Food fiend's review of XO

I usually frequent E&O in Ladbroke Grove but decided to pop over here.

Food is excellent – i recommend passing on starters and having the beef tahoon – simply delicious accompanied by egg fried rice and veggies. Pad thai is also massive, not out of this world, but huge and tasty. The non alc drinks selection is also good – obviously a good barman works here. Puddings – the banoffee pie is to die for – bigger than at E&O. The menu is the same word for word but the only main difference is this place was half empty on a Tuesday night (and no doubt each weekday) however E&O would normally be packed, with people being forced to leave within the 2 hour time frame! I say this because i was denied a chocolate pudding at 8.45pm there because ‘it would take 18min’ and this would take me past the 9pm cut-off…

My friend also said that the other Ricker place, Great Eastern Dining Rooms, was similarly packed out during the week – perhaps this was due to the location here, somewhere in Belsize Park (not near the station!)

Id say if you are looking just to have a good meal, not be rushed, and good service, then this is the place to go. However if you want the whole buzzy, rushed feeling – and some do!, then E&O is better for you. It definitely has the right atmosphere and good for star spotting but not sure the rushed service makes it worth it every time.