Restaurant Reviews & Suggestions - Where to eat?

Today's menu

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go to balham. it's full of arseholes but the restaurants are pretty solid.

We went to Bull & Last, thanks for the recommendation. The homemade ice creams and sorbet were amazing.

North London chinese? Doesn't matter if it's a bit spendy

Xian Impression. bang bang oriental food hall.

First time eating at Royal China for dim sum today - it is more expensive but you can tell the difference, approaching din tai fung levels.

Went to Xu last week at I was seriously impressed. If anyone is planning on going have some recco dishes.

What's the word on Ceviche?
I'm here now, so I'm committed regardless...

Any recommendations near South Ken/Royal Albert Hall? Thinking Casa Brindisa at the moment...

Budget/style? Could spend a fortune around there in really very good food.

Around £40 a head without alcohol would be ideal. Any style! What have you got in mind?

Anyone been to Picture-Fitzrovia? They seem to have a decent deal on at the moment and wondering if it's any good.

I was eyeing that up as well - if you go, let us know :)

Excellent light supper at Ceviche in Soho. Also introduced to multiple varieties of Pisco at bartenders insistence, though I only paid for one, as far as I can recall...

Go on then: Xu, what should we be eating?

The small dishes are excellent. I definitely recommend the Bak Kwa sampler.

Went to Lyle's on Thursday, found it a bit disappointing. It was all very competent but nothing leapt out at me as great. It wasn't bad but for the price and reputation I expected better.

Also went to Ambrette in Margate and had the tasting menu http://theambrette.co.uk/tasting-menu-1.php Indian-inspired (but not curries). A bit unusual and tasty (although pretty substantial), worth a visit and much better than Lyle's for about the same price. Matching wines weren't great but I wasn't expecting that much for £20 for seven glasses.

Hoppers in Soho.

one for the 'terrible name, fantastic food' files.

the lack of a booking system may be a bit much for some, but get there early to avoid ballache.

too spicy for me but nice

Lotus crisps were nice enough
*Tomato and Smoked Eel
*Truffle Steamed Egg
Beef Pancakes - nice enough but promised more than it delivered, especially at £10
*Shou Pa Chicken
*Chilli Egg drop crab
Lardo Lard Onion rice
*Girolle Vermicelli

We had the char sui pork and I thought it was pretty average. The ones I've starred above were the best dishes. Overall I really enjoyed it.

Thanks man! Good to see you at Lanark too.

Next Q: where's the best char siu bao in London?

I went there on the day there was that Soho-wide power cut. We got a round of free drinks and some free nibbles and dhal, but nothing else. Nibbles and menu didn't inspire me to go back but I've heard good things since.

Yeah good to see you too.

I had my best char siu bao the other week at Royal China on Baker st. I found most other places are pretty similar.

Din Tai Fung is supposed to have opened in the UK and their CSB are awesome

I've heard about DTF - my Aussie fiancé raves about them. Looking forward to their London debut.

csb.

XLB TDF

(Also meant to say on Saturday - Cathay Pacific have got a bunch of cheap flights to asia at the moment which you might have been interested in. Like this )