian, good value, friendly

We came here a couple of weeks ago to celebrate my birthday as I'd seen a couple of good reviews. The reviews proved to be spot on - we had an excellent meal and a really nice evening.

The restaurant is a little off the beaten track, though only a stone's throw from trendy Charlotte Street. We liked the modern decor (though the old wardrobe by the door for customers' coats and bags is a nice touch) and got a friendly Italian welcome from the waiting staff. We ate fairly early so the restaurant was quiet when we arrived, but it soon filled up - however, it never got too noisy and we enjoyed the view of the bustling room from our table in the window.

The menu here is a set one, with a small number of choices for each course and a flat charge of Â£24.50 for two courses or Â£28.50 for three, which in my view is excellent value for the quality, especially when you add in the various extras. We enjoyed a wonderful selection of bread and rolls, eating far more of it than we normally would because of the variety (the parmesan flavoured slices were the stand-out but the walnut and rasin came a close second, and there were also sundried tomato and black olives rolls, and crispy Sicilan flat bread). This came with a dish of good olive oil for dipping. We were also given a plate of small canapes and a bowl of fantastic olives - Chris, who is a real olive fan, pronounced them among the best he has tasted! And this is all before we've even started on the food we'd ordered :-)

So on to the menu. Latium specialises in ravioli, and a whole page in the menu is devoted to it, with several choices for each course. We both sampled something from this, with me choosing the taleggio, Swiss chard and walnut starter and Chris the ricotta and lemon ravioli for his mains. His starter meanwhile was the beef tartar with wild rocket qualis' eggs and my main a lovely piece of salmon in a pumpkin sauce. Chris then indulged in the tiramisu and I had a wonderful dessert of wafer thin pineapple slices wrapped around indulgent lime semi-freddo. I can't pick a favourite out of this list - everything was really delicious! My only tiny complaint was that my pumpkin sauce was almost cold, but when I pointed this out the waitress was very apologetic and replaced it without question (and I am sure it was a new dish, not simply reheated).

We turned down coffee but they still brough a plate of gorgeous petits fours - the white chocolate truffle rolled in cinnamon was truly miraculaous, and luckily for me Chris doesn't like white chocolate ...

With water and a bottle of wine we paid about Â£85 which was really good value for such a wonderful meal. We will be back!We came here a couple of weeks ago to celebrate my birthday as I'd seen a couple of good reviews. The reviews proved to be spot on - we had an excellent meal and a really nice evening.

The restaurant is a little off the beaten track, though only a stone's throw from trendy Charlotte Street. We liked the modern decor (though the old wardrobe by the door for customers' coats and bags is a nice touch) and got a friendly Italian welcome from the waiting staff. We ate fairly early so the restaurant was quiet when we arrived, but it soon filled up - however, it never got too noisy and we enjoyed the view of the bustling room from our table in the window.

The menu here is a set one, with a small number of choices for each course and a flat charge of Â£24.50 for two courses or Â£28.50 for three, which in my view is excellent value for the quality, especially when you add in the various extras. We enjoyed a wonderful selection of bread and rolls, eating far more of it than we normally would because of the variety (the parmesan flavoured slices were the stand-out but the walnut and rasin came a close second, and there were also sundried tomato and black olives rolls, and crispy Sicilan flat bread). This came with a dish of good olive oil for dipping. We were also given a plate of small canapes and a bowl of fantastic olives - Chris, who is a real olive fan, pronounced them among the best he has tasted! And this is all before we've even started on the food we'd ordered :-)

So on to the menu. Latium specialises in ravioli, and a whole page in the menu is devoted to it, with several choices for each course. We both sampled something from this, with me choosing the taleggio, Swiss chard and walnut starter and Chris the ricotta and lemon ravioli for his mains. His starter meanwhile was the beef tartar with wild rocket qualis' eggs and my main a lovely piece of salmon in a pumpkin sauce. Chris then indulged in the tiramisu and I had a wonderful dessert of wafer thin pineapple slices wrapped around indulgent lime semi-freddo. I can't pick a favourite out of this list - everything was really delicious! My only tiny complaint was that my pumpkin sauce was almost cold, but when I pointed this out the waitress was very apologetic and replaced it without question (and I am sure it was a new dish, not simply reheated).

We turned down coffee but they still brough a plate of gorgeous petits fours - the white chocolate truffle rolled in cinnamon was truly miraculaous, and luckily for me Chris doesn't like white chocolate ...

With water and a bottle of wine we paid about Â£85 which was really good value for such a wonderful meal. We will be back!

Belgo Centraal - Still going strong by Hmm

Hmm — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:14:03 +0000

Review by Hmm

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7813 2233

Website: http://www.belgo-restaurants.com

Tags: lively, crowded, good value

I've been coming back time after time when in London. Great atmosphere and good food.I've been coming back time after time when in London. Great atmosphere and good food.

Olives Indian Cafe - Strange name, great food by gingerbeardman

gingerbeardman — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:10:36 +0000

Review by gingerbeardman

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7636 1813

Tags: indian, cheap eat, takeaway

A bit of bizarre name for an indian canteen, but don't let that put you off.

The food is great, service quick and polite. No frills decor and some great lunch deals.A bit of bizarre name for an indian canteen, but don't let that put you off.

The food is great, service quick and polite. No frills decor and some great lunch deals.

Kobe Jones - CLOSED - Going downhill a bit... by stew

stew — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:39:01 +0000

Review by stew

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7300 3250

Website: http://www.kobejones.com.au

Tags: japanese, expensive, cocktails

I've been here on a few times on the 50% off weeknights deal too - to be honest it'd be a bit too expensive for what you get otherwise. The food is generally OK (sushi with a Californian twist) but nothing amazing.

The dessert platter OTOH is amazing (sushi cheesecakes, chocolate chopsticks etc.) and the cocktails are pretty good too, so maybe it's worth popping in after a cheeky main meal elsewhere?I've been here on a few times on the 50% off weeknights deal too - to be honest it'd be a bit too expensive for what you get otherwise. The food is generally OK (sushi with a Californian twist) but nothing amazing.

The dessert platter OTOH is amazing (sushi cheesecakes, chocolate chopsticks etc.) and the cocktails are pretty good too, so maybe it's worth popping in after a cheeky main meal elsewhere?

Bar Shu - I have a new favourite restaurant by bron99

bron99 — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:27:55 +0000

Review by bron99

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7287 6688

Website: http://www.bar-shu.co.uk/

Tags: crowded, chinese, lively

Not something I decide lightly. But last night I went to Bar Shu and everything about dinner was magnificent. Started with cold chicken in sesame chilli oil and a salad of tree ears and coriander. Then, vastly over ordering, we had crispy beef shreds, red cooked pork, scallops steamed with ginger shreds, pock marked woman bean curd and dry fried green beans. And rice. Our waitress tried to explain it was too much, then gave up and said we could take leftovers home. Which we did. You should see my lunchbox today. The food was completely amazing - highly spiced, masses of chilli and szchewan pepper but intensely, deeply flavoured. And a nice nz sauvignon blanc as recommended by the waitress. I might like this place more than Anchor & Hope. Actually I do like this place more than A&H - but it's a very close call. Probably 80% chinese, 90% full over 2 floors on a Tuesday night in November. Seriously, seriously, seriously good.
Not something I decide lightly. But last night I went to Bar Shu and everything about dinner was magnificent. Started with cold chicken in sesame chilli oil and a salad of tree ears and coriander. Then, vastly over ordering, we had crispy beef shreds, red cooked pork, scallops steamed with ginger shreds, pock marked woman bean curd and dry fried green beans. And rice. Our waitress tried to explain it was too much, then gave up and said we could take leftovers home. Which we did. You should see my lunchbox today. The food was completely amazing - highly spiced, masses of chilli and szchewan pepper but intensely, deeply flavoured. And a nice nz sauvignon blanc as recommended by the waitress. I might like this place more than Anchor & Hope. Actually I do like this place more than A&H - but it's a very close call. Probably 80% chinese, 90% full over 2 floors on a Tuesday night in November. Seriously, seriously, seriously good.

Abeno Too - Okonomiyaki in central London by Niamheen

Niamheen — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:39:05 +0000

Review by Niamheen

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7376 1160

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

Tags: japanese, expensive, crowded

I was introduced to Okonomiyaki by an ex-work colleague, who adored it and insisted that we all go to Abeno for her work leaving do. I'd never heard of it before and was intrigued, some googling told me that it was a Japanese style omelette, native of Osaka. Hmmmm. I was wondering what could this Japanese style omelette be like?

So, off we trotted, I keen as mustard with the idea of a new culinary discovery awaiting me. Abeno Too, is situated just off Leicester Square, and has a large centre counter with teppan grills and a few tables to the side with teppan grills in the centre. So, it's warm. Very warm. They offer a variety of dishes from the aforementioned okonomiyaki, to soba dishes and a wide range of starters and desserts. We opted for the okonomiyaki and the prawn yaki-soba and within minutes they were making them in front of use and shortly after, we were eating it.

So what is it? Well, omelette isn't a fair term, the base is cabbage and some okonomiayi flour with a little egg and then other ingredients depending on your choice, mine was prawn, squid and salmon. As can be expected of most Japanese restaurants, the produce was extremely fresh and flavoursome. I really liked the okonomiyaki, although it tended on the heavy side, and having been to Japan since where they're a little more moist, I wonder if they've been adapted to our Western tastes e.g. bacon and cheese doesn't seem all that traditionally Japanese. My other gripe is that, while it's not expensive, it is a little expensive for what you get.

What's going for it? It's fun, sociable, different, central and fresh. That's enough reason to go, and I've gone there again since. I do prefer their sister branch, Abeno, near the British Museum. It's more intimate and cosy, consisting mainly of tables and away from the madding crowd in Leicester Square.I was introduced to Okonomiyaki by an ex-work colleague, who adored it and insisted that we all go to Abeno for her work leaving do. I'd never heard of it before and was intrigued, some googling told me that it was a Japanese style omelette, native of Osaka. Hmmmm. I was wondering what could this Japanese style omelette be like?

So, off we trotted, I keen as mustard with the idea of a new culinary discovery awaiting me. Abeno Too, is situated just off Leicester Square, and has a large centre counter with teppan grills and a few tables to the side with teppan grills in the centre. So, it's warm. Very warm. They offer a variety of dishes from the aforementioned okonomiyaki, to soba dishes and a wide range of starters and desserts. We opted for the okonomiyaki and the prawn yaki-soba and within minutes they were making them in front of use and shortly after, we were eating it.

So what is it? Well, omelette isn't a fair term, the base is cabbage and some okonomiayi flour with a little egg and then other ingredients depending on your choice, mine was prawn, squid and salmon. As can be expected of most Japanese restaurants, the produce was extremely fresh and flavoursome. I really liked the okonomiyaki, although it tended on the heavy side, and having been to Japan since where they're a little more moist, I wonder if they've been adapted to our Western tastes e.g. bacon and cheese doesn't seem all that traditionally Japanese. My other gripe is that, while it's not expensive, it is a little expensive for what you get.

What's going for it? It's fun, sociable, different, central and fresh. That's enough reason to go, and I've gone there again since. I do prefer their sister branch, Abeno, near the British Museum. It's more intimate and cosy, consisting mainly of tables and away from the madding crowd in Leicester Square.

Satsuma - not for me by yeebi

yeebi — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 13:52:23 +0000

Review by yeebi

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7437 8338

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

Tags: japanese, lively, good value

Food are over priced and very small.
Not authentic.
A sashimi set dinner will have about 4 pieces of sashimi for the same price you can have 10 plate at yo sushi.
Service is quite poor. Staff are not always available when you want their attention.Food are over priced and very small.
Not authentic.
A sashimi set dinner will have about 4 pieces of sashimi for the same price you can have 10 plate at yo sushi.
Service is quite poor. Staff are not always available when you want their attention.

Cafe Emm - Good for pre-theatre food by Julesdit

Julesdit — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:05:10 +0000

Review by Julesdit

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7437 0723

Website: http://www.cafeemm.com

Tags: cheap eat, lively, crowded

We popped here for pre-theatre dinner before going to a show at Prince Edward Theatre. Although it was a busy Friday night we were seated quickly and we didn't have to wait long for food. The food was good, simple fayre and there was a good choice avaliable. I also found the staff friendly. Really good value for money, even for outside London.We popped here for pre-theatre dinner before going to a show at Prince Edward Theatre. Although it was a busy Friday night we were seated quickly and we didn't have to wait long for food. The food was good, simple fayre and there was a good choice avaliable. I also found the staff friendly. Really good value for money, even for outside London.

Jerk City - Mmmmmmm.... by CristinaA

CristinaA — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:35:53 +0000

Review by CristinaA

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7287 2878

Tags: cheap eat, quick bite, crowded

Seriously good Caribbean food, I love this place. As soon as you step in it feels like carnival all year round. Itâ¬"s warm and vibrant atmosphere is a combination of the young and old enjoying themselves. Itâ¬"s not your glam eaterie but nobody really cares when the food is this good. Regular or first timer, youâ¬"ll be welcomed with a warm smile.

Seriously good Caribbean food, I love this place. As soon as you step in it feels like carnival all year round. Itâ¬"s warm and vibrant atmosphere is a combination of the young and old enjoying themselves. Itâ¬"s not your glam eaterie but nobody really cares when the food is this good. Regular or first timer, youâ¬"ll be welcomed with a warm smile.

Aurora Cafe - Great for a date... by CristinaA

CristinaA — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:28:47 +0000

Review by CristinaA

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7494 0514

Tags: romantic, italian, european

Aurora is definitely a find -- especially the secret garden dining at the back! The food is great, there's always a choice of chicken, meat and vegetarian, so something for everyone. Very cosy atmosphere, a great place for a date or for a great meal out with your friends.
Aurora is definitely a find -- especially the secret garden dining at the back! The food is great, there's always a choice of chicken, meat and vegetarian, so something for everyone. Very cosy atmosphere, a great place for a date or for a great meal out with your friends.