Amanda 's reviews
Review of Green Papaya
21 Jul 07, 14:57
Reliable Vietnamese 
I've been to the Green Papaya on a number of occasions now and generally found it to be quite reliable in terms of both service and quality. Not to mention, quite friendly on the finances.
My most recent visit last night was with some friends from Australia. We started with some entrees - mini spring rolls and fried slices of sweet potato with king prawns. Spring rolls were as expected but the sweet potato and prawn were an unusual discovery and definitely worth a try - kind of like a strange rosti with a prawn in the middle!
Mains took quite awhile although given that I ordered "slow-cooked lamb" it wasn't a suprise. I thought the other dishes may have been left to cool but they were all warm when they arrived together. I felt the slow cooked lamb was the strongest of the three - the galangal, lemongrass and coconut milk combining to form a wonderful flavour without being overpowering. The prawns with spicy basil dipping sauce appeared as an appetizer on the menu as well and I felt they were stronger in that incarnation than as a full main course. The satay sauce with crispy chicken received praise from my dining companion but I felt the chicken was a little burnt for my liking. Portion sizes were decent enough that a late joining dinner companion also got a full meal!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Amhurst Cafe
21 Jul 07, 14:41
"Lets get prepared"
Imagine my dismay as I arrived at Mess cafe this morning to find a sign saying they would be closed for 3 weeks... However their loss was Amhurst's gain as we settled for a proper greasey spoon instead.
The place was certainly busier than I had ever seen it before and we managed to find a table. It wasn't long before we had settled in, newspaper spread out. I went for the set breakfast with no egg and some bubble. After seeing a big pile of chips on someone else's table the BF went for egg, bacon, chips and mushrooms.
Tea (Builders) and Coffee (Instant - yuck!) arrived quickly. Our food came out not long after with the waiter saying just before they arrived "Awwright let's get prepared!" It made me laugh. I was expected a meal fit for a giant after that but I think he just wanted us to clear off the papers. Food was ok but I was expecting a bit more squeak in my bubble (vegies that is!)
Bill was cheaper than Mess. I think I'd definitely go back if I was keen for some bubble or just a proper greasy breakkie.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Cilicia
20 Jul 07, 18:02
Interesting Decor
I'd passed by this restaurant a number of times and was intrigued by the interior decoration of the restaurant and outdoor patio type thing at the back. It seemed quite busy too, so boded well for a visit.
My first choice for dinner on Monday was closed and the second was a bit too pricey for my dining companions so we decided Cilicia was the next best thing.
The interior has lots of authentic touches and felt quite homey rather than cluttered. We got the menu which was a bit of a shock as entire sections and lots of dishes were crossed out. Time for a reprint me thinks!
Food was of standard fare, my dish consisted butter sauce on lamb and pitta with yoghurt and peppers on top. A bit plain but quite tasty. My dining companions reported their dishes as "good but a bit sweet" and "excellent". I think the better option would be to share the mezze platters. Another table nearby ordered that and I was quite envious. I'd definitely come back to give that a try!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Chinese Experience
20 Jul 07, 16:02
Half Price Dim Sum FTW! 
On my first day at my new job I was taken here for lunch and am now a seasoned veteran, usually going at least once every couple of weeks for a dim sum feed.
Not only is the food great but the prices are unbelievable - half price dim sum at lunch time! If you're in a group of 2 or more, you can get a mammoth feed for under a tenner.
Service is efficient and reasonably friendly. Maybe not the best place for a date but perfect for groups.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Aladin Restaurant
20 Jul 07, 12:23
Best of Brick Lane
This is one of the few restaurants along Brick Lane not to have anyone outside hassling you for business yet always seems to be full.
I've been here on numerous occasions and the food has always been up to standard. Occassionally, I've had niggles with the service but generally its quite good and reasonably attentive.
Best thing is its BYO so you can nip down the offie for a few bottles of beer or wine rather than paying inflated restaurant prices.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Canteen
18 Jul 07, 19:21
Best of British
I've been here for both breakfast and dinner. The breakfast left me overwhelmed, lovely bubble and squeak, perfectly crispy bacon and possibly one of the better coffees I've had in London. However at £20 for 2 people it's probably a little pricey for a regular treat.
Dinner however, left me slightly underwhelmed. The food was unfussy and the portion sizes were reasonable but it lacked something. Then again, I had the roast and lets face it - it's tough to outdo your Mum or Grandma's home cooking!
I would have given it 3 stars but the design of the restaurant and its branding make the designer in me swoon. Plus, it's one of the first restaurants I recommend to out-of-towners in order to get a taste of proper British cooking.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Mess Cafe
18 Jul 07, 19:14
Cheap, tasty breakfasts 
I stumbled onto a review for this cafe quite some time ago and made the long trek from where I used to live just for the breakfast. For the princely sum of £4.30 you can get a lovely big fry-up and they even let me swap my egg for a sausage at no extra cost. Imagine my delight when I realised I would only be walking distance away when I moved to my new apartment. In subsequent visits I've branched out to try their burgers and chips and BLTs - just as good as the breakfast in both quality and price. Word of warning though, it gets busy on the weekends so expect a short wait at peak times.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Review of Gordons Wine Bar
18 Jul 07, 18:54
Great wine, unusual location
I ended up here one Sunday afternoon with some friends... We entered the darkness of the cellar around 1pm and emerged around 6ish a little worse for wear having sampled quite a few of their excellent wines. A feeling something akin to ending a big night by exiting a club into daylight!
Definitely go if you're a wine fanatic and still enjoyable even if you aren't.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Pub on the Park
18 Jul 07, 18:45
Love the outdoor deck
Walking through London Fields for the first time after I moved into my new apartment nearby I was attracted like a moth to a lovely looking pub with a large outdoor deck. That I declared, is my new local.
Aside from the deck, it has a good selection of beers, a reasonably friendly clientele and unfortunately, somewhat incompetent bar staff. They just never seem to know who arrived when at the bar. Having said that, if you can get served it's a brilliant pub and I couldn't think of a nicer place to spend a hot Summers afternoon.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Dove Freehouse and Kitchen
18 Jul 07, 18:40
I like your old stuff better than your new stuff 
I went here a few years earlier with a Belgian friend of mine and although the pub was quite nice with a good selection of Belgian beers, the cooking paled in comparison to proper Belgian food. They even used - shock! - English mayonaise for the chips.
I returned recently and was even less impressed. I wasn't bothered so much by the clientele (more Hackney Hipsters than you can shake a stick at) but the fact that the food was rubbish, service even worse and they have combined the male and female loos in some horrible haphazard way.
I'd go there for a drink but I think there are far better places nearby to eat.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.