MD's Reviews

After months of finally overcoming apprehensions on visiting Hoxton Pony (from friends and myself), we finally made it last Friday night and it was certainly an interesting night. Having rarely gone out in Shoreditch it was certainly an eye opener, but one surprise was the abundance of essex girls in this place. It was leggings and high heels galore in one corner of the bar but thankfully not directly in my eyeline.

The drinks (which were the reason for dragging my friends here) were in a word perfect (bar one – which was admittedly a dodgy choice for me). inspired, well constructed, divine to behold and not at all overly priced. The same concoctions would probably set you back for double in the W1 area. Service is also fab and doesn't dwindle to non existent when the bar crowds up, something of a rarity and I especially like that the staff are trained to match drinks to indivudual taste by way of a mini verbal questionnaire.

The experience in general was pleasant and unique but there were exceptions. The DJ though great once he got started, did have a rather extensive warm up session in which there were a few audible mishaps. The other thing is this ongoing malarky of missing tea party bookings, which are definitely not a one off (as the previous review details). On the night I went there was also another such party (in reference to said essex girls, above) who were livid with the establishment for not having a clue about their booking and subsequently ruining the birthday girl's night – also a 30th birthday (is there some reason as to why those turning 30 choose HP, is it a sudden preference for SKA music and travelling to E. London on the eve of this milestone?).

All in all, one to experience for those seeking heaven in a glass, but if your a perfectionist for liquid delights in equally pleasing aesthetic surroundings, stick to places such as Sketch and the like.

It struck me as I walked in to Devonshire Square that those who work near it and are fortunate enough to take long lunches must be pretty lucky to have a duo of restaurants such as this on their doorstep. As you walk in to Cinnamon Kitchen itself, your instantly hit with clean and crisp architecture and intense greyscale interiors. There's no overkill here and not a chance of sighting the once infamous flock wallpaper of yesteryear Indian eateries'.

Service is speedy without being overly fussy and waiters have clearly read the menu before service starts, which is always helpful. Those who look for the essence of India and are often cynical about contemporary Indian venues such as this, will not be disappointed. Age old herb and spice combinations are present in dishes and milled to perfection and there isn't a chance of bland and watered down recipes in this place. However the dishes can be described instead as damn hot and spicy!

Now i'm Indian by origin but not very good at handling heat on my plate (which is apparently ironic, but I don't think so), so am probably not the best person to measure the heat of the food at Cinnamon Kitchen in isolation. However, by my partners account (he can handle a hot in Nando's with extra hot sauce on top) and by the fact that I was gulping water at a speed olympic atheletes can only dream of running, we determined that it was just too spicy. As a diner you often say to yourself -maybe it was what I ordered-but the dishes chosen were a simple potato cake starter and a malabar fish curry, which I've had before and know it to be mild-medium. I did make it to dessert (just) and enjoyed a few bites of what was a very cooling fresh and tangy trio of sorbets, before we left homeward bound (where I rushed into the bathroom for some much needed gaviscon).

Note to diners: Go by all means, as both the venue itself and the quality of the food is respectable. Just take a fire extinguisher with you – just in case.

The Martini Bar at Christophers is one of the places you've probably walked past several times without realising . With its grand entrance and central Covent Garden/Strand location, its a great place to meet for business or pleasure. Staff are friendly and attentative to the point of acknowledging each new guest that arrived at our table and drinks were made swiftly without compromise on taste. There's a good range of both classic and contemporary cocktails as well as a selection of beers and wine for the less adventurous. But if you do go, try the punchy ginger and passionfruit caipiranha or the thyme passion martini – both have a great kick! The only thing that dampened the atmosphere slightly was the dim lighting but once you've had a few of their punchy martini's in you, that's pretty much irrelevant.

If goldilocks was looking for a night of inventive haute cuisine at its finest, complete with graceful service and a great wine list, this place would be not too hot and not too cold but just right. I had the pleasure of finally sampling this two starred michelin success on a celebratory night out with my fiance and arrived at one of the earlier evening sittings.

At first the dining room was reminiscent of a revamped library sans age old books, but it didn't take long for the tables to start filling up fast, which brought to life the intense coffee and beige interiors. Tables are economically yet spaciously arranged allowing for diners to breathe a little and service is swift, elegant and very french – although not to the point you feel stupid for asking them to repeat themselves – and if you did (as I did) you certainly would not be treated like a mentally challenged adult for the night.

Now on to the food..mmmm..the food. We opted for a four course menu on their bespoke night,which is unusual of me, as a virgo I don't like surprises but decided to live on the wild side for the night and boy did it pay off. £65 buys you four courses of lip smacking eye candy on a plate, that tastes just as good as it looks. Innovation and experimentation blended beautifully with classical french cooking earns Mr Bosi mucho brownie points. Dishes like the ravioli with sping onions and broad beans, succulently cooked black bream with morelles, oak smoked asparagus and a rich gooey chocolate number all hit the spot and the vegetarian mains are just as good.

To top it off, a comical yet tasty amuse bouche with pineapple jelly balls (reminiscent of a certain Mr Bluementhal but probably without all that molecular nonsense) and a pre dessert palette cleanser all add to an experience that leaves you content, excited and nicely stuffed. One to enjoy when your looking for a meal to remind you that good food does exist in London (just don't gawk at or choke over the bill).

If your ever in the neighbourhood, perhaps you just stepped out of a swanky chelsea club or you've been out at the local pub and fancy a bite before bedtime, Vingt Quatre is the place to go. Service is swift as turnover is key to the success in this place, though having said this we rested our dancing heels for about 2 hours till 4.30am and not a word was said – which was a surprise.

Think posh hotel restaurant breakfasts and light meals (with some champagne thrown in if you like) and that's what you'll get here. Food isn't meant to be critiqued at this place, its meant to be eaten – usually quite rapidly and to soak up the ample bottles of wine, champagne or beer you've consumed through the night. This isn't to say its not good grub – it is, but its yummy comfort food grub – just the stuff you need at that time of the night/morning. Clientele consist of Chelsea socialites and sloany ponies with a few interesting sorts thrown in for good measure so it's great for people watching.

There is just one word of warning – if you do go all out and order champagne, understand it comes with an elevated markup and may make your visit the most expensive breakfast your likely to ever have – worth the experience though.

How time has changed this place, unfortunately not for the better either. Fakhreldine was once a winner for a good lebanese dinner, with great views over Green park and bustling Piccadilly. Upon my last visit in September 2008, the restaurant provided both excellent service and also a menu to please the senses. This time however both service and menu seemed to have taken a tumble. Waiters were insincere and unattentive and food was ok, but missed that special element it once had, with clashing ingredients and badly designed dishes (seabass without any sides and a mushy tasteless onion ‘dip’ stuck all over it). The only thing half decent left about this place is the lebanese wine and its a shame its not showcased well – I overheard the waiter at the table behind saying he'd run out of it and suggested a sicilian wine which was “just as good”! About six months ago I said this place was worth a visit but now its worth avoiding if you can help it. The only time I may pop in now is if I'm in Piccadilly and its raining cats and dogs, in which case a glass of hot Moroccan mint tea might be just the thing – and only thing this restaurant can serve well.

We chose to dine at the brasserie on the ground floor on an early weekday evening after having frequented both the bar and neighbouring venues in Lancashire Court. Upon arrival the brasserie looked liked it had the potential to serve up a good evening and we were promptly seated at our table. Service began swiftly and attentive but as with all not quite bar/not quite restaurant type venues as soon as the crowds horded in (mainly hedge fund types and socialites) the waiters were becoming difficult to spot. Luckily this happend after we ordered our mains, which came in good time. The Seabass Fillet with truffle dressing and artichoke lyonnaise appeared to be a nice dish but upon taste I realised it could have done with a little more seasoning and if an ingredient such as truffle dressing is substantial enough to add in the dish's description on the menu, than a little generosity on the plate wouldn't go amiss either. My fellow diner's risotto was so-so and could have done with a little more oomph as well as a few more grains on the plate considering it was the main option. Desserts were rich and chocolatey and wine selection was good too. Altogether an average dining experience in nice surroundings but still leaves me unconvinced on brasserie dining being an evening option. Something to also bear in mind is the price, we had the good fortune to dine with a 50% offer but had it been full price, the sight of the bill would have been hard to take!

I arrived for an informal business meeting at Sketch Parlour which has been on my list of afternoon tea venues to try for a while and I was indeed glad I did. The Parlour paints a picture of what it would have been like for 18th century ladies of leisure to partake their ritual of afternoon tea in public – except with an added injection of chintz and cool (if the two can ever go together).

The cakes on offer – presented by the bar – are beautiful enough just to stare at let alone eat and are as you'd expect from Gagnaire's daring kitchen, blending whacky ingredients which work amazingly. the Green Eclair – with green tea, white chocolate and passionfruit coulis is divine and went beautifully with a well made pot of perfumed earl grey tea. This is afternoon tea at its best and the best bit is you don't pay through the roof for it at under £10pp.

Think …Willy Wonka's chocolate factory for adults and you'll love it, take it too seriously and you'll still love it as it retains substance with style. Great place for catch ups, winding down after a day of shopping and business meetings with an added wow. Will definitely be going back to see the night time ambience.