Latest favourites and wishlist by Qqueenie

The Hummingbird Bakery - review by foxie

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:50:36 +0000

The Hummingbird Bakery - review by foxie

Rating: 3.2

Location: 47 Old Brompton Road, SW7 3JP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7584 0055

Website: http://www.hummingbirdbakery.com

For all you American expats missing your pumpkin pie, Red Velvet cake and honest to goodness brownies - look no further! Not only do they carry such delights, but their wares are extremely tasty and very authentic. I found them while looking for something unique for an office party and was a bit skeptical that their Red Velvet would stack up against what I used to get back home. Fortunately, one bite put any fears to rest and I can't wait to try more. Double plus - their delivery service, while not cheap, is very reliable. Highly recommended.

Viet - review by hollowlegs

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:36:21 +0000

Viet - review by hollowlegs

Rating: 3.4

Location: 34 Greek St, W1D 5DJ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7494 9888

Tags: vietnamese, cheap eat

After some rather naughty Tuesday night binge drinking, we decided to come here at around 10pm for some food. I have to say, a big factor was that it was BYOB.

Furnishings are very basic and lighting is stark. We chose a red curry, a green curry and a beef pho for myself, with some summer rolls nad banh xeo on the side.

The summer rolls were gorgeous; really fresh tasting and crunchy, definitely reminiscent of (our non-existent) summer as the name suggests. The beef pho I had was excellent. Tender slices of pink beef with a big bundle of rice noodles sat in a a fragrant broth accompanied by a plate of lime wedges, beansprouts, chillis and herbs. It was immensely satisfying.

I have to agree with other reviewers; the service wasn't exactly 'with a smile'. When our mains came, they brought out two bowls of pho, 2 green curries and a red; the extra pho we hadn't ordered. When we told the waitress this, she looked at us doubtfully and didn't seem to believe us until one of our party said "can you tell us why we would order 5 mains plus starters for a table of 4?"

All in all, a great cheap eat and nothing fancy. It definitely beat the insipid pho I had at the Great Titchfield Street branch of the Pho chain.

Meson Bilbao - review by blackpenwriter

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:35:25 +0000

Meson Bilbao - review by blackpenwriter

Rating: 5.0

Location: 33A Malvern Road, NW6 5PS, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7328 1744

Tags: romantic, good value, spanish

This was my first time visiting a proper Spanish restaurant so I was really looking forward to it! I am glad to report I was not disappointed in the slightest. I have always tried the Spanish options in a general type of restaurant. Comparing it to the authentic tastes within this restaurant, I can say what I had before really wasnâ¬"t Spanish at all! The staff here are wonderful and really pull out all the stops to make your dining experience a fantastic one. The menu is laden full of delicious choices and the food that arrives is so tasty! Prices are also really good for what you get

Rosa's Dining Room - review by blackpenwriter

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:19:58 +0000

Rosa's Dining Room - review by blackpenwriter

Rating: 4.8

Location: 69 Westbourne Park Road, W2 5QH, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7221 5329

Tags: romantic, british, good value

And yes, i have to say i agree with the previous reviewer whole heartedly. Despite the number of stars dining here, it doesn't do a huge song and dance about their clientele or have its own head up its bottom. The staff here are just normal, not pretentious in any way. They really are nice people, friendly and welcoming. They get on well with everyone and do a fantastic job! The menu has lots of choices for everyone, even veggies, so all will be able to find something that makes their taste buds dance. Food tastes delicious and canâ¬"t be faulted. Its not the cheapest but it is worth it!

Fifteen - review by up_shiraz

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 10:20:10 +0000

Fifteen - review by up_shiraz

Rating: 3.9

Location: 15 Westland Place, N1 7LP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 0871 330 1515

Website: http://www.fifteenrestaurant.com

Tags: italian, crowded, expensive, lively

I'd been here once before this occasion, for dinner in the Trattoria which was an absolute 5 star experience. Great food, fabulous wines with real value available if you had a good look through the list. But what made it really stand out was the service. Great chat about the wines, different glasses for every style of wine we tried, genuine friendliness. This is what elevates a restaurant experience from great to supreme. Without it, 5 stars should be an impossible dream, no?

So it was with real excitement that we went back for the young lady's birthday breakfast. And the food was great, more than we could possibly eat actually. Muesli, pastries, high quality sausages, bacon, scrambled eggs, refilled orange juice and coffee. A set menu for the table (though they did offer us a la carte if we wanted) at only Â£12 per head. Absolutely brilliant value, and a great space to get all the Aussie girlfriends nattering away raucously.

So far, so 5 stars. We ordered some Prosecco to celebrate the occasion with (this was actually more expensive than it needed to be). The main problem was that the server went round the table of 8 people and the bottle only got as far as number 7 before she had emptied it. Not clever, not even subtle. We had to order a 2nd bottle...which let's face it we would have done anyway...but the manner in which they tried to force this upon us is absolutely unacceptable - one of THE worst restaurant practices.

Such a shame. I do love this place: the decor, the big idea, the food, the atmosphere. But they blew it on this occasion and so missed out on the big prize.

Galvin Bistrot de Luxe - review by up_shiraz

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 20:31:58 +0000

Galvin Bistrot de Luxe - review by up_shiraz

Rating: 3.9

Location: 66 Baker Street, W1U 8EP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7935 4007

Website: http://www.galvinrestaurants.com

Tags: romantic, good value, crowded, french

There's something so comforting about this place. If you could use GPS to triangulate the position of well-dressed, Guerlain-infused, elderly French madames, then i would. And then i'd eat where they were eating. Or i could save a trip to the Dragon's Den and just come here instead.

The steak tartare was text-book, and in my GCSE text-book, this dish appears at the top of the contents list in the section "Dishes a French brasserie should be judged on". And judging this one along those lines, it's an A* kinda effort. And that's in the early days of the A* classification....actually scrap that...the A* system has never really meant anything has it? But i digress. It's a beautifully formed mound of beef full of character and spice. The raw egg yolk on top is sublime.

On the wine front, it's true the list is quite pricey. We splashed out a bit on a beautiful Gigondas but it wasn't cheap at Â£38. The most fun though was to be had with the sommelier and the bizarre couple at the next table. The exceedingly rich man had brought a bottle of Comte de Vogue Musigny from 1990. His younger companion looked like she'd have preferred a bottle of WKD Blue. So half the bottle just sat there quietly until they left...and with some minor prompting, the sommelier happily shared it out with us. It was like some kind of wine porn moment - brilliant. Love this place.

Rosa's Dining Room - review by QueenB

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:35:49 +0000

Rosa's Dining Room - review by QueenB

Rating: 4.8

Location: 69 Westbourne Park Road, W2 5QH, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7221 5329

Tags: romantic, Fair priced, british, international, family & home feel, great wines, good value, Delicious

I LOVE ROSAS.

The staff, the ambience, the food - always without fault.

I've been coming here for years now, never had a bad meal or even run of the mill - it's always delicious.

Despite the A List customers,this place lacks any sort of pretention. Thankfully, also a lot of the people who go there could care less if you are Kate Moss or Kate from up the road. everyone is treated equally well and welcomed warmly.

It's such a laid back unassuming affair that you can't help but go back. Perfect for intimate dinners but also nice for joint coupley nights or girl gatherings.
The decor is is homely but still stylish and unusual.

Fifteen - review by jammiedodger

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 20:50:47 +0000

Fifteen - review by jammiedodger

Rating: 3.9

Location: 15 Westland Place, N1 7LP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 0871 330 1515

Website: http://www.fifteenrestaurant.com

Tags: italian, mediterranean, expensive, lively

Four of us ate in the restaurant on an April weekday at lunchtime and it wasn't too crowded.

It was fairly pricey but the food was a cut above almost anywhere else we have eaten. It was certainly THE best mozarella, tomato and basil salad I have ever tasted. Out of this world.

It's in a gorgeous old building and the interior decor style is fairly famous now - very modern, clean, bright, colourful and funky without looking tacky, and touches like exposed brickwork giving it an authentic feel. Service was great and the staff looked after us without being intrusive or patronising. The sommelier was very knowledgeable.

There was a great deal on the menu to inspire 'foodies' and not so much for the less adventurous diner (like myself) but the flavours were magnificent. And the fresh pasta was simply delicious. Would definitely recommend.

Rosa's Dining Room - review by tightwad

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 22:01:18 +0000

Rosa's Dining Room - review by tightwad

Rating: 4.8

Location: 69 Westbourne Park Road, W2 5QH, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7221 5329

Tags: romantic, british, family & home feel, good value

I can't fault Rosas dining room in any way - its perfect! I first started coming here when i was single. I wanted to go to a place where i wouldn't feel uncomfortable and have a nice meal - the staff here made me feel so welcome unlike some other restaurants in the area. Now Iâ¬"m with a partner, we also come here and the service is still the same impeccable service. Its perfect for a romantic meal for two or in a group of friends. The food is delicious and there is a good choice on the menu. Its also not that expensive considering the area or the quality of food

Meson Bilbao - review by tightwad

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 21:57:31 +0000

Meson Bilbao - review by tightwad

Rating: 5.0

Location: 33A Malvern Road, NW6 5PS, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7328 1744

Tags: romantic, family & home feel, good value, spanish

I have been to a few spanish restaurants before in the UK. I have also had the oppotunity to go to spain a few times and have dined at many different obviously authentic restaurants while i was there. Comparing Meson Bilbao to those in Spain is easy, the quality and tastes of the food is the same. Comparing Meson Bilbao to other Uk based spanish restaurants is also easy - it's the best i've ever eaten in. I can truly say with all honesty that they are the most authentic spanish restaurant that i have been to in the UK. If you miss them you will be sorry!

Gilgamesh - review by christyas

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:39:22 +0000

Gilgamesh - review by christyas

Rating: 3.9

Location: Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AH, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7482 5757

Website: http://www.gilgameshbar.com/

Tags: expensive, chinese

allway stunning food

Rosa's Dining Room - review by Qqueenie

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:25:29 +0000

Rosa's Dining Room - review by Qqueenie

Rating: 4.8

Location: 69 Westbourne Park Road, W2 5QH, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7221 5329

Tags: romantic, british, family & home feel, good value

delish food, great staff, decent winelist...ideal for couples

Eatzone Noodle House - review by limbo_lover

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:09:25 +0000

Eatzone Noodle House - review by limbo_lover

Rating: 4.7

Location: 18 Fortess Road, NW5 2HB, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7485 0152

Tags: malaysian, cheap eat, good value

Great food with a really authentic flavour, some of the best Malaysian food I have had in England. The menu is very reasonably priced and the service is good, either in the happily unpretentious cafe or with home delivery.

Meson Bilbao - review by jackpot4544

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 11:50:54 +0000

Meson Bilbao - review by jackpot4544

Rating: 5.0

Location: 33A Malvern Road, NW6 5PS, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7328 1744

Tags: romantic, family & home feel, good value, spanish

I love spanish food! Which is why i couldn't wait to try Meson Bilbao. I had passed it a couple of times before and they place just seems to draw you in. Cool and sophisticated it is decorated perfectly. When yuo first enter, its like you have stepped over to the continent and are dining in a restaurant actually in spain! You are certainly spoilt for choice with the meal on the menu, there is so much to choose from! Lots a seafood and many meat dishes ensure everyone will be able to choose something they like. Service is quick and efficient and prices are good too!

Meson Bilbao - review by jackmale86

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 18:01:17 +0000

Meson Bilbao - review by jackmale86

Rating: 5.0

Location: 33A Malvern Road, NW6 5PS, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7328 1744

Tags: romantic, family & home feel, cheap eat, good value, spanish

I have never been to a spanish place before and never really thought about what types of food you would get at one. I suppose i went to meson Bilbao with an assumption that i wouldn't like it. How wrong i was! The food here is delicious! There is loads of choice, meat dishes and also fish based dishes. Vegetarians may not be so happy, but there is still some choice for them. The service is really good though, attentive but not in your face. We also didn't have to wait very long for the food. Prices are cheap so i'd definately recommend!