Pissarro

Pissarro has had a makeover since my last visit . The heavy wood-frame surround to the bar has disappeared and the inside is now painted cream and blue, giving a much less dated and more inviting feel when you go in. We had a delicious dinner so, although I was disappointed a couple of times last year, I can definitely say the restaurant is back on track with a new manager, great food and a really positive and welcoming atmosphere. Oscar is still around too – though he seems to have got older and just sits in one place now rather than wandering round the tables which is good for people who don't like cats! We will definitely be going back.

This is my local restaurant, so I would like nothing more than for it to be fantastic – the location is great, and it's a stones throw from my house. I went some years ago and was dissapointed, and revisited again a few weeks ago.

I'm afraid that I was less than impressed, once again.

You're basically paying Michelin star prices for gastropub food, and calling it gastropub food is being generous. I shan't go into too much detail, but the only redeeming part of the meal was my starter, which was pretty nice, but my girlfriends was poor, and both of our main courses were dire, including my goats cheese tart being undecooked, and served on a thrown together, too hard salad with no thought to presentation; not what would you would expect for £17. There just doesn't seem to be any love or pride going in to the food at all. Service was acceptable, but not up to the standards the price of the food would suggest.

The cat, Oscar, who came to bother us for our leftovers, was great. We liked him. Other than that – highly overpriced, for below average food. Probably fine for a drink or snack as you walk along the riverside, but I feel that if you're visiting Pissarro's for a nice meal out, you will be dissapointed and overcharged. You wouldn't be paying much less at La Trompette where the food and service are as you'd expect for the price, or if you want good food, value and service nearby, Reef on Burlington Parade is excellent.

Rather pricey considering the location, but food is lovely (gorgeous fois gras with parsley pancake). The nicest area in the restaurant is the conservatory, and we were lucky to be sat there. The area inside the restaurant lacks privacy and could probably be arranged a lot better. Very decent wine list and helpful sommelier.