Latest favourites and wishlist by bosh

Cosmo - review by nesswell

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:36:48 +0000

Cosmo - review by nesswell

Rating: 3.0

Location: 31-37 Grosvenor Road, TN1 2AN, Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom

Looking at cosmo from the exterior, you'd be forgiven for giving up and going somewhere else. it used to be a bed shop and now a franchised chinese. The exterior decor is drab to say the least!

However if you get over that hurdle and step inside its like you have transported yourself somewhere else entirely!

Interior decor is completly different. Service is friendly and with a smile so you do feel at easy.

Cosmo is a buffet chinese, you pay once and stuff your face with as much as you can handle.

A huge variety of food - not all as nice as the rest. I found some of the chicken dishes questionable. However for the price you pay you can't really complain.

Would i go back? Definately!

The Ritz Restaurant - review by beckyfox

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:22:16 +0000

The Ritz Restaurant - review by beckyfox

Rating: 4.0

Location: 150 Piccadilly, W1J 9BR, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7493 8181

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

Tags: french, expensive

I have been to the ritz restaurant a few times for lunch with my mum. If you want to be treated like a princess for the day then this is the place to go. My mum and i both love it. The food is delicious there is a set menu and a la carte the cuisine is french. the set menu lunch is a great choice i think it is around 37 pounds for 3 courses and coffee. the staff are very attentive and friendly. Once it was my mum's birthday and i told one of the waiters and after desert they brought over a ritz birthday cake for my mum. it really made her day and shows the special treatment you get there. The setting of the hotel is great perfect if you have something special to celebrate!

The Ritz Restaurant - review by vexille

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:01:18 +0000

The Ritz Restaurant - review by vexille

Rating: 4.0

Location: 150 Piccadilly, W1J 9BR, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7493 8181

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

Tags: pretentious

Well, I think my age will show here, but I found the whole Ritz experience incredibly tacky. Perhaps I'm not destined for high society or I just lack basic etiquette, but it was uncomfortable and just a bizarre experience. But enough about that!

I must say, service was, as expected excellent. From guiding you to your table to serving the meals, it was impecable. Didn't like the way the waiters were almost too imposing.

Food was very much average, it didn't seem like it'd be made from a chef that gave a damn. Yes, it tasted good, but then, so does a dirty kebab and chips. It didn't make me want to turn around to the next table and shout 'you MUST try this', it was just 'meh'.

It's not all that expensive, in comparison to say Maze, or Fifteen which offer a far better experience. But then, I guess to most having 'done the Ritz' will be greated with greater envy than saying 'done Fifteen' which will probably be followed with 'fifteen what?'...

The Ritz Restaurant - review by candyshop

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:01:29 +0000

The Ritz Restaurant - review by candyshop

Rating: 4.0

Location: 150 Piccadilly, W1J 9BR, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7493 8181

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

The Ritz Hotel is very grand and the service is also of a good standard so why then was i let down by the Ritz restaurant? The starters were good admittedly (well mine anyway) but what follows, of course the main meal, Mine was served lukewarm and only average in taste and my mothers inedible, the whole of her main was covered in truffle oil, something of a particular taste and something my mother is unable to eat, so you're asking well why order it then? Such an overpowering and main ingredient wasn't mentioned on the menu. We didn't stick around for dessert as we were fighting to keep awake, the music not relaxing or atmospheric but depressing, think of when the titanic is sinking and the string quartet start playing then you've got it. The service not as good as in the rest of the hotel and it is not myself or my mother being picky. I have eaten in some of the best restaurants around the world and especially my mother who makes it her perogative to dine in the top class and michellin starred restaurants around the world. If you really want a top class meal head for Le Gavroche. Sorry Ritz but the restaurant is living by its name and not standard.

The Ritz Restaurant - review by anonyimouse

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 22:08:41 +0000

The Ritz Restaurant - review by anonyimouse

Rating: 4.0

Location: 150 Piccadilly, W1J 9BR, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7493 8181

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

What Anotherjules said,it is a great afternoon out for Tea at the Ritz

The Hand & Sceptre - review by speldhurst

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:45:12 +0000

The Hand & Sceptre - review by speldhurst

Rating: 3.8

Location: 21 London Road, Southborough, TN4 0QB, Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom

Tags: young professionals, cool & smart

The Hand & Sceptre is great. It is spacious and modern. The food is excellent bistro style. its good value. i have been for Sunday lunch too and its relaxing.

The Ritz Restaurant - review by anotherjules

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:27:06 +0000

The Ritz Restaurant - review by anotherjules

Rating: 4.0

Location: 150 Piccadilly, W1J 9BR, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7493 8181

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

Afternoon tea at The Ritz skates a fine line between exquisite, fine dining and tourist trash...and it skates it very well indeed. You may be surrounded by a bizarre mix of wealthy regulars and trainer-clad tourists, but almost everyone would, to some degree, spruced up a little for the occasion, and all can settle down to enjoy the temporary illusion of extreme wealth that afternoon tea and The Ritz brings.

Although you will have booked a rigid time-slot [if you were lucky, or very organised, you may have managed to select one actually around the time that afternoon tea should be taken], you can arrive anytime to enjoy a cocktail or a cuppa in the restaurants reception area. Yes, they may be a little on the expensive side [around 10 pounds for a cocktail], but you're at The Ritz! Relax and soak up the atmosphere...and whet that appetite!

The three tiers of sandwiches, scones and cakes are constantly refilled...as is your selected jug or tea or coffee. The waiters patter around you with silver platters and solemn, dignified expressions to the music of a harp and violins in a somewhat theatrical, even hyperbolic performance of the dining experience. [For birthdays, a cake can also be ordered and the musicians will play 'Happy Birthday'...If you can fit any more cake in!]

If there is a down-side to tea at The Ritz, it is self-inflicted...From a personal point of view, the only barrier to a full investment in my temporary illusion of wealth was gluttony. I left feeling shaky from coffee and sugar, and a little unwell...Not quite the dignified aristocrat after all ;p In terms of value...The Ritz is excellent. Perhaps 30 pounds plus is pricey for a stack of sarnies, scones and cakes...But you pay for the experience...The theatre of eating. And that's just it...afternoon tea at The Ritz offers a slice of the 'unreal'...A performance of tradition. Delicious grub, theatrics and unforgettable memories for the price of two Dominos Pizzas? Bargain...Even if I did have to buff my trainers a little beforehand.

The Hand & Sceptre - review by RachelMontague-Ebbs

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 19:48:34 +0000

The Hand & Sceptre - review by RachelMontague-Ebbs

Rating: 3.8

Location: 21 London Road, Southborough, TN4 0QB, Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom

Fabulous venue
Italian meets gastro pub
menu is not too big
staff are very friendly
pricey but the same as anywhere in T. Wells
Wine choice is good.
I recommend greek meze/tapas style and sharing meals
good outside area and great trendy environment

Cosmo - review by bosh

Tue, 08 May 2007 18:12:42 +0000

Cosmo - review by bosh

Rating: 3.0

Location: 31-37 Grosvenor Road, TN1 2AN, Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom

Tags: chinese, for everyone, good value, pretentious

Quite Good. Nice indoor ambience. Scarily shocking outdoor look - plain, on a corner next to tescos. Would not expect it.

Service pretty good. Buffet. Gets out quickly. Quite good food.

Best food though is the chips they do which is rather worrying for a chinese. Nevertheless, caters for everyone - lots of choice, something for all. Great for parties or big groups etc.

Restaurant at Eurasia is better though (see my other review)

The Hand & Sceptre - review by austinamalia

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 14:01:44 +0000

The Hand & Sceptre - review by austinamalia

Rating: 3.8

Location: 21 London Road, Southborough, TN4 0QB, Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom

Tags: american, nice to sit outdoors. Comfortable seating........., late license, british, family & home feel, african & caribbean, beer garden, independent pub, business, good value, fresh, chinese, brasserie, friendly, brazilian, cool

This has good food a bar and an out door space it is situauted in clear view from the road so anyone can see it. Slightly pricy but worth it.

The Hand & Sceptre - review by bosh

Wed, 28 Mar 2007 19:43:21 +0000

The Hand & Sceptre - review by bosh

Rating: 3.8

Location: 21 London Road, Southborough, TN4 0QB, Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom

Tags: expensive, comfy chairs, something for everyone, tasty food, brasserie

The Hand and Sceptre, has been now for some time since taking over from the old harvester, and I believe before the Hrvester it was a public House called the hand and Sceptre. It has been refurbished to a high standard, and is no smoking throughout, with quite a bistro/brasserie feel about it. Concentrating more on the restaurant element now than it used to, it still serves a good range of beers and an excellent wine list.

But what of the food? Well its not cheap, but I can assure you it is very good. Starters range from around £5 to £9 and mains £7 to £19. This is compiled with everything from Burgers, Pizzas, pastas and steaks to specials.

I very much recommend having the Spanish Tapas as a starter - although not quite to the standard of the Spanish themselves, it is a superb.

Oh yeah, and the chairs are the comfiest in Kent I believe.

I would definately reccomend this place to everyone, for a special occasion, a celebration, a family meet, a business meet whatever, the Hand and Sceptre caters to everyone at a very high standard. Furthermore, all the times I have been it has been busy which means they are obviously doing something right!!

Brown Trout - review by bosh

Sun, 18 Mar 2007 14:04:19 +0000

Brown Trout - review by bosh

Rating: 1.0

Location: Lamberhurst Down, TN3 8HA, Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom

Tags: cheap eat, AVOID AT ALL COSTS THOUGH, pub chain, family & home feel, beer garden

Avoid at all costs.

This restaurant has recently undergone a new change of management and a new chef. I used to go here with my family at least once a onth. I came here yesterday woth my parents, and boy was it shocking.

My father and I had a steak meal deal - good value for money, 2 sirloins and a free bottle of house wine. We both asked for it medium - half of mine was fat and my father took three times to get a medium, by which time I was finished (first came out roasted, secondly came out bloody raw). What is more, my mother had the rack of lamb, which wasn't a rack of lamb, but three minute lamb chops, all of which were not even cooked properly.

Furthermore, the menu is not worht looking at - very small with few choices other than fish, which my friend had (he had teh trout, which is what this pub restaurant prides itself on) and said it was not fresh whatsoever as it said on the menu - on the contrary, he said it was 'as chewy as rubber'.

Certainly it the Brown trout is cheap and cheerful with a relaxed ambience, nad the waitress was friendly (she gave us the steak free because of the cock up i the kitchen)but seriusly do not go here.
My advice: Avoid at all costs and go to the swan at the Vineyard about 100 yards away - it may be more expensive but you get what you want, and at a superbly high standard. Brown Trout? Don't get me started again.

The Ritz Restaurant - review by jo104

Wed, 14 Mar 2007 11:22:16 +0000

The Ritz Restaurant - review by jo104

Rating: 4.0

Location: 150 Piccadilly, W1J 9BR, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7493 8181

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

Tags: posh, british, elegant, expensive

To experience a traditional English High tea is on many people's to do list.

The Ritz Hotel offer such a high tea in stylish surrounds. A three tiered cake stand is brought to the table. The bottom layer is crustless sandwiches being egg mayo, smoked salmon, ham, chicken mayo & cream cheese with cucumber. And for you sandwich lovers they just keep coming & refilling your stand. But don't fill up on sandwiches as the next tiered layer offers apple & raisin scones with jam & clotted cream. The top layer is small cream pastries which I personally felt were too rich. Just when you thought you couldn't cram another cake in the tea finishes with a compote of fruits of the forest.

Soothing piano music aids your digestion of these sweet culinary delights. And as for the tea choices they serve most teas imaginable or boring coffee if you prefer.

Tea is served in slots from 11.30am right up to 7.30pm which incedentally was the only booking we could get even booking far in advance, but to make up for the lateness they offer a complimentary glass of champagne.

There is a strict dress code men are required to wear jacket & tie, also no trainers or jeans are acceptable attire. The cost per head is GBP36 and you need to book far in advance.

My personal opinion is I am glad to have had the experience but it is a huge expense for what is offered you are paying for the experience. There are other places serving high tea at more reasonable prices

The Ritz Restaurant - review by bosh

Mon, 05 Mar 2007 20:37:19 +0000

The Ritz Restaurant - review by bosh

Rating: 4.0

Location: 150 Piccadilly, W1J 9BR, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7493 8181

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

Tags: expensive, everything

A brilliant eat. Every bit as good as it was hyped up to be. Not showy at all and the despite what people say the food won't burn to big of a hole in your pocket either - it is most certainly worth the price! Great for anyone with money to spend on quality food!

The Swan at the Vineyard - review by austinmax

Mon, 05 Mar 2007 20:16:56 +0000

The Swan at the Vineyard - review by austinmax

Rating: 4.5

Location: Lamberhurst Vineyard, TN3 8EU, Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom

Tags: good value, british

Conveniently located just a few minutes away from
Tunbridge Wells, the swan at the vineyard is a must visit for any true food lover. The menu is extensive and varied and changes every few weeks. For the more adventurous there are some more exotic dead animals served up but i wont tell you what they are for fear of ruining your appetite. I never get tired of eating here.