Latest reviews by geeyeah's friends http://trustedplaces.com/user/geeyeah Reviews by friends of geeyeah en Franco Manca - review by Browners http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1u72n8v/franco-manca
Franco Manca - review by Browners

Rating: 4.5

Location: 4 Market Row, SW9 8LD, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7738 3021

Tags: italian, cheap eat, lively

I took the rare opportunity of a day off in Brixton to sample the pizza at Franco Manca. After an in depth article in OFM a couple of months ago, the internet has been awash with chatter about this place. And I felt like it was my duty as a Brixton resident and foodie to see what all the fuss is about.

Foolishly I forgot to take a note of the address, assuming that it must be easy to find. But I found myself walking back and forth along Electric Avenue, dodging the market vendors, trying desperately to find this "hidden gem". It always helps of course if you are actually on the right road. A quick call to 118500 and I was back on track. I was put through to Franco Manca who then guided me into the restaurant which was about 18 yards from where I was standing. The charming chap on the phone even spotted me and came to greet me. Top class service from beginning to end.

Snuggled into the heart of Brixton Market, remember, if you can, that it's Unit 4, Electric Lane. The restaurant bridges both sides of the covered market alleyway which adds a great natural flow to environment. On either side are large pizza ovens that have been hand build over in Naples. They generate a temperature of 500'C which is the key to their sourdough pizzas having such a crispy crust and soft middle. I inspected them with great interest, taking notes for next year's big project where I am planning to build an outdoor earth oven in the garden. Should be epic. If anyone's got any advice, I'd love to hear from you.

I ordered the chorizo pizza which comes with dry and wet sausage from Brindisa. It arrived almost as soon as I had spoken. Given all the hype, I was determined not to be prejudiced and was hoping it would live up to all the noise. And it did. As promised it was gorgeously charred on the outside, with the appearance of tiger bread whilst the mozzarella, tomato and chorizo was perfectly cooked as well. The puffy crust was crisp on the outside and pillowy soft inside. A bit like a savoury, hot macaron!

The chorizo had a lick of char and otherwise was simply irresistible. I was tempted to add pepper and chilli oil but didn't want to tamper with something that had been thought through so clearly. The mozzarella made almost made me giggle as it unwound as I tried to eat it like some sort of practical joke. All this fatty, carby goodness was washed down by a jar of their delicious home made lemonade followed the best espresso I've ever had for £1!

All the ingredients are impeccably sourced with superb credentials. But the crowning glory is the sourdough base that takes 20 hours of careful nurturing before it meets its glorious fate in the super charged ovens.

I was amused when two gentlemen in suits arrived and loudly asked "are you the guys who make the best pizza in London". I felt like I stood out pretty badly in my brown cords and blue v-neck jumper, but I was a chameleon by comparison. It seems that word has spread and that this gem is fast becoming a lot less hidden.

Be warned that Franco Manca is only open on week days from 12-5. My pizza, lemonade and coffee came to well under a tenner.

]]> Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:04:27 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1u72n8v/franco-manca2036226151 italian cheap eat lively 51.461347103645 -0.11417627334595 Franco Manca - review by Browners http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1u72n8v/franco-manca
Franco Manca - review by Browners

Rating: 4.5

Location: 4 Market Row, SW9 8LD, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7738 3021

Tags: italian, cheap eat, lively

I took the rare opportunity of a day off in Brixton to sample the pizza at Franco Manca. After an in depth article in OFM a couple of months ago, the internet has been awash with chatter about this place. And I felt like it was my duty as a Brixton resident and foodie to see what all the fuss is about.

Foolishly I forgot to take a note of the address, assuming that it must be easy to find. But I found myself walking back and forth along Electric Avenue, dodging the market vendors, trying desperately to find this "hidden gem". It always helps of course if you are actually on the right road. A quick call to 118500 and I was back on track. I was put through to Franco Manca who then guided me into the restaurant which was about 18 yards from where I was standing. The charming chap on the phone even spotted me and came to greet me. Top class service from beginning to end.

Snuggled into the heart of Brixton Market, remember, if you can, that it's Unit 4, Electric Lane. The restaurant bridges both sides of the covered market alleyway which adds a great natural flow to environment. On either side are large pizza ovens that have been hand build over in Naples. They generate a temperature of 500'C which is the key to their sourdough pizzas having such a crispy crust and soft middle. I inspected them with great interest, taking notes for next year's big project where I am planning to build an outdoor earth oven in the garden. Should be epic. If anyone's got any advice, I'd love to hear from you.

I ordered the chorizo pizza which comes with dry and wet sausage from Brindisa. It arrived almost as soon as I had spoken. Given all the hype, I was determined not to be prejudiced and was hoping it would live up to all the noise. And it did. As promised it was gorgeously charred on the outside, with the appearance of tiger bread whilst the mozzarella, tomato and chorizo was perfectly cooked as well. The puffy crust was crisp on the outside and pillowy soft inside. A bit like a savoury, hot macaron!

The chorizo had a lick of char and otherwise was simply irresistible. I was tempted to add pepper and chilli oil but didn't want to tamper with something that had been thought through so clearly. The mozzarella made almost made me giggle as it unwound as I tried to eat it like some sort of practical joke. All this fatty, carby goodness was washed down by a jar of their delicious home made lemonade followed the best espresso I've ever had for £1!

All the ingredients are impeccably sourced with superb credentials. But the crowning glory is the sourdough base that takes 20 hours of careful nurturing before it meets its glorious fate in the super charged ovens.

I was amused when two gentlemen in suits arrived and loudly asked "are you the guys who make the best pizza in London". I felt like I stood out pretty badly in my brown cords and blue v-neck jumper, but I was a chameleon by comparison. It seems that word has spread and that this gem is fast becoming a lot less hidden.

Be warned that Franco Manca is only open on week days from 12-5. My pizza, lemonade and coffee came to well under a tenner.

]]> Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:04:27 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1u72n8v/franco-manca1853106657 italian cheap eat lively 51.461347103645 -0.11417627334595 Franco Manca - review by Browners http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1u72n8v/franco-manca
Franco Manca - review by Browners

Rating: 4.5

Location: 4 Market Row, SW9 8LD, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7738 3021

Tags: italian, cheap eat, lively

I took the rare opportunity of a day off in Brixton to sample the pizza at Franco Manca. After an in depth article in OFM a couple of months ago, the internet has been awash with chatter about this place. And I felt like it was my duty as a Brixton resident and foodie to see what all the fuss is about.

Foolishly I forgot to take a note of the address, assuming that it must be easy to find. But I found myself walking back and forth along Electric Avenue, dodging the market vendors, trying desperately to find this "hidden gem". It always helps of course if you are actually on the right road. A quick call to 118500 and I was back on track. I was put through to Franco Manca who then guided me into the restaurant which was about 18 yards from where I was standing. The charming chap on the phone even spotted me and came to greet me. Top class service from beginning to end.

Snuggled into the heart of Brixton Market, remember, if you can, that it's Unit 4, Electric Lane. The restaurant bridges both sides of the covered market alleyway which adds a great natural flow to environment. On either side are large pizza ovens that have been hand build over in Naples. They generate a temperature of 500'C which is the key to their sourdough pizzas having such a crispy crust and soft middle. I inspected them with great interest, taking notes for next year's big project where I am planning to build an outdoor earth oven in the garden. Should be epic. If anyone's got any advice, I'd love to hear from you.

I ordered the chorizo pizza which comes with dry and wet sausage from Brindisa. It arrived almost as soon as I had spoken. Given all the hype, I was determined not to be prejudiced and was hoping it would live up to all the noise. And it did. As promised it was gorgeously charred on the outside, with the appearance of tiger bread whilst the mozzarella, tomato and chorizo was perfectly cooked as well. The puffy crust was crisp on the outside and pillowy soft inside. A bit like a savoury, hot macaron!

The chorizo had a lick of char and otherwise was simply irresistible. I was tempted to add pepper and chilli oil but didn't want to tamper with something that had been thought through so clearly. The mozzarella made almost made me giggle as it unwound as I tried to eat it like some sort of practical joke. All this fatty, carby goodness was washed down by a jar of their delicious home made lemonade followed the best espresso I've ever had for £1!

All the ingredients are impeccably sourced with superb credentials. But the crowning glory is the sourdough base that takes 20 hours of careful nurturing before it meets its glorious fate in the super charged ovens.

I was amused when two gentlemen in suits arrived and loudly asked "are you the guys who make the best pizza in London". I felt like I stood out pretty badly in my brown cords and blue v-neck jumper, but I was a chameleon by comparison. It seems that word has spread and that this gem is fast becoming a lot less hidden.

Be warned that Franco Manca is only open on week days from 12-5. My pizza, lemonade and coffee came to well under a tenner.

]]> Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:04:27 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1u72n8v/franco-manca857710474 italian cheap eat lively 51.461347103645 -0.11417627334595 Franco Manca - review by Browners http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1u72n8v/franco-manca
Franco Manca - review by Browners

Rating: 4.5

Location: 4 Market Row, SW9 8LD, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7738 3021

Tags: italian, cheap eat, lively

I took the rare opportunity of a day off in Brixton to sample the pizza at Franco Manca. After an in depth article in OFM a couple of months ago, the internet has been awash with chatter about this place. And I felt like it was my duty as a Brixton resident and foodie to see what all the fuss is about.

Foolishly I forgot to take a note of the address, assuming that it must be easy to find. But I found myself walking back and forth along Electric Avenue, dodging the market vendors, trying desperately to find this "hidden gem". It always helps of course if you are actually on the right road. A quick call to 118500 and I was back on track. I was put through to Franco Manca who then guided me into the restaurant which was about 18 yards from where I was standing. The charming chap on the phone even spotted me and came to greet me. Top class service from beginning to end.

Snuggled into the heart of Brixton Market, remember, if you can, that it's Unit 4, Electric Lane. The restaurant bridges both sides of the covered market alleyway which adds a great natural flow to environment. On either side are large pizza ovens that have been hand build over in Naples. They generate a temperature of 500'C which is the key to their sourdough pizzas having such a crispy crust and soft middle. I inspected them with great interest, taking notes for next year's big project where I am planning to build an outdoor earth oven in the garden. Should be epic. If anyone's got any advice, I'd love to hear from you.

I ordered the chorizo pizza which comes with dry and wet sausage from Brindisa. It arrived almost as soon as I had spoken. Given all the hype, I was determined not to be prejudiced and was hoping it would live up to all the noise. And it did. As promised it was gorgeously charred on the outside, with the appearance of tiger bread whilst the mozzarella, tomato and chorizo was perfectly cooked as well. The puffy crust was crisp on the outside and pillowy soft inside. A bit like a savoury, hot macaron!

The chorizo had a lick of char and otherwise was simply irresistible. I was tempted to add pepper and chilli oil but didn't want to tamper with something that had been thought through so clearly. The mozzarella made almost made me giggle as it unwound as I tried to eat it like some sort of practical joke. All this fatty, carby goodness was washed down by a jar of their delicious home made lemonade followed the best espresso I've ever had for £1!

All the ingredients are impeccably sourced with superb credentials. But the crowning glory is the sourdough base that takes 20 hours of careful nurturing before it meets its glorious fate in the super charged ovens.

I was amused when two gentlemen in suits arrived and loudly asked "are you the guys who make the best pizza in London". I felt like I stood out pretty badly in my brown cords and blue v-neck jumper, but I was a chameleon by comparison. It seems that word has spread and that this gem is fast becoming a lot less hidden.

Be warned that Franco Manca is only open on week days from 12-5. My pizza, lemonade and coffee came to well under a tenner.

]]> Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:04:27 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1u72n8v/franco-manca1853355991 italian cheap eat lively 51.461347103645 -0.11417627334595 Wellington Arms - review by Browners http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/basingstoke/bar-pub/1p16m8s/wellington-arms
Wellington Arms - review by Browners

Rating: 5.0

Location: Baughurst Road, RG26 5LP, Basingstoke, United Kingdom

Phone: 0118 982 0110

Website: http://www.thewellingtonarms.com

Tags: romantic, british, family & home feel, expensive

Isnâ¬"t it about time someone built a rapid exit road from South London that links directly to the M3? Iâ¬"m sick of having to crawl around the South Circular at a pace that makes Eric the Eel look like Michael Phelps. The grizzly shop windows look the same in Wandsworth, Putney and Sheen.

Having escaped the South Circular the M3 felt like one of those conveyor belts for lazy people in airports. We whizzed along without even trying. The jaundiced trees took on a trippy effect as they shed their leaves in the gusting wind. Rather than be mugged by the modern day highwayman that is the motorway service station, we had planned ahead and booked ourselves into The Wellington Arms, just north of Basingstoke.

Unusually, we arrived on time, which gave us a chance to admire their chicken coup and immaculate vegetable garden.

We read a glowing review of The Wellington Arms in Olive about 2 weeks ago and booked it on the spot. Further delving yielded warm reviews from Giles Coren and others. Weâ¬"d been looking forward to it from the moment we booked. Everything we had read about was true. It is idyllic and must be one of the most stylish country pubs in the country.

With only 8 tables itâ¬"s cosy and full of charm. It feels less like a pub restaurant and more akin to being in a friendâ¬"s living room. Our waitress was a delight. My pint of bitter was perfect and Cowieâ¬"s lime and soda was full of proper lime. With a pint in hand we surveyed the chalk board menu, standing behind a table of very loud parents from Marlborough.

We often find it hard to choose, but this time it was as if the menu had been written just for us. Cowie was torn between a double baked goatâ¬"s cheese soufflé and the scallops ⬠as was I which made things eay! And for the main event Cowie immediately chose the brill and I almost shouted out venison pie!

Whilst waiting for our food I couldnâ¬"t help noticing the plaque behind me commemorating Jason Kingâ¬"s Junior Gold medal in the Cooking Olympics. This was a sign of the brilliance to come as we were feasting on a range of sensational breads. In particular the soft dark, treacly rye bread was first class ⬠itâ¬"s all made in the village by a chap whoâ¬"s name I read whilst having a wee!

My scallops couldnâ¬"t have been cooked any better. Some people donâ¬"t like their sea food covered in butter ⬠but I do! The bed of samphire had me purring like a kitten having his tummy tickled. I was so focussed on the scallops that I almost forgot to switch plates with Cowie. Her goatâ¬"s cheese soufflé was just as good. Well risen texture melted into that unmistakable taste of goatâ¬"s cheese. Fortunately our plates were cleared before I had embarrassed myself by licking them clean!

The excellence of the cooking continued with our main courses. Whilst all the other boring people on the other 7 tables seemed to be having fish and chips we fell head over heels for our more interesting dishes. My venison pie had a lid on it that any chef in the country would have been proud of. It stayed crispy until I had devoured the last morsel. The venison filling was moist and deep. The binary opposite of the dry and tough meat that occasionally plays the part of an impostor.

Cowieâ¬"s brill was huge. Enough for 4 Cowies! The outside was perfectly seared to a crispy, buttery finish, whilst the flesh inside was soft and peeled away like skate. The real treat was yet to come as Cowie unearthed a line of sweetbreads. Our cabbage and roasted courgettes were just as perfect and left us feeling like weâ¬"d just experienced the platonic ideal of a â¬SSaturday lunch, just off the motorway, on the way home after a long week at workâ¬.

From now on, whenever we have a long trip on the cards we are going to make sure weâ¬"ve got a good rural pub that serves great food lined up to refuel us! In our little alcove we started reading some books by Diana Henry who has written about the Wellington Arms in her guide to Britainâ¬"s best gastro pubs. Iâ¬"ve already ordered a copy from the new and used section on Amazon and canâ¬"t wait to plan our next adventure.

http://aroundbritainwithapaunch.blogspot.com/2008/11/wellington-arms-hampshire.html]]> Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:18:05 +0000 /review/uk/basingstoke/bar-pub/1p16m8s/wellington-arms1801407640 romantic british family & home feel expensive 51.3097684 -1.1667853 The Princess Victoria - review by sue http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1x01s8t/the-princess-victoria
The Princess Victoria - review by sue

Rating: 4.2

Location: 217 Uxbridge Road, W12 9DH, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8749 5886

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

Tags: friendly, gastro pub, different pub food, gastropub, wine, pub

Sunday lunch at the Princess Victoria with friends was bound to be good⬦. I hoped. Well, it had recently been voted "Best Gastropub 2008", so I figured it must be pretty special.

It looked the part, with an attractive, high-ceilinged bar at the front and separate dining area to the rear. The dining area turned out to be noisy and I wished we were sitting in the bar area as it had a better atmosphere. Service was friendly and efficient, though attentiveness dropped off as the place filled up. Didn't attack the wine list, but it did look interesting - not many bottles under £20 though. Oh - I did like the complimentary sparkling water!

For lunch we started with the Crab bisque with rouille, gruyere and croutes, and the Terrine of confit rabbit with chestnuts, Serrano ham, celeriac and apple remoulade. Both dishes were nice, but we'd had better examples in other gastropubs.

We all chose the same main course - the Roasted belly of Gloucester Old Spot pork, with roasted potatoes, apple sauce and crackling (though I don't recall any crackling). Again, nice flavours, but nothing special. Shame. For dessert we shared the Sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream, and the Steamed apple sponge with cinnamon ice cream. Both desserts were simple but tasty.

All up, the meal was fine, but didn't live up to the "best gastropub" hype IMHO. Prices were reasonable though, and if you lived locally you could do a lot worse.]]> Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:51:47 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1x01s8t/the-princess-victoria1004308146 friendly gastro pub different pub food gastropub wine pub 51.506418603013 -0.24026155471802 Cantinetta Luca - review by sue http://trustedplaces.com/review/us/ca/carmel-by-the-sea/restaurant/1p66l76/cantinetta-luca
Cantinetta Luca - review by sue

Rating: 4.0

Location: Dolores Street Between Ocean and 7th, 93921, Carmel By The Sea, United States of America

Phone: 831.625.6500

Website: http://www.cantinettaluca.com/

Tags: italian, lively

Carmel is filled with so many great sounding restaurants it was hard to choose where to dine out when we had one night only. We decided to go to the latest place the locals seemed to be raving about (well in the Carmel magazine in our hotel room anyway), Cantinetta Luca.

This is a modern Italian restaurant and bar, apparently more San Francisco style than Carmel. The large restaurant was full and I think we were very lucky to walk in and get a table without having made a reservation.

Cantinetta Luca specialises in antipasti, and cure many of the meats on the premises. After reading this on the menu, we decided to start with the Artisan and House Made Salume, along with some Caseficio Gioia Burrata Cheese and some bread. The generous servings were well presented and loved most of the meats, which went so well with the cheese (which was up-sold to us by our helpful waitress).

For main course we had the Tagliatelle, Chanterelle Mushrooms, Organic Peas and Pecorino Toscano Cheese and the Grilled Baby Octopus, Salame Calabrese, Broccoli and Potatoes (starter size). Both dishes were very flavoursome and plates were cleaned. We shared a Chocolate & Hazelnut Tart for dessert.]]> Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:34:59 +0000 /review/us/ca/carmel-by-the-sea/restaurant/1p66l76/cantinetta-luca1214317029 italian lively 36.554323374947 -121.92281484604 Katy's Place - review by sue http://trustedplaces.com/review/us/ca/carmel-by-the-sea/cafe/1p76l75/katy-s-place
Katy's Place - review by sue

Rating: 4.0

Location: Mission Street between 5th and 6th, 93921, Carmel By The Sea, United States of America

Phone: 831-624-0199

Website: http://www.katysplacecarmel.com/

Tags: cosy, proper food, average brew, brunch, breakfast, quick bite, friendly

After having breakfast one morning at our hotel we weren't that keen to repeat the experience, so on our second morning in Carmel we headed to Katy's Place. Katy's is open daily, from 7am - 2pm and serves up giant breakfasts and lunches. I had read it was 'the' place to have breakfast in Carmel, and we certainly enjoyed it.

It was already busy when we arrived around 7.30am on a weekday, and there seemed to be plenty of locals dining, along with fellow tourists. Service was very friendly and efficient and the décor eclectic.

They specialise in versions of Eggs Benedict - with 16 different combinations to choose from! We had the Classic Eggs Benedict - Tender Canadian bacon layered between eggs and muffin; and the Sonora Benedict - poached eggs and Canadian bacon with guacamole. Both were delicious, with copious amount of creamy hollandaise sauce and a pile of crispy country potatoes.]]> Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:25:57 +0000 /review/us/ca/carmel-by-the-sea/cafe/1p76l75/katy-s-place644441312 cosy proper food average brew brunch breakfast quick bite friendly 36.556357289145 -121.92075490952 Taqueria de Amigos - review by sue http://trustedplaces.com/review/us/ca/pescadero/takeaway/1p86l74/taqueria-de-amigos
Taqueria de Amigos - review by sue

Rating: 4.0

Location: 1999 Pescadero Creek Rd, 94060, Pescadero, United States of America

Phone: 650-879-0232

Tags: takeaway, burrito, burritos, take away, good value, mexican

Taqueria de Amigos is a small Mexican take away located in a gas station shop. You will find it in the small town of Pescadero, a short detour off Highway 1 (3 miles East). We stopped in for some lunch on our way down the coast from San Francisco to Carmel.

It looked a bit dodgy from the outside, but on entering the shop our fears were quelled as there was a queue of people waiting to order lunch from the taqueria, and a few tables of people happily eating.

The menu above the counter showed a list of tacos, burritos and specials. After a quick perusal we both decided on a burrito - a chicken and a pork one, with various fillings. We took a seat and a couple of minutes later our giant burritos were bought over. And they were really good. And cheap. Well worth the detour.]]> Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:18:40 +0000 /review/us/ca/pescadero/takeaway/1p86l74/taqueria-de-amigos1863836166 takeaway burrito burritos take away good value mexican 37.251951236205 -122.38333940506 Cafe Kevah - review by sue http://trustedplaces.com/review/us/ca/big-sur/cafe/1p96l73/cafe-kevah
Cafe Kevah - review by sue

Rating: 3.0

Location: Highway One, 93920, Big Sur, United States of America

Phone: 831-667-2345

Website: http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/kevah/kevah.html

Tags: quick bite, quiet & relaxed, views

Cafe Kevah is located on Highway One in the Big Sur region of the Californian coast, just south of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Look for the signs to Nepenthe restaurant, and you will find its cheaper sister, Café Kevah.

The open-air cafe sits on the edge of a cliff offering stunning views of the coast line and the Pacific Ocean. It is a good option for a light meal, but if you are after something more substantial head upstairs to Nepenthe.

At Cafe Kevah you need to choose your table and then go up to the counter to order. Your food will be brought out to you when ready. We had the Black Forest Ham Panini and the Reuben Panini, both served with a side-salad. The food was fine and filled the gap, but we were really there for the views.]]> Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:12:48 +0000 /review/us/ca/big-sur/cafe/1p96l73/cafe-kevah807295 quick bite quiet & relaxed views 36.244522384817 -121.78155899048 Zayna - review by Browners http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1p16l81/zayna
Zayna - review by Browners

Rating: 4.0

Location: 25 New Quebec Street, W1H 7SF, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7723 2229

Website: http://www.zaynarestaurant.co.uk/index.html

Tags: indian, pakistani, business, good value

Gilly has been raving about Zayna for the last month. In that time he has been 5 times. And is already planning his next visit! Gilly and the rest of his company have decided to adopt Zayna as their "pet" restaurant.

Tucked away on New Quebec Street in no-man's land between Baker Street, Marble Arch and Edgeware Road, it's passing trade is always going to be very minimal. The whole area is about as lively as The Millennium Dome. Frankly it's brave opening a restaurant here. With hardly any natural footfall it means that the cooking has to be extraordinary for a restaurant to be successful. Look at Dinings for instance. It's tucked away in the backwaters east of Edgeware Road and is almost impossible to find first time out... but it's a brilliant restaurant. Having not seen their balance sheet I can't comment on their economic success. But that said they are always busy and attract an audience from across London.

This evening Zayna was almost empty. Admittedly, we arrived for what can only be described as afternoon tea at 7pm... but it never actually got more than a sprinkling of custom all night. And it was a random Tuesday night. The image below from their website sums up the Mary Celeste atmosphere.

But the truth is this place should be rammed full. The food is incredible. It's a great mix of robust Pakistani flavours, stylish cooking but without the pretense that accompanies some top end Indian restaurants.

We started with a small range of small dishes including a mixture of chickpeas with pomegranate and soured cream which was a very interesting and successful combination. A mango salad offered a fresh and tropical segue. And a spiced lamb chop was a hint of the culinary glory that was to follow.

But these little starters were only teasing us. Given that Gilly understands Zayna's menu better than anyone on earth, we let him order. We were treated to three stunning dishes. Let me try to do them an iota of justice.

Steamed tilapia arrived in a candle warmed bowl, swimming in a delicate, fragrant coconut marsala. The fish eased apart like Obama walking through a crowd. Tilapia is one of my favourite fish. It brings back memories of gorging myself on it's distinctive flesh in Ghana. It's a fish that responds brilliantly to spices. It was interesting that it had been steamed first before being doused in sauce. Great dish. One that I've never seen on an Indian restaurant menu before. I can't wait to order it again and have it all to myself.

A lamb curry provided a snapshot of what a good curry house should do well. What can I say really... the meat was great, the sauce was deep and tangy. And I wanted to pick the bowl up and and lick it clean!

But the real star of the show, and indeed, the star of Marylebone, was a prawn dish cooked with wine and garlic that had all three of us fighting for the last morsel. Oddly, it transported me not to the Subcontinent, but to San Sebastian. Rich, deeply garlicky and above all sensationally powerful. The prawns were the most succulent I have ever eaten and were worth the £33 for dinner along.

So. Dodgy location. Amazing food. Reasonable price. I feel like making it my mission to make sure Zayna is successful. If you've read this and like Indian food you've got to pay this place a visit. Because it is normally empty you'll be guaranteed great service. I just can't wait to go back for some more of their prawns!!!

]]> Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:58:14 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1p16l81/zayna779985248 indian pakistani business good value 51.515559 -0.157884 Chilango - review by walid http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango
Chilango - review by walid

Rating: 4.2

Location: 142 Fleet Street, EC4A 2BP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7353 6761

Website: www.chilango.co.uk

Tags: Mexican, burrito, good value

I love this place for so many reasons. The venue is funky, well laid out, and clean. The staff, are friendly, efficient and great to practice my Spanish with ;-)

Now as for the food, well so many places claim to offer authentic burritos, but too often they end up to be tasteless and soggy. The burritos at Chilango's are definitely tasty, fresh, and have a great texture. Without a doubt they are some of the best ones I've eaten in London.

It's amazing what the co-founders of Chilango have done, I'm really happy that we celebrated our "Day of the Dead" Party at Chilango and can't wait to go back there for my favourite burritos.]]> Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:40:49 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango860816719 Mexican burrito good value 51.514222 -0.107073 Chilango - review by sue http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango
Chilango - review by sue

Rating: 4.2

Location: 142 Fleet Street, EC4A 2BP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7353 6761

Website: www.chilango.co.uk

Tags: friendly, burrito, take away, mexican, takeaway

Chilango is a bright, modern Mexican restaurant/take away on Fleet Street, and as per the reviews below, I was also at the TrustedPlaces 'Day of the Dead' party there. If I worked in the area I am pretty sure I would become a regular at Chilango, either for a quick meal at one of the communal tables, or a take away burrito or taco to sneak back to my desk.

The menu consists of tacos, burritos and salads. I can never resist a burrito, and this one didn't disappoint. The soft but sturdy tortilla, the flavoursome chicken, lime-rice, re-fried beans (how I love you), cheese, sour cream and voila - the perfect burrito, well made to my specifications anyway. I loved that I could tell them exactly what I wanted in it. And it was delicious.]]> Wed, 03 Dec 2008 08:03:31 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1i0668b/chilango1953313255 friendly burrito take away mexican takeaway 51.514222 -0.107073 The Thai Elephant - review by sue http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/richmond-upon-thames/restaurant/1i71b75/the-thai-elephant
The Thai Elephant - review by sue

Rating: 3.0

Location: 1 Wakefield Road, TW10 6SD, Richmond Upon Thames, United Kingdom

Tags: thai, family & home feel, good value

I fancied a Pad Thai, and checked the 'Scores on Doors' website to see how the Thai restaurants in Richmond fared. Hmmm... let's just say there are a couple of them I won't be going to again. Thankfully Thai Elephant scored well enough so that is where we headed one Sunday for lunch.

Thai Elephant, located next to the Richmond Bus Station, looks old-fashioned from the outside and the inside is much the same. Simple, comfortable decor and family friendly from the looks of our fellow diners. We were greeted at the door by a smiley waiter, though our waitress was less smiley, more surly. Loved their elephant t-shirts though.

I ordered the aforementioned Pad Thai, with chicken, and Alex had the Beef Jungle Curry with Coconut Steamed Rice. Dishes were served piping hot, portion sizes were good and flavours as expected. Nothing amazing, but honest.]]> Sun, 02 Nov 2008 19:26:22 +0000 /review/uk/richmond-upon-thames/restaurant/1i71b75/the-thai-elephant528814811 thai family & home feel good value 51.459287 -0.304219 The Botanist - review by sue http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1e26p62/the-botanist
The Botanist - review by sue

Rating: 4.0

Location: 7 Sloane Square, SW1W 8EE, London, United Kingdom

Website: http://www.thebotanistonsloanesquare.com/

Tags: lively, loud, cocktails, crowded, noisy, expensive, european

We dined at The Botanist one Friday night with friends. Located right on Sloane Square, this is apparently THE place to be in Chelsea on a Friday evening, or in fact, any night of the week according to our waiter. The bar was buzzing (loudly!) - we had to push our way through the well-healed crowd to the restaurant. Unfortunately the noisy buzz spilled into the dining area, meaning a night spent shouting to each other across the table.

That was really the only negative thing I have to say about the place. Well, unless you are allergic to the Chelsea-set. I really need to get stuck into the hair-bleach before I next venture to this part of town.

Service was charming, though a little green. I liked the modern décor a lot, and the large light fittings like they have at Le Café Anglais in Bayswater. The toilets were surprisingly nice.

We began with some well mixed cocktails and made our food selections. Only the boys had starters, opting for the Pan Fried Scallops, sautéed new potato, pear and bacon salad, truffle dressing; and the Veal Sweetbreads, carrot purée, girolle mushrooms, Sauternes Sauce. Both dishes were declared excellent, and the sweetbreads were still being raved about the next day.

For main course we had the Seared venison fillet, braised red cabbage, parsnip mash, blackberry compote, sloe gin jus; the Pan Fried Seabass, Jerusalem artichoke, new potato and shallot salad, sauce vierge; the Red wine braised monkfish, creamed curried mussels, baby leeks, salsify crisps; and the Roasted partridge, Savoy cabbage, potato rosti, Alsace bacon, fresh peas, baby onions, beer bread sauce, game jus. The fish dishes were good, but the stand out was the gorgeously cooked venison, and the partridge was also incredibly good.

Although the noise was really starting to grate, we couldn't leave without sampling dessert. Both couples ended up ordering the Pecan Pie with clotted cream ice cream. It was ok, though definitely the most average thing we ate that evening.]]> Sat, 25 Oct 2008 15:36:14 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1e26p62/the-botanist108246356 lively loud cocktails crowded noisy expensive european 51.492789 -0.156985