HP's Reviews

This has always been one of those places I've longed to vist and I finally got the chance today, at someone else's expense! The decor is quirky and fun and a real treat for design nerds; it's a little bit like sitting in the middle of Tate Modern. The portions are generous and I understand why the staff encourage diners to share. However, the food is outrageously expensive (£30 for lunch mains) and even though it was of a high standard, it didn't justify the price. The pan seared ahi tuna came in thick slices and lacked delicacy, although the wasabi mash was light and full of flavour. The black miso cod was cooked perfectly but let down by the black bean and edamame salad which had a good balance of flavour but needed more cooking. I'm pleased I've been and really enjoyed the experience but you can get this level of cuisine at a much better price elsewhere in London.

The bar at the Mandarin was incredibly quiet when we popped in for a drink last night; where have all the beautfiul people gone? Moved on I say. Having had a drink in the bar a couple of years ago, my second visit was a little disappointing; the place was almost empty and the cocktails weren't anything special (in fact a little too sickly) which was a real shame, especially considering the prices. The bar is quite impressive and I'm sure on a busier evening, it has a good feel to it but on a quiet night, it felt more like a plush airport lounge.

There's no doubt that Mews is in a great location; tucked away in Lancashire Court, it’s in a very attractive setting and feels far removed from the tourists and frenzy of Oxford Street. We visited the ground floor bar last Saturday, pleasantly busy for a late afternoon, a mix of young couples and larger groups. It’s quite small and most of the larger seating areas were reserved but we found some seats and were served promptly. There's a good range of drinks and the prices are pretty average for this part of town; the cocktails are creative and there’s a reasonable list of wine. While we couldn't fault the drinks, service or ambience, the bar does look a little tired (in the light of day) and could be a little smarter considering the prices they are charging. However, it's a good place to escape in if the area.

A drink at Artesian is a glimpse of how the other half live; you won't see much change from a twenty and will leave lamenting the fact you haven't (yet) won the lottery. However, it's worth the agony. Artesian is at the front left-hand side of the hotel and it's no wallflower; powerful hues of purple are set off by gold chandeliers and the bar itself is an extravaganza of mirrors and yet more gold. The cocktails are pure art and the list is extensive; the woman next to us had some concoction which was then ‘perfumed’ (i.e. spritzed) at the table with a fine mist of Remy Martin. The drinks were served with monogrammed linen napkins as well as complimentary nibbles, which were incredibly moreish. If you want to impress, this is definitely the place to bring someone. The toilets downstairs are worth a detour with the upholstered in and out doors.

We finally made it to the Afghan after passing by the window for the last 6 years and always saying we must go. This certainly isn't the place to linger; the communal seating is incredibly cosy and relatively uncomfortable but the food made the experience worthwhile. We ordered three meat and two vegetable dishes between four of us which, alongside the rice and bread, was just about right. Both the fish and pumpkin mains were particularly memorable and most unlike any other curry we have ever had. The bread is quite different too; much harder and more wholesome in texture than Naan. We had to remind the waitress about our Qurma Suhzi Gosht (lamb with spinach) dish and were rewarded with free baklava at the end of the meal for the delay – a nice touch. The lamb dishes were good; reminiscent of Indian-style curries. While the prices and portions are reasonable, the alcohol isn't; expect to pay at least £15 for a bottle of wine.

I don't often venture into west London but I have heard of Julie's and was intrigued to see what it would be like when I got taken there last night. There's little doubt that the ‘themed’ rooms add to the atmosphere; we ate in the banqueting room, which was great for a large party. I cannot fault the service which was swift and attentive but the food was a little disappointing, especially when paying £40 for three courses. The asparagus starter was cooked perfectly but the plate did look a little sad with only three spears on it! Others around the table had the pate and the soup, both of which were a little more generous. For the main, there were lots of good comments about the steak but the sea bass was miniscule and overcooked. There were plenty of fresh vegetables on the side as well as new potatoes and fat chips; in fact, the latter far more enjoyable than anything else! Desserts were also a mixed bunch; the sorbet of pomegranate, vanilla and blood orange was far too acidic, the sharpness overriding any of the flavours while the creme brulee was apparently quite good.
The meal was enjoyable but you are paying over the odds at Julie's, thanks to its location as well as the restaurant's setting. You can get much better food at a much better price elsewhere in London.

Armed with the Timeout 2-4-1 burger offer, we visited Hache yesterday lunchtime on our own quest for the best burger in town. Hache is a little more upmarket in contrast to the likes of GBK, Ultimate Burger, The Fine Burger Company etc. and somewhere you can linger if you want to. The restaurant was pretty empty (thanks to the Marathon?) but we didn't mind as it was quiet and relaxed although I should imagine this place can get quite busy.
The burger menu is probably the most extensive I've come across; divided into beef, lamb, venison, chicken, fish and vegetarian, each section has a number of variations. For the carb conscious, there are a few salads or you can opt out of having a bun but where's the fun in that?
Not being in a ‘meaty’ mood, I chose the Jerk Chicken, a nicely seasoned chicken breast served with mango chutney while the other half went with a cheese and bacon burger and a side of frites. The food arrived promptly, was piping hot (I hate it when you get tepid fries) and it was all very good; the burgers themselves are certainly up there as some of the best I've had to eat recently. The ciabatta buns were fresh but not too doughy, an important factor when you're trying to eat a burger in a relatively civilised fashion and we were only sorry not to have any room left for dessert. A slice of banoffee pie did sail past us to another table and it looked pretty good as did the potato wedges which we also spied across the room.
If you want a good burger and like to sit and enjoy your meal at leisure then Hache is your best bet. It is a touch more expensive than several of the other chains but the presentation and overall package (lengthy menu, home-made mayo, really good burger buns) certainly gives this place an edge. Frankly, anywhere that gives you complimentary smarties with the bill gets my vote.

We were a little concerned when the table seated next to us got up to leave before even ordering; what did this mean? Only that they had come in thinking it was Smith's of Smithfield. If I had been brave enough, I would have urged them to stay; having eaten at both, the food at the Bar & Grill is much better value for money.
The restaurant is at the back and was relatively quiet last night, just a few other couples and a large but restrained group of men. Huge black leather banquettes encircle the room, the dark walls lined with mirrors and bling-esque chanderliers hanging from the ceiling. While this is a meat place, there are plenty of fish and veggie dishes but there is little doubt that you come here for the red meat. Starters arrived promptly; fried calamari and garlic roasted mushrooms were generous and nicely seasoned. The rib-eye was cooked perfectly and well-sized, accompanied by rather moreish chunky chips. In the mood for something a little lighter, I opted for the seafood skewer; tasty but sadly, a little overcooked. Too full for dessert (which, on sight, looked pretty good), we finished the meal with a couple of cocktails which were up to standard. The drinks list is huge and we could have happily removed ourselves to the bar for further refreshment but for the prices, albeit pretty standard for London! Overall, it isn't cheap here (mains mostly in the £10-20 bracket) but where in London can you get a decent steak for less than that? If you sign up as a member on their website, there are often discounts on offer which does make this place an attractive and moderately priced option for a Saturday night out.