Latest reviews by JamesBody

Dim T

JamesBody — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 21:03:57 +0000

Rating: 3.5

Location: 2 More London Place, SE1 2AA, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7403 7000

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

Tags: value, River view, Dim Sum, good value, Asian

Dim T at 2 More London RiversideDim T is situated on the south bank of the Thames overlooking Tower Bridge and City Hall. For the uninitiated, the view is truly impressive - the More London redevelopment has totally transformed this part of the riverside into uber-cool.

The menu is based on Thai Asian - with a reasonable selection of oriental dishes. The Dim Sum (steamed parcels of yummy stuff encased in gelatinous noodle) are extremely tasty and are available almost instantaneously in a wide selection of varieties. The 'create your own' noodle bar is fun - I chose to go for sliced sirloin steak with thick Shanghai noodles, Hong Kong topping served in a Tom Yum broth - presented in a huge bowl.

Specialist tea selections are available to complement the meal - I selected a pot of Ginger Tea with honey - which produced eight cups - enough to last for the duration of the meal.

Prices are surprisingly low considering the venue - I paid GBP 23 for lunch for two with drinks and tip for the attentive staff.

I thoroughly recommend Dim T and award it a solid 8 out of 10 on my personal scale!

Gaucho Tower Bridge

JamesBody — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 19:01:08 +0000

Rating: 1.5

Location: 2 More London Riverside, SE1 2AP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7407 5222

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

Tags: expensive, expensive Argentinian steak chain, business, crowded

New Gaucho Restaurant at 2 More LondonA new addition to the seemingly successful Gaucho chain of Argentinian Steak restaurants which opened in June 2007 in the exciting 2 More London development (on the South Bank facing City Hall).

Since launch, the restaurant appears to have been a great success - with seldom a table to be had.

I dined there with 3 colleagues on a weekday evening, having reserved a table earlier in the day.

The menu is the same as any of the other Gaucho Grill restaurants and revolves around a selection of prime Argentinian cuts of beef - these are presented (in a raw state) to customers at the ordering stage so that selection can be made. I had the fun of watching my Polish workmate select a lump of steak that would normally be served to a family of six as a Sunday roast. He later proceeded to work his way through this with obvious relish!

Vegitarians - stay well away from this place!

The staff are well drilled and reasonably slick - they rattle off their menu scripts with well oiled and practiced ease. The 'front of house' is staffed by particularly attractive female staff - who appear to be very successful at attracting passing male business.

The whole menu is priced at a level that I would describe as 'HIGH' - the cheapest salad starter (a salad) is priced at GBP 6.75 and ranges up to GBP for a seafood platter. Steaks range from GBP 10.25 for a 225g rump to GBP 26.75 for a 400g fillet 'Bife de Lomo'. Sides all cost extra - such as sauteed green beans with tomato at GBP 4.75. The cheapest bottle of (Argentinian) red is priced at GBP 17.00.

My score for this establishment - 3 out of 10. I would not really want to rush back as there are many other restaurants nearby which offer better value.

Hilton London Tower Bridge

JamesBody — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 18:36:39 +0000

Rating: 3.5

Location: 5 More London Place, SE1 2DA, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 3002 4350

Website: http://www.hilton.com

Tags: expensive business hotel

Hilton Hotel - London Tower BridgeComfortable and uber-modern hotel adjoining the smart new More London development on the South Bank. Always full, expect high prices. Booking well in advance is essential if you want to get in here.

Every aspect of this hotel is priced for the well heeled business traveller - for example, breakfast is GBP 21 and a 24 broadband pass is GBP 15!

The staff are highly trained and courteous as one would expect from one of the top UK Hilton establishments.

There is no easy local parking, so not a good choice if you are thinking of driving. However, London Bridge station (with exceedingly good connections by rail and tube) is but 150 metres away on Tooley Street. There is a cab rank directly opposite the main entrance.

Strada

JamesBody — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 17:44:20 +0000

Rating: 3.2

Location: 2 More London, SE1 2AA, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7403 8321

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

Tags: Italian, swift service, excellent crisp pizza, river view

This is the closest restaurant to our office (7 floors directly below)!

This is a good place to go for a rapid lunch. The establishment is located directly on the riverside overlooking Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and HMS Belfast.

Service is always swift and sure here - no waiting around for staff to see you.

Menu is typically Italian - and reasonably priced (considering the premimum location). The comprehensive range of pizzas are freshly prepared to order and are cooked at authentically high temperatures then delivered promptly to the table.

I award a solid 8 out of 10 to this venue.

Bermondsey Kitchen

JamesBody — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 16:34:20 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 194-204 Bermondsey St, SE1 3TQ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7407 5719

Tags: good value, European restaurant, international, family & home feel

James B's Review of the Bermondsey KitchenI visited this restaurant with our colleagues on a Tuesday evening. We were quite surprised at how quiet the place was - ours was one of six tables being waited upon - there was plenty of space.

The menu was 'European' with a French twist - presentation was good and taste was fine. Staff were happy and courtious (and Polish - is the ANYONE left in Poland these days?)

I awarded a good 7 out of 10 overall.