Latest favourites and wishlist by collector

Villandry - review by lightlines

Sat, 25 Oct 2008 14:38:10 +0000

Villandry - review by lightlines

Rating: 3.7

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

Phone: 020 7631 3131

Website: http://www.villandry.com

Great stir-fry takeaway, probably the best value for money deal you'll get in the area. Rest of the food is good but perhaps a bit pricey. No comments on the restaurant as I haven't had that pleasure.

Villandry - review by joslyoung

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:19:15 +0000

Villandry - review by joslyoung

Rating: 3.7

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

Phone: 020 7631 3131

Website: http://www.villandry.com

It's interesting to read such mixed reviews for Villandry, because it's one of my favourite places and I've always found it to be of an exceptional standard, both in terms of food and service (the latter seemingly being quite a persistent problem where other people's experiences are concerned). For what it's worth - and I don't dispute the possibility of service being a problem because they're a laid back bunch at Villandry, which could easily spill over into lacksadasical - I've never had any issues and always had a good meal.
The most recent occasion I ate there was only a month or so back, when I went with my partner. I had a really fresh and lovely salad to start, and calves liver with mashed potato and bacon, crispy sage and a light gravy. Very nice, simple food, well cooked. No real surprises, but that's not what Villandry's about, to me: it excels on the quality of its ingredients and their freshness. It also scores points on the relaxed atmosphere in the restaurant and indeed throughout - other areas in the place are great for coffees, meetings and lazy brunches.
It's true that Villandry isn't cheap: you could top Â£100 on a lunch for two without trying too hard, which is steep by most non-expense-account-holder's standards. So I'd say it was a special occasion place, really, one that I always enjoy.

Efes Restaurant - review by volcom883

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 11:38:47 +0000

Efes Restaurant - review by volcom883

Rating: 4.5

Location: 80-82 Great Titchfield Street, W1W 7QT, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7636 1953

Tags: turkish, family & home feel, good value, pretentious

bear in mind that there are two different efes restaurants in central london. this is the original one. the other one is located in great portland street and is called efes II.

the prices at this restaurants are really affordable. they main meals range from 7 to 12 pounds. they meet are always fresh and are marinated in the real Turkish way.

the staff are well courteous and the toilets are clean.

if you go there you have to try their lamb chops or simply chicken shish.

excellent restaurant. would recommend to all

dont forget to drink some "raki" which is the national Turkish drink. its very similar to the Greek ouzo and the French Ricard!

The Wolseley - review by Barney752

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:08:17 +0000

The Wolseley - review by Barney752

Rating: 3.8

Location: 160 Piccadilly, W1J 9EB, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7499 6996

Website: http://www.thewolseley.com/

the wolseley is a great restaurant. Lets just get that straight. It is by far the most grand place that i have ever dined at. There are impossibly huge ceilings and marbles floors and all that jazz. Doormen that are paid to remeber your face, it is more than just a restaurant it is a dining experience. But what about the food? The food is great, really tasty, some of the best in london i would go as far as to say. But of course it is not cheap. Oh no. It is expensive but not extortionate. That is to say there are plenty more expensive restaurants with lesser food on the menu. All in all a great restaurant.

Villandry - review by funki_munki

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 10:16:09 +0000

Villandry - review by funki_munki

Rating: 3.7

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

Phone: 020 7631 3131

Website: http://www.villandry.com

Tags: expensive

Villandry is a great restaurant if, like me, you opt to go when there are special offers on. If I hadnâ¬"t had a 50% offer voucher I doubt I would be as pleased given the expense. The restaurant is roomy yet intimate with plush surrounding. The service was OK but often to difficult to get attention when you need it. I really enjoyed the food; my Duck cassoulet was tender and rick and my friend moules were delicious, although the size of the potion did make it a little daunting for her!

My only other gripe was being told there was a 2 hour turnaround on my table (not mentioned when I booked!) although this was not enforced at all, so not sure why they felt the need to tell me.

The Wolseley - review by Hazysunshine

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:36:58 +0000

The Wolseley - review by Hazysunshine

Rating: 3.8

Location: 160 Piccadilly, W1J 9EB, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7499 6996

Website: http://www.thewolseley.com/

Tags: lively, british, expensive, romantic

The stunningly elegant interior provided the perfect relaxed ambiance for a special breakfast treat of Champagne, smoked salmon and scrambled eggs which were delicious. There was a good selection of newspapers to read and the waiting staff were efficient however if there was one critism they could cheer up a bit and offer service with a smile. Best to book in advance.

The Wolseley - review by Mohock

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:25:33 +0000

The Wolseley - review by Mohock

Rating: 3.8

Location: 160 Piccadilly, W1J 9EB, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7499 6996

Website: http://www.thewolseley.com/

Tags: lively, business, good value

This feels like a big expensive restaurant. There is enough biege, black and gold in evidence to send anyone on a budget into a flat spin. However, the food and sleek service is excellent and surprisingly keenly priced.

We had a table with a clear view of the entrance and although my host was extremely good company, I could not help noticing that diners were entering and exiting as if on a catwalk. There was also quite a lot of hanging around tables, being seen. Some of the clientele are swishier than the waiters, who must be issued with special shoes.

I have been meaning to try this restaurant for a long while and thought The Wolseley might have lost its gloss this long after it opened, but I enjoyed the food and the incidental floorshow. We had a very good evening.

Villandry - review by sokratis

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 12:03:35 +0000

Villandry - review by sokratis

Rating: 3.7

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

Phone: 020 7631 3131

Website: http://www.villandry.com

Tags: brasserie, family & home feel, good value

Unfortunately I can only comment on the takeaway delights from the Villandry. Stopped there for a quick bite before my dentist's appointement and the pain-au-chocolat was definitely worth the slight detour. It was baked perfectly and the consistency of the dough reminded me of the real thing one gets in Paris.

After being a realtively clean bill of health from the dentist, I decided to make another small detour on my way back and pick up some lunch.
Again, I'm really glad I did. The roast duck and vegetable noodle salad was full of flavour. The duck was of high quality with the perfect balance of crispiness and fat. The vegetables where not overwhelming the just crunchy enough. The noodles were fresh and not greasy at all. At Â£4.95 for the large bowl it is an excellent, quick-lunch choice.

I can't wait to go back and have a proper, sit-down meal

Villandry - review by betageek

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:29:22 +0000

Villandry - review by betageek

Rating: 3.7

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

Phone: 020 7631 3131

Website: http://www.villandry.com

Tags: french, business, expensive

Went to Villandry for a business lunch. The restaurant was crowded (it seems to be something of a canteen for BBC Radio staff - saw various journalists/presenters lunching), but didn't feel cramped, and conversation was possible without straining voices. Good range of food on the daily menu. Starter of pear and bleu d'Auvergne rarebit was really super, and main course of cassoulet was good. My lunch companions both had the fish of the day, which was an apparently excellent bass. Given that the total bill was over Â£100 for three people drinking only fizzy water, I'm glad that I was taken as a guest. However, for a business lunch I'd recommend Villandry, and the attached gourmet grocery looks worthy of further experimentation.

Villandry - review by JehonaGjurgjeala

Sun, 19 Aug 2007 22:35:31 +0000

Villandry - review by JehonaGjurgjeala

Rating: 3.7

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

Phone: 020 7631 3131

Website: http://www.villandry.com

Tags: expensive, british, delicatessen, pretentious, brasserie

Today the Villandy's ordering system crashed, and it took over half an hour for the waiting staff and the kitchen staff to realise that somehting was wrong! Needless to say we waited for ages for our food which, when it arrived, was just about decent. They took 25% off our bill - which sounds decent, but not when we noticed that they had actually had the cheek to add the 12.5% service charge! Unless you are feeling particularly humorous, might as well avoid it.

The Star - review by collector

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 17:17:48 +0000

The Star - review by collector

Rating: 4.0

Location: 22 Great Chapel Street, W1F 8FR, London, United Kingdom

Tags: italian, top food, family & home feel, good brew, cheap eat, business, good value, quick bite

I have visited the Star Cafe on many occasions. It is an authentic Italian cafe serving a selection of hot and cold meals including sandwiches.

It is a great place to sit and watch Soho go by whilst reading the newspapers that are provided daily.

The decor and ambience are not modern, which to me adds extra value...

The food is served with humour, and a chat as well.. Something that you rarely get in London these days....

The cafe has been there for years....

Patisserie Valerie - review by ProfMagellan

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:14:22 +0000

Patisserie Valerie - review by ProfMagellan

Rating: 4.3

Location: 105 Marylebone High Street, W1U 4RS, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7935 6240

Website: http://www.patisserie-valerie.co.uk

Tags: crowded, buzzy, proper food, good brew, traditional, pastries

I have been a regular now for more years than I care to remember. Valeries has a winning formula - a light lunch, speedily served
at an affordable cost. Today it was a croque monsieur but it could have been an omelette
with a selection of fillings or pasta or the day or a salad. The staff are very efficient and willing. The tables are close together
and the chairs a bit uncomfortable but this is is a cafe not a restuarant. Price around £10-12 a head makes it a winner. This is one of the places that has really benefitted from the ban on smoking. It does get very, very full.
If you are very hungry, there are fanastic cakes
and pastries. Regrettably Professor Magellan's fitness regime does not allow such indulgence.

The Wolseley - review by k_thrn

Wed, 04 Jul 2007 21:36:54 +0000

The Wolseley - review by k_thrn

Rating: 3.8

Location: 160 Piccadilly, W1J 9EB, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7499 6996

Website: http://www.thewolseley.com/

Lost for ways to entertain parents or in-laws when they visit you in London? I know, breakfast at The Wolsey. It's sure to impress. Beautiful space with impeccable service and the best chicken soup in London. As I recall, they are also very nice to ladies with morning sickness who happen to be sitting next the gentleman who ordered the pickled herring. Very nice, indeed.

The Wolseley - review by collector

Sat, 30 Jun 2007 10:06:50 +0000

The Wolseley - review by collector

Rating: 3.8

Location: 160 Piccadilly, W1J 9EB, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7499 6996

Website: http://www.thewolseley.com/

Tags: expensive, family & home feel, business

Found The Wolsely on Piccadilly. It is expensive, but the place is amazing, the staff are great, and quite simply one of the best places for cheese on toast in London - enjoy..

They also make a mean cup of tea...

Patisserie Valerie - review by collector

Sat, 30 Jun 2007 09:58:04 +0000

Patisserie Valerie - review by collector

Rating: 4.3

Location: 105 Marylebone High Street, W1U 4RS, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7935 6240

Website: http://www.patisserie-valerie.co.uk

Tags: quick bite, family & home feel, good brew, cheap eat, crowded

If you are in the Marylebone area, and are looking for a 5* place for a great lunch / snack then I would certainly recommend Patisserie Valerie.

Full of great dishes, and of course great cakes...ranging from scrambled eggs on toast, to larger dishes for those that are more hungry..

It is usually very full at lunchtimes and the tables are cetainly packed very close together, but get there early and you should not have a problem..

Service is great...

Price wise approx £ 10 each for a light lunch