It’s pretty cold outside these days, so there’s even more excuse for SquareMeal readers to set up camp in the capital’s restaurants, and relay their honest, insightful opinions. Diner reviews, which can be left on our site by anyone, secure SquareMeal’s status as a one-stop shop for keen eaters. This is our chance to highlight your views, as well as a way for you to compare the experiences of other diners.
A restaurant’s name is the first impression it gives to diners, but quirky monikers didn’t stop our readers from trying this lot out. Despite its divisive name (and mixed reviews), Gourmand Gunno was “pleasantly surprised” by Mayfair’s Flavour Bastard, praising the “genuinely eclectic mix of dishes”. Over in Covent Garden, Guillaume K was taken with Frog by Adam Handling (above), noting that the dishes were “incredibly well-presented and delicious”. Meanwhile, in Mayfair, Lisa B was blown away by vowel-phobic Mnky Hse, noting that it’s “superbly fun” and calling the light and flaky black cod a “must-order”. Perhaps London’s more sensibly-named restaurants are missing a trick…
Not every restaurant fared so well this month, with some of our readers finding fault with their dinners. In Mayfair, Abigail M warned fellow diners to “check the price of a bottle of wine before you order it” after forking out £70 for two Sunday roasts and a bottle between two at Hawkmsoor Air Street (above). Petite A also isn’t a fan of the size of Mayfair’s bills, especially the hotel prices at Galvin at The Athenaeum, where “value for money is not great”, as you pay the same for one egg on toast as you would for an entire English breakfast at some other places. Finally, at Kensington’s Parabola (where the kitchen is now overseen by Rowley Leigh) Matt R was unimpressed by “under-seasoned” food and a “limited” wine list. Everyone knows that eating out in the capital can be expensive, and if they’re going to be paying top whack, Londoners expect their meals to be worth every penny.
Overall, though, there were more yays than nays from readers this month. Dining at Pisqu in Fitzrovia, J.S. was enthralled by the “amazingly tasty” lomo saltado and the “unique” wine list. In Covent Garden, Tom C tried out the recently re-located Joe Allen, and was happy to see that not much has changed; “charming, faultless service” and “classic burgers” all present and correct. Also in Covent Garden, Kathy S fell in love with Margot. Although “quite expensive”, she reckons it’s “perfect for a special occasion”.
Register with us here to join in, search for a restaurant and then leave your comments. We’re constantly rewarding our diner reviewers with prizes: next up, you could win a £200 meal in a restaurant of your choice.