Latest favourites and wishlist by herrylaw http://trustedplaces.com en The River Cafe - review by up_shiraz http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1w78v8/the-river-cafe
The River Cafe - review by up_shiraz

Rating: 4.0

Location: Thames Wharf Studio, W6 9HA, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7386 4200

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

Tags: italian, crowded, expensive, lively

I've now calculated that if I use all my annual leave in the form of Friday half days I could come and eat here 45 times next year....which would be nice. Might cost me a few quid or the same as a trip to the Bahamas if I decided to spend those days differently. Because on this form you'll need the whole afternoon off just to prolong this delightful experience as long as possible.

We arrived to sit down at 2.15 and didn't leave until close to 6 o'clock. Which was the perfect way to see what a joyful operation this is. It was a my first visit so i'm not sure if the refit, with open kitchen and long bar, is responsible for all the frivolity. As we were having our dessert, the whole restaurant crew was sitting down to their lunch, which was a selection of what we'd just eaten. After that they took up their positions at the long bar and everyone starting veg prep for dinner. Waiters, porters, front of house, whoever! They all got stuck into cavalo nero stalks and a good chat. Great to watch.

Anyway back to the food. As guests of a Richard Rogers employee (thanks again Jen!) we were able to get access to a shortened set menu which made the whole thing distinctly affordable. 3 courses for £24 or 4 for £30. We started with mixed antipasti of delicious cured ham and chickpea pancakes, hot, garlicky and straight from the pan.

On my pasta dish sat 3 plump ravioli with spinach and cheese and a delicious, subtly buttery sauce. The delicacy of the ingredients really allowed the quality of the pasta to come through. Risotto with cabbage pancetta and Fontina was legendary and spaghetti with mullet sauce was also excellent.

By this time we'd moved from a Planeta Cerasuolo - "stupid fruit on the nose" exclaimed Gareth - which I learnt is just an expression for really fresh starburst-like flavours, on to a Dolcetto from Vajra. Perfect with braised veal shin with chard. In fact just braise me and we'll call it quits. Braise the Lord. Braise be. Should I braise of should I go? Braise-aways. Braise Anatomy. Etc. Etc. Let's just braise everything basically - brilliant. Calves liver on another plate was tender and juicy and the wild mushroom and gooey cheese frittata that the young lady had was also good...but probably not quite as exciting as the other mains.

Cheese, vanilla ice cream and espresso, and lemon tart did the trick and hastened us into a Chianti from Sepulviana which turned out to be the most serious red so far. Lots of chewy tannins and structure after the lighter bottles before. As the hoover zipped round other parts of the restaurant, we checked all the breadcrumbs under our table and realised they were probably going to need to work on it for a while so we got the bill (which after Prosecco cocktails and 4 bottles of wine was predictable mostly of the liquid variety). In fact the food seemed verry good value in a place where the a la carte option is undeniably expensive. As we got up I wanted to say goodbye to all the veg-preppers but i was reminded that they weren't actually my friends yet. But they will be one day.

So main piece of advice here - go to the Richard Rogers building and make a friend in the office there so you can get the set menu too. Well worth the loitering...]]> Sun, 16 Nov 2008 09:20:33 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1w78v8/the-river-cafe889184980 italian crowded expensive lively 51.482947205514 -0.2242518891912 Moro - review by MoRaja http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro
Moro - review by MoRaja

Rating: 4.4

Location: 34 - 36 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7833 8336

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

Tags: lively, north african, mediterranean, spanish, crowded, expensive

I love going to Moro. Whilst working in the area I would visit at least once a month for a treat. The food, especially the fish dishes are full of flavour and perfectly cooked. It can be very noisy when busy, so not always the best place to go if you want a serious conversation over dinner/lunch.]]> Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:48:17 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro716390695 lively north african mediterranean spanish crowded expensive 51.52522813414 -0.11016188830114 The River Cafe - review by Food_Snob http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1w78v8/the-river-cafe
The River Cafe - review by Food_Snob

Rating: 4.0

Location: Thames Wharf Studio, W6 9HA, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7386 4200

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

Tags: italian

Illustrated Critique:

http://foodsnobblog.wordpress.com/2008/10/20/the-river-cafe-london/

Text-only Critique:

Asked to name Londonâ¬"s top Italian restaurant and general consensus would suggest either Locanda Locatelli, Zafferano or the River Café. Regular readers might have already read my reviews of the first two and have probably been waiting some time, as have I, for that inevitable visit to the River Café. Well, after many months - six to be certain - I am able to finally fulfil my gastronomic responsibility and complete my Grand Tour of Londonâ¬"s la Santissima Trinità.

Why the wait? A fatty steak. During dinner service on Saturday, 5 April, when cooking bistecca alla Fiorentina, â¬Üsome flaring vapours got caught in the flue,â¬" causing the open grill to â¬Üexplode like a jet plane.â¬" The forced shutting required for repair was viewed a good excuse for a refit and thus the River Café remained closed until a couple of weeks ago when, like a phoenix, it arose from its own ashes. The owners decided to take advantage of the interval and insurance money - used to cover staff salaries - spending the summer in Italy with their chefs, mastering new recipes, and sending people to work with suppliers and other restaurants - some, for example, worked at La Fromagerie, being taught how to look after cheese; others went to Specogna, a family-run winery in Northern Italy; whilst a few were sent to San Daniele near Venice to learn about prosciutto. A series of charitable projects were undertaken too: disabled kids helped build a vegetable garden in the former-dining-room-cum-greenhouse, later cooking with the very legumes of their labours; while a group of female chefs visited a womenâ¬"s refuge.

The Caféâ¬"s closure was a big deal. Many see the iconic Italian, first opened in 1987 by New Yorker Ruth Rogers (Lady Rogers of Riverside) and English Rose Gray, as revolutionary to British culinary culture. The two women, both without professional experience and first friends through Richard Rogers, well actually, Richardâ¬"s first wife, learnt their love of cucina rustica from Richardâ¬"s mother, Dada, who fed Rose when at art college with Richard in Guildford and Ruth, whilst living with her husband in Paris. London, before the advent of these girls, was bereft of such staples as extra virgin olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, bruschetta and polenta and the use of fresh, seasonal ingredients, as rudimentary as it may be now, was radical twenty years ago. Menus that changed with the seasons, let alone twice a day, were unheard of; in Roseâ¬"s own words, â¬ÜI know itâ¬"s become very fashionable now, but to us, it just made sense.â¬"

The restaurant, which has spawned ten cookbooks and numerous TV shows, is also a breeding ground for some of Britainâ¬"s most recognisable chefs: Jamie Oliver, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall - the first and last person to be fired from here (having filled the kitchen with chocolate mess) - Theo Randall, Samantha and Samuel Clark (Moro), Ed Baines (Randall & Aubin) plus April Bloomfield (of NYCâ¬"s Spotted Pig). The eatery also earned notoriety as the â¬Ügovernment canteenâ¬" of the Blair years, with the former PM, Brown and Mandelson all regulars. This deep-rooted relationship even saw Blair courier lunch from the Café to No. 10 on the day of Labourâ¬"s 1997 victory and Peter Lilley to complain at the following Tory conference that Britain was â¬Ünow all about Britpop and the River Café.â¬" A year before, the New Yorker hailed it as the best Italian in Europe, Italy included, and a year later, Michelin awarded it its first star⬦Times have changed, but the restaurantâ¬"s reputation for quality or popularity has not - it still rakes in over £10,000 a day, no doubt helped by the famously premium prices paid for the ironically peasant-style provender at this ironically christened café.

The River Café almost does not want to be found, hidden in a former Duckhams Oil storage facility on an industrial estate off the A219 in Hammersmith - probably part of the attraction for celebs keen to avoid the paparazzi. Though to be fair, location (location, location) was not a key consideration in 1987, as the Café was initially an informal venture, created as a canteen for Lord Rogerâ¬"s architectural practice, RSH+P, sited on the same estate.

Arriving via the riverside promenade, this piece of Tuscany-on-the-Thames is housed in a brown-brick, what-was-warehouse. A large green terrace - the to-be-seen spot each summer - and small garden separate it from the river; this garden, Roseâ¬"s baby, though nowhere near sufficiently fruitful to feed the restaurant, serves to top up supplies when especially busy and as a testing ground for new seeds brought back from the ownersâ¬" adventures abroad. Originally, obviously designed by the Lord himself and since updated in conjunction with Stuart Forbes Associates, the interior is understated, unassuming and structured simply: the space is a bright, vast, modern mixture of glass and metal, blue and white. The post-blaze redesign involved only minor modification: the same long room now has a new colourful, yellow reception, whilst the opposite end has had its wall pushed back behind the now open-plan kitchen, whose custom-built wood-fired oven complete with attention-grabbing, flaming maw is its most eye-catching aspect. That old clock is still there, projected upon a baby blue, back-lit plane. The deli-like counter, with its reflective mirror face, also still runs across the restaurant and staff still lay out cakes, tarts, cheeses and breads along its top. New additions, however, include an 18-person private dining room, fully equipped with walk-in cheese cupboard plus conference facilities for the more business-inclined clientele.

The floor is carpeted in royal blue, whilst the ceiling is composed of concave, perforated white steel; one wall is laced with large, latticed French windows, the other with overhanging, semi-transparent, turquoise panelling; the rest of the restaurant is clean alabaster. Squared tables are close together, but not disturbingly so. They are bounded with bouncy, meshed chrome chairs and plainly decked with tissue-paper tablecloth whose austerity raised an eyebrow. The tabletops are similarly stark: two, tiny bowls of salt and pepper; a practical glass; Georg Jensen stainless steel cutlery; and paper-printed menu and laminated wine-list. There are nice cloth napkins, at least. The crockery that comes later is Churchill.

The whole place has a nice and comforting vibrancy: there is a pleasing hustle bustle from the restaurant and clitter clatter from the kitchen. The active, young, mostly female staff hover and float gracefully between tables, emanating energy and enthusiasm. The glowing roar from the beehive furnace, steam from the stove and sizzle from the saucepans all add to the atmosphere.

I was warmly welcomed and seated by my ever-smiling, charming cameriera. However, I was unsure what to order - the menu is dynamic yet full - so the manager, Lolo, offered to show me around whilst I thought it over. After a thorough nose about, I enlisted her help, together deciding on an appetising assortment of the Caféâ¬"s finest fare.

Il Pane: Ciabatta and Sourdough. Il granaio was a rustic offering of only two types, both brought in. Of equally good quality, the ciabatta was open, light with a crisp floury crust and subtle olive oil savour while the sourdough, wholesome, thick and with a tearable exterior. If one is disappointed that the bread is not homemade (a tragedy given that grand oven), they should feel more than compensated by the olive oil, which the River Café does produce itself. This Felsina 2006, made with olives from a single Tuscan estate, had a mild, ripe, peppery flavour.

Antipasto: Carne Crudo. Finely chopped fillet of raw beef was purely presented with parmigiano reggiano shards, mâche leaves and gentle dressing of 12 year old aged balsamic vinegar. The soft manzo melted in the mouth leaving a surprisingly clean, fresh finish: the mild meat had none of the crudeness common to uncooked carne improperly prepared. The tender mâche - lambsâ¬" lettuce - added a crunch and mild nuttiness that matched well with the parmesan, itself adding creamy consistency. Together with a little lemon, the vinegar, slightly syrupy and sweetly sour, cut through the flavours on the plate. In an unpretentious twist to conventional carpaccio, these basic accompaniments served to simply showcase the quality meat.

Primo: Ravioli di Ricotta. Another straightforward serving, this of three thin, handmade pasta parcels packed with ricotta and cima di rape with I Cannonici extra virgin olive oil and aged pecorino stagionato. The ravioli were very well made, dissolving on the tongue to reveal a pleasantly grainy and coarse, moist middle of rich ricotta and barely bitter rape that balanced each other nicely. Decorating the dish were more rape and shavings of pecorino with just a dribble of house, I Cannonici, olive oil, sufficient to grease the dainty packagesâ¬" effortless glide down oneâ¬"s gullet. The whole dish, though unexpectedly light and delicate, I did think needed a little more salt, but I was easily able to remedy this myself with the salt already at the table.

Tartufo: Taglierini alla Piemontese con Tartufi Bianchi. Freshly made taglierini came with 2.5 grand grams of the first of the seasonâ¬"s Tuscan white truffles. The treasured tartufi were the deserving centrepiece, delivering a woody, mildly earthy, garlic aroma and taste, which delightfully dominated the dish. The Piedmontese pasta was the ideal transport for its paesano fungiâ¬"s flavour, absorbing the light butter and parmesan sauce until nicely tender. Apparently, this recipe is a speciality of Al Moro, a small restaurant in Tuscany, where regular, Ruth, often finds creative stimulation.

Pesce: Sogliola al Forno. A dazzling dish of Dover Sole, whole, wood-roasted on the bone with rosemary branches was teamed with fresh borlotti beans and large leaf rocket. The brown-grey speckled Sole was superbly cooked and simply dressed in light lemon and olive oil while seasoned with well-matching and strikingly strong infusions of lemony-pine rosemary and deft woodiness from the oven. The buttery sweet, bouncy, firm flesh of the fish fell off the bone in succulent, steaky slivers. Peppery, crunchy rocket - the perfect piscine partner - and warm, creamy borlotti completed the course. A good fillet of fish, rocket, a big squeeze of lemon (and some onion wedges) is enough to have me as happy as Larry, so this was right up my road - and a Wow!

Carne: Gallo Cedrone al Forno. An autumnal special of Yorkshire grouse stuffed with sage and thyme, wood-roasted in Cortegiaga Amarone, and roasted Violini pumpkin and fennel (Speck della Val dâ¬"Aosta is also normally included) was next. Initial surprise at being served an entire gallo was soon replaced by greedy delight. That fierce furnace had once again been put to good effect: crispy skin wrapped moist and juicy flesh. The bird was buzzing with flavour and flushed with deep purple amarone. This wine, spicy, fruity, but noted especially for its bitterness - Italians call it â¬Üthe big bitterâ¬" - imparted an intense, almighty alcoholic wallop that enhanced the gaminess already inherent. Pungent, robust sage and thyme complemented the soused grouse whilst the seductively caramelised vegetables almost stole the show themselves; their subtle sweetness helping balance the dish.

Dolci e Gelati: Pear & Almond Tart; Polenta Cake with Lemon Sorbet; Lemon Tart; Chocolate Nemeis; and Caramel Ice Cream. So far, Loloâ¬"s suggestions had proved spot-on, so for dessert, I left it to her. She did not disappoint. A selezione of four cakes/tarts, a sorbet and ice cream, which would have made any over-nosy, fellow diner green with envy, arrived. I took my time, slowly savouring a bite of each, trying to decide on a favourite. Once more I was surprised: I had been sure I wouldnâ¬"t, couldnâ¬"t like each, that a dud was surely there. I was wrong. All were great. Melt-in-the-mouth almond and pear was sweet, soft and covered in a delightful macaron crust. The polenta cake, an authentic Sicilian delicacy, was dense, moist and super-crumbly with a lemony-nut finish, accentuated by the intense lemon sorbet, dotted with lime zest. A well-judged, cleansing lemon tart had thick, sour, creamy crème and crunchy biscuit base. The chocolate nemesis, a River Café classic, lived up to its reputation: made, for the record, with eight different cocoa beans and no flour, this treat had the softness of a soufflé, but full, gorgeous hit of cocoa - Yum. Caramel ice cream was toffee-rich and almost bitter with slightly burnt sugar flavour. Ribadisco, dolci erano deliziosi!

I must admit, the first few dishes, though well-prepared and pleasant enough, did not wow me, but with the arrival of the Dover Sole, the meal tore straight through first into fifth gear and never slowed down. I left thinking the cooking a master-class in â¬Ühow to leave things aloneâ¬", keep plates simple and uncluttered and flavours clean. In classic Mediterranean tradition, ingredients are the focus and the chefâ¬"s role is to help emphasise these, not to complicate them - foams, pastes, rich sauces, emulsions are not in the kitchenâ¬"s repertoire. This takes skill, but it is a job made easier by having the best raw materials to work with - something the Café properly prides itself on: â¬Üsourcing, sourcing, sourcingâ¬" is Ruth and Roseâ¬"s motto. Head Chef, Joseph, who very kindly took the time to have a few words with me, on his day off no less, summed their supplier strategy succinctly: â¬Üwhere ever itâ¬"s fresh, where ever itâ¬"s best, thatâ¬"s where we get it.â¬" So expect to find, this time of year, Yorkshire grouse, Welsh lamb, Italian tomatoes (sicuramente), Tuscan olive oil, French fennel, herbs from, umm, the garden outside, and more. Indeed, the menu is so responsive to the market, it is amended twice a day - something unmatched by any other Michelin starred restaurant in London.

Service is very lovely too; this was my first visit to the River Café, but I felt right at home. My waitress took diligent care of me, refilling my glass with chilled tap water, replenishing my bread, replying to my many questions with a constant patience and smile. She was great, but mademoiselle-manager, Lolo was la star; her menu choices were spot on; dessert selection pressed all the right buttons; she showed off the new interior; took me on a guided tour of the exterior; and even organised a one-to-one between Chef Joseph and myself. I repeat, elle était lâ¬"étoile. Such considerable care seems only natural and so it should given that everyone looks like they are enjoying their work; are clearly taken care of by Ruth and Rose; and the restaurant is essentially a family operation - Roseâ¬"s daughter is a chef, her husband, Charles Pullan, the manager (and a winning one, well almost, according to Michael Winner), Lucyâ¬"s daughter waitresses and Roseâ¬"s son, Ossian, runs the finances. Actually, I even noticed on my way out a couple of the staff lunching at one of the tables: something extraordinary considering that even McDonaldâ¬"s employees must enjoy their meals out of sight.

A final note on those spine-stiffening tissue-paper tablecloths is warranted. It was only after tiffin that their use and necessity were appreciated: puddles of olive oil, bloody bits of grouse carcass, drips of the red stuff, fish bones and breadcrumbs were all evidence of my embarrassingly messy eating (or of me thoroughly enjoying my meal maybe?).

â¬ÜItâ¬"s Mecca, basically. I really think the Café laid the foundation for sexy, simple, cool food in this country,â¬" lisps old boy Jamie Oliver. He has a point, the quality of produce and preparation makes the food here easy to eat: dishes like Dover Sole can be devoured thoughtlessly; grouse, relished; and chocolate nemesis, indolently indulged in. The cooking cheers. The River Café comforts.]]> Mon, 27 Oct 2008 01:43:55 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1w78v8/the-river-cafe815985926 italian 51.482947205514 -0.2242518891912 Signor Sassi - review by DanielW http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1p72g8m/signor-sassi
Signor Sassi - review by DanielW

Rating: 4.3

Location: 14 Knightsbridge Green, SW1X 7QL, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7589 8772

Tags: italian, good value, romantic, lively

As I live in Birmingham, I am familiar with San Carlo but wasnâ¬"t aware that Signor Sassi was run by the same people! So when my boyfriend and I went down to London for the weekend, we thought weâ¬"d splash out and hit Signor Sassi. After a lovely afternoon shopping at Harrods, we strolled around the corner to the restaurant, It was already heaving at 7.30pm at the time of our reservation! The atmosphere was great, real buzz around the place. We shared some fresh oysters to start which were huge and needless to say, delicious. I had Baked Crab and Avocado for mains and my boyfriend ordered the Spaghetti Lobster. Both meals were cooked and prepared delightfully, I could have eaten mine all over again!

We skipped dessert and went straight for the coffee. It was as if we were in Rome, beautiful, aromatic and fresh coffee. Next time weâ¬"re in London weâ¬"ll definitely be going back!
]]> Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:16:25 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1p72g8m/signor-sassi2127199900 italian good value romantic lively 51.500888786466 -0.16303947422594 Moro - review by mazphd http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro
Moro - review by mazphd

Rating: 4.4

Location: 34 - 36 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7833 8336

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

Tags: lively, middle eastern, business, crowded, expensive, romantic

It is not often that one comes across a restaurant that has style, vibe and some seriously fabulous food. I have been lucky enough to not only dine , but also to experience the wine here, and I intend to develop this very complimentary and devastingly evocative relationship some more.

On my visit, despite being full to bursting and busy every member of staff was attentive, helpful and catchingly perky! Now my experience may have been coloured by the delightful company for the evening (a perceptive, witty and charming dining companion) but Moro also holds all these qualities on its own just on the vibe alone.

For some reason I skipped the Tapas and went straight for the weekly menu, a sardine related dish full of spice, and just the right mix of olive oil and fennel seeds. Simplicity in itself. Now the dining was divine, but better was the wine, and I heartidly recommend, the Ontañon, Gran Reserva a 2001 Spanish Rioja. On the side of 'pricey' at nearly £50 a bottle, but mmm so sumptuous.

It has been a while since I've had such great service (especially in the UK!) and wonderful food, and reading the other reviews it seems Moro gets this balance right at least 90% of the time. I'm hoping for those disappointed diners they will return and be charmed in the same way I have been.

My own intention is to revisit and take advantage of the tapas, and moment with a suitably charming dining partner. Oh and to remember to leave room for dessert.]]> Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:43:08 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro586953846 lively middle eastern business crowded expensive romantic 51.52522813414 -0.11016188830114 Moro - review by chrisp http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro
Moro - review by chrisp

Rating: 4.4

Location: 34 - 36 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7833 8336

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

Tags: expensive, spanish, pretentious

Well, I'm sorry to go against the grain of reviews on this site, but I had a very disappointing experience here last weekend.

Arriving 20 mins too early for the evening menu (which was sold out anyway for some unfathomable reason), we decided to fill up on a selection of tapas and a glass of sherry. The tapas was dull - no better than from Cafe Kick across the road - with a small plate of cold and soggy Pimentos de Padron and Boquerones that had clearly just been dumped out of a jar.

But the real slap in the face came in the form of a £4 thimble-sized glass of Tio Pepe Sherry. The measure can't have been more than 100ml, and I know for a fact you can get a whole bottle of the stuff from Waitrose for about £8. A violation.

This highlights a wider problem with restaurants serving liquids out of their comfort zone. It's the same reason why a measure of Baileys (20%) costs the same as vodka (40%) in the pub and why you can happily buy shots of tequila for £1 each but ask for a brandy and you're given just about enough to coat the bottom of a tumbler for £3.50 (yes, most pubs have a perfectly good selection of brandy glasses - but when was the last time you saw one used?).

Sherry is not a spirit. In fact, at 15% it's about the in terms of alcohol content as most Riojas. The sooner these pretentious tapas places realise it the better, and one can only hope that once the credit crunch bites it will sort out the places that demand unquestioning respect from their customers from those that actually earn it.]]> Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:42:43 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro1979287398 expensive spanish pretentious 51.52522813414 -0.11016188830114 The River Cafe - review by foodexplorer http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1w78v8/the-river-cafe
The River Cafe - review by foodexplorer

Rating: 4.0

Location: Thames Wharf Studio, W6 9HA, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7386 4200

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

Tags: italian, business, pretentious, crowded, expensive

I have to admit i was drawn into the hype and took the plunge of going to the River Cafe. Unfortunately as with most things, the real thing never lives up to the hype. This is the case with this restaurant as well. There is a not too bad selection of meals and specials, but clearly the emphasis is on quality and not quantity. And thats to say the least. I think the staff have also got caught up in the hype as i found them a little obnoxious and snooty. It must be such a shame for them to have to deal with the customers! Thats how i was made to feel anyway. The food is very expensive and i won't be going back!]]> Sun, 14 Sep 2008 17:37:03 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1w78v8/the-river-cafe1624214180 italian business pretentious crowded expensive 51.482947205514 -0.2242518891912 La Fromagerie - review by Niamheen http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/food/1n22l71/la-fromagerie
La Fromagerie - review by Niamheen

Rating: 4.8

Location: 2-4 Moxon Street, W1U 4EW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7935 0341

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

La Fromagerie is a fantastic cheese shop with a cheese room and lots of other bits and pieces - seasonal veg, great meats, chocolate, cakes, honey - all presented beautifully. Itâ¬"s one of the few places in London that sells buffalo ricotta, which for a lactose intolerant like me, is a real treat.

You can eat there too around an enormous rustic table or in the new extension to the side. There are big bowls of salads, platters of cheese, salamis and meats, a wide choice of wines & juices. It's lovely.

I tease myself by receiving their mailing list of Slow Food and other events. The last time I went, I went to purchase not to eat. I was looking for some Bayonne ham but they didnâ¬"t have any, so I was advised to try the Granada ham, which was good at that time of year. They gave me a little taste and it was all I could do to stop myself grabbing the leg and running with it, so I got 12 slices and tried to stop myself pulling it off the slicer as it was sliced. Whilst waiting and reviewing the other meats I decided that I would try some pata negra chorizo also. I wasnâ¬"t disappointed.

La Fromagerie is one of those special places full of treats and indulgences. It's not an everyday place, but for those days that aren't everyday, it's really special.]]> Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:56:18 +0000 /review/uk/london/food/1n22l71/la-fromagerie1978322587 51.519829 -0.152185 Moro - review by Litro_K http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro
Moro - review by Litro_K

Rating: 4.4

Location: 34 - 36 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7833 8336

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

Tags: lively, north african, spanish

I'd been waiting years to try our Moro, upon countless recomendations, and finally had an excuse last Friday. Well, three, actually - a birthday, an engagement, and a leaving party, all in one. And boy, was it worth the wait.

I had booked well in advance for a table of 14, which was situated at the back of the restaurant, in a semi-private corner. In the end we had to book for 16 and they happily agreed. The staff were always lovely and helpful, whether on the phone or in person, and they took no massive deposit from my credit card, foisted no set menus on us, and we had one lovely waitress all to ourselves for the night, who coped very well with having to take orders for 16 over three courses without shouting herself hoarse!

As for the food? It was completely out of this world. All the meat tasted like each animal had lived the best life possible, if you know what I mean. It was all tender, succulent, well-seasoned, and ⬠well - moreish. Wines chosen at random from the list were wonderful; desserts were passed around and slathered over, everyone shared their food and so many noises of ecstasy came from various corners of the table that I stopped for a moment, feeling truly happy, and thought: this is really what eating out is all about. Five stars.
]]> Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:25:37 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro664416353 lively north african spanish 51.52522813414 -0.11016188830114 Number 22 - review by gogmagog http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1d32e88/number-22
Number 22 - review by gogmagog

Rating: 4.0

Location: 22 Half Moon Lane, SE24 9HU, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7095 9922

Website: http://www.number-22.com

There's lots to like about Number 22. Friendly staff, tastefully decorated, good cocktails. The food is really good, from the simple (bread with a great olive oil & 12 year old balsamic) to the easily ruined (deep-fried squid in a light, crispy batter and completely non-chewy). The menu is limited, but what is there is done really well.]]> Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:27:21 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1d32e88/number-22788295126 51.45294 -0.100025 Ooze Risotto Bar - review by mseckington http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o42l7q/ooze-risotto-bar
Ooze Risotto Bar - review by mseckington

Rating: 4.0

Location: 62 Goodge Street, W1T 4NE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7436 9444

Website: http://www.ooze.biz

I love Italian food, but I worship risottos. Every time I visit Italy I try to find restaurants with good risottos. Some time ago I was wondering why most Italian places here only serve pastas and pizzas. Just think about it: how many Italian restaurants do you know will serve risotto? A lot of pubs will, but actual Italian restaurants? Not that many.

I was telling this to my boyfriend, when discussing where we would go for our 5-year anniversary. Just for fun he typed in "risotto restaurant" in Google. Not even with 'London' added. And Ooze restaurant rolled out...

So we tried out Ooze. We had theatre tickets booked for 7, so came to the place quite early. It was (of course) still empty, but then we had the choice to sit anywhere we wanted. In the back there are nice comfy benches, but a bit too close all together. You're practically sitting in on somebody else's conversation!

The food though was perfect. We had bruschetta as a starter and it was the best brushetta I've had. Warm, crisp and crunchy and served with a yummy pesto, it's a great precursor to the rest of your meal.

For the main course, I had the Coda di rospo con zafferano - Pan fried monkfish and saffron. It was creamy and silky, exactly what you want from a risotto. My boyfriend had the Frutti di Mare and that too was great.

It was a bit on the pricy side though (about £60 for 2 people) and as students we can't really afford it for non-special occasions. Plus the place itself isn't as romantic and cosy as you'd expect it to be. The food though is great and if that's what you're mainly going for, you'll love this place.]]> Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:17:57 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1o42l7q/ooze-risotto-bar1159246477 51.518476524054 -0.13782805600535 La Fromagerie - review by joslyoung http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/food/1n22l71/la-fromagerie
La Fromagerie - review by joslyoung

Rating: 4.8

Location: 2-4 Moxon Street, W1U 4EW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7935 0341

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

It really is one of the best. While I still use Neil's Yard when I'm in the West End (I just find the staff there really friendly and helpful), the north London shop is ace and I use it frequently. Like all proper cheese shops, it's not cheap, but the range is fantastic, and the enthusiasm is faultless. You can't call yourself a cheese lover and not shop here, even if it's just the once.]]> Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:49:55 +0000 /review/uk/london/food/1n22l71/la-fromagerie985122017 51.519829 -0.152185 Ooze Risotto Bar - review by neil_b http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o42l7q/ooze-risotto-bar
Ooze Risotto Bar - review by neil_b

Rating: 4.0

Location: 62 Goodge Street, W1T 4NE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7436 9444

Website: http://www.ooze.biz

Tags: italian, good value, lively

My other half has long been a Risotto fan and when we saw Ooze advertised on a restaurant search engine, we were always going to dine there!

Now I must stress that although I have nothing against Risotto, I have never been a massive fan... However, the experience of Ooze has changed my opinion and left me searching for a restaurant to match their standards. Needless to say, I have yet to find one!

The staff were polite and friendly and more than happy to run through the specials in cases where the writing style was a bit "arty"...

I ended up with a t-bone steak and red wine risotto which stunned me to silence (no mean feat) and Vicki opted for a roasted aubergine and mozarella - which she continues to reminisce about...

The wine was recommended by our waiter and complemented both meals excellently.

The food and atmosphere was amazing but left me with one query: Why is the place called Ooze?

Well the answer, obviously, is that a good risotto oozes across a plate, it does not slide or pour!

If you like Risotto, or even if you don't, give Ooze a whirl and I promise you will not be disappointed.

Enjoy]]> Wed, 10 Sep 2008 08:43:31 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1o42l7q/ooze-risotto-bar1089598245 italian good value lively 51.518476524054 -0.13782805600535 Zuma - review by john1887 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52x86/zuma
Zuma - review by john1887

Rating: 4.4

Location: 5 Raphael Street, SW7 1DL, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7584 1010

Website: http://www.zumarestaurant.com

Tags: french

wow, great place, great food]]> Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:32:28 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52x86/zuma456643116 french 51.500888786466 -0.16303947422594 Coq d'Argent - review by sweettirana http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1q23t7j/coq-d-argent
Coq d'Argent - review by sweettirana

Rating: 4.7

Location: 1 Poultry, EC2R 8EJ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7395 5000

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

Tags: romantic, expensive, french

Paradise on top of London! I love this place! I love the food, the location, the views, the wine, the garden, the service...

I have been in the fortunate position where friends have taken me here for special celebrations so I havent been privy to the bill although I have been told that it certainly isnt cheap!

Although pricey Coq d'Argent should definitely be considered as a place to take someone special for a birthday lunch or for a relatives anniversary perhaps? It is certainly a place that I could not afford very often so is a special occasion type place that will always hold fond memories for me.

The lift that you go into go up to the restaurant is also fanatastic and the rooftop gardens are mesmerising. It certainly is one of London's hidden gems!]]> Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:16:42 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1q23t7j/coq-d-argent1279012122 romantic expensive french 51.513519 -0.090487