James' Reviews

There was an unprecedented hype about the opening of The Connaughts new restaurant with internationally renowned chef Helene Darroze taking the helm, and unfortunately my experience did not live up to expectations.

Myself and three colleagues went for lunch, and found the dishes to be rather bland, and dishes were not executed with the same culinary flair as other notable restaurants in the capital.

Service was not poor, but too over attentive, with waiting staff seeming to out number patrons. A request for some more bread and butter was dismissed by the waiter who decided my starter should be given my undivided attention, this theme continued throughout the meal including a decision that we had finished eating and swift clearing of the table while two colleagues were still eating.

Despite the much publicised refurbishment, the dining room felt dated and stuffy. The atmosphere stale and stade.

Value for money. Average. There are far more restuarants in London, where for the same price you can experience far superior innovative and inspiring cooking.

Being the younger sibling of one of London's hottest restaurants Zuma, Roka had a lot to live up to, and I wasn't disappointed.

Upstairs is the main dining area, where patrons can choose either to reserve a table (2 hour time slot is the general norm) or you can turn up and wait for a table at the counter (probably not the best option if dining with a group larger than 3 people). The decor and layout is contemporary and fresh. During the summer months there are tables on Charlotte Street, which makes for some excellent alfresco dining.

The food does not disappoint. This is top quality Japanese cuisine. One of my favourites is the tuna tartar, served of course with a quails egg. The quality of the sushi and the sashimi is excellent.

Downstairs is Roka's bar area the Shochu Lounge. A subterranean lair where you can try one of the many varieties of shochu (a japanese shot normally of distilled barley, sweet potatoe, or rice, and typically 25% alcohol) or one of the many japanese themed cocktails. You can book a table in the Shochu Lounge, but I would advise against it as service can be terrible. Having eaten in both the upstairs restaurant area and downstairs lounge on several occasions, the restaurant is perfect for grabbing a bite to eat, before heading downstairs to continue the evening.

However, despite Roka being a fantastic japanese restaurant and definitely worth a visit, it does not compare to its elder sister Zuma. For the price you are paying, the atmosphere, quality of food, and ambience at Zuma is far superior, although it is this same reason why you may find it more difficult to snag table reservation at Zuma than at Roka.

One of the coolest bar/restaurants in London, Crazy Bear oozes sophistication and sex appeal with the sultry decor. It is no wonder it was rated best place for a date by GQ magazine.

Upstairs is the main restaurant area which serves up some pretty damn good Thai food, and one of the hottest and most authentic thai green currys you'll ever try.

Downstairs is the bar area with lots of initimate little nooks to curl up with your loved one or date and enjoy the many extremely well executed cocktails on offer.

While some may feel the price of cocktails are pricey, for the atmosphere and ambience of the venue and quality of the cocktails, they are well worth it.

All in all an amazing central London cocktail bar/restaurant to spend a relaxing evening indulging.

ps… also worth a visit for the pure novelty of the toilets and the amusement of watching people try and find them.

Without a doubt the best place for tapas in London. Tapas Brindisa has had rave reviews from all restaurant critics over the years, and its reputation is certainly derserved.

High quality sourced ingredients, a buzzy cosmopolitan atmosphere that provides as close a feeling of being in Barcelona without being there, and friendly chatty and prompt staff make for a perfect place to enjoy a bit of tapas and a bottle of rioja.

The restaurant does not take bookings, and tables are done on a first come first served basis. The host writes your name up on a board and gets you when it's your turn. Turn around is quick, but during busy times you may have to wait an hour to get seated, however the wait is well worth it.

With one of the most extensive cocktails lists in London, this place is perfect for a night out with friends or for a romantic date.

The food is also brilliant and very reasonably priced. You can either opt for a set menu, or go for little modern tapas type dishes, which are perfect for sharing and getting a taste for everything.

The atmosphere is relaxed, cool, and a perfect venue to go to in the Nottinghill area.

The Botanist has already fallen on hard times.

Once a fan of the Botanist, having gone to the restaurant during opening week for a mid-week dinner, then the following week for Sunday lunch, and then subsequently on several other occasions since its opening, I have regrettably witnessed a slip in both the quality of food and standards of service.

The quality and execution of dishes has deteriorated over the last couple of months. Staple dishes on the menu such as the botanist seasonal salad, has gone from a contemporary delicious mix of seasonal ingredients, to a dreary sludge caused by over-enthusiastic pouring of dressing. Other dishes such as the sunday roast beef have also slipped in standards.

Service is the Botanists' main weakness though, with rude and inept waiting staff.

These negative points made, there is one very positive point to made about the Botanist, and that is in the cocktails. They are fantastic, and the venue is a great place to enjoy a drink and watch the hustle and bustle around sloane square.