• Added: 1st of September 2008
• Area: Knightsbridge
• Category: Restaurants

London SW1X 7LA
020 7201 3723

Brodule said
Addictive
Went today for Sunday Lunch. It was pretty much full as far as I could see, so advisable to book, and serves a full menu list similar to weekdays.
The Mandarin Oriental hotel in Knightsbridge is always a pleasant place to visit and all the staff are helpful and friendly so it is a pleasure to risk your wallet there. To find the restaurant you walk in the entrance, up the stairs and go straight but to the left side of the central wall, and on your left will appear an entrance to a very nice bar (excellent for a comfy drink) with the restaurant reception alongside.
We were nearly first to arrive and were seated by the window overlooking the park. They have two levels of set menu as well as random choice, and our party chose the 4 course with 2 glases of wine priced at £37 + service. There is a more expensive tasting menu that also looked good, but the choices on the menu we chose easily pleased everyone with a choice of three dishes at each course, plus cheese extra if wished.
I chose the foie gras, gnocchi and then the Guinea fowl, followed by Calvados souffle. The others chose crab, salmon, halibut or lamb, and another pud. For me all was simply first class, and I thoroughly enjoyed everything I chose. I got a taste of nearly every dish, the crab was good but did not have quite the flair I expected though the accroutrements on the plate were very good. I don’t like almost translucent Salmon, which is very fashonable, but it tasted ok, the halibut made my companion exstatic it was so good and the lamb was also devoured. The souffle was very good, with a little apple sauce in it’s centre, served in a small glass accompanied by an apple sorbet ball, with powdered decoration, leaf & stalk to make it look like a miniture apple, a conceit surmounted by the sensational tase, quite the highlight of our meal.

The wines chosen by the ever helpful & understanding Somelier matched the food, and of course we got through more than our allocated two glasses, but were very fairly, accurately, and modestly charged for the extras. We finished up with a 20 year Tawny, and a fresh Sauterne & teas.

Do go, you will love it, but expect over £50 head of course, unless you are very careful. Excellent value.

• Added: 17th of August 2008
• Area: Fitzrovia
• Category: Restaurants

London W1T 2NH
020 7916 0786

Brodule said
Assuredly good
A very fine restauant where the food is always the best you have had for ages. Worthy of any excuse if you can afford it. If you can get more than 6 people they will usually let you have a room to yourself. The wines are a bit daunting, but there is a Portugese red that is very good and it’s the cheapest wine! look also to Alsace. And at the end you get to pig out on the petite fleurs. The staff always make you feel welcome and relaxed and seem to take a genuine interest in your enjoyment & comfort. A great place to 'destroy' the afternoon when you need a break.

• Added: 17th of August 2008
• Area: Bray
• Category: Restaurants

Bray SL6 2AT
01628 620691

Brodule said
Relaxed first class dining
Went there for a long lunch and thoroughly enjoyed it. Maidendead rail & taxi £8 each way. Genuinely welcoming service without being over egged and of course a pleasant attractive dining room. (I have also eaten in the private room and it is also very comfortable). Had Gaspacho with ravioli, served with Gewurtz, splendid. Salmon (fish is a little undercooked IMHO you could ask) with an excellent white burgundy St. Romaine. Roast beef beautifully done (specifically as I requested it) and & rather nice Bergerac. Peach & Montbazilliac to finish. Ho hum.

• Added: 17th of August 2008
• Area: Mayfair
• Category: Restaurants

London W1J 7LT
020 7499 3292

Brodule said
Comfortable fine dining
The restaurant is in a very old, atmospheric building in Shepherds market in the centre Of Mayfair. We were a party of 12 (the miniumum) in a private room for dinner on a Friday. We were greeted very nicely and served fizz so we could mingle & chat before being seated. We had a Mersault and a lesser Burgundy from their list with our meal and both were above average. After we sat and during ordering we were served excellent 'French’ bread that was freshly made, if a little heavy. There was a slight delay in getting the starter to table but thereafter all flowed in a timely manner and our waitress was attentive throughout. I had Beef Carpaccio followed by pan roasted Chicken. The starter portions were too large in my opinion & others. They were however good eating all agreed, though I found my beef a little bland. The follow on dish had moments of above average flavouring and was correctly cooked. Thanks to stuffing myself with the bread & starter I wilted a little, but finished most of my dish. The vegetarian risotto alternative was good & flavourful, though after a few mouthfulls you realised it was over salted, and again too generous and so did not get finished by those who chose it. I chose the Tart Tatin to finish, and though flavourful it was a little too caramelised and the icecream accompanyment was much needed. The cost was £65 a head. I would go again if in the area and it was appropriate, but there is huge competition closeby!

• Added: 17th of August 2008
• Area: Leicester Square
• Category: Restaurants

London WC2H 9NE
020 7010 8600

Brodule said
Return match needed
Dined here as a guest of someone so can't really comment on the cost, but it gave me the feeling of unlimited expense. Personally I was not comfortable with the interior design and the slightly exposed feeling I got with my particular place. Staff were quite professional but somehow distant. It's a tricky thing at this price level and perhaps they are too busy to pull off the 'welcome back' that you get even on infrequent dining at some better places. The food was well above average and certainly qualified for more than one Michelin star, though in the couple of months since I was there memory of particular dishes has faded. As I did not choose the wines either, I can only comment that they were good without being truly outstanding but of course they may well have just been not my style. The whole experience did not create that 'must return' feeling, but it was sufficiently good that a return match must be arranged.

• Added: 5th of May 2008
• Area: Farringdon
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London EC4A 4BD
020 7353 8404

Brodule said
A good value friendly bar/food place
An interesting looking bar in a listed building. Has 3 areas and is well suited to parties/functions.
Very friendly staff, above average food and wine, with the winelist being much more interesting than expected and modestly priced.

Free WiFi & were happy to serve a coffee while someone surfed away.