Latest reviews by flojo

The Norfolk Arms

flojo — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:34:43 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 28 Leigh Street, WC1H 9EP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7388 3937

Tags: good food, laid back

Laid back in BloomsburyNot an area of London that I frequent much, but ended up here last night to belatedly celebrate a colleague's birthday.

Have to say it looks much like other gastro pubs, in the mis-matched wooden chairs and tables. The menu apparently changes daily though punters also have the option to choose from the Tapas menu as well.

We had a mixture of starters, some off the tapas menu, like the smoked aubergine dip (very garlicky!) and Italian cured meats to the mozzerella & tomato salad. We were all boring with our mains, in that we all had the same, the fish broth, full of clams, mussels, prawns, and a lone razor clam. Obviously a popular dish as we weren't the only ones partaking.

The service at times was a little slow, but couldn't honestly fault the food.

Wines list was decent and reasonably priced. My colleagues pint of bitter was a bit off, but they soon swapped it for one from a fresh barrel. We forewent the puddings, as we were all stuffed, but they did sound nice.

Very pleasant evening in equally pleasant surroundings.

Mogodor Restaurant

flojo — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 13:24:41 +0000

Rating: 5.0

Location: 349 Portobello Road, W10 5SA, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8969 1411

Tags: romantic, family & home feel, middle eastern, north african, good value

Top Notch!Met a bunch of friends here on Saturday afternoon for lunch. We had all previously gone on holiday to Marrakesh, and after reading the reviews elsewhere were really looking forward to it.

I have to say, the Mogodor didn't disappoint. The atmosphere was very laid-back, the decor took us back, and as for the food, well that was fabulous. We had a mixture of starters, lentils, the sardines (signature dish apparently, and could see why), soup, aubergine dip. Main's included couple of tagine's (chicken, lamb & prune), lamb brochette's, chicken pie. We also had some mint tea, 3 bottles of Morroccan Rose wine, coffee and home-made pastries. All this came to roughly Â£22 per head (7 of us in total) so amazing value for money.

Needless to say we all had a fantastic afternoon (though word of caution, don't go if in a hurry!) and would definitely go back, as we were made to feel so very welcome.

Lebanese Lounge

flojo — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 12:11:32 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 50-52 Hanbury Street, E1 5JL, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7539 9200

Tags: Good value

A gem of a placeYou would probably never think to go for a Lebanese meal just off Brick Lane - curry central?!

It was pretty quiet when we went, but we were there straight after work. There was also a lovely bar separate from the restaurant, full of cushions which looked very inviting.

We shared a selection of starters which were lovely and the mains were just as good. All washed down with cobra beer and Lebanese red wine which was very drinkable!

We were too full for dessert, but managed to have some very thick coffee and delicious mint tea which came with complimentary pastries.

Overall, we all thought the food was lovely and very reasonably priced. Definitely a place to go back to, even if just to check out the bar area and try a hookah!

Springers Wine Bar

flojo — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 11:01:06 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 75 East Dulwich Grove, SE22 8PR, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8693 3549

Tags: relaxed, brasserie, friendly, romantic

Great FoodHave been here a few times. You are always guaranteed a warm welcome from the owners Bryan and Jackie, and the food and atmosphere doesn't disappoint either!

I was here to celebrate a cousin's 21st party therefore we had half of the enclosed court-yard area at the rear of the restaurant.

Had asparagus with a very light blue-cheesy dressing, followed by one of the best steaks I have had in ages, sirloin with au poivre sauce on the side and french fries - perfect!

We all ended up with a special fresh fruit gateau.

Well recommended.

Baracca

flojo — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 10:49:55 +0000

Rating: 3.0

Location: 2C Cherry Tree Walk, EC1Y 8NX, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7588 0710

Tags: italian, family & home feel, good value

CharmingGot taken here last week. It's nothing to look at from the street, but appearances are deceptive. It's a nice traditional Italian tucked away close to the Barbican. Bonus was a lovely little outside terrace, therefore dined al fresco.

Shared seafood salad and garlic bread as a starter, followed by prawns in garlic washed down with Chianti - lovely!

Taverna Sirtaki

flojo — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 17:03:10 +0000

Rating: 5.0

Location: Alexandratou Evagelia, Lassi, , Kefalonia, Greece

Tags: cool, cool & smart, friendly, relaxed

chill-outIf you ever find yourself in Lassi on the island of Kefalonia, Greece, do check out the Sirtaki Garden.

A bar in a garden setting,it is the perfect place on a balmy evening to sit back, un-wind, sip a cocktail and listen to the tunes.

Acorn House

flojo — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 15:45:38 +0000

Rating: 3.7

Location: 69 Swinton St., WC1X 9NT, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7812 1842

Website: http://www.acornhouserestaurant.com/

Went for a meal here ages ago, food was very nice and I like it's ethics!

Giraffe

flojo — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 14:26:16 +0000

Rating: 3.4

Location: The South Bank Centre, SE1 8XX, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7928 2004

Website: http://www.giraffe.net

Been here quite a few times.

Great place to meet friends, whether before heading off to a concert or just stopping for a drink.

Fun, friendly staff and a lively place, with an emphasis on global food.

Worth noting that they do decent cocktails and have a good happy hour from 5-7pm!

Renaissance Chancery Court Hotel

flojo — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 14:17:34 +0000

Rating: 3.0

Location: 252 High Holborn, WC1V 7EN, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7829 9888

Website: http://www.renaissancehotels.com

Tags: good value, wonderful service, great cakes

Afternoon TeaWent here for afternoon tea yesterday to celebrate a friends birthday. It's not as well known as say The Dorchester or The Ritz, but we choose this place for it's location.

The hotel had a good selection of tea's to choose from, but we were overwhelmed when the cake stand arrived! The three of us had 5 finger sandwiches, two scones, jam and cream plus at least 3 beautiful cakes each!!!!!

Needless to say we couldn't eat it all. As it was a birthday celebration we ordered a bottle of champagne and bless them the staff brought (un-asked) three more cakes on a decorated plate with a candle and sang Happy Birthday to my friend!

Certainly beats being in the office on a Monday afternoon.

The Kings Arms

flojo — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 13:24:39 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 25 Roupell Street, SE1 8TB, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7207 0784

Tags: friendly, welcoming, different pub food, traditional pub

A gem of a pubLove this pub!

It is situated in a conservation area on a really pretty street, not far from Waterloo Station. The pub is set on a corner and looks really small from the outside.

It does get quite busy with the after-work crowd stopping off for a drink, but obviously thins out later.

As well as serving decent beers and wine this pub does some of the best Thai food in London IMO. At the back is a huge conservatory which is given over to serving the food (though you can eat in the front).

It does get quite busy so worth booking a table, and you can't pay for the food by credit card.

Coach & Horses

flojo — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 13:05:14 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 27 Barnes High Street, SW13 9LW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8876 2695

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

Went there last week for a friday night drink.

The coach and horses is not a huge pub. It looks like it was originally two small bars which have been knocked through to make one largish room.

As I said there's not masses of room, but the C&H had friendly bar staff and seems much more a locals pub, perhaps because of it's location away from the river? Anyway wasn't complaining as the Garden was lovely, perfect for the balmy evening!

Most of my companions were sinking the beer (it's a Young's pub) and a couple of us were knocking back the Rose. The pub does do food, but we weren't partaking.

A very enjoyable evening was had by all.

Red Pepper Bistro

flojo — Tue, 29 May 2007 16:43:31 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 39 Broad Street, HX1 1YA, Halifax, United Kingdom

Tags: lively, good value, mediterranean

Lovely place to eatWas in Halifax over the weekend and was beginning to despair of finding somewhere half decent to eat when lo and behold we stumbled across this little gem of a place!

Warm and inviting (and not just the staff!), we had a really nice meal. It was difficult to know what to choose to eat, whether to go for something off the specials board, the lobster festival that was going on or just stick to the menu. In the end, I skipped a starter and had baked cod wrapped in parma ham, in a lovely sauce (can't remember what but was yummy) plus prawns and scallops, served with roasted new potatoes and a side salad. Followed this up with Strawberry Eton Mess and washed down with a lovely Sauv Blanc.

Perfect end to a great day!!

Well worth checking out if in that neck of the woods.

Barrafina

flojo — Mon, 21 May 2007 20:56:23 +0000

Rating: 4.5

Location: 54 Frith St, W1D 4SL, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7813 8010

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

Fantastic food!

There's not much seating, so if you are a big group or an odd number of people there may be a bit of a wait. That said the staff are really friendly and will happily get you drinks and nibbles to wile away your wait.

As for the food, we ordered lots of dishes which came in no particular order. All were just lovely, and very fresh. The tortilla was a revelation, served in it's own dish, straight from the hot plate, so was hot and just set so very moist - yum! Where we were sat we could see all the dishes (including ours) being cooked, which was interesting to watch.

For once none of us were drinking, but the wine list had some great wines listed. Will definitely being going back for more food, and this time washed down with a nice cold Albarino!