• Added: 28th of August 2008
• Area: St James's
• Category: Restaurants

London W1J 9BR
020 7493 8181

vexille said
Too, too... tacky?
Well, I think my age will show here, but I found the whole Ritz experience incredibly tacky. Perhaps I'm not destined for high society or I just lack basic etiquette, but it was uncomfortable and just a bizarre experience. But enough about that!

I must say, service was, as expected excellent. From guiding you to your table to serving the meals, it was impecable. Didn't like the way the waiters were almost too imposing.

Food was very much average, it didn't seem like it'd be made from a chef that gave a damn. Yes, it tasted good, but then, so does a dirty kebab and chips. It didn't make me want to turn around to the next table and shout 'you MUST try this', it was just 'meh'.

It's not all that expensive, in comparison to say Maze, or Fifteen which offer a far better experience. But then, I guess to most having 'done the Ritz' will be greated with greater envy than saying 'done Fifteen' which will probably be followed with 'fifteen what?'...

• Added: 28th of August 2008
• Area: St Albans
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

St Albans AL1 5BL

vexille said
It's just 'too' London and not enough St Albans
Living in St Albans, I'm not sure if I'm just getting incredibly bored of the surroundings or that I'm just spoilt for choice in London, but we always seem to get the arse end of upper class eateries.

The breakfast club wouldn't look out of place in London or New York. It's just a typical eatery that has nothing really going for it. Free range eggs, organic meat and a selection of silly fruit juices all add to the 'I should have been in London, but couldn't make it' feel.

I sound harsh, but a greasy spoon down the road at a 1/3 of the price has more character.

So the food isn't bad, but nearly £30 for 2 for breakfast tea and juice? Mhhhh...

Most definitely a Hollyoaks wannabe hangout.

• Added: 28th of August 2008
• Area: Mayfair
• Category: Restaurants

London W1K 6US
020 7107 0000

vexille said
A-Mazing... Ha?
It's great, but not, um, amazing.

It's all you would expect from a restaurant run by a great chef, situated in the 'sophisticated' part of town. You don't even need to have been here to imagine exactly what it'll look like. Everything is prim and proper yet remains convincingly unpretentious.

Service is good, at one point we had 3 different waiters cleaning the table, seriving us wine and taking our order. You'd almost expect them to spoon feed you so as not to crease your shirt or dirty your hands.

The 7 course meal was very very tasty, but incredibly rich. I've eaten in many places and this was the only one where I came out of still feeling peckish, but completely satisfied. The scallops are to die for.

It's just missing something that makes me want to go again, lacks soul perhaps?

Good for an experience / date but if you're looking for better I'd goto Fifteen...

• Added: 28th of August 2008
• Area: Hackney
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London E2 7RG
020 7729 2220

vexille said
Average pub, decent Sunday roast!
Alot of people rave about this place, but I just can't see it myself.

It's situated smack bang in the middle of the flower market so can get notoriously busy on Sundays although not 6 foot deep as it does on a Friday or Saturday.

The usual selection of beers, ales, wines and spirits so again, you'll find the selection pretty standard.

However, it does do a mean Sunday roast, and if I were to go out on a limb, the best Sunday roast I've had in London - I knew there was a reason I came here! Meat aplenty, gravy just right and a portion of root veg, mash that would be fit for a king. It is, unfortunately, pricey (£13~)

Can't say much about the food any other time, but if the roast is anything to go buy it won't be bad at all.

• Added: 25th of August 2008
• Area: Old Street
• Category: Restaurants

London N1 7LP
0871 330 1515

vexille said
Wine, hic...
Whatever you do, if you go for the wine flights take it slowly! 5 dishes and 5 large glasses of outstanding wine later, I could have happily sat there all evening if I didn't have to be elsewhere!

It really is a remarkable restaurant. From it's humble beginnings to what it has become now, a landmark for Jamie Oliver and his team.

Food in fantastic, from their breakfasts, lunch and supreme dinners. Beautifully presented and generous (but not overwhelming) portions, all served and waited on you by staff who seem to actually enjoy what they do.

Couldn't recommend it more highly, luckily I have moved too far to go twice in a day again...

• Added: 25th of August 2008
• Area: Limehouse
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London E14 8DP

vexille said
Not just your average pub?
With it being a 'Gordon Ramsey' pub, you'd expect it to be situated in the central of town and not by Limehouse, which unfortunately is a bit of a dive.

Still, doesn't do the pub any disservice, nicely situated by the river, so summer nights outside drinking and eating are great.

The menu is typically classic post English pub grub, all at remarkably reasonable prices. I actually came here when it had recently opened and the service was sub-standard. Gave it another chance a few months later and it was certainly better but by no means of Maze / Claridges standard, but then you can't expect that.

As a general pub for food and drink, it's excellent. As a Gordon Ramsey pub, it's a big of a let down.

• Added: 25th of August 2008
• Area: Brondesbury
• Category: Restaurants

London NW6 4BT
020 7372 4699

vexille said
Cheap eat!
Good food, great price.

If you're on a budget then this would most definitely be my first choice. A plentiful menu with an array of veggie / non-veggie dishes, a decent selection of deserts and drink.

Decor and ambience aren't something to write home about, but this isn't one of those places. It's tidy and quaint enough to melt the heart of anyone you want to take and has a really homey feel.

Service is top notch and I've never had a bad meal there. If only there were more of them around town!

Recommended before a night of dancing and excess! :)

• Added: 25th of August 2008
• Area: Winchmore Hill
• Category: Restaurants

London N21 3RB
020 8360 0990

vexille said
Fish lovers rejoice!
Most definitely my favourite fish restaurant in London.

Without gushing too much, the chefs know exactly what needs to be done to cook fish, and to cook fish well.

I've been here more times than I can remember, each time the quality has been pregressively better. A satisfying selection of starters and mains where you can pretty much rely on the waiters giving you enough information and choice for you to decide which to go for. Fish can be served on and off bone and cooked to your liking (where appropriate!). Around half a dozen sides to chose from, again cooked brilliantly.

Around £40 a head with wine and most certainly worth every penny. Shame that monkfish tail is no longer on their menu!

• Added: 25th of August 2008
• Area: Mayfair
• Category: Restaurants

London W1S 2XG
0870 777 4488

vexille said
You'll either love it, or hate it...
Depending on who you are, what you do and how you were raised, you'll either find Sketch pricey and pretentious, or one of the coolest places to go / been seen in.

It is a bit special, but still remaining accessible to the majority.

The decor is surreal, the loo's, as most have mentioned bizarre and the general ambience a bit off key in a nice way!

Filled with different rooms which cater for dinner, lunch, drink you're never lost with options when you're there. A decent selection of wine, cakes, snacks and of course meals.

It does everything well, but not the best, however your surroundings make up for that.

Really nice place to go for a mid-afternoon drink, be it alcoholic or otherwise!

• Added: 25th of August 2008
• Area: Fitzrovia
• Category: Restaurants

London W1T 5ED
020 7383 3346

vexille said
Great for a date!
It's difficult to describe Archipelago simply!

A beautiful little restaurant that's decorated like it could be Aladdins cave and does a suitably different selection of meats including kangaroo, crocodile, zebra - you get the message!

Always feels 'busy' with pretty ornaments on display on your table and scatterred across the room - with price tags on most things. It's one of those places to take someone on a first date. Unlike most restaurants, as the decoration is so unique you'll have no trouble finding something to talk about during those quite moments!

Food is good, not amazing, perhaps my taste buds aren't quite use to exotic meats yet(!). Service is excellent, but if you're on a budget, I'd suggest another restaurant!