Latest favourites and wishlist by andrewl

Le Vacherin - review by foodrambler

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:04:28 +0000

Le Vacherin - review by foodrambler

Rating: 4.4

Location: 76-77 South Pde, W4 5LF, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8742 2121

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

White tablecloths and weighty sparkling cutlery in this bistro named after a fine French cheese. Starter of fat scallops, melt-in-your-mouth black pudding and crispy rashers of bacon. Mains (Â£12.50-Â£19) of sea bass on a bed of griddled aubergines, with tomatoes roasted on the vine; swordfish with capers and raisons, battered whitebait and creamy mash. Side dishes of fresh seasonal vegetables, including peas, the youngest of asparagus spears, spring onions and baby carrots. Incredible desserts: hot chocolate pudding that exploded on contact with the spoon, oozing rich chocolate sauce, served with amaretto icecream; cherry and almond tart with pistachio icecream. I can't wait to go back.

Tendido Cero - review by nip_and_nosh

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 18:23:30 +0000

Tendido Cero - review by nip_and_nosh

Rating: 4.0

Location: 174 Old Brompton Road, SW5 0BA, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7370 3685

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

Tags: lively, spanish, crowded

This is an excellent tapas bar that stays pretty busy on all evenings. The owners of this restaurant also own the Spanish restaurant across the street, Cambio de Tercio.

It is actually quite fun to sit at the bar, which I opted for on my second visit there when I had not booked in advance... The service is professional and knowledgeable about the food on offer.

The food is delicious! Typical dishes like Spanish cheeses with quince, patatas bravas, Serrano ham and bechamel croquettes, and Spanish omelette are all lovely. And then there are some stand-out dishes I had never had before like: Fillet of pork with fresh figs and a light blue cheese sauce (the bartender, who served as our waiter recommended this one when we asked for his personal favorite) - absolutely wonderful! The almond tarte for dessert was also a wonderful finish.

The delicious food and helpful service at Tendido Cero will keep me coming back - whenever I'm missing the taste of Spain, this is the restaurant I head to.

Le Vacherin - review by sulin

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:01:41 +0000

Le Vacherin - review by sulin

Rating: 4.4

Location: 76-77 South Pde, W4 5LF, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8742 2121

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

Tags: romantic, good value, expensive, french

Blai and I had a little occasion to treat ourselves the other weekend and of course, we took it. After a few days of scouring restaurant review websites, I settled on Le Vacherin in Chiswick - a restaurant within the budget Iâ¬"d selected, not too far from where we live, and one with terrific reviews.

Itâ¬"s pretty obvious why the first criterion existed; if you havenâ¬"t guessed already, weâ¬"re far from rich, folks. As for the second criterion, nothing ruins a lovely night out (a rare occasion for us!) faster than a terrible trip on the tube home; a quick and easy bus ride is surely preferable. As for the last, well, thatâ¬"s tied to the first - when every penny counts, you donâ¬"t want to waste it on rubbish food! While thereâ¬"s always the desire to try new restaurants, especially in London where new ones pop out one every second it seems, thereâ¬"s a high risk of having just not-that-great a dinner. Best to do my research instead and guarantee a fantastic meal.

Enough about my penny-pinching! I had booked a table for 7pm on a Sunday night and unsurprisingly, we were the first people there. The place was full by the time we left at about 10pm though.

I started with the warm salad of hand dived scallops, black pudding and Ayrshire bacon. This was a bed of dressed lettuce leaves topped with four tender scallops (four! wow!), two long streaky strips of bacon and a lump, for that is what it was, of squidgy and flavoursome black pudding. Blai had the cocotte of egg with smoked haddock in a mustard sauce. The egg came in a tiny little cocotte while the saucy haddock (ha!) came in a tumbler beside it with a long spoon. Both delicious and the haddock was actually available as a main course too.

I persuaded Blai to share the Chateaubriand for 2, with roast bone marrow, frites and green beans when he mentionned that he wanted another beef dish on the menu. He was kind enough to let me order it! We had asked for it to be cooked to medium but it came very rare (how French!) but it was very good so I canâ¬"t really complain. It came ready carved on a wooden board along with the green beans and the waitress portionned it all out between us. The green beans were so perfectly cooked with a bit of a bite and were soaked in butter and meat juices. We each also got a single mushroom and a beef bone from which to dig out the marrow. Mine had only a little in thereâ¬¦boo hoo. Skinny frites came in individual bowls with even littler bowls of bearnaise sauce alongside. Ohâ¬¦itâ¬"s been a while since I had a good steak and this really hit the spot!

Blai had the pear and almond tart, vanilla ice cream while I chose the apple beignet, vanilla ice cream, 25mL Calvados. Blai had the better dessert - his tart was more of a pear and almond pastry tart but it was good! Mine was a relatively small slice of apple in batter and deep fried, topped with ice cream. My Calvados came a little bit after my dessert and provided a bit of a digestif for the both of us!

The damage came to a reasonable Â£35 per head but that doesnâ¬"t include wine because we arenâ¬"t big drinkersâ¬¦ and we had work the following day. Not exactly a budget restaurant but worth every penny. Weâ¬"ll definitely be returning to Le Vacherin when we need another date night!

Originally posted here: http://tamarindandthyme.wordpress.com/2007/10/14/le-vacherin-in-chiswick/

Sam's Brasserie - review by RachelC

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:58:54 +0000

Sam's Brasserie - review by RachelC

Rating: 3.6

Location: 11 Barley Mow Passage, W4 4PH, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8987 0555

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

I've used this place a lot during the day. Great lunches and most importantly free wifi with no pressure to move on.

I've also been along to some of their wine tastings, which are a good night out.

Bowler Bar and Grill - review by monkeyslaper

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:55:19 +0000

Bowler Bar and Grill - review by monkeyslaper

Rating: 4.8

Location: 2a Pond Place, SW3 6QJ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7589 5876

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

Great cocktails and steaks. Saturday afternoon dream. Recommend !

Bowler Bar and Grill - review by jezirwin

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:14:17 +0000

Bowler Bar and Grill - review by jezirwin

Rating: 4.8

Location: 2a Pond Place, SW3 6QJ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7589 5876

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

I was eager to check out the Bowler Bar and Grill after reading the reviews below - it seemed like it would be right up my alley. I was somewhat surprised once we got there though - I think I was expecting more of a burger and steak house with sort of pub food rather than a fine restaurant with a penchant for carnivorous feasting.

The starter list was dominated by seafood dishes (I had the Salt Chili Squid) while the main menu had a broad selection of steaks available in different sizes, I soon realised this was pretty much Mecca for any steak lover. In addition to the steak choices there were some more seafood and other modern european meals - however these never really came into serious consideration.

Since the folks were paying I went halves in a ChateauBriand with the old man, plus a few vegetable accompaniments, no regrets there.

There was also the option for a competitively priced 2 and 3 course set menu.

Despite feeling absolutely stuffed, I couldn't resist the chocolate pudding, we were warned that it would take about 20min (which it did), while a bit rich for my taste it was still very nice.

All the wait staff were very friendly, helpful, professional and well, easy on the eye also.

The bill came to about Â£150 for the three of us, including a delicious rioja. I'm definately looking forward to a return visit.

Le Vacherin - review by claypole

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 11:40:20 +0000

Le Vacherin - review by claypole

Rating: 4.4

Location: 76-77 South Pde, W4 5LF, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8742 2121

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

Tags: french, good value, unpretentious

I have visited Le Vacherin twice in the last 3 months, having previously been to Racine for the first time (Knightsbridge). On balance I would say the food, efficiency of the service and ironically the price was marginally better at Racine; Le Vacherin makes up for this in atmosphere, serving fantastic traditional french food with very friendly service and in a relaxed typically french bistro setting.

Highly recommended.

Sam's Brasserie - review by petecharles

Sat, 20 Oct 2007 18:23:47 +0000

Sam's Brasserie - review by petecharles

Rating: 3.6

Location: 11 Barley Mow Passage, W4 4PH, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8987 0555

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

Tags: brazilian, good value, lively

I've been to Sam's quite a few time, and so far been really impressed.

The atmosphere is relaxed and it is as welcoming for brunch as for dinner.

The food is tasty without being pretentious, and there is always a really good selection of fish.

Whenever I've for a recommendation on wine the staff have always been helpful.

Overall, highly recommended

Sam's Brasserie - review by pglewis

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 18:53:12 +0000

Sam's Brasserie - review by pglewis

Rating: 3.6

Location: 11 Barley Mow Passage, W4 4PH, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8987 0555

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

Tags: lively, chiswick, good value, brasserie, expensive

Sams is a great place full of atmosphere and a great food menu to boot.

Their weekend cocktail specials are to die for and go great with the evening food specials if you are eating there.

The bar area can be crowded at times due to it's popularity but if you can get a seat it's a place that you'll feel comfortable sitting down, drinking and chatting to friends and loved ones all night long.

Menu wise I've always found something to eat (well, more than just the one thing) and have never experienced anything other than great food.

I'd recommend Sam's to everyone but make sure to book if you want to eat before the 9'o clock watershed..

Sam's Brasserie - review by Guy_Hutch

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 23:20:50 +0000

Sam's Brasserie - review by Guy_Hutch

Rating: 3.6

Location: 11 Barley Mow Passage, W4 4PH, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8987 0555

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

Tags: lively, expensive

I had been here for drinks quite a few times and genuinely rated it as having the best atmosphere of any of the Chiswick High Road drinking joints.
Ate here with my partner last weekend for the first time and was hugely disapointed. To cut a long story short it was a tale of sloppy (and Lazy!) service, poorly presented squid, dreary risoto and a rather lame dessert that just succeded in being, well, dry.
These guys have a cracking wine list and the premises look lovely. So why is the food here such a huge disapointment?

Carvosso's at 210 - review by ceedoubleu

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 12:02:01 +0000

Carvosso's at 210 - review by ceedoubleu

Rating: 4.0

Location: 210 Chiswick High Road, W4 1PD, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8995 9121

Tags: good value, british, international

Carvosso's is working hard to please the locals and is building up a good range of people who use it regularly. I like the choice of bar or table service and I've eaten in the restaurant a couple of times; the food has been fine and not too expensive.

The garden has been a real benefit when we have had good weather.

If I have one criticism, it is the stable like partitions in the main restaurant, it would be better without them.

Carvosso's at 210 - review by sue

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 08:28:23 +0000

Carvosso's at 210 - review by sue

Rating: 4.0

Location: 210 Chiswick High Road, W4 1PD, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8995 9121

Tags: international, good wine list, alfresco, wine bar, mature, cool & smart

Carvosso's had been on my radar since it opened in late 2006, so when a dinner with family was arranged in Chiswick I suggested we meet there first for a drink. It is a stylish looking wine bar and "eating house", though I was only interested in the wine on this occasion. The bar area is split over two floors, along with a pretty outdoor section, where we sat.

Table service was on offer, though to speed things along a bit I popped into the bar to grab a wine list and a cocktail list. The wine list was pretty thorough, with a good selection by the glass as you would expect. Prices were reasonable for the area, with 3 glasses of wine and a cocktail costing less than £20.

Carvosso's had a good atmosphere, filled with more refined characters than some of the pubs nearby. I will definitely return and may well try some of the food next time.

Carvosso's at 210 - review by andrewl

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 19:49:41 +0000

Carvosso's at 210 - review by andrewl

Rating: 4.0

Location: 210 Chiswick High Road, W4 1PD, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8995 9121

Tags: lively, mature, good value

Good varied menu (not too long which might be a bad sign). Opened in late 2006, I think, so venue is clean, attractive and modern; has outside seating area. For price I'd say good value given that this is central Chiswick.

Le Vacherin - review by andrewl

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 09:11:16 +0000

Le Vacherin - review by andrewl

Rating: 4.4

Location: 76-77 South Pde, W4 5LF, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8742 2121

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

Tags: french, expensive

Excellent food & excellent service.

(pub next door if you want to meet a group there first)

http://www.levacherin.co.uk/

Ana Bela - review by andrewl

Mon, 07 May 2007 14:17:09 +0000

Ana Bela - review by andrewl

Rating: 5.0

Location: 5 Pontcanna Street, CF11 9HQ, Cardiff, United Kingdom

Tags: cultured

Great small place in this fashionable part of Cardiff. Suprising quiet on a Saturday night, but I am told it has a brisk lunchtime trade.

Food excellent; presented well.

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