January 2005

Pride of Siam - Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell EC1

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

OVERALL: 24

Standard local Thai restaurant. Cheap dishes. £20 for a quick lunch for two and tea. Would have achieved 26/51 but for their smoking policy.


Medcalf - Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell EC1

Food: 9
Menu: 5
Ambience: 7
Service: 6
Smoking Policy: -1
Value for Money: 7
Bonus**: 2

OVERALL: 35

This gets better and better!... but it won't be a secret too long with Time Out readers rating it as The Best Local Restaurant for 2004. I had braised ox-tail with Stilton dumplings and baby carrots - simply delightful. Roast hake served with surf clams, mash and leeks with a creamy white wine sauce was another dish to die for! See December 2004 comments re: Menu - "Chocolate cake" - well here is how I would describe it, "Slice of delightful flourless mud cake simply served with a dollop of freshly made Madagascan vanilla cream." - "Chips & gravy" - "(Authentic!) hand-cut chips carefully roasted to perfection and served with a side pot of gravy.". I think I understand the Chef now... the menu is understated to let the food speak for itself. Only minimal bonus points for the food today - the Weiss beer was not served properly - a little flat - perhaps a faulty pump?