Four o Nine (Clapham North)

This was my second visit to Four o Nine (I went when it first opened, about a year ago). Things have definitely gone downhill since then...

The first time I went I was really impressed. There aren't too many really good restaurants in that area (although Upstairs in Brixton is pretty close by...and absolutely miles better). The food is still good (according the website the chef hails from Chez Bruce), which must surely be one of, if not the, best restaurant in South London.

I had the seabass which was well-cooked and the mash it was served on absolutely delicious - creamy, smooth, pretty much exactly how mash should be. My friends meals were also good. It was really pretty much everything around the food which really let the place down (which is always somehow more disappointing?). What a shame to be spot-on with the cooking and have poor service let it down so badly.

The hostess that greeted us was snooty (giving us all a thorough look up and down both when we arrived). When our mains were cleared we sat and waited for 15 minutes and eventually had to ask to see the dessert menu, as clearly it was never going to be offered. My friend and I both ordered the cheese board. Again, it was good. What was disappointing was when we asked our waiter what was on the cheeseboard he had no idea (and seemed genuinely shocked to have been asked). My friend doesn't like blue cheese, and it was clearly a real chore for him to find out if there was blue cheese, and to remove it.

It was the general running of the restaurant that seemed to let it down. The toilets were broken (to the point of overflowing) and when I informed the snooty hostess I was told 'No problem'. Well, actually, yes, it is a bit of a problem. I think the word she was searching for was 'Sorry'. And perhaps a 'thank you for letting us know'?!

Anyway, needless to say I won't be back. Which is a shame, because the food really is good.

The Lounge (Balham)

I thought that I'd discovered most of the local eateries in Balham, but noticed this one on the London Restaurant Review. It had some really great reviews, and deservedly so. Just the other side of the trainline, so slightly off the main high street, this is a real gem.

It seems as though it's owned a husband and wife - I imagine he must be in the kitchen? I did feel slightly sorry for the wife though as she was left to take the orders, serve the food and drinks for the whole restaurant (which was pretty full). OK, so we did have to wait quite a while for our food, and the service generally wasn't the speediest, but it didn't really seem to matter. The lady was lovely, and really apologetic (and slightly bemused by how busy the restaurant was). The atmosphere is great, maybe it was just the sunshine outside, but I did feel like I was in a little Spanish tapas bar.

The food. So I seem to be the person that always drastically over-orders whenever I go out for tapas (yet somehow the food always goes?!). My friend and I shared: patatas bravas (lovely spicy sauce), king prawns in garlic and chilli (delicious), calamari, chicken wings, and chorizo. The food was all good.

I will definitely be back, with my boyfriend in tow, as he never likes to miss out on finding a new venue...

Tom's Kitchen (just off Kings Road)

You really just cannot beat a good brunch - and this was, quite possibly, the best one I've ever had. We both went for the Full English (well, how can you resist?) and it was really good. Everything in it was delicious - 2 eggs, bacon - nice and crispy, sausage, black pudding - mmmmmm, fried bread, mushrooms, tomato and beans.

At £10.50 it wasn't the cheapest breakfast I've ever had, but well worth the money and the trip there.

The atmosphere was great (even with the place packed with toddlers) and I can't wait to return one evening...

Gastro (Clapham)

Wasn't sure what to expect from this place after reading some really mixed reviews. However, we paid our second visit there a few weeks ago and we were once again really impressed!

Both times we've gone for the Chateaubriand which really is quite possible the best steak I've ever eaten. You could cut through it like butter...absolutely delicious! OK, so the chips were relatively average, and the veg nothing special; but really, when the steak is this good you just can't complain.

I've seen some pretty poor reviews about the 'very French' service. Having said this, our waitor was really lovely.

We did feel that perhaps we'd got a bit lucky, as some people's food didn't look so great...but if you go for the Chateaubriand I really don't think that you'll be disappointed.

Siam Central (Charlotte Street)

Went for lunch yesterday to this great little Thai on Charlotte Street. With outside tables it's perfect for when the sun is shining (although it gets pretty busy).

The lunchtime menu of 2 courses for £7.50 is great value. I've already been there 4 or 5 times (obviously becoming a favourite). Nothing spectacular, just a good solid lunch choice if you're in the area.

The fishcakes to start are especially good, as is the Chilli and Basil stir fry and the Pad Thai. I'm yet to try the deep fried ice cream (a tad extravagant for lunch?!), although I've read a few reviews that sing it's praises...

Relais de Venise (Marylebone)

Second visit to this place - it is an absolute gem! After hearing about it from a friend at work who claims it is his 'death row dinner' my expectations were set pretty high.

Definitely not a disappointment!! OK - so, not the place to go if you don't like steak (really?). The menu is set: a salad to start, followed by chips, steak and their 'secret sauce'...


The salad is good (nothing earth shattering - just lettuce, walnuts and a fairly strong dijon dressing) but really just a build up to the fantastic main! It is served in two portions and the steak really is absolutely delicious...so tender. The chips are great, and the 'secret sauce' really tasty. Obviously we spent the majority of the meal trying to work out what was in it - we're hazarding a guess at garlic, butter, parsley and anchovies (although not sure my culinary expertise are up to a possible recreation of it!).

Desserts are good as well - my ice-cream filled profiteroles were really good (and absolutely dripping in a gorgeously rich chocolate sauce). My friend's desserts were also good - praline ice-cream was particularly tasty.

Definitely worth a visit - but do try and get there early as after 7.15ish (on a Friday) there was a fairly hefty queue.

Vasco & Piero's Pavilion (Soho)

After really looking forward to visiting Vasco & Piero's for some time (I'd read so many reviews from the trusty London Eating site) I was thoroughly underwhelmed by the whole experience.

Working just round the corner and walking past the restaurant on my way to work everyday I thought it looked pretty perfect. Two new menu's everyday, using the freshest seasonal ingredients. The restaurant seems to pride itself on the fact it uses on 3 ingredients per dish. I thought this would also make for tasty, simple Italian cooking. It didn't.

My boyfriend's ravioli starter was undercooked (not so much al dente as just plain chewy) and under-filled. My ragu was severely disappointing - lack of flavour and not really lacking the richness I was expecting.

Our main's were well cooked but not exactly a taste sensation. My lamb cutlets were well cooked, but really nothing special. My boyfriend's cod in a herb crust was lacking in a herb crust. Desserts were fine, but again, nothing to write home about.

Service was good if a tad over-eager. No sooner had you replaced your cutlery, then the plates had been whisked away. The atmosphere was nice and cosy. The tables were close together, but this wasn't a huge issue.

All in all, slightly disappointing. Or had I just had my hopes raised a little high? At £30 for 3 courses I would really expect more (I know this is central London, but there really are lots better places around Soho).