No Expert …but I know what I like – Food Blog, Restaurant reviews
Reviews, Guides & Maps
Great place to go on a bright sunny day, when the sun is streaming in the windows, and lighting up this very unusual venue which incorporates an art gallery. When it’s really hot, they also occasionally serve food in the garden. The food is simple and fresh, they also have a small selection of good wines.
The restaurant has 1 AA Rosette, which it certainly merits.
Marks out of 10
Food 6
Service 6
Ambience 6
For a while Hibiscus seemed to be the most talked about place. Everyone just raved about it. We even had it recommended while in L’Astrance in Paris.
The conclusion from our visit on a Saturday evening when they only do tasting menus (a rather mercenary approach in my view), was that it was over hyped, overpriced rather boring food.
When the best dish in a £175 a head meal (food with matching wines) is the cheese course, then there is something wrong.
This restaurant is currently number 56 on the S.Pellegrino World’s Best Restaurants list. It has 2 Michelin stars and 4 AA Rosettes, so it should have been superb or a least very good, as at this level there really should be no off days.
Very disappointing
Marks out of 10
Food 4
Service 4
Ambience 7
Dockmasters House looks very out of place now in the Docklands, surrounded by warehouse style buildings and opposite a multiplex cinema. It is such a stunning building, both inside and out. The modern Indian food is top notch, they do a pre theatre menu that is ideal if you want to splash out on something a bit special before hitting West India Quay Cineworld, which is now my cinema of choice for several reasons:-
1 – it’s a modern cinema complex with a good sound system
2 – it’s cheaper than central London
3 – central London cinemas do not have Dockmasters House next door.
Marks out of 10 for Dockmasters House
Food 6.5
Service 6.5
Ambience 7
When aiming to eat in the Anchor & Hope “gastropub” (36 The Cut, Southwark) you will need time & patience. It is not an ideal venue for pre-theatre, unless you are very lucky.
The tables in the Restaurant section are for sharing. We found the service was a bit hit and miss but the food certainly hit the mark, with its rustic style and good quality ingredients. My earlier experiences were before the recent change of Chef, however with the kind of reputation the Anchor & Hope has I would expect it to continue to deliver top class gastropub fare.
However if you don’t want the hassle of hanging around the busy bar, you always have the option of Tas on the opposite side of the street.
UPDATE: June 2010 – A recent visit does seem to indicated that the new team are keeping up the good work. I had a beautifully cooked lemon sole with tasty shrimps.
There are lots of restaurants to choose from in the Southwark area. I have listed a few of my favorites.
Del’Aziz – Mediterranean Delicatessen and Brasserie, good venue for Cakes and Brunch.
Delfina – well cooked, quality food. Open for breakfast and lunch, occasional evening openings.
José – José Pizarro’s tiny Tapas bar in Bermondsey Street.
Tas (Borough High Street) and Tas Pide (Bankside)
Tapas Brindisa – Close to Borough Market
The Table – Tucked away a couple of streets behind the Tate Modern, it’s ideal for late Breakfasts and Brunch.
The Hide Bar – excellent selection of wines, beers, spirits and cocktails, it also does regular wine tastings.
Village East (171-173 Bermondsey Street) – Good venue for carnivores, a popular place that does excellent steaks.
Vinopolis – There are several restaurants in the “City of Wine”. The Cantina Vinopolis is the best one in my view.
Zucca – Bermondsey’s answer to the River Cafe.
A group of us arranged to have lunch at the Ritz.
They have a very reasonably priced set lunch menu and a comprehensive wine list that includes several “less” expensive bottles of wine (i.e., under £30).
We had the best table in the restaurant, (top right corner) as it afforded a view of the stunning room and the garden area. The restaurant is a “stickler” for the Jacket and Tie rule (they will supply ties if necessary), as is the Rivoli Bar. The bar I was not so impressed with, the decor in particular is very garish.
The restaurant in the Ritz has 2 AA Rosettes, which sounds about right.
Marks out of 10
Food 6.5
Service 8
Ambience (in the restaurant) 8, (in the bar) 4
UPDATE December 2011 – The prices have gone up since this visit and the food has really improved, see post