Claire's reviews
Review of Hakkasan
29 Sep 07, 18:13
Gold-plated Chinese 
As the previous reviewer noted, this is about as far from your local Chinese as Shanghai is from Tottenham Court Road.
Who would have thought that a former underground car park could be so glamorous? Tucked away down an unprepossessing side alley off Tottenham Court Road, descending into Hakkasan is like shimmying your way onto a James Bond film set. It's all just very dark and shiny and slick.
Start off with a cocktail at the long, long bar - some elegant concoction is the perfect introduction to a stylish evening. Then it's on to the food.
If you're a Chinese fan, you won't be disappointed - it is beyond delicious. It's all very high quality and either the platinum version of a common dish, or offers a twist on a traditional dish.
But this sort of high style dining comes at a price. If you're penny pinching or concerned about cash, don't bother. This is an expensive joint and fretting over the inevitable three figure bill is only going to spoil your enjoyment.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Blue Pumpkin
07 Aug 07, 00:12
Can't work out why but it doesn't work 
For some reason, this place doesn't quite cut it and I can't work out why.
All the elements are there. There's a decent wine list, the food is fine, service can be a bit half-arsed but nothing dire, but it's just lacking in something.
The terrace outside is nice for a lazy brunch or sinking a few pints or bottles on a sunny afternoon, but local residents mean it's all inside fairly early on.
Inside, it's just a bit bland - part formal dining room, part bar with squishy sofas and low tables. Kind of a paint by numbers place that is decidedly less than the sum of its parts - head to Firefly if you want this sort of food and drink combo, it's just better.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.