Latest reviews by mif

The Grapes

mif — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:43:46 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 76 Narrow Street, E14 8BP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7987 4396

Tags: sunday roast, rare finds

Gorgeous, quaint little pubThis historic little pub is so quaint that it's worth dropping into if you're in the area and if there's room! Service is friendly, even the other diners who were there when we dropped by on a Sunday were friendly. They serve a delicious Sunday roast - it's either pork or lamb on alternate weekends. That Sunday it was pork's turn and it was so good we practically breathed it down with a few pints. There is a tiny veranda overlooking the Thames where it is incredibly relaxing to sit with a few mates and a few more pints on a sunny day. All the action is overseen by who I'm guessing is the resident mascot, Max, a German Shepherd inclined to mind his own business while happily doing the rounds in the place.

Seabass

mif — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 22:21:26 +0000

Rating: 2.0

Location: 40 James Street, W1U 1EU, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7486 9540

Website: http://www.seabassrestaurants.com/

Tags: good value, seafood

Yummy fish & chipsWe like the fish & chips at this small restaurant not far from the hullabaloo of Oxford St. It's not the cheapest fish & chips you can get in London but it's not expensive either and you won't regret it after your first mouthful. The waitpersons are friendly and attentive. The decor is unpretentious and neat. They have some seating pouring out onto the verge which can be lovely on a warm day.

Classic Tandoori Indian Restaurant

mif — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:21:27 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 218 Belsize Road, NW6 4DJ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7372 8828

Tags: indian, cheap eat, good value

Solid performerWe've only ordered home delivery from this restaurant as it's not in the near vicinity but it hasn't disappointed. Our favourites are lamb rogan josh, butter chicken, fish jalfrezi and tandoori wings mopped up with garlic naan and pilau rice. The butter chicken does have a sheen of oil on the top. The food tastes so good yet so cheap we're happy to keep ordering from them whenever we crave a good Indian feed at home.

Hiro

mif — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:59:26 +0000

Rating: 3.0

Location: 100 Boundary Road, NW8 0RH, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7372 6720

Tags: chinese, family & home feel, good value

Good joint for the localsThe proprietors of this restaurant are very friendly and helpful. We have ordered take-away or home delivery from them many times because a number of their dishes are good, inexpensive and it's nearby. You can eat in the restaurant too which is neatly kept. Our favourites are crispy chicken wings tossed with chilli, salt & pepper; crispy squid julienne; crispy aubergine; tom yam goong; fillet steak with black pepper sauce; and wok-fried beef ho-fun (flat rice noodles). They also offer 7 different set menus which are good value ranging from Â£10 to Â£27pp.

Mosob

mif — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:36:23 +0000

Rating: 4.5

Location: 339 Harrow Road, W9 3RB, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7266 2012

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

Tags: eritrean

Worth a visit if you've never had Eritrean beforeThere is a warm atmosphere in this restaurant probably due in large part to the attentive service from the proprietor(s) whose friendly and knowledgeable guidance about what to order are invaluable if you have never sampled Eritrean fare or even know what it is! Can't remember the names of the dishes ordered as we were a group of 10 so we ordered a couple of different dishes to share. But I do remember the yummy food came out in large platters - each had a colourful mound of meat and veg piled on top of thick spongy pancakes. To eat it the traditional way, you tear pieces of the pancake off with your fingers and use that to scoop up chunks of the meat & veg. The pancake itself has a slightly sour taste so it's not tasty on its own. Overall, it's fun to try if you've never eaten Eritrean before. Including a drink or two each and half of us ordering dessert, we paid around Â£22pp.

Jerk City

mif — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:02:36 +0000

Rating: 3.7

Location: 189 Wardour Street, W1F 8ZD, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7287 2878

Tags: crowded, african & caribbean, cheap eat, good value

Terrific and inexpensiveWe went on a Friday night and it was filled with patrons from a colourful mix of cultures so we took that to be a good first sign. The decor is simple and unpretentious and the walls are brightly coloured. Service is adequate. The menu comes looking a bit tattered but that's the only negative I found. The food is delicious. For starters, we had plaintains and jerk chicken wings and for mains, jerk chicken with rice & peas and curry mutton with rice & peas (the peas are more beans I thought, but whatever it really is it is surprisingly tasty and goes well with the rice and meat). The servings were so generous it left us no room for dessert. We'll definitely go back again.

Below Zero

mif — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:08:41 +0000

Rating: 3.0

Location: 29-33 Heddon Street, W1B 4BL, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7478 8910

Website: http://www.belowzerolondon.com

Tags: cool, cool & smart, young professionals, underground, trendy

Cool placeThe food in this restaurant is quite good. It has low lighting and the upmarket decor gives it a classy feel. You could bring a date or partner here and sit comfortably with a drink in hand on one of the wide cushy seats.

The Kensington Creperie

mif — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 15:56:19 +0000

Rating: 4.5

Location: 2 Exhibition Road, SW7 2HF, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7589 8947

Tags: crowded, cheap eat, unpretentious

Mouthwatering crepesThis unassuming little cafe just a stone's throw from South Kensington tube station offers the best and cheap crepes in London. There is an extensive range of savoury and sweet crisp crepes to choose from. My favourites are the sweet crepes - anything with Belgian chocolate folded in it! The beauty of being able to sit and eat at this cafe is that the crepe won't get soggy at the end which it does if you buy from a stall and eat standing. Great way to unwind on a Saturday afternoon after a busy bout of retail therapy... or any other time you feel like indulging!

Woo Jung

mif — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 15:37:34 +0000

Rating: 3.5

Location: 59 St. Giles High Street, WC2H 8LH, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7836 3103

Tags: cheap eat, korean

Not as good as expectedI've sampled Korean food before so I think I can tell good from not-so-good Korean food and Woo Jung is closer to the latter end of the spectrum, judging from the two separate occasions I've dined here. I've tried a few "classic" Korean dishes but were disappointed not only by the taste but also the presentation - eg. the bibimbap wasn't in a stone bowl even though it was stated on the menu. The waiters are not able to be very helpful with the menu as they are still learning English. The place doesn't feel very clean but I guess it's what you can expect from an average cheap eatery.

Centre Point Sushi Cafe

mif — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 15:22:09 +0000

Rating: 4.3

Location: 20-21 St Giles High Street, WC2H 8LN, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7379 3369

Tags: japanese, good value

Best-value tasty sushiIt wasn't easy to find this place the first time as it is upstairs in a Japanese grocery store. It's a gem of a place. Only a few steps from Tottenham Crt Rd station, the restaurant is small, cosy and authentic with consistently delicious sushi that tastes fresh (you can see the sushi chef slicing and rolling quietly on one side of the room). The times I've been here for dinner, patrons have conversed in quiet tones so it is easy to enjoy the ambience too. By luck I've been seated in a booth each time I've dined here - they are probably the best seating you can get if you enjoy people-watching the street below but it doesn't detract from the place and delicious sushi if you don't get a booth seating.

Wahaca

mif — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 14:34:18 +0000

Rating: 3.7

Location: 66 Chandos Place, WC2N 4HG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7240 1883

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

Tags: mexican, cheap eat, good value

cheap, cheerful, good service, great foodThis large restaurant has an extensive menu of delicious food, attentive and friendly waitpersons, unpretentious but neat decor and lively background music that made me want to go to Mexico after the meal. You can easily feel bloated from eating too much here for around Â£10 per person minus alcoholic drinks. Go with a bunch of hungry friends so you can sample more of the menu!

Imperial China

mif — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 21:29:52 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 25A Lisle Street, WC2H 7BA, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7734 3388

Tags: crowded, oriental, good value

Consistently goodThis has got to be one of the best Chinese restaurants in London in terms of quality of food. The dim sim tastes fresh and the food from the regular menu is also tasty. Service is efficient, as in most Chinese restaurants. Ambience is fairly nice with a water feature near the entrance.

606 Club

mif — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 21:21:22 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 90 Lots Road, SW10 0QD, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7352 5953

Website: http://www.606club.co.uk

Tags: jazz, mature, young professionals, reasonably priced, live music

A relaxed kind of coolYou have to keep your eyes peeled to find this club and when you do manage to stumble on it, you have to ring the bell to be let in. The staff are very friendly. The food and drinks are decent and unpretentious - met my expectations. The place is simply furnished, cosy, relaxed and no longer clouded in smoke since the smoking ban. You can rock up in jeans & t-shirt and feel very comfortable here. Patrons are asked to keep the banter to an absolute minimum which is fine as you go to this sort of joint mainly for the music. You'll be able to see and hear the band very well from every table in the room.

Ronnie Scott's

mif — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 21:07:59 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 47 Frith Street, W1D 4HT, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7439 0747

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

Tags: jazz, mature, cool & smart, live, young professionals

As cool as you'd expect at a top jazz clubMany of the gigs here are fantastic. It was refurbished not long ago so the place is clean and looks great with a 'pit' in the middle (where a few tables are) and on the sides are rows of tables tiering up so you can get a good view of the band from most vantage points. It is THE place to hang out at if you enjoy sampling jazz. Food and drink in the joint are pretty average but the desserts are very good, especially the strawberry cheesecake.

The Roebuck

mif — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 20:51:10 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 15 Pond Street, NW3 2PN, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7433 6871

Tags: independent pub, standard pub food, beer garden

Two thumbs upBeen here at least a handful of times (when in the neighbourhood) and it has never disappointed. Terrific grub - the cottage pie is my favourite and I've heard their Sunday roast is to drool for. Service is pretty good. The place is eclectically decorated, managing to look very cool and comfortable at the same time. At the back, there is an outdoors area where it's lovely to sit when the sun is shining and also a conservatory for when the sun isn't shining. Basically it's a lovely laid-back pub that will please everyone.