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The Empress of Indiaone star

130 Lauriston Road, London E9 7LH

£37.00 British , Pubs Hackney Wick
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Square Meal Review of The Empress of India ?

It’s cheering to see The Empress, Victoria Park Village’s most serious restaurant, looking flush with youth again. New owners (Tom & Ed Martin moved on in summer 2011) have given her a subtly hip makeover, replacing the mural & shell chandeliers & adding school chairs & a signed Gilbert & George poster. Menus, too, are of the moment, organised around charcuterie, bar snacks, ‘little dishes’, ‘bigger plates’ & ingredients bought locally (E5 Bakehouse bread, Jonathan Norris fish). ‘Simple seasonal food with a nod to the Med’ is how it’s described, which might mean excellent ham croquetas, char-grilled squid & peperonata, or T-bone steak & chips. Good wines (heaps by the glass) provide the back-up. If the new owners can do something – anything! – about the occasionally hapless service, The Empress will rule again.

Overall Diner Rating

8.1
Food & Drink
8.7
Service
8.0
Atmosphere
8.3
Value
7.9

Based on 7 ratings. Rate it!

Customer Reviews

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  1. Sabrina's Passions
    Gold Reviewer

    Sabrina's Passions ( 30s, Female, London )

    August 2010

    What a lovely place to eat on a Sunday, if you can handle the fact that it is packed with hungover locals, families and friends catching up over long lunches. The decor is really nice (I'm a girl, I will also critique that stuff) and I like the ecclectic combinations of lighting, upholstery and furniture, it makes for a lovely environment for a meal especially a late Sunday lunch.

    A pint of prawns with homemade mayonnaise and a fat wedge of lemon does the trick for me as a starter and for the mains it had to be a full on Sunday roast with thick slices of perfectly cooked sirloin of beef, with the desired tint of red in the centre, huge, crispy roast potatoes and the biggest Yorkshire pud I have ever seen, which of course, suits me down to the ground. I'm all over my main like a fat kid on a cupcake!

    Needless to say I didn't manage pudding this time round, but with my belly so full of yummy things, who cares?? Despite living in West London, I would definitely come back here again on a Sunday; the vibe is great, the food is really good and I like the neighbourhood too!

    • Overall: 8
    • Food & Drink: 8
    • Service: 7
    • Atmosphere: 8
    • Value: 8
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was it helpful to you?
     
  2. Bianca R.
    Reviews: 1

    Bianca R. ( 30s, Female, United Kingdom )

    February 2010

    This is a wonderfully elegant place to have lunch, dinner, or just a drink. It's bright and airy, and the perfect modern pub. I love spending time here with friends in the area, or on my own with a paper. Food is top notch.

    • Overall: 9
    • Food & Drink: 10
    • Service: 9
    • Atmosphere: 10
    • Value: 9
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  3. Paul H.
    Reviews: 1

    Paul H. ( 30s, Male, United Kingdom )

    January 2010

    We first visited the Empress just after it had opened and had a great time, good service, good food. Each subsequent visit has been less impressive. The waiting staff appear not to care that you are the customer and overall service was poor. The food was still good but not worth the price. Pop to the fish and chip shop next door rather.

    • Overall: 5
    • Food & Drink: 7
    • Service: 5
    • Atmosphere: 6
    • Value: 4
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  4. Gary R.

    Gary R. ( Male )

    October 2009

    I hadn't been here before the other night when some of my friends took me for my birthday, and we had the most wonderful evening. This really is a fantastic bar and restaurant. The food was all cooked to perfection, and complimented with some delicious wines. Another thing was that the staff were all so attentive and genuinely nice, which can be a bit of a rarity in London at times. I really can't remember the last time I enjoyed being out for dinner so much. I can't wait to go back!

    • Overall: 10
    • Food & Drink: 10
    • Service: 10
    • Atmosphere: 10
    • Value: 10
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  5. Brian T.

    Brian T. ( Male, United Kingdom )

    September 2009

    My wife and I enjoy going down here during the week when its a bit more relaxed. The food really is superb and the staff all very attentive.

    • Overall: 9
    • Food & Drink: 10
    • Service: 10
    • Atmosphere: 9
    • Value: 9
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Essential Details for The Empress of India

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Customer Reviews

Been to this restaurant? Write a comment

Write Your Review
  • 1Win fab prizes with free monthly prize draws!
  • 2See your views in print.
  • 3Collect your thoughts in one place.
  • 4Be rewarded with an Editor's Pick.
  • 5Rate restaurants and share your views.

Diner reviews for The Empress of India

  1. Sabrina's Passions
    Gold Reviewer

    Sabrina's Passions ( 30s, Female, London )

    August 2010

    What a lovely place to eat on a Sunday, if you can handle the fact that it is packed with hungover locals, families and friends catching up over long lunches. The decor is really nice (I'm a girl, I will also critique that stuff) and I like the ecclectic combinations of lighting, upholstery and furniture, it makes for a lovely… More

    • Overall: 8
    • Food & Drink: 8
    • Service: 7
    • Atmosphere: 8
    • Value: 8
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was it helpful to you?
     
  2. Bianca R.
    Reviews: 1

    Bianca R. ( 30s, Female, United Kingdom )

    February 2010

    This is a wonderfully elegant place to have lunch, dinner, or just a drink. It's bright and airy, and the perfect modern pub. I love spending time here with friends in the area, or on my own with a paper. Food is top notch.

    • Overall: 9
    • Food & Drink: 10
    • Service: 9
    • Atmosphere: 10
    • Value: 9
    Was it helpful to you?
     
  3. Paul H.
    Reviews: 1

    Paul H. ( 30s, Male, United Kingdom )

    January 2010

    We first visited the Empress just after it had opened and had a great time, good service, good food. Each subsequent visit has been less impressive. The waiting staff appear not to care that you are the customer and overall service was poor. The food was still good but not worth the price. Pop to the fish and chip shop next door… More

    • Overall: 5
    • Food & Drink: 7
    • Service: 5
    • Atmosphere: 6
    • Value: 4
    Was it helpful to you?
     
  4. Gary R.

    Gary R. ( Male )

    October 2009

    I hadn't been here before the other night when some of my friends took me for my birthday, and we had the most wonderful evening. This really is a fantastic bar and restaurant. The food was all cooked to perfection, and complimented with some delicious wines. Another thing was that the staff were all so attentive and genuinely nice… More

    • Overall: 10
    • Food & Drink: 10
    • Service: 10
    • Atmosphere: 10
    • Value: 10
    Was it helpful to you?
     
  5. Brian T.

    Brian T. ( Male, United Kingdom )

    September 2009

    My wife and I enjoy going down here during the week when its a bit more relaxed. The food really is superb and the staff all very attentive.

    • Overall: 9
    • Food & Drink: 10
    • Service: 10
    • Atmosphere: 9
    • Value: 9
    Was it helpful to you?
     
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