http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon <b>Beach Blanket Babylon</b><br />London, 45 Ledbury Road, W11 2AA, United Kingdom en http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/placepics/trustedplaces.comaPlacePic['name']}.140.jpg http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/189bl7
Review by rusty83

Rating: 5.00
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I went here with my partner after winning a dinner voucher with work.
I was definitely not disappointed.
We sat downstairs, the walk to our table was impressive, and we went down a spiral staircase below the ground. The stairs were lit up by candles which added to the atmosphere! Itâ¬"s almost as if youâ¬"re in caves.
Our waiter served about 4 tables altogether so that felt quite personal, the menu had a lot of choice to suit a variety of tastes. Meat, fish, veggies.
Overall I was very impressed with this restaurant, the food is brilliantly cooked, the wines are very palatable and the décor and atmosphere adds to the experience.
I would definitely come back here!
]]> Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:45:04 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/189bl71352512044 rusty83 51.513152664836 -0.20001789598876 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/1p77o6
Review by shelo9

Rating: 3.00
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The venue is amazing as people may tell you. There are lots of little alleys and rooms with different themes which are fab. We were in one small level which was overlooking the kitchen. Unfortuantely the chefs thought that it would be great to stare at us all night which was not nice.

There is a great choice of food and the food was good. The burger which i had was a bit difficult to eat so i had to use the knife and fork which is not normal burger behaviour.

The desserts were also good. Unfortunately we only had a small amount of it as the waiter dropped the sugar bowl on my glass which shattered all over us! We had to get away from the table as we were covered in glass. We thought we would stand by the bar (which had been empty before) but was now rammed. The waiter wanted us to stay at the table have extra dessert and pay the bill there which was not happening in our shocked state. We eventually got to pay the bill. The manager had taken off the desserts (which we had not really eaten) but found it difficult to remove the service charge which we thought should be removed. Eventually we got to pay what we wanted to pay and ran out of the place as fast as we could.

The place is a very cool looking, and i think what happened to us (is hopefully) a one off situation. If you want to get out of central and be somewhere different this place is a good choice, but just dont go to the bar after eating as its full of the normal pretentious nonsense. ]]> Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:50:49 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/1p77o6290569725 shelo9 51.513152664836 -0.20001789598876 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/1u15t7
Review by Cedric

Rating: 4.00
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A brilliant location for a dinner out of the normality. Lost in the middle of Notting Hill, it attracts, well... bohos. But if you get through the crowd of glamourous girls stuck at the bar, you will discover an astounishing venue. I was invited there for my birthday and really appreciated the little niches where you can get some privacy. The deco is inspired by Gaudi, which add to the charm. About the food: this is a nice menu with some appetizing dished throughout. Portions are fine, and delicate. The prices are aligned with what you would expect from a fancy restaurant in Notting Hill. I would recommend this for a romantic evening where the food would add to the charm of the night.]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:32:15 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/1u15t71278809000 Cedric 51.513152664836 -0.20001789598876 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/1g75n7
Review by jminich

Rating: 4.00
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Ive been to this resto and its very good]]> Thu, 08 Nov 2007 02:06:54 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/1g75n71747665619 jminich 51.513152664836 -0.20001789598876 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/1v93k8
Review by ivailo

Rating: 5.00
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Now that this has become my newly found local, I seem to end up there a few times a week. I find the staff very friendly and helpful.

The atmosphere is great the cocktails are well mixed though not cheap at all. Would definitely recommend a taste of the pineapple mojito.

I have not eaten in the restaurant, but it seems to be common knowledge that the food is not great, even some of the staff have confirmed that, though the decor of the restaurant is lovely.

I would definitely recommend this place.]]> Thu, 26 Jul 2007 17:58:26 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/1v93k8184944685 ivailo 51.513152664836 -0.20001789598876 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/1a2208
Review by joel

Rating: 4.00
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Excellent escapism!]]> Thu, 26 Apr 2007 17:04:19 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/1a2208544799578 joel 51.513152664836 -0.20001789598876 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/1832z8
Review by Hugo

Rating: 3.00
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If I have folks staying from out of town then this is somewhere I take them. Beach Blanket Babylon is a classic and longstanding Notting Hill Bar. If you have not been then it is worth it for the fun and slightly surreal decor that is well worth seeing.

I note there are a ton of reviews for this, so I won't bang on.

I did eat here a few years back and it was not that memorable. The unique and quirky bar seems to me to be the main event here.]]> Tue, 24 Apr 2007 05:59:02 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/1832z81059369592 Hugo 51.513152664836 -0.20001789598876 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/1572e7
Review by fluffy_cat_girl

Rating: 1.00
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BBB is a big waste of time. They treat you like scum and think that anyone who enters through its grand doors is not worthy enough to stay. The hostess completely ignored me and looked through me when I came in. Walked off and then came back and casually said, "I'll be back in a minute". Couldn't find my booking and plonked my cousin, brother and I on a table which would've barely fitted 2 people let alone 3. Frosty service. Utter nightmare and severely overpriced!

It may look nice but it's definitely a place to avoid!]]> Thu, 12 Apr 2007 23:56:21 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/1572e7978984702 fluffy_cat_girl 51.513152664836 -0.20001789598876 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/1452o8
Review by belinda

Rating: 3.00
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I agree with alot of the posts, the place looks fantastic but its not the type of place you would visit often.

I have always found the staff friendly and have not have any problems with the other customers in the restaurant (except smoking). For me the decor is the winner here, it is a place we often take overseas visitors to see simply for its original look.

Being a vegetarian I am VERY sick of eating the canneloni which has been the only vegetarian meal for about a year now so I probably will not be going again anytime soon. They do have some nice bar snacks if you want to sit upstairs and have a drink although I agree you can find some swanky wanky people here.

All-in-all I think it is a place to see and although it is a bit on the expensive side, the food and atmosphere is worth at least one visit.]]> Wed, 11 Apr 2007 15:13:08 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/1452o81342744340 belinda 51.513152664836 -0.20001789598876 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/1442g8
Review by stellalitou

Rating: 3.00
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Great atmosphere!! Unfortunately, full of pretentious customers, which goes hand in hand with overpricing !]]> Tue, 10 Apr 2007 13:31:06 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/1442g81595376837 stellalitou 51.513152664836 -0.20001789598876 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/1252y7
Review by Reid2705

Rating: 3.00
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Food was great! Decor is so bohemian its unreal and generally had a great meal! wouldnt go there for a bar tho! its much more a dinner with a few pre cocktails.]]> Wed, 04 Apr 2007 16:52:47 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/1252y72014516318 Reid2705 51.513152664836 -0.20001789598876 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/1042y8
Review by idoru

Rating: 2.00
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Gaudy, Glitzy so past glamour its cool. Apparently the food is terrible, (according to two separate sources I know who live in the area) and the drinks are expensive. With the cocktail waitresses doing that annoying thing where they give you 10 pounds change back in 1 pound coins. But we all agree there's something about this place you just can't help but like.

Like an ode to the 80's nouveau riche it's full of sparkles, chandeliers and richly embodied fabric. The patrons with perfectly coiffed hair wear shirts with jackets and high high heels. There is glass beads and mosaic walls but the highlight has to be the multi leveled pirate ship back. With its small walkways and crows nest sections. The main dining area below feels a wee bit like the gallows mixed with an exotic hobbit charm, with its molded concrete walls and rounded doors.

Though expensive my moscow mule was one of the best I've tasted served in a nice tall sling class with the perfect amount of angostura bitters. At 9.50 it was a decent drink, I just found the 12.5% service charge a wee bit cheeky for carrying it from the bar. But then I think your paying for the experience.

This is definitely a fun place to visit and to show off to unsuspecting visitors in an ironic sort of way. ]]> Sun, 01 Apr 2007 23:37:48 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/1042y8497733863 idoru 51.513152664836 -0.20001789598876 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/1751o8
Review by MikeinLondon

Rating: 4.00
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This used to be one of the top places to be seen a few years ago. It still has a great setting. In a residential area. A little on the pricy side. Busy on Fr/Sa nights. I like it just for a glass of wine to get started.]]> Sun, 18 Feb 2007 20:05:53 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/1751o81703505966 MikeinLondon 51.513152664836 -0.20001789598876 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/179128
Review by maryamy

Rating: 4.00
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Great fun!]]> Fri, 16 Feb 2007 12:18:28 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/179128940961597 maryamy 51.513152664836 -0.20001789598876 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/1u40g8
Review by alexandros

Rating: 4.00
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BBB is a cool bar-restaurant in Notting Hill. The decoration is a piece of art with statues, flowers and four (!) fireplaces.
The restaurant is located in the basement which makes it a bit dark and cold, but I 've heard that the food is nice (I haven't tried it though).
They generally have a little problem with bookings, it has happened to me twice to have booked a table at the bar only to go there and discover there was no reservation.
The bar is ok, there is a big coctail list although it is rather overpriced.
BBB serves brunch on weekends and the atmosphere is really warm and cozy.
However I agree with the above reviews about it being overcrowded during the evening, especially after Wednesday. The best time to go is early in the afternoon or in the morning during the weekend.
To sum up, the main reason to go to BBB is to have a look at the interior design, and also to feel a part of a trendy, rich crowd - the Notting Hill community. ]]> Wed, 31 Jan 2007 17:36:49 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1l02b8/beach-blanket-babylon/1u40g81739749835 alexandros 51.513152664836 -0.20001789598876