There is a lot of competition in the gastro-pub space and while The Well was good, it was certainly not without its faults. Full marks for atmosphere: lovely building, well furnished, a good noise level and friendly staff.
Barshu (April 2013)
Londoners often face a challenge when it comes to finding good Chinese restaurants: on the one hand, there is the MSG-heavy Cantonese food that predominates much of Chinatown, and on the other, there is the likes of Hakkasan and its ilk, as much fashion destination as food experience, with only the briefest of nods to China as opposed to ‘pan-Asia.’
Coya: Underwhelming (March 2013)
L’Autre Pied (March 2013)
Hawksmoor Seven Dials (March 2013)
Patty & Bun James Street (March 2013)
The current fad for ‘posh burgers’ is a good one, obvious given that the burger arguably constitutes the ultimate comfort food and democratic in that it at appeals to almost everyone. Moreover, any restaurant that has a queue outside it prior to opening its doors at 12 must clearly be on to something.
Noura Belgravia (February 2013)
Sakana-Tei (February 2013)
Le Cochonnet (February 2013)
Jali (February 2013)
Do not be put off by the location and go to Jali for the food. My dining comrade and I were impressed both by the quality and the value for money, it was a pity about the setting. In terms of the positives first, the menu was extensive, original (not just your typical tikka masalas) and also very vegetarian-friendly.
Buxted Park, The Dining Room (February 2013)
Veerasawamy (December 2012)
Roti Chai Dining Room (December 2012)
Terroirs (December 2012)
I am full of plaudits for Terroirs. A group of five of us had a table in the corner downstairs last night and from my vantage point in the very corner I was able to look out at the whole restaurant. Unsurprisingly, every table was taken, but – as trivial as this may sound – everyone appeared to be enjoying themselves.
2 Veneti (December 2012)
Tapas Brindisa Broadwick Street (November 2012)
Eating food for pleasure ought to be done in relaxing circumstances and what really makes Brindisa for me is that despite the concept being one of relatively informal tapas, my dining comrade and I were able to enjoy a two-hour lunch here without ever feeling rushed or that the serving staff resented our presence.
Zayna (November 2012)
La Petite Maison (November 2012)
I am really surprised how polarised opinions appear to be about this restaurant. This is the third time I have been here and each time I have loved the whole experience and would undoubtedly return. One caveat, however: make sure someone else is paying, since it is not cheap! The heavy brown velvet curtain creates a sense of anticipation prior to entry and the dining room itself is lovely, beautifully light and spacious, a perfect antidote to a dull November day.
Maroush V (November 2012)
Go here for the food, not the atmosphere. Maroush (and indeed many of its peers) on the Edgware Road work superbly well not just because of the food but also because of the atmosphere. I (and I would imagine many other ‘western’ diners) go here because of its authenticity: the clientele is predominantly Middle Eastern, the conversation lively, the pace frenetic and the whole experience somewhat akin to being thrust into a much more local environ.