Ross's reviews
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 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 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.
Review of The Bricklayers Arms
18 Jun 08, 13:57
Great pub with great prices
This is an awesome pub which get rather full on a Thursdays for some bizarre reason.
It could be the atmosphere, could be the location but personally it's the prices :>
Good Sam's Smith beer (no Fosters rubbish ) with no rubbish in it - v nice indeed :>
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Wild Honey
09 Jun 08, 08:49
New restaurant with a good old tastes
I guess Mayfair restaurants all get tarnished with the same brush but when a place puts a cheese board at center stage then you really must be proud of the stuff you are doing rather than relying on reputation.
All dishes I had were of an excellent quality with enough flavor combinations to excite and interest - pig's head for instance sounds revolting but in reality was a terrine style block of tender meat, great stuff!
I've already mentioned the cheese board and I must say that with the desserts being rather iffy you're much better off going for a few more options from there opposed to going for sugar. (I had both but still - that's why I go to these places!!)
The drink menu is cool, one nice touch is the option to have a small carafe of wine so that you can try more than one and also, I guess save on those pennies. Also allows for more room for cocktails and champagne :>
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Private Shop
16 May 08, 12:15
Great for getting your rocks off
This is a lovely shop run by a lovely old couple who you wouldn't think would be the type.
While they no longer have that much of an interest in the goods (viagra can only do so much it seems) they have a very good stock and, if required, can get most things you need if you give them notice.
The place doesn't smell like some of the inner city shops which is good and the curtain ensure privacy.
If you're a dirty perv or a curious enthusiast I don't think you can go too far wrong.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Benares
31 Mar 08, 20:11
Indian food, but not as you know it
Benares is one of my favourite restaurants in London (though probably also one of the more expensive).
Taking English ingredients (with a large fish infulence) the chefs cook them to perrfection and offset their flavour with enough spice to sound like too much but taste like heaven. Your more standard Indian food is also available (such as Rogan Josh or Chicken Tikka) if you're not feeling adventurous - never had them but can't imagine they are bad!
A good place to go on a special occasion - curry and cocktails - can't beat it!!
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Tower Tandoori
03 Mar 08, 09:09
Dodgy road - but well worth the visit!
Very much a diamond in the rough (the extremely rough).
Sitting in amongst dodgy looking pubs, fried chicken shops and other such fun the restaurant stands out massively and once you get inside you feel like you could easily be much further up the road in Borough; but with far better prices :>
Alongside your normal curry house fair the specials are also well worth trying (and seem to change on a regular basis so are always good and seasonal).
With friendly staff who are clearly ecstatic to work there, great food and good prices the only downside is when you leave and you remember where you are!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.