Latest reviews in West Kensington, London, United Kingdom

Yas Restaurant - Probably the worst service I've ever come across by nings

nings — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:24:12 +0000

Review by nings

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7603 9148

Website: http://www.yasrestaurant.com

The food was reasonably good in this Persian restaurant, but the service was appalling. It completely ruined our meal. The waiting staff could not pronounce the names of the dishes, and referred to them by number (this is not acceptable in a restaurant). They made numerous mistakes with our order and the mishandling of the serving of our starters resulted in some of our party being served their main courses as others were being served their starters. And as some of our party were finished before others as a consequence, the table was stripped making my friends who were still eating feel like they needed to cling onto their plates out of fear they would also be whisked away from under their noses. This is not a comfortable way to enjoy a meal. At the end, we were overcharged. There seemed to be a veritable army of staff standing along a wall laughing and gossiping, but not at all paying attention to the diners. The staff are badly trained and badly managed. This restaurant is not recommended.The food was reasonably good in this Persian restaurant, but the service was appalling. It completely ruined our meal. The waiting staff could not pronounce the names of the dishes, and referred to them by number (this is not acceptable in a restaurant). They made numerous mistakes with our order and the mishandling of the serving of our starters resulted in some of our party being served their main courses as others were being served their starters. And as some of our party were finished before others as a consequence, the table was stripped making my friends who were still eating feel like they needed to cling onto their plates out of fear they would also be whisked away from under their noses. This is not a comfortable way to enjoy a meal. At the end, we were overcharged. There seemed to be a veritable army of staff standing along a wall laughing and gossiping, but not at all paying attention to the diners. The staff are badly trained and badly managed. This restaurant is not recommended.

Best Mangal - Authentic Turkish kebabs - in West Kensington! by AliZebu

AliZebu — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:33:52 +0000

Review by AliZebu

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7610 1050

Tags: turkish, good value, lively

1st Class kebab house!

There are actually 2 Best Mangals - both on North End Road and I have been to both many times. It has a huge Ockabasi (SP?) a traditional Turkish BBQ/Charcoal grill and the meat comes out better than any other kebab I have tasted in the UK. A wonderful smokey flavour. Their Lamb Cop Sis (Chop Shish) is my favourite with smaller cubes, they also have regular shish, but I have tried nearly all the range at different times.

The Doner is more like a Lebanese schwarma, fresh cuts of meat on the upright grill as opposed to a minced meat mis-match and is truly superior to 95% of doner in London. Kofte is not a fave of mine but if you like a smokey and herby "sausage" of a kebab then you are in for a treat. The lamb chops and lamb spare ribs are excellent as well. Chicken shish is smokey and top notch. All in all for the meat my 10/10 score is no exaggeration - you will not find better, period.
Chilli sauce is good but not always consistent in heat. Sometimes it blows my head off and other times it is not hot enough yet I always have the same amount. Garlic sauce is just fine. The bread is unusual in that it is not Pitta but freshly baked "Village Bread" which is more akin to a huge chapati or tortilla and somewhat "floury". It is worth trying but I sometimes go elsewhere just because I miss a regular pitta kebab. They also do a thick "Nan" type bread but it does not fold enough to roll around the kebab. If they did pittas as well I would never go anywhere else. Prices are not cheap at Â£5.50 for my fave chop shish (Â£5 for Lamb donner) but portions are generous and quality is far above most Kebab places so it is not overpriced for take away. If you eat in or have a doner with rice prices are more.

I no longer live in the area but go back fairly regularly for a take away shish.
Best mangal is worth travelling for.1st Class kebab house!

There are actually 2 Best Mangals - both on North End Road and I have been to both many times. It has a huge Ockabasi (SP?) a traditional Turkish BBQ/Charcoal grill and the meat comes out better than any other kebab I have tasted in the UK. A wonderful smokey flavour. Their Lamb Cop Sis (Chop Shish) is my favourite with smaller cubes, they also have regular shish, but I have tried nearly all the range at different times.

The Doner is more like a Lebanese schwarma, fresh cuts of meat on the upright grill as opposed to a minced meat mis-match and is truly superior to 95% of doner in London. Kofte is not a fave of mine but if you like a smokey and herby "sausage" of a kebab then you are in for a treat. The lamb chops and lamb spare ribs are excellent as well. Chicken shish is smokey and top notch. All in all for the meat my 10/10 score is no exaggeration - you will not find better, period.
Chilli sauce is good but not always consistent in heat. Sometimes it blows my head off and other times it is not hot enough yet I always have the same amount. Garlic sauce is just fine. The bread is unusual in that it is not Pitta but freshly baked "Village Bread" which is more akin to a huge chapati or tortilla and somewhat "floury". It is worth trying but I sometimes go elsewhere just because I miss a regular pitta kebab. They also do a thick "Nan" type bread but it does not fold enough to roll around the kebab. If they did pittas as well I would never go anywhere else. Prices are not cheap at Â£5.50 for my fave chop shish (Â£5 for Lamb donner) but portions are generous and quality is far above most Kebab places so it is not overpriced for take away. If you eat in or have a doner with rice prices are more.

I no longer live in the area but go back fairly regularly for a take away shish.
Best mangal is worth travelling for.

Best Mangal II - Even better than the original! by AliZebu

AliZebu — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:19:11 +0000

Review by AliZebu

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 0207 602 0212

Website: www.bestmangal.com

Tags: lively, turkish, good value

I have been to 'Best Mangal 2' many times as well as the original Best Mangal also on North End Road, West Kensington.

This branch was the very first Ocakbasi Turkish BBQ restaurant I ever visited and remains my personal favourite.
I slightly favour this branch to the original in that it is larger and when waiting for your takeaway kebab there are seats and enough room to stand unlike the narrow entrance section of Best Mangal 1, they also have more dishes on their takeaway menu - the Mengen Special is divine. Previously this branch also did a Chicken Donner (schwarma) as well as the Lamb Donner and I regularly had the mixed Donner if in a Donner mood but since their refurb of summer 2007 sadly they don't, but they now do a mixed Lamb/Chicken Shish AND also serve chips!

My favourite kebab remains the Cop Sis (Chop Shish) which is just smaller cubes of Lamb than regular Shish, the advantage being it cooks quicker on the Ocakbasi. The Chilli Sauce comes out of a squirty bottle BUT is fresh "homemade" style. They just use the bottles for speed of service. It is served room temperature and is quite thick and definitely tasty. Their Garlic sauce is very good and I have it nearly always along with the Chilli. The Village bread (Floury Chapatti/Tortilla style) is always fresh but sometimes I wish they could also serve regular Pita bread. The Salad is well dressed and has grated Carrot as well as the usual Lettuce, Onion, Tomatoes etc. Service wise they cannot be faulted and handle the steady stream of customers in an efficient and friendly manner.

I now live in Chiswick but still head back here at least twice monthly when I crave that lovely Smokey flavour that only a kebab cooked on an Ocakbasi can deliver!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.I have been to 'Best Mangal 2' many times as well as the original Best Mangal also on North End Road, West Kensington.

This branch was the very first Ocakbasi Turkish BBQ restaurant I ever visited and remains my personal favourite.
I slightly favour this branch to the original in that it is larger and when waiting for your takeaway kebab there are seats and enough room to stand unlike the narrow entrance section of Best Mangal 1, they also have more dishes on their takeaway menu - the Mengen Special is divine. Previously this branch also did a Chicken Donner (schwarma) as well as the Lamb Donner and I regularly had the mixed Donner if in a Donner mood but since their refurb of summer 2007 sadly they don't, but they now do a mixed Lamb/Chicken Shish AND also serve chips!

My favourite kebab remains the Cop Sis (Chop Shish) which is just smaller cubes of Lamb than regular Shish, the advantage being it cooks quicker on the Ocakbasi. The Chilli Sauce comes out of a squirty bottle BUT is fresh "homemade" style. They just use the bottles for speed of service. It is served room temperature and is quite thick and definitely tasty. Their Garlic sauce is very good and I have it nearly always along with the Chilli. The Village bread (Floury Chapatti/Tortilla style) is always fresh but sometimes I wish they could also serve regular Pita bread. The Salad is well dressed and has grated Carrot as well as the usual Lettuce, Onion, Tomatoes etc. Service wise they cannot be faulted and handle the steady stream of customers in an efficient and friendly manner.

I now live in Chiswick but still head back here at least twice monthly when I crave that lovely Smokey flavour that only a kebab cooked on an Ocakbasi can deliver!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

tad mangal - Another fine Mangal by AliZebu

AliZebu — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:43:05 +0000

Review by AliZebu

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7381 1154

Tags: turkish, good value

'Tad Mangal' is a recently opened sister store to the main 'Tad' in Hackney.

It is located on West Kensington's North End Road, a street already boasting TWO of the finest Kebab outlets in London - 'Best Mangal' 1 & 2.

I opted for a mixed Donner on my visit as sadly 'Best Mangal' no longer does a roll of chicken. The bread was village bread, which was floury compared to Pita but still nice. The salad was good but not as varied or finely chopped as their esteemed competition. The meats, whilst both VERY GOOD were also maybe 1 point down. The Lamb was slightly fattier (some might relish the extra greasiness!) and the Chicken was overpowered by it. Chilli & Garlic sauces were both good.
Overall the mixed kebab lacked that special "magic" that their neighbours have.

The service was impressive. Value wise a Mixed, Chicken OR Lamb Donner all cost Â£4.50 which is 50p cheaper than at 'Best Mangals' so score well for such a large, quality offering.

Though not quite as excellent as the aforementioned Kebab Kings of this area (I wonder why they did not open a branch somewhere that did not already have an ocakbasi?) taken on its own merit 'Tad Mangal' is a GREAT Kebab House and I will definitely return if only when I feel like a Chicken Donner instead of Lamb.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!'Tad Mangal' is a recently opened sister store to the main 'Tad' in Hackney.

It is located on West Kensington's North End Road, a street already boasting TWO of the finest Kebab outlets in London - 'Best Mangal' 1 & 2.

I opted for a mixed Donner on my visit as sadly 'Best Mangal' no longer does a roll of chicken. The bread was village bread, which was floury compared to Pita but still nice. The salad was good but not as varied or finely chopped as their esteemed competition. The meats, whilst both VERY GOOD were also maybe 1 point down. The Lamb was slightly fattier (some might relish the extra greasiness!) and the Chicken was overpowered by it. Chilli & Garlic sauces were both good.
Overall the mixed kebab lacked that special "magic" that their neighbours have.

The service was impressive. Value wise a Mixed, Chicken OR Lamb Donner all cost Â£4.50 which is 50p cheaper than at 'Best Mangals' so score well for such a large, quality offering.

Though not quite as excellent as the aforementioned Kebab Kings of this area (I wonder why they did not open a branch somewhere that did not already have an ocakbasi?) taken on its own merit 'Tad Mangal' is a GREAT Kebab House and I will definitely return if only when I feel like a Chicken Donner instead of Lamb.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Britannia Tap - by sld52

sld52 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:53:52 +0000

Review by sld52

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7602 1649

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

Tags: jazz, cool, relaxed

I used to qork in the area a few years ago and went sometimes. Then it was a Thai place and, although nice, was a little dingey. It's recently been taken over by new owners and revamped and it is wonderful! Can't recommend the place more: friendly atmosphere without being too invasive, jukebox, live music, good beer! They don't serve food anymore but sometimes they let you bring stuff in from the place next door which does great meze! Simply brilliant!I used to qork in the area a few years ago and went sometimes. Then it was a Thai place and, although nice, was a little dingey. It's recently been taken over by new owners and revamped and it is wonderful! Can't recommend the place more: friendly atmosphere without being too invasive, jukebox, live music, good beer! They don't serve food anymore but sometimes they let you bring stuff in from the place next door which does great meze! Simply brilliant!

Indian Express - by The_Pimp

The_Pimp — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:38:03 +0000

Review by The_Pimp

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7610 1777

Tags: indian, takeaway, delivery

very modern style of Indian cooking and very tasty.very modern style of Indian cooking and very tasty.

Energize Gym - gymboy by gymboy

gymboy — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:08:25 +0000

Review by gymboy

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 8748 9933

Website: www.energizefitness.co.uk

Tags: fitness, health, gym

For the price this is good value - however recent poor hygiene leaves a lot to be desired. Somethings are worth paying for. The management have refused to budge and have littered the gym with yellow dusters for members to clean the equipment - go figure!!! If you're a guy want to share your bodily fluids with other guys - dripping sweat over the equipment - this is the place for you - I'm going elsewhere.For the price this is good value - however recent poor hygiene leaves a lot to be desired. Somethings are worth paying for. The management have refused to budge and have littered the gym with yellow dusters for members to clean the equipment - go figure!!! If you're a guy want to share your bodily fluids with other guys - dripping sweat over the equipment - this is the place for you - I'm going elsewhere.

Chez Marcelle - Yummy Lebanese home cooking, sweet owner. by Hairyjack

Hairyjack — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 23:46:55 +0000

Review by Hairyjack

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7603 3241

Tags: family & home feel, lebanese, good value

I went to Chez Marcelle on the strength of reviews here; although the people that I was meeting let me down, Marcelle was lovely as was (I think) her daughter who was helping out. Real Arabic home cooking, which is just delicious as well, and very reasonably priced. It gets packed at weekends- with good reason! The only problem was that it was a bit hard to find: it's at the Olympia end of Blythe Road. Lovely place, run by a very sweet lady.I went to Chez Marcelle on the strength of reviews here; although the people that I was meeting let me down, Marcelle was lovely as was (I think) her daughter who was helping out. Real Arabic home cooking, which is just delicious as well, and very reasonably priced. It gets packed at weekends- with good reason! The only problem was that it was a bit hard to find: it's at the Olympia end of Blythe Road. Lovely place, run by a very sweet lady.

The Crescent - by rayhay31

rayhay31 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:16:33 +0000

Review by rayhay31

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7603 2058

Website: http://www.thecrescentbarw14.co.uk/bar.html

Tags: food, cocktails, champagne

The crescent is a absolutely fantastic bar with amazing cocktails and atmosphere! Went there with friends the other night and was surprised by the quality of the bar and the cocktails. The staff were great and made us feel really welcome!

Will definitely be back!!
The crescent is a absolutely fantastic bar with amazing cocktails and atmosphere! Went there with friends the other night and was surprised by the quality of the bar and the cocktails. The staff were great and made us feel really welcome!

Will definitely be back!!

Betty Blythe - Betty Blythe by rayhay31

rayhay31 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:12:12 +0000

Review by rayhay31

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7602 1177

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

I loved this place. It has this antique feel to it, and the tea room is beautiful. Not to mention the cupcakes are fantastic! I am definately going back and bringing all of my friends!!I loved this place. It has this antique feel to it, and the tea room is beautiful. Not to mention the cupcakes are fantastic! I am definately going back and bringing all of my friends!!

C'est Ici - Very nice cafe, great food, friendly French atmos by eiffel

eiffel — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 08:56:01 +0000

Review by eiffel

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7381 4837

Nice cafe next to barons court station, very good sandwiches, nice friendly staff.

They bake on site, free wifi i fyou come with your laptop, and great garden on the rear !

Nice cafe next to barons court station, very good sandwiches, nice friendly staff.

They bake on site, free wifi i fyou come with your laptop, and great garden on the rear !

Ibis London Earls Court - Ibis Hotel - Earls Court by HORSCHECK

HORSCHECK — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 22:41:48 +0000

Review by HORSCHECK

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7610 0880

Website: http://www.ibishotel.com

Tags: restaurant, safe, bar / lounge bar

In February 2009 I stayed 2 nights in the Ibis Hotel Earls Court on business.

With more than 500 rooms it is the biggest Ibis I have ever stayed in. My room was equipped with the typical functional Ibis furniture. It also included air conditioning, a TV, a hairdryer and tea and coffee making facilities.

Unfortunately my toilet was not properly cleaned on arrival, but the rest was clean and tidy. Also for me it looked like only one towel per person was provided.

My room was 73 GBP for the first night and 87 GBP for the other night. The price didn't include breakfast, which cost an extra of 8,75 GBP. The buffet style breakfast consisted of a selection of bread, cereals, full cooked breakfast and much more, as you would expect it from a two star hotel.

DIRECTIONS:
The Ibis Hotel Earls Court is located about 500 m from the Earls Court exhibition centre. It can be reached conveniently on foot within 5 Minutes from the underground stations Earls Court (Zone 1) and West Brompton (Zone 2).

In February 2009 I stayed 2 nights in the Ibis Hotel Earls Court on business.

With more than 500 rooms it is the biggest Ibis I have ever stayed in. My room was equipped with the typical functional Ibis furniture. It also included air conditioning, a TV, a hairdryer and tea and coffee making facilities.

Unfortunately my toilet was not properly cleaned on arrival, but the rest was clean and tidy. Also for me it looked like only one towel per person was provided.

My room was 73 GBP for the first night and 87 GBP for the other night. The price didn't include breakfast, which cost an extra of 8,75 GBP. The buffet style breakfast consisted of a selection of bread, cereals, full cooked breakfast and much more, as you would expect it from a two star hotel.

DIRECTIONS:
The Ibis Hotel Earls Court is located about 500 m from the Earls Court exhibition centre. It can be reached conveniently on foot within 5 Minutes from the underground stations Earls Court (Zone 1) and West Brompton (Zone 2).

Hare & Tortoise - Regular Local by MartaZ

MartaZ — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:45:34 +0000

Review by MartaZ

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7603 8887

Website: http://www.hareandtortoise-restaurants.co.uk

Tags: lively, japanese, good value

Now this is the place, you can't miss out on...

The restaurant, during lunch and dinner times, is full and, usually, you need to wait for at least 15 min for a table, but it is worth the wait... It is usually very busy and buzzy, but quite friendly.

Sushi and salads are freshly prepared, juices freshly squeezed. All mains (rice and noodle) are absolutely delicious! The portions are big enough to even feed my husband!!

Staff are OK, they are fast and efficient, usually they leave you to yourself so you can enjoy the fantastic food...

Try their selection of sake (Japanese rice wine). I recommend the Singapore Noddles - my all time favourite.

They do take away and we do tend to oder in quite often.

Pricewise - the cheapest and tastiest Japanese so far!Now this is the place, you can't miss out on...

The restaurant, during lunch and dinner times, is full and, usually, you need to wait for at least 15 min for a table, but it is worth the wait... It is usually very busy and buzzy, but quite friendly.

Sushi and salads are freshly prepared, juices freshly squeezed. All mains (rice and noodle) are absolutely delicious! The portions are big enough to even feed my husband!!

Staff are OK, they are fast and efficient, usually they leave you to yourself so you can enjoy the fantastic food...

Try their selection of sake (Japanese rice wine). I recommend the Singapore Noddles - my all time favourite.

They do take away and we do tend to oder in quite often.

Pricewise - the cheapest and tastiest Japanese so far!

Blue Lagoon - Nice, but pricey by MartaZ

MartaZ — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:12:36 +0000

Review by MartaZ

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7603 1231

Website: http://www.blue-lagoon.co.uk

Tags: thai, romantic, expensive

I went there recently with my husband for dinner.
The restaurant itself is quite nice with a soothing music in the background and nice setting. The staff was very prompt and attentive, yet discreet, so you do have your privacy.
However, for 2 courses(starter and main), beer and a glass of wine we have paid £75 plus service charge. Now, I know Thai food is generally expensive, but we did not expect such an amount to land at the end of the evening. It did leave a bit of a sour taste...
All in all good, but be prepared...I went there recently with my husband for dinner.
The restaurant itself is quite nice with a soothing music in the background and nice setting. The staff was very prompt and attentive, yet discreet, so you do have your privacy.
However, for 2 courses(starter and main), beer and a glass of wine we have paid £75 plus service charge. Now, I know Thai food is generally expensive, but we did not expect such an amount to land at the end of the evening. It did leave a bit of a sour taste...
All in all good, but be prepared...

Guru Express - by alexoliver

alexoliver — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 10:27:06 +0000

Review by alexoliver

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7385 4994

Tags: indian, home delivery

Super Lamb Passanda!!!
Will order again on www.pizza.co.ukSuper Lamb Passanda!!!
Will order again on www.pizza.co.uk

The Albion - ACE! by chrisslater

chrisslater — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:36:31 +0000

Review by chrisslater

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7603 2826

Tags: jazz, live music, food

Thanks god the Albion arrived, i urge you all to get down there and give this place a second chance since the new ownership turned up!Thanks god the Albion arrived, i urge you all to get down there and give this place a second chance since the new ownership turned up!

Virgin Active - by perinouk

perinouk — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:35:33 +0000

Review by perinouk

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 0845 270 9124

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

Staff are rude and unhelpful. The beauty come health clinic inside the gym called Fulham Clinic is a rip off. I bought a course of treatments and after using some they didn't honor the remaining appointments saying that the course had elapsed although I was never told of the duration of validity. I do NOT recommend the clinic.Staff are rude and unhelpful. The beauty come health clinic inside the gym called Fulham Clinic is a rip off. I bought a course of treatments and after using some they didn't honor the remaining appointments saying that the course had elapsed although I was never told of the duration of validity. I do NOT recommend the clinic.

Famous Three Kings - Wicked pub by petrapuskas

petrapuskas — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:13:18 +0000

Review by petrapuskas

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7603 6071

Tags: food, friendly, pool

The atmosphere of this great Victorian pub changes. During the day it's a great place, being very large in size, to find a quiet corner to chat with your pals.
In the evenings it's lively and funky, but good service, lots of sexy guys (and glammed up girls!). I'll always keep coming back.
Oh yes, and I saw Gwyneth Paltrow and her hubby in here a few months ago (I'm told his cousin lives in the Gothic church conversion nearby..)
You know, this was where the Rolling Stones played in 1969, so a bit of history behind it.
I'd recommend it highly.The atmosphere of this great Victorian pub changes. During the day it's a great place, being very large in size, to find a quiet corner to chat with your pals.
In the evenings it's lively and funky, but good service, lots of sexy guys (and glammed up girls!). I'll always keep coming back.
Oh yes, and I saw Gwyneth Paltrow and her hubby in here a few months ago (I'm told his cousin lives in the Gothic church conversion nearby..)
You know, this was where the Rolling Stones played in 1969, so a bit of history behind it.
I'd recommend it highly.

Cafe Continente - Sunday morning life-saver by DanWilkinson

DanWilkinson — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:39:58 +0000

Review by DanWilkinson

Rating: 4.00

Tags: lively, crowded, good brew

Hangovers are curious things. The things they require to ease the pain (coffee, fried foods, newspapers etc) are rarely directly available when you're in the grip of one, and often the energy needed to invoke a cooked breakfast yourself is simply too much to consider. A local cafe is therefore indispensable, and this one is mine.

I say cafe advisedly, and this is a crucial subtle distinction to make when choosing your hangover-curing venue. A pub is never open in time to be of any use, and is too often the scene of the crime to which you shouldn't really return. Smells of beer usually aren't advisable, either. A restaurant is usually a place where your pale green face and trembling fingers aren't generally welcome, and so best avoided until dinnertime. Cafes, particularly those like this one, exist to provide sanctuary to the hungover on weekend mornings.

One of the first proper hangovers I ever had in London was partially cured here, so I'm probably overly fond of Cafe Continente, and this review's going to smack of subjectivity. What the hell, it's *my* review.

Not in nearly eight years has this cafe let me down. I've never ventured from the breakfast menu (and why would you?), and can vouch that without exception it is highly satisfying: crisp where it should be crisp, non-greasy and freshly cooked, with good ingredients treated with respect. Ok, the bacon and the sausages aren't Borough Market standard, but they're decent enough and don't cost the earth.

Toast is hot when it comes to the table. I can't stress how important this is.

The coffee, although I have had one pretty shocking cup here about six months ago, is generally great, not too bitter and comforting to the troubled tummy. A great selection of juices, posh soft drinks and even (for the terminally bewildered) wine & beer are available. Service is brisk, non-judgemental and highly capable, and you can roll out of here for about Â£7.50 with a large breakfast and a coffee already beginning to work its magic.

My two criticisms are these:

1. It's always so crowded you're in no way guaranteed a seat. This bothers me a bit, as the last thing I want to do when I'm hungover is stand in the middle of a busy cafe with people bustling past me and... staring at me. That said, places do tread a fine line between 'dead' and 'mental', and I'd always prefer the latter, I suppose.

2. The seats really aren't that comfortable. I know it's a pedantic point to make, but I really don't like them. I want to lounge at breakfast, and Continente's chairs really don't allow that sort of behaviour.

Hence the dropped star. If you can get over these two niggles, you're well on your way to health again.Hangovers are curious things. The things they require to ease the pain (coffee, fried foods, newspapers etc) are rarely directly available when you're in the grip of one, and often the energy needed to invoke a cooked breakfast yourself is simply too much to consider. A local cafe is therefore indispensable, and this one is mine.

I say cafe advisedly, and this is a crucial subtle distinction to make when choosing your hangover-curing venue. A pub is never open in time to be of any use, and is too often the scene of the crime to which you shouldn't really return. Smells of beer usually aren't advisable, either. A restaurant is usually a place where your pale green face and trembling fingers aren't generally welcome, and so best avoided until dinnertime. Cafes, particularly those like this one, exist to provide sanctuary to the hungover on weekend mornings.

One of the first proper hangovers I ever had in London was partially cured here, so I'm probably overly fond of Cafe Continente, and this review's going to smack of subjectivity. What the hell, it's *my* review.

Not in nearly eight years has this cafe let me down. I've never ventured from the breakfast menu (and why would you?), and can vouch that without exception it is highly satisfying: crisp where it should be crisp, non-greasy and freshly cooked, with good ingredients treated with respect. Ok, the bacon and the sausages aren't Borough Market standard, but they're decent enough and don't cost the earth.

Toast is hot when it comes to the table. I can't stress how important this is.

The coffee, although I have had one pretty shocking cup here about six months ago, is generally great, not too bitter and comforting to the troubled tummy. A great selection of juices, posh soft drinks and even (for the terminally bewildered) wine & beer are available. Service is brisk, non-judgemental and highly capable, and you can roll out of here for about Â£7.50 with a large breakfast and a coffee already beginning to work its magic.

My two criticisms are these:

1. It's always so crowded you're in no way guaranteed a seat. This bothers me a bit, as the last thing I want to do when I'm hungover is stand in the middle of a busy cafe with people bustling past me and... staring at me. That said, places do tread a fine line between 'dead' and 'mental', and I'd always prefer the latter, I suppose.

2. The seats really aren't that comfortable. I know it's a pedantic point to make, but I really don't like them. I want to lounge at breakfast, and Continente's chairs really don't allow that sort of behaviour.

Hence the dropped star. If you can get over these two niggles, you're well on your way to health again.

The Popeseye Steak House - That's all I can stands, I can't stands no more! by chrisp

chrisp — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:05:54 +0000

Review by chrisp

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7610 4578

Tags: family & home feel, british, american

Without exception, the only truly great steak houses that I have ever visited (Luger's, Hawksmoor, Strip House) have made a virtue out of their limited menus. At Luger's, they prefer you don't even ask for a menu, and instead order "steak for four" and hope for the best. Even at Hawksmoor, where, as a rather patronising concession to non-carnivores they offer one fish and one vegetarian dish, the menu is short and direct - beef steaks in three different varieties in two different sizes, alongside lamb and pork. Sides are extra. A proper steakhouse should be all about the steak, and if the item you are ordering costs anything less than Â£20 and sits alongside Chicken Kiev or Crab Tagliatelle on a large menu, be warned.

With this in mind, the menu at Popeseye in Kensington reads like a steak-lover's dream. Three different cuts of meat each served in five different sizes, and that's it. Chips come whether you like them or not, and the only additional side is a Â£3.95 bowl of salad. It is a menu that quite simply has everything going for it, and it was therefore all the more of a crushing disappointment to eventually taste the food.

My Â£18.45 12oz rump steak was first of all cut incredibly strangely - it looked like two huge lobes of liver flattened out to cover the entire plate. Being so thin it was, of course, overcooked, and though not tough the poor quality meat hadn't contained enough fat to create a good char, and instead was just bitter and burned in places. A friend's 8oz rump was thicker and therefore more easily medium-rare but still of the same poor quality, tasteless watery meat. The menu proudly claims the beef is hung for two weeks and is from 100% Aberdeen Angus cattle, but then you can get an Aberdeen Angus steak from Burger King these days and they taste like crap too (in the interests of research, before you say anything). Accompanying chips were bland and insipid, the kind you would get at any high-street pub.

So essentially we have a steakhouse that serves literally nothing but steak, and can't cook steak at all. I can't explain the good press this place has been getting (the door is plastered with the usual Timeout awards) but I can say that for more or less the same price you can get a dictionary-thick slice of 28-aged sirloin that will blow your mind in Hawksmoor at the other end of town, and a beautiful cup of triple-cooked chips that rank with the best in the city. Oh, and their toilets are indoors, which I'm guessing would make them more appealing in February.Without exception, the only truly great steak houses that I have ever visited (Luger's, Hawksmoor, Strip House) have made a virtue out of their limited menus. At Luger's, they prefer you don't even ask for a menu, and instead order "steak for four" and hope for the best. Even at Hawksmoor, where, as a rather patronising concession to non-carnivores they offer one fish and one vegetarian dish, the menu is short and direct - beef steaks in three different varieties in two different sizes, alongside lamb and pork. Sides are extra. A proper steakhouse should be all about the steak, and if the item you are ordering costs anything less than Â£20 and sits alongside Chicken Kiev or Crab Tagliatelle on a large menu, be warned.

With this in mind, the menu at Popeseye in Kensington reads like a steak-lover's dream. Three different cuts of meat each served in five different sizes, and that's it. Chips come whether you like them or not, and the only additional side is a Â£3.95 bowl of salad. It is a menu that quite simply has everything going for it, and it was therefore all the more of a crushing disappointment to eventually taste the food.

My Â£18.45 12oz rump steak was first of all cut incredibly strangely - it looked like two huge lobes of liver flattened out to cover the entire plate. Being so thin it was, of course, overcooked, and though not tough the poor quality meat hadn't contained enough fat to create a good char, and instead was just bitter and burned in places. A friend's 8oz rump was thicker and therefore more easily medium-rare but still of the same poor quality, tasteless watery meat. The menu proudly claims the beef is hung for two weeks and is from 100% Aberdeen Angus cattle, but then you can get an Aberdeen Angus steak from Burger King these days and they taste like crap too (in the interests of research, before you say anything). Accompanying chips were bland and insipid, the kind you would get at any high-street pub.

So essentially we have a steakhouse that serves literally nothing but steak, and can't cook steak at all. I can't explain the good press this place has been getting (the door is plastered with the usual Timeout awards) but I can say that for more or less the same price you can get a dictionary-thick slice of 28-aged sirloin that will blow your mind in Hawksmoor at the other end of town, and a beautiful cup of triple-cooked chips that rank with the best in the city. Oh, and their toilets are indoors, which I'm guessing would make them more appealing in February.