Latest reviews by bombaybeauty

Cocomaya

bombaybeauty — Sun, 25 May 2008 08:44:56 +0000

Rating: 4.7

Location: 35 Connaught Street, W2 2AZ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7706 2770

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

Tags: rare finds

Fashionable chocolateThis is a chocolate shop for the fashion set, in two senses. First each piece is beautifully constructed with a range of exotic and subtle ingredients -- they look great! Second, each piece is really small, so if you're someone who would rather have one small taste of heaven rather than a big dose, this is perfect for you.

It's not cheap -- each piece is 1.50 or so. But the people at the shop are very friendly and will often let you try more than a few while you are there.

Rivington Grill Bar

bombaybeauty — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:42:49 +0000

Rating: 3.0

Location: 28-30 Rivington Street, EC2A 3DZ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7729 7053

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

Tags: lively, british, gastro pub, good value, crowded

A great spot for drinks or food in ShoreditchI've walked by many times and the place has always exuded a relaxed but quality ambiance -- nice people, relaxing nicely. Not to contradict the first statement, but it tends to really fill up for meals on weekends, giving it some real buzz. I haven't tried it on weekday evenings.

The food... I tried only 3 items, all from the starters menu, but the quality was high enough to give the confidence to recommend the place to others, given of course the nice vibe.

I wouldn't travel to this part of town just to go here, but if you're in this part of town then a visit would be rewarding.

Cafe Des Amis

bombaybeauty — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 14:32:09 +0000

Rating: 3.5

Location: 11-14 Hanover Place, WC2E 9JP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7379 3444

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

Pre- or post-opera drinksThis place is perfect for what it is: a nice spot to get pre- or post-opera drinks. As noted by others, this place is in the basement below the restaurant. Pre-opera it is quite, almost too much so, but still a good place to get a little glass of wine before the opera. Post-opera it does liven up, and has the virtue of staying open late. If the opera is a part of your life, then this is a convenient spot to know. Also good to avoid over-crowded Covent Garden spots.

Story Deli

bombaybeauty — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:46:26 +0000

Rating: 4.4

Location: 3 Dray Walk, The Old Truman Brewery, E1 6QL, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7247 3137

Tags: cosy, proper food, pizza, quick bite

Oustanding pizzaTruly outstanding pizza in the Spitalfields Market area (just opposite Rough Trade). Paper thin, crisp crusts, piled with the best ingredients. It's not authentically Italian (as sniffed one of the Italian friends I brought along), but even they had to concede when it's this good you throw authenticity to the winds. It is also not cheap, despite the very casual environment: 10 quid for the pizza, plus a little glass of wine. But truly worth every penny.

108 Marylebone Lane

bombaybeauty — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 14:34:20 +0000

Rating: 3.0

Location: 108 Marylebone Lane, W1U 2QE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7969 3900

Website: http://www.108marylebonelane.com/

Tags: business, mature

At last, a late night bar in the areaAn update on my previous review (below). The place remains very unpredictable: some nights packed with a great crowd, other nights dead. But as mentioned below, the bar stays open till 1 or 2 am. The trick is to walk around the block and enter through the hotel. The place is often open, even though it looks closed from outside. They've lost some of their friendlier staff, but the food menu is decent (sourced locally in Marylebone) and the room pleasant.

* * *

This place is newish and has been trying to drum up business by offering 2-for-1 dinner specials. The decor makes it feel a bit clubbish but it's not crowded (at least for the moment) and well lit. Think of it as a quiet, elegant spot. I've only ever tried one bit of food here - the grilled cheese - and it was more than fine. But best till last: though the restaurant closes at 11 the bar stays open till 2 am. At last a civilized refuge after all restaurants in the area have kicked you out.

Woodlands

bombaybeauty — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 09:42:06 +0000

Rating: 3.5

Location: 77 Marylebone Lane, W1U 2PS, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7486 3862

Tags: indian, cheap eat

Reliable, cheap South Indian foodThis is what Indian restaurants used to be, before they got aspirations to greater things: reliable, cheap, unfussy, albeit a bit drab.

Let's be clear: this isn't great Indian food. But let's also be clear: sometimes you just want a decent, tasty meal without the fuss. And if in such a mood you happen to want Indian then this would be a good choice.

Also of note is that they serve South Indian food, in addition to the usual things you would expect. South Indian food uses a different set of spices and configurations (try the dosa, a thin rice and lentil crepe, eaten with sambar, a spicy lentil soup with vegetables).

National Portrait Gallery Restaurant

bombaybeauty — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 14:16:54 +0000

Rating: 4.2

Location: National Portrait Gallery, St Martin's Place, WC2H 0HE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7312 2490

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

Tags: posh, romantic

View, view, viewIt's a tiny space, which you have to traverse the gallery to reach. But exactly because it's a bit compressed inside the view outside seems all the more spectacular.

This is an excellent spot for: (a) any meal or snack whilst visiting the gallery, (b) an after work drink if you're in this part of town, or (c) indeed a romantic evening.

Food and wine do well by the spot.

Camino

bombaybeauty — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 14:08:07 +0000

Rating: 3.1

Location: 3 Varnishers Yard,, N1 9NR, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7841 7331

Website: http://barcamino.com

Tags: relaxed, spanish

Passable tapas for a quiet night out in the areaIt's a hard place to find, hidden in the courtyard at the corner of Caledonian and Pentonville, and the idea of a hidden (not so little) tapas place right across the street from Scala is appealing. The space is divided into two sections. The bar/tapas section includes a large courtyard and interior bar space. The space is a little too large for the crowds this place currently attracts. Filled with 100 people it might be a lot of fun. Currently it's a good spot for a heart-to-heart.

The tapas selection is limited, but decent. The classic tortilla was slightly below par, the spinach croquettes not too flavorful, and the Manchego cheese, well, good (apparently they can wield knife pretty well).

If this placed served really cheap drinks it would be spot on perfect. But as it stands the pieces of the puzzle don't fit together.

Flaneur

bombaybeauty — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 12:50:32 +0000

Rating: 3.3

Location: 41 Farringdon Road, EC1M 3JB, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7404 4422

Tags: italian, quiet & relaxed, expensive, french

Over-priced, under-vibedI had read many positive things about this place but found it disappointing on two dimensions. First and foremost the vibe. I was there on Wednesday at 8 pm. It was dead! The space is very nice as a grocery store but too cavernous to make a cozy dining spot. Second, the prices were a little high. For a side salad, a first, a glass of wine, and a dessert shared with a friend I paid 40 pounds. I know that's not a crazy number but for a cafe and for this quantity of food it's a bit much. In the wine list they list everything from the most expensive to the cheapest. This to me emblematic.

Having said all of this negative, the food was good. Simple, but very good ingredients.

So if money is no object and you specifically want a (very) quiet place, this would be the spot for you.

The Providores

bombaybeauty — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 06:39:13 +0000

Rating: 4.3

Location: 109 Marylebone High Street, W1U 4RX, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7935 6175

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

Tags: posh, New World, good value, quick bite

Great good, unfriendly servicePerhaps this place is a victim of its own success. Outstanding food. The restaurant (upstairs) is expensive. I'm told it's good but haven't tried it. The tapas, bar area is at ground level. The menu consists of a dishes ranging from small bites, to soups, salads, to small mains. The ingredients are fresh, the choice of flavors unconventional but delightful. There's something of a new world/ fusion orientation to the menu and an emphasis on New Zealand wines.

The downside to all this joy is the service and the space. Unless you reach early, it gets crowded. And they have always been unfriendly, always. Granted some of this has to do with the tight space, but even then being coldly asked to wait outdoors till a table opens up could be done with more humour, charm, or good grace. It's enough of an issue for me that I tend to avoid the place unless I there's no choice, which happens from time to time when I'm looking for a place that services really good small bites, as this place does.

Jacob's

bombaybeauty — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 06:26:59 +0000

Rating: 3.0

Location: 20 Gloucester Road, SW7 4RB, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7581 9292

Tags: cozy, quick bite

Reliable, albeit pricey Middle EasternSome people claim this to be the best spot to get a Middle Eastern fix of falafel, hummus, and the like, though by nature these questions get controversial. You order at the counter, but pleasant tables are available for eating in. Personally, I found the food to be well above average, fresh with just the right zing. The place is pricey (is 14 pounds too much for a plate of Hummus and salads, a glass of wine, and sparkling water? In my book it is). But I suppose it's what one should expect in London and this part of town. A reasonable choice if you're in the area for Royal Albert Hall or the V&A.

Kerala

bombaybeauty — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 09:31:50 +0000

Rating: 2.0

Location: 15 Great Castle Street, W1W 8LT, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7580 2125

Good South Indian joint. Hold the superlatives, but definitely drop by for good, very reasonably priced South Indian food if you are in the area.

Imli

bombaybeauty — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 08:04:31 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 167-169 Wardour Street, W1F 8WR, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7287 4243

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

The Busabai Eathai of Indian places, or so it should be. Good food, reasonable prices, lively flavors, and moderate serving sizes. I find it hard to explain why this place isn't more popular. Perhaps the decor which is a bit industrial generic. In any case, food is good, though note that serving sizes and formats, and the dishes themselves, are not your typical curry house fare (indeed better).

Ping Pong Dim Sum

bombaybeauty — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:51:02 +0000

Rating: 3.8

Location: 74 Westbourne Grove, W2 5SH, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7313 9832

Website: http://www.pingpongdimsum.com

Good, but let's not overdo it. A reasonable selection of dim sum at moderate prices. It all feels (indeed is) a bit prepackaged, but sometimes that's a good thing.

The Bar At Villandry

bombaybeauty — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:43:27 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 170 Great Portland Street, W1W 5QB, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7631 3131

Website: http://www.villandry.com

Tags: posh, mature, good value, french, lively

Neighbhorhood chicThis is perfect neighborhood bar, if your tastes run slightly continental. Nice small plates, good selection of wines and cocktails, crowded but you can usually find place. Tired of pubbing it? This is a good choice for the area.

Note also there is a restaurant (more expensive, but still reasonable, with a broader menu) and charcuterie and cheese bar (right in the grocery store). Both also nice, but quite different.