Latest reviews by Roya

Mango Room

Roya — Fri, 30 May 2008 18:13:44 +0000

Rating: 3.8

Location: 10-12 Kentish Town Road, NW1 8NH, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7482 5065

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

Tags: brazilian, african & caribbean, good value, romantic, lively

'Mazing Mango RoomI've been here three times now and have always been impressed. The food is fresh and tasty, the drinks are excellent, the atmosphere funky and the staff superb. I didn't find it overpriced either, since you have to expect to pay slightly more for somewhere like this. I have frequently recommended it to other people and they always rave about it. I'm a pretty harsh judge: I almost never eat at chains and I love cooking, so I hate being disappointed. Mango Room never does that.

Green Tomato Cars

Roya — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:40:58 +0000

Rating: 5.0

Location: Based in Hammersmith, but cars available for the whole of London, W6 7AF, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8568 0022

Website: http://www.greentomatocars.com/

Tags: helpful staff

Preserving the environment in comfortIf you absolutely need to take a taxi, rather than walking, cycling or public transporting, these are the folks to do it with! They only have hybrid cars and have all sorts of ethical policies that they adhere to strictly.

Run by a couple of lovely, informative, clever and helpful guys. All the drivers are friendly and well-trained. Prices compare well with those of their competitors and they do all the fancy things like texting you when your car is there etc.

Book in advance if you can, since they're in high demand.

Sticky Fingers

Roya — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 09:52:12 +0000

Rating: 4.3

Location: 1A Phillimore Gardens, W8 7QG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7938 5338

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

Tags: american, good value, lively

Monday MadnessSticky fingers is everything a big American diner should be (though it's owned by Brit Bill Wyman!). If you're going to eat there try to go on a Monday when many dishes are half-price. To eat a delicious, stacked burger anywhere in London would be tough for Â£5.50, but Monday Madness makes it possible. Milk-shakes are a must too. The staff are also friendly and patient (with my indecisive ordering habits).

Bar6

Roya — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 13:02:50 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 6 Holland Street, W8 4LT, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7937 3367

Tags: cosy, cool & smart, sexy, cool

Intimate, unique Bar 6This is a secret W8 treasure. You wouldn't necessarily notice it when passing. It isn't always open, so best to call before hand to check (the owner opens it at his whim). It is very small, thus very intimate. Always candle-lit, the decor is plush red, so it's rather romantic. Though it is fairly pricey, the bar servings are generous and the atmosphere is worth it.

As you step inside you feel a little like you've stumbled upon a private party. Somewhere different for a tete-a-tete. Perfect place to continue your evening if you've been dining at the Lebanese, Randa, opposite. Should it be closed there is a pub ten metres down the road, with a completely different atmosphere, but you won't go thirsty.

Arancina

Roya — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 12:47:22 +0000

Rating: 4.4

Location: 19 Pembridge Road, W11 3HG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7221 7776

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

Tags: cosy, good brew, quick bite, lively

If you pass in front of this place you can't help but be drawn inside. The quirkiness of the window display and the smell of the food are too inviting.

The international staff will make sure you get value for money (often throwing in a few extras, if they aren't too busy).

If the crowds of Portobello are proving too much, head here. It's sure to perk you up and bring a smile to your face.

Le Pain Quotidien

Roya — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 12:42:23 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 9 Young Street, W8 5EH, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7486 6154

Website: http://www.painquotidien.com

A wonderful place to sit with the paper or a good book. The food is scrummy, the staff are friendly and they never hurry you. Perfect Sunday brunch hang-out.

Being where it is it can occasionally become populated with mums and pushchairs, but there's plenty of room, so it never feels oppressive.

Have the savoury muffins. Um-mummm..

Mau Mau Bar

Roya — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 12:35:09 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 265 Portobello Road, W11 1LR, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7229 8528

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

Tags: jazz, live, hip-hop, sexy, friendly, relaxed, cool

It is definitely all about Thursday. Have seen some awesome open-mic nights here. Really inspiring stuff. No matter what mood you arrive in, you always want to shake ya ass a little by the end of the evening.

The point of this review is not to say more of the same, however, it is to tell you: TAKE CASH, they do not accept cards. Very annoying if you aren't prepared. So fill your pockets (though it's not too expensive for the fashionable area) and wear your dancing shoes.

Asia de Cuba

Roya — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 12:25:07 +0000

Rating: 3.7

Location: St. Martins Lane Hotel, 45 St Martins Lane, WC2N 4HX, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7300 5588

Website: http://www.asiadecuba-restaurant.com

Tags: lively, oriental, african & caribbean, expensive

I was taken here for a special occasion and nothing disappointed. The kooky atmosphere gives you lots to talk about. The staff were brilliant, very friendly and clear. The food was absolutely delectable (mine better than my boyfriend's though! I had tuna.). We stayed for hours.

Though it was expensive, neither of us felt that we were being cheated. I would certainly go again, but only if the occasion merited somewhere a bit special.

Ranoush Juice

Roya — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 12:18:43 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 84 Kensington High Street, W8 4XP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7938 2234

This place is tiny, so don't go hoping to eat in a group of more than four people. Its size does give it an intimate feel though, so if you want to catch-up it's an excellent place to pass the time.

The food is excellent and generally not expensive. The fruit-juices are yummy. The service is quick and attentive.

It's open daily 'til 2am, therefore the perfect place to stop on your way home if you want a delicious and nutritious snack.

Belvedere Restaurant

Roya — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 12:13:38 +0000

Rating: 4.5

Location: Holland Park, W8 6LU, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7602 1238

Website: http://www.whitestarline.org.uk

The Belvedere represents the best of British. The staff are charming, the ambiance conducive to good conversation and the food is delicious.

I often go for Sunday lunch because they have a superb three course menu for Â£25. Excellent value for money.

On summers evenings get a table on the terrace so that you can hear the open air opera from the park theatre. It's on almost every night and adds to the magic of the setting.

Always reserve and you will not be disappointed. Definitely one of my favourite London spots. Enjoy!

Daddy's

Roya — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 18:40:00 +0000

Rating: 5.0

Location: 236 Blythe Road, W14 0HJ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7602 1211

Daddy's has now closed - sob!Very sadly this delightful place has closed now, due to the ill health of the chef. But its food lives on in my memories. Yum!

This is a family run, adorable little Persian restaurant. The cutey, older man who cooks used to be head chef of the top restaurant in Iran. You can taste the quality in every bite. Delicious, fresh food, in generous portions. Sometimes there aren't many people there (at other times it's packed), don't let that put you off. Perhaps the locals aren't that adventurous. It's superb value for money too. My family and I go at least once every two weeks. We're experts in Persian cuisine (being Iranian ourselves!) and are yet to find somewhere better. Even my Granny would struggle to compete. Just don't tell her I said that..

Floridita Restaurant

Roya — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 17:44:29 +0000

Rating: 4.4

Location: 100 Wardour St, W1F 0TN, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7314 4000

Website: http://www.floridita.co.uk/london/

It's brilliant! I loved this place. Pricey, but delicious. The friendliest staff I've ever met in London (to the point where we went out dancing with the Brazilian waiter and French waitress afterwards). Gorgeous music. Good lighting. We stayed 'til 2.30am on a Tuesday night. Vamos juntos!