Daniel's reviews
Review of Leon
22 Feb 08, 14:51
Don't Believe Everything Helen Says 
I'm a bit of creature of habit when it comes to lunch. Or at least I have been ever since the Larder entered my life. So, as you can imagine I was a bit concerned when Helen suggested that we try somewhere different, somewhere she thought I'd like, but that was a 10 minute walk away. I capitulated to her demands and we set off on our expedition across Farringdon.
First impressions were good, it's a massive place on the corner of Ludgate Hill and is teeming with people which makes for a great atmosphere. It's also really well designed has a rustic feel that is definitely fitting with the period of the building.
Then there was the food. Hmmm. Ok not great springs to mind, and expensive too. For £7 I got a meal and a coke, the later costing £2. The food is fine, just a little underwhelming.
The benefit of the distance, as well as burning off a few extra calories is that we're more likely to sit down together to eat. I would definitely recommend doing so if you want to feel like you're getting your money worth.
So Helen may be wrong in the case of Leon - fact of the matter is she's usually right. I'm back off to the Larder for a sandwich - did I mention Helen recommend that....
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of welovelocal.com
12 Feb 08, 16:08
Best Site in Town 
we love welovelocal.com!
What a great bunch you lot are! Always helpful, always accurate, always looking good!
If you were a person, we'd be the best of friends!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Larder
22 Jan 08, 16:44
Go for the sandwiches
Ok, so me and Rik tend to go here together, so like him I should add that I've never been to the main restaurant. But the little sandwich shop next door is out of this world.
It makes sandwiches as they should be, fresh and right in front of you. Judge a sandwich by the tomatoes I say. If the bread isn't slightly damp because of the juice then it's not up to my standards.
The ingredients are fantastic, thick slices of ham, nice and mature cheese, black pepper, which may sound simple but is often left out. They also do a nice selection of pastries and biscuits, as well as slices of pizza for a pound.
Better yet the price is reasonable, expect change from a fiver for lunch.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Fox and Anchor
05 Dec 07, 14:54
Gastro-nomical Delight!
My friend (Tom. H) who works at the Charterhouse rang me one night in a highly excitable mood. The Fox and Anchor across the road from his pub had reopened and he had popped in to check on the menu as well as wine and whiskey list. What he found made him almost instantly pick up the phone, our table was booked.
The Fox and Anchor is best described as Ye Olde Pub, straight out of the middle ages it's equipped with tankards, snug rooms in the back for eating, and a beautiful looking fireplace. The food is not different. Huge portions of red meat, beautifully cooked, well sourced, and served on wooden chopping boards. Just like our waitress joked, there is a vege option, but it's not really why come here.
The wine list is extensive with some really choice bottles, but for me it's the whisk(e)y where this place really shines. I'm not going to bore you with my knowledge of islays, highlands and even Japanese malts, you're going to have to trust me.
The Fox is also in the process of renovating the upstairs in order to open some hotel rooms, which after the quantity of food and beer that gets served here is definitely needed.
Watch out Zetter, more over Jerusalem, here comes the Fox.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of The Cock Tavern
21 Sep 07, 10:40
Great breakfast, great people
The Cock Tavern has a bit of a history. In 2000 it was featured in London hitman pic Gangster No. 1 and a year later it was featured in William Hague's 2001 general election campaign. I'll leave you to decide which is cooler.
This, nevertheless, pays testament to the range of people that pass through the Cock Tavern's doors. Media types, City boys, slaughtermen from Smithfield market and tourists. It's a unique mix that provides a really buzzy atmosphere.
The food itself is a breakfast fan's dream. There is at least a dozen different ones to choose from, including a mammoth meat fest the name of which I forget.
If you're looking for somewhere for breakfast in Farringdon I highly recommend this place. While it doesn't have the class of SOS it easily makes up for it in character.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Meze Meze
06 Aug 07, 14:13
Hummus at Lunch
Definitely one of the nicer places to eat at Lunch in Farringdon. The choice of salad is excellent, and you can accessorize your bowl with hummus, falafel and an assortment of lovely other things.
I also highly recommend the warm falafel and hummus pitta, and if you are feeling greedy throw in some Baklava.
If you are walking up Turnmill Street in the morning you won't be able to miss the staff members handing out free samples of smoothy. All in all, a lovely place.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Ember
31 Jul 07, 21:08
Ho Hum 
I've never had the food there, so I couldn't couter David's points on the speed of service. All I can say of Ember is, "meh."
It's one of the places that I pass most regularly on the way to the tube from work. It entices you in becasue of the large numbers of people spilling on to the streets. Do not be fooled, it just not that good. Average beer, average cocktails and a borning clientele.
All in all average.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Greenery
31 Jul 07, 18:11
Nice Place for a Veggie Lunch
I was instrumental in the promotion of this fine little eatery to my colleagues -to the extent that the line is now just a little to long!
The Greenry serves a nice range of vegetarian dishes, on offer, as well as the usual jacket potatoes and salad. I'm a particular of the £4.75 meal deal that gets you a main, and two side orders, which if you ask me is actually really good value for money.
The only downside is the lack of variation, it tends to be the same meals each day, but given the selection of lunch time venues in Farringdon if you mix it up you shouldn't get too bored.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of The Crown Tavern
23 Jul 07, 10:38
A Great Summer Pub
The Crown is a nice pub all year round but really comes into it's own during the summer months (not that we have been having much of those recently).
During hotter times the busy working people of Farringdon spill out into Clerkenwell Green lapping up any bit of sun we are fortunate to get.
The Crown does a nice selection of draught and bottled beers, and, according to friends, the food is pretty good too. But, if you are planning on heading down on a hot Friday afternoon, prepare for a bit of a fight to the bar.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Kurz and Lang
30 Jun 07, 13:45
Sausage Fest!
I'd been warned away from this place by a few people in my office. They said it was overpriced, and that even if you spent a lot you'd end up being unsatisfied. Well, in the same way that the person in question should clearly stop taking market tips (it's all noise) I'm going to stop taking their advice on where to eat.
I actually really liked Kurz and Lang. For a fiver you get a proper meal. Not just a sandwich and crisps like in a lot of places, but a a large sausage (with different choices each day), a plate of fried potatoes, a healthy portion of sauerkraut, and a bread roll.
I also liked the option to have a glass bottle of coke, both pretentious and environmentally friendly!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Review of Piada
19 Jun 07, 15:22
My New Favourite Place for Lunch
I've learnt from my Italian colleague who recommend Piada to me that Piada is actually the flat bread you are likely to be eating if you pay a trip to this authentic little Italian eatery.
Filling include fresh mozzarella, rocket, tomatoes, chicken, zucchini and various types of cured ham. I highly recommend number twelve (dodici). The Piada's are warmed in what looks like a special pan and then the mozzarella is melted on top. yum.
If you fancy eating in they also do a selection of salads and a daily pasta special. Always busy and always good.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Smiths Of Smithfield
07 Jun 07, 11:16
Hearty English Food
Smith's is more that just a restaurant, it's four. Well, it's actually three and one cafe / bar. The bar is great, it's always lively after work and offers a great selection of beers, while in the morning it's a great place for breakfast, something Smith's does particularly well.
The three restaurants are located on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors and according to the management increase in quality (and price) the further your willing to climb. Being a second cheapest bottle of wine man, I have only ever dined on the second floor, which is a sort of brasserie. Great ingredients used to simple effect. I would particularly recommend the pork belly with mash.
On a side note, Smith's is owned by the guy who does Master Chef Goes Large. Not the fat one with glasses, the other one.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of welovelocal.com
23 May 07, 18:26
Great New Website
welovelocal.com is a great new website set up to help people find the best businesses in their area.
I've been using welovelocal.com for a while now and I keep finding new uses for it.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Review of Slaughtered Lamb
12 May 07, 10:03
Good in the Evenings Even Better at Lunch
The Slaughtered Lamb is an archetypal trendy bar in Farringdon, but that doesn't really do it enough justice. At night this place is packed, and I mean packed, of people enjoying a good selection of draft beers (including my particular favourite Kirin Ichiban).
On my last few visits I have gone for lunch, the pace is a bit slower and there is always a seat available, what's more the door stop sandwiches are great and the fish and chips is just how it should be.
The Slaughtered Lamb also gets a great mix of people: suits from the city, hundreds of architects and just a sprinkling of media types. But please leave your pretensions at home, they won't go down well here.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Noodle Express
10 May 07, 15:51
Express Noodles
Fast service, big portions and refilable green tea, exactly what you want from a noodle house. This place isn't going to win any cooking awards, but that isn't really the point. At lunch time this place is packed, and rightly so, I tend to go after work when I can avoid the crowds. Chicken Ramen for £5 in the middle of Farringdon?! I challenge you to find somewhere cheaper.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Benugo
05 May 07, 16:01
Good Sarnies
For those looking to rebuff the Pret monopoly Benugo is a good option. A fine selection of ready made sandwiches as well as a wide variety of ingredients for those who prefer a custom build. You won't get change from a fiver for a sandwich and a coffee, buy hey- this is central London. Give yourself a bit of extra time at lunch, the queue can get pretty long.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.