R.R.Gill's Reviews

So here am I thinking the Swallow Street branch was glitzy… As pointed out it seems that the Gaucho chain seem to go out of their way to do bigger and better each time. I was over at the O2 a few weeks back and had the rather dangerous idea of going a few hours early on the off chance I could find a walk in table at one of the many venues – being a fan of the Gaucho and all things meaty I was very happy to find that they could squeeze me in – perhaps the thousands of rock fans already at the 02 had turned vegan in their senior years?

The Gaucho O2 is incredibly sexy and seems to be the biggest and best yet. Food as always is nice and straight forward – I'd like something light to start with (ok that's a lie – I ordered the Sausage Platter), and for main I'd like a huge steak nice and tender and I'd like it how the chef wants to cook it (it was the 300g Fillet by the way). You simply cant go wrong for a carnivorous treat.Vegetarians of the non-fish kind will always be a little disappointed but to be honest in the same way you don't go to SAF looking for a steak, you don't go to the Gaucho looking for veggie options. Prices for the mains are reassuringly high although starters are a lot more economical.

Service is efficient – Presumably the staff understand that most of the patrons are there prior to an event so look after you swiftly and efficiently without compromising the standards. All in all a very fulfilling meal and I left very satisfied and rather glad that I had booked seats and not the standing area for the concert later. If you are off to the O2 I'd start the night here.

I love discovering little gems especially when they end up being so close to my local stomping grounds. The only downside to this however is feeling a little foolish when I realise what I've been missing. Brasserie James was introduced to me by a friend and was so enjoyable that I'll definitely be returning and also that friend may just get a Christmas gift – Well maybe. Chef Craig James has an excellent reputation at one time being head chef of Quaglino's and before that Butlers Wharf Chophouse and has created a definite neighbourhood favourite – His idea of creating a local restaurant that he'd enjoy going to has paid off marvellously.

Delicious well sourced British ingredients make the menu – Denham Estate Red Pole steak tartare with pea shoot salad was a lovely opening to the evening and Roast red Leg Partridge with Savoy cabbage, game chips and bread sauce a hearty and warming dish on a cold winters evening. This nicely left me me with just enough room left for Chocolate fondant with blood orange sorbet. Wine selection was extensive without going too over the top with a great selection by the glass for those not wanting to go all out.

Prices are excellent and set menus are also a bargain – Monthly tasting dinners are also arranged and looking at the menus are an absolute steal. Service is smooth and friendly with out becoming too familiar. It's not going to be a destination restaurant but doesn't try to be – It knows it's ideal customers and from the packed dining room I experienced the customers have found their ideal local.

I love the Crazy Bear Group – Really really love them, So for my wife's 30th Birthday decided to head up to Oxford to spend the weekend there. It's a shame I can't really write a review about the rooms (which are fab) but thankfully both the English and Thai restaurants give me plenty to write about. We had decided on the English restaurant for a light lunch which I'm happy to say turned into a bit of a heavy lunch. Starters of Oak Smoked Scottish Salmon and Oxfordshire Aberdeen Angus Steak Tartare were a wonderful way to start – both very fresh and tasty. Pork was the order of the day with my wife going for the Old Spot Pork sausage and mash while I went for the Old spot Pork Belly with apple salad and duck egg. Absolutely delicious and huge portions. Dessert was taken care of with strawberry summer trifle – supremely tasty and very refreshing. Service was smooth and subtle – there when you need them but otherwise unobtrusive.

Fast forward 8 hours and it was time for dinner in the Thai restaurant – a beautiful little relaxed lounge type area, very intimate and relaxing. A mixture of snack style starters got us going including duck spring rolls, prawn dumplings and some of the best ribs I've ever had – the meat very tender to the point of dropping off the bone. Mains were soon followed up with Duck breast in Tamarind sauce and the divine slow pot roasted Ox cheek – extremely soft and tender with the roasted garlic and spring onions giving it a lovely zing. Service was excellent especially considering the intimate space the waiters have to work inn.We practically ignored the wine list for both meals opting to go for champagne (Belle Époque 1998) which felt a little pricey but it was after all a special occasion, but the champagne and wine list can easily accommodate all tastes and budgets.

I think the venue as a whole is excellent and perfect for a weekend getaway or a bite if you are in the area, but I would suggest booking ahead rather than leaving it to chance. Another… More

Well with a new chef at the helm of Apsley's a place which I've always enjoyed, I thought I should rush back to check it out. A summer of rumours regarding Heinz Becks arrival has kept me on my toes and I'm very happy to say I was not disappointed. Physically there seems to be no difference in the style or look of the restaurant, which in my opinion was great anyway – all that natural light and little bit of chic opulence. The menu has obviously had quite a big change so I decided to go for the a la carte instead of the menu del giorno ( I've read so many reviews with people dining from the set menu it should perhaps be renamed “Menu del Journo…” no?…ok I'll get my coat.)

Anyway for starter I chose the Sea bass “Connolo” with celery and melon – very tasty and light flavours from the celery and melon complimenting the sea bass very well. Next a mid course of pasta and we went for the Carbonara fagotelli – one of Mr Beck's signature dishes. It was without doubt superb, very light parcels filled with a light and fluffy carbonara sauce – it tasted exquisite. Onto the mains and I opted for Slow braised veal cheek on apple puree and salsify – perfectly tender and juicy. We finished off with a chocolate soufflé with ice cream – simple but perfectly executed. Presentation was very good almost to the point where you didn't want to spoil the dishes by tucking in.

Service as as previous was excellent – very professional and knowledgeable. All in all a very pleasant lunch, Mr Beck has obviously been brought in to put Apsley's on the map as a destination in the same category as Gordon Ramsay and Claridge's and Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley, going from my first impressions he's definitely on the right track and I'd be incredibly surprised if they are not picking up an award in January.

Just for comparison – I awarded Apsley's marks of 8/8/8/7/8 from my visit earlier in the year.

The Long Bar for me serves a purpose fairly well as somewhere to have a quick drink prior to dinner but as a destination seems to lack something – although something I can't quite put my finger on. It's buzzy and full of beautiful people (usually), great cocktails and good people watching, everything you need really so I'm at a loss as to why I don't really like it. Perhaps it feels to me as a watered down version of the Purple Bar at the Sanderson? Anyway I'll keep visiting as a springboard before moving on but if you are looking for somewhere to spend a longer time I'd recommend charming your way into the Purple Bar or heading elsewhere.

I've had a little bit of a Crazy Bear Marathon recently having quite by accident eaten in the Beaconsfield and Whitfield Street restaurants in the same week although it's been a very long time since I eat there. It's good to see the decor is still the same – very extravagant and not at all subtle (in a good way) and it was fun to see the reactions of my guests who had not been previously. The food was as good as I remember it – the Shanghai Hot and Sour soup particularly brought a big smile to my face as did the braised pork smoked ribs. Mains were excellent, Wok fried Lobster with red chillies and coriander an expensive and decadent choice but so good although the sample of my guests red duck curry also hot the spot. Back to my old habit I've again forgotten the wine we had with dinner – I must remember to keep the receipts although I'm sure I'll need an Enigma machine to work out the abbreviations. Prices are good for what you get, obviously some dishes are very expensive and could throw you off budget but go with an open mind and wallet. Overall it's a great place – very in your face and the downstairs bar excellent for after dinner. Would be ideal for a date or just for some fun with friends.

I'd been to La Trouvaille a while ago and enjoyed a quick bite for lunch and have always meant to go back again – a birthday meet up last Friday proved to be the perfect opportunity. Tucked away off Carnaby Street, La Trouvaille is a lovely little venue – where as some restaurants this small may feel a little pokey they have done an excellent job in making the restaurant feel much larger than it was. The dinner menu we were offered was short but provided plenty of interesting options, Duo of fresh salmon, beetroot emulsion and vodka jelly for starter was excellent – the vodka jelly giving an interesting contrast with the taste of the salmon. Rack of Lamb, ratatouille and lavender sauce was ordered for main however we were informed they had run out of ratatouille so it was being offered with a rosemary mash which for me sounded even better. The two first courses along with far too much champagne before resulted in me being too full for dessert however I managed to steal a little of my wife's chocolate trio (not the chocolate caramel biscuit of many years ago however) but a delicious mini assortment of chocolate mousse, parfait and ice cream – the parfait with a hint of chilli to spice it up. The bill was very reasonable for a party of 8 of us – couple of mid range bottles bottles of wine included and we had just nudged the £50pp mark. The evening menu is set at £29.50 & £35.00 for 2 and 3 courses.Presentation was excellent along with the service. All in all a perfect venue for a small intimate but casual dinner with friends.

Having very much enjoyed a visit to the Bread Street site earlier in the week I decided to break the monotony of a Sunday trip to Wembley with a quick bite at the branch on Paddington Street. After telling the Mrs “You will love it – it's very similar to Yauatcha” I felt a little let down as did she.Tucked quite far down a back street the atmosphere seemed to suffer greatly with only 3 tables in the building being used (including me). Service was efficient as ever and the food was still quite tasty but some of the dishes didn't quite impress as much as last time – several of the dumplings seemed to have welded themselves to the bamboo pots and fell apart before reaching the plates. Coriander and Prawn crackers seemed over done and a little stale – too crunchy as opposed to crispy. The decor upstairs seemed a little grubby as well although the downstairs area which I later discovered looks much nicer (although empty). For a quick bite if I was in the area I'd maybe go again but certainly not make it a destination – I think a little work is needed to bring it up to par with it's sisters.