Latest favourites and wishlist by mazphd

The Golden Ball - review by mazphd

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:34:59 +0000

The Golden Ball - review by mazphd

Rating: 4.3

Location: 2 Cromwell Road, YO1 6DU, York, United Kingdom

Phone: 01904 652211

Classic local. Particularly good and 'locally' on a York Race Day. You can cut through the drunk dross in the city centre and sup something nice and civilised here. Great garden.

Le Boudin Blanc - review by StephenGrayston

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:47:08 +0000

Le Boudin Blanc - review by StephenGrayston

Rating: 4.5

Location: 5 Trebeck Street, W1J 7LT, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7499 3292

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

Enjoyed the food and the atmosphere, although typicallly, you cannot park anywhere in that area.

Comptoir Gascon - review by sokratis

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 18:57:11 +0000

Comptoir Gascon - review by sokratis

Rating: 4.8

Location: 63 Charterhouse Street, EC1M 6HJ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7608 0851

Website: http://www.comptoirgascon.com

Tags: french, romantic meal for two, Farringdon, good value, bistro

Blink and youâ¬"ll miss the Comptoir Gascon. That would be a shame though, as this little bistro in one of the best, hidden gems in Farringdon. The place is tiny, with probably 25-30 covers that can be served at any one time and serves as a deli as well.
Itâ¬"s frequently very busy. However, if you find yourself with another person and have not booked then ask the staff if you can eat at the bar, which is most often free. It makes for a much more intimate, romantic setting if thatâ¬"s what youâ¬"re there for or a fantastic place to catch up with a friend over some hearty, French food, beautiful wine and a relaxed setting.
I had the oysters with chipolatas to start, which exploded with flavour, although Iâ¬"d skip the chipolatas next time as they take away some of the freshness of the oyster. We shared some foie gras and as the Cooksister suggest it was superb. Seriously one of the best Iâ¬"ve tried.
For mains we both had the Beef Onglet with Bordelaise sauce. I was intrigued by the name of the sauce and immediately thought of French debauchery and some interesting background about a Madame offering a special sauce for her clients. However, after a bit of research it turns that (rather disappointingly) Bordelaise refers to someone/thing that originates from the area of Bordeaux. The origin may be mundane, but I assure you the flavour is not. Bordelaise is made with red wine, bone marrow (a chunk of which was also present on the dish), shallots and a rich brown sauce called demi-glace (thank you Wikipedia). Itâ¬"s rich, intense and will make you pause for a couple of seconds after youâ¬"ve put a bite in your mouth to really enjoy all those endorphins having a party in your brain. The meat was expectedly cooked a perfect medium-rare and was full of flavour.
Finally, I have to make a special mention for the chips, or French fries in this case. They were excellent, but the true superstar of the show was the ketchup. Apologies. Ketchup is too demeaning. This is the best chilly, 5-start, A+tomato sauce you can find. Itâ¬"s Basque and called â¬ÜBiPiA, Euskal Ketxupa, Bazkâ¬" Onaâ¬" . I have taken a picture of it, which you can see above and Iâ¬"d strongly recommend trying it. Even if youâ¬"re not hungry go to Comptoir Gascon and order chips with ketchup.
Minor gripe about the place is that there is only one toilet for boys and girls and itâ¬"s a little bit too close to the dining area. Iâ¬"m sure they would have changed that if they could, but the space does seem to be at a premium.
Next time you find yourself in Farringdon do try this place out. In fact make sure that you find yourself in Farringdon so that you do.

Balans - review by mrsevans101

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:10:51 +0000

Balans - review by mrsevans101

Rating: 4.0

Location: 34 Old Compton Street, W1D 4TR, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7439 3309

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

Tags: american, british, good value, crowded, breakfast, lively

I had breakfast / brunch here two mornings in a row last weekend (return visit after a failed trip to nearby Amato's).

I'll keep this short.

Service was friendly (with a hint of California) and very efficient (without making you feel rushed.
I had amazing pancakes with bacon and maple syrup. Fluffy and light and gooey all at the same time with properly cooked bacon. Hubby had the cooked breakfast and was disappointed. He sent it back the first time because it was cold and was overall a bit disappointed that the sausage was not fab quality and the bacon a little underdone. I suspect that it didn't help that my pancakes were so delish.

And when I went back the second day they recognised me. Which was a nice touch but how embarrassing to be seen in the gay area of London tucking in to pancakes AND syrup AND bacon two days in a row, when all the other punters are so fit!

Comptoir Gascon - review by Sprotch

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 13:48:30 +0000

Comptoir Gascon - review by Sprotch

Rating: 4.8

Location: 63 Charterhouse Street, EC1M 6HJ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7608 0851

Website: http://www.comptoirgascon.com

Tags: lively, business, good value, french

Comptoire Gascon serves simple dishes from the South West of France. Although the simplicity of the food allows them to keep prices down, they use only top quality ingredients.

The result is a fantastic meal at a very reasonable price.

The atmosphere is a bit too "fake cafe" for myself. A cafe can be confortable too, no need to cram us on tables that are too small to impress.

Overall one of my favourite places in London.

Signor Sassi - review by moorej

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:39:07 +0000

Signor Sassi - review by moorej

Rating: 4.4

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

Phone: 020 7589 8772

Tags: italian, crowded, lively

Ok, so here's the contrary view! I don't doubt that this place can be good, but my experience was a little different. I went with an Italian friend who described the menu as "old fashioned favourites", which sounded perfect. The place was buzzing and full and although they had no recollection of my reservation, they found us a table nevertheless. Service was a little haphazard (we waited a while for our starters, then they brought our order twice - I wish we'd tucked in for a second time!) Mains and deserts were tasty but not grand. Total with a bottle of wine? Â£100 - so not too expensive given its location. The best part of the night was spotting a US tourist carrying a huge box of Krispy Kreme in a see-through Harrods bag. What a waste of air miles!

Hotel Renew - review by mazphd

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:02:14 +0000

Hotel Renew - review by mazphd

Rating: 5.0

Location: 129 Paoakalani Avenue, 96815, Honolulu, United States of America

Phone: 808-687-7700

Website: http://www.hotelrenew.com/

Tags: rare finds, exclusive boutique, helpful staff

Back and forth across the Pacific, you might decide to drop into Hawaii. If you do, you will have a splendid (and fun stay) at the very new Hotel Renew. This used to be the Aqua hotel (and i've stayed both before and after their 'make over') now upgraded to boutique status and renamed the Renew Hotel has location (less than 1 block from waikiki's beach and proximity to some fabulous sushi at the Hotel Marriet opposite!) as well as some great perks.

The rooms are HUGE (well this is America, things tend to be of a larger scale here), but worth a mention is the GIANT flat screen projector we had in our room that give free wireless access (throughout the hotel) as well as doubling up as your own tv, nay movie screen. Now Oprah is even bigger for you viewing pleasure.

But perks aside, what really sets this place apart is the service. Good service is something that is lacking and rather abhorrent in the the UK, in the States good service is expected. And at Hotel Renew its GREAT service. Staff are super friendly, happy (infectiously so) and always on stand by for essential advice hints and tips of where to go, what to do, and for our trip where the best Mai Tai's on the island are (FYI @ the Halekulani hotel for the record).

It was fathers day when myself and quite aptly my father stayed here, in the States fathers day it turns out is a BIG deal: And so down an appropriate gift and gesture of daughtily-ness Leonor Wong the manager at Renew ensured that there was champagne on ice waiting in our room - a treat for both father and daughter to enjoy! Such thoughtfulness and going out of their way actions set the staff and this hotel apart. You could stay at the Surfrider Moana one of the best known and 'grandest' hotels on Waikiki's beach front. But you would be paying over the odds, without decent Mai Tai's on hand, and no flat screen projector. :P

Seriously though for value for money on O'ahu and service with more than a smile, but wonderful local knowledge you cannot go wrong with Hotel Renew. So much so i've already booked to return later this year...

:-)

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay - review by Mitnik

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:34:20 +0000

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay - review by Mitnik

Rating: 4.9

Location: 68 Royal Hospital Road, SW3 4HP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7352 4441

Website: http://www.gordonramsay.com

Tags: good value

not bad

Moro - review by kerry_r

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 13:42:11 +0000

Moro - review by kerry_r

Rating: 4.6

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

Phone: 020 7833 8336

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

Tags: spanish

love the food but it's just so noisy that it's impossible to speak or have a conversation. that's what spanish tapas and the like is about--food, sherry and conversation.

but alas just not possible at moro. shame!

Nobu - review by gastro1

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 23:16:16 +0000

Nobu - review by gastro1

Rating: 4.0

Location: 19 Old Park Lane, W1K 1LB, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7447 4747

Website: http://www.noburestaurants.com/

Tags: lively, japanese, expensive

Now an institution but the quality of food and service has remained constant.

I try and go 3-4 times a year and just have all my favourite dishes with either sake or a top Alsace wine.

Go at lunch and try and get a table with a view of Hyde Park.

Avoid evenings as it's full of celebs or wannabe's as well as the Essex crowd who have a few quid.

Zafferano - review by gastro1

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 22:41:57 +0000

Zafferano - review by gastro1

Rating: 4.8

Location: 15 Lowndes Street, SW1X 9EY, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7235 5800

Website: http://www.zafferanorestaurant.com/

Tags: italian, expensive, lively

One of the best Italian Restaurants in London even after the departure of Mr Locatelli.

However just like Locanda Locatelli the starters be it risotti or pasta are miniscule.

The Square - review by gastro1

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 15:42:16 +0000

The Square - review by gastro1

Rating: 4.8

Location: 6-10 Bruton Street, W1J 6PU, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7495 7100

Tags: french, business, expensive

Having eaten here several times I always leave asking myself if this is the best restaurant of its type in London and wondering why it remains stuck on two Michelin Stars.

It is easily an equal to Gordon Ramsey at Royal Hospital Road and in my view ahead of the tiered Le Gavroche and the hard sell of Petrus. Therefore i feel that along with Pied a Terre The Square is overdue for elevation to 3 stars.

On my most recent meal the Lasagne of Crab with Langoustine cappucino and basil followed by Ayreshire Aged Beef Fillet wit croustiliant of x tongue , bone marrow , foie gras and girolles were stunng and beautifully executed.

The amuse "guelle" was an insense gaspacho with two miniscule fried kalamari on the side - certainly woke up my taste buds.

A half bottle of St Aubin followed by a 2002 Henri Boilott Volnay 1er Cru Les Cervets accompaied what was one of the best meals I have enjoyed in London for a long while.

The service was what you would expect of such a professional establishment.

My congratulations to Philip Howard and his front of house team - I hope they receive their just rewards in January.

Goldfish - review by de_uk

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:37:01 +0000

Goldfish - review by de_uk

Rating: 3.0

Location: 82 Hampstead High Street, NW3 1RE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7794 6238

Tags: chinese

The first time I ate here, I had mocca chocolate ribs - I didn't think they worked at all. But ordering more standard fare seemed to be much more satisfying.

Look out for the strange shredded wheat pudding!

Moro - review by de_uk

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 01:34:32 +0000

Moro - review by de_uk

Rating: 4.6

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

Phone: 020 7833 8336

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

Tags: lively, family & home feel, good value, mediterranean, spanish

Last time I was in Exmouth Market, New Labour were a new force and Moro's proximity to The Guardian gave it an extra buzz.

The interior is still sparse and open, with a visible kitchen. The menu (no specials) was varied. I would usually wait for a Chinese meal before going for a pork dish, and I was a little surprised to see Middle White Pork but I enjoyed it with relish. The staff were relaxed and friendly despite our late sitting - that is, late for Britain.

I looked longingly at the chocloate tart but had no room.

Always a plus point when the house red is a fully flavoured wine - no real need to work the list.

Match Bar - review by dafinki

Thu, 22 May 2008 16:10:08 +0000

Match Bar - review by dafinki

Rating: 4.3

Location: 37-38 Margaret Street, W1G 0JF, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7499 3443

Website: http://www.matchbar.com

Tags: relaxed, mature, cool & smart, young professionals

Was looking for somewhere for a revitalizing drink after hitting the sweaty pavements of Oxford Street and remembered Match. Hadn't been there in a few years and was quite pleased to find it still there. Went on a Wednesday at about 8 and there was plenty of space, things started picking up a bit about 9, but there was enough room for four of us to spread out comfortably...but I suppose the football was on elsewhere so maybe that's why!

Music was inoffensive, drinks were decently priced and service was attentive. My mojito was smashing and others' cocktails were met with approval so can only say from this that the mixing was still up to scratch. Chips were nice enough but had a strange odour of fish! Crowd fairly suity but not in a loudmouth trashy estate agent way.

A good post-shop pitstop.