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Hinds Head Hotel - review by up_shiraz

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 19:59:58 +0000

Hinds Head Hotel - review by up_shiraz

Rating: 4.0

Location: High Street, SL6 2AB, Bray, United Kingdom

Phone: 01628 626151

Website: http://www.thehindsheadhotel.com/

Tags: posh, gastro pub, mature, excellent pub food, relaxed

There's something a bit schizophrenic about Sunday lunch at an expensive pub with Heston's aura floating somewhere up on the low ceiling. It should have been easier to love and lose yourself in...but it wasn't.

The food seemed to be good, restaurant-quality versions of pub classics. Potted shrimp was fine but was it worth Â£9? My main of pork ribeye, braised savoy cabbage and Irish black and white pudding was lovely. The pork was an unfamiliar cut but was soft and juicy. Plus I love pretty much anything with black pudding involved. The young lady's Shepherds Pie with lamb shoulder, breast and sweetbreads was delicious, though she was happier thinking that the sweetbreads were the crunchy bits of bread on top, and not some assortment of glands.

Treacle tart and milk ice cream was a good way to finish. We were driving so didn't really get stuck into the wine list which was quite extensive and pretty interesting. And I didn't need to with the superb Rebellion Secret Agent Ale on tap. So 1 starter, 2 mains and 1 dessert, plus 2 pints and glass of cheap red came to Â£70 including service. I don't think we were mentally prepared for the Â£70 bit...it's just a bit much for a pub lunch without wine.

And they put us in the pokiest table in the whole place. On the phone they'd said we'd be upstairs, but had since swapped it round. It was 3.30pm and slowly emptying out. There really was no need. And that rankled a bit. Plus it was a fake candle. I know that it's petty to mention it, but it seemed a bit tacky.

Our waitress was genuinely very nice and the food was lovely. We actually had a lovely afternoon, but the pub just didn't do the little things that it needed to to justify that price. We walked over the Fat Duck then to the Waterside Inn just to drink in the menus. Â£70 wouldn't get us much in either of those i suppose...

Cocomo - review by ben1982

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:51:15 +0000

Cocomo - review by ben1982

Rating: 3.5

Location: 323 Old St, EC1V 9LE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7613 0315

Dirty (in a good way) and dark, this small bar has a lot of charisma - especially in the basement where a range of battered old sofas are clustered. The cocktails ordered on previous visits have been pretty badly thrown together, so maybe go for something that's harder to screw up, but doubles are often cheap. It represents a nice change from the more contrived scene around the corner in hoxton square.

Nando's Chickenland - review by eatmeat

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 12:46:43 +0000

Nando's Chickenland - review by eatmeat

Rating: 3.4

Location: 16-118 Commercial Street, E1 6NF, London, United Kingdom

Tags: lively, family & home feel, cheap eat, portuguese

I really really like Nandos generally. I love chicken so this is the perfect place for me. Especially the grilled type. In this Aldgate branch, the food was to the same high quality that I am used to with other Nandos in London. The rice was fluffy, and had good taste, and the chicken was cooked through (I have on occasion had some not coked properly). In fact it was a bit over cooked, which happens quite often in Nandos, but is better over than under. Overall I would recommend this Nandos, the service was also pretty good, fast and friendly just what I expect.

Hawksmoor - review by sue

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 19:19:35 +0000

Hawksmoor - review by sue

Rating: 4.3

Location: 157 Commercial Street, E1 6BJ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7247 7392

Website: http://www.thehawksmoor.com

Tags: american, steak, cocktails, expensive, friendly, relaxed

When the birthday boy (BB) requested a meal at a nice restaurant where he could have a decent martini and a more than decent steak, Hawksmoor sprang to mind. From what I had read, it sounded like the perfect place for both. And it sure was.

We arrived early evening and slipped onto a comfy stool at the bar. Cocktails decided on, we relaxed at the end of a hectic week, really enjoying our perfectly mixed beverages. The place was fairly quiet at that stage, but the restaurant filled up as the night continued.

After drinks we moved to our table and had to decide just how big a piece of meat we could eat. We laughed (a little nervously) when we read on the menu - "Some people have mentioned that our cuts are on the big side - we hope you can forgive us."

I opted for the 400g Rib-eye, while BB went for the 600g Bone-in Sirloin. The steak just comes by itself, so sides are required - we ordered the Triple Cooked chips, the Honey-roasted vegetables, and the Macaroni Cheese. The steak was pretty expensive but so worth it. Lovely char-grilled flavour, rare and flavoursome. Very excellent pieces of meat. The sides were tasty too, though I did think that the Macaroni Cheese was over-priced. A big, full bodied bottle of Australian red wine complemented our meals perfectly.

Somehow we managed to clean our plates and still find room to share a dessert - the Chocolate Fudge Sundae. It was so delicious - ice cream, brownie chunks, crispy peanut brittle bits, chocolate sauce. Yum.

The prices at Hawksmoor mean this isn't going to become a regular haunt for us, but the quality of the steaks, along with the really lovely service and the relaxed atmosphere mean that next time we have an occasion that requires a decent martini and a more than decent steak we may well be back.

Hinds Head Hotel - review by sarah_e_james

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:46:25 +0000

Hinds Head Hotel - review by sarah_e_james

Rating: 4.0

Location: High Street, SL6 2AB, Bray, United Kingdom

Phone: 01628 626151

Website: http://www.thehindsheadhotel.com/

Tags: excellent pub food, gastro pub

Expectations were high but we weren't disappointed. The food was of a very high standard. As a large group we sampled a lot of the menu between us and everyone enjoyed their meals, especially the fish pie, blade of beef and all the desserts! The environment could have been cosier upstairs but overall nice decor and pleasant place for a relaxed meal. The service was very good, our waiter was very attentive but I did notice some tables seemed unhappy with their service. It isn't cheap (unless you are comparing it to the fat duck) but is a very nice pub meal and well worth trying at least once.

Cat & Mutton - review by ben1982

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:50:35 +0000

Cat & Mutton - review by ben1982

Rating: 3.2

Location: 76 Broadway Market, E8 4QJ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7254 5599

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

The pub is alright, the location a dream, yet it is a mecca for those who have something to prove; be it the trousers they wear or the haircuts they sport. Yet as a result it has a certain charm that is difficult to shake off. Maybe I should buy those skinnies after all...

Cay Tre - review by joslyoung

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:31:04 +0000

Cay Tre - review by joslyoung

Rating: 4.3

Location: 301 Old St, EC1V 9LA, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7729 8662

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

Judging by the number of reviews, Cay Tre is a hidden gem no longer. Basically, the Old Street area is awash in Vietnamese restaurants, of which Cay Tre is the best. Unfortunately, on recent visits, it's also been the busiest, particularly at the weekends (then again, Old St is usually best avoided at weekends anyway for any reason if you're not into crowds of braying meeja folk). The food is very good indeed although not ALWAYS exceptional - there are some duff notes in the menu, which I suggest you avoid by steering away from the more predictable items. The point is that they do have interesting things on the menu that you might not see elsewhere, particularly by way of fish, and you can get in and out and extremely well fed and watered for under Â£20 a head. You really can't say fairer than that.

Nando's Chickenland - review by Jamesarama001

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:31:20 +0000

Nando's Chickenland - review by Jamesarama001

Rating: 3.4

Location: 16-118 Commercial Street, E1 6NF, London, United Kingdom

Tags: lively, cheap eat, portuguese

If you're looking for a inexpensive meal thats fast served in a funky restaurant then Nando's is the one for you. The concept is pretty cool; you order your food at a counter and wait for it to be served. This kinda makes it feel like a fast food restaurant.

However the food is always good, I've never had any problems, and the chicken and chips in a hot sauce is always a must for me. The service is great and hassell free, and the restaurant is always clean and fresh.

The atmosphere is lively which is helped by the portuguese music thats played overhead. and the kitchen is part open so you get to see some of the cooking, especially the grill.

(make sure you get a loyalty card which give you free food the more visits you make.)

The Glassblower - review by carolirish

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:22:06 +0000

The Glassblower - review by carolirish

Rating: 2.7

Location: 42 Glasshouse Street, W1B 5DW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7734 8547

This is a really nice (relatively) traditional English bar, friendly atmosphere and despite the other reviews here I have always found the food to be up to scratch for the price, and for a bar.

Its a great pub to go to at lunchtime in particular, and I prefer the upstairs bar then.

I would recommend it to anyone that just wants to grab a bite to eat and a pint.

Ping Pong Dim Sum - review by misstravelbug

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:55:23 +0000

Ping Pong Dim Sum - review by misstravelbug

Rating: 3.3

Location: 45 Great Marlborough Street, W1F 7JL, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7851 6969

Website: http://www.pingpongdimsum.com

Tags: lively, chinese

So it's not the most authentic chinese dim sum restaurant it's more asian fusion and caters to western tastes. The decor is always cool and the service is great. The dim sums are fairly hit and miss...a bit overpriced for what you get. The jasmin tea with the opening flowers is pretty cool. It's a classier joint that your typical chinatown dim sum restaurant.

Cay Tre - review by gunners4life

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 12:06:18 +0000

Cay Tre - review by gunners4life

Rating: 4.3

Location: 301 Old St, EC1V 9LA, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7729 8662

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

Tags: crowded, good value, pretentious

I have been here a few times and even though there may be some critisicm I think that the restaurant is pretty good, I think that the food is a bit on the small side in portions but mayvbe that is just me. Probably ones of the worst things about this restaurant is the waiting time, food usually takes much less in other restuarants but rightly so they deserve to be a bit behind due to their popularity

Overall a very good restaurant if you can bare the waiting times and word of warning make sure that you call to reserve a seat before you go.

Cay Tre - review by jes1uk

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 09:49:48 +0000

Cay Tre - review by jes1uk

Rating: 4.3

Location: 301 Old St, EC1V 9LA, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7729 8662

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

If you like Vietnamese food you are going to love this restaurant! It's a medium sized restaurant which has two floors and is located near to Old Street underground station. The decor is relatively plain but the food and the service is excellent. I'd highly recommend the Vietnamese pancake and the Pho. The only downside to this restaurant is that it can get very busy and so it may be an idea to book in advance if you're going to eat at peak times. The prices of the food at this restaurant are reasonable.
Overall I'd highly recommend this restaurant!

Fitzrovia Restaurant - review by CPaskell

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 02:39:29 +0000

Fitzrovia Restaurant - review by CPaskell

Rating: 2.8

Location: 29 Tottenham Street, W1T 4RP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7636 2744

Tags: italian, family & home feel, cheap eat, crowded

I have been here for both large parties and romantic dinners - this tiny restaurant was suited to both occasions. There are only about 8 tables upstairs so it does get crowded and can feel like you are eating inside a shoe box - you can hear everyone else's conversations very clearly, although since this place seems frequented by actors, artists and phd students more than anything else (I know from listening to their converations!) this adds to the atmosphere and makes it a relaxed and entertaining place to eat. The menu is quite basic and not a great range of choice (pizza, calzone and pasta are the core dishes) but the food is very cheap and decent - about Â£4 a dish. The staff are friendly and always laughing and watching football on a small telly like true Italians - if you join in the banter and good humour as a customer you are well rewarded: the staff rearranged the whole restaurant layout for our large birthday party even though we hadn't made a reservation and we even got extra pizza and coffee for the special occasion! I prefer the pizza to the pasta, which tastes more homemade and fresher, whilst the pasta can sometimes be a little over-cooked for my own al-dente tastes, but if you are looking for somewhere cheap and unpretentious, come here.

Tas Firin - review by elizaflan

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:34:13 +0000

Tas Firin - review by elizaflan

Rating: 4.2

Location: 160 Bethnal Green Road, E2 6BG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7729 6446

my favourite local which blows the late night kebab out of the water.
eat in or takeaway, but make sure you order the rice, which are the plumpest little grains in the world

Tas Firin - review by t_moussa

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:45:51 +0000

Tas Firin - review by t_moussa

Rating: 4.2

Location: 160 Bethnal Green Road, E2 6BG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7729 6446

Tags: lively, halal, family & home feel, good value, turkish

This restaurant is situated along bethnal green road, and is lovely little place to go for some authentic grilled turkish food. The decor may not be to everyone's taste as it is very tradtional and the walls are plastered with family photographs (including a large framed photo of a baby above the door!) and lots of other cultural items, but I found it charming and it added to the character of the place. The restaurant itself is not very large, there are only about 6 tables, but the food is worth waiting for one. The food is typical of any turkish grill, and is very good. The service is great, as the waiters are warm and friendly. Great place.