Blue Elephant
4 - 6 Fulham Broadway, London SW6
Ph 0207-385-6595
Thai

Thursday 8.45pm, 8th November 2001
Ben and metals team and partners

This well-known restaurant was packed to the brim by glamorous beautifuls, groups of business people and families. Inside there is a palm garden complete with a stream full of koi and bridges that link the different parts of the restaruant together. Sort of odd, but it is pleasant to sit amongst the lush greenery.

As a large group faced with an amazing range of dishes on the menu, it was easier to go for the Banquet menu which consisted of 2 large platters of everything - money bags, spring rolls, chicken satay, prawns on skewers, spicy cold noodles. The main courses consisted of the favourite, prawn yellow curry, a lamb curry, green chicken curry, pad thai, vegetable curry. The tastiest dish was a pre-main appetiser, chicken tenderloin marinated in sweet soy flavours, and wrapped in a leaf. Tasty! Very good Thai food. The cocktail list results in some over-the-top glasses (like the big blue cocktail in Wayne's World), but nevertheless great fun.

7/10

 

Beach Blanket Babylon
45 Ledbury Rd, Notting Hill, London
Modern

Saturday 7pm, 24th November 2001

Nicola's birthday: Nic, Shane, Milton, Jacci, Peter, Lee, Julian, Ade, Ben

I came here with Evonne, Tania and Jenn Loo and friends ages ago, and we were sat at the exact same table in the gothic style turret. I remember not being as overly impressed with the food as I was with the interior design. This time was no surprise either - the food was mediocre, the service shocking and the interior lost its novelty value as the night went on.

The only saving grace of the evening was that it was Nicola's birthday and the company was very good!

Told by the staff to be out by 9pm, the dining experience was rushed and the food, from a set menu, was pretty boring overall. Although, my starter of the chicken liver terrine and brioche was enjoyably tasty. The sea bass was bland and cold by the time it arrived at the table; the lamb knuckle was reported as tasteless. I chose lemon tart with berries for dessert, which was very cheesecakey but not bad. Then we were basically rushed out for the next lot of suckers, er, diners.

As we made our way to the exit, we walked through the bar which was full (of ugly sleazy men). There was a bouncer on at the door when we left, so it must be a pretty hot place to go. I will gladly leave them to it.
Price: £50 each

2/10

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Casale Franco
134 - 137 Upper Street, Islington, London N1
Ph 020 7226 8994
Italian

Thursday 8.30pm, 22nd November 2001

Ben, Ade, Robert (McQ) & Claudine

One of our faves on Upper Street. No starter as we just wanted to get straight in it - although Ben ordered calamari salad which resulted in 4 large pieces of squid on rocket, which he loved.

My main of the Swordfish was just right. The potatoes were crispy on the outside and floury in the middle, and not oily, the Swordfish tasted of lemon and was delicate, the broccoli had hints of lemon and olive oil, and was slightly crunchy just the way I like my veges. My meal was delicious. Robert liked the lamb with aubergine (but hates aubergine) and potatoes; Claudine's lasagne was finished quickly, but the only downbeat was that Ben's risotto with chicken livers was dry.

The dessert isn't really the strong point. My parfait with mango was missing its scoop of ice-cream, and was small. Ben and Claudine's tiramisu was apparently soaked in liqueur and a little too rich.
However the interior is always pleasing with the lighting level discreetly low, interesting fixtures like the wine rack made of pipes, and the dramatic red velvet drapes make for a good atmosphere.

7/10

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Nando's
Upper Street, Islington, London N1

Tuesday late, 20th November 2001
Ben & Ade, Anita, Tan & Grant, Rosina, Elenor, Tony, Carolyn, Wendy

Ben's favourite from our days in Jo'burg. We headed here after leaving drinks for Anita, at Babushka, so some solids were needed. Fast.

Great tasty chicken, coleslaw fresh, chips crispy and the pre-dinner olives and mixed nuts were very good. The corn on the cob wasn't as dry as last time. The pita pockets were reported as fantastic by Wendy and Tony.

Good cheap food. The manager here is always welcoming and the staff were efficient. Cost: £10pp.

9/10

Sunday brunch, 1.30pm, 25th November 2001

Vanessa, Grant, Tan, Ben, Ade, Carolyn

I have bought items from this lovely Italian deli before but never eaten at this café. The food was delicious, but the service very slow and the waiter forgot the olives and bread. We arrived at 1.30 and didn't get to order until 2.30, our food arrived at 3.15 and we left at 4. So it was a long lunch, most of it spent waiting.

Ness' mozarella salad looked good, my lasagna was tasty and light, Ben's pasta bows and mushrooms was so fresh it was beautiful! Carolyn's gnocchi resembled hash browns and she reported it as very good, Tania's ricotta ravioli was buttery and tasty. Ness ordered lemon sorbet, and Carolyn the mandarin sorbet, and both desserts were more like gelati than icey. The menu claims the flavours are intense, and gladly, they were.

The interior is modern and fresh, with a big dark wooden table in the centre, and small tables around. Hanging on the walls adding rustic charm are galvanised wire bread baskets and Carluccio's beautiful glossy packages from the deli.

Great food, hopefully next time better service.
Price: £15 each

6/10

Disclaimer: Please note reviews of restaurants are the personal opinion of a particular dining experience only. The writer is not a professional food critic and dining encounters are experienced in the role of a customer and the meal is paid for out of one's own pocket (or Ben's).

All content and images are the property of Adrienne Wong and may not be used or copied without permission. © 2002

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