My favourite local in Balham. Within weeks of moving into the area we knew all the staff – I've even left my house keys there for friends to collect with the gorgeous owner Ellie – a fabulous host, and it's the reason I often end up overdrawn every month.

It's open everyday (except Mondays) and we've gone in there on hungover Sundays for a lovely fry up, with amazing coffee and all the newspapers, cheeky cocktails after work on a Thursday and dined in there regularly. Part of the main attraction is you can just grab a table for beers and not dine and you still get the same great service and attention (although we often end up ordering at least a sharing a huge pizza sized brushcetta with parma ham)!

Lovely simple pastas and pizzas at very good prices along with other classic Italian mains, I love watching Nadko spin pizza dough in the main bar where they have their wood fire pizza kitchen (he was trained in Lake Garda). They have a small decking area which is perfect for people watching.

It has become nigh on impossible to pass Caminata with a friend or housemate without somebody raising their eyebrows… ‘Beer’? ‘Quick bite’? ‘Fancy Dinner’? ‘2 cocktails I promise’… They also do a selection of their great pizzas and pastas to takeaway for £6.

I've also seen private parties booking the whole venue and as an independent they can be totally flexible.

The constantly changing contemporary artwork on the walls lifts the decor, the loos are great and the staff are always pleased to see you. It's the first place I've truly felt like a local from Cheers. Love it.

I wanted to wait to write my reveiw until I'd visited twice. I knew the first time I was going to be too over excited and love it so much I would have gushed without thinking.

It still rates as one of the most enjoyable dining experiences I've ever had but thought I'd add a bit of balance to the hype.

Things I love:
Sommelier reccomendations on the front of the wine list, they've been excellent and saves trawling through the mammonth wine list when you're trying to focus on your guest. The female Hungarian sommelier is fantastic too.

The staff, smiley and genuinely excited to work there. It shows. Not stiff and too formally ‘French’ either which I'm pleased to see is going out of fashion. I love chatting with staff about the food, the restaurant etc, some may find them too informal but it's definitely a highlight for me.

THE FOOD.
It's exceptional. And excellent value for what you get in my opinion. Highlights include meat fruit (someone on the table has to have it) the rice and flesh risotto is also superb and I highly recommend it. Powered duck, cod in cider and the pork chop were all fantastic as well. Tipsy cake is really something special as is the chocolate bar but I found the taffety tart very peculiar. Extreme aniseed flavour and slightly salted too, without any real sweetness to balance it I just found it weird.

Things I don't like!
On the second occasion we were served by a smiley lady whose English wasn't as sharp as her colleagues and she took a deep breath before launching into a ‘Themenuisbased­onhistoricalenglishdishes…’ speech which was reminiscent of a ‘Have you been to a Harvester before’? It didn't feel as genuine as the previous visit. As mentioned in another review another waitress did a ‘sorry to interupt’ when it wasn't really necessary to come to the table. As mentioned, if you have to say ‘sorry to interupt’ you haven't timed it right and that's what high end restaurants should be able to do with ease. Pretty minor gripes though

THE MANDARIN BAR!!!
Is awful, other reviewers are spot on. It's not linked to the restaurant, it's not staffed by the ‘Dinner’ team and can affect the start or put a sour taste in your mouth after an amazing meal. Just stay at your table for digestives.

Getting a table?
It's worth remembering that while they are booked until 2015 I think it's mainly for evening sittings. Chance your arm with a lunchtime and you should get lucky!

I've been there twice now, both for after work drinks and have been ‘greeted’ on the door by somebody jumping in front of me and blocking my path asking if I have a reservation. On being granted access to the hallowed basement I have received slow and pretentious service but served beautiful cocktails. Shame.

The decor looks like the harem headquaters of a Russian billionaire (not in a good way) and the toilets aren't amusing or clever, just ridiculous. The bar staff watched me go into the kitchen and then into the mens toilets without comment.

If you liked the toadstools at McDonalds when you were a kid you'll like their white pvc poufs that adorn the bar.

There are friendlier, classier and more customer focused places serving excellent cocktails in London which I feel valued and looked after in. There's no reason to return.

A change is as good as a rest – after lots of heavy French lunches I was really ready to try something new and I'd heard great things about Roka. In short, they're all true.

The restaurant is surrounded by glass and is full of natural wood so it's a lovely, light space to have lunch in. The staff on the door were sunny and chatty but the 3 waiting staff we met were an odd combination of surly, nervous and ruthlessly efficient respectively.

We went for 2 tasting menus, 2 at £55 and 2 at £75. Our main waitress (the ruthlessly effecient one) suggested that she made up the tasting menu according to their best sellers and the seasonal new comers. I have to say I didn't spot any of the dishes mentioned in the other reviews though! The only frustrating thing I found with doing it this way is I like to know what I'm going to eat so I'm guessing with the dishes below as none of it was written down or introduced clearly.

Stand out dishes for me were the tuna carpaccio with fresh truffle shavings, salmon sashimi with ginger and a sort of crispy fried roe on top, wrapped around white asparagus which were amazing. We tried their ‘famous’ wagu beef sushi rolls but I was underwhelmed.

The wagu beef returned having been grilled with a gorgeous sauce (we were told what it was but I couldn't understand our waitress unfortunately). It was delicious but I noticed on the bill that this one dish alone was £68 . I nearly hyperventilated. I would have preferred to try more things for that price. It was lovely meat but come on?

The soft shell crab looked amazing but as there were only two on the platter I offered it to my guests and then wanted to stab them in the eye with a chopstick when they made sex noises whilst eating it.

The deserts came on a stunning platter with exotic fruits and a huge solid cube of ice topped with sorbets. I wanted to clap it was so impressive, although individually the cakes and desserts around the fruit didn't quite live up to their aesthetic.

The most enjoyable thing was after sampling incredibly fresh fish, beautifully cooked and having course after course I wasn't uncomfortably full in any way. A lovely way to spend an afternoon.

I was lucky enough to be invited to the dry run early this week and my first impressions were positive.

It's difficult to review a restaurant before it's really open and I'm sure the experience will be even better in a few months when the front of house staff and the brigade are more familiar with their surroundings.

The room is beautiful. A little ostentatious for my needs but hotel guests will love it and it certainly feels like a special occasion room. It's also a nice change from the magnolia and grey blandoramas that have become so popular in recent years. The door staff were charming as were the waiting staff (a little hesitant but that's to be expected)! The food was suprisingly simple, the presentation interesting without being fussy and big bistro portions. I really enjoyed my scallop and leek starter and the hot smoked salmon with horseradish sauce and colcannon. I was also pleasantly suprised by the prices.

I had a tour round the kitchens as I wanted to see the chefs table and briefly met Stuart who was very welcoming and friendly. The chefs table (seats 8) is in the heart of their enormous kitchen and would be a fantastic experience for passionate foodies.

Staff who give you daggers as you enter, dump menus on the tables and walk off is a lovely start to the day!
Automat keeps appearing on many ‘Best Breakfasts in London’ lists and I can only guess that they are totally out of date.

Mediocre food is one thing but staff surly to the point I thought they were going to fight me is something else.

Cecconis is round the corner, go there instead.

I love the look and feel of this restaurant, it's glamourous without being pretentious (Dean Street take note)!

The menu looked like it was designed around all my personal food heavens and I was not disappointed. Snail and bacon pie as a starter is a must, although make sure you go hungry as it's a big portion! Warm onion tart with figs and goats cheese was exactly as you'd expect.

For mains we had pork belly with puy lentils and the bavette which was delicious but I still prefer the one at Terroirs. I like the presentation of mini le creuset pots and pans, very cute.

For pudding we shared the lemon tart which was the nicest I've ever had *I've had a lot*…

At the moment it's clear they're having some early teething problems with staff which is why our service was very patchy but that certainly won't stop me going back, I'm sure they'll have them ironed out soon.

Great value for money – 2 courses, 2 carraffes and a bottle for £100.

Could be my new favourite.

I knew this would happen.. Go for the set lunch and end up seduced by the al a carte! I spent way too much on lunch last week and I blame it on the combination of my greed and an interesting menu!

Food was good but not blow you away spectacular, I love the range of wines by the caraffe, perfect for lunch.

The desserts were fantastic though and I was persuaded to try something I wouldn't normally have (it was the pear and almond cake) by a waiter and he came over to check I was enjoying it. I was really impressed by the service at Arbutus. The door staff were warm and friendly and took our coats and extra bags, we were served by two waiters and a manager all of whom were charming and knowledgable. It was lovely to have a bit of friendly banter with the staff and they were all smiles throughout our lunch. The restaurant was almost full on a Thursday lunch and the atmosphere was lively, a good mix of business lunches, tourists and families.

If the service wasn't as good as it was I'm not sure I would rush back for the food. As it is, they impressed me enough that I am looking forward to going back. Must try to stick to the set lunch next time…

Am going to Les Deux Salons this week so it will be interesting to compare it to their succesful sister restaurant.

I really wanted to like this place and there's certainly no denying the owners passion and knowledge for wine but I was left a bit cold by the whole experience.

The greeting we received was strange. Friendly but we were offered water at the bar whilst waiting for our guest?! What – no wine?

Bread and water arrived quickly at the table but things went downhill after that, the waiting staff seemed unfamiliar with the menu and a bit unsure of themselves. The manager took our order though and was very charming.

I found the food a bit fussy for the environment, it seemed to be crying out for some simple big flavours and seemed a bit ‘try hard fine dining’, the puddings however were really very, very good.

It didn't seem as if the waiting staff had completed their full training as the wine we ordered came out with a different year to the menu, it wasn't mentioned and we were the ones that spotted it. The waitress (who was very sweet) looked non-plussed as to why that might be an issue. For a place that prides itself on its wine list I was shocked by that. It could have been fixed by getting the manager to recommend a different wine or to explain why the replacement year was just as good but she poured on regardless.

I love the idea of the wine flights though and I'm sure some people will love it. I think if I was to go back it would be to try lots of different wines and share some bread and olives.

Oh and bearing in mind it's had a recent fit out and is brand new, how come the toilets looked like they've been ripped out of a council leisure centre?

I wrote the review below last year and every time I've been back since the service has not been right on any occasion.

I've had two breakfasts and a lunch where I was ignored for huge sections of the meal on all three occasions. When I went for lunch I actually had to get up and ask a waiter at a station for some sauces as he'd brought our burgers and not returned so we had no mustard etc. Sloppy. Our butter wasn't replenished and I had to get up and get our wine as we'd been left with empty glasses for 10 minutes.

I won't go back in a rush that's for sure.

Last year's review:

I normally go for breakfast which is where The Wolsely shines in my experience. The eggs benedict are fabulous and you feel a million dollars eating in such grand surroundings, a great way to start the day! The service can often be patchy though and the table turning is a nightmare.

I wouldn't choose the Wolsely for a dinner or lunch as I just don't think the menu is up to it, it's also too noisy and cramped for a relaxed lazy dinner. I'll stick with brunches and afternoon teas which are always great.

Must alter this after a recent trip – different girl on the door and was utterly charming. Every single member of staff we came in contact with was friendly and helpful. Just keeps getting better 13/05/10

One of my favourite restaurants in London.

Perfect food, great wine list and helpful staff. To really enjoy Terroirs you need to accept the fact that the lady on the door will finish her conversation on the phone without even turning to look at you and there is plenty of blank stares and gallic shrugs among the staff. If you can get past that and embrace the ‘frenchness’ of the place you'll love it!

The staff are actually very knowledgable and passionate and are always happy to answer any questions. The service has always been perfectly paced and I've never eaten a bad meal here and have been several times.

Go with friends for a relaxed evening and don't expect fine dining service, it's a wine bar after all!

Yet to try the 40 cloves of garlic roast chicken though…

I wish they could sort out the service at Dean Street, if they did, I'd use it all the time. Unfortunately sullen hosts and a combination of pretentious and unskilled waiters makes for a frustrating dining experience.

I have been on several occasions for lunch and breakfast and not once has the service been good enough for a Richard Caring venue. I have had to wait almost half an hour for a drink, 40 minutes for the bill, almost an hour between starters and mains, the list goes on, all delivered by staff who look like they're doing you a huge favour by just being in the room.

The food however was excellent. Makes it even more irritating that they can't get it right!

I'll try again in a few months to see if it's improved. I so want it to live up to the hype but it's nowhere near at present.

You can book ahead at Polpo but only during lunch.

We went there for a booze free quick lunch and I was very impressed – naturally it was packed what with the overwhelming media attention it's had recently, I wasn't suprised.

The food was better than I expected, delicious mushroom bread, outstanding meatballs and a slow roasted duck dish with rosemary roasted potatoes were all of excellent quality and cooked with real attention.

The tables are VERY close together though so it has a canteen vibe – not a romantic spot by any stretch. The service was quick and polite and I like the idea of the dishes coming when they're ready. Just as well as there's no way you'd get them all on the table in one go!

We also enjoyed some of the tiny tasters, the arancini and the anchovy paste on toast. I know everyone's been raving but when the bill came it was easy to see why. It was the same price as the Pizza Express meal I'd had the night before. When fresh, exciting flavours in generous portions like this come so cheap the only excuse not to eat there more often is the queue! I can understand why this place is proving so popular.

My only gripe is those bloody ‘rustic’ glasses! If I was drinking wine I might not have been so positive! I understand their purpose is to be as faithful as possible to the mediterranean roots of these restaurants but I hate drinking good white wine out of rough Ikea tumblers.

I really like this restaurant. I guess from the review above I've been lucky with the atmosphere as it's always packed whenever I go.

Rasa was the first Indian restaurant I've been to and experienced truly home-made chutneys and pickles. No buckets of raw white onion and bright orange mango chutney. Several tiny dishes of delicious and unusual chutneys, a few of them contain chunks of prawns and meaty white fish. Once you've tasted Rasa's pickles, poppadums and chutneys elsewhere will always be a let down!

Because of the layout of tiny nooks and crannys sometimes you have to stick your head round the corner if you want something but generally the service is good and they check back often.

I've eaten lots of different dishes on their menu and not been dissapointed, the real stand out one I can remember was a dish of crab claws in a delicious aromatic sauce.

In fact I might go there tonight…

This new tapas bar is a welcome addition to the already busy restaurant scene around Goodge Street.

I called ahead to book a table and was told they couldn't fit me in until 9.30 but I was welcome to try my luck at their busy bar. Easier said than done as their bar stools feature infuriating sloping rails that make it impossible to rest your feet on and at 5' 2″ I was falling off and climbing back on like a 8 year old.

The manager saw my discomfort and explained they had been open only 7 weeks and he was ‘pained’ that the bar stools weren't right. He assured us he would replace them and make it more comfortable to eat at the bar in future. He found us a table and we got comfy for our 4 hour marathon!

The food was excellent. Realy high grade olive oil for dipping bread, delicious stuffed olives and salted almonds to start us off. Followed by prawns (no mayo dip – shame) that were good but absolutely covered in unneccesary salt. Patatas bravas with really crispy potatoes, a sweet sundried tomato tasting sauce and plenty of aioli soon distracted me. My friend had also ordered Seville spiced carrots as they reminded her of the jars of spiced root vegetables so typical in many Spanish bars. They were amazing and I would highly recommend them. Whole pickled herb covered sweet baby carrots. Delicious. The bonemarrow on toast was apparently superb with baby shallots and sherry dressing. The Manchego cheese with rosemary was nice and the blended blue cheese was fantastic, both severed with an usual but delicious jelly, fig perhaps?

I finished with their chocolate pot which was one of the nicest, albeit richest deserts I've had in ages. A slightly crisp outer coating followed by a very dense mousse with chunks of high quality chocolate at the bottom.

The service was friendly, informal and Spanish! The English owner was very hands on, taking orders and hosting. Although they are clearly having some expected teething problems he seems to be dealing with them in the best way – with good humour and passion for his product. I kind of fell in love with this place and can't wait to return.

All that food plus (too much) wine – £40 a head.