Latest reviews for Restaurants in Westminster, London, United Kingdom

Food For Thought - Tasty, healthy vegetarian food at Food for Thought by hellyphant

hellyphant — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:42:17 +0000

Review by hellyphant

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7836 0239

Tags: vegetarian, crowded, good value

Food for Thought is a small vegetarian cafe on Neal street in Covent Garden, and my favourite lunch-time haunt. It's incredibely popular with local office and shop workers and has many regulars.

On ground level there is a take away counter, behind which you can see staff cooking up fresh pots of lentil curries and spinnach soup and all other kinds of healthy dishes. Every day they serve a mixed salad which I would totally recommend - it normally comes with couscous, pasta, or potatoes so is quite filling. Fresh homemade bread is also available and is often still warm, tasting like it's just come out of the oven.

Prices are good value, especially for central london. A mixed salad and large chunk of fresh bread costs about Â£3.70.

Downstairs there are tables where you can eat in, although I never have myself. It always looks very crowded and claustrophic.

Also, bear in mind that queues can be long during the lunch hour - often spreading some way down Neal street, so it's best not to go there if you're in a rush. It's alot quieter before 12.30 or after 2pm.

I'm very glad I disvoered Food for Thought. It offers a tasty, healthy alternative to the monotony of yet another lunchtime sandwich.Food for Thought is a small vegetarian cafe on Neal street in Covent Garden, and my favourite lunch-time haunt. It's incredibely popular with local office and shop workers and has many regulars.

On ground level there is a take away counter, behind which you can see staff cooking up fresh pots of lentil curries and spinnach soup and all other kinds of healthy dishes. Every day they serve a mixed salad which I would totally recommend - it normally comes with couscous, pasta, or potatoes so is quite filling. Fresh homemade bread is also available and is often still warm, tasting like it's just come out of the oven.

Prices are good value, especially for central london. A mixed salad and large chunk of fresh bread costs about Â£3.70.

Downstairs there are tables where you can eat in, although I never have myself. It always looks very crowded and claustrophic.

Also, bear in mind that queues can be long during the lunch hour - often spreading some way down Neal street, so it's best not to go there if you're in a rush. It's alot quieter before 12.30 or after 2pm.

I'm very glad I disvoered Food for Thought. It offers a tasty, healthy alternative to the monotony of yet another lunchtime sandwich.

Crispy Duck - Tasty authentic Chinese by CPaskell

CPaskell — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:03:21 +0000

Review by CPaskell

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7287 6578

Tags: chinese, good value, cheap eat

In Soho's China Town, this is one of the better Chinese restaurants to try. They have an amazing menu, packed full of traditional congee and stews, to more popular stir fries and the obvious crispy duck! Turn to the back of the menu and there is a separate section of rice and noodle dishes for Â£5, which for that price include the main meal and the rice or noodles - I normally have the fried pork chops with chilli and salt with rice. Portions are large and you will leave full. The staff are friendly and helpful and will prepare something you like that may not be on the menu. The toilets are clean and the inside has just had a refurb, which has left it with a much nicer ambiance. The decor is simple with nice, clean white tablecloths.In Soho's China Town, this is one of the better Chinese restaurants to try. They have an amazing menu, packed full of traditional congee and stews, to more popular stir fries and the obvious crispy duck! Turn to the back of the menu and there is a separate section of rice and noodle dishes for Â£5, which for that price include the main meal and the rice or noodles - I normally have the fried pork chops with chilli and salt with rice. Portions are large and you will leave full. The staff are friendly and helpful and will prepare something you like that may not be on the menu. The toilets are clean and the inside has just had a refurb, which has left it with a much nicer ambiance. The decor is simple with nice, clean white tablecloths.

Sitaaray - Do not waste your money by CPaskell

CPaskell — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:03:53 +0000

Review by CPaskell

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7831 9442

Website: http://www.sitaaray.com

Tags: indian, expensive, good value

I went here for a friend's birthday and what a disappointment. The service was extremely slow and the range of food was awful. True, it is all you can eat but you would not want to in this bad place. The only food they offered were ranges of kebabs (meat and veggie) and cheese in sauce. Since I don't eat cheese I asked what else was available and they gave me more of the same kebabs. So I effectively paid Â£18 for kebabs(the normal price for the all you can eat dinner for one). These kebabs in themselves were too dry, overcooked and very sugary. I believe there were also some onion bahjis and samosas for starters. The dinner is not a buffet, so you need to ask the waiter to bring the food, which you have to wait ages for after you have made the request and each portion they bring is very small, so you spend most of your time waiting for your food rather than eating it. Of course, drinks were on top of this. A total waste of time and money - especially when there are so many other better (and cheaper!) Indian restaurants.I went here for a friend's birthday and what a disappointment. The service was extremely slow and the range of food was awful. True, it is all you can eat but you would not want to in this bad place. The only food they offered were ranges of kebabs (meat and veggie) and cheese in sauce. Since I don't eat cheese I asked what else was available and they gave me more of the same kebabs. So I effectively paid Â£18 for kebabs(the normal price for the all you can eat dinner for one). These kebabs in themselves were too dry, overcooked and very sugary. I believe there were also some onion bahjis and samosas for starters. The dinner is not a buffet, so you need to ask the waiter to bring the food, which you have to wait ages for after you have made the request and each portion they bring is very small, so you spend most of your time waiting for your food rather than eating it. Of course, drinks were on top of this. A total waste of time and money - especially when there are so many other better (and cheaper!) Indian restaurants.

Fiori Corner - Awful - Avoid at all costs! by CPaskell

CPaskell — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:12:11 +0000

Review by CPaskell

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7437 2694

Tags: good value, italian, lively

I have visited this place because it is one of the few places that serves coffee after 11pm and after a trip to the cinema or after work, my friends and I like to have a chat and warm up. But the service here is dire. The cakes/coffee I had on a previous visit were decent and prices ok for the area - but staff have always been surly and rude. On the last occasion I visited Fiori (and the last time I will ever go to this terrible place) I ordered coffee and after about 15 mins the waitress came back and said that there was no coffee! So I expressed incredulity that a cafe should have no coffee, but was told to order something else. So I ordered a danish pastry - after 5 mins was told I couldn't have that either. After looking at the menu for a third time, the waitress said that I could only order food (ie a main meal of pasta or steak, costing about Â£8) which I didn't want. When I asked for coffee and pastry, reminding the waitress that other people behind me had coffee and cake, I was told that they had come in earlier than me so were allowed those items. Seeing as the place was half empty and people were not queuing up to eat at my table, this seemed ridiculous so I complained and was told to leave, with the waitress saying 'we don't need customers like you'. So now I'm helping them to get the clientele they require by telling everyone who wants crap, overpriced pasta and awful service: go to Fioris - they want customers like you.I have visited this place because it is one of the few places that serves coffee after 11pm and after a trip to the cinema or after work, my friends and I like to have a chat and warm up. But the service here is dire. The cakes/coffee I had on a previous visit were decent and prices ok for the area - but staff have always been surly and rude. On the last occasion I visited Fiori (and the last time I will ever go to this terrible place) I ordered coffee and after about 15 mins the waitress came back and said that there was no coffee! So I expressed incredulity that a cafe should have no coffee, but was told to order something else. So I ordered a danish pastry - after 5 mins was told I couldn't have that either. After looking at the menu for a third time, the waitress said that I could only order food (ie a main meal of pasta or steak, costing about Â£8) which I didn't want. When I asked for coffee and pastry, reminding the waitress that other people behind me had coffee and cake, I was told that they had come in earlier than me so were allowed those items. Seeing as the place was half empty and people were not queuing up to eat at my table, this seemed ridiculous so I complained and was told to leave, with the waitress saying 'we don't need customers like you'. So now I'm helping them to get the clientele they require by telling everyone who wants crap, overpriced pasta and awful service: go to Fioris - they want customers like you.

Mother Mash - Traditional British Grub by schnowball

schnowball — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:54:47 +0000

Review by schnowball

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 74949644

Tags: lively, british, good value

Sweet place tucked away down a side street off Carnaby Street. Loved that the emphasis is on the mash, which is picked before the accompanying pies or sausages! The only slight downside was the portions were a bit on the small side - or maybe I was jut being greedy!Sweet place tucked away down a side street off Carnaby Street. Loved that the emphasis is on the mash, which is picked before the accompanying pies or sausages! The only slight downside was the portions were a bit on the small side - or maybe I was jut being greedy!

Chor Bizarre - India's Restaurant - Absolutely Fantastic by schnowball

schnowball — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:51:23 +0000

Review by schnowball

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7629 9802

Website: http://www.chorbizarre.com

Tags: indian, good value, lively

Brilliant restaurant - romantic setting, friendly and attentive staff and dishes with a unique twist that sets them far apart from standard Indian dishes. Highly recommended and wonderful surprise for the ladies at the end :)Brilliant restaurant - romantic setting, friendly and attentive staff and dishes with a unique twist that sets them far apart from standard Indian dishes. Highly recommended and wonderful surprise for the ladies at the end :)

Vasco & Piero's Pavilion - Vastly underwhelming by Sami

Sami — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 09:51:58 +0000

Review by Sami

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7437 8774

Tags: italian, romantic, good value

After reading the Time Out reviews, TP reviews and other varied sources we thought we'd come here for dinner - but we were rather let down and much more satisfied by a cheaper, home-ier dinner at Santa Lucia in Chelsea (review to come) than here.

Don't get me wrong, it wasn't BAD, per se; but I expected much more from a restaurant that had received so many accolades and banks on its "we change the menu twice a day approach and we have no microwave on the premises." Maybe they should stop doing that as perhaps it would help them perfect the dishes they're serving...

I had a crostino with prosciutto cotto and chicken livers with marinated mushrooms and while it was very good, it's something I could make at home - and I'm no professional chef. My dining partner had a salad of roasted tomatoes and asparagus and mozzarella di bufala; she said it was good, but was dissatisfied with it. Our mains were pan-fried cod, which was very good, and an interesting carpaccio of roasted beef. I don't think I'd order it again. The chocolate cake for dessert was absolutely terrible, but I quite liked my pannacotta.

In a way I almost feel bad complaining about the restaurant, but for the prices and the apparent exceptional quality and friendly staff all of the reviews rave about, I feel let down by our experience there. The waitresses were forgetting easy things, no one came to check on whether we were enjoying our meal, no one came over to pour our wine as should be done in a finer restaurant, and a couple of the staff really could have benefited from a bath.

I'm no food snob and will be the first to tell you about my McDonald's vice, but I really expected something from this restaurant and I feel rather let down. At least they took the crappy chocolate cake off of the bill...After reading the Time Out reviews, TP reviews and other varied sources we thought we'd come here for dinner - but we were rather let down and much more satisfied by a cheaper, home-ier dinner at Santa Lucia in Chelsea (review to come) than here.

Don't get me wrong, it wasn't BAD, per se; but I expected much more from a restaurant that had received so many accolades and banks on its "we change the menu twice a day approach and we have no microwave on the premises." Maybe they should stop doing that as perhaps it would help them perfect the dishes they're serving...

I had a crostino with prosciutto cotto and chicken livers with marinated mushrooms and while it was very good, it's something I could make at home - and I'm no professional chef. My dining partner had a salad of roasted tomatoes and asparagus and mozzarella di bufala; she said it was good, but was dissatisfied with it. Our mains were pan-fried cod, which was very good, and an interesting carpaccio of roasted beef. I don't think I'd order it again. The chocolate cake for dessert was absolutely terrible, but I quite liked my pannacotta.

In a way I almost feel bad complaining about the restaurant, but for the prices and the apparent exceptional quality and friendly staff all of the reviews rave about, I feel let down by our experience there. The waitresses were forgetting easy things, no one came to check on whether we were enjoying our meal, no one came over to pour our wine as should be done in a finer restaurant, and a couple of the staff really could have benefited from a bath.

I'm no food snob and will be the first to tell you about my McDonald's vice, but I really expected something from this restaurant and I feel rather let down. At least they took the crappy chocolate cake off of the bill...

The Square - The Square - 25 August 2008 by Food_Snob

Food_Snob — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 09:15:38 +0000

Review by Food_Snob

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7495 7100

Tags: french, expensive, business

Illustrated Critique:

http://foodsnobblog.wordpress.com/2008/08/25/the-square-london/

Text-only Critique:

It is Bank Holiday Monday, but W and I forgot that. We had a couple of ideas where we she wanted to dine, but they were all closed. Then inspiration hit - The Square. It has been on my list for some time and I had already made a couple of abortive reservations over the last few months, never managing to actually enjoy a meal there. I was excited.

A welcoming smile greeted us at the front door and our coats and bags were taken swift stewardship of before we were escorted over the black-and-white mosaic floor, past the wooden bar, fresh bouquets of orchids and pussy willows and large comfy couches, into the surprisingly large, very aptly square-shapen main dining area.

It is a modern space, quite stylish and cool, but discrete and sophisticated too. The back wall is burgundy and features three full length mirrors; the opposite wall faces onto the street outside, but large polished glass grills in front of each window limit outsiders view in. Both vellum-coloured flanks of the room are decorated with the most singular, arresting aspect of the dÃ©cor: large, striking modern works of art in assertive colours by English artist Deborah Lanyon that enables The Square, if emptied, to easily impersonate a gallery. The room itself is sparsely filled with well-spaced and well-sized alternating square and circle tables, decked in pristine white starched tablecloths and taupe grey under-cloths and teamed with woollen dark russet and dark chestnut terracotta-patterned chairs. Tables are adorned with charger plates bearing Kandinsky-style Russian prints, originally from Marco Pierre Whiteâ¬"s Hyde Park Hotel; sleek slim vases of blossoming pink rosebuds; and beautiful Christofle silverware. The colour theme is dominated by fine vanillas and creams contrasted against rich, warm browns: an immaculate white ceiling and light walls are framed by a dark wood, herringbone-parquet floor. Lighting, from recessed spotlights, randomly dotted lamps and almost-Oriental mini pendant lanterns, is quite bright. The minimalist almost functional interior educes an elegant and refined atmosphere, typified by the smart black formal attire of the staff.

The first question I asked upon our prompt receipt of the menus was whether Chef Howard was cooking tonight. He was not. Just my luck - the chef who is never away from his stove, happens to be away tonight. It turns out another chef is in charge and though his name eludes me, I know it is not Robert Weston, Howardâ¬"s number two. So, a mysterious number three is at the helm? Sounds ominous, but I am more disappointed at the current AA Chefâ¬"s Chef of the Yearâ¬"s absence than at having monsieur trois cooking my dinner.

You see, Philip Howard, a softly spoken, self-effacing man who eschews the media spotlight in favour of actually running his kitchen and helping nurture young culinary talent, is acknowledged as one of the countryâ¬"s best cooks - some achievement considering he is an Englishman cooking French cuisine and thus â¬Ücompetingâ¬" against French chefs in their own jardin gastronomique.

An original path to Michelin stardom makes Howardâ¬"s story an engrossing one. First discovering cookery whilst studying microbiology at Kent University, upon graduating he almost went into pharmaceuticals, but decided instead to spend a year travelling, which culminated in a summer spent cooking in the Dordogne. Returning to London, he apprenticed with Roux Restaurants, catering in the City, but six months making sandwiches left him doubting his choices until an opportune move into directorsâ¬" dining. Here he relished the leadership, fast pace and fast learning but, ambitious by nature, nine months later, he was ready to move on. So one night, after dinner at Harveyâ¬"s (Marco Pierre Whiteâ¬"s first fine dining restaurant), having asked to meet Marco vis-Ã -vis, Howard asked for a job. He got one. Aged 23, he became Harveyâ¬"s newest chef de partie. Only nine months more and he had verbally agreed to become MPWâ¬"s sous chef, when an unforgivable service cost Howard his job on the spot. Undeterred, he joined another great British chef of the time, Simon Hopkinson at Bibenbdum, spending a year under him. During this time, he and Marco made up and when MPWâ¬"s business partner, Nigel Platts-Martin, decided to open a new restaurant, he put Howardâ¬"s name forward for head chef. Thus, in 1991, with no formal training, cooking professionally for only three years and never having even been a sous chef, Howard had his own restaurant.

Though inexperienced, he was certainly not unknowledgeable: as a scientist, he understood the chemical make-up of food; his Dordogne experience had fostered a love for the hearty, lavish cuisine of south-west France; MPW taught him to appreciate elegant, sophisticated French cooking; whilst under Hopkinson, he learnt to impress with flavour and simplicity, instead of simply presentation. It took him just three years to win a Michelin star and this was with an â¬Sout of controlâ¬

Livebait - If you love fish - this is the place for you by snackerjack

snackerjack — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:35:18 +0000

Review by snackerjack

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7836 7161

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

Tags: seafood, english, vegetarian dishes

Based in Covent Garden next to the Lyceum theatre. Been here few times for dinner and on company do's. Enjoyed the Classic Platter that will set you back about Â£29 for 1 and Â£50 for 2. Consists of Devonshire crab, shell on prawns,brown shrimps, cockles, whelks,rope grown mussels, green lip mussels and fine de claire oysters. Lots of other things on the menu too. Some other non fish items available on the menu too like pasta. Its really a meal out thats a treat (I think). You will like it, its very black and white tiles all round. I recommend that you book as its always busy.Based in Covent Garden next to the Lyceum theatre. Been here few times for dinner and on company do's. Enjoyed the Classic Platter that will set you back about Â£29 for 1 and Â£50 for 2. Consists of Devonshire crab, shell on prawns,brown shrimps, cockles, whelks,rope grown mussels, green lip mussels and fine de claire oysters. Lots of other things on the menu too. Some other non fish items available on the menu too like pasta. Its really a meal out thats a treat (I think). You will like it, its very black and white tiles all round. I recommend that you book as its always busy.

Maxwell's - Maxwell's by sweettirana

sweettirana — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:31:44 +0000

Review by sweettirana

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7836 0303

Tags: american, lively, expensive

Maxwell's is an American type diner quite similar to TGI's and located directly opposite Covent Garden tube station.

In the evenings, particularly on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday you may have some time to wait before you get a table as it gets really busy.

The menu consists of burgers, steaks, ribs and fajitas and is quite expensive expect to pay around Â£35 a head).

I have been to Maxwell's a few times with friends and have enjoyed myself although I have to say that this is probably more due to the fact that I am in the company of good friends than the location of where we were.

I would most probably recommend that you go to TGI's if it is American fanfare that you are after as it is a bit cheaper and they offer better cocktails, although saying that I found the food, service and atmosphere in Maxwells' to be fine, however, just a bit overpriced in my opinion.Maxwell's is an American type diner quite similar to TGI's and located directly opposite Covent Garden tube station.

In the evenings, particularly on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday you may have some time to wait before you get a table as it gets really busy.

The menu consists of burgers, steaks, ribs and fajitas and is quite expensive expect to pay around Â£35 a head).

I have been to Maxwell's a few times with friends and have enjoyed myself although I have to say that this is probably more due to the fact that I am in the company of good friends than the location of where we were.

I would most probably recommend that you go to TGI's if it is American fanfare that you are after as it is a bit cheaper and they offer better cocktails, although saying that I found the food, service and atmosphere in Maxwells' to be fine, however, just a bit overpriced in my opinion.

TGI Friday's - TGI Friday's by sweettirana

sweettirana — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:06:26 +0000

Review by sweettirana

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7379 0585

Website: http://www.tgifridays.com

Tags: american, lively, brasserie

Well once again this is a chain that I am reviewing so as I have said before, if you have been to one you have been to them all! Although that doesnt detract from the fact that TGI's offers a great meal at reasonable-ish prices (for Central London!). A meal for 3 of us with drinks last month come to Â£70, so about Â£23 each so not bad for the West End.

It is worth checking out the TGI website as sometimes they have offers during the week such as 3 courses for Â£15.95 (ergo: very reasonable!).

The food is typical American fanfare - burgers, steaks, ribs etc, and offer huge portion - definitely share the starter garlic bread if you have some! The cocktails are fantastic in here especially the ones with real Oreo's in!

The reason I have chosen to rate this TGI's is that unlike the one in Covent Garden where you will have to wait for up to an hour in peak times, you are more likely to get a seat here as it is down a side street away from the main action of it all so well worth a look!Well once again this is a chain that I am reviewing so as I have said before, if you have been to one you have been to them all! Although that doesnt detract from the fact that TGI's offers a great meal at reasonable-ish prices (for Central London!). A meal for 3 of us with drinks last month come to Â£70, so about Â£23 each so not bad for the West End.

It is worth checking out the TGI website as sometimes they have offers during the week such as 3 courses for Â£15.95 (ergo: very reasonable!).

The food is typical American fanfare - burgers, steaks, ribs etc, and offer huge portion - definitely share the starter garlic bread if you have some! The cocktails are fantastic in here especially the ones with real Oreo's in!

The reason I have chosen to rate this TGI's is that unlike the one in Covent Garden where you will have to wait for up to an hour in peak times, you are more likely to get a seat here as it is down a side street away from the main action of it all so well worth a look!

Piccolo Diavolo - Wonderful! by expired2008

expired2008 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:06:00 +0000

Review by expired2008

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7437 1024

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

Tags: italian, good value, family & home feel

Piccolo Diavlo comes well recommended from friends and family so I just had to try it out! As with many independent Italian restaurants in London, the feel of the place is romantic and homely. The waiting staff are unbelievably friendly, but not too in your face. The food is out of this world. I have now been there a couple of times and have two recommendations! The first is the veal â¬ all I can say is WOW! Not had anything like this before, it just melts in your mouth. The other is the lasagne. I usually go for something like this and itâ¬"s the best yet!Piccolo Diavlo comes well recommended from friends and family so I just had to try it out! As with many independent Italian restaurants in London, the feel of the place is romantic and homely. The waiting staff are unbelievably friendly, but not too in your face. The food is out of this world. I have now been there a couple of times and have two recommendations! The first is the veal â¬ all I can say is WOW! Not had anything like this before, it just melts in your mouth. The other is the lasagne. I usually go for something like this and itâ¬"s the best yet!

TukTuk - Greasy Joes! by jes1uk

jes1uk — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:33:17 +0000

Review by jes1uk

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7734 5951

Tags: thai, crowded, cheap eat

This is a cheap and cheerful noodle bar.
The service is efficient and the decor is basic. The menu is very limited and not particularly imaginative.
I have tried several items on the menu and the food is generally very greasy and the meat dishes contain very little meat!
The restaurant is small but the tables are well spaced out and you do not have to share them.
This restaurant is very central and therefore close to all the nightlife.
This restaurant is only recommended if you want a quick bite to eat and you're not too worried about eating healthily!This is a cheap and cheerful noodle bar.
The service is efficient and the decor is basic. The menu is very limited and not particularly imaginative.
I have tried several items on the menu and the food is generally very greasy and the meat dishes contain very little meat!
The restaurant is small but the tables are well spaced out and you do not have to share them.
This restaurant is very central and therefore close to all the nightlife.
This restaurant is only recommended if you want a quick bite to eat and you're not too worried about eating healthily!

The Stockpot - Cheap as chips! by jes1uk

jes1uk — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:42:35 +0000

Review by jes1uk

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7287 1066

Tags: british, takeaway, good value

How should I start? Well, if you are strapped for cash and you want a 3 course meal and not that concerned about the ambience of the place then this is definitely the restaurant for you!
The restaurant can get crowded at peak times and the service is polite but a little slow at times. The decor is plain and the tables are packed fairly close together.
The menu is basic and the food is fairly plain but the low low prices are the main attraction of this restaurant. Another benefit with this restaurant is that it is very central and therefore near to all the nightlife.How should I start? Well, if you are strapped for cash and you want a 3 course meal and not that concerned about the ambience of the place then this is definitely the restaurant for you!
The restaurant can get crowded at peak times and the service is polite but a little slow at times. The decor is plain and the tables are packed fairly close together.
The menu is basic and the food is fairly plain but the low low prices are the main attraction of this restaurant. Another benefit with this restaurant is that it is very central and therefore near to all the nightlife.

Floridita Restaurant - Flirting with 1950s Cuba... by Skye

Skye — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:21:22 +0000

Review by Skye

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7314 4000

Website: http://www.floridita.co.uk/london/

Tags: lively, good value, relaxed

Wow!Gorgeous people, impeccable and well-trained staff, music to move you and a drinks list to tempt even the most straight-laced of us.
Floridita happens to have a very interesting history and if cocktails are your game, this Soho legend is the ultimate playground.
Party the night away in style while bumping shoulders with talented and unpretentious salsa dancers.
The menu is a modern interpretation of Cuban classics and for the serious meat-eaters, their new Carnivore menu consists of prime beef cooked to your preference.
Book a table at the weekends or try to buy one of the sought-after booths facing the dancefloor after midnight for a truly fabulous drinks 'n tapas experience.
A must-go for all fun-lovers who want something that little bit different with a touch of class and quality guaranteed.
Wow!Gorgeous people, impeccable and well-trained staff, music to move you and a drinks list to tempt even the most straight-laced of us.
Floridita happens to have a very interesting history and if cocktails are your game, this Soho legend is the ultimate playground.
Party the night away in style while bumping shoulders with talented and unpretentious salsa dancers.
The menu is a modern interpretation of Cuban classics and for the serious meat-eaters, their new Carnivore menu consists of prime beef cooked to your preference.
Book a table at the weekends or try to buy one of the sought-after booths facing the dancefloor after midnight for a truly fabulous drinks 'n tapas experience.
A must-go for all fun-lovers who want something that little bit different with a touch of class and quality guaranteed.

Top Of The Town - Great Dim Sum by jes1uk

jes1uk — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:11:33 +0000

Review by jes1uk

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7734 6910

Tags: takeaway, chinese

One of my favourite Chinese restaurants for Dim Sum.
This is a very spacious restaurant consisting of three floors and the tables are nicely spaced out.
The restaurant can get very busy at peak times and sometimes you may have to wait a while to get seated. The decor is pleasant, the service polite and the restaurant feels fairly up market.
If you like Dim Sum then this restaurant is a must and the dishes are good quality and reasonably priced.
But please note that the food from the a la carte menu can be expensive compared to the Dim Sum prices.One of my favourite Chinese restaurants for Dim Sum.
This is a very spacious restaurant consisting of three floors and the tables are nicely spaced out.
The restaurant can get very busy at peak times and sometimes you may have to wait a while to get seated. The decor is pleasant, the service polite and the restaurant feels fairly up market.
If you like Dim Sum then this restaurant is a must and the dishes are good quality and reasonably priced.
But please note that the food from the a la carte menu can be expensive compared to the Dim Sum prices.

Melati Restaurant - Not bad! by jes1uk

jes1uk — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:34:23 +0000

Review by jes1uk

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7734 6964

Tags: indonesian, romantic, malaysian

I've eaten in this restaurant on many occasions and have found the food to be generally authentic and the portions to be adequate. The prices of the food are reasonable. The service is friendly but things can be a little slow at times. The decor is plain and maybe a little shoddy. The tables are not shared and the restaurant overall has a romantic feel to it.
It's worth noting that the lunch menu is cheaper than the dinner one and that they give a 15% discount on the menu price all day on Sunday.
If you enjoy authentic Malaysian food at a reasonable price then this restaurant is for you.I've eaten in this restaurant on many occasions and have found the food to be generally authentic and the portions to be adequate. The prices of the food are reasonable. The service is friendly but things can be a little slow at times. The decor is plain and maybe a little shoddy. The tables are not shared and the restaurant overall has a romantic feel to it.
It's worth noting that the lunch menu is cheaper than the dinner one and that they give a 15% discount on the menu price all day on Sunday.
If you enjoy authentic Malaysian food at a reasonable price then this restaurant is for you.

Cafe Emm - Cafe Hmmmmm by jes1uk

jes1uk — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:06:52 +0000

Review by jes1uk

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7437 0723

Website: http://www.cafeemm.com

Tags: cheap eat, lively, crowded

The menu contains a large selection of international dishes. The service was polite enough although there was a little bit of a wait for our food. I didn't find the food to be that tasty or well cooked, but the main attraction with this place is the cost of a meal, it's very cheap!
Another attraction is that you don't have to share your table with other people so at least you can have a private conversation with your friend or partner without people overhearing what is being said.
The restaurant is very central so it's near to where all the nightlife is.The menu contains a large selection of international dishes. The service was polite enough although there was a little bit of a wait for our food. I didn't find the food to be that tasty or well cooked, but the main attraction with this place is the cost of a meal, it's very cheap!
Another attraction is that you don't have to share your table with other people so at least you can have a private conversation with your friend or partner without people overhearing what is being said.
The restaurant is very central so it's near to where all the nightlife is.

Wong Kei - Wong kei (Recommended!) by monkeyslaper

monkeyslaper — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:41:00 +0000

Review by monkeyslaper

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7437 8408

Tags: chinese, lively, cheap eat

Order anything from peking duck to deep fried chilie salt squid and you cant expect anything but very traditional, perfectly cooked food. No complaints about the quality of the dishes. Excellent value for money as well.

Why do so many Chinese people eat here? Because the food is Fantastic!

Service and seating arrangements leave much to be desired, but the food really does speak for itself, hence its 500 person capacity often being packed.Order anything from peking duck to deep fried chilie salt squid and you cant expect anything but very traditional, perfectly cooked food. No complaints about the quality of the dishes. Excellent value for money as well.

Why do so many Chinese people eat here? Because the food is Fantastic!

Service and seating arrangements leave much to be desired, but the food really does speak for itself, hence its 500 person capacity often being packed.

Garlic & Shots - Love this place! by Polkadot

Polkadot — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:12:35 +0000

Review by Polkadot

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7734 9505

Website: http://www.garlicandshots.com

Tags: lively, swedish, vodka

Have been coming here for eight years now and it never fails to disappoint. The place is split into two - an upstairs restaurant (including outdoors area with heaters) serving a variety of interesting and unusual dishes (all laden with garlic - even the ice cream!) and a louder, downstairs bar for drinking only. The vibe is loud, chaotic but extremely friendly and attracts a wide range of people for tourists to businessmen to alternative rockers and goths. The 100 shot menu is a must-try!Have been coming here for eight years now and it never fails to disappoint. The place is split into two - an upstairs restaurant (including outdoors area with heaters) serving a variety of interesting and unusual dishes (all laden with garlic - even the ice cream!) and a louder, downstairs bar for drinking only. The vibe is loud, chaotic but extremely friendly and attracts a wide range of people for tourists to businessmen to alternative rockers and goths. The 100 shot menu is a must-try!