Amanda 's reviews
Review of Water House
07 Jun 08, 15:03
Lovely for Breakfast 
On recommendation of my housemate, my boyfriend and I decided to wander down here for breakfast.
Despite being only 5 minutes walk from our flat, I would never have known it was here if I hadn't been told. Whilst that makes it lovely and secluded, it certainly can't be doing the owners (who also own Acorn House) any favours.
There was only one other couple dining, so we managed to get a lovely table outdoors overlooking Regent's Canal. Venice it ain't but it's still quite nice on a sunny day.
We just missed the breakfast menu but they were still serving brunch. Boyfriend went for Scrambled eggs, pancetta and mushroom served with toast whilst I went for Sausage, pancetta and potatoes served with toast. Very healthy ;) Both of us raved on the quality and taste of all ingredients although we were wondering about the alfalfa garnish. I think this balanced out my weekly dose of saturated fats perfectly, boyfriend wasn't so sure!
Our lovely serve of saturated fats were washed down with coffee, which according to the coffee expert (not me!) were reasonable.
A little on the expensive side for breakfast (nearing £20) but both of us were left feeling satisfied and eager to return to try their evening menu, or perhaps the breakfast menu, or perhaps the yummy burgers they do..
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Buen Ayre
28 Oct 07, 17:58
The Best Steak in London x3
I went to Beun Ayre based solely on the two reviews above. I'd seen it a couple of times walking through Broadway Market and I was intrigued. Since it was payday, I thought what better way to celebrate than with a nice meal with my boyfriend after a long week at work.
We had a reservation for 9pm and arrived slightly early to find a very empty restaurant. Within ten minutes the place was full to the brim. As it was, we had to get the high up table because when I emailed on Monday to book it was one of two left.
We both ordered steaks - the 14oz sirloin for him and the 10oz fillet for me. We followed Barnaby's recommendations - having the bread and the brilliant blue cheese butter as a starter, only ordering one portion of chips and a salad, and choosing the Malbec. It was very wise advice!
The steaks were brilliant. Really. I wasn't so keen on the nut/leaf salad and butter beans that came with it but it wasn't the end of the world. I'd possibly skip ordering a salad off the menu extra but I preferred the simple combination of lettuce/tomato to what appeared with the steak. Chips were wonderful and let's face it - what is a steak without it. I was slightly confused by the oil, chilli and herb mixture that came with the steaks - tasted a bit like salad dressing to me (and maybe it was!)
By the end of all that, I was stuffed! My boyfriend ordered a bread pudding for dessert which came as a cold dish. I managed to have a few bites but it was nothing particularly special.
Service was ok but I felt at times they weren't as friendly or attentive as they could have been. Price-wise, it was very reasonable - two of the priciest mains, two side dishes, a dessert, some bread, sparkling water and a bottle of wine working out to about £30 each. For steak of that quality it was brilliant.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Vinopolis
28 Oct 07, 17:25
Excellent Cuisine
My boss took our team here on Friday for a long "team-bonding" lunch. I think he was hoping to get us in for a wine-tasting session but unfortunately it wasn't on until later that day.
It was suprisingly empty for a Friday afternoon and we managed to get a table for 11 with no wait at all.
The menu looked impressive (and expensive) if a little light on the vegetarian main choices. Whilst waiting for our food, service was brilliant with waiters bringing the most amazingly fresh bread rolls and butter and doling out water and wine where necessary.
Mains arrived and were all beautifully presented. They must have thought we had never saw food with everyone oohing and aahing. I ordered a rack of lamb with champ, mediterranean vegetables and a port jus. The rack of lamb was absolutely faultless -- brilliant quality meat -- and everything was cooked to perfection. One of the chicken dishes came with a roast potato that deep inside had a yucky brown bit (it would have been impossible to tell from the outside). The waiters took it away swiftly and replaced it with a completely fresh dish only moments later. No kitchen can be completely perfect and handling of problems as professionally as that certainly makes all the difference.
Desserts were given ticks on all counts - taste, quality of ingredients and presentation. My strawberry cheesecake possibly the nicest I have ever had. I didn't see a single plate with an ounce of food left on it!
Thankfully my boss was paying as the food was on the pricier side but the food and service definitely exceeded expectations.
Highly recommended for the cuisine. Hopefully I'll get to come back to do a wine tasting tour sometime.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Maoz
24 Oct 07, 14:15
Good Vegie Takeaway
I'm not vegetarian myself but I've heard many a vegie sing praise for Maoz.
Max J. has summed it up nicely and that echoes my sentiments exactly. Especially the bit about "stacking on the veg and salad"... coleslaw, tomato, cabbage, olives, pickles, carrots, couscous, cucumber, peppers.. and a good range of dressings.
The addition of Belgian chips makes a Maoz a tasty proposition after a night drinking or at lunchtime. With all that salad it's gotta be healthier than a kebab!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Mangal Turkish Pizza
21 Oct 07, 20:42
Good takeaway option in Stokey
I'd been some time ago to this place but it was the strength of the review above that triggered another trip to this little place around the corner from my boyfriends apartment.
It was convenient and cheap, so that fitted nicely with our plans for a friday night dinner just before payday. We plumped for the pide which was slightly more expensive than the Lamachun at around £4.50. The pide was fresh and very tasty. I especially rate the container of salad they give you to have with it. Portion size was spot on.
I saw someone ordering the Lamachun whilst we were waiting and it looked amazing for only £1.50 - I know what I'll be getting next time I need a quick feed late at night after a few drinks ;)
Thanks to Joelle for jogging my memory!
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Design Museum
25 Sep 07, 15:39
I
Being a designer by trade, I'm somewhat biased of this lovely museum. Not only is the design and layout super trendy but it's one of the few places that has exhibitions that focus on print and interactive design.
It's also in a beautiful location, nestled in Shad Thames near some great restaurants and with views of the Tower Bridge. Ideal for impressing a date ;)
Membership is quite cheap, especially for those under 26 (sadly not me anymore). If you sign up to pay by direct debit, it only costs £15 to get in with a guest for a whole year plus you get to go to the members only openings! Bargain!
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Wagamama
30 Aug 07, 15:29
Very Quick Bite
I was starving and hungry, with less than 30 minutes before my movie started. I didn't feel like a greasey kebab or burger and after waiting 5 minutes in Yo Sushi next door without even an acknowledgement from the service staff, I was beginning to think I may end up having popcorn for dinner.
We decided to give Wagamamas a shot, given we already knew what to order before walking in the door (I don't think they have changed their menu since I first went 2 years ago!)
When the waitress came to ask what drinks we wanted, we asked to order our food. Within 5 minutes my boyfriend's meal was on the table and mine followed not much longer after that. We had about 15 minutes total to wolf it down and get the bill to make the start of our movie. Lucky we were both starving!
The food was nothing special but it was of a decent standard for the price. I was impressed with the speed of delivery and service compared to other times I have eaten at Wagamamas.
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 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 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.