Latest favourites and wishlist by jamesa

Hare & Tortoise - review by bevally

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:38:03 +0000

Hare & Tortoise - review by bevally

Rating: 3.7

Location: 15-17 Brunswick Centre, WC1N 1AF, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7278 9799

Website: http://www.hareandtortoise-restaurants.co.uk

Tags: lively, oriental, cheap eat, thai

As previous posters have already mentioned this place is extremely busy and itâ¬"s often difficult to get a table, with queues of people waiting by the door. But when you do get a table the food is truly delicious and extremely good value. The portions are more than generous and very tasty. I too have found the service to be somewhat lacking, with staff seeming disinterested and not particularly friendly. Thankfully, the food makes up for the service and thatâ¬"s what keeps people going back for more! Also does a take away service. Try going on a lunchtime if you donâ¬"t fancy the queues!

Song Que - review by curlynewf

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:01:39 +0000

Song Que - review by curlynewf

Rating: 4.7

Location: 134 Kingsland Road, E2 8DY, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7613 3222

Tags: lively, family & home feel, cheap eat, good value, crowded, vietnamese

I have a friend into her Vietnamese who isn't keen on this place. And because she knows her food and I trust her opinion, each time I visit, her words of disapproval echo in my ears and try to convince me that what I'm eating ain't so great. But it doesn't work. I can't help loving it. Perhaps her bar is set too high, and mine too low - but who cares, the heart wants what it wants.

I only wish I lived closer so I could go more often and order my favourite, bbq pork and spring roll bÃ¹n. So good and refreshing. My body thanks me every time.

Fifteen - review by Hmm

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:36:11 +0000

Fifteen - review by Hmm

Rating: 3.9

Location: 15 Westland Place, N1 7LP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 0871 330 1515

Website: http://www.fifteenrestaurant.com

Tags: lively, good value, crowded

Staff is terrific and the food was very good

Moro - review by MoRaja

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:48:17 +0000

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.

Bar Kick - review by VickieMac

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:33:06 +0000

Bar Kick - review by VickieMac

Rating: 4.4

Location: 127 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7739 8700

Website: http://www.cafekick.co.uk/BK_location.html

Tags: cool, young and fun, trendy, friendly, relaxed

I first found Bar Kick when looking for a suitable venue to bring my diverse selection of friends together for my birthday celebrations. This place had music, activites and a place to for me to stash my presents so I decided to give it a go. I was very glad I did!

We arrived at happy hour which lasted long enough to get my party a few drinks and found that my name had been scrawled over a Fussball table convieniantly located beside my table so my friends didn't have to go far for some extra fun.

The bar staff were quick and friendly, the prices were reasonable and the fussball provided a fantastic conversation starter and helped my friends bond over some semi competitve banter.

I had great birthday and have been back many times since. I love this place.

Hare & Tortoise - review by DCL

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:30:26 +0000

Hare & Tortoise - review by DCL

Rating: 3.7

Location: 15-17 Brunswick Centre, WC1N 1AF, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7278 9799

Website: http://www.hareandtortoise-restaurants.co.uk

We had an appalling dining experience at Hare and Tortoise on the weekend!

They first brought out the mains before our starters. When we said we'd asked for the starters first they took back the mains but then proceeded to place our mains at the service counter and left them there while we ate our starters.

When we finished our starters (after 15 minutes) they then offered us the same mains that had been sitting at the service counter for over 15 minutes. When I asked whether they were going to re-cook the mains the waitress offered to reheat them for us. We said no and asked that the mains be freshly cooked again. They took back the food and then brought them out again after only 5 minutes and it was quite clear that the dishes had merely been reheated! When we asked the waitress whether the food had been re-heated she flat out lied and claimed that they had been freshly cooked.

When we asked to speak to the Manager she didn't even apologise for the incident but proceeded to tell us not to disrespect the staff and to lower our voices!

We will never be returning to this establishment again. It's quite clear that they have no consideration whatsoever to ensure customer satisfaction and have no qualms at all about being rude to their customers or are even concerned about customer welfare because of potential food poisoning from eating reheated food!

Macondo - review by CristinaA

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:32:22 +0000

Macondo - review by CristinaA

Rating: 4.2

Location: 8-9 Hoxton Square, N1 6NU, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7729 1119

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

Tags: cosy, crowded, quick bite, lively, cultured

I was so pleased when I came across this place, I've been looking for it since I moved to London.

It's a very small space and every nook and cranny is used, even when it gets busy it still feels relaxed and cosy.

It's spanish influence is clear but not over done, the cakes and pastries are delicious. The wine is ok but get here early to get a seat, because once you've sat down you won't want to leave.

Bar Kick - review by CristinaA

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:02:28 +0000

Bar Kick - review by CristinaA

Rating: 4.4

Location: 127 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7739 8700

Website: http://www.cafekick.co.uk/BK_location.html

Tags: cool, sport pub, mature, excellent pub food, cool & smart, young professionals, independent pub, young and fun, students, trendy, friendly

Its kitsch, unpretentious dÃ©cor means you can literally kick back and chill. Get involved with some table football or watch the real thing on the flat screens.

They serve good wholesome, world influenced food. Sit outside with a coffee and read the paper or for those secret people watchers it the perfect spot! With an eclectic crowd and friendly staff youâ¬"ll always feel welcome. Itâ¬"s busy on the weekends.

Moro - review by mazphd

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:43:08 +0000

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 OntaÃ±on, Gran Reserva a 2001 Spanish Rioja. On the side of 'pricey' at nearly Â£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.

Moro - review by chrisp

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:42:43 +0000

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 Â£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 Â£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 Â£1 each but ask for a brandy and you're given just about enough to coat the bottom of a tumbler for Â£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.

Fifteen - review by up_shiraz

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 10:20:10 +0000

Fifteen - review by up_shiraz

Rating: 3.9

Location: 15 Westland Place, N1 7LP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 0871 330 1515

Website: http://www.fifteenrestaurant.com

Tags: italian, crowded, expensive, lively

I'd been here once before this occasion, for dinner in the Trattoria which was an absolute 5 star experience. Great food, fabulous wines with real value available if you had a good look through the list. But what made it really stand out was the service. Great chat about the wines, different glasses for every style of wine we tried, genuine friendliness. This is what elevates a restaurant experience from great to supreme. Without it, 5 stars should be an impossible dream, no?

So it was with real excitement that we went back for the young lady's birthday breakfast. And the food was great, more than we could possibly eat actually. Muesli, pastries, high quality sausages, bacon, scrambled eggs, refilled orange juice and coffee. A set menu for the table (though they did offer us a la carte if we wanted) at only Â£12 per head. Absolutely brilliant value, and a great space to get all the Aussie girlfriends nattering away raucously.

So far, so 5 stars. We ordered some Prosecco to celebrate the occasion with (this was actually more expensive than it needed to be). The main problem was that the server went round the table of 8 people and the bottle only got as far as number 7 before she had emptied it. Not clever, not even subtle. We had to order a 2nd bottle...which let's face it we would have done anyway...but the manner in which they tried to force this upon us is absolutely unacceptable - one of THE worst restaurant practices.

Such a shame. I do love this place: the decor, the big idea, the food, the atmosphere. But they blew it on this occasion and so missed out on the big prize.

Fifteen - review by jammiedodger

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 20:50:47 +0000

Fifteen - review by jammiedodger

Rating: 3.9

Location: 15 Westland Place, N1 7LP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 0871 330 1515

Website: http://www.fifteenrestaurant.com

Tags: italian, mediterranean, expensive, lively

Four of us ate in the restaurant on an April weekday at lunchtime and it wasn't too crowded.

It was fairly pricey but the food was a cut above almost anywhere else we have eaten. It was certainly THE best mozarella, tomato and basil salad I have ever tasted. Out of this world.

It's in a gorgeous old building and the interior decor style is fairly famous now - very modern, clean, bright, colourful and funky without looking tacky, and touches like exposed brickwork giving it an authentic feel. Service was great and the staff looked after us without being intrusive or patronising. The sommelier was very knowledgeable.

There was a great deal on the menu to inspire 'foodies' and not so much for the less adventurous diner (like myself) but the flavours were magnificent. And the fresh pasta was simply delicious. Would definitely recommend.

Fish Central - review by jammiedodger

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 20:35:53 +0000

Fish Central - review by jammiedodger

Rating: 4.5

Location: 151-153 Central Street, EC1V 8AP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7253 4970

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

Tags: lively, british, seafood, good value

You'll receive a warm welcome and enjoy wonderful food at this fantastic family restaurant that has been here since the 1960s. A favourite among locals, it attracts regular repeat visits with its personal take on traditional 'fish and chips' (grilled or fried and cooked to perfection) as well as more adventurous cuisine and daily specials such as monkfish and scallops. There's plenty to attract the non-fish-eaters too. Tucked away between Barbican and Angel it's hard to stumble upon but worth seeking out.

It boasts a cool, crisp interior (although the chairs are not very luxurious) and a light, airy glass frontage that opens in summer months for almost al-fresco dining.

The food is great quality, all freshly prepared and the prices are reasonable. And the restaurant thankfully lacks the pretentions of so many other fish restaurants in the capital.

Bar Kick - review by chrisp

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:08:15 +0000

Bar Kick - review by chrisp

Rating: 4.4

Location: 127 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7739 8700

Website: http://www.cafekick.co.uk/BK_location.html

Tags: jazz, sport pub, pop, indie, excellent pub food, young and fun, rock, friendly, relaxed

Like its sister bar in Exmouth Market, Bar Kick is a cosmopolitan, friendly and trendy place to spend an afternoon or evening. Bar staff are approachable and (in most cases) can mix a decent cocktail. The food menu - a much expanded version of the tapas at the other place - looked tempting but I have to admit I wasn't there to eat. We spent an hour and a half in the darkened basement watching the footie, and were grateful for the expanse of seating and thoughtful placing of flatscreen TVs. Always popular and never dull, Bar Kick is the pick of the drinking holes on Shoreditch High Street.

Verde & Company - review by pindulgence

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 16:25:06 +0000

Verde & Company - review by pindulgence

Rating: 4.8

Location: 40 Brushfield Street, E1 6AG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7247 1924

Website: http://www.verde-and-company-ltd.co.uk/

Tags: delicatessen, healthy food

This is a fabulous little independently run shop. They have so many different things for sale here, i really don't think my review will adequately be able to describe how fantastic it is stepping into this shop! The smells of all the different types of food hit you are one and the aromas are delicious. The cakes from here are some of my favourite - so light and fluffy, or chocolately and scrummy! Prices are more expensive that those you would be from the supermarket but you are getting a better quality product with a service that is fantastic! It definately is service with a smile (and a very sexy one at that!)