http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/list/1 EN Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:46:14 +0000 Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:46:14 +0000 SE1 Discussion Phorum 5.1.6 600 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/152036#msg-152036 forum@london-se1.co.uk (boroughonian)
Well i'd still have the Iceland bag I brought the cake in.]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/152036#msg-152036 Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:46:14 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/152024#msg-152024 forum@london-se1.co.uk (boroughpaul) SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/152024#msg-152024 Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:57:28 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/152003#msg-152003 forum@london-se1.co.uk (Jerry) SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/152003#msg-152003 Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:12:36 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151995#msg-151995 forum@london-se1.co.uk (boroughonian)
Butler's Wharf Chop House has sorted itself back out again (getting rid of their short-lived flame grilled menu). Book in the bar, impress your friends with the view of Tower Bridge and pay no more than £15 for a main.

[b]Of course[/b], I would push the boat out a bit further and go to the Blueprint Cafe, but that's more expensive.[/quote]

Well of course.]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151995#msg-151995 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:55:34 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151993#msg-151993 forum@london-se1.co.uk (boroughonian)
You appear to be suggesting that you would consider the possibility of someone bringing a suitable decorated cake to a special occasion dinner as rather vulgar.

I find your attitude quite arcane, still it takes all sorts to make a world.[/quote]

Well vulgar me took a birthday cake on our visit to the Chop house x mas time,they never charged us and sang "Happy Birthday" to my daughter which was lovely,however,the food wasn't.
I mean,when you take a cake for a special occaision it's not like it's sat with you until dessert time,you hand it to the restaraunt and they serve when appropriate.

Jerry would love me and my doggie bags.]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151993#msg-151993 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:25:43 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151988#msg-151988 forum@london-se1.co.uk (lullylush) SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151988#msg-151988 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:40:46 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151985#msg-151985 forum@london-se1.co.uk (EleanorT) I second the recommendation to Champor Champor - very good for a different dining experience[/quote]

I won't be trying it again until I read a few positive reviews from recent visits. I went before Christmas and found it to be very expensive and the food that I ordered didn't really work. Loved the decor. That was the first time I went so I don't know how it compared to before.

Elliot's sounds interesting. I agree about the Chop House - I think they're still doing their very good value bar menu.]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151985#msg-151985 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:40:47 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151979#msg-151979 forum@london-se1.co.uk (juanita)
I agree Tas on Isabella Street, just behind Southwark Tube. It's a lovely setting, and worth it just for that (as well as loving the food)

And Baltic on Blackfriars Road is always wonderful - though it may be pushing your budget a bit.[/quote]

I second the recommendation to Champor Champor - very good for a different dining experience]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151979#msg-151979 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:24:21 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151947#msg-151947 forum@london-se1.co.uk (jonnyp42)
You appear to be suggesting that you would consider the possibility of someone bringing a suitable decorated cake to a special occasion dinner as rather vulgar.

I find your attitude quite arcane, still it takes all sorts to make a world.]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151947#msg-151947 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:50:19 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151945#msg-151945 forum@london-se1.co.uk (maurits)
Not in SE1, but also very good is Delaunay's in Aldwych/Covent Garden. the reason I am mentioning this is that they have a number of tables available each day, that cannot be reserved. I think Zucca should consider this as well.]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151945#msg-151945 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:35:08 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151933#msg-151933 forum@london-se1.co.uk (Ivanhoe)
The combo of food plus interesting wines, plus setting, plus good service, and lovely bright light room made it pretty much my favourite place in SE1 for Sunday lunch.

It would be a terrible shame if the new regime wasn't quickly up to the old standards. Wonder if he took other staff with him when he left? It's a fairly common thing to do.

Butlers Wharf Chop house always used to do a relatively good-value (for the location and general quality of food) two or three course set meal (two or three choices per course) for £12 - 15, which was available all day every day in the bar part of the restaurant. Not sure if they still do the same deal. Wine's not overcheap there, mind.]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151933#msg-151933 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:16:47 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151929#msg-151929 forum@london-se1.co.uk (EleanorT)
That offer finished on Saturday, which is when I went to the Blueprint Café for the first time. The view and atmosphere were great. But an overly simple salad (I could do better...), very good duck but oh dear such scanty parsnip purée - not even a knife load (nor any potatoes with the dish), with the same problem with the chocolate sauce - far more cream than chocolate for what was described as pear and chocolate... So personally I wouldn't rush back for the food. There's got to be something better close to London Bridge. I'd go with Tas on Borough High Street of Fish in Borough Market, as have been recommended. The Britannia was a great choice for an evening meal when I went mid-week before Christmas, but perhaps I was lucky? It was a very good dish of the day.]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151929#msg-151929 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:32:55 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151919#msg-151919 forum@london-se1.co.uk (boroughpaul) SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151919#msg-151919 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:59:57 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151900#msg-151900 forum@london-se1.co.uk (marcusm) It's kind of understandable, but hardly conducive to good customer relations.
After all, how often are people going to request to bring their own cake?[/quote]

Apologies for the typo! I am capable of understanding the economics of the situation, but I don't feel it's 'understandable'. It's a barefaced cheek and oh so typical of London. I don't resent a restaurateur making a fair return, but when you consider that a group of 4 would easily be spending £40-50 per head on a main + starter with wine slapping £25 on top just isn't on.

Your point about frequency is very valid, the ability to charge the fee is probably limited, yet the negative impression it causes is significantly more costly.[/quote]

Starters in Zucca range from £4-10 and mains from £10-16 so I think your per head cost assumption is a bit off. Can't imagine a table of less than 6 bringing a cake do a fairly modest charge.

It's a pity that they bother mentioning the charge as I suspect 95% of customers would never bring a cake.

You should persevere though; Zucca remains excellent value. Adding £2 to each dish would probably increase profits dramatically without damaging or excluding customers.

I had dinner in the River Cafe last week, the culinary parent of Zucca. I see Zucca as the everyday equivalent of RC which for the price (plus poor location) is an infrequent experience. Food there is more like £100 per head excluding drinks, not unusual to have a £35 starter - the price of 3 courses or more at Zucca.

What is truly awful is the cost of some chain Italians which while having huge menus, produce little of quality.

No connection other than being a frequent customer of restaurants all over.]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151900#msg-151900 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:24:36 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151899#msg-151899 forum@london-se1.co.uk (boroughpaul) SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151899#msg-151899 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:21:21 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151896#msg-151896 forum@london-se1.co.uk (Jerry) SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151896#msg-151896 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:56:48 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151894#msg-151894 forum@london-se1.co.uk (jonnyp42) It's kind of understandable, but hardly conducive to good customer relations.
After all, how often are people going to request to bring their own cake?[/quote]

Apologies for the typo! I am capable of understanding the economics of the situation, but I don't feel it's 'understandable'. It's a barefaced cheek and oh so typical of London. I don't resent a restaurateur making a fair return, but when you consider that a group of 4 would easily be spending £40-50 per head on a main + starter with wine slapping £25 on top just isn't on.

Your point about frequency is very valid, the ability to charge the fee is probably limited, yet the negative impression it causes is significantly more costly.]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151894#msg-151894 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:30:10 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151892#msg-151892 forum@london-se1.co.uk (Boroman)
But can you book there now? Not possible when I last checked a month or so back.]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151892#msg-151892 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 01:50:17 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151884#msg-151884 forum@london-se1.co.uk (Debrajoan) It's kind of understandable, but hardly conducive to good customer relations.
After all, how often are people going to request to bring their own cake?]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151884#msg-151884 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:14:35 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151878#msg-151878 forum@london-se1.co.uk (jonnyp42)
I've never got around to going to Zucca, have popped in on spec a few times and they've always been full.

I just looked at their website and had to laugh when the banner popped up and said "bringing a cake for a special occasion, let us know as there's a cake-age charge of £25"!! [b]If that's there attitude to customers then I think I'll eat elsewhere....[/b]]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151878#msg-151878 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:47:24 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151839#msg-151839 forum@london-se1.co.uk (Sandgrown Dave) SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151839#msg-151839 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:17:46 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151838#msg-151838 forum@london-se1.co.uk (shaggy) SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151838#msg-151838 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:17:09 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151836#msg-151836 forum@london-se1.co.uk (Guy's street)
Very extensive wine list also.]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151836#msg-151836 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:42:24 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151835#msg-151835 forum@london-se1.co.uk (Pops) SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151835#msg-151835 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:37:11 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151833#msg-151833 forum@london-se1.co.uk (Sue-Borough)
or get the best bus in the world the RV1 to Chistophers at Covent Garden where they do Jazz on Sunday evenings - you might even get the table with the view of Waterloo Bridge (better than it sounds...)]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151833#msg-151833 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:10:03 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151832#msg-151832 forum@london-se1.co.uk (jpm)
I agree Tas on Isabella Street, just behind Southwark Tube. It's a lovely setting, and worth it just for that (as well as loving the food)

And Baltic on Blackfriars Road is always wonderful - though it may be pushing your budget a bit.]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151832#msg-151832 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:09:52 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151779#msg-151779 forum@london-se1.co.uk (lullylush)
In the evening it's much mellower and you've got a choice of Brindisa for v nice tapas, roast - never been but heard good things, applebees for fish, wright bros for oysters/shelfish, that nice pub on the corner by brindisa (Southwark Tavern) for sunday roast but might need to check if they still do food in the evening, etc etc. Plenty going on.

The Rake I don't think do food but consistantly get rated for excellent beer if you fancy a snifter first.]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151779#msg-151779 Sat, 18 Feb 2012 21:45:19 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151773#msg-151773 forum@london-se1.co.uk (exigo)
Butler's Wharf Chop House has sorted itself back out again (getting rid of their short-lived flame grilled menu). Book in the bar, impress your friends with the view of Tower Bridge and pay no more than £15 for a main.

Of course, I would push the boat out a bit further and go to the Blueprint Cafe, but that's more expensive.]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151773#msg-151773 Sat, 18 Feb 2012 19:17:28 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151771#msg-151771 forum@london-se1.co.uk (babybat) SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151771#msg-151771 Sat, 18 Feb 2012 18:50:12 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151770#msg-151770 forum@london-se1.co.uk (Bankside Otter) SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/151770/151770#msg-151770 Sat, 18 Feb 2012 18:30:14 +0000