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BoatLady30s, Female, South Chelsea

Member since July 2011

Gold reviewer since March 2012.

Reviews written: 48 (5 voted helpful)

Restaurants rated: 48 (this year)

Posts written: 1

Favourited by: 4 members

BoatLady’s latest review

Four O Nine (409 Clapham Road, London, London, SW9 9BT)

Four O Nine stands like a lighthouse in the midst of the sea of gastro mediocrity which otherwise characterises the bar-heavy Clapham High Street. Unlike most lighthouses though, it is a bit tricky to find for the first time visitor. The Infernos shipwrecked don't usually stumble in here looking for a kebab, and that's part of its hidden location (find the buzzer, up the stairs, through the mini-roof garden) appeal. There's none of the pretension of a secret restaurant here though. It's all about appealingly rustic, reassuringly traditional-sounding, chunky dishes. One delicious, Albarino-filled glass too many may have impaired my ability to remember all the flavour nuances of my meal but I think it involved a rather pleasant foie gras pate-y thing with a lovely artichoke sauce and then a rabbit pie, which I definitely polished off, along with some crunchy carrot and spring green sides, followed by a chocolate cake with a surprisingly punchy lavender sorbet. The food here never disappoints but you do pay for that reliability: starters are around £8 and mains from £16 to £24ish, so not that cheap for this area, but it is worth it. Despite the many windows which overlook the High St it is quite dark and cosy inside; low lighting and flickering table candles enhance the clandestine mood. The atmosphere has been described as “flat” but I would say it's blissfully subdued and relaxed compared to the carnage outside, as the clientele are clearly here for good eating and drinking, rather than raucous scoffing and boozing. Service is, as befits the venue, professional but friendly. Four O Nine is the perfect place for dates or for an intimate evening with friends and quite frankly it's the best place for dinner around here. Steer your course away from this one only to head for that other beacon, Trinity, if you're looking for something a bit more formal.

Monday, 28 May 2012

Overall:8
Food and Drink:8
Service:8
Atmosphere:8
Value for Money:8
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BoatLady's latest forum post

Thread “Can you please add Kennington Tandoori?” (in Restaurant & bar talk)

I want to post the following review and just realised it isn't listed, despite being one of the best Indians in London!

Kennington Tandoori
If portly politicians could cast gastro-votes then Kennington Tandoori would win the next culinary election by a landslide. My eagle eyes spot a reassuringly well-padded chap at the back who, I tell my dining companion, has the corpulent air of an MP about him. “It's Ken Clarke, dear”, he says. In my defence my eyesight is poor and KTs (as it is affectionately known to the local punters and the many Members, such as the authoritatively waistlined Ann Widdecombe and John Prescott, who frequent it) is discreetly lit. The elegant restraint of the dim recessed lighting is continued in the sludgey/earthy decor and only burst by occasional oversized flower arrangements. The menu includes a number of exotically Indian-named dishes, many of which turn out to be recognisable favourites (Murgh Tikka Hare Plaza or chicken tikka masala, anyone?), and some of which are interesting twists on those favourites or are more authentic regional dishes. Specials really are special: I had a wonderfully unusual saffron G&T (what other balti establishment has a special drink of the day?!). As you can guess, this is not your usual high street slop. The food is delicious but be warned that it is, true to its roots, well-spiced and verges on too spicy for me, so pick carefully. One irritation: they don't normally take orders for poppadoms until you order your mains (are there people who go in and eat nothing but poppadoms and then bugger off?) so you can't stave off hunger pangs whilst you peruse the lengthy menu. Service is generally good although the language barrier can make for some amusing exchanges at order time. At around £25 a head (poppadoms, main dish, shared rice/naan, couple of drinks) it may not be the cheapest in town but you don't get much change from twenty quid in most Indians now anyway. Gets a tick on the ballot paper from me.

Overall: 7
Food and Drink: 8
Service: 7
Atmosphere: 7
Value for Money: 8 More

Read the thread 18 May 2012

Additional information about BoatLady

Personal description

Ex-City type, living a strangely rural domesticated life on the south banks of the Thames

Eating out habits

Couple of times a week, always for pleasure

Favourite restaurants

Rapscallion on Venn St because it is all things to all people

Last supper

Full Sunday Roast with all the trimmings and double helpings of yorkshire puds, washed down with an Argentinian Malbec

Interests

Eating, walking the dog, occasional sporting activity like triathlons/long distance swimming blah blah blah

Favourite book and film

Books- We Need to Talk About Kevin (no one would ever have kids again) and Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (for bonkers Zaphod)
Films- Anchorman and The Proposal

Dream dinner companion

Elvis Presley, before the burgers got him

Favourite hotels in the UK and abroad

Ponden House B&B nr Haworth
The Banyan Tree, Bintan, Indonesia

Favourite holiday destinations

Venice, Carribbean, Fiji

Drives a…

BMW Z4

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