Café Football London Review

Café Football, Westfields (Stratford), London

Cuisine - Gastro Pub

Price Range - Medium/High - The menu at Café football isn't the largest in the world it has to be said but the items that they do sell are all of a similar price. A few salads make up the cheapest plates which are £8.95 then the tipping point for the other end are the steak options which are £22.95 a piece. Upon reflection of the menu the average set back for a meal is around the £14 mark and for that you can pick up a burger with fries, pizza, salad or a few selection of British classics. Drinks can be slightly on the expensive side if you are opting for alcohol as cider's are £5 each and beers vary, beggining at £2.50 for a half. Soft drinks are cheaper as they start from only £1.95.

Service - 5/10 - After my visit, the service in Café football is enough to put me off from going back again. To start with five of us were crammed onto a table for four which was extremely uncomfortable, they didn't even set an extra set of cutlery so it was clearly a four seater table. After ordering our first set of drinks it must have taken at least a solid twenty minutes for them to arrive, only for the waitress nearly to be conned into giving them away. A fellow on another table was attempting to claim the drinks as his own but we were quick to notice and grabbed them back but surely you would have thought the staff knew where they were going?. On a plus our food was out faster than our first set of drinks which was good time but this wasn't enough to redeem the mistakes so far. Finally and very rudely, the bill had an automatic service charge of 12.5% sneakily placed on the end; we noticed and asked the waitress if this was a mandatory payment to which she said no. After asking for it to be removed, the young girl was least impressed, snatching the bill back abruptly as if we were in the wrong, then proceeded to throw our new bill on the table in disgust. I felt this was totally unacceptable and unprofessional. 

Atmosphere - 6/10 - As I said previous our situation was already uncomfortable from the seating situation let alone the fact that fellow diners were after our drinks. The place was absolutely jammed packed and the bellowing drone was overwhelming; it wasn't ideal trying to talk loudly between the table and when the waitress' took the orders they were almost shouting themselves. At the bar area which was right next to the seated diners you could see the hustle and bustle going on, it reminded me of a Saturday night on the town and this probably didn't help the noise situation much either. An element I did enjoy was upbeat music that was playing, it was adrenaline pumping and cheerful which was reminiscent of the sort of music players would be listening to in a changing room pre-match. For some reason I just couldn't relax and the constant thought of where the drinks were and whether or not they were going to get our order right put me on edge.

Decor/Theme - 9/10 - Now this is an establishment really after my own heart, what more could a footballing foodie want than a restaurant themed around the beautiful game. As soon as you entered you are greeted by a cabinet display of classic boots which players would have worn, not to mention the names and pictures of heroic players posted everywhere on the walls. Down the tunnel towards the toilets they had framed shirts of players from around the globe which was a great, authentic touch. Living up to the sports reputation, the mutiple flat screens only seemed an essential, even in the head rests of booths their were small screens all displaying sky sports news. On the back of booth's they had sticker book photos of players both present and past, creating a childhood touching memory of when I used to collect them myself. All in all my favourite part had to be the superbly clever menu; most of the items ranging from cocktails to pizzas had unique names and played puns on famous footballing figures. For example a pizza named "The Special One" possessed Portuguese toppings refering to the Portuguese managing mastermind that is Jose Mourinho. Even the on the backs of the menus the meals were set out in 4-4-2 formations. 

Presentation - 7.5/10 - Opting for a healthy salmon noodle salad there isn't many different ways you can present it and it was fair to say I was at ease with the way they did so. The bowl that was placed in front of me was huge and if required to you could wear it as a helmet; the fact that the bowl was like a bucket left me chirpy though as they did generously fill it up. Baring in mind it was a salad it did lack colour and a bit more diversity in vegetables would have worked a treat but because it was just noodles, carrots, spring onions and salmon it just didn't cut it. After looking at other peoples plates they seemed to have nice, quirky dineware but mine just didn't have the wow factor.

Food/Value for Money - 7.5/10 - My main of the salmon noodle salad stands in at £11.95 which I feel was very just. The noodles were perfect and there certainly was pleanty of them, by this I mean the cooking time had been nailed by the chef because they are easily over done from past experience. A negative aspect was the same as what I said earlier, the lack in variety; fair enough a salmon noodle salad doesn't have a shed load of ingredients but the addition of some bean shoots, a little chilli and other oriental flavours could have given the dish so much more excitement and promise. The ratio of salmon to noodles was greatly satisfying as you'd expect the restaurant to try and hold back on the fish as much as possible but they didn't and their was pleanty. You noticed the salmon flavour rush through straight away with prominence because it has such a delicious flavour; it was strong, seasoned well, had large, meaty flakes and maintained that spicy teriyaki flavouring it advertised in the menu. Overall I'd say that it was a decent meal that I'd buy again at the same price but I would exactly call it phenomenal food. 

Overall - 7.5/10 - Café Football has so much potential to be a real great, novelty food chain that can branch out to footballing foodies around the country however there are many things that need to improve. The staff and unorganised atmosphere really do let this diner down and the fact that they don't show much consideration really does put me off returning in the future. With a decent tasting meal, enough to satisfy most hungry people, served up at a fair price for a London shopping centre food outlet, it's fair to say they would be successful if they could handle the rush and demand, not to mention the fantastic theme. Being an investment of Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs alone, it's teasing to any football fanatic and by no means should you let the service put you off but just don't expect the staff kissing your feet. My advice would be to pop in off the run of a shopping trip at Westfields or to visit at a time when it's going to be least busy to get the full potential but at all costs avoid the rush hours. To conclude I'd like to think this is a phenomenal idea with a perfect USP but it just needs improvement and polishing up in many departments in order to come out top of the league. To put it in a league it would be a definate Championship playoff squad that could be promoted under new management.

http://www.cafe-football.com

Gaucho London Review

Gaucho, Chancery, London

Cuisine - A La Carte Steakhouse & Grill

Price - Medium/Very High - Gaucho possesses some seriously superior food and with all of the beef served being sourced in Argentina the prices are going to be bumped. The cheapest meals on the menu were the salads which were labelled in at £8.75 for the lowest vegetable concoction; at the next end of the scale I witnessed probably the most expensive meal on a menu on my excursions so far worthy of the very high tag. The meal in question was Gaucho's signituare sampler plate hosting a large cut of every steak on offer, weighing in at 1.2kg and then pushing a price of £99; a real treat if you're a rich steak lover. I'd say the average price for a meal in the restaurant was around the £25 mark with all side orders being around £5 and when it came down to drinks the selection is available to suit any bank balance; examples range from beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks.

Service - 10/10 - Absolutely unnassailable from the moment we entered the restaurant. Every single member of staff within the establishment was chirpy and enthusiastic in making the diner's visit second to none; it's as though the customer was rare gem and the staff's job was to cherish them. The steaks were brought out raw on a board prior to ordering, explaining thoroughly about each cut and every question we had was confidently answered with assurance. When it came down to selecting a wine, our waiter was extremely helpful as he offered a sampler taste of our choice bottle and if we didn't like it, he was happy to change it. Not only this but seeing as we were hungry for steak we opted to order some extra medallions to no problem of the chefs or staff and as you'd expect they asked how we liked them cooked. The gentleman who waited our table was professional but comical and no issue we had was too much for him; he brought us everything we needed and kept up his attentativeness without being irritant. Finally our food was served up in a great time which wasn't too fast or too long to wait making it that all more enjoyable, not to mention the waiters even remember who had which steaks and how they were cooked. 

Atmosphere - 10/10 - I think I'll find it hard as a foodie to ever eat at anywhere as relaxed as Gaucho. The modernist music with a slowed beat made for a peaceful yet classy set then the perfect timings of the meal deliveries just helped to let us kick back even more. Even the staff seemed chilled and the non-frantic surroundings made it that bit more special; for a restaurant in London I expected a booming environment but I was so wrong. To me the tables were filled enough to make a steady turnover without the feeling of overcrowded hustle making for again a truly pleasant experience; there is nothing better than being able to sit back and enjoy some fine food without a dim, over busy atmosphere to kill the mood. Finally after every deep breath you got a prominent whiff of a grill working steaks and fresh food being prepared which as a hungry diner, made my mouth water. 

Decor/Theme - 9/10 - To nail the establishment in a phrase I'd have to go with a plush, upmarket eatery with a subtle lick of cattle. My favourite highlights within the place would have to be firstly the clever yet classy use of the cow skin to cover the chairs and stairwell, reasoning for this is because it makes you appreciate the animal and think of the stellar flavours that come from the creature. With this they could have easily made the place look tacky and outdated but the fact that they only use it slightly rightfully claims a vibrant quirkiness. Also the tables are set at a measured distance apart so the feeling of being clustered and uncomfortable isn't there; another key point is the open kitchen boast's confidence in skill and shows cleanliness too. Upstairs has some coushty leather stools to sit on if you fancy a few beverages pre or post meal with a luxurious bar knocking up great drinks at your order. 

Presentation - 8/10 - For the money that's paid this is the only disappointment for me however this being said my steaks still looked very fanciful. The five medallions were placed into a circle like shape on the centre of a large white plate which was appealing but somehow I just feel they should really be doing a little bit more. A touch of garnishing or slight piece of creativity could have really livened the dish up but that being said there was pleanty of room to shuffle the steaks for cutting room. One thing I did love was the fact that the meats were all of a similar medallion size and that they were all defined, clean cuts. 

Food/Value for Money - 9.5/10 -My initial mention has to go out to the complimentary bread board at the start of the meal which eased me up nicely for my main course. On the platter you had a hearty, warm selection of breads ranging from cheese profiteroles, rustic brown bread and finally a sliced potato cake; serving alongside these were small bowls of seasonings and a delectable chilli and garlic oil for dipping. For free the bread board was spot on and flavours were full, stating that this place doesn't do bad food. My main I opted for was a selection of steak medallions being rump, ribeye and fillet, I had to go with an additional two pieces as well because of the reputation my friends gave the food. Butter knife in hand (yes, butter knife) I carved a slice into my first medallion only to see that it had been cooked to absolute perfection as was the same with every other piece which is an amazing skill of the chef to be so careful and clever. After I eased my way through slicing the meat I took a bite and the flavour was outstanding, the steaks were by far the best I've ever eaten; the tenderness of the beef just melted in my mouth giving off an almost decedancy in taste. The edges of the medallions had an exquisite charcoal crust, deepening the flavour even more; at no point did I even think about a condiment or more seasoning as each slice was so full bodied. For £28.50 some people would say that the meats are overpriced and expensive but my goodness if you try them they are certainly able to live up to it, as I said it's by far the best steak I've eaten. At breaks inbetween my steak like heaven I ordered some sweet potato fries to nibble on which were topped with cuts of smokey chorizo; these were, again, fantastic with a plump, flavoursome sweet potato complimented with the smokey, yet slight spice in the sausage. You know it's a phenomenal meal when you carry on eating even though you're body is brimming to edge full; I finished mine then even had room for a piece of friends cut aswell. 

Overall - 9/10 - Gaucho has topped my list of restaurants and is now by a length one of my favourites I have visited. Everything from the unique customer service, to the relaxed atmosphere and most importantly the Argentinian steaks, this place is heaven to a anyone who loves to eat out. The menu may be expensive but for the quality of the food you recive after pushing out the pennies you can't complain; steak can be found at many restaurants but believe me, you'll be hard to find it on this level. For fine dining and celebrating Gaucho is the perfect spot but for a quick bite, off the back of the cuff scenario perhaps you should go elsewhere but it's a must visit in my book. It's a shame I didn't live near by or visit London more often as I'd be booking reservations on the regular and asking for them to have me a custom table in the corner. To sum up this review I'd say if you didn't like steak or any kind of grilled food, go to Gaucho and I'm sure you'd be converted, I'd even go as far as saying it could turn a vegetarian into a fully blown steak muncher. My final note is a thank you to my fellow diner and friend who treated me to this stunning experience and introduced me to quality food. Thanks. 

http://www.gauchorestaurants.co.uk

Takeaway Time - Lim's Fish & Chips

Lim's Fish & Chips, Unthank Road, Norwich

Cuisine - Fish & Chips 

Options - Takeaway Only

Speed - 10/10 - A little bit of advice on if you want fantastic tasting fish and chips as fast as possible... Visit Lim's. The second you step in the door the two guys are literally edging to take your order with the fry cook buzzing acrossed if you want anything cooked to order. With no queue to wait in, I was seen to straight away having my order of cod, chips and mushy pea's being noted. By the time I took the money from my wallet the gentle scooped my chips and wrapped my meal quicker than a Christmas elf then had it waiting in a bag for me to take home. If you want something cooked to order take into consideration the obvious frying time but more times than not they have everything ready and hot. 

Taste - 8.5/10 - Patriotic passions are running high in the country seeing as it the World Cup and I couldn't get the craving of the traditional fish and chips out of my brain; to say my hunger was suppressed is an understatement. My chips curessed the classic taste and texture of the "Chippie" spreading an even amount of crispy pieces with plumped full potato sticks on my plate; the outer skin wasn't overly greasy, remained with a crustiness and was fluffy in the centre. With the cod their were a few areas for improvement as I prefer the thickness to be more on the depth rather than length however this being said it was ideal for flavouring. The flakes held together well and the fish itself was a lot more fleshy and tender towards the fatter end; one thing I loved is the fact that it was boneless and moist meaning you wouldn't have to worry about choking on a sharp bone. Batter can be easily ruined but Lim's seem to have nailed this crucial point; the golden coating on the fish was beautifully crisp with a slight seasoning which was peeled off of the whole fish with ease. The density of the covering was the same throughout but a couple of areas were a tad soggy but this didn't overly ruin the taste. Finally my portion of peas for one were mouthwatering by the way they were piping hot, plump but properly mushed and tasted the exact way you would expect from authentic chip shop peas. At the end of munching on my plate my lips did feel slighlty greasy but this is something you'd expect from a fried meal, at no point during eating did it taste overly oily. 

Price - 9/10 - The takeaway in total for a piece of cod, chips and a portion of mushy peas set me back an acute £5.30 with the peas being only fifty pence for the pot. To breakdown the whole plate for value this is a phenomenal bargain and by far one of the cheaper chip shops around. Portion wise my chips would have been easily capable to serve two people as the pyramid stack of potatoes was fit for a king, I really did struggle to plough through them all and my appetite was eating away at my stomach before I started the meal. Again the slab of cod was long and plump yet it was still cheaply priced up as elsewhere you get similar priced fish with a smaller scale size; more often than not you see a stubby flat piece thrown in your paper wrap for these prices tags. For one person my pot of peas was perfect because it wasn't too many that it slathered over the plate and it wasn't too little so you didn't get a taste; the fact that they offer more if you want is superb but for one person they hit the spot. 

Overall - 9/10 - What more can I say than Lim's is a fish and chip shaped diamond set in the middle of Norwich's golden triangle. Fish and chips are served up faster than you can say 'fast food Friday' here and the two guys who slave away in the shop possess such an energetic persona that even the quick charm keeps the customer coming back. The competitive, cheap prices twinned with the flavoursome, fresh food keeps Lim's in fighting contention to be one of the cities finest chip outlets as prices around town will mostly be more or equally good for the quality of grub you get here. With food cooked to order you will never leave disappointed so don't hesitate to drop by for a speedy takeaway if your tastebuds are tingling for some tradition. If you do drop by portions are hearty meaning you should go hungry and save yourself for some great quality chips.