★★★☆☆ / Modern European / Modernist

Patterson’s review – middling Mayfair mediocrity?

Cooking by numbers Update: this restaurant has now closed. Bo London now occupies the same premises. It’s tempting to think that because a restaurant has been well-established and operating for several years, then it must be doing something right and has struck upon a winning formula. The pessimistic view is that they’re merely cruising along … Continue reading →

★★☆☆☆ / Chinese / Japanese / Korean / Pan-Asian / Thai and Lao / Vietnamese

East Street review – full of Eastern promise or just full of it?

Oxford Street’s East Asian street food smorgasbord With some restaurants, the reasons behind the choice of décor can be inscrutable but that isn’t the case with East Street. East Street is a casual eatery located just off the north edge of Oxford Street and serves up a broad menu of street food from a large … Continue reading →

★★★★☆ / British / Burgers / Steak/chophouse

Hawksmoor Day part 2 – lunch at Seven Dials, Covent Garden

This review is part of Hawksmoorathon – three meals at three different Hawksmoors in one day The Seven Dials Covent Garden branch of Hawksmoor is perhaps my favourite of the three thanks to its elegant, iron colonnaded interior. It’s the one I visit most frequently since it’s actually located somewhere readily accessible, unlike the Spitalfields … Continue reading →

★★★★☆ / ★★★☆☆ / Mexican

La Bodega Negra review – Mexican food gets sexy

A Mexican restaurant of two halves As my fellow restaurant blogger 31_75 pointed out recently, in his own inimitable style, there are very few good Mexican restaurants in London. The situation isn’t nearly as bad as it was two decades ago when all we had were horrid Tex-Mex dives like Chiquito, but it’s still far from … Continue reading →

★★☆☆☆ / Jamaican/Caribbean

Bubbas review – Caribbean food with a modern twist

Avant-garde or just modish? Caribbean food tends to be hearty and boldly flavoured, but has thus far been found only in traditional recipes served in casual eateries. Bubbas aims to change all of that with its stated goal of applying Modern European techniques to traditional Caribbean dishes and ingredients. Bubbas is oddly located right next … Continue reading →