Blueprint Cafe

4 of us dined at the blueprint last Tuesday and had a rip snorter of a meal!

Appart from a rather surly salt and pepper haired waiter who seemed to take offence at me asking questions about the menu items, such as Suppli, which I had never heard of (Turns out they were risotto balls, I always believed they were called Arrancini) anywho, much tutting and rolling of eyes ensued, but we all laughed it off!

Everything we ate was spectacular, I loved my sardines on toast, my wifes smoked eel sandwhich was sublime and our two friends beetroot salad was utter bliss.

Just to correct the Lady who left the review underneath, skirt steak can indeed be braised or stewed until tender, skirt( or Onglet) is also beautiful grilled rare like it is at the blueprint, one should not rely on the internet for advice on cooking when someone as supremely talented as Jeremy Lee is at the healm of the kitchen, it just highlights your ignorance of quality, unusual ingredients madam!

Quality, brave, no bulls**t food here for real foodies! Go get some!

Ben Tamlyn - Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Chennai Dosa

hi, my name is sanjana and i live in wembley. i often visit chennai dosa which is in the corner one. food is good and service is very good. people there are more friendly. specially i love there sambar and chilly panner. must a visit place.

sanjana - Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Devonshire Terrace

Although this restaurant is not easy to find, it is worth the trip, maybe for lunch or workday evenings rather than weekends. The service is excellent, the setting is very stylish, and the food is very good indeed at very reasonable prices for the location. A place I shall certainly return to.

dukandak - Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Roka

Fantastic food. The spinach and sesame dressing salad doesn't look like much (few spinach leaves) but tasted lovely. Quite pricey but worth the money. The staff were nice but sometimes a bit slow as I had to ask few times about where our drinks were. It is great that they tell you what is what when they are bringing the food on the table. Five of us went on a Monday night and we had a table at 6.30pm. By the time we finished eating the place was full!

It can be a little chilly by the glass so during winter I would opt for seats that are in the center.

Great place for special occasion. You will never go to Yo Sushi again after having eaten here.

Kris - Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Mekong

Live nearby and love the place. Food is always good although sometimes better than others. Also like to down to earth setting and very relaxed atmosphere. Staff are great and always welcome us with open arms.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Tradewinds Restaurant and Wine Bar

I recently took client’s to this restaurant and we had the worst service and experience ever.

Upon arrival our drinks order was taken by our waitress who had very limited English. As soon as she walked away with our order, another waiter came up and asked for our drinks order as he wasn’t confident the waitress had done it properly. Our starters took forever to come out and when they finally arrived were wrong. Those of us who ordered starters either didn’t get anything or got the wrong dish and those of us who didn’t order a starter were surprised to find a dish in front of us. We asked for the right starters to be brought out which took an additional 30-40 minutes.

When our main meal came out the wrong dishes were brought out again and those that ordered steak didn’t get the sauce, chips/potatoes or salad that was promised in the menu - and this was never given to us despite us bringing this up to the waitress.

Dessert was a similar story and eventually when the waitress came out to take our coffee order she didn’t bring a notepad or pen. So, we asked her to go back and get a notepad and pen as clearly her memory wasn’t up to it and she left and never came back.

At the end of the meal, we complained to the manager and expressed our disappointment given not only was it an appalling evening it was in front of our clients which is quite embarrassing.

He wasn’t interested at all and said we weren’t welcome back there.

Jodi - Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Manicomio (Gutter Lane)

I have been only usied the takeaway lunch and breakfast part of this restaurant-only been open for 6 weeks but the quality of the food is excellent....will try the restaurant shortly...

stephen harrington - Tuesday, August 19, 2008

La Vina

La Vina Tapas bar, in my opinion, is the best of Tapas restaurant in London. The food is fabulous and even includes vegetarian menu. The porcion is great. The food arrives a few minutes. There is no need to wait too much. The environment is nice and cozy. The waitress are very nice and, together with the bills, comes a spanish liquor. I commend Wednesday, as 3 tapas by leaving only £ 8.50.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

La Vina

La Vina Tapas bar, in my opinion, is the best of Tapas restaurant in London. The food is fabulous and even includes vegetarian menu. The porcion is great. The food arrives a few minutes. There is no need to wait too much. The environment is nice and cozy. The waitress are very nice and, together with the bills, comes a spanish liquor. I commend Wednesday, as 3 tapas by leaving only £ 8.50.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Masala Zone

i have been to masala zone a number of times, thier starters are delicious. they do the best gol guppas by far , having the right amount of spice and sweet combination. i have serached high and low for the perfect gol guppa in london and masala zone have it!!! everytime i have them i actually think im in chandni chowk bazar. the samosa and chole combination is also fantastic, and their dhaain chaat is also another perfect dish.

the starters truely reflect street foods in india, as an indian i would like to say masala zone has done it proud however their thalis are not as superb as the starters. presentation of the thalis are gorgeous the rice is in a perfect mould, each little katoris are clean and filled to the rims. the paaneer makahandwala is gorgeous but the culiflower and aloo combination istoo bland.

the deserts such as warm gulab jamun and ice cream is luxurious.

overall masala zone is fantastic, the staff are nice and very helpful and the environment is perfect for friends day out or a romantic dinner.

hafizah hafez - Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Smollensky's on the Strand

Had a great meal here in July for my daughter's 13th birthday. It was an early sitting as we were off to see a show afterwards, but the minute we arrived, we were made to feel welcome. The food was great and all the kids enjoyed starters, mains and desserts. The two younger kids had great little party bags which kept them occupied in-between courses. Timings were spot on and we left in plenty of time to get to the theatre on time. Highly recommend this restaurant.

Catherine Baldwin - Tuesday, August 19, 2008

The Gun

Myself and three colleagues from work had lunch in The Gun last week and it was fantastic, I'm not normally the type to comment on these type of things, good or bad, but I felt on this occasion it was certainly worthy of a mention. The food was delicious, the service was great (offered excellent advice on vino ie listened to what we liked rather than trying to get us to buy the most expensive bottle) and finally the venue & setting have to be seen to be believed. All-in-all top notch!

TCH - Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Awana

Firstly I would like to say I had a fabulous time at Awana. I organize a birthday party with a group of my friends and family. We had our starters pre -ordered as we were a big group. The food there was amazing. It was very colourful and tasty. We also get to watch the Roti chef make the roti at the satay bar. The satay was very tasty and fresh. Awana boast a very interesting and colourful cocktail list. We opt for the Dato Special for starters and end with Comfort Guylian. For the birthday cake which was presented by the restaurant, we had the awana hibiscus to go. Dinner was a blast we had mixed of sambal kangkong, grilled chicken nasi goreng, lobster cha kueh teow,chicken cashew stir fry, beef ginger and tofu istimewa. All the food was very tasty. For desert we ordered the black sticky rice, roti tissue, chendol, durian cream brulee and to share we had an assortment of sorbet and ice cream. The staff were fabulous they were attentive and friendly. All in all we had a fabulous birthday and enjoyed the food and service at Awana and definitely will come again and urge all to give it a try.

lee - Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Baozi Inn

I have to agree with the first review below. I set off for Baozi Inn on the basis of the Time Out review, and was left a bit disappointed. Service was a bit rushed, but that's pretty much par for the course in Chinatown. The restaurant is relatively small, so we wound up sharing a table with other customers. Normally, I don't mind sharing, but the cramped table made it a bit too close for comfort. It wasn't so much the food, which was fairly tasty (although somewhat bland), but rather its failure to live up to the promise of being an ambassador for Sichuanese cuisine. Nothing was particularly spicy, with only a scant selection of the many vegetables that you can find at truly authentic Sichuanese restaurants. Perhaps the heat and spice has been toned down for the UK palate?

When Baozi Inn turns up the heat, I might go back. But not until then.

Hungry Hungry Hippo - Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Hadley House

Went last night for the first time since it changed hands. Previously we were regulars.

What has changed? They've lost the ambience, the personal touch, the slightly chaotic approach that made the old HH what it was. The staff didn't know the menu, so a starter of mussels and soda bread (good combination I thought) turned up without the bread. We were then told that they didn't have any soda bread. Take it off the menu then....not good. I sent it back, to much consternation. At these prices it needs to be right I'm afraid.

Later, on the cheeses - "artisan English" - appeared with no explanation of what they were - again, the norm is to explain. The staff don't know the menu. All in all, a nervous, choppy experience. However, on the upside - the skate and the lamb were fine.

I'm afraid HH has lost what it was it is off my list. I think they are going to blow it and in 2 yrs or so it will be another vacant unit.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008