Comments for Trusted Gourmet

Comment on The French Café in Balham by Olivier

Olivier — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:15:38 +0000

Hi Jonathan,

Thank you for visiting. I have already been 3 times since this review so I guess I really like this place! Today I tried their £9.95 set menu and it was excellent. The starter was a paté de campagne which was great and light. It came with toasted bread slices. The main course was an excellent pan fried salmon with vegetables. It was nicely cooked. I expected the meal to be small considering the price of the set menu but it was, again, quite large. A nice place for brunch too.

Comment on The Fat Delicatessen in Balham, London by Jonathan

Jonathan — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:00:38 +0000

I’m a fan of this place too. But don’t visit nearly often enough. That pork belly looks sinfully good.

Comment on The French Café in Balham by Jonathan

Jonathan — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:58:19 +0000

Those are some seriously hefty main courses. We popped in here recently for lunch and enjoyed the atmosphere. Will definitely be back.

Comment on Gastro French restaurant in 67 Venn Street, Clapham Common London SW4 0BD by Olivier

Olivier — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 01:55:59 +0000

Sorry to hear about it and thanks for your feedback! I had no problem with the service but the food was not up to my expectation. I would suggest Bellevue Rendez-vous near Wandsworth Common or The French Café in Balham/Tooting.

Comment on Gastro French restaurant in 67 Venn Street, Clapham Common London SW4 0BD by Gareth Valentine

Gareth Valentine — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 01:21:26 +0000

I took my partner as a treat to this restaurant for his birthday tonight. It was a calamity.
When I reserved a table that morning, I explained that this was a birthday and the lady on the phone assured me they would do something nice for him : “we sing and do a little presentation at the end of the meal” Great!
As it happened, my partner is allergic to dairy products. We explained this but still a boudin noire arrived with creamed mashed potatoes and a creamy sauce. We complained, the waitress took it away then came back with the mash gone but the sauce still there. The fries with my steak (mediocre) were a soggy mess so I just left them.
The indifferent wine (a 2007 Bourgogne) was, at nearly £30 a disgraceful mark up.
We asked for dessert but there was not ONE non-dairy option. This restaurant couldn’t even rise to a sorbet or fruit salad! What kind of a place is this?
As for the birthday surprise? The surprise was it never happened.
So we didn’t pay the service charge for this lousy, amateur dive. I hope you, dear reader, have better luck.
Happy birthday!

Comment on Japanese restaurant TOKU – London, UK by Olivier

Olivier — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:07:36 +0000

Hello Nick,

Thank you very much for giving this information.
I got an email from them too:
“Due to the Crown Estate wanting to tidy up much of London in preparation for the 2012 Olympics, we had to leave our old location in 212-213 Piccadilly. But there’s good news, Japan Centre is expanding again!

The Bookshop and Homeware departments have now moved into the Japan Centre Food Hall located at 14 Regent Street. This section will soon be expanding to offer an even wider range of books, magazines and homeware.

The new Toku Restaurant will be opening May/June 2010 at 16 Regent Street right next to our Food Hall. If you can’t wait that long, don’t fret – a new Toku Restaurant Sushi Bar will be opening first in April 2010.”

Comment on Japanese restaurant TOKU – London, UK by nick mason

nick mason — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:02:08 +0000

Its closed down as of 19/02/2010. It may re open in the spring in different premises.

Comment on Simpson’s-in-the-Strand, 100 Strand, Covent Garden, London WC2R 0EW by Gale F. Linster

Gale F. Linster — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:27:54 +0000

Now have a reservation for 2 persons for the evening of 3-30-10. Our trip has been delayed and we would like to change this reservation to Friday evening, April 2 at 7 PM.

Please confirm you received this message.
Thank you.
Gale F. Linster

Comment on Kolam Indian Restaurant in Tooting, London by Carl

Carl — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 10:00:44 +0000

Went there last night with a group of 30 for a monthly Tooting Curryclub- we’d booked in advance so they closed the restaurant just for us! Right from the outset we felt very looked after and the fact it is a family run business brought a nice feel to the evening- there was a warmth and interest which was lovely. And the meals were reasonably priced- and tasted great. I had possibly the best Chicken Biryani ive had. The food was fairly spicy which was a plus for me. Those who joined me last night were all impressed and KOLAM is definately worth recommending if you like a relaxed family run restaurant with good tasty reasonably priced dishes.

Comment on Rick’s Café 122 Mitcham Road, Tooting, London by Sarah

Sarah — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:42:31 +0000

I dined at Ricks last week, I had the braised shin of beef, which I found was beautifully cooked, service was excellent, the staff couldn’t have been more attentive. The atmosphere was great! Reasonable prices too!
9/10 cant wait to visit again! Would recommend 100%