Giraffe

Restaurant Name: Giraffe

Type of Food: Global food geared towards healthy and ethical eating

Average price per person: £15-£20 (excluding wine)

Website: http://www.giraffe.net/

Branches Visited:

270 Chiswick High Road, London W4 1PD
30 Hill Street, Richmond, TW9 1TW
Terminal 1, Airside, Heathrow Airport, Hounslow, TW6 1QE

There are quite a few branches across London so it's quite easy to find one.

Review:

'LOVE, EAT, LIVE'

This is their motto. Is it going to live up to expectations..? Well, read on to find out...

I'm always a little bit doubtful about award winning restaurant chains. You don't really know the true meaning of the awards they've won and how credible they are. With Giraffe serving global food, I was even more dubious: how can they replicate so many different cuisines and keep a high level of standard across their branches? I bumped into the Richmond branch a couple of years back and have gone back to Giraffe time and time again. The food is good (without being extraordinary), the service fast & friendly and the ingredients used are geared towards fresh, healthy and ethical eating. The menu offers an extensive choice of foods from around the world and there are even weekly specials to add to the mix. Whether it's for a dinner or a quick bite, the menu has everything you would want: from salads, fresh burgers, sandwiches to full brunches. I must say, I haven’t tried their Oriental dishes as there are better places for this. But if you want good burgers, salads or a nice full brunch then you won’t be disappointed.

You must also try their delicious range of smoothies, more specifically their Mango Mama fruit smoothie (mango, strawberry, banana, apple and lime juice). Although Giraffe will never beat your local traditional home cooking restaurant, it is probably one of the best affordable restaurant chains I know. It's simple and does what it says in the tin and use ingredients which are fresher than in most restaurant chains. They even have a branch at Heathrow Airport so make sure you dine there before you hop on the plane… unless you fancy the dirty food served on airplanes? (e.g. microwaved chicken and mash)


Rating (Out of 10)

Atmosphere: 8/10: Nice dining experience, warm atmosphere. The decoration is quite distinctive and uses very bright colours and unusual patterns and materials. There are quite a lot of families going to the Richmond and Chiswick branches. But if you go to the Liverpool Street branch, it'a more spacious and less crowded.

Service: 8/10: Good service, welcoming and friendly staff. Tend to be a little bit long when it's crowded but then this applies to pretty much all places...

Food: 8/10: Good fresh and healthy food. For a restaurant chain, it's quite an achievement. To put this into perspective, TGI Friday's would sit at the other end of the spectrum when it comes to quality and variety of food for a restaurant chain. Obviously, the freshness of the ingredients will never be at the same level of your local traditional home cooking restaurant.

Quality to Price: 8/10: Reasonably priced and generous portions as well. If you share a starter and take a main course you'll be full! Their burgers and smoothies are tasty. If you want a nice brunch, go for it, it's really good value for money!

Final Rating: 7.5/10: Not the most amazing or original food you will eat but the quality to price ratio is one of the best I know for a restaurant chain. And at £15/£20 per person (excluding wine), it's actually quite cheap for what you get.

Wagamama

Restaurant Name: Wagamama

Type of Food: Japanese
Average price per person: £8- £20

Website: http://www.wagamama.com/

Branch Visited:
26 high st, kensington, london, W8 4PF
180 - 182 earls court road, london, SW5 9QG
50-54 high street, putney, london, SW15 1SQ
Brent Cross shopping centre, london, NW4 3FP


Review:
One of the reasons japanese food has gone main stream is due to the sucess of Wagamama. Problem is that it isn't really japanese food... its kinda like japanese inspired food.

Anyway the place is shared seating and no background music... I find the atmosphere is very good for lunch and even dinner with your friends... I still find that even though you are sharing seats with other people you tend to forget about them very quickly because of the face to face seating.

Service is good but i have had some bad expirences with some of the branches where service is really bad due to the fact that it's busy (surprisingly it's at the smaller branches).

Foodwise due to Wagamama being a chain they should be following the same instructions on preparing a dish... but this is not true here... I've tasted a Yaki udon in one place which was really good but was very disappointed in another branch... Same with other dishes.

On the whole i do find Wagamama really good when they do make good food and even though i find some of the branches poor with the food.


Rating (Out of 10)

Atmosphere: 7/10
As with the trend these days... its the canteen style shared seating with no music atmosphere which really works here. Seeing the chefs cook your food adds to the expirence. Lighting is really bright and doesn't set a nice mood...

Service: 8/10
Fast.... They use electronic pda to take your order so it's faster to get to the kitchen.

Food: 7/10
Food is normally nice but can be inconsistent at times.

Quality to Price: 7/10
Price you pay for the food i think its fair but i wouldn't say it's cheap

Final Rating: 7/10

Wagamama was voted Zagat's most popular london restaurant 2006 above Nobu and Hakakasan, i don't know how... I guess it's one of the those place where it is main stream and everyone thinks it's cool to go to.

If you live in london i'm sure you can name so many other japanese style places to go to which would do way better food.

Saying that it is a good place to go to... i just think it's a little bit overated.

Blue Elephant

Restaurant Name: Blue Elephant

Type of Food: Thai

Average price per person: £50-£70 (excluding drinks)

Website: http://www.blueelephant.com

Branch Visited: 3-6 Fulham BroadwayLondon SW6 1AA

Review:

'Experience some of the finest Royal Thai Cuisine at Blue Elephant which is brimming with atmosphere'.

This is how Timeout described it. Well, my verdict can be summarised in 3 words: expensive and overrated. Sure the restaurant itself is very nice with typical Thai decor, friendly waiters/waitresses, nice water ponds and a relaxing atmosphere BUT the food is very much below par. My main course consisted of 4 pieces of scallops and they were tiny and overcooked. Starters were far from being exceptional either and I left the place feeling still hungry. And after having paid £100 for 2 without any wine or desserts, I was left extremely disappointed. Avoid it by all means...

Rating (Out of 10):

Atmosphere: 8/10: The strong point of this place. Nicely decorated with typical Thai ornaments and ponds. Quite a relaxing dining atmosphere...

Service: 8/10: Very good, nothing to complain about. Friendly waiters/waitresses.

Food: 6/10: A massive let down, doesn't taste like the Thai food I had in Koh Samui, Thailand. I know it's unreasonable to expect it to be as authentic but it was really not tasty at all + portions are tiny.

Price: 6/10: Quite pricey but I guess you pay for the venue, the service and the fact that the restaurant is located in Fulham. I don't mind paying a premium for quality food but it's totally unjustified on this occasion...

Quality to Price: 5/10: Not a good quality/price ratio here... you'll leave the place feeling hungry, unless you're prepared to spend a lot of money...

Final Rating: 4/10: After having read so many good reviews, I was so disappointed. Avoid it by all means...

Maxim's

Restaurant Name: Maxim's

Type of Food: Chinese

Average Price Per Person: £20 - £25 excluding alcohol

Website: n/a

Branch Visited:153-155 Northfield Avenue, London, W1

Review: A pleasant discovery. Having lived in Ealing for over 5 years, I have passed this restaurant numerous times but never ventured in as it didn't really excite me. From the outside the restaurant doesn't look all that inviting. After several recommendations from friends, I decided to give it a go. This place is also rated by Alan Yau, the founder of Hakkasan and Yautcha.

As you walk in, you're struck by how simple and clean the decor is, there is nothing tacky or cliche about this place.

The service is impeccable and quite unexpected from a London Chinese resturant, there is no 'Wong Kee' - esque (moody looking staff, dishes thrown on to tables) service here! The staff are very friendly and well mannered and managed by an entertaining manager who likes wearing colourful neckties.

Dishes I would recommend trying: for starters, the crispy duck, sesame prawn on toast and the hot and sour soup. For mains, the prawns in chilli sauce and the beef in oyster sauce are a must try. Personally, I find their starters excellent and the mains could be better but still good.

Make sure you make a reservation before coming here as they are always busy.

Rating (Out of 10)

Atmosphere: 10/10 Warm and friendly.

Service: 10/10 As above, well mannered staff etc. The speed of the service is typical of a chinese restaurant; quick!

Food: 8/10 Food is always good and I've never been disappointed.

Quality to Price: 8/10 Well priced for London.

Final Rating: 9/10 The food and service never disappoints. Good for both meals for 2 or group dinners.

Hakkasan

Restaurant Name: Hakkasan

Type of Food: Stylish High Class Chinese Cuisine

Average price per person: From £50 to £100 (excluding alcohol). Seafood and special dishes are very expensive so your bill will vary quite dramatically.

Website: n/a (they want to keep the place like a gem waiting to be unearthed and rely on word of mouth rather than heavy publicity)

Address: 8 Hanway Place, LONDON, W1T 1HD

Review: ‘Created by Alan Yau, also behind the Wagamama Japanese restaurant chain and Yauatcha, Hakkasan was rewarded by a Michelin Star in 2003. It's also regularly listed in the Top 50 best restaurants in the world each year. The renowned, multi-million pound interior was designed by Jonas Carp of Habitat Design. The bar has been designed by the mercurial Christian Liaigre who is responsible for the interior design in the private homes of both Calvin Klein and Karl Lagerfeld’.

With such strong credentials, it was with great anticipation that I decided to sample Hakkasan's Stylish High Class Chinese Cuisine. I must say, although our bill was pretty high for 2 (and we didn’t have any wine or alcoholic drinks), the quality of the food is top notch. Expect a modern style of Chinese cuisine, a special atmosphere, top class service and a remarkable venue.

Rating (Out of 10)

Atmosphere: 9/10: Very stylish design and decor, dark lighting, modern look and feel. A really good place to go to for a romantic meal, it feels very exclusive. Make sure you book your table two weeks before you go, especially if you intend to visit it on a weekend. This place is packed…

Service: 9/10: You're greeted by someone at the door, you then go down the stairs and enter a reception area where someone else takes you to your table. The service itself is fast and discreet. The waiters/waitresses are efficient without being intrusive. Top class…

Food: 9/10: Although not authentic, the food is very tasty and you can't deny that they use very fresh ingredients. I suggest you order the dim sum assortment as a starter, they are so fresh (Ping Pong taste like frozen ones in comparison). The menu also include great seafood dishes but be prepared to pay a pretty high fee for them!

Quality to Price: 7/10: Pricey... you're paying for the top quality of the ingredients, the venue itself and the faultless service. However, if I had to base my judgment solely on food, then I would say dishes are over priced for what they really are.

Final Rating: 9/10: If you're looking for authentic Chinese food, then go somewhere else. However, if you're looking for a unforgettable dining experience with top quality food, impeccable service, an very exclusive atmosphere and an immaculate decoration, Hakkasan must be at the top of your list, it is a beautiful combination of classic and contemporary style and colour. I wouldn’t go there on a regular basis but if you want to take someone on a romantic meal then go for it, you won’t be disappointed and you guest won't be either... especially if you pay the bill...!

Spacca Napoli

Restaurant Name: Spacca Napoli

Type of Food: Italian
Average price per person: £8-25

Website: http://www.spaccanapoli.co.uk/

Branch Visited:
101 Dean Street, London, W1D 3TG


Review:
This is a great italian place hidden in soho. Pizza's are stoned baked and pasta seems very fresh.
Service is a good and quick especially for the lunches between work.

Rating (Out of 10)

Atmosphere: 7/10
Zizzi type ambience about it. Very nice.. business dinner type place.

Service: 8/10
fast, not a problem at all

Food: 7/10
Tasty on par with chains like Zizzi and Ask

Quality to Price: 8/10
The lunch menu is really good value dinner prices seems good as well... fair price to pay for a place in the centre of london.

Final Rating: 7/10
a good italian place to go to.... not a bad place actually reason why its not getting 8 cos the place and food didn't wow me... it's a great place to go out on a typical friday night but prob wouldn't go there to celebrate something special.

Expert Comments:

Thach said...

Good unpretentious Italian restaurant with good food, a fast service and very reasonably priced. The 2-course lunch set menu during week days is very good value for money. Only downside: their pepper grinder doesn't work (ask Champ, he'll explain..)

The Electric Brasserie

Restaurant Name: The Electric Brasserie

Type of Food: Seafood, French, English, American
Average price per person: £30-60 (Dinner)

Website: http://www.electricbrasserie.com/

Branch Visited:
The Electric Brasserie 191 Portobello Road London W11 2ED


Review:
One of the most trendy and hip places to be seen in West London. In the heart of Portobello Road (Notting Hill)

From the outside looking like a bar but when you venture inside it's top quality.

This place is a reservation must and it was very painless booking online. One problem is you got to book way in advance to get a decent time slot.

The website says table are for a max of 2 hours and the dress code is smart casual.

When I arrived at the Venue i was greeted by by a lady who took out jackets then showed us to our table. My inital reaction was oh god everyone is more better dress than me... so remember it isn't smart casual it's more super smart casual.

Waiters were well spoken and very friendly explaining each dish and recommending us the best choice.

In the terms of food. The food is cook in an open kitchen and like a place like this it was class food was top quality. I chose the dozen oysters and the hot seafood platter. Was a little disappointed inthe oysters as the person opening them kinda made a mess and shell was on the oysters but the oyster itself were very tasty. The hot platter consisted of a whole lobster prawns and mussel and yes they were cook perfectly....

Place is quite pricey but for the service you get and the quality of food... it is well deserved.

Note: Oh during the day they do a really good all day breakfast for £10

Rating (Out of 10)

Atmosphere: 8/10
More to the luxury side of the scale but in a very brasserie way... don't go here for a quiet romantic meal... as with the trend these days its not musics just pure chatter.

Service: 8/10
Waiters well spoken, fast and friendly.

Food: 8/10
top notch..... prob one of the best place to eat in Notting Hill.

Quality to Price: 8/10
For the price you are paying you are not being ripped off. You are payign for some top quality food and service.. Not a place you would eat every week unless you have the money.

Final Rating: 8/10
I really can't find nothing bad to say about this... I even stayed more than 2 hours and wasn't even reminded to leave... I was very dressed down no gel looking like a bum but was treated like like royalty.

Food was very good... actually the only thing i can think as a negative point was the fact its very hard to get a decent time slot but that because they are popular, oh and also the tables near the bar are quite nasty... cos theres alot of people pushing past you.

Okawari

Restaurant Name: Okawari

Type of Food: Japanese

Average Price Per Person: £15 - £20 excluding alcohol

Website: http://www.okawari.co.uk

Branch Visited:13 Bond Street, Ealing, London, W5 5AP.

Review: Fairly priced Japanese food with a very slight Chinese twist ( the owners are Chinese). Nice informal atmosphere and friendly staff. May not be you're thing if you do not like sharing tables. Advice for girls, do not wear any short skirts as the tables are set into ground in a big 'whole' for your legs, can be awkward stepping out of the table.

Must try items: Chicken Katsu Curry, Chasiu Ramen and Tofu Teriyaki. All sushi is good too. Portions are generous and most dishes come with a healthy miso soup.

The service is quick but make sure to book a table as it is always busy. Great place for couples but even better in groups as you can try out more of the dishes on offer.

They are also open for lunch and do some great 'meal deals' for £4 - £5. Sets typically include a main dish such as Teriyaki Chicken which comes with rice, a miso soup and a green tea for just a fiver!

Rating (Out of 10)

Atmosphere: 8/10 Friendly and informal

Service: 8/10 Nothing to complain about above average

Food: 8/10 Food is always good and I've never been disappointed... but they may have had a change of chef recently as some of the dishes taste a little different to before.

Quality to Price: 8/10 Decently priced considering portion size.

Final Rating: 8/10 Great for an informal evening out where the food will not disappoint at a good price.

Expert Comments:

Thach said...

Good value for money.. although I don't think it's as good as before. Sashimi is still very good and pretty cheap too...

Champ Sakulsaeng said...

I recommend the Softshell Crab roll very tasty... also the sashimi is value for money... prob best value in the whole of london.

Busaba Eathai

Restaurant Name: Busaba

Type of Food: Thai
Average price per person: £13

Website: n/a

Branch Visited:
106-110 Wardour Street, Soho, London, W1F 0TR
22 Store St, London, WC1E 7DF
8-13 Bird St, W1U 1BU


Review:
The Thai wagamama, shared tables. Expect a wait at the Wadour street one. Food is really good... I recommend the Shen Chan Pat-thai very nice and authentic....

Busaba restaurants seem very inconsistant on the food they produce. Store street store doesn't taste as good as the wardour street one.

Rating (Out of 10)

Atmosphere: 8/10
Mordern Urban thai decor, no music, just pure chatter

Service: 8/10
fast, not a problem at all

Food: 8/10
taste like thai food... one of the better thai places...

Quality to Price: 8/10
some dishes can are not worth the price but most are value for money if you compare the prices other thai places are charging.

Final Rating: 8/10
Best Fast food Thai place.

Expert Comments: By Monica
Hmm, food is good here but downside is that when it is really busy, you can't really hear eachother speak. No good for romantic meals for two,
(1) because of the noise and
(2) you have to share tables.

Randall and Aubin

Restaurant Name: Randall and Aubin

Type of Food: Seafood
Average price per person: £30-£50

Website: http://www.randallandaubin.co.uk/

Branch Visited:
16 Brewer Street
Soho
London
W1F 0SQ

Review:
Wow the most upbeat restaurant i have ever been to. This is not a restaurant for a quiet meal... The seating is informal (all stools and shared tables) but the funny thing is it works. The music is loud & banging and the waiters are very friendly.

I really loved the atmosphere here but lets forget the food.... the food was top notch... i have been here a few times tried there warm and cold dishes and i was very impressed each time.


Rating (Out of 10)

Atmosphere: 8/10
Mordern Urban type place but in a Traditional looking restaurant

Service: 8/10
nothing to complain about above average

Food: 6/10
Food was good... very tasty..

Quality to Price: 8/10
quite pricey... you're prob paying for the high rent they must pay... but you kinda forget that cos the atmosphere and food pays it back.

Final Rating: 8/10
Not the best seafood place i have been but its gotta be one of the best.

Taro

Restaurant Name: Taro

Type of Food: Japanese
Average price per person: £13

Website: n/a

Branch Visited:
59-61 Brewer Street
Soho
London
W1F 9UW

Review:
Never really rated this place highly at all. This place is good if you want a quick bite to eat but i wouldn't go out of my way to eat here. Don't bother with the sushi cos across the road from this place is Ten Ten Tei which does way better sushi. Chicken Teriyaki with rice is quite nice... Always busy in the evenings so be prepared to wait for a table.


Rating (Out of 10)

Atmosphere: 4/10
its rush rush rush

Service: 8/10
Can't complain.... they are fast

Food: 6/10
quality of food is good wouldn't say it was rubbish... seeing the kitchen makes you confident that you food is being prepared in a clean environment.

Quality to Price: 8/10
food is good for the price you pat

Final Rating: 6/10
Does the job... fills you up

Expert Comments:

Mon says

Would definitely agree with Champ on this one. But if you are ever in the area, the Chicken Teriyaki is a must try. Not very expensive either

Thach says

I disagree, i think this is a good restaurant to go to with your mates for a dinner before a night out, or a nice lunch. Prices are very reasonable and the service is fast! Ten Ten Tei is better for sashimi and sushi but their platter costs about £25!

Loch Fyne

Restaurant Name: Loch Fyne

Type of Food: Seafood
Average price per person: £30

Website: http://www.lochfyne.com/

Branch Visited:
- 51 Queen Charlotte Street, Bristol, BS1 4H
- The Maltings, Bear Wharf, Fobney Street , Reading, RG1 6BT
- 2-4 Catherine Street, Covent Garden, London WC2B 5JS
- 175 Hampton Rd, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW2 5NG

Review:
Probably the best seafood restaurant you will ever got to. The quality of the produce they use is top quality and the price you pay for it is fair. Service is really good as well, the waiter i had at the bristol branched was polite and well mannered.

Rating (Out of 10)

Atmosphere: 8/10
Good for a romantic meal

Service: 8/10
Can't complain.... really good actually

Food: 9/10
Top quality. Considering the restaurant aren't by the sea... the catches are very fresh.

Quality to Price: 8/10
You pay for what you get and here you get top quality food for a fair price.

Final Rating: 8/10
Best Seafood place by far