All reader reviews by mal
Alastair Little
£38 for a set lunch, in my opinion this represents poor value for money even in the centre of town - food is well cooked but presentation is nothing special and the service was friendly but patchy on the lunctime that I visited even though the place was only half full.I have paid less for more - Pied a Terre for instance.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Overall rating 
Food 7 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Clos Maggiore
Good value set lunch ,decor nothing special ( fake blossom in the conservatory) but the cooking is solid especially on the simpler dishes - reasonable selection of wines by the glass but some of the bottles are well overpriced,service competent and charming a times - worth a visit.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Overall rating 
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Galvin
Seems we were not alone when we turned up for our table and they couldn't find our reservation - lots of head scratching and finally we were accomodated-food was very good, service Ok but this place really lacked atmosphere for a saturday night-the decor is uninspiring and when the staff are yawning in front of the customers thats not a good sign-may go again for lunch but would pass on dining there again in the evening I think.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Overall rating 
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 8
Villandry
Shocking service,waitress in a dirty shirt who asked if I wanted my steak tartare,well done,medium or rare - I abandoned that idea after being told it left the kitchen pre - seasoned and went for the 1/2 lobster salad - a huge mistake-2 tiny pieces or rubbery lobster on a stack of freezing cold smashed potatoes with 6 tiny cubes(3 mm square) of beetroot-great value at £16.50-not.I wanted to write nice things because its a lovely room and all the stuff around is great but this place really does need to sort out its staffing issues-needless to say I wont be returning!Oh and the mains arrived 70 minutes after we ordered in a place that was only 1/3 full.Avoid.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Overall rating 
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 0
El Pirata
I visited one of my old haunts for the first time in ages - I wasn't dissapointed,very little has changed ,the food and service are still great and the atmosphere on a busy saturday evening was lively.My only possible bone of contention was that I had forgotten how large some of the portions were and left feeling very full indeed ,2 of us ate for £70 inc 2 glasses of cava and a nice bottle of rioja - too full to eat puddings - some things never change and in this case its a very good thing!
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Overall rating 
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Rebato's
Despite last years re-decoration taking away some of the feeling that you were in Spain the food is still wonderful and the service great-Lamb cutlets being the jewel in their crown I think, though the artichokes ,suckling pig and chicken livers wrapped in bacon weren't far behind,As we were the last to leave and our cabs were taking forever the last remaining member of staff let us wait inside and fortified us with a few free brandies rather than letting us wait in the rain as he locked up - what more can you ask for!Great place ,delightful staff wonderful tapas.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Overall rating 
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
The Greyhound Pub and Dining Room
Lousy service unless you are a regular or one of the friends of the barstaff it seems,I have to agree with the reviews below,average food and poor value for money which is a shame as it was great when it first opened.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Overall rating 
Food 4 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 4
Quilon
Despite the decor lacking a certain ambience and the place only being half full when we visited-but it was one of the hottest nights of the year and the air cond was working well thank god, the food was excellent,stick to the fish and southern indian specialities and you cant go wrong,the cod in banana leaf was fabulous and the biriyani really was 10 out of 10.Service was great and charming in its own way,worth going out of your way to Quilon-highly recommended
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
The Windmill
Can't disagree with the previous reviewer,the pies are amazing and my colleagues Sausage and Mash could teach a few gastro pubs a lesson, a drinkable bottle of Malbec for about 12 quid and great Banana Tarte Tatin made for a really great value quality lunch in Mayfair - under £25 per person - I have paid a lot more more a lot less.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Pied a Terre
Went there a couple of weeks ago for a lunch for the first time since it had re-opened and wasn't a thrilled as I had been on previous visits ,the food was still fabulous but service left a bit to be desired for once.Tha man on the next table was sat alone and looked like he had been stood up however a mobile phone call to his lunch partner found that she had been sitting at the front of the restaurant for 20 mins while he had been ushered into the room at the back.We too encountered problems over our desserts,I went off the set menu whilst my colleague stuck to it,sadly we were both brought the same dessert heavy discussions ensued and despite putting my case forward in French to the waiters was left feeling like it was my fault,both desserts were removed and no apology offered- when they finally arrived after a 20 min wait they were both great but the damage was done by then - even places this good have their off days.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Raavi Kebab
Eaten here many times and have to say the food is great and very good value,keema peas being a fave of mine,the food can get a bit on the fiery side and the incomprhensibly bad service can frustrate,go out of peak hours to avoid being rushed or having to queue.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Overall rating 
Food 9 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 9
Mirchmasala
We decided forgo the Lahore Kebab House on a busy sunday lunch and go to this new branch of the Mirch and having eaten in their Tooting and Southall versions it wasn't too much of a chore.At least 6 of the asian family on the next table appeared to be eating the same dish so we decided to follow,it was the old fave Karahi gohst ,once it arrived it wasn't difficult to see why so many people were tucking in - fabulous lamb in an amazing sauce with a richness and depth of flavour that is rare outside the subcontinent,Kebab curry was also great if not a little bit fiery,garlic naans were sensational as usual and service was good but not great but the place was creaking at the seams that day and people were waiting for tables,a welcome addition to the chain.I will return.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Bentley's Oyster Bar & Grill
See the comment below - similar experience,painful service ,shocking decor and atmosphere ,tiny portions of Dover sole and inflated prices - we decided to forget dessert and leave early - not so easy - asking for the bill about 5 times did even less to endear this place to us - if this is the best Mr Corrigan can do we wont be returning!
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Overall rating 
Food 4 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 1
The Ivy
Forget the celebrities - go to the Ivy for fabulous Steak and Kidney pudding ,Shepherds pie and other simple fare,great value wine list and fabulous desserts - not the best restaurant in London but pretty good and consistent-If you want to see celebs ,buy Hello magazine - if you want good value English food ,go to the Ivy.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Salloos
Very pleasant way to spend a saturday night,kebabs were great esp. the lamb shish which were melt in the mouth gorgeous,lamb chops were Ok but not as great as everyone raves about.The curries were a bit hit and miss ,chicken tikka masala "the house speciality ' was good but the bhuna gosht was slighty bland others suffered slightly from too much fresh ginger ,dont expect to get away for less than £40 per head with just a few drinks- very nice atmosphere and good service though.Not for people who like their Pakistani and Indian food a bit more authentic.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
