Ross B.

Review of Odettes

19 Nov 08, 08:40

Local restaurant worth traveling to

I think this restaurant has been open for the past 30 years (though I'd hate to think how many times it's changed hands) and with current chef Bryn Williams on board I'm sure it'll be open much longer.

Clearly now trying to get clientèle from further away than the Primrose Hill area the menu is modern, seasonal and most importantly tasty and well executed. Foie gras was perfectly seared and the combination with bitter orange and sweet honeycomb was fantastic and beef cheek was perfectly good and as 'steaky' as a steak itself.

On the day I went (a Wednesday) it was fairly empty and those who were in certainly seemed as 'local' as they come but I'm guessing that this isn't the norm and would advise booking ahead (like I did).

The restaurant is fairly small and when busy I'd imagine gets’ fairly hard to have a quiet conversation in but with food this good and a decent sized wine list there will be plenty of other things to get involved in.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Abeno Too

18 Nov 08, 23:21

Noodles with your omlette sir?

If you want Chinese food but don't fancy your normal noodles, rice and meat combo's this is the place to go.

While there are a selection of rice and noodle dishes on the menu these should really just be ignored and you should go for either the okonomiyaki (a kinda savory pancake which is made fresh at your table on a hot plate) and om-soba (noodles and meat wrapped in an omlette which is then covered in sauce) from which they have a number of meaty choices to suit all tastes.

Dishes are about £10-£12 bracket so not cheap but certainly worth it; it's an experience and a good one at that :>

One thing to note - there are now three restaurants in this chain in London and this particular venue is probably the worst due to the fact that it's really really small and feels rather cramped when it fills up with hungry people.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Laureate Restaurant

18 Nov 08, 22:55

So good it has TWO menu's

Popped in here on a Thursday night (to avoid trick or treaters at Halloween) around 6.30pm and by 7pm it was full and people were waiting for tables (which seemed to turned fairly quickly).

Don't be confused by the two menus' like I initially was. The larger one is full of things you would have probably heard of (the 'English menu' if you will) and the smaller things you may not have (the 'Chinese menu' - though it has English translations).

I had my starter from one and my main course from the other and both were fresh, tasty and certainly of a higher quality than other China Town restaurants.

The restaurant is a bit cramped if you get a table in the middle - indeed I saw one couple had to split up and walk around the outside of two other tables to sit down but I think they just got unlucky as my place was fine.

Well worth a visit.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Mr Jerk

26 Oct 08, 10:41

Would be a 'Jerk' to miss this!

OK stupid puns aside I went here on a rainy Thursday afternoon and was well and truley ready to hit the streets afterwards after eating large portions (both for starter and main) of spicey and tender meat cooked only as West Indians seem able.

Needing a Jerk chicken fix I went for wings to start , and anyone who can make chicken wings taste good deserve a medal. The meat could be pulled off with your fingers and the zing from the seasoning lasted well past my first beer.

Main course of curry mutton with rice and peas was similarly cooked to perfection and if required I could have cut through the meat with a spoon. The only thing wrong with this was that it wasn't the traditional goat.

The menu is fairly tiny but missing none of the dishes you would want from such a restaurant and the prices for the amount and quality of food is good - £20 for two courses and two beers.

Service is extremely laid back and equally as friendly.

A good place for after a long days work.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of St John

05 Oct 08, 14:19

Interesting food that you won't find in many other places!

Eating at St John is certainly an experience.

I have now eaten here twice and both times sampled ingredients that I have never before had; and equally both times come away feeling really excited about what I have just eaten!

The menu changes daily. One thing that I found a little disappointing was that I really liked the look of a particular dish the day before that wasn't available when I dined but hey ho, there was plenty there for me to eat.

I'd recommend being brave and trying something new if you go here. On my last visit I had bone marrow and while it maybe looked a bit ropey it tasted AWESOME!

The dining room is relaxed and plain white in colour. Mobiles are not allowed (though I did see someone using one) and this adds to the experience. It really is all about the food!

Book ahead as it seems to have gotten really popular now.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Moti Mahal

05 Oct 08, 14:02

Overpriced - food, service and dining room all poor

I had high hopes for Moti Mahal but I was very disappointed.

For the prices they charge (£17 a starter, £15 for a main) I expected good ingredients, a nice restaurant experience and some interesting courses on the menu.

Unfortunately I didn't receive any of this. I'd describe it as an average local Indian in the middle of west end so punters are tricked (like I was) into thinking it might be something a little special.

Avoid and head up the road to either Sitaary (if you're hungry) or Bhatti Indian if you fancy a curry fix.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Maze

05 Oct 08, 13:53

Not your everyday restaurant but you should eat here at least once

One of the most inventive menu's that I have seen in London!

For once I decided to break out of the safe comfort of the tasting menu and choose my own from the a la carte - dishes such as 'Assiette of sandwiches ‘BLT ’and Croque monsieur', 'Braised shin of veal, wild garlic risotto and veal kidney powder' and 'Peanut butter and cherry jam sandwich with salted nuts and cherry sorbet' (all pictured on this site) were just too tempting.

While this did lead to a rather hefty bill (I had 8 courses) I did have EIGHT courses, so this should be expected.

While portions are not huge they are good enough for several mouth-fuls, and with such delicate flavours they should be savoured.

The dining room is great and relaxing and staff are friendly. A 'must go' restaurant in my view (just save up before going would be my advice!)

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Konstam At The Prince Albert

05 Oct 08, 13:40

REAL London grub

This restaurant is a little different to most in London as it strives to get as much of it's ingredients from within the M25. While I think it's dropped it's 100% of produce from inside London tag to about 80% it's still a decent thing to be able to claim :>

Turns out that London (more likely the outer boroughs to be fair) has a pretty decent larder with seafood, game, chicken, vegetables and wine all provided with full provenance (I had duck from Stansted - and no signs of an in air collision in sight).

Prices are pretty good considering all the TV press it would have received and the menu interesting enough to make me want to return. Very nice indeed!

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Review of Pearl

05 Oct 08, 12:11

Food with beer to match!

A place for a special occasion, Pearl is a hotel restaurant for The Renaissance Hotel. While it's chef, Jun Tanaka, might be better known for his speed in masking omelette's he puts this skill aside to knock up some truly tasty menu's!

There is a good selection on the a la carte but as always the tasting menu is the place to go if you want to really splash out. Something that stood out for me was the fact that you could match beer with the meals in addition to the standard wine matching found at most places - a really nice touch if you ask me.

Food is seasonal and there is something for everyone. When I went a winter vegetable salad and a perfect piece of venison really impressed!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.