Derek's Reviews

This was the first time I'd tried a Gaucho and was really excited about it. Unfortunately though, it didn't quite live up to expectation.

The food unfortunately is pretty average – the sausages were just that and also poorly cooked. The steak was OK, but certainly not the best I've had, partnered with an insipid peppercorn sauce. The chorizo potato cake and salse verde should also have been stand-out, yet it was bland, lacking in any depth of flavour, punch or vim.

On the up-side, the setting is undeniably pretty, the service was really good and the atmosphere was cracking. We drank a huge amount of good red wine and the bill reflected that – indeed, it was a super night. Just a shame then that the food tastes like any old high street chain churning out something average.

A restaurant I'd been recommending to friends for over two years, but had never been to myself. Finally I wangled a client to pay. And it didn't let me down.

From scanning the menu I knew I was going to enjoy it. Foie gras, ham hock, veal brains, steak tartare et al.
I opted for the steak tartare for starter which was everything it should be – spicy, sharp, succulent and well seasoned. My main though was the star – pig's trotter with mash – unctuous, rich, and surprisingly soft flesh with a wonderfully deep sauce.

The decor was good too – what one would expect from a French bistro – grey slate floor, heavy doors, silly prints, no plates for bread (good!). The wine list was very well stocked with affordable bottles too.

Overall this was excellent French fair, and far better than the Bleeding Heart. The only small downside was the rather poor cheese selection, which amazingly was a little bland. But maybe that's just me.

Deserving of its award as the Best French Restaurant in 2008.

Having sprinted over Tower Bridge somewhat late and a little red in the face, I was immediately greeted by a smiling lackey sporting a cold beer. I could have kissed him. Anyhoo, rather fussy, prissy food and very loud dining room populated by people who whinnied dulled the overall experience, but a really strong contender for best Conran

There must be something wrong with me. Two years ago I posted probably the only poor review for The Bleeding Heart in the past decade, and now I'm going to something similar to The Don.

Maybe it's the expectation, but my visit left me feeling like an ever so slightly average shag. You've tried to like it and you've performed some moves, but you just can't help feeling underwhelmed.

For a start the interior was all cooky, rather than the big booming City hall I'd hoped for. Tables were too near each other. Then my table had a pronounced list, so that each time I moved my arm, it jiggled my glass. Maybe I'm sounding like a junior grade civil cervant here, but at a restaurant where praise has been so lavish it's the small things which count. Then the sound of the flash frying twice made conversation all but difficult, resulting in a slightly embarrassed pause. Again, not a major problem, but they all start to add up.

The food, admittedly, was excellent – rabbit with wild mushrooms, bacon and lentils, however, the service was next to useless – constantly over-bearing and at one point, with the client conversation at a delicate junction whereby they could leave at any point, the bloody stupid waitresses asked us all three times whether we wanted any more water.

Sorry – not impressed. There are many other places for similar prices where the food is as good, but the overall experience far superior. But then again, maybe it's just me…