Chorna
Member Since: December 14, 2006Reviews
The Steam Passage - Angel, Islington
The great thing about Pubs is that they're both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. You can stroll in and order a pint of beer like a regular or you can sit down with a potentially new friend and lose yourself in the hustle and bustle of the... +
The great thing about Pubs is that they're both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. You can stroll in and order a pint of beer like a regular or you can sit down with a potentially new friend and lose yourself in the hustle and bustle of the place, knowing there's nothing expected of you.
The Steam Passage in Islington is a pub that provides the three key ingredients to a good pub: good alcohol, decent price and a decent fish and chips or burger.
Ok, they're not healthy but who goes to a pub to be healthy? When it comes down to it, they serve a cracking home-made (or back-of-the-counter-kitchen) plate of food and you're sat in a place that plays cheesy pop, is filled with 20 somethings and maybe the odd 30+ couple, no kids running about and there's new carpet on the floor that looks relatively well kept.
You feel comfortable, you feel welcome. You feel like you're in a good pub.
I've given the quality of service "It's Average" simply because it IS a pub - what are you expecting - a waiter with a towel over his forearm? Not likely. It's note-the-number-on-the-table and get-up-and-order service. And it's alright. Not prompt but then when you're at The Steam Passage you're not supposed to be in a rush. Enjoy yourself... take in the dark wooden interior and speckled lighting. Listen to the groups of young professionals sharing jokes and business tips. You're definitely in London...!
If you're looking for a pub to share a drink with some buddies, go here. If you're looking for a pub to sit down with your kids and granny... give it a miss.
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Chiquito
Ok now I like food and I like London. But Chiquito and London don't work. By the way, it's not Mexican so much as Tex-Mex. I was really excited about the menu - everything looked so good but unfortunately the service and the food itself was below... +
Ok now I like food and I like London. But Chiquito and London don't work. By the way, it's not Mexican so much as Tex-Mex.
I was really excited about the menu - everything looked so good but unfortunately the service and the food itself was below par. And I'm not one to pass first strikes and end the game: I went back three times.
Each time they took forever to seat us, the staff took our order some 20 minutes later and then the food, when it was eventually served, was slightly colder than it should have been. The salad wasn't fresh enough and the drinks were so expensive it was plain exportionate.
I've been there 3 times and each time with a different group of pepole. We all left feeling slightly disappointed (excet the first time when we were drunk beyond oblivion and couldn't tell the difference anymore).
It's ok, I guess since I do so crave a good Tex-Mex on occasion - but for the price you're paying it certainly isn't the place to go with all your friends for a "good time". I'd suggest some of the more classier places I've reviewed (plug, plug). Give this one a miss.
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Masala Zone
Have you ever gone to a place, had the food and come out and thought to yourself, "man, that was so good... it's as good as mum's cooking"?? I have. And that was here. Masala Zone serves traditional Indian food - and I thoroughly recommend them if... +
Have you ever gone to a place, had the food and come out and thought to yourself, "man, that was so good... it's as good as mum's cooking"??
I have. And that was here.
Masala Zone serves traditional Indian food - and I thoroughly recommend them if you want to try what REAL curry is supposed to taste like. The chefs there take years to train and their standards are simply impeccable.
A lot of the restaurants in the UK have recipes that are mediocre and were actually created in the UK (did you know the Onion Bajee doesn't exist in India, nor does Chicken Tikka Masala?) - they're not the same authentic tastes that, say, an Indian person would be having at home.
I'm always looking forward to my next visit there and the food really is friendly to your pocket. I'd suggset ordering a 'Thali', as you get a lot of food for quite a cheap price. The service there is as good as you can expect it to be in a place that serves hundreds of people every day but I'd still say they're more attentive than others.
The decor isn't exactly amazing, but it's nice enough - what you're really there for, though, is the food!
You're also likely to spot a few Asian celebrities there - I've seen some of the actors from Goodness Gracious Me there!!
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Ping Pong - Great Marlborough Street
If you're in the mood for an ultra modern yet atmospheric dinner for two (or a tendy girl's night out!), then Ping Pong is my recommendation. It's a fast growing chain of Dim Sum restaurants that are diong amazingly well here in London. My... +
If you're in the mood for an ultra modern yet atmospheric dinner for two (or a tendy girl's night out!), then Ping Pong is my recommendation.
It's a fast growing chain of Dim Sum restaurants that are diong amazingly well here in London. My boyfriend took me there after he was introduced to it by some work friends and now we regularly pop in there during the weekends for a late lunch.
Firstly, the food is great. They're always serving consistanly great food (which is important!) and I've never EVER had to complain about something being cold, over or under done, or even the dd freaky hair here or there...! It really is TOP NOTCH stuff.
The food is served in tappas-style 3's [ of everything - except the drinks :( ] so you needn't worry about ordering lots to feel like you've gotten your filling. The menu is simple to pick from and the staff there are pretty good about answering your questions about what's in it.
Drinks are a little more expensive here (but then, drinks in London usually are!) but you should REALLY try their Jasmine tea. It's fantastic.
Best times to visit are usually from 3pm-5pm which is just before the After Work Rush. They take bookings but fear not - I once took a group of 15 people there unannounced and they managed to fit us all on to one table. :D
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