http://www.thefellow.co.uk/
24 York Way
London
N1 9AA
Found on the street that runs along the side of Kings Cross station, The Fellow is a great combination of rustic and modern interior designer, with a high quality if slightly limited menu. Try to avoid the post work crush and opt for a quieter time at the weekend or during the day to get a seat at their heavy wood tables and enjoy the sight of their open kitchen.
Rob and I picked this place for a late Sunday lunch and as such we went for roast dinners. I went with the Pork and I have to say this was the finest Sunday dinner outside of my mother's kitchen. The Pork melted off the shoulder bone, the Yorkshire puddings were crunchy but not overdone, the potatoes roasted in goose fat were delicious and even the carrots and cabbage were immaculate.
(I also visited The Fellow for Saturday lunch, along with 11 other people. Despite eight orders of fish and triple cooked chips the food was again right up there - a clear step above normal pub fair)
The only shame was that we were so hungover from the night before that we couldn't finish our meals!
I've visited this place a couple of times and it's a very enjoyable place for couples, friends, or a group of lads out on the beer. The staff are very polite and chatty, the service pretty quick, and it's not that pricey either.
My Review: 8/10
Overall rating: 8/10 (1 rating)
Monday, 26 September 2011
Thursday, 7 July 2011
The Coach Makers, Marylebone Lane
http://www.thecoachmakers.com/
88 Marylebone Lane,
Paddington, Greater London W1U 2
For this review I was joined by Rob and two more friends, Bell and Pat. First impressions were good - lots of bare wood, a couple of comfortable sofas, and dimpled pint glasses. There was a pleasant if not extensive selection of ales on offer. We went for the cornish ale and we were not disappointed. The service was warm.
Once everyone had arrived and a few more beers were consumed, we sat down and examined the menu. There were too many delicious sounding options and it was a real struggle to pick one of the dishes. In the end Pat (fatally) and Rob decided to have some oysters for starters. They were warm and according to those in the know that means they were no fresh. (Pat was sick afterwards but that has more to do with an allergy to oysters in general).
Then onto the mains. Pat and I picked the sausage and mash after a customer at the table next to us was served it. It was extremely tasty. Rob went for a full english, but the choice of quality over quantity did not please him. Bell went for Burger and chips, fully misunderstanding the mission statement. His burger was overcooked, the bun under cooked, and the chips to fat for him. I thought the chips were great.
With the sun coming in through the spacious windows the pub emitted a warm, comforting feeling. The ale went down well, but the food was a little hit and miss. Compared to some of the establishments in the local vicinity I would say it's a nice pub to visit, but not on a par with some of the gastro-pubs we have reviewed.
My review: 7
Rob's review: 7
Bell's review: 6
Overall rating: 20/3 = 6.7 (3 ratings)
88 Marylebone Lane,
Paddington, Greater London W1U 2
For this review I was joined by Rob and two more friends, Bell and Pat. First impressions were good - lots of bare wood, a couple of comfortable sofas, and dimpled pint glasses. There was a pleasant if not extensive selection of ales on offer. We went for the cornish ale and we were not disappointed. The service was warm.
Once everyone had arrived and a few more beers were consumed, we sat down and examined the menu. There were too many delicious sounding options and it was a real struggle to pick one of the dishes. In the end Pat (fatally) and Rob decided to have some oysters for starters. They were warm and according to those in the know that means they were no fresh. (Pat was sick afterwards but that has more to do with an allergy to oysters in general).
Then onto the mains. Pat and I picked the sausage and mash after a customer at the table next to us was served it. It was extremely tasty. Rob went for a full english, but the choice of quality over quantity did not please him. Bell went for Burger and chips, fully misunderstanding the mission statement. His burger was overcooked, the bun under cooked, and the chips to fat for him. I thought the chips were great.
With the sun coming in through the spacious windows the pub emitted a warm, comforting feeling. The ale went down well, but the food was a little hit and miss. Compared to some of the establishments in the local vicinity I would say it's a nice pub to visit, but not on a par with some of the gastro-pubs we have reviewed.
My review: 7
Rob's review: 7
Bell's review: 6
Overall rating: 20/3 = 6.7 (3 ratings)
Saturday, 28 May 2011
The Heights, Regent Street
http://www.saintgeorgeshotel.com/restaurant.html
Langham Place, Regent Street,
London, W1B 2QS
The website says 'be prepared to see a famous face from screen or stage' I assume this is a tag-line from the 1960s.
The reviews says the food is great but the service is poor, that it doesn't get busy but that can be a blessing.
The positives: It has a very nice view across London, the Wembley arch is visible in the distance, there are lots of nice buildings, and while you wait (and wait, and wait) for service you can people watch.
The negatives: Right, let's start form the beginning. They mixed up our drink order when we were sat waiting to go to our table. They apparently didn't know how to make some of the cocktails they had on offer. They took so long to prepare some of the drinks we thought they had forgotten.
They did not offer us any bread. The house rose was something we used to drink at Rob's when his Dad had a bottle he wanted to get rid of. The wine list had water damage (and the food menu looked like it had been part of a year 5 art project. When the menu is not of a high quality you worry about the rest of the place).
My starter, Tea roasted Duck, was horrendous. The duck was rubbery, a whole lettuce seemed to be chucked in with it and a gallon of salad cream poured on top.
Pork Loin was the main, and while it was a good chunk of Pork Chop it was nothing that you couldn't rustle up at home and was a real let down. However, the mains will be remembered for the waitress (who previously had been the only member of staff you could either find or would actively serve you) brought two fillets and two rumps, but our table had ordered three fillets and one rump. She went back into the kitchen, came back with her order pad and told us she had "2 fillets, 2 rumps" written down. Now I don't care what you wrote down, if we say we ordered 3 fillets, we ordered 3 fillets, you apologise and say it might be a few more minutes. We know you made an error but you are trying to rectify it, that's okay. You don't claim the customers are in error and then ram whatever you want them to eat down their throats.
Dessert was a chocolate cake with melting caramel, and to be fair the caramel was nice.
The whole experience was terrible and you can see why the restaurant was half full and quickly emptied. If at 9pm you are getting the tables ready for breakfast the next day you have problems. Whoever is in charge, if indeed there is someone in charge, should be replaced with immediate effect. Most of the staff looked like this was their summer job and were half awake.
Sod the view, I will never go back to this place again. The service was terrible, the food was ordinary, the drinks amateur, and the experience so bad we refused to pay the service charge (we met no objections, probably a regular occurrence)
Rating: 1.5/10 (only because you are guaranteed to get a table)
Average Rating: 1.5/10 (1)
Langham Place, Regent Street,
London, W1B 2QS
The website says 'be prepared to see a famous face from screen or stage' I assume this is a tag-line from the 1960s.
The reviews says the food is great but the service is poor, that it doesn't get busy but that can be a blessing.
The positives: It has a very nice view across London, the Wembley arch is visible in the distance, there are lots of nice buildings, and while you wait (and wait, and wait) for service you can people watch.
The negatives: Right, let's start form the beginning. They mixed up our drink order when we were sat waiting to go to our table. They apparently didn't know how to make some of the cocktails they had on offer. They took so long to prepare some of the drinks we thought they had forgotten.
They did not offer us any bread. The house rose was something we used to drink at Rob's when his Dad had a bottle he wanted to get rid of. The wine list had water damage (and the food menu looked like it had been part of a year 5 art project. When the menu is not of a high quality you worry about the rest of the place).
My starter, Tea roasted Duck, was horrendous. The duck was rubbery, a whole lettuce seemed to be chucked in with it and a gallon of salad cream poured on top.
Pork Loin was the main, and while it was a good chunk of Pork Chop it was nothing that you couldn't rustle up at home and was a real let down. However, the mains will be remembered for the waitress (who previously had been the only member of staff you could either find or would actively serve you) brought two fillets and two rumps, but our table had ordered three fillets and one rump. She went back into the kitchen, came back with her order pad and told us she had "2 fillets, 2 rumps" written down. Now I don't care what you wrote down, if we say we ordered 3 fillets, we ordered 3 fillets, you apologise and say it might be a few more minutes. We know you made an error but you are trying to rectify it, that's okay. You don't claim the customers are in error and then ram whatever you want them to eat down their throats.
Dessert was a chocolate cake with melting caramel, and to be fair the caramel was nice.
The whole experience was terrible and you can see why the restaurant was half full and quickly emptied. If at 9pm you are getting the tables ready for breakfast the next day you have problems. Whoever is in charge, if indeed there is someone in charge, should be replaced with immediate effect. Most of the staff looked like this was their summer job and were half awake.
Sod the view, I will never go back to this place again. The service was terrible, the food was ordinary, the drinks amateur, and the experience so bad we refused to pay the service charge (we met no objections, probably a regular occurrence)
Rating: 1.5/10 (only because you are guaranteed to get a table)
Average Rating: 1.5/10 (1)
Oxo Tower, South Bank
http://www.harveynichols.com/restaurants/oxo-tower-london/oxo-tower-london-restaurant
OXO Tower Wharf
Barge House Street
South Bank
London
SE1 9PH
My second visit to the OXO tower restaurant (first review) and I have to say, I like this place. With good views of the Thames on one side, this restaurant makes the right balance between formal and relaxed. The food, drink and staff are to high standards and you leave the place knowing you will come back.
Things started off with a quick drink while we waited for the rest of our party to turn up. Pip had a Martini with a grapefruit twist which, as a connoisseur of Martini's, he enjoyed immensely. When the full compliment of our party was present we went to our table that was disappointingly on the opposite side to the Thames - came have it all I suppose.
For a starter I had Roast Quail - a meat very easier to spoil, but cooked very well and presented well. Then for the main I went for the cod, again another serving that is constantly ruined and under appreciated. However in this instance the fish was succulent and crumbled under the power of my fork. The chive mash offered a valued companion, although the cockles were a little gritty and didn't offer a compliment to the cod.
Dessert was a honey cake (with the Tokaji Asuzu dessert wine) and the only complaint can be that there was not enough of it! I sampled (stole) someones Chocolate plate and the white chocolate panna cotta and white chocolate cheese cake were fabulous.
All in all a good meal, good drink, good service and a lovely atmosphere.
Rating: 8.5/10
Average Rating: 8.5/10 (1)
OXO Tower Wharf
Barge House Street
South Bank
London
SE1 9PH
My second visit to the OXO tower restaurant (first review) and I have to say, I like this place. With good views of the Thames on one side, this restaurant makes the right balance between formal and relaxed. The food, drink and staff are to high standards and you leave the place knowing you will come back.
Things started off with a quick drink while we waited for the rest of our party to turn up. Pip had a Martini with a grapefruit twist which, as a connoisseur of Martini's, he enjoyed immensely. When the full compliment of our party was present we went to our table that was disappointingly on the opposite side to the Thames - came have it all I suppose.
For a starter I had Roast Quail - a meat very easier to spoil, but cooked very well and presented well. Then for the main I went for the cod, again another serving that is constantly ruined and under appreciated. However in this instance the fish was succulent and crumbled under the power of my fork. The chive mash offered a valued companion, although the cockles were a little gritty and didn't offer a compliment to the cod.
Dessert was a honey cake (with the Tokaji Asuzu dessert wine) and the only complaint can be that there was not enough of it! I sampled (stole) someones Chocolate plate and the white chocolate panna cotta and white chocolate cheese cake were fabulous.
All in all a good meal, good drink, good service and a lovely atmosphere.
Rating: 8.5/10
Average Rating: 8.5/10 (1)
Wiltons, Green Park
http://www.wiltons.co.uk/home
55 Jermyn Street
London SW1Y 6LX
Reservations 0207 629 9955
Wiltons is a very exclusive and very pricey restaurant. The kind that requires men wear a jacket (if you fail to adhere to this standard then you will be given one of the house jackets). The staff are extremely friendly and sub-servant, bordering on sycophantic. I'm sure the usual clientele are more than happy with this but the air of formality was a little unsettling and fake.
That being said, as I found out later in the week, it is better to offer this kind of service than veer towards the other end of the spectrum, but more on that later. Back to Wiltons, we were offered a lovely champagne rose, then moved on to our starters. I opted for the seafood salad as a starter, and while the offerings of crab, salmon and especially the eel were delicious it was perhaps a little too much, and I'd advise others to only opt for this as a main. One of the group offered caviar and my first impressions are it's okay, but not worth the trouble.
We tried a lovely Shiraz from Chile, then moved on to the mains. I selected the rump of lamb - a surprisingly large offering, but the sauce was fantastic and if it were not for the size of my starter I feel I would have enjoyed this course more. For dessert I tried the chocolate fondant - a touch too rich for my liking - then ended the night with whisky.
The service turned out to be very good, accommodations constantly made to any requests our table made, new napkins proffered whenever someone vacated their seat, all in all they were very attentive and never left us waiting for long.
The layout of the restaurant is deceptively large as form the front the restaurant seems very small. There are lots of little booths and seating 'catches', but the lack of natural light made me very sleepy.
Wiltons strikes me a nice treat, a chance to view another world, but the cost and stuffiness cost it a couple of marks.
Rating: 7/10
Average Rating: 7/10 (1)
55 Jermyn Street
London SW1Y 6LX
Reservations 0207 629 9955
Wiltons is a very exclusive and very pricey restaurant. The kind that requires men wear a jacket (if you fail to adhere to this standard then you will be given one of the house jackets). The staff are extremely friendly and sub-servant, bordering on sycophantic. I'm sure the usual clientele are more than happy with this but the air of formality was a little unsettling and fake.
That being said, as I found out later in the week, it is better to offer this kind of service than veer towards the other end of the spectrum, but more on that later. Back to Wiltons, we were offered a lovely champagne rose, then moved on to our starters. I opted for the seafood salad as a starter, and while the offerings of crab, salmon and especially the eel were delicious it was perhaps a little too much, and I'd advise others to only opt for this as a main. One of the group offered caviar and my first impressions are it's okay, but not worth the trouble.
We tried a lovely Shiraz from Chile, then moved on to the mains. I selected the rump of lamb - a surprisingly large offering, but the sauce was fantastic and if it were not for the size of my starter I feel I would have enjoyed this course more. For dessert I tried the chocolate fondant - a touch too rich for my liking - then ended the night with whisky.
The service turned out to be very good, accommodations constantly made to any requests our table made, new napkins proffered whenever someone vacated their seat, all in all they were very attentive and never left us waiting for long.
The layout of the restaurant is deceptively large as form the front the restaurant seems very small. There are lots of little booths and seating 'catches', but the lack of natural light made me very sleepy.
Wiltons strikes me a nice treat, a chance to view another world, but the cost and stuffiness cost it a couple of marks.
Rating: 7/10
Average Rating: 7/10 (1)
The Green, Clerkenwell
The Green
29 Clerkenwell Green
London
EC1R 0DU
http://www.thegreenec1.co.uk/
I should really write these up a bit quicker, as I can't remember exactly what me and Rob ordered here. I think he had sardines, I went for the soup, then maybe the fish? Anyway, here is what I can remember...
The Green is round the corner from Farringdon station and basks in the afternoon sun, which on this splendid day was out in its fullness. There was a decent selection of bitters on offer and while the bar itself is small the service was quick and the table service a welcomed touch. Plus our bitters were served in proper dimpled (jug) pint glass.
And the glasses were well made because Rob, obviously testing the professionalism of the staff, dropped a full pint onto the wooden floor. It went everywhere, and given the wooden floor, it didn't disappear in a hurry. Fortunately the staff were fine with this (especially as we cleaned it up).
I'll certainly be going back there (Warning, it does get busy around lunch time) and then I'll be able to give a fuller review, but I liked this place.
Rating: 8/10
Average Rating: 8/10 (1)
Thursday, 24 March 2011
The Bear
www.thebear-freehouse.co.uk/
296a Camberwell New Road
London
SE5 0RP
So myself, Rob and Ellie checked out this pub for a late lunch. Unlike the other gastro-pubs we had checked out, this was definitely more pub than restaurant. The pub is a decent walk away from Oval station and sits on the corner of Camberwell New Road and Camberwell Station Road. The bar dominates the place, which removes a little of the intimacy the place has. There is a lot of wood and nice touches that give the place some character, but it was very quiet save a few bar flies that flew in and out.
The menu was interesting, to say the least. We were starving but the lunch menu written on the black board was set on the light side, so Rob and I had starters as well as mains. The starter was interesting (potato, onions, lettuce and olive combo) and was well prepared. We moved on to the mains where Rob and I had the pork belly sandwich, which was good. Ellie went for the Welsh rarebit which was cold.
There was a decent selection of drinks and some good ales, and some good whiskeys. The two staff members were friendly but I do not think arriving fifteen minutes before the lunch time kitchen closed did us any favours.
I can imagine this place being a very nice local, and I would want to try the dinner menu to see how that is before coming to a firm conclusion about the place. You can see the effort/potential, perhaps we just caught them on a slow and/or bad day.
Rating: 4.5/10
Average Rating: 4.5/10 (1)
296a Camberwell New Road
London
SE5 0RP
So myself, Rob and Ellie checked out this pub for a late lunch. Unlike the other gastro-pubs we had checked out, this was definitely more pub than restaurant. The pub is a decent walk away from Oval station and sits on the corner of Camberwell New Road and Camberwell Station Road. The bar dominates the place, which removes a little of the intimacy the place has. There is a lot of wood and nice touches that give the place some character, but it was very quiet save a few bar flies that flew in and out.
The menu was interesting, to say the least. We were starving but the lunch menu written on the black board was set on the light side, so Rob and I had starters as well as mains. The starter was interesting (potato, onions, lettuce and olive combo) and was well prepared. We moved on to the mains where Rob and I had the pork belly sandwich, which was good. Ellie went for the Welsh rarebit which was cold.
There was a decent selection of drinks and some good ales, and some good whiskeys. The two staff members were friendly but I do not think arriving fifteen minutes before the lunch time kitchen closed did us any favours.
I can imagine this place being a very nice local, and I would want to try the dinner menu to see how that is before coming to a firm conclusion about the place. You can see the effort/potential, perhaps we just caught them on a slow and/or bad day.
Rating: 4.5/10
Average Rating: 4.5/10 (1)
Thursday, 10 March 2011
Bacchus
http://www.bacchus-restaurant.co.uk/
177 Hoxton Street
London
N1 6PJ
Another gastro-pub Rob and I checked out and again we were not disappointed. The place was about a third full, and is a quick little walk from Hoxton Square. A very impressive array of wines and spirits, although one of the bitters was off and that restricted options.
The pub is not that large and there is little room for a standing crowd, which makes it a nice place to have a relaxed drink (one imagines) or to eat. The environment is very relaxed yet remains a touch of class.
The service was very friendly and informative. I had the soup and then the chicken, while Rob selected a very complimentary wine (I think he had duck as his main). We then enjoyed coffee and whiskey, and the bill was very respectable.
Rating: 8.5/10.
Average Rating: 8.5/10 (1)
177 Hoxton Street
London
N1 6PJ
Another gastro-pub Rob and I checked out and again we were not disappointed. The place was about a third full, and is a quick little walk from Hoxton Square. A very impressive array of wines and spirits, although one of the bitters was off and that restricted options.
The pub is not that large and there is little room for a standing crowd, which makes it a nice place to have a relaxed drink (one imagines) or to eat. The environment is very relaxed yet remains a touch of class.
The service was very friendly and informative. I had the soup and then the chicken, while Rob selected a very complimentary wine (I think he had duck as his main). We then enjoyed coffee and whiskey, and the bill was very respectable.
Rating: 8.5/10.
Average Rating: 8.5/10 (1)
The Princess Victoria
http://www.princessvictoria.co.uk/
217 Uxbridge Road
Shepherds Bush
London W12 9DH
Myself and Rob visited this delightful gastro-pub on a Friday afternoon. The place was pretty much empty, and certainly no one else was eating. We were obviously after any lunchtime rush but before people finished work, and maybe this contributed to the exceptionally personal service we enjoyed.
The pub is classically decorated and if you can find a good seat in the main bar area I imagine it is a very nice place to relax. The main dining area is vast, and there is a small courtyard area outside.
We ordered off a set menu, enjoyed the complimentary bread, and while I cannot remember the exact main meals we ordered the creme brulee for dessert was exceptional. (I hope to add more details about later pubs and places soon, when they are fresher in my mind). We enjoyed some interesting wine, then a pint with the jovial barman, and then went on our way.
I'll certainly visit this pub again - after all it is easier to produce good food and friendly service when no one else is there! - and while there would be little of intrigue for the drinkers out there the food was good.
A 10-15 walk from Shepherds Bush station the pub is a little away from the main scene, so much so you may wonder if you have walked past it, but it is certainly worth a little trek.
Rating: 8/10
Average Rating: 8/10 (1)
217 Uxbridge Road
Shepherds Bush
London W12 9DH
Myself and Rob visited this delightful gastro-pub on a Friday afternoon. The place was pretty much empty, and certainly no one else was eating. We were obviously after any lunchtime rush but before people finished work, and maybe this contributed to the exceptionally personal service we enjoyed.
The pub is classically decorated and if you can find a good seat in the main bar area I imagine it is a very nice place to relax. The main dining area is vast, and there is a small courtyard area outside.
We ordered off a set menu, enjoyed the complimentary bread, and while I cannot remember the exact main meals we ordered the creme brulee for dessert was exceptional. (I hope to add more details about later pubs and places soon, when they are fresher in my mind). We enjoyed some interesting wine, then a pint with the jovial barman, and then went on our way.
I'll certainly visit this pub again - after all it is easier to produce good food and friendly service when no one else is there! - and while there would be little of intrigue for the drinkers out there the food was good.
A 10-15 walk from Shepherds Bush station the pub is a little away from the main scene, so much so you may wonder if you have walked past it, but it is certainly worth a little trek.
Rating: 8/10
Average Rating: 8/10 (1)
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