hayjane's Qype reviews
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13 Exeter Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 7DT
hayjane
wrote on 6 October 2011
No idea why I hadn’t heard of this place before it came up on Groupon.
This cavernous, underground restaurant in the heart of the West End must be one of Covent Garden’s best kept secrets, unless I’m just out of touch!
Set menus are the way forward here, and there are plenty to choose from, to suit every budget. The portions are hefty, the food is good and you can tell they’ve got their kitchen operating like clockwork.
A London institution!
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66 Chandos Place, Charing Cross, London WC2N 4HG
hayjane
wrote on 27 February 2011
Wow(haca), 84 reviews already?! Well, I'm not quite sure how much I can add, except to say that this was some of the tastiest food I'd ever eaten.
OK, so you have to queue for a table, but when you're queuing with a tequila mojito this is no bad thing! Plus we were seated within half an hour, so no biggy. And they don't rush you when you are seated, either. It's all very laid back.
A slight incident occured when my dining companion picked up her (second) Wahaca Mule cocktail, only for the bottom of the glass to come off. Said Wahaca Mule went EVERYWHERE, but the staff were quick to mop it up and bring a replacement, and they took the drinks off the bill without asking, which was a welcome bonus.
I'd recommend ordering 2-3 'street food' dishes per person, then tucking in and sharing everything around. YUM. I'd be interested to see what the Soho and Westfield branches are like, but the atmosphere in the flagship Covent Garden one was great.
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St Martin's Courtyard, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9AB
hayjane
wrote on 21 February 2011
Bill's has a great vibe and is located in the 'hip' new St Martin's Courtyard development in Covent Garden. Despite being ever so slightly off the tourist trail, Bill's has a prime spot right next to the (mentally) popular Jamie's Italian (people were queuing for a table at Jamie's at 5pm on a Sunday evening). If you can't get in at Jamie's, give Bill's a go instead.
This is the first Bill's in London, and it's a cafe-cum-grocery-store-cum bar-cum-restaurant type of place. I went here today for hot chocolate and cakes after a "strenuous" afternoon of shopping, and felt very much at home, with jars of yummy preserves adorning the walls, cute candles on the stripped wooden tables and gentle soul music wafting around the colourful room. Nice.
Service was a perhaps a little laid back for my liking, and it took a while to be seated, even though there were a few tables available. And the hot chocolate, yet again, WASN'T HOT ENOUGH, despite having requested it to be extra hot. Still, it came with a mound of whipped cream and a flake on top, so musn't grumble. But unfortunately I've minused a star for these factors (yeah, I know I could've sent the hot choc back, but - hey - I'm English). The scones were immense and the jam was so tasty that I shamelessly polished it off with my knife. Oops.
You can browse through the grocery list on your table, choose what you want, and the servers will do your shopping for you as you eat and package it all up in a lovely paper bag with hessian ribbon etc etc. Perhaps a bit 'rah' for everyday bits and bobs, but would make a nice present for someone I guess.
When I got home an hour or so after leaving Bill's I had chocolate brownie all over my face, which - in my books at least - is a very good sign indeed. JUST MAKE YOUR HOT CHOCOLATE HOTTER!! Even so, I'll definitely be paying Bill's another visit.
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1 Covent Garden Piazza, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8HB
hayjane
wrote on 17 October 2010
I like taking people here, mainly because you have to walk through a pasty shop to get there and they always look totally baffled. It's probably Covent Garden's most secret pub in terms of having a prime piazza location, but although it's quirky there is definitely room for improvement.
Well, not literal room, as Cove is pretty darn tiny. It has a great terrace where you can look out over the market, but whenever I've been there it's been too busy to go outside.
If you're in the West End and want to show off some local knowledge then taking them to Cove could be a good option, but don't expect it to become your new favourite local. Unless you like pasties, that is.
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39 King Street, London WC2E 8JS
hayjane
wrote on 17 October 2010
I liked it here. Perhaps it was the company, but the ambience and food definitely helped to make it one of the nicest London restaurants I've eaten in. The place was absolutely buzzing, but despite being packed the service still managed to be speedy.
I ate chateaubriande for the first time in my life, which was cooked to perfection and fun to share, and an absolute bargain with my TasteCard discount. I'm sure I shall return in the not too distant future.
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1 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BZ
hayjane
wrote on 13 June 2010
I went here today for a friend's birthday brunch and we had a fantastic time.
Indigo's brunch menu is packed full of hangover-friendly treats, with a great selection of soups, salads, things on toasts, brunchy main courses such as bubble and squeak and fish pie and a great selection of stodgy puds.
I selected a delicious creamed sweetcorn and crab soup followed by a beautifully-presented kedgeree. You can choose any comibination of two courses which comes to £24. However, the best thing about this offer is that it includes UNLIMITED PROSECCO. And I mean unlimited - they are continuously topping up your glass. Until the brunch ends at 3pm, that is.
Highly recommended for a lazy yet classy catch-up with good friends.
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1 Bedfordbury, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4BP
hayjane
wrote on 28 February 2010
A nice Thai restaurant which is perfect for a quick, good-value bite to eat before you head off to a West End show. Really quick, friendly service and tasty food, although as someone has already pointed out, it's not the kind of place you'd go for a cosy, romantic dinner for two. The decor is clean and simple, but you wouldn't stay for another drink after you've polished off your nosh. But recommended nonetheless, especially because the BEST PUB IN LONDON (The Harp) is just round the corner.
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31/32 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, London WC2E 7JS
hayjane
wrote on 28 February 2010
This place seems to be getting mixed reviews, but I think it's awesome. There's a pizza to suit everyone's taste and it's got a great atmosphere. Sure, the service could be a little better, but for such an amazing location I can forgive them for this. If you are thinking about going to Fire & Stone, do check their website and Toptable for special offers before you book (and it is worth booking). Most times I've been there I've taken advantage of the two pizzas for a tenner offer, which is massively reasonable for such yummy grub, although it is only valid on certain nights and at certain times.
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33 Rose Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9EA
hayjane
wrote on 28 February 2010
A great proper pub in Covent Garden tucked away down a side street, and Michael Caine has been known to pop in. I like to sit in the upstairs area, where there's a big bar too, but get there early as it fills up.
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47 Chandos Place, Charing Cross, London WC2N 4DD
hayjane
wrote on 20 December 2009
My favourite pub in the world. Always amazed by how quick the service is despite the fact that it's consistently so busy. You can pay by card AND get cashback, and the sausages are yummy (although they often sell out and don't do them on Friday nights). I like entering through the secret-ish alleyway entrance and grabbing the table upstairs by the window and watching the world go by. And I don't even like ale.
Phil Chambers It's probably worth getting into ale since this is your favourite pub in the world! Impeccable taste!
20 December 2009