http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1j9237/baltic Baltic - London, 74 Blackfriars Road, SE1 8HA, United Kingdom en http://cdn.trustedplaces.com/i/uploads/placepics/3279_3c367d0b.140.jpg http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1j9237/baltic http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1j9237/baltic/1a39g9
Review by paulash134

Rating: 3.00
Tags: lively, east european, expensive
Three of us decided to go to Baltic as it was close to where we were and we fancied trying something different, I don't remember when I last tried Polish quisine.

The place is amazingly deceptive, hidden at the back of the bar is a spacious, light and comfortable dining room, the tables are crammed into the area, even so, as the night progressed it wasn't difficult to exit.

The decor is pleasing with accents of amber in the fixtures and lighting including a large piece of artwork as the focal point at the far end of the room.

We hadn't booked and were told we could be seated as long as we left before 9.30 p.m. The menu is good and has a variety of starters and main courses, however, I found it difficult to choose. I settled on the Pierogi, dumplings stuffed with potato, cheese and served with sour cream, as a main course. The food is enjoyable but I didn't feel challenged by my choice. One of my fellow diners had the starter of Jewish Fish, which was very nice but tasted flat even with the dressing on the accompanying celeriac. The main course of Schnitzel was a little dry but very good. The Salmon in pastry was also good, the salmon was full of flavour.

The experience overall was very nice but I didn't feel as if I was satisfied. I'll go again and choose something else. The setting is brilliant for a romantic dinner or a party, good also for the business crowd, ideal for meeting friends. Service level is acceptable and the staff are knowledgeable. For what we ate I thought that it was a little expensive. With two beers and sparkling water we paid £69 for three, service included.]]> Sun, 08 Jun 2008 13:22:05 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1j9237/baltic/1a39g91046084865 paulash134 lively east european expensive 51.503558 -0.104556 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1j9237/baltic/1z2808
Review by Sarah_W

Rating: 3.00
Tags: cocktails, cool decor, east european
A recent evening out with friends found us a little away from our usual haunts, in Southwark. Right opposite the tube station is this Eastern European themed restaurant. The décor is really stylish, with a darkly atmospheric bar area giving way to a light and airy dining space beyond ⬠both very modern, but welcoming rather than scarily so.

We started our evening with cocktails in the bar. In addition to the usual suspects there are a number of special cocktails reflecting the strong Polish influence, including Chrisâ¬"s apple vodka based martini and my champagne cocktail with muddled ginger. Both of these were excellent.

We then moved into the restaurant where we chose (with some difficulty!) from the extensive menu. I had the selection of blinis to start with, followed by pan-fried Pollock, while Chris started with a vegetable soup with liver dumplings (â¬SVerenikiâ¬) and followed this wih goulash. Our friends chose a black sausage (â¬SKaszankaâ¬) and a pierogi starter, and both had hake for their main course. For dessert, three of us chose the sour cherry crème brulée, while Chris had a Hungarian chocolate torte.

All of the above sounds delicious, and some of it was ⬠notably the excellent bread that accompanied the starters, the aubergine paté and red caviar that were part of my blini selection, and the crème brulée. Other dishes though were disappointing ⬠Chrisâ¬"s goulash lacked any heat (the spicy sort) and my fish was nothing special although the accompanying lentil/walnut/pomegranate mixture was interesting, if rather surprisingly served cold. It was also served with chicory rather than the promised leek ⬠not a major problem for me but these bitter leaves arenâ¬"t to everyoneâ¬"s taste.

On the plus side, the service was friendly and efficient, and the bottle of Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon, chosen from the lower end of the wine list, was very drinkable. The total bill for the four of us was around £150 ⬠not cheap for a meal of such variable quality, but OK for a trendy London restaurant.

So would we go back? Probably, if we found ourselves in the area, but Iâ¬"d be tempted to stick with the excellent cocktails and try some bar snacks perhaps, rather than a full meal.]]> Sun, 18 May 2008 10:29:40 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1j9237/baltic/1z28081712468540 Sarah_W cocktails cool decor east european 51.503558 -0.104556 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1j9237/baltic/1z67e8
Review by QualitySeeker

Rating: 3.00
Tags:
Used to go from time to time when I lived in Borough (we moved last autumn). I loved those big heavy doors opening off the scruffy old Blackfriars Road into a kind of grotto. And then there's that fabulous amber chandelier. It's a great bar. The restaurant's a bit cold, draughty and clinical, and the menu a bit dumplingy, but the waiters and waitresses distracted you from that as eyecandy ;)]]> Sat, 29 Mar 2008 10:40:22 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1j9237/baltic/1z67e8777313851 QualitySeeker 51.503558 -0.104556 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1j9237/baltic/1w66f7
Review by Guy_Hutch

Rating: 4.00
Tags: lively, east european, crowded, expensive
Went to Baltic for the second time yesterday. The first time had been a few years back and it had been a relatively boozey lunch. So I was delighted that the place was looking as modern as fresh as I remember.
As you come in there is a long thin bar area, nicely lit and with a sharp looking staff knocking out well executed cocktails. In fact my Mojito was the best I'd had since my stop at Maze last summer.
You in turn go through to the dining area which has a new york loft feel with the bare brick and exposed wooden beams.
As for the food the menu is certainly unusual with a series of eastern european inspired items that are a rarity on the london restaurant scene. My Siberian Pelmini were exceptional - perfect for a frosty night and my partners pierogi were also exceptional.
The mains were all good sold fare. I made an ethical choice and went with the Pollock. Not quite as good as I expected and it might have needed some stronger flavours with it to really make it work.
But overall this is a stunning place. Suitable for almost any occasion and the lively bar area is a huge plus and one that other restauranteurs would do well to emulate.]]> Sun, 03 Feb 2008 08:41:09 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1j9237/baltic/1w66f7225241427 Guy_Hutch lively east european crowded expensive 51.503558 -0.104556 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1j9237/baltic/1995u7
Review by FluffyRona

Rating: 1.00
Tags: expensive, east european, pretentious
Loved Wodka, thought this place was WAY overrated - and far too pretentious for its own good.

Yes it's a great concept, and it's a pretty room, but really the food was very average the night we went, the drinks were horribly overpriced and the staff couldn't have been more bored with the whole process.

It's a shame, because it's a great idea - but with places like the Laughing Gravy, the Anchor and Hope and a host of other gorgeous pubs in the area that serve super food, Baltic would do well to pull it's socks up.]]> Fri, 26 Oct 2007 14:40:57 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1j9237/baltic/1995u7916136411 FluffyRona expensive east european pretentious 51.503558 -0.104556 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1j9237/baltic/1495u7
Review by BasGodska

Rating: 4.00
Tags: east european
I love the Krupnik warm honey vodka, don't forget to try it -- & don't forget to stop ordering it!]]> Fri, 19 Oct 2007 15:57:21 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1j9237/baltic/1495u71240816894 BasGodska east european 51.503558 -0.104556 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1j9237/baltic/1e3497
Review by JehonaGjurgjeala

Rating: 4.00
Tags:
Impressive venue - lots of space, excellent cocktails and most importantly - open until very late.]]> Sat, 01 Sep 2007 11:44:40 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1j9237/baltic/1e3497130307949 JehonaGjurgjeala 51.503558 -0.104556 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1j9237/baltic/1b04b8
Review by ChrisHarrison

Rating: 4.00
Tags: lively, east european, good value, crowded, vodka, polish, friendly
A similar, yet definitely separate, experience to its sibling, Wodka.

The menu is definitely Polish and Eastern European, which means lots of heavy meats, marinated fish, boiled veg and vodka. But in a really good way. The blinis are tremendous - our table of 6 started with a few shared plates which had decent fat blinis, piled with salmon, herring, roe and various patés - a definite must.

The starters and mains were very good sized portions - you certainly won't go hungry. The menu is quite long and varied, but changes every day and is often still in Polish, but the staff will explain things to you.

The wine list was a little uninventive and pricey, but the vodka list more than compensates (although can add to the bill very quickly, best get a jug).

The bar at the front feels like it's trying quite hard to be trendy, but the dining room at the back manages it - white walls, high vaulted glass ceiling with wooden beams. The tables are quite tightly packed, but the high ceilings mean that while it buzzes it's not noisy.

Overall it's a good experience, you've enough on your plate that 3 courses is probably over doing it, the vodka bill can make life slightly expensive, it's probably less of a destination to detour to than Wodka, but it was a decent place trying reasonably hard to please and mostly succeeding. ]]> Fri, 24 Aug 2007 08:15:53 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1j9237/baltic/1b04b81650546338 ChrisHarrison lively east european good value crowded vodka polish friendly 51.503558 -0.104556 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1j9237/baltic/1o81l8
Review by sue

Rating: 3.00
Tags: vodka, east european
Baltic is an Eastern European restaurant located just across the road from Southwark tube station (on the Jubilee line). Look for the small 'Baltic' sign and the large wooden doors. When you enter you will find yourself in the dimly lit bar. Walk past the bar to the rear of the building and the mood changes - here you will find the white, bright dining area with a high vaulted glass roof.

We dined there one evening with friends, looking forward to some interesting food and a couple of vodkas. Service started out friendly and helpful, though as the evening progressed and the restaurant filled up, service slowed down and we had the usual battle to get the bill.

There was a lot of choice on the menu - not only was there food to decide on, but there was also a menu of 35 vodka's to choose from!

Highlights of the meal included the Siberian Pelmeni to start, best washed down with a shot of vodka. The best of the main meals was the Goose Leg Confit with Sauerkraut and Dry Plum Lazanki - it was incredibly rich, but delicious. Desserts were required and the Nalesniki - Crepes filled with Sweet Cheese, Almonds and Raisins hit the spot nicely.

Overall, we had a nice evening, though I was a little disappointed in Baltic - I was expecting it to be a little bit more special...it was good, but not good enough to guarantee a return visit.
]]> Fri, 16 Mar 2007 08:07:13 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1j9237/baltic/1o81l8990527091 sue vodka east european 51.503558 -0.104556 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1j9237/baltic/1m61d9
Review by ajay

Rating: 4.00
Tags: expensive
Go if you have something to celebrate. (it is expensive)

My rabbit main course was amazing. The vodka cherry ice cream with chocolate sauce is a must.]]> Fri, 09 Mar 2007 14:57:38 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1j9237/baltic/1m61d9748518394 ajay expensive 51.503558 -0.104556 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1j9237/baltic/1j61v9
Review by countryboy

Rating: 4.00
Tags:
I went in a group of 4 and was thoroughly impressed. It was pricey at about £50 each but that was 3 courses, wine and aperitif. We had something to celebrate, and for a Monday night the atmosphere was really good - a nice buzz. The service was spot on with the attention we got and friendly to boot.

The previous review was right about the suits but I had excellent company and excellent food so wouldn't have noticed Alan Sugar sat on the next table.

It's not cheap, but I thought the restaurant was excellent value for money.]]> Wed, 07 Mar 2007 14:22:25 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1j9237/baltic/1j61v92056610319 countryboy 51.503558 -0.104556 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1j9237/baltic/1300s9
Review by cubicgarden

Rating: 2.00
Tags: expensive, avoid, southwark, blackfriars, noisy, hot, vodka, stiff, polish, dark
Trendy and dark bar/resturant not far from Southwark Station. Its Polish inspired and full of Vodkas and weird beers. The venue is nice but very noisy and full of local suits who hang out there instead of the south bank bars. In turn its very expensive and not worth going to unless there is a special reason.]]> Fri, 28 Jul 2006 00:59:02 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1j9237/baltic/1300s9595210826 cubicgarden expensive avoid southwark blackfriars noisy hot vodka stiff polish dark 51.503558 -0.104556