• Added: 5th of December 2007
• Area: Oxford Circus
• Category: Restaurants

London W1H 7BY
0207 224 0028

harryairborne said
a flavoursome experience
As its name implies this restaurant places the emphasis on creation of flavours.The luncheon menu offers starter-size dishes at £ 8-50 and recommends 2-3 choices. They also provided 2 dips and a pumpkin appetiser.

On advice from someone who has been there 4 times , I chose an organic salmon confit with egg; icelandic lamb; and pork belly. The salmon and pork were the most flavoursome. Each dish was explained carefully by the waiter and the lamb was accompanied by a small cold vegetable soup which was tasty. If you like simple food this is not your place but if you want to experiment and experience it is.

Neither of us drank wine but I'm told the the Calplat Priora is good value at £28 and by the glass the more expensive Schlossgobelsberg delicious.

The dining area is spacious and had slightly the ambience of a smart hotel than buzzy bistro but the service is professional ,the seating comfortable and the tables spaced apart making for a comfortable noise level.

For dinner I would think its far more expensive but our meal for 2 came out at £60. We thought this excellent value though most diners will not be as abstemious as us but with one glass of wine you probably will be well under £50 whch is reasonable enough for a restaurant that is fast and rightly making a deep impact and reputation

• Added: 23rd of November 2007
• Area: Soho
• Category: Restaurants

London W1D 3DD
020 7559 3000

harryairborne said
harryairborne
Since posting my review,I complained to the manager and was offered a complimenary meal for 2.This was good customer service and worth acknowledging.

• Added: 26th of October 2007
• Area: Bayswater
• Category: Others

London W2 2SD
020 7402 0083

harryairborne said
Top notch bistro food
This bistro opened 2 months ago and has already established itself as a popular venue. The owner Thierry Tomasin has a fine pedigree- hewas the head sommelier of Le Gavroche and General Manager of Aubergine.

A converted pub it has an art deco decor and authentic Parisien brasserie atmosphere. It would be wrong to term it a gastro pub. I found little to fault. I chose the signature dish of foie gras brulee,the combination of the rich pate and sesame froth worked well.This I followed with a gamey intense mallard equally delicious and finished with poached pear in crushed almomd.

I was a guest so I didnt know the final bill but I giess it was around £120. We pushed the boat out with a bottle of Cote Rotie ( £51) which could have been fuller and mellower. The first 2 courses were served quickly which made me think they wanted to re-use the table which they did not. The owner was front of house and we had a good 10 minute chat.My host was an ex premiership French footballer -Thierry may have recognised him but I dont think so .Thierry was explaining his philosophy - well cooked bistro food ,a reasonable wine list,good atmosphere ,comfort . He has some innovative ideas such as a table in the kitchen and private dining rooms off his cellar.

Its open all day so you can have tea or snack to suit your taste. You will need to book for dinner.Well worth a visit.

• Added: 24th of October 2007
• Area: Soho
• Category: Restaurants

London W1D 3DD
020 7559 3000

harryairborne said
Pricey for what one ate and especially drunk
I had dinner with an old friend from Italy staying at the hotel. We both had smoked salmon blini, cote de boeuf and mini desserts. A glass of uninspired Gewurztraminer was £9 but by searching around the wine list a Margaret River red at £28 better value.My cote de boeuf at £30 was disappointing and lacking in tenderness.Total bill for two was £156. A noisy group of diners made conversation difficult. In short a place long on coolness but short on gastronomy for the prices charged

• Added: 26th of September 2007
• Area: Mayfair
• Category: Restaurants

London W1S 2FB
020 7758 9160

harryairborne said
Wild Honey
A friend of mine and I have decided to visit a new restaurant every other month. Wild Honey chosen as the Time Out new restaurant of the year was September's selection.
We both selected 2 starters -mine a tomato tartlet with white flageolet beans and seared pig .Both were rich and filling and left enough room for the wild honey ice cream. We went for the carefe of wine ( Ausralian Pinot Noir)about one and a half glasses which resulted in a bill of just under £40 oer head. The food is French brasserie with some Moroccan input. We gave the restaurant 7. 5 out of 10 as the service was good, the helpings generous and the flavours tantalising.My only criticism was the decor was baronial wood panelling which gave it a rather austere college hall ambience and I could have done without the soft Victorian porny lithographs in the loo.

• Added: 12th of May 2007
• Area: Holborn
• Category: Restaurants

London WC2A 3LJ
020 7430 1234

harryairborne said
The Terrace
Endorse the review below .Great setting , value and unusual but flavoursome food .Acoustics poor and service friendly but haphazard.
I go there with a friend for a seasonal lunch 4 times a year. I took Professor Magellan to the Garden Cafe and he reviewed that well. I think he and others would like the open air ambience of Lincolns Inn Fields where you can eat al fresco on a deck and watch the tennis add lawyers. For lunch with a bottle of rose and one beer it came to 62 which was good value. The salads are fresh with unusual ingredients and the seared salmon I have ordered twice- crisp and succulent.
Last time they did not have my reservation and the greeting was luke warm and confused - one of the ways I judge a restaurant is the initial reaction. However a friendly black girl called Lovely remembered me and gave me a gleaming smile and all was forgiven. I will definitely continue to use this restaurant for lunch but I'm not sure how the evening access problems affect the popularity and ambience .