Andrew G. T
Latest Reviews
Greggs
Greggs Paddington: Speedy Bites Near the Station (With a Safety Note)
Greggs Paddington is a lifesaver for anyone on the go near Paddington Station. It's a spacious bakery with a huge selection of their classic savory and sweet treats. Popular with Public Transport and hospital staff.
Pros:
Convenience: Super close to Paddington Station, perfect for grabbing a bite before your train.
Lunch Deals: They offer great lunch meal deals, making it an affordable and filling option.
Security: The presence of a security guard adds a layer of safety, especially for solo travelers.
Food:
While Greggs isn't known for haute cuisine, they offer a reliable selection of pastries, sandwiches, and hot savories. Their sausage rolls are legendary, and their vegan options are becoming increasingly popular.
A Word of Caution:
It's important to be aware of your surroundings, particularly because St. Mary's Hospital is nearby and can attract a mix of people. There have been some reports of Eastern European pickpocketing gangs operating in the area. Keep an eye on your belongings, especially when crowded.
Overall:
Greggs Paddington is a great option for a quick and affordable bite near the station. Just be mindful of your surroundings and enjoy their tasty selection of convenient eats!
Greggs Paddington is a lifesaver for anyone on the go near Paddington Station. It's a spacious bakery with a huge selection of their classic savory and sweet treats. Popular with Public Transport and hospital staff.
Pros:
Convenience: Super close to Paddington Station, perfect for grabbing a bite before your train.
Lunch Deals: They offer great lunch meal deals, making it an affordable and filling option.
Security: The presence of a security guard adds a layer of safety, especially for solo travelers.
Food:
While Greggs isn't known for haute cuisine, they offer a reliable selection of pastries, sandwiches, and hot savories. Their sausage rolls are legendary, and their vegan options are becoming increasingly popular.
A Word of Caution:
It's important to be aware of your surroundings, particularly because St. Mary's Hospital is nearby and can attract a mix of people. There have been some reports of Eastern European pickpocketing gangs operating in the area. Keep an eye on your belongings, especially when crowded.
Overall:
Greggs Paddington is a great option for a quick and affordable bite near the station. Just be mindful of your surroundings and enjoy their tasty selection of convenient eats!
Yauatcha City
Yauatcha City: A Dim Sum Experience That Falls Short
Yauatcha City, owned by the Hakkasan Group, has established itself as a popular dim sum destination in London. However, on my recent visit, the experience left me feeling a little underwhelmed.
Getting to Yauatcha City is easy via public transport. Numerous buses stop nearby, and the venue is a short walk from Liverpool Street Station. Be aware that there is no car parking available. Look for the distinctive blue door and take the elevator to the restaurant floor. They also boast a patisserie downstairs for those with a sweet tooth.
The first thing you might notice upon entering is the limited table space. While the restaurant itself isn't tiny, the tables are quite close together, making it tricky to navigate with a large group and multiple dishes. The decor is also rather plain – not bad, but certainly not opulent.
Thankfully, the service was a bright spot. The staff were friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. However, the food itself fell short of expectations, especially considering the price point. There are definitely better Asian restaurants offering similar fare for a more reasonable cost in the area.
Let's delve into the specifics:
Wagyu Beef Puff: This is one of Yauatcha's signature dishes, but the Wagyu filling was rather skimpy. The pastry itself was decent, with a nice crunch, but the star of the show was noticeably absent.
Spicy Soft Shell Crab: This dish lived up to its reputation as one of the menu's highlights. The crab was perfectly cooked with a satisfying spice level.
Pan-fried Lamb with Red Pepper and Onion: This felt like a less exciting version of the lamb dishes offered at other restaurants. It wasn't bad, but it lacked any special spark.
Salt and Pepper Lobster Tail, Mooli Cake: Disappointingly, the garlic flakes seemed to be the dominant flavor here, overshadowing the lobster itself. The batter lacked complexity, and the lobster meat portion wasn't particularly generous.
Hand Pulled Noodles: These were a bright spot! The in-house made noodles were springy and delicious, especially when dressed with the provided chili oil and soy sauce.
Overall, Yauatcha City is an average Asian restaurant. While the service is commendable and there are some decent dishes, the high price point paired with the underwhelming food leaves it feeling forgettable. There are better options out there for a truly memorable dim sum experience.
Yauatcha City, owned by the Hakkasan Group, has established itself as a popular dim sum destination in London. However, on my recent visit, the experience left me feeling a little underwhelmed.
Getting to Yauatcha City is easy via public transport. Numerous buses stop nearby, and the venue is a short walk from Liverpool Street Station. Be aware that there is no car parking available. Look for the distinctive blue door and take the elevator to the restaurant floor. They also boast a patisserie downstairs for those with a sweet tooth.
The first thing you might notice upon entering is the limited table space. While the restaurant itself isn't tiny, the tables are quite close together, making it tricky to navigate with a large group and multiple dishes. The decor is also rather plain – not bad, but certainly not opulent.
Thankfully, the service was a bright spot. The staff were friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. However, the food itself fell short of expectations, especially considering the price point. There are definitely better Asian restaurants offering similar fare for a more reasonable cost in the area.
Let's delve into the specifics:
Wagyu Beef Puff: This is one of Yauatcha's signature dishes, but the Wagyu filling was rather skimpy. The pastry itself was decent, with a nice crunch, but the star of the show was noticeably absent.
Spicy Soft Shell Crab: This dish lived up to its reputation as one of the menu's highlights. The crab was perfectly cooked with a satisfying spice level.
Pan-fried Lamb with Red Pepper and Onion: This felt like a less exciting version of the lamb dishes offered at other restaurants. It wasn't bad, but it lacked any special spark.
Salt and Pepper Lobster Tail, Mooli Cake: Disappointingly, the garlic flakes seemed to be the dominant flavor here, overshadowing the lobster itself. The batter lacked complexity, and the lobster meat portion wasn't particularly generous.
Hand Pulled Noodles: These were a bright spot! The in-house made noodles were springy and delicious, especially when dressed with the provided chili oil and soy sauce.
Overall, Yauatcha City is an average Asian restaurant. While the service is commendable and there are some decent dishes, the high price point paired with the underwhelming food leaves it feeling forgettable. There are better options out there for a truly memorable dim sum experience.
Old Nyonya
Disappointed in Disguise: A Review of Old Nyonya's Nasi Lemak and Laksa
Based on the hype surrounding Old Nyonya, I ventured in with high expectations, fueled by glowing food vlogs and online reviews. Sadly, the reality fell well short of the online praise.
Nasi Lemak That Forgot the Memo:
The Nasi Lemak, a cornerstone of Nyonya cuisine, was a particular letdown. The fluffy coconut rice with hues of blue tones a hallmark of the dish, lacked the fragrant perfume of pandan leaves and the subtle sweetness one expects. The accompaniments were equally uninspiring. The fried chicken, usually the star of the show, was forgettable - overcooked and devoid of the promised crispy skin and juicy meat. The sambal, a spicy chili paste, was decent but lacked the depth of flavor that truly elevates Nasi Lemak and even saving this dish.
Laksa Lacking Luster:
The Laksa fared even worse. The thin coconut curry broth, while creamy, seemed to be missing the complex interplay of spices and aromatics that should be the heart of this dish. The noodles, though springy, felt like an afterthought. The usual accompaniments like shrimp, fishcake, and hard-boiled egg were present, but again, lacked the punch of flavor that makes Laksa truly memorable.
The Vlog Verdict vs. Reality:
Perhaps it was an off day, but my experience fell far short of the online buzz. The vibrant visuals and effusive praise in vlogs simply didn't translate to my taste buds. Don’t expect portions to be big, the price was reasonable.
Travel:
As many others have stated, it’s adjacent to the Maxwell train station. Has very good connectivity of buses. About 13 mins walking from City Centre Point.
A Call for Measured Expectations:
Food vlogs can be a great way to discover hidden gems, but it's important to remember that taste is subjective. Hype can cloud judgment, and sometimes, average food gets portrayed as mind-blowing. Do your research, but don't go in with expectations set by online personalities.
The Final Word:
Old Nyonya wasn't a complete disaster, but it certainly wasn't the life-changing culinary experience I was hoping for. There are likely better places out there serving truly delicious Nyonya cuisine. So next time the vloggers rave about a street food stall, take it with a grain of salt, and be prepared to form your own delicious conclusions.
Based on the hype surrounding Old Nyonya, I ventured in with high expectations, fueled by glowing food vlogs and online reviews. Sadly, the reality fell well short of the online praise.
Nasi Lemak That Forgot the Memo:
The Nasi Lemak, a cornerstone of Nyonya cuisine, was a particular letdown. The fluffy coconut rice with hues of blue tones a hallmark of the dish, lacked the fragrant perfume of pandan leaves and the subtle sweetness one expects. The accompaniments were equally uninspiring. The fried chicken, usually the star of the show, was forgettable - overcooked and devoid of the promised crispy skin and juicy meat. The sambal, a spicy chili paste, was decent but lacked the depth of flavor that truly elevates Nasi Lemak and even saving this dish.
Laksa Lacking Luster:
The Laksa fared even worse. The thin coconut curry broth, while creamy, seemed to be missing the complex interplay of spices and aromatics that should be the heart of this dish. The noodles, though springy, felt like an afterthought. The usual accompaniments like shrimp, fishcake, and hard-boiled egg were present, but again, lacked the punch of flavor that makes Laksa truly memorable.
The Vlog Verdict vs. Reality:
Perhaps it was an off day, but my experience fell far short of the online buzz. The vibrant visuals and effusive praise in vlogs simply didn't translate to my taste buds. Don’t expect portions to be big, the price was reasonable.
Travel:
As many others have stated, it’s adjacent to the Maxwell train station. Has very good connectivity of buses. About 13 mins walking from City Centre Point.
A Call for Measured Expectations:
Food vlogs can be a great way to discover hidden gems, but it's important to remember that taste is subjective. Hype can cloud judgment, and sometimes, average food gets portrayed as mind-blowing. Do your research, but don't go in with expectations set by online personalities.
The Final Word:
Old Nyonya wasn't a complete disaster, but it certainly wasn't the life-changing culinary experience I was hoping for. There are likely better places out there serving truly delicious Nyonya cuisine. So next time the vloggers rave about a street food stall, take it with a grain of salt, and be prepared to form your own delicious conclusions.
Bibimbap Soho
My sibling and I had attended this restaurant as a pre-theatre dinner. Visited on 26th August, just after 6PM.
This is located on Greek Street. On the same stretch, you’ll find a plethora of other Asian restaurants; i.e. Japanese BBQ, etc. There are also a few drinking spots too. If you fancy a few drinks : cocktails. Then a dance off 🙃
There was a small queue, which took around 15/20 mins to them get seated. The manager / host, was courteous enough to inform of the rough estimate to get seated.
There is seating upstairs and downstairs. You’ll find booths, located at the back on the top floor.
The toilet is very small / cramp. Big Broad people may find this a little challenging
So what was ordered.
Side Dishes: Korean Fried Chicken (10 pieces) came with Special Soy Sauce; this I found quite sweet and almost remising of an Apple Sauce, like a purée. The other was Kimchi Mayo, which I found to the better of the sauces. I found the batter to lack the seasoning and coating compare to other Korean establishments that I’d once visited.
Pan-Fried Kimchi Pancake - not enough Kimchi and made eggy taste.
Mains:
Chilli Chicken Bibimap with extra toppings Fried Egg (+£1.50) on Brown Rice (+£1)
Spicy Pork Bibimap with extra topping Fried Egg (+£1.50) - the pork requires more marination for the taste to come through.
These come with chilli & miso condiment squeezy bottles.
In all honesty, neither of these Bibimbaps were that enjoyable. As per other Google review, there’s a severe lack of protein and more cabbage, vegetable. The level of spiciness is more tailored for the western pallet. There was hardly any heat level, when compared to other traditional Korean restaurants. I suppose if you want to get the level of protein you should be getting, it’s optional for an extra £4.50
The only highlight for myself, was the Kloud Korean Beer. It’s a white beer, smooth and nice hops. Had 3 of them.
The service was exceptional and friendly. Hence the high score ✌️🙃👍
There is Parking but it’s very limited and difficult. I wouldn’t advise leaving your car parked there on a weekend. If you have people who can be very inebriated.
Had exited Tottenham Court Road and was a 7/9 minutes walk from the underground station. It’s also just a 3 minute walk to the Phoenix Theatre.
This is located on Greek Street. On the same stretch, you’ll find a plethora of other Asian restaurants; i.e. Japanese BBQ, etc. There are also a few drinking spots too. If you fancy a few drinks : cocktails. Then a dance off 🙃
There was a small queue, which took around 15/20 mins to them get seated. The manager / host, was courteous enough to inform of the rough estimate to get seated.
There is seating upstairs and downstairs. You’ll find booths, located at the back on the top floor.
The toilet is very small / cramp. Big Broad people may find this a little challenging
So what was ordered.
Side Dishes: Korean Fried Chicken (10 pieces) came with Special Soy Sauce; this I found quite sweet and almost remising of an Apple Sauce, like a purée. The other was Kimchi Mayo, which I found to the better of the sauces. I found the batter to lack the seasoning and coating compare to other Korean establishments that I’d once visited.
Pan-Fried Kimchi Pancake - not enough Kimchi and made eggy taste.
Mains:
Chilli Chicken Bibimap with extra toppings Fried Egg (+£1.50) on Brown Rice (+£1)
Spicy Pork Bibimap with extra topping Fried Egg (+£1.50) - the pork requires more marination for the taste to come through.
These come with chilli & miso condiment squeezy bottles.
In all honesty, neither of these Bibimbaps were that enjoyable. As per other Google review, there’s a severe lack of protein and more cabbage, vegetable. The level of spiciness is more tailored for the western pallet. There was hardly any heat level, when compared to other traditional Korean restaurants. I suppose if you want to get the level of protein you should be getting, it’s optional for an extra £4.50
The only highlight for myself, was the Kloud Korean Beer. It’s a white beer, smooth and nice hops. Had 3 of them.
The service was exceptional and friendly. Hence the high score ✌️🙃👍
There is Parking but it’s very limited and difficult. I wouldn’t advise leaving your car parked there on a weekend. If you have people who can be very inebriated.
Had exited Tottenham Court Road and was a 7/9 minutes walk from the underground station. It’s also just a 3 minute walk to the Phoenix Theatre.