A lovely surprise

My colleague suggested we lunch at Spice Merchant – I agreed to be convivial. What a wonderful surprise, the food was truly delicious – meatless monday for me so I had Okra – crisp and just the right level of spice, Dhal – smooth, well cooked and beautifully yellow and mixed vegetables in a dry curry which were fresh and crunchy in an aromatic paste. My colleagues had lamb shank which was served with the bone but had been carved and a lamb korma which they both pronounced excellent. NO MORE boring sandwiches for me at lunchtime in Beaconsfield!

After being closed for refurbishment for a couple of weeks, we, the "locals', were keen to see the new pantechnicon. Love the refurb – much more cosy than before – helped by the fact that one does share elbows with neighbours – all of whom are charming! Espresso Martini as good as ever, fillet steak as good as ever, frites absolutely shockingly bad – have the mash! Great staff – very chatty – very southern hemisphere. Overall, continues to be a good slightly pricey trendy pub – but what can you expect for the location!

We have been to this restaurant a number of times over the last few months. Fabulous atmosphere, entrance has a great sense of peace and tranquility and the restaurant is buzzy and fun. Have been a fan of David Thompson since his Darley Street Thai days. The elegance and complexity of his approach to pastes and sauces is evident. But our initial surprise and delight has turned to disappointment as the food quantities have become simply mean. Three small pieces of pumpkin in the Aromatic Butternut Pumpkin Curry, two bites of monkfish in the Stargazer Monkfish Green Curry, small grisly shreds of chicken in the Green chicken curry! No point in having great flavours if customers walk out feeling somewhat fleeced!

Having heard so much about Polpo, we were really pleased to get a table. Early evening and the place was buzzing – it looked like it would be great fun. Oh dear here is another example of a restaurant that is now too popular and struggling to keep up with its reputation. The service was poor – too few staff, not enough room for them to move and their stress was obvious in their faces and behaviour. The food was really average – nothing wrong but not memorable. The noise levels meant it was impossible to hear the person opposite me! Tables too small and the plates too big! Maybe lunchtime would be better…