Latest favourites and wishlist by bundahsi

Soho Japan - review by hollowlegs

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:43:39 +0000

Soho Japan - review by hollowlegs

Rating: 3.8

Location: 52 Wells St, W1T 3PR, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7323 4661

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

I've only ever come here for a takeaway, but I ate in for lunch the other day. Gorgeous food - I had the sashimi lunch. A bowl of steamed rice, miso soup, and a great platter of sashimi with big slabs of tuna, salmon, snapper, yellowtail and a scallop. I finished off with a green tea and red bean ice cream which was also good. The only dud note was the cold spinach side - it tasted like it was dressed with a thin peanut butter which wasn't to my taste.

However, I called up recently to order a takeaway of chicken teriyaki, listed on the website at Â£6.50. When I got there, I was told I must pay Â£7.80 as the prices have changed. Fine, but when I pointed out that they should change their website-listed prices, I got a tirade: "The website is wrong! It's old! Don't look at the website, you shouldn't look at the website".

This really did get my goat; it's not my problem that they haven't updated the website. Given their attitude over this and the accusatory stares afterwards as if I were trying to fiddle them, I will not be returning no matter how good it is.

Soho Japan - review by thamshere

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:16:30 +0000

Soho Japan - review by thamshere

Rating: 3.8

Location: 52 Wells St, W1T 3PR, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7323 4661

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

Tags: japanese, family & home feel, business, good value

SohoJapan (in Noho) provides excellent food at very reasonable prices in this unpretentious, family run Japanese restaurant. I couldn't fault a single dish and a few were really excellent. The Yaki Gyoza and the Shitake Mushrooms Stuffed with Chicken were both miniature taste sensations. It isn't anything spectacularly original, but all done to traditional perfection.

The cocktails aren't bad with the two green-tea options being refreshingly original.

It is a bit of a trek from anywhere, but its location means you can get a seat on a weekday evening. I've heard that it's packed every lunchtime and I can see why.

I've yet to try the sushi or sashimi but given the quality of the hot dish selection I enjoyed yesterday, I'm very much looking forward to it.

The only downside I can think of is the setting. It's very much a place that is accustomed to large crowds and a quiet weekday evening left it feeling rather empty, though this did result in excellent service so I can't complain too much.

Total price for two to stuff themselves, plus 4 cocktails & service: Â£67. Not bad at all.

The Elk Bar - review by QueenB

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:07:43 +0000

The Elk Bar - review by QueenB

Rating: 2.5

Location: 587-591 Fulham Road, SW6 5UA, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7385 6940

Website: http://www.elkbar.com/

Tags: trendy, young professionals, young and fun, pretentious

I'm not really a fan of this place.

I'd agree with Bundahsi's review from the few of times I've been in there. It's not bad as a meeting/starting point EARLY in the evening, I guess.
You can't even blame the local Chelsea football fans for spoiling this place as its always like it. It's overly dark, the staff are not very helpful and struggle to crack a smile unless they are hitting on you.

Client wise: You get sleazy, overly wealthy city boys being too loud and heavy handed or gold digging girls trying to bag themselevs a hedge-fund lad or girls with daddies credit card after a hard days of shopping "rah rah rah-ing" in your ear, oblivious to how loud they are.

I don't see why or how this place continues to be so busy generally, the drinks are over priced, it gets too busy and the vibe is non-existent.

Far better places to have fun in, in fulham!

Soho Japan - review by ONscotland

Sat, 22 Sep 2007 13:13:10 +0000

Soho Japan - review by ONscotland

Rating: 3.8

Location: 52 Wells St, W1T 3PR, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7323 4661

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

SoHo Japan was recommeded to me by a Japanese colleague, and as the previous reviewer mentions, it does have a large Japanese clientele - always a good sign.

The staff are so friendly, and the menu is very comprehensive. Yes, a lot of it is in Japanese, but there are translations and pictures available. It's a great introduction to Japanese food, because it isn't just sushi and sashemi - for example, I had asparagus wrapped in bacon as a starter - OK, so not particularly adventurous, but very tastey all the same.

For main courses I kept to traditional stuff like teriyaki chicken (other marinades were available) and my friend ordered a large sushi/sashemi selection. This came is a beautifully lacquered box, with individual drawers filled with sushi, and when the lid came off there was another tray full of sashemi - really lovingly prepared and the presentation was wonderful.

I go to SoHo Japan all the time, and always end up ordering too much (the menu can be confusing, with some items served along with Miso soup and boiled rice) but it's a lovely experience. I have never had any worries about safety in the area (it's a few hundred yards back from Oxford Street) and I would recommend it to anyone.

There is a rather strange theme with this restaurant - adverts for Guiness are everywhere, making it feel almost like an old Irish pub. But that's just part of the quirkiness of Soho Japan.

CVO Firevault - review by technokitten

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 14:18:07 +0000

CVO Firevault - review by technokitten

Rating: 4.3

Location: 36 Great Titchfield Street, W1W 8BQ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7636 2091

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

I love this place. Great in the afternoons for a business meeting. Funky and fun in the evenings for a drink. And good food in the restaurant to boot.
Well worth a visit and a hidden West End gem.

The Fulham Mitre - review by georgiesayle

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:21:28 +0000

The Fulham Mitre - review by georgiesayle

Rating: 4.7

Location: 81 Dawes Road, SW6 7DU, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7386 8877

Website: http://www.fulhammitre.com

Good fun, pretty busy and very sloaney!

CVO Firevault - review by Thembilina

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 12:36:56 +0000

CVO Firevault - review by Thembilina

Rating: 4.3

Location: 36 Great Titchfield Street, W1W 8BQ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7636 2091

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

Tags: cool, arty, mature, funky, trendy, romantic, posh

I have been here a couple of times since being taken first by an Architect friend. It is such a hidden gem! You walk through a fireplace showroom to get to this very chic bar. Now these aren't any old gas fireplaces but state of the art, aesthically pleasing works of art!
The drinks are on the expensive side, but its worth it to be warm and to enjoy somewhere a bit different.

The Fulham Mitre - review by NatWilde

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 12:23:52 +0000

The Fulham Mitre - review by NatWilde

Rating: 4.7

Location: 81 Dawes Road, SW6 7DU, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7386 8877

Website: http://www.fulhammitre.com

A great local hang out for any occasion.

The Fulham Mitre - review by bundahsi

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 17:32:33 +0000

The Fulham Mitre - review by bundahsi

Rating: 4.7

Location: 81 Dawes Road, SW6 7DU, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7386 8877

Website: http://www.fulhammitre.com

Tags: relaxed, drinking, boozer, gastro pub, cool & smart, standard pub food, beer garden, students, sexy, trendy, friendly

OK, this place is my local so keep that in mind but to be fair this place is great!

It's has everything your local needs - beer, nice waitress', beer, ciggy machine, beer, dingy toilets, beer and big screen telly's that spit out football cricket and rugby all year round. It has a superb combination of booths, stalls and couches inside & one of the best beer gardens London has to offer throughout the summer.h

The baby back spare ribs are an institution around Fulham, as is the warm atmosphere and general 20 something Fulham buzz. Ideal as a starter pub on a night out or a lazy Saturday arvo shooting the breeze with whoever you can muster up.

Gotta go, just talking about the place is making me thirsty!

The Elk Bar - review by bundahsi

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 16:34:27 +0000

The Elk Bar - review by bundahsi

Rating: 2.5

Location: 587-591 Fulham Road, SW6 5UA, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7385 6940

Website: http://www.elkbar.com/

Tags: friendly, ross kemp, girls, pulling, boozy, drunk, indie, students, house, messy, trendy

Think expensive drinks, easy girls, super loud music and nowhere to move... think The Elk. Basically, the place is gold! The idea place to unwind, practice some pick up lines and wake up with an Aussie.

No cover charge, open till 12ish, I wouldn't bring a coat unless you want it covered in vomit or it covering someone else! Definately a good starter if every drink you have has a sambuca shot served with it!

A bit like what you'll end up with the next morning, should not be viewed during the daytime.

Soho Japan - review by bundahsi

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 16:22:36 +0000

Soho Japan - review by bundahsi

Rating: 3.8

Location: 52 Wells St, W1T 3PR, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7323 4661

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

Tags: japanese, business, good value, soho

Soho Japan - Well, it's probably not really in Soho and definitely not in Japan but you'd be forgiven for thinking you were the minute you walk through the door.

The first thing I noticed was the patronage. All Japanese! Well, beside me and my guest that is and always a good sign they say! I can't say I was impressed by the restaurant itself. The decor is drab and the seating is cramped but I'm holding out for the menu - judging by the locals I'm sure it's a doozy.

Ah...the menu. To start with I got the Japanese version.. probably a little too authentic for the standard Soho crowd! Once that was replaced with the laminated English version my next stumbling block was the choices... so many choices! Even with the vast menu I still ended up going for a standard array, miso, sushi, chicken, deep fried prawns and a collection of other goodies to share around.

How was the food...I've got to give it to them - brilliant. The sushi was probably the best I have eaten and the miso soup is actually remarkable. (A contradiction of terms?) If only the silly little buzzer thing at my table worked, I would have got a top up!

All in all, great food, well priced but let down by the marginal venue & strange "I hope I don't get mugged' location. Perfect for a group of old friends looking for a good old mid week Japanese slap up in Soho.

CVO Firevault - review by bundahsi

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 14:43:46 +0000

CVO Firevault - review by bundahsi

Rating: 4.3

Location: 36 Great Titchfield Street, W1W 8BQ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7636 2091

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

Tags: cosy, snug, winter, date, sexy, soho, warm, brasserie, expensive, trendy, friendly, romantic, lively, american

I selected this place for a first date based mainly on proximity and the whole fireplace thing... well, I wasn't disappointed. The reception was lovely, I believe it doubles as a fireplace seller?

Went downstairs and was greeted with a warm, friendly atmosphere and a maze of seating choices. We selected a spot for a drink in front of funky fireplaces, one of many scattered in various nooks and crannies around the bar area. The place started filling up pretty quick and the atmosphere was bang on for a first date. Un-pretentious, but sophisticated, busy but still quiet enough to deliver first date punchlines. I could have any beer as I liked as long as it was Asahi!!

Sat down for dinner in one the best seat in the house...surrounded by lots of little alcoves and areas perfect for a couple or group of friends alike.

The food & wine was fantastic and the service was prompt, efficient and friendly. 3 courses, plenty of wine and the promise of a second date cost a pretty pricey £140, but money well spent.

Highly recommend if you're looking for a great little winter getaway in Soho - for groups under 6.