The Dining Room at Dukes Hotel, Mayfair

I booked to go to Duke's hotel with a few girl friends on a Toptable deal. I must confess my previous experience on deals on Toptable is that the restaurants are on there for a reason (i.e. they can't get enough customers through the door without offering deals). However, I was prepared to give it a go and the Martini's they serve would, surely, make up for any lack lustre dining experience?

Sadly no. The food on the deal was utterly disgusting (the beetroot and bacon soup being a particular low point) and the service was quite possibly the rudest that I have ever experienced.

Great for drinks, but steer I'd steer clear of the restaurant if I were you.

The French Cafe, Balham

Ok, so wedding diet over and back into eating out with a vengeance!

After first visiting the French Cafe for Tom's birthday we've been back twice since and I would say it's pretty good. The prix fixe is excellent value at £9.95 for 2 courses and the Bavette de Bouef is especially good. It has a nice relaxed atmosphere, a pretty decent house wine (which they serve in carafs) and the pear and almond tart is really tasty.

Worth a visit if you are in the area...

Tom Ilic, Battersea

Oh dear lord, it has been almost a year since I have updated my blog. A few good reasons (excuses!): planning a wedding, moving jobs and (probably the main one here) going on a diet. Sadly writing a restaurant blog and attempting to reduce the amount you eat do not go hand in hand. Nevertheless I have squeezed in a fair few outings (and many a Pizza Express, but I don't think that really counts...).

Probably the most notable is Tom Ilic. I have been there twice in the past month. It had been recommend to us on a number of occasions and we eventually got round to going, and then again within a couple of weeks because the first visit was so good!

The first time was far better, both in terms of food and service. Maybe we were a little unlucky the second time (I was brought the wrong main course), but the food wasn't as good and the service was downright rude. After being told they wouldn't charge us for the incorrect main they then put it on the bill anyway and took about 30mins to remove it again (and appeared non to keen to do this at all...)

All in all I would say perhaps not as good as first thought. However, Tom Ilic's pork dishes are fantastic as is his sweetbread starter. I think the key is to stick to the poorer cuts of meat, as this seems to be his speciality.

Restaurant surroundings are somewhat old fashioned, service very hit and miss, but food pretyt good and sometime immense).

The Lounge, Balham (again)

It has been absolutely ages since I've got round to updating my blog. I think this is due to a number of things (changing jobs, lack of funds for eating out, generally being pretty lazy...).

Anyway, I just had to drop a quick line about a return visit to The Lounge, the tapas bar just around the corner from my house (admittedly this is slightly delayed).

When I phoned up to book I was literally astounded to be greeted by - 'THE Penny, Penny from 'love to eat out.com'), not least because I think I may have a readership total of 2 (including myself).

Anyway, the Owner was the loveliest person. He came over for a good chat (turns out I was right about the husband and wife team), and gave us some lovely freebies. The food was top notch as ever (and I'm not just saying that because of the freebies).

Will definitely be popping back again soon...

Grosvenor Hotel, Chester

My lovely sister bought me afternoon tea at the Grosvenor as a belated birthday present. I may be a tad biased as she works there, but it was certainly the best afternoon tea that I've ever had.
Admittedly I have only had afternoon tea once before, but seeing as that was at the Lanesborough (which was voted as the best place to have afternoon tea) I think it's a fair comparison. Whilst the Lanesborough was stuffy and the sandwiches verged on stale; the Grosvenor was cosy, friendly and the food was delicious.

I think it costs around £30 for the indulgent tea which includes strawberries and cream, a glass of champagne, selection of sandwiches and cakes and scones (oh, and tea, of course). It was a million times better than The Lanesborough - the sandwiches were like biting into air (and the rare roast beef was amazing) and the cakes were unbelievably good.

If you're ever in the area, doing a spot of shopping or some sightseeing then I would highly recommend popping in for a real treat.

Upstairs, Brixton

Upstairs is one of my favourite restaurants. Ever. I'm esepcially pleased that it is short bus ride from where I live.

I've been there three times, and it is always the place that I recommend if people want a nice meal in my neck of the woods.

The food is great. Everything I have eaten has been cooked to perfection. Nothing over-complicated, just really good food. Last time I went I started with thinly sliced veal and salad, and then seabream with a caper and shrimp butter. Absolutely delicious! I had the cheese for dessert which was also great (although it would be hard to get cheese wrong...)

What really makes Upstairs so special is:
1. It's location. You just do not expect to find a restaurant that is this good down some side street in Brixton. Just above Opus (a little cafe) you have to ring a buzzer to get in.
2. The service. Quite simply the best service I have had in London. Absolutely spot on.
3. The food. So, so good.

Perfect place for a romantic meal, or a cosy dinner with friends. There's also a great little bar on the first floor.

Mirch Masala, Tooting

I've been meaning to write about this place for ages, but have only just got round to it. On Tooting High Road, amongst numerous other curry houses, it is a real gem. There seems to be a lot of Internet banter about the best curry house in Tooting - it seems a pretty close contest between here and Lahore Karahi. Admittedly we haven't sampled the latter (how can it possibly be better than Mirch?!), but it is defintely the best Indian restaurant I have ever been to.

The surroundings may not be the most glamorous (think formica tables and strip lighting), but the food more than makes up for it. The lamb and prawn tikka are just out of this world, as is the muttar paneer. It's so cheap (a hearty meal for 2 comes in at about £20) and its BYO as well.

Well worth a visit if you're in the area (and perhaps even if you're not...)