December 2004

Mao's Diner - Upper Street, Islington N1

Food: 7
Menu: 4
Ambience: 4
Service: 8
Smoking Policy: -1
Value for Money: 8
Bonus**: 5

OVERALL: 35

Thoroughly recommended for good reasonably priced meal. Bonus points are for the good Chinese dishses. The menu is a little a disappointing because it tried to capture too broad a market by listing Vietnamese, Thai, Singaporean and Malaysian food all in one. Why not stick to the niche Chinese and do it well?


Medcalf - Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell EC1

Food: 8
Menu: 5
Ambience: 6
Service: 5
Smoking Policy: -1
Value for Money: 7
Bonus**: 7

OVERALL: 37

Great British food. It is a pity that they don't have a non-smoking policy but that should not put you off the great food. The menu is poorly written and does not do justice to the superb good. Bonus points are for the delicious food and excellent beer - Erdinger Weiss Beer on tap.


Bertorelli - Charlotte Street, London W1

Food: 6
Menu: 5
Ambience: 5
Service: 3
Smoking Policy: -1
Value for Money: 6
Bonus**: 0

OVERALL: 24

Standard Italian in my view. Their service was a little poor, ambience OK. Other guests found the food barely palatable.


Potemkin - Clerkenwell Road, Clerkenwell EC1

Food: 6
Menu: 6
Ambience: 6
Service: 5
Smoking Policy: 1
Value for Money: 6
Bonus**: 2

OVERALL: 32

Potemkin was recommended to us by our Ukrainian friend. The food was good as far as Russian food goes (Luba's on Essex Road is an alternative but is akin to a British Cafe) and the wide variety of Russian and Polish vodkas was a treat (which deserved bonus points). Although service was a little poor the management should be commended for taking a positive stand against smoking in the restaurant.


Momo - Henden Street, London W1

Food: 5
Menu: 5
Ambience: 6
Service: 6
Smoking Policy: -1
Value for Money: 4
Bonus**: 2

OVERALL: 27

I read a lot of good reviews about this restaurant, however, as one reviewer put it - "it is a hit or miss type of place". Sadly for me I did not enjoy my experience at Momo. The food was bland and tasteless (duck tagine) and dessert was just as unexciting... notwithstanding the £70 per head bill at the end of the night (2 courses including aperitif, bottle of wine and coffee). All the hype and pizzazz is not totally justified.


The Peasant - St. John's Street, Clerkenwell EC1

Food: 5
Menu: 4
Ambience: 5
Service: 6
Smoking Policy: -1
Value for Money: 4
Bonus**: 0

OVERALL: 23

I thought this was called "The Pheasant"...? This "gastro-pub" did not quite live up to the good reviews that were being thrown around. Tad on the expensive side, although it was a Christmas menu - 6 of us paid £54 each for 3 courses including 4 bottles of wine and coffee.


New Culture Revolution - Duncan Street, Islington N1

Food: 7
Menu: 5
Ambience: 5
Service: 6
Smoking Policy: -1
Value for Money: 7
Bonus**: 5

OVERALL: 34

I have been to NCR too many times - its my trusty favourite. It serves quasi-Northern Chinese cuisine adopting the principles of the 5 basic tases - sweet, sour, salty, bitter...? Anyway, it has great food which should be topped off with a bottle of Tsing Tao - Superb! Forget Wagamamas!


Crispy Duck - Gerard Street, London W1

Food: 6
Menu: 5
Ambience: 3
Service: 6
Smoking Policy: -1
Value for Money: 6
Bonus**: 0

OVERALL: 25

This is a typical Chinese cafe - the Peking duck is delicious and look out for the dry fried spicy squid. But don't expect good service or cleanliness. Tsing Tao is served.


Sheng's Tea House - Millman Street, Bloomsbury WC1

Food: 7
Menu: 4
Ambience: 4
Service: 6
Smoking Policy: -1
Value for Money: 6
Bonus**: 0

OVERALL: 26

This is a great lunch time cafe. It has a good balance of delicious Chinese, Singaporean, Malaysian and Thai dishes to select from. Food portions are generous and generally is good value for money at lunch time. Look out for their laksa and wonton soup. The menu is the only let down. It has not changed in months and it is the same at dinner time.


Moro - Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell EC1

Food: 8
Menu: 6
Ambience: 7
Service: 8
Smoking Policy: -1
Value for Money: 6
Bonus**: 5

OVERALL: 39

For this month, Moro just only slightly pips Medcalf this month. Moro is one of my trusty favourites. The food is always good and bonus points are awarded for the food, service and well executed classic cocktails that they serve up. Service is also commendable. The only criticism which I have is the menu; which feels constrictive and at times you feel "cornered. Help!"


Fine Burger Company - Upper Street, Islington N1

Food: 6
Menu: 6
Ambience: 5
Service: 6
Smoking Policy: 0
Value for Money: 6
Bonus**: 0

OVERALL: 29

The standard of their milkshakes has decreased a little since my last visit but we are there for the burgers too. Hand-cut chips are not as they should be. The plate seems a little bare when presented but nevertheless is a delightful alternative. Look out for discerned parents and their little ones out for Saturday lunch instead of the dreaded "Golden Arches".