 | London Restaurants | Tips 1 - 10 of 2696 |  |
 | |  |  | A Cena: A Cena - excellent Italian in South West London | Tip Rating:  Satisfaction:  |  |  | |  |
One clear, cold winters evening we met up with friends for dinner at a little Italian restaurant called A Cena. It is located on the Richmond/Twickenham border, just across Richmond Bridge. A Cena has a fabulous cosy atmosphere, just perfect for the winters evening we visited. It is moodily lit, with tasteful décor and a relaxed yet classy vibe. Service through out the evening was professional and the food lived up to the rumours we had heard - it was excellent.
Whilst perusing the menu and catching up on gossip we enjoyed a glass of Proseco and some Italian breads with olive oil. Starters all sounded great so we couldn't resist. Alex & I shared the Wild Boar Salami and the Risotto Amarone della Valpolicella - both were delicious. Sarah had the Artichoke Fritti with lemon and Steve had the Pan fried Scallops with Anchovy & Rosemary Sauce. We all had a taste of each and no one was disappointed. Main courses were even better - Sarah and I both ordered the Grilled Ribeye Steak with Tarragon butter, Creamed Spinach & "Patatine Fritte" (aka chips!) - the steak was really tasty and I would happily go there tomorrow and order it again. Alex had the Pot-Roast Guinea Fowl with Marsala, Braised Leg Meat, Chestnuts, Savoy Cabbage & Potato - I tried some and it was excellent, just melted in your mouth. Steve had the Pan Fried Halibut with Mussels, Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Oregano and Olive Oil Mash and again this was really good - the mussels looked particularly plump and flavoursome. Somehow we managed to squeeze in some desserts....Sarah & Steve shared the White Chocolate Mousse, while Alex and I shared the Chocolate & Coffee Cassata which was rich and mmm - good! We really enjoyed are evening at A Cena and will definitely be returning again soon. Leave a Comment Theme: ItalianPrice: US$41 and up » Currency ConverterComparison: more expensive than averageAddress: 418 Richmond Road, Twickenham TW1 2EBPhone: 020 8288 0108Directions: Nearest Tube/Train: Richmond station is about 15 minutes walk, over the riverWebsite: http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/reviews/1295.html http://acena.co.uk/
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| | | | Andrew Edmunds: Andrew Edmunds - in Soho | Tip Rating: Satisfaction:  | | | | |
Andrew Edmunds is a small restaurant in Soho that you would probably walk past without noticing… but you will be happy if you do notice it - it is one of those hidden gems you wish you had know about for years. Not the best food you will ever eat, not the cheapest (though pretty good value), no fancy décor, but honest cooking in a welcoming environment. I had read that Andrew Edmunds was one of the "most romantic" restaurants in London. Well not sure I totally agree - although the basement dining area is cosy and candle lit, tables are a bit too close together for a romantic tête-à-tête. And we dined with friends anyway, so no chance for romance.
To start, we had the Roast Woodcock on Toast, the Dressed Crab, and the Smoked Haddock Mousse with red onion, hazelnuts and watercress. The Woodcock was nice and gamey and well cooked. Main courses were the Braised Herdwick Lamb shank with winter vegetables, olive oil mash and greens, the Roast Duck Breast, sweet potato and coconut dauphinois & bok choi, and the Wild Sea Bass fillet with potato cake & fennel, crab & cherry tomato salad. The duck was very good and perfectly cooked, and the sweet potato and coconut dauphinois was intriguing. The lamb was less popular, a bit bland with no braising apparent. Desserts we tried were the Sticky Toffee Pudding, the Chocolate Mousse Cake and the Lemon Sorbet. All plates were cleaned except for the Chocolate Mousse Cake, which was a bit too rich. Sherry seems to be a bit of a speciality here, and the boys enjoyed a very civilised glass. I was impressed with the wine list, lots of interesting options and a few bargains to be had. Romantic or not, I really enjoyed our meal at Andrew Edmunds and look forward to returning again soon, though I wouldn't want to be sitting in that cosy basement area in summer. Leave a Comment Theme: Eclectic/InternationalPrice: US$31-40 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: 46 Lexington Street, London W1F 0LPPhone: 020 7437 5708Directions: Nearest Transport: Piccadilly Circus
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| | | | Anglesea Arms: Anglesea Arms - West London Gastro Pub | Tip Rating: Satisfaction: | | | | |
I do love a good Gastro Pub - a pub that serves really good food and wine - and I had read that the Anglesea Arms was one of the best in West London. So when we needed somewhere to go for lunch on Good Friday, as we were in the area, I decided that it was time to try it out for myself. The pub is located in a beautiful street, with renovated coloured terraces and beautiful blossom trees. It is just the type of local you would want. Friendly and cosy, huge comfy sofa by the fire place and a small dining area dishing up fabulous food. No reservations are taken, so get there early. We arrived around 12.30pm and were in luck - a nice little table was available for us. We took a seat and checked out the blackboard menu while munching on the complimentary fresh-baked bread.
I decided on the Fish & Chips, with Mushy peas. It was tasty and perfect for lunch. Alex, as usual, ordered the most delicious thing on the menu - the Roast Gloucester Old Spot Pork Belly, with mustard mash, savoy cabbage and apple sauce. The pork just melted in your mouth. We shared a dessert - the Sticky Date Pudding, with Butterscotch sauce and Vanilla ice-cream. MMmmmm...it was one of the best I have had, the sauce being particularly good. Service was friendly and relaxed and the atmosphere was great. I would highly recommend the Anglesea arms and am already looking forward to a return visit. Leave a Comment Theme: Pub/BreweryPrice: US$21-30 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: 35 Wingate Road, London, W6 0URPhone: 020 8749 1291Directions: Nearest tube: Ravenscourt Park or Goldhawk RoadWebsite: http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/23/2379/Anglesea_Arms/Hammersmith
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| | | | Annie's: Candle lit local - Annie's in Chiswick West London | Tip Rating: Satisfaction: | | | | |
Annie's is a small two story restaurant/cafe located close to the Thames in Chiswick, West London. We arrived with friends for a late dinner to find that our booking was not there......by co-incidence there was another table with the same name booked for a little earlier than us, and this had lead to some confusion..... Anyway, they sorted it out quickly and professionally and we were soon seated up stairs in a candle lit room. Annie's is a great place for a romantic meal or dinner with friends. A little classy, but still relaxed, with professional service.
We had a range of meals including Thai Mussels, Fish & Chips, Peppered Tuna Steak, Prawn Salad. All washed down with a delightful New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Fabulous! ***Just back from Sunday brunch at Annies - absolutely delicious!!! We will be back*** Leave a Comment Theme: Eclectic/InternationalPrice: US$11-20 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: 162 Thames Rd, Chiswick London W4 3QSPhone: 020 8994 9080Directions: Nearest Tube: Gunnersbury - about 15 minutes walk Nearest Train: Kew Bridge - about 15 minutes walk Just back from the Thames in Chiswick, West London.Website: http://www.anniesrestaurant.co.uk/
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| | | | Arbutus: Arbutus - modern cuisine, Soho | Tip Rating: Satisfaction: | | | | |
On a culinary website that I frequent, I read with great interest about a new restaurant called Arbutus opening up in Soho. The owners were well renowned restaurateurs in London, and I had the feeling that their new venture was going to be worth checking out. Then when I heard that they were offering 50% off food for the first 4 days of trading, I was even keener! So, I booked a table for 4 for opening night - and hoped that they would hit the ground running….and they did. Located close to Soho Square, Arbutus is a classy looking restaurant, offering international cuisine with a bit of a French slant. The design is fresh and airy, service was impressive for opening night, and the food was very good, and excellent value, even without the discount. One of the best things about Arbutus is that all of the wines on the well selected list are available in a 250ml carafe, giving you a great opportunity to try a few different wines with your meal. Only complaints would be that it was quite noisy once the place filled up, and the lack of side plates for bread.
So, to the food. For entrée, Anita had the Warm cod brandade, young squid, sea purslane, parsley cromesqui, Kelly had the Smoked eel, pressed beetroot, horseradish cream, young leaves, and Alex had the Chicken sot-l'y-laisse (oysters), macaroni, broad beans, lemon thyme and hazelnuts. I tried them all and enjoyed the Chicken Oysters the best, but all were yum and well presented. Main courses - Kelly and I both had the Elwy valley rump of lamb, tortellini of goats cheese, artichokes, tomato, Taggiascha olives, which was absolutely delicious!! The lamb was perfectly cooked and the goats cheese tortellini the perfect accompaniment. Alex had the Breast of veal lacquered with spices, butternut squash, cavolo nero and Anita had the Roast rabbit, shoulder cottage pie, Hispi cabbage, mustard sauce, which was also pretty special. Well, we just had to sample some desserts. Kelly decided to keep it savoury and had a couple of cheeses which she deemed most tasty. Anita and Alex both ordered the Warm chocolate soup, caramelized brioche, pecan nuts and I had the Floating island with pink praline, custard, mainly because I was intrigued by the name! All desserts were really tasty. We tried a few different wines throughout the meal and enjoyed them all. All the meals were above average in flavour and presentation. Basically it was a fabulous night, and we will return one day soon. Leave a Comment Theme: Eclectic/InternationalPrice: US$31-40 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: 63-64 Frith Street, London W1D 3JWPhone: 020 7734 4545Directions: Nearest Tube: Tottenham Court Road is about a 5 minute walk. Leicester Square is around a 10 minute walk.Website: http://www.arbutusrestaurant.co.uk/ Other Contact: info@arbutusrestaurant.co.uk
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| | | | Astor Bar & Grill: Astor Bar & Grill - West End Art Deco Grandeur | Tip Rating: Satisfaction: | | | | |
Feeling like we needed a mid-week treat I hunted for an interesting new restaurant to try, and came across the Astor Bar & Grill. I was initially attracted by a 50% off food offer that they had, but the food sounded good too, so off we went. The Astor is located in a beautiful Art Deco Grade II listed building, just off Piccadilly. You enter and go down a grand staircase into a large lobby area. Walk across the lobby and you will find the entrance to the restaurant. It is quite spectacular. There is a bar area when you enter, and then on the other side of the bar is the restaurant. This is a spacious place, with high vaulted ceilings adding to the grandeur, and the deco style coloured fluro lights set off the romantic atmosphere perfectly. Service was friendly and efficient for the most part, but fell apart a little at the end of our meal, when 2 different staff almost took our dessert order, but then walked away, and then we were ignored.
So, the food. It was pretty tasty actually. We didn't have a starter, as nothing really piqued our interest. For main course I had the Roast Lancashire Duck, served with Brown Shrimps & Root Vegetables - it wasn't quite as exciting as I was imagining, but it was delicious. Alex had 8oz Sirloin Steak, served with Peppercorn sauce and chips - the menu said 'traditional fat chips' but instead he was given thin 'McDonald's style' chips. The steak was cooked well and good quality. We had a bottle of very drinkable wine - a 2001 Chateau de Malleret Haut Medoc, from Bordeaux, which went perfectly with our meals. We didn't end up having dessert, due to the aforementioned service issue, but there were a couple of tasty options. Overall, we really enjoyed our visit to the Astor. The atmosphere was the best part, not the food, though it was a close second. Leave a Comment Theme: Eclectic/InternationalPrice: US$41 and up » Currency ConverterComparison: more expensive than averageAddress: 20 Glasshouse Street, London W1B 5DJPhone: 020 7734 4888Directions: Nearest Tube: Piccadilly CircusWebsite: http://www.astorbarandgrill.com/
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| | | | Athenaeum: Stylish dining on Piccadilly at Athenaeum | Tip Rating: Satisfaction: | | | | |
Athenaeum is a stylish restaurant within The Athenaeum hotel, located on Piccadilly, near to Hyde Park Corner. We dined there one night with friends. It sounded like somewhere a little special, plus they had a good value special offer deal of 3 courses and a glass of champagne for £21 each! The décor is quite plush, with high back chairs and small circular booths making it a good place for an intimate meal. Service was a bit hit and miss. Started out ok, but just didn't do it for us.
We enjoyed our glass of champagne while checking out the menu. To start, Sarah & Steve both had the Mussels cooked in White Wine, Shallots & Crème, while Alex had the Venison & Duck Liver Terrine with Fig Compote. They were all happy enough with the flavours, though it was nothing special. For main course, Alex, Sarah & I all had the Braised Lamb Shank with Mixed Bean Ragout and Red Wine Sauce, while Steve had the Roast Veal with Green Peppercorn Sauce. The Lamb Shank was actually quite tasty and the beans were delicious. Dessert for Alex was the Plum & Ginger Crumble with honey ice cream, and Sarah & Steve both had the Bitter Chocolate Tart with vanilla ice cream. The crumble wasn't great, the Choc tart was better. All in all, although we had a good evening, and some of the food was tasty, I won't be rushing back to Athenaeum. Leave a Comment Theme: Eclectic/InternationalPrice: US$31-40 » Currency ConverterComparison: more expensive than averageAddress: 116 Piccadilly, London W1J 7BJPhone: 020 7499 3464Directions: Nearest Tube: Hyde Park Corner - about 5 minutes walk. Green Park tube is close by tooWebsite: http://www.athenaeumhotel.com/food__drink/food.aspx Other Contact: info@athenaeumhotel.com
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on December 10, 2006
