Amanda 's reviews
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 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 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.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.