Restaurants

Ottolenghi
Towering stacks of snowy meringues, reckless plates of crisp chocolate tarts and lavish deep-dish cheesecakes all practically scream ‘eat me’ at passers-by. But this is more than an inviting bakery. Behind the pastries piled in the window is a comparatively prim deli counter with lush salads, available day and evening, eat-in or take away. As a stylish daytime café, Ottolenghi is undeniably brilliant, thanks not only to those pastries, but also to the inventive array of cold dishes oozing vitality, such as french beans and mangetout with red onions, chervil and hazelnuts, or roasted sweet potatoes with avocado, rocket and pistachios in an orange cumin dressing. For dinner, the menu adds starter-sized hot dishes to mix and match, but the long canteen-style central table, slow-footed service and bright white decor are not for special occasions. Nipping in for a sprightly supper of mouth-watering pan-fried guinea fowl breast with sweetcorn risotto cake, well-seasoned roast lamb rack with spiced aubergine, and simple grilled halibut with confit baby fennel, was pleasant, but the cost soared before appetites were sated.
Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009

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Posted by ERika on 23 Oct 2009 17:37
My favourite restaurant in London, Ottolenghi never fails to impress.
Fresh, tasty, varied food served professionally in a cool environment at reasonable prices.
The breakfast is amazing - home made lemon curd and chocolate spread are so gorgeous that I always eat them out of the jar with a spoon - it doesn't get better than that really.

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Posted by SF on 09 Feb 2009 16:07
All good things come to those who wait, yes. This popular restaurant comes with a long queue for tables for lunch, but the efficient service and already prepared food definitely makes you forget about the time spent waiting to get in! Great food. Great service. Would recommend to all.

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Posted by Mark Roberts on 30 Oct 2008 21:32
Pretentious and overrated.

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Posted by Zek on 20 Sep 2008 10:25
Ottolengi specialises in fresh, tasty salads and fantastic patisseries. In general, the food is very good and, although you don't get enormous portions, you come away feeling very satisfied. The service is friendly and efficient, despite the large numbers of people passing through. Well recommended and a class above other restaurants in the area.

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Posted by James Winter on 31 Aug 2008 12:02
If I were rating just the food, this place would get 5/6, the food was good although they suggest you need 3 of the tapas/starter size dishes to make a meal so more like £25 per head for food.
What ruined it fo me was the service. 15 minutes from being seated till the water/bread arrived, over 35 minutes till the wine and an hour plus before any food arrives. To top it off, the waitress spills oil on my shirt when removing the plates but helpfully suggests washing up liquid for the stains. I didn't bother with the dessert, i just wanted out. I will not go back.

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Posted by Neil Hartwell (registered user) on 30 Mar 2008 05:29
The service in the restaurant is polite, friendly and informal. The food is excellent in terms of choice, quality of ingredients and the melange of flavours. The restaurant is however let down by its canteen style tables and uncomfortable chairs, which are rather reminiscent of McDonalds or Wagamana and lead you to question the price.

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