Smoked Chicken Caesar Salad
Habit

Habit

Friary Court, City of London,Westminster, United Kingdom

Wine • Steak • British • Sandwiches


"Davy's wine bars have been a part of the London scene for more than 30 years. They have a deserved reputation for good wine and well-cooked simple fare. We were disappointed, though, in Habit. The decor is typical of Davy's, having the appearance of what I imagine a city coffee house might have been like. There are plenty of oak and barrels about the place. There are bar and restaurant areas with lots of alcoves and semi private rooms. In times gone by, a Davy's would have been jam packed at 8 o'clock on a Friday evening but there were just four people watching TV in the bar area, a group of six dining in one of the rooms and my wife and me. It is true the Rio Olympics on TV were a counter attraction but ... The menu is basic and brief. We chose crab toast to start. This comprised two slices of barely toasted bread spread with marie rose sauce and piled high with crab meat. The whole thing was topped with a fennel, avocado and chilli concoction which in colour was grey to the point of looking unappetising, and whilst it did not taste unpleasant, the fennel masked the avocado. Our main course was fish and thrice cooked chips. The fish was fine, although the batter could have been crispier and the portion larger. Cooking chips three times is something of a foodie fad that is fast becoming a cliche. The chips were soggy and waxy rather than crispy and fluffy inside. The accompanying mushy peas were well minted and tasty but an unfortunate luminous green in colour. Service was prompt and cheerful seemingly in apology for the lack of ambience. The bill, including a glass of wine each was a reasonable enough £50. I can't help feeling, though, there is better to be had elsewhere for not much more money. I hope Davy's can put some quality into the food and some vibrancy into the atmosphere and that in so doing they would attract more customers and create a venue that would capture some of the popularity of Davy's from the 1980s."

Le Pain Quotidien

Le Pain Quotidien

70 Parsons Green Ln, London, SW64HU, W11 3JS, United Kingdom

Coffee • Bakeries • European • Breakfast-brunch


"I absolutely love the fact that they serve breakfast all day! I honestly wish more places would do this. I always eat breakfast at different times. Sometimes you feel like eggs or porridge in the afternoon. Good on them! It was quiet on a Tuesday late afternoon early evening. Very hot day. As per most branches, wooden country cottage feel interior. For me, LPQ have always been hit and miss with any branch you visit, be it food quality, service or cleanliness. Branch was clean. Staff were really pleasant and friendly and service was fast (I am guessing this was because they were quiet). Good menu from all day breakfast to tartines, salads, breads, soups, juices, pastries, desserts and more. Vegan's are well catered for. I had the scrambled eggs on toast with roasted portobello mushrooms and a fresh orange juice. The breakfast came with two big slices of toasted bread and a side of butter. The portion size was big which justifies the price. Not cheap at all! Well presented and freshly made. Yes, I could have made this at home. Nothing out of the ordinary but nice. As I said staff were nice and happy for me to use the free wifi and do some work at the same time. I don't often frequent this branch but came by a few months ago as well when were in lockdown C-19 pandemic and got the spinach and pine nut swirl take away which was also good. Filling and tasty and not greasy. They even threw in free chocolates as it was near Easter. Let's be honest, LPQ do well on plain and simple home comforts. Nothing out of the ordinary. Branches have a nice atmosphere and staff are pleasant most of the time. Food and cleanliness are hit and miss."