• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Bankside
• Category: Restaurants

London SE1 2YE
020 7403 5403

natster said
Get your boss to take you
If you work in near by London Bridge or the City then by all means head to the lovely, fashionable enclave of Shad Thames for a nice meal and a great view of the River Thames and Tower Bridge. My overall impression of Cantina del Ponte was good, but it is rather expensive (not as pricey as Pont de la Tour another of Conrad's restaurants just down the Thames path). I had the calf's liver. I started off enjoying the unusual texture and flavour. After chomping away on this really rather huge organ for awhile, I started to think more about the fact I was eating cow insides than enjoying the taste sensations it offered up. This slightly unpleasant recollection sits upper most in my memory of eating here, although like I said previously, overall I did enjoy my lunch time (and the red wine which my boss also paid for)

The view would certainly persuade me to go again....

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Bankside
• Category: Restaurants

London SE1 2YG
020 7378 1700

natster said
It's mostly about the view
if you want a knock out view of Tower Bridge and the river Thames then head to this restaurant for a meal. It's located right on the river front only 10 minutes walk from London Bridge Station. The walk from the City or from London Bridge is a pleasure and then to sit out on a nice day and enjoy the view from the large decked terrace is fabulous. The food - hum, I'm not sure about this, It's OK I'd say. I've eaten at Browns in Oxford and Bristol and enjoyed what I ate there (i remember years after the event that I ate a burger in one and a caesar salad in another). I've eaten at Brown's Shad Thames three times and my overall recollection is of vague disappointment with the nosh, but a visual smorgasboard. I'd go again...for a drink maybe!

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Bankside
• Category: Restaurants

London SE1 2YR
020 7357 9001

natster said
Delicious food, great location!
I love the neighbourhood of Shad Thames. RIght in the heart of the converted warehouses lies this treat of an Indian restaurant. It isn't very cheap but it certainly is tasty food. Only eaten there once, but have had take out on several occasions. Not sure if I would eat in again as the atmosphere was rather flat - but maybe we picked a bad night. There is a piano player there sitting at a baby grand. Cool if you like that kind of thing. The bhajis are unusually delicious at the Bengal Clipper. Flat and crunchy with plenty of cumin seeds. Service is rapid and waiters are attentive. There is a large contingent of waiting staff at this restaurant - easy to get served!

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Buxton
• Category: Restaurants

Buxton SK17 6AT
01298 24471

natster said
Top food in a lovely town
I went to this great restaurant whilst visiting relatives in the area. The Peak District and Thai food does not necessarily spring to mind as a great combination, but I really enjoyed my meal here. The two of us had to make a reservation for a busy Saturday evening and indeed the place was packed when we got there. We sat at a romantically lit little table (which would have been even better if I hadn't been with my sister!) and proceeded to scoff, and sadly that is what we did, their varied set menu, which came in at about 22GBP per head. I particularly enjoyed the mixed platter starter.

This is definitely a place to go with an empty stomach, to make the most of the experience. Would go again...if I get invited!

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Richmond Upon Thames
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Richmond Upon Thames TW9 1TH
020 8940 6844

natster said
Nearly a wash out!
We went to this popular Thames river side pub one sunny lunch time and were fortunate to find a table in the crowded courtyard by the river. The wooden benches are quite comfortable, but it would be great if they had sun shades up for those odd very sunny days we get!

Was fun to see the water level rise and rise and start sloshing at right outside the pub grounds. Don't know how often the water gets that high, but it certainly entertained the kids!

On to the food...the kids had a mixed platter of humous and taramasalata. Generous serving and quickly served. The others had a proper roast lunch and raved over the huge portion size and tasty food. It's a place we've taken new visitors to the area because of the great setting and good food.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Richmond Upon Thames
• Category: Restaurants

Richmond Upon Thames TW9 1SX
020 89482224

natster said
A disappointment!
I went to Wagamama in central london about 6 years ago and remember having a great night out. However my recent trip to Wagamama, RIchmond, was a disappointment. The entrance is not great - you have to go up to the first floor and if it is full, like when we went, then you have to queue on the rather narrow stairwell. Even though it was busy, we didn't have to wait more than about 10 minutes. We sat down on one of their standard benches looking over a large painting of a person noshing noodles, Julian Opie style. The food was served quite quickly by friendly staff, but it was surprisingly bland - my chili chicken ramen was less than spicy and my friend who ate the chicken ramen noodle soup was less than impressed. Her bowl was taken away largely untouched. Not sure if I would go again.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Richmond Upon Thames
• Category: Restaurants

Richmond Upon Thames TW10 6NQ
020 8940 4365

natster said
Only OK
I've been living in the USA for several years and I've enjoyed the diner culture over there. Simple food, rapidly cooked - no nonsense dining. The Diner, Friars Stile Road doesn't live up to some of its namesakes across the pond unfortunately. Service was rather slow, although pleasant waiting staff. A couple of the options on the menu weren't available, which is always a little irritating. the burger and fries I ate were only adequate really. My son had spaghetti bolognese, which he enjoyed, however I was not overly impressed by it's appearance.

But prices are reasonable and it's a convenient location on a few minutes from Richmond Park Gate. I probably wouldn't go again, but it's OK if you're passing and hungry.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Richmond Upon Thames
• Category: Restaurants

Richmond Upon Thames TW10 6UA

natster said
Good quality family food
We ordered a large amount of food for a family gathering when we had just moved to Richmond. Apart from the fact that we had to wait about 40 minutes for collection it was a success. The spicy rice was enjoyed by all. The fries were a bit cold when they got home, but were crisp and non-greasy. Of course, Nando's is all about the chicken and the 2 whole chickens we had were cooked well, with a good spicy flavour to the Peri-Peri seasoning.

The restuarant itself is on Richmond rise, just up the hill from Richmond town centre. There is a nice patio area for those very occasional sunny days we get..it's only a 10 minute walk from here to Richmond Park Gate.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Richmond Upon Thames
• Category: Take Aways

Richmond Upon Thames TW10 6NE
020 8948 3399

natster said
Good quality but a little expensive
I've eaten food from here three or four times and the food is consistently of a good quality. However the prices are expensive in my opinion and the portion sizes are small (i've just come back from 3 years in New York...so maybe my perspective is a little skewed!).

The service is always fast and friendly and there are a few seats while you are waiting (only take out/delivery).

The dishes I can recommend are the chicken with cashew nuts and the dry shredded beef. The crispy spring rolls are some of the least greasy I have tasted (faint praise I suppose!) Special mention for the prawn crackers which are provided in a large serving. they are very large and tasty if you like that kind of thing.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Richmond Upon Thames
• Category: Take Aways

Richmond Upon Thames TW9 1DN
020 8332 2820

natster said
Usual standard applies!
When a mail drop offered me half price food at McDonalds, I felt it was my duty to drag the husband and somewhat more enthusiastic kids to the golden arches. It's quite a small restaurant, with extra seating upstairs, which is where we decided to sit. The tables could have been cleaner but the environment was fine, with a view over the busy road..which entertained the kids.

I have eaten at McDonalds in various countries, and you have to say that the food is remarkably homogenous. My meal of choice the Big Mac, tasted identical to all the other Big Macs I've had. That somehow rather satisfying synthetic quality always brightens my day for a few minutes. The children enjoyed their burgers, minus the gherkin. Does any under 5 kid like gherkin?

Husband ate chilken burger and despite not being a huge fan of this behemoth chain, I noticed there was no food left in his carton when we left....