• Added: 20th of February 2008
• Area: Soho
• Category: Restaurants

London W1F 7JL
020 7851 6969

ChrisHarrison said
Fun, best in a group, decent value
The dimsum might be westernised, but it's still tasty, plentiful and solid value. Despite having a cocktail and a few beers around the table, the bill was surprisingly reasonable.

We went in a large group and it was definitely the best way to experience it, go nuts ordering a load of dishes and everyone can pile in. I'd second others' suggestion of not ordering everything at once - stagger it, not least because it is all more filling than you think.

The food is mostly freshly cooked, the steamed dishes all seemed especially fresh.

It won't blow your socks off or convert the unconverted, but if you like this kind of stylish Eastern eating you'll feel right at home.

• Added: 22nd of January 2008
• Area: Putney
• Category: Restaurants

London SW15 1DQ
020 8789 3323

ChrisHarrison said
A hidden gem but not just for locals
Emile's has been here for years, but by his enthusiasm and bonhomie is undimmed.

The eating rooms are a bit jumbled, and downstairs is a bit basic, but not cramped - although you will meet waiting staff on the stairs.

The food is always fresh - no menus, just blackboards - and inventive, with healthy sized portions and reasonably priced. The recipe works and they've never really felt the need to tinker too much with it - and long may they keep their fingers off it.

It's a little off the beaten track - you need to know it's there, you almost certainly wouldn't ordinarily be walking passed it - but definitely worth the trip.

• Added: 11th of October 2007
• Area: Finsbury
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London EC1V 2QH
020 7608 0925

ChrisHarrison said
Basic, but entertainingly so
The beer's pretty good, the food is exactly what you want if you're going to be sinking the steins, the waitresses might well be authentically attired, but they'll appeal to the likely male clientele.

It's a fun place, not in the least bit cool and not somewhere for a quite romantic night out, but if you're 16 blokes on bit of a mission (they'll have mostly German sports on the big screens, but they'll turn it over for you if you ask nicely) then this is the perfect option.

• Added: 9th of October 2007
• Area: Leicester Square
• Category: Restaurants

London WC2H 9DD
020 7240 3757

ChrisHarrison said
Stable, solid, unexciting
As a pre-theatre venue it delivers - quick service, tasty food, reliable dependability which being decently cheap, if almost a parody of its Frenchness. It won't blow your socks off, but by not changing visit-on-visit, it won't disappoint you, either.

• Added: 24th of August 2007
• Area: Southwark
• Category: Restaurants

London SE1 8HA
020 7928 1111

ChrisHarrison said
Knowingly Atmospheric
A similar, yet definitely separate, experience to its sibling, Wodka.

The menu is definitely Polish and Eastern European, which means lots of heavy meats, marinated fish, boiled veg and vodka. But in a really good way. The blinis are tremendous - our table of 6 started with a few shared plates which had decent fat blinis, piled with salmon, herring, roe and various pats - a definite must.

The starters and mains were very good sized portions - you certainly won't go hungry. The menu is quite long and varied, but changes every day and is often still in Polish, but the staff will explain things to you.

The wine list was a little uninventive and pricey, but the vodka list more than compensates (although can add to the bill very quickly, best get a jug).

The bar at the front feels like it's trying quite hard to be trendy, but the dining room at the back manages it - white walls, high vaulted glass ceiling with wooden beams. The tables are quite tightly packed, but the high ceilings mean that while it buzzes it's not noisy.

Overall it's a good experience, you've enough on your plate that 3 courses is probably over doing it, the vodka bill can make life slightly expensive, it's probably less of a destination to detour to than Wodka, but it was a decent place trying reasonably hard to please and mostly succeeding.

• Added: 30th of July 2007
• Area: Chiswick
• Category: Restaurants

London W4 2EU
020 8747 1836

ChrisHarrison said

The food was splendid - in particular the cheese board was tremendous - the sommelier recommended some fantastic wines and the maitre d' was suitably helpful, but the visit was a little hollow.

We were bang on time for our reservation, yet our table wasn't ready and we had to stand on the street. This isn't the end of the world but when you're about to spend 60-odd quid a head then it irks. No apologies or offers of regret.

Our waitress was a little surly, not particularly helpful - and even forgot one of our desserts and port until reminded. Again, by 11pm on a Friday she might have had a long day, but you expect better.

The restaurant is probably worth its reputation, although in comparison to its siblings (Chez Bruce and the Glasshouse) it is lacking something.

The stunning food just about rescued its fourth star.

• Added: 30th of July 2007
• Area: Chiswick
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London W4 2JJ
020 7592 7962

ChrisHarrison said

Standard gastro pub - average beer, but good sofas and decently uncrowded.

• Added: 30th of July 2007
• Area: Bankside
• Category: Restaurants

London SE1 1TJ
020 7357 8880

ChrisHarrison said

Wonderful selection of tapas - and remarkably reasonably priced. It's generally quite crowded but despite being close to the uber-trendy Borough Market it doesn't suffer too much for the proximity.

Worth a detour.

• Added: 16th of July 2007
• Area: Richmond Upon Thames
• Category: Restaurants

Richmond Upon Thames TW10 6UT
020 8948 4030

ChrisHarrison said
Expensive, and almost worth it
Great steaks - the other dishes were quite fussy and over-complicated, especially the starters, but the meat more than made up for it.

It is expensive, though, but nonetheless a good night out. Friendly service and an excellent wine list really helped - but it was the meat than carried the day.

• Added: 16th of July 2007
• Area: Kensington
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London W8 5BJ
020 7795 4811

ChrisHarrison said

Staff who couldn't give two hoots about the queue with no idea about how to manage a busy bar area - too busy talking to their friends and flirting with each other.

It's reasonably spacious inside - mainly thanks to the smoking ban - but too little space outside for all the smokers means argy-bargy to get in the door if you fancy a summer pint outside.

Could be a nice place - shame it isn't.