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Skylon

Skylon

Royal Festival Hall London, SE1 8XX, United Kingdom

Wine • British • Italian • European


"I used to really like Skylon it was somewhere you took someone for a special treat a real destination. But times have changed, there is so much more competition around I can’t help feeling that Skylon has faded a little. It still has potential; it still could be great, but on this occasion, it fell short of the mark. Maybe it was just the January blues, or maybe because most people were probably dining on the ES offer menu, but the staff seemed tired and lacking in energy, food service was very slow, and little touches were missing (for example, water wasn’t topped up, and even when we asked, it took over 10 minutes). Our starters were nice almost worth waiting for! and it felt like the mains could have been nice they were well cooked, and generous with ingredients, but all incredibly salty especially the risotto. Such a shame, because this really let it down I managed to eat around half (alongside some bread to offset the saltiness), but then gave up. I hate food waste, so asked if I could take away the rest (a small spoonful with some salad would have done us for lunch the next day). But apparently this is not possible at Skylon... this also shocked me... I’ve not encountered anywhere for a long time which wouldn’t accommodate a “doggy bag” (occasionally places have charged for a box, or occasionally the packaging has been a little makeshift, but people have always been happy to help). As a venue, it’s still nice has a great view, so with a bit of a shake up could be great again, but I won’t go back unless I hear that things have changed."

The Artisan Of Clerkenwell

The Artisan Of Clerkenwell

53-54 St Johns Square, London, United Kingdom

Pubs • Full • Steak • Casual


"Fantastic gastropub with simple well executed food and great value. Some of the best chips I have eaten in London. We attended the soft relaunch following refurbishment. The place looks very handsome with leather booths and dark wooden farmhouse style tables. Music was a little too loud for the dining room. I wonder if they don't have separate volume controls for the restaurant and the pub. My companion had Cajun fish and chips. The sweet potato chips were just amazing. Very crunchy, slightly caramelized flavor that contrasted beautifully with the zingy lime mayo served with them.. The mayo had been made with plenty of zest and citrus juice. The battered fish was lovely and light and didn't taste oily. There were some garnishes of pickles and re-fried beans. My main of pork ribs was enormous. I ended up taking half of the meat home. Ribs were very tender and falling off the bone, though for my taste there was too much of the sweet BBQ sauce. Again some of the best fries I have ever had. Thin, very crunchy and seasoned with cayenne and paprika. There was half a cob of corn that had been charred on the grill. It didn't have that distinctly chewy texture of corn cooked entirely on the grill. The corn had been parboiled, and then blackened a little over flames but it was very pleasant. There was also some undressed watercress and coleslaw that was crunchy and fresh but otherwise indifferent. Do be warned about ordering wine here. If you ask for a bottle of the house red, they don't bring the cheapest bottle (a £19.50 Tempranillo) but the Malbec which is halfway down the list at £23.50."