Tom's Kitchen

DISASTER. Turned up on time for our 8pm booking and were told we had to wait 5 minutes. 25 minutes later we finally sat down at our table, having been shoved up to the bar in the interim (a ploy for us to spend more money?). Took 10 minutes to ask us what we would like to drink, and a further 15 minutes to take our food order. We felt the food was taking a long time, so enquired after it – were given the response “your food is on the way” … TODAY? The mackrel salad for £16.50 was of pathetic proportion and we had to send back half of the moules as they were too closed/bad. That said, the actual food was delicious – but we already had a bitter taste in our mouth by this point. We refused to pay the service at the end of the meal. Would not recommend Tom's Kitchen to anyone.

I'm sorry to say I never proceeded with my booking at Tom's Kitchen. Having confirmed the reservation, I subsequently received an e-mail telling me that we would have to eat in an hour and a half as they required the table for another party. I firmly believe restaurants that employ such a table policy should be banned. This practice is sheer greed and inappropriate for anything other than a fast food restaurant. If more customers objected to this policy, restaurants such as Tom's Kitchen would be forced to treat their customers with a little more respect.

Shockingly I’ve only recently had anything other than breakfast at Tom’s Kitchen and to be honest if you ask me why not, my excuse would be a flimsy as a schoolboy who hasn’t done his homework on time. Breakfast has always been great for me but I won’t go into that right now, but suggest you try yourself if you haven’t already. The venue is such a great buzzy and informal place you can’t help but like it – food as you would expect if great and prices are so reasonable you will be going back for more and more. Simple and tasty the beer battered cod hit the spot although as usual I had to poach some of my dining partner’s sea bass, an experience which made me wish my stomach was large enough for two mains. I could write an essay on Tom’s Kitchen but am going to refrain. Simple and unpretentious, very tasty food and a vibrant buzz make it a great place to be although don’t be spooked out if you think you see two Toms side by side – It’s not the wine you have been drinking causing that effect, just his brother Rob who obviously shares his talent.

Having a Christmas Party feels somewhat like a fatted calf being taken for slaughter. The drums and yelps of the waiting staff can be heard as you trot up the stairs to await the inevitable.

This year we held our party in the private room at Tom's Kitchen. Like Golding's flies, the staff are pulled between an impulse to serve beautiful food and maximising returns for their masters whilst under dark thunder clouds of possible abandonment.

The dining room itself is glorious, supplemented with a travel inspired ante room. The food is great, though somewhat limited due probably to the numbers involved. As the evening wound down we remaining guests retired to the ante room for a game of Charades.

As we left the staff stood by, hats and coats buttoned tightly to keep out the forthcoming cold, the banker drums could still be heard, beating into the winter's night.

Tom's Kitchen is one of the hotspots of famed Michelin starred chef Tom Aikens. I had to comment as i'd read it was going into receivership or something but it's actually really good and worth hunting out!!! He has a couple of other pricier places but this one seemed right up my alley, comfort food in a relaxed trendy slightly crowded diner, lots of meat, pies – just plain old hearty food! We got there about 8pm, half an hour early and the place was heaving so we sat in the luxury bar upstairs. When i say luxury, i mean leather sofas and papers to read! We sat for a little while before being called down for our meals. The menu itself is not huge but it's split into types of meat and one or two vegetarian options. I decided on slow roast pork as i hardly cook it, whilst partner had roast leg of lamb. Both were equally delicious and melt in the mouth meals and truthfully, i rather missed my meal when it was gone…for dessert we picked a romantic Baked Alaska for two which the waitress brought along in a copper pot and set it alight for us. This was lovely but could… More