London Restaurant Tips by DAO

HUNG VIET: HUNG ME IF I EAT HERE AGAIN

The food here is just bad. My starter, a Crispy Crepe, was hard enough to damage teeth. My ‘Shaking Beef’ left me unmoved. It was bland and tasteless. And then there was the very loud Vietnamese variety show on the TV blaring at me. VERY LOUD. I am sorry, but I just cannot recommend eating here. The family who own it were nice, but I wanted a good tasting meal without a loud TV.

Hung Viet is located on Kingsland Road. This is also known as the ‘Pho Mile’ mile because of all the great Vietnamese restaurants here. I quite literally walked up and down the mile one night looking for an authentic Vietnamese meal and one that looked family owned. This is how I made the mistake of eating here. Once I interrupted the family from their TV viewing, they were nice enough. Several times I had to literally walk up to them to get some attention. Given that I was the only customer in the restaurant, you would have thought they would have at least looked in my direction every once in a while. When ‘dad’ did take my drink order, he talked me out of a Saigon Beer and into a Hanoi Lager. Even that tasted bad. And warm.

I wanted to have a nice meal and a nice experience. Hung Viet is sadly just not the place. They work really long hours, but they just need to up their game. Until then there are many other great Vietnamese restaurants in this area to choose from.


Opening hours: 6:00–10:45 pm, 7 days a week

Address: 134A Kingsland Road, Bethnal Green, London, E2 8DY

Comparison: about average

Directions:
TUBE & TRAIN:
Hoxton Station - London Overground and East London Line
BUS:
Kingsland RD Bus Stop WY - route 394

Other Contact: 07964692785

Phone: +44 (0) 20 7729 4843

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 0

Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim

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

ROADHOUSE IN COVENT GARDEN: AWESOME ! Roadhouse, Covent Garden Review

The Roadhouse rocks! OK, as an American I can use American lingo to describe one of the best dining experiences in London. If you want great food, fantastic service and a vibrant environment, you need to come and enjoy a meal at the Roadhouse. I booked a table on the Toptable Website and even received a 50% discount on food. Get in there! When I arrived I was greeted at the door like a VIP and escorted to my table. The Roadhouse is a bar and nightclub later at night. I had a dinner reservation for 7pm and I can assure you the music levels were pleasant and you can have a conversation. In fact the music and atmosphere was perfect to create a really pleasant vibe. My waiter was awesome as well. Greg is a credit to the Roadhouse and waiters everywhere. He made sure that I knew about the 2 for 1 drink deals to get things started. Top man! He took my order, checked on me throughout my meal and made sure that I took advantage of the 2 for 1 drink deals as much as possible. In fact I got so relaxed I almost missed my train. Greg and all the staff were great and I cannot recommend eating and drinking at the Roadhouse enough.

The menu is definitely ‘American’ with lots of Tex-Mex options. They have some great options for starters including what they call ‘Small Bites’. You can get great dishes like Jalapeño Cream Cheese Peppers and Bbq Chicken Wings on deals of 3 dishes or 5 dishes for a discounted price. The main dishes include Burgers, Sandwiches, Fajitas, Steaks, Combos and Salads with side orders like Cajun Onion Rings and Cheesy Chips. Essentially all 4 of the American food groups are served: meat, beer, nachos and more meat.

If you want a drink or 3, they have:
HAPPY HOURS:
Monday – Friday 2 for 1 from 5.30pm - 7.30pm
Saturday Happy Hour from 5.30pm - 7.30pm
Sundays 2 for 1 from 6.30pm - 8.30pm (times may vary on Sunday)

If that doesn’t float your boat – try the FISHBOWLS. These are a massive 50oz drinks with names like ‘Rasberrylicious’. And no, no animals or fish are harmed in the making of these mega drinks.

Please use the Toptable Website to book your meal and any deal. They have table reservations up to 10pm. After that you will find out what the name of the DJ is or you can check out their cool website. They also have live bands every night, DJ’s up to 3am and even ‘Rockaoke’ if you want to express your inner Aerosmith with a large room full of strangers. Also make sure you gave a look at their special offers page on their website and ask about the ‘I ♥ Roadhouse’ Card.

2 IMPORTANT POINTS!
1. Service (charges) are not included. Please tip great servers like Greg 10-20% based upon the full price of your meal if you get the discount deal. They work really hard and deserve your support.
2. The Roadhouse is an adult restaurant and venue. It is strictly 18+ and the dress code is smart casual.


OPENING HOURS:
Monday – Saturday 5:30 pm – 3:00 am
Sunday 5:30 pm – 12:00 am

Favorite Dish:

I started with the Chicken Fajita Nachos . On the menu its says ‘for 2 people sharing’. No way! I was not about to share this slice of heaven with anyone. This was served with large, moist, chunks of chicken with jalapeños and roasted peppers. They put the guacamole, salsa and sour cream somewhat on the side so you can mix it all to absolute perfection.

My main meal was the absolutely mouth-watering New York Melt. The menu describes this as “Our 8oz sirloin loaded with sautéed mushrooms, caramelised onions and melted cheese. All served with a choice of french fries or mash potatoes, peppercorn or red wine sauce & salad garnish”. I ordered this rare and it was perfection on a plate.

This was all washed down with some 2 for 1 Amstel beers. A great meal, a great deal and a great experience.

AWESOME !

Address: The Piazza, Covent Garden, London, WC2

Comparison: about average

Directions:
TUBE STATIONS:
Covent Garden (Piccadilly Line)
Leicester Square (Northern, Piccadilly)
Charing Cross (Bakerloo, Northern, Southeastern rail)

Other Contact: info@ roadhouse.co.uk

Phone: +00 44 (0)207 240 6001

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 5

Theme: American

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

MASALA ZONE - BAYSWATER: TOO FAST (INDIAN) FOOD

Something is wrong when the waiter tells you that a full ‘Thali’ will be out in seconds and that ordering a fresh Nan bread would slow that down. A Thali can be meat or vegetarian and is a range of dishes served on a large platter for you to mix and match. Normally this is the, most expensive dish on the menu of any Indian cuisine restaurant offering this and it takes a while to cook it all and put it all together to bring to your table.

The food arrived in less than 3 minutes. I have had some wonderful meals in Indian restaurants. Not usually in London and not here. This is a fast food outlet. I left hungry and disappointed. I also found the cost of the beer excessive. I would advise finding a proper Indian restaurant rather than this food factory. You can get a lot better quality for the price.

Please note:
You will see this chain of restaurants advertise in the Tube. If you are on a budget in terms of both time and money – you can find one of these joints at the following location across London:

Bayswater, Camden Town, Covent Garden, Earl's Court, Fulham, Islington and Soho

This location is open:
Mon to Fri 1230 – 1500, 1730 – 2300 Sat 1230 – 2300 Sun 1230 – 2230
Sadly they also deliver and offer deals on their website.

Address: 75 Bishops Bridge Road (Corner with Inverness Terr

Comparison: about average

Directions:
Tube Stations:
Bayswater (Circle and District lines)
Queensway (Central Line)

Other Contact: bayswater@masalazone.com

Phone: +44 (0) 20 7221 0055

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 2

Theme: Indian

Website: http://www.masalazone.com/

FUNKY ASIA: SUPERCOOL

Stunning. Amazing. Wild. Fun. Eclectic.

This is an experience. You get a very interesting visual experience, exceptional food, devoted staff, and even the dishes (the dishes, not the food) are a sight to see. I was made to feel welcome and valued from the moment I walked in the door and into the multi-color interior. I had a nicely priced and iced (cold) Ashai beer as I settled into ordering my food. I ordered the tuna starter, the chicken salad and the Duck Breast Hanoi Style. My waiter casually suggested the xxx and made it sound like such a natural accompaniment that I took him up on the offer. Boy, was he right.

First came my tuna. Stunning to see, better to devour.

A word of caution: the Chef loves hot red chillies! You can pick them out, but don’t expect bland food here!

Then the salad and then my duck. This was served with Bok Choy and Jasmine Rice. Absolutely perfect!

I hope my pictures do this artful scene justice. Not only did it all look great – I left feeling well fed, well looked after and absolutely happy after a very bad day at work. This is a great place to get therapy.

I was fortunate enough to have booked a deal on the Toptable website. I had a great meal, an even better experience, and could fit a top meal into a business budget.

Rarely have I had such a dinning experience anywhere and this is one of the very best I have had in London in 30+ years.

If you do decide to experience Funky Asia for yourself – bring your camera. They are really proud of their décor and happy for you too snap away.

Address: 159 Commercial Street, London, E1 6BJ

Comparison: about average

Directions:
TUBE: Shoreditch High Street (London Overground)

Other Contact: info@funkyasia.co.uk

Phone: 020 7247 0072

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 5

Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim

Website: http://www.funkyasia.co.uk/#/teaser-welcome

GOJO: UNDERCOVER, BUT FRIENDLY Gojo, Notting Hill Review

OK. I didn’t eat here, but I will next time I am in London. This nice Ethiopian Restaurant is actually under the street within 1 block of Ladbroke Grove Tube Station. It is underneath an Off Licence (booze shop). I ventured down the stairs one afternoon after coming out of the very nearby Portobello Market. I found the couple who owned it inside and I was made to feel extremely welcome. When I ordered an Ethiopian beer and requested it be cold – all in Amharic – they promptly produced the real thing. And they are the real deal too, from Addis Ababa. I really enjoyed my beer and conversation. The bar was well stocked, their menu varied, and the décor was very nice. They don’t have a website, but who cares. Take a trip down to see them if you want to try gorgeous Ethiopian food. Or just pop in for a beer!

Please note: This little restaurant gets a lot of good reviews on many websites.

Address: 171A Ladbroke Grove Basement, London, W10 6HJ

Directions: TUBE STATION: LADBROKE GROVE. Hamersmith & City Line and Circle Line.

Phone: +44 (0) 208 964 0431

Rating: 0

Theme: African

Website: http://https://foursquare.com/v/gojo-restaurant/4ee319cd0039a278962750ec

MUYA: GOOD - NEW ETHIOPIAN

Muya has only been open a few months, but it’s a real winner. The hardest part of Ethiopian cuisine outside of Ethiopia is getting the Injera right. They do a great job. It’s a modern and stylish restaurant that is intimate and cosy. It’s a family run business and they are from Addis Ababa. The food is excellent. I had Doro Wot (chicken and egg with a spicy red Berbere sauce) and Ayib Begomen (cottage cheese and spinach) along with some authentic St. George’s beers. Excellent. I received a warm greeting, great service and a nice atmosphere. This is a great find. They do coffee if you want to stop by. Coffee was invented in Ethiopia, so you get the real thing. Great for a quiet business meal, new food experience or a romantic evening.


Coffee Lounge Opening Times Monday- Friday: 8am till 5pm Saturday: 11am till 5pm Restaurant & Bar Opening Time Monday - Saturday: 6pm till 11pm Sunday: 6pm till 10pm

Address: 13 Brecknock Road, Camden, London, N7 0BL

Comparison: less expensive than average

Phone: +44 (0) 20 3609 0702

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 5

Theme: African

Website: http://muyarestaurant.com/

CURRY PALACE: MORE BAD FOOD (CURRY) BAYSWATER/QUEENSWAY AREA Curry Palace Review

Yet another late night search for good food on Queensway ends in disappointment. Suspecting that this place would be rubbish like most restaurants in the area, I decided I would just have a chicken tikka curry and some rice. When I walked in the first thing I noticed was a really nice fish tank. Going past it I started to get the feeling that this was a 'drop it on the table and get them out' sort of place. The staff seemed annoyed to see me and I was greeted like a nuisance. I had a bad feeling about this place when I sat down. First they only had beer in bottles. EXPENSIVE beer. My curry and rice was cheap only in quality. It was expensive, the portions small and the attempt to get a second beer was a waste. This is yet another bad restaurant luring in tourist and business people from nearby hotels and the Queensway & Bayswater Tube Stations. They aren't worried about repeat business so they don't even try with the service or the food. Its bad when they even have bad reviews posted on their website!

London has 2 kinds of Indian Cuisine Restaurants:

* World Class food and service
* Places like this that just plain suck

MY ADVICE?

Avoid !!!


Sadly they are not only open 7 days a week (Noon-Midnight), they also deliver.

Please note: They do have Shisha if you want to smoke.

Address: 36 Queensway, Bayswater, W2

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: When you go out from the Bayswater Underground station, pass the street and take a left on Queensway. You will find the restaurant on your right hand side less than two minutes later.

Phone: +00 44 (0)207 243 8992

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 1

Theme: Indian

Website: http://currypalace-bayswater.co.uk/

TAZA SANDWICH RESTAURANT: BAD KEBABS IN THE BAYSWATER/QUEENSWAY AREA Taza Sandwich Restaurant Review

In a city plagued by bad kebab shops in an area of the city plagued by bad restaurants, this place has maximized its location for years. It's just bad kebabs. Even the bread they serve it in is poor. The first time I ever ate here a few years ago, I was sober. And it was a bad kebab. A few years later, a few adult beverages and I ordered a kebab. I kept thinking, well its the only kebab place around this area, its open and I'm hungry. Big mistake. The meat is just poor. Somehow they manage to take a simple concept and make it rubbish. I have never tried their fruit juices. They can't even get diet coke right.

London has some world class kebab restaurants serving the freshest, highest quality meat with a bit more customers service. This is all that's wrong in being able to sling out poor quality mess to unsuspecting people for years. Even the portions are small. And the salad tastes bad.

I can see great reviews about their shawarmas and I don't understand how we are talking about the same place. I have had excellent shawarmas in Algeria, Syria and Jordan. This isn't good.

There are a couple of great restaurants in the area surrounded by mediocre or just plain poor. If you want a good kebab here, prepare to get on the Tube.

Address: 35A Queensway, W2 4QJ

Comparison: about average

Directions: Nearest Tube, Queensway

(Actually in between Queensway and Bayswater Tube Stations)

Phone: +44(0)207 727 7420

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 1

Theme: Middle Eastern

Website: http://www.taza-takeaway.co.uk/

INDIAN LOUNGE: NEW KING OF KINGS CROSS CURRIES!

Hail the new King! The Indian Lounge it the King of Kings Cross Curries – before you get on the train. It’s a new, bright, attractive restaurant with great food and fantastic service. How good is the service? I almost named this tip ‘Magic Tables’. When you order a beer – it appears! Finish the beer – it disappears! Food! Magic arrival, magic taste and poof! The empty dishes go.

The Manager is a great guy and the staff are really friendly, helpful and the best part – quick. Several times I have been worried about being able to get a top quality Indian meal before I have to take a train home. The kitchen, which you can see into downstairs, is non-stop. They keep producing top quality cuisine at a good pace so you can savour your meal and cold beers before you leave London.

I have eaten here a few times and the Manager always remembers me. Incredible as he must serve thousands of satisfied customers per week. I really enjoy eating here.

They offer some cheap set-meals if you are on a budget and their main menu is quite good. The food is fresh, hot and top quality. And you get COLD beer here, not warm. In fact the only warm thing on offer is the welcome you get when you come in the door.

So have a train and an hour? Sit down to a great meal across the street before you go. You will be glad you did.

Opening Hours
12pm - Midninght; 7 days a week

You can reserve a table on their website

Favorite Dish:
I alwyas have the delicious (and attractive) Sheek Kebab with a nice cold beer. Then for my main I always have the Keema Murgh with boiled rice. This is a medium/mildish chicken dish made with minced lamb as well. Tastes delicious!

Address: 343 Gray's Inn Road, London, WC1 X8PX

Comparison: about average

Directions: Diagonally across the street from King Cross Train and Tube Station. 100 meters southeast of the station.

Other Contact: info@indianloungelondon.com

Phone: 020 7837 8398

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 5

Theme: Indian

Website: http://www.indianloungelondon.com/

SHAKA ZULU: MINIATURE SOUTH AFRICAN Shaka Zulu, Camden Review

MINIATURE?
Yep, even the French would be shocked at the small portions served here. My starter was literally hidden by the lettuce. Just look at the first photo. It's like they are running a Witness Relocation Program for meat. The real ‘Shaka’ is the amazing prices they charge for such little food. I ate here on a 50% off food deal with the website Toptable. Even at 50%, a starter and 2 additional side orders – I left hungry. Yes, I went to Macdonald’s down the road before going to my hotel. The absolute shame here, other than sky high drink prices, is that the taste of the food is superb. Yes, the dishes are absolutely excellent in terms of taste, quality and presentation. However, I can here to eat South African food not appreciate some ones miniature art work.

I love South African food. One of the reasons is that you do get good sized portions in South Africa. Shaka Zulu disappoints completely on this point.

If you like nice décors, Shaka Zulu is awesome. The restaurant is another hallmark of Bebo Kobo. He also founded the awesome Gilgamesh Restaurant upstairs from Shaka Zulu. These 2 restaurants have the best looking interiors and bathrooms of any restaurants in London. Both are worth a look, especially Gilgamesh during the day.

DAO’s recommendation? Go have an expensive drink (singular) at Shaka Zulu then go elsewhere if you actually want to eat a meal. The multiple bar areas in Shaka Zulu blend into the massive open plan restaurant and you can take some great pictures down here.

Favorite Dish:
Carpaccio of Ostrich (very small), Springbok Filet (tiny), Zulu Cabbage, Msamba (sautéed spinach) and a very tasty Windhoek Beer (from Namibia).

Address: Stables Market,Chalk Farm Rd,Camden Town, London

Comparison: most expensive

Directions:
Tube: In between Camden Town and Chalk Farm (both are on the Northern Line)

Other Contact: reservations@shaka-zulu.com

Phone: 020 3 376 9911

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 2

Theme: African

Website: http://www.shaka-zulu.com/