chiarapinto's Qype profile

Cheap fast (once you eventually get seated) and furious. This is not the place to go if you want to linger over your meal. They don't take reservations so the queue ends up being massive (up the stairs and out the door) and the night we went the clipboard nazi was flailing around trying to find the right people in the right order after the bar got too packed and he had told them they could go to other bars to wait. But the food is good, I find it hard to order anything other than the pork burrito now I know how good it is and the cajeta caramel with ice cream is excellent too. The churros were a bit too greasy for me and thats saying something as it's rare that I don't like something deep fried!

Launceston place is tucked down a quiet little side street in kensington. Once inside the interior is quite sober and corporate. On the occasion that we were there the restaurant was quite empty which was a shame as that interior need some ambience injected.
But the food makes up for it. Plus the amount of amuse bouches and pre-desserts makes this really good value. Presentation is also a very strong point, my crab risotto came with a whole crab shell covering it, the pre-dessert was creme brulee in an eggshell. So cute! I wish this had been my real dessert I could have eaten a lot more of it! Recommeded but only if you go with enough people to create your own atmosphere. And at the end they give ladies a little package of caramel brittle to take away which I though was a lovely touch

Really really can't fault galvin. Fabulous food, views to die for, lovely service. The food is beautifully presented and the portions are quite small but it's so rich you feel perfectly content at the end not sickened. They also do little touches like icing happy birthday onto desserts plates which makes you feel valued and special. Bear in mind you won't get a table near the window if you are more than four as these tables can't accomodate more than that so your view will be less good. And afterwards you can go for a stroll in hyde park to work it all off!

Clos is beautiful and romantic, maybe the ambience is a littel bit too hushed if you were going with a big group of people for a birthday as we were, but if you're a couple who want to stare into each others eyes then it's perfect! Service was the perfect level of unobtrusive and the maitre d dealt brilliantly with a request for a wine from ahem the less expensive regions of the list! I also think the sunday prix fixe menu is fantastic value. Consideing that they are in Covent Garden one of the most tourist trappy places on earth and could churn out rubbish they really don't need to be this good.