Latest favourites and wishlist by NickTaylor

The Ivy - review by topruss

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:20:39 +0000

The Ivy - review by topruss

Rating: 4.7

Location: 1 West St, WC2H 9NQ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7836 4751

Website: http://www.the-ivy.co.uk/

Love it , the best place for great food and even though you have to book well in advance its all worth it. These guys do the best sunday roast too

Cipriani - review by geeyeah

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 02:00:34 +0000

Cipriani - review by geeyeah

Rating: 4.1

Location: 25 Davies St, W1K 3DE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7399 0500

Website: http://www.cipriani.com

Tags: italian, pretentious, crowded, expensive

After writing this review I intend to e-mail CERN (the European particle-physics research body). These are the only people i suggest come to this restaurant - not for the food - but because i am almost certain this is whence all the Dark Matter of the universe is derived, so there may be some value in a study visit for those professionals in that field only. Aside from that, the food is abysmal, unless you have an extremely retro palette wherein Findus' 70's frozen canellonis are your notion of fine cuisine. The staff were OK and typically jaunty as you might expect at any established Italian restaurant in Mayfair. However, the clientele were of the spectacularly evil euro-set; I thought I had walked into one of those modern vampire movies. The net from ridiculously overpriced food I'm sure is funneled into some sort of fund to enchance the splendid yacht-like interior. In summary, more of a place to be seen than a place to eat - but i was hungry so... END

Cipriani - review by gastro1

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 22:36:27 +0000

Cipriani - review by gastro1

Rating: 4.1

Location: 25 Davies St, W1K 3DE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7399 0500

Website: http://www.cipriani.com

Tags: italian, pretentious, expensive

This place is a bad joke.

The food is very good but the prices astronomical - get on the Eurostar to Paris and go to Pierre Gagnaire or L' Ambroiserie and it will cost you less in total.

If you like to go to a reataurant with arogant pimps for Maitre D's and mingle with eurotrash , hookers and their sad punters then this place is for you.

If money is no object then go for lunch which has a more civilised crowd and just enjoy some great classic cuisine from the Harry's Bar cookbook.

The Ivy - review by Miss_Piggy

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 11:18:26 +0000

The Ivy - review by Miss_Piggy

Rating: 4.7

Location: 1 West St, WC2H 9NQ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7836 4751

Website: http://www.the-ivy.co.uk/

Tags: romantic, british, good value, crowded, expensive

I booked a table in advance via the internet booking system (very easy and painless). We booked a late lunch with the view that we could stay until about 5pm when the next service started.
It was wonderful, my fiance whos birthday we were celebrating felt "treated" and thought it was lovely. The head waiter and waiting staff were smooth and provided spot on service - advising us on the wine, giving us time to eat,chat and savour the experience.
We will be returning!!
Worth every penny!

Tsunami - review by Natty

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 13:17:20 +0000

Tsunami - review by Natty

Rating: 4.2

Location: 4-7 Voltaire Road, SW4 6DQ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7978 1610

Tags: good value, modern japanese

The reviews I have read about tsunami have been mixed from delicious, must go, to expensive, nothing special, don't bother.

I loved it. You could go and have a relatively cheap meal - order a range of appetisers with a few friends and eat tapas style - and with 20% if you order before 7pm, you could easily get away under Â£15 per person with a cheeky glass of wine.

The tempura was delicious, and the serves were huge. The seabass was divine and the eggplant with sesame - well, I would go back just for that. I took a group of friends there, and it was a bit pricey, because we completely over ordered, they all raved about the food.

A good place to go for a bit of a treat without completely breaking the bank

The Ivy - review by amandaharrison

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 16:00:50 +0000

The Ivy - review by amandaharrison

Rating: 4.7

Location: 1 West St, WC2H 9NQ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7836 4751

Website: http://www.the-ivy.co.uk/

Tags: brasserie, celeb spotting, comfort food, international, business, good value, pretentious, crowded

Many moons ago I had an hilarious lunch here, which extended to dinner... We sat next to Ronnie Corbett, who happily signed a napkin. We were on our way out at about 6pm (a little bit drunk? moi?)when we spotted a friend, so we moved to his table.

To our huge delight who was placed at the next table, right in the middle of the restaurant, but Sylvester Stallone, Jennifer Flavin, Melanie Griffiths and Antonia Banderas. My friend spurred on by the vino went to get autographs - all were more than happy except Sylvester Stallone, whose thunderous face turned worse when he hadn't been asked for his. The maitre d' chased my friend away from the table, stalking celebs at their favourite place to be seen is not the done thing, apparently darling.

Brilliant fun. Good comfort food. On various occasions I've been here I've had decent steak tartare and shepherds pie. I can't remember any other dishes. It's a little bit sad but I love The Ivy for being what it is.

Strada - review by ONscotland

Sun, 09 Sep 2007 00:52:00 +0000

Strada - review by ONscotland

Rating: 4.0

Location: 102-104 Clapham High St, SW4 7UL, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7627 4847

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

Tags: italian, good value, crowded, lively

Strada gets it right.
I have dined in numerous branches and always find it to be reliable and good value.
The Clapham branch is no exception, where friendly staff prepare wholesome food, at decent prices. I love the Pesto and Tomato bread from the starter menu, I could eat it all night, washed down with the complimentary water.

Pollo Milanese comes with a very tomato-y sauce which overpowered the other flavours, but my favourite, and probably the worst thing I could have had, was Pollo Roman - chicken wrapped with sage and prosciutto, with garlic gratinated potatoes and green beans, with a butter and white wine sauce. A little bit too much butter... but I wasn't complaining.

Strada is simply a competent, reliable choice for a good value night out.

Cipriani - review by topgooner

Sun, 22 Jul 2007 18:43:40 +0000

Cipriani - review by topgooner

Rating: 4.1

Location: 25 Davies St, W1K 3DE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7399 0500

Website: http://www.cipriani.com

Excellent ,good service. Lovely room ,
great food.It is pricey but good for special occasion.

Tsunami - review by NickTaylor

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 17:33:19 +0000

Tsunami - review by NickTaylor

Rating: 4.2

Location: 4-7 Voltaire Road, SW4 6DQ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7978 1610

I've been to Tsunami twice so far. My visits are only limited by the price. This is a reflection on my ability to pay, rather than willingness - you get a good quantity of wonderful food.

Each dish takes its time to arrive, so leave plenty of time for your meal. The only downside to this is that it's all too easy to polish off your wine before getting halfway through the meal.

Save room too for the 'surprise box' of desserts - a selection of delicate, beautifully presented Japanese sweets.

Cipriani - review by psychovamp

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 16:34:13 +0000

Cipriani - review by psychovamp

Rating: 4.1

Location: 25 Davies St, W1K 3DE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7399 0500

Website: http://www.cipriani.com

sexilicious!

The Ivy - review by Angel_Bury

Tue, 22 May 2007 22:06:55 +0000

The Ivy - review by Angel_Bury

Rating: 4.7

Location: 1 West St, WC2H 9NQ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7836 4751

Website: http://www.the-ivy.co.uk/

aaw, I like these guys! The whole difficult to book bit is not a ploy but is governed by you want your supper. If you want a table for 4 at 8pm on the last Friday of the month, you'll have to book up a long time in advance, but slip in where ever they've got space then there's no need to wait. They do have a save a certain percentage of tables at all times for 'regulars' policy - so yes you may show up to find an apparently unfilled dining room. The food is reasonably priced and well executed without too many thrills and embarrassments that your average Joe would have no idea how to eat. What you do get here is service, the creme de la creme of it. Although dining slots are tight - usually two hours, they somehow manange to get you through your meal without feeling it however many courses you opt for, utterly seamless. They've got a kicking wine list too. Check out the other restaurants owned by the same group (Le Caprice, Sheekeys, Scotts) for the same slick, charming surprisingly affordable experience.

The Ivy - review by Lacrimosa

Wed, 16 May 2007 20:17:36 +0000

The Ivy - review by Lacrimosa

Rating: 4.7

Location: 1 West St, WC2H 9NQ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7836 4751

Website: http://www.the-ivy.co.uk/

Tags: romantic, calm, upmarket, exclusive, stylish

My experience of The Ivy was similar to Sue's, below. My date had apparently got a table at shortish notice by spinning a yarn about my being a special friend over from the US on a flying visit. (Lies!) Like Sue, we were given a narrow time slot, so began our meal by foregoing a starter and just ordering a main course. I plumped for cottage pie, which was small but delicious. When no move was made to oust us from our table - and noticing for ourselves that the restaurant wasn't full to capacity - we then went into reverse by ordering a starter, and left at our leisure. Dare I suggest that the difficulty one has in getting a table at The Ivy is a ploy to keep it exclusive? Certainly the atmosphere is low-key and restful. I liked it.

The celebrity hangout thing is a hoot. I didn't see anyone famous either, but did notice that everyone turned to look at us as we walked to our table - presumably to see if we were 'someone'. We weren't, of course, but it was fun pretending for a moment.

Tsunami - review by freddie5540

Mon, 14 May 2007 00:56:10 +0000

Tsunami - review by freddie5540

Rating: 4.2

Location: 4-7 Voltaire Road, SW4 6DQ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7978 1610

I have been going to Tsunami since it first opened. Not a lot has changed! However i know i can go there and have all the dishes i love. SCallops in smelt egg sauce (there may as well be no scallops as the sauce overwhelms so much, yet delicious), Prawns in kataifi pastry, sunkiss salmon (straight from Nobu), great tempura and so much more. The soft shell crab roll a must have!

Despite very little change over the years and the loss of the former Nobu chef, Tsunami is always enjoyable and for what you get not that expensive. Order before seven for a 20% discount.

I advise you to try it. settle down with bottle of Riesling and order what you feel like, let them decide in what order you should eat and enjoy!

Cipriani - review by veni

Thu, 03 May 2007 22:49:09 +0000

Cipriani - review by veni

Rating: 4.1

Location: 25 Davies St, W1K 3DE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7399 0500

Website: http://www.cipriani.com

Tags: italian, celebrities, expensive, good service

I went to Cipriani on valentines day and enjoyed it very much, the atmosphere and the food was amazing. It is more expensive than other restaurants but worth every penny.

I was pleasantly surprised by the friendly waiters & impeccable service. The food was superb, we ordered the set menu: the signature carpaccio more than lived up to expectations; the sea bream was simply cooked and tasted the way fish should taste; dessert was a dramatic affair, with 4 waiters standing around our table each holding up two cakes for us to choose. The fattest slice of dark, sumptuous chocolate cake landed on my table.

If you want to impress your lady take her there... it's a must!

The Ivy - review by sue

Wed, 07 Mar 2007 21:31:38 +0000

The Ivy - review by sue

Rating: 4.7

Location: 1 West St, WC2H 9NQ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7836 4751

Website: http://www.the-ivy.co.uk/

Tags: romantic, celebrity spotting, british, international, pretentious

We wanted to dine somewhere special to celebrate my niece's birthday and the arrival of my sister in London, so we headed to The Ivy, one of London's favourite restaurants and celebrity hangouts.

The Ivy has a warm, relaxed feel. It is stylish but not stuffy. Plenty of professional staff to cater to your needs and food not as expensive as you would expect. Booking about 10 days in advance, I managed to get a table at 6pm on a Sunday evening. At the time of booking, and then again when I confirmed the booking, I was told that we could only have the table from 6pm till 8pm....so was a bit tense when two of our dining companions were 20 minutes late! In the end we weren't pushed out at 8pm, and were able to enjoy dessert and coffee and leave at our leisure.

None of us had a starter as we didn't think we would have time due to our delayed start. For main meals, we had the Fillet of Hake with braised planchada & chorizo; the Fillet of Red Deer with buttered kale and bashed neeps; and the Slow-roast Shoulder of Lamb with caponata. All meals were tasty, especially the Lamb.

For dessert, the boys had the Honeycomb Ice Cream with hot chocolate sauce which was delicious! The ladies had the Chocolate Pudding Soufflé which was also great, but very rich.

We had an excellent meal, though didn't see anyone famous (that we recognised anyway!). I got into trouble for taking photos as soon as we arrived, hence there are no photos of our meal.