CHANGE TO RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

Dear Diners,

Due to an office relocation, the Wimbledon Eatery will still live on as a dinner-only event and reviews may become less regular. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

However, we are happy to announce the opening of the Westminster Eatery for those who work and live more central. You can check it out at westminsfood.blogspot.co.uk

Many thanks,
The Wimbledon Eatery team

WIMBLEDON EATERY RECOMMENDS SO FAR... (November 2014)

Dear All

After 27 meals, here's the restaurants we think you should keep in mind next time you eat out. Yet, the reviews are not over and the list of restaurants is still long. Will the restaurants below hold to their position in the chart?

BEST QUALITY OF FOOD - when the freshness of ingredients really counts...
1st - Alexandra Pub
2nd - Mae Ping Thai
3rd - Al Forno & Chipotle

BEST QUALITY OF SERVICE - when the way you are served and treated at lunch or dinner matters...
1st - Alexandra Pub
2nd - Aubaine
3rd - La Nonna

BEST SPEED OF SERVICE - when you are in a hurry but you still want to enjoy your meal...
1st - KFC & Alexandra Pub
2nd - Al Forno
3rd - Mai Thai, La Nonna & Chimichanga

BEST AMBIENCE & DECOR - when atmosphere is crucial to impress you or others...
1st - Aubaine & Hand and Raquet
2nd - Fire Stables & Old Frizzle
3rd - Alexandra Pub & Bill's

BEST HYGIENE - when all you care about is cleanliness and tidyness...
1st - Aubaine
2nd - Mae Ping Thai
3rd - Fire Stables

BEST VALUE FOR MONEY - when the wallet decides where to eat...
1st - Al Forno
2nd - Mae Ping Thai
3rd - Flame, O'Neils & Casa Nostra

THE WORST PLACES TO EAT...
1st - Edwards
2nd -Price of Wales
3rd - KFC

See you next time and keep following our trail!

KFC - The Kentucky "Fail" Chicken

As we said on our previous post on GBK, the group felt rightly so that our eating experience was now being left with crumbs on end and niche, dinner-only  joints on the other. Food chain were starting to fill in the horizon of lunch menus and it was indeed time to take drastic action by visiting one of the most known, most criticised, of the plastic food creators: KFC.

We all know too well the Colonel's Fried Chicken that has undergone radical changes in branding, colours, logo, acronyms and even music association. Nevertheless, first step inside only revealed a messy layout and patchy despite a bright red trying to cover a faded red from the 80s. Service probably quicker than McDonald's but food is served in bulky boxes which are half-empty. Seating area is uncomfortable and decor does not jump to the eyes as warm or inviting.

Food will not be of course top notch but, hey, it is a place to eat in Wimbledon and deserves a vote. Big Daddy burger per was ok. Zinger burger was sandwiched between buns that were tasteless and too thick. The new marketed sides are a total fail, too sweet and plasticky. It is recommended to stick to an original menu, with fried chicken, corn on the hob and fries - if is the sort of thing you enjoy.

We gave KFC a chance but it is a confirmed fail!

Our verdict is as follows:
Quality of Food        2.00
Hygiene                     1.50
Value for Money      3.00
Speed of Service       5.00
Quality of Service    2.75
Ambience & décor   2.00

KFC gets an overall rating of 54.2%

MAE PING THAI - Meditation Luncheon

This choice for Thai was not just far from the madding crowd but mostly secluded on the southern end of the Broadway. It is wedged between an office building and a  shop of fishing tackle and outdoor clothing, almost hidden in anonimity unless you pass in front.

A set of four French doors opens up to a widened entrance, which we really welcomed on the warm sunny day we picked. The interior follows the structure of high street shops from the good old days and it removed all partitions for one whole rectangle hall which ends with a nice corner bar and an entrance to the kitchens. Authentic décor of wooden panels, brass crowns and copper Buddhas, more modern and refreshing without too much detail. Bit low on music for ambience unless it is only reserved for evening service. Overall, very calm, very quiet for lunchtime. No clients and few staff at hand. Definitely a recommended choice for noise-free lunches or where you need some level of intimacy. It may seem daunting at first and the one-man service can only look weirder and weirder.

We did not shy of the occasion and sat down to review the well-structure menu, which covered a good range of Thai specialities from soup and green curries to rice salads and roast duck. A lunch menu was also offered and it was a Summer one with fresh ingredients going hand in hand with the weather (note: restaurant was visited mid-July) such as roast duck rice salad. Dishes were nicely decorated but not pretentiously, and flavours were simple but not under promised.

Drinks are not a front feature of our blog but they were one big winner at Mae Ping Thai. Although the waiting time was incredibly and surprisingly slow compared to food dishes, the cocktails turned out to be an amazing and colourful array of fruity cocktails, either alcoholic and non. Highly recommended to wash down any Thai dish service, whether hot or cold.

Our verdict is as follows:
Quality of Food        4.67
Hygiene                     4.67
Value for Money      4.33
Speed of Service       3.00
Quality of Service    2.67
Ambience & décor   3.33

Mae Ping Thai gets an overall rating of 80.1%

GBK - For a fistful of burgers

As the range of lunch joints shortened, it was time to enter food chain territory more often since they overshadow most of the high street. Wimbledon especially has seen more and more rise to fame. Gourmet Burger Kitchen was the next competitor for "gourmet" burgers in line with the offerings of pubs in the area.

The settings remind of a an old 50s diner polished with new fabrics and splashed modern colour.  It has an open space vibe with a fairly visible open kitchen. It is lazily laid back and casual in contrast with the "gourmet" in GBK. Burgers are always tasty with a different combination of ingredients but still a simple menu focused on the classic diner offer: burger, fries and a soda or milkshake. The chain finds its uniqueness through certain items probably inspired by its Kiwi origins, such as the pineapple, egg and beetroot burger, or the Lemon and Peroa soft drink, or the kiwi-flavoured spicy sauce. Just a few but enough to stand out with flavour.

The most common fail always lies in the cost-portion relationship. GBK provides free monkey nuts and tap water but it still remains quite expensive for what you get and can cost more with the addition of sides and drink.The lack of meal deals or other combined promotion on the spot make the value for money even worse, forcing GBK to stay on the high street but only visited on occasions when you really miss that tasty flavour.

Our verdict is as follows:
Quality of Food        4.00
Hygiene                     4.00
Value for Money      2.00
Speed of Service       4.00
Quality of Service    3.67
Ambience & décor   4.00

GBK gets an overall rating of 72.8%

WAHACA - An Inflatable Pignata

Newly opening in the Wimbledon Piazza where Coal's used to be, it was an opportunity for the Wimbledon Eater team to try out this new place before it became too popular. Labelled as a chain of Mexican street food restaurant, it is owned by a Masterchef winner from 2005.

The inside of the restaurant has the appearance of a warehouse, with plain walls and a very high ceiling and pipes wrapped in aluminium. The sections of the restaurant are all divided into different compartments by a wooden skeleton structure and then a mix of vividly coloured furniture freshens up the layout with tables, bar, chairs and benches. Still we found the place quite gloomy or not bright enough - perhaps a different use of colour, or even a multi-storey approach would have been more interesting rather a cavernous warehouse. It seemed the space was there but not there.

The menu is quite extensive and it should be made clear this is a street food restaurant where you order a multitude of dishes to share similar to the "tapas" concept. You can choose from an array of Mexican classics such as tacos, quesadillas, burritos, tortilla chips and so on, all served with different type of fillings. The range is quite extensive, from meats spiced differently to cactus and fish. The menu is one sheet of paper but it contained a lot of writing.

In terms of service, staff is very friendly and casual. They also remind you the food comes when ready and therefore dishes come at different times. We were very impressed for how quickly they turned our order, and the food was neat, well-presented and flavoursome. The pork pibil, and the tortilla chips with frijoles and guacamole were nice and original. The tacos and quesadillas were delicious in flavour but not appetising or impressive in the look or the colour on the plate. The cactus tacos promised an original twist but was overpowered by courgettes. Still, chipotle chicken, chicken tinga, sweet potaton, the many ingredients used felt fresh and tasty. Still, they made you want more for the portion were indeed small.

Food was really good but the group was not overly impressed. It seemed the restaurant was trying to look big and impressive, and present street food on a fancy plate, but it inflated it too much and diluted the goodness of the food it has to give. It all went wrong even further when the bill came. Overly expensive.

Wahaca is an ideal place only for sharing plenty of dishes on the table rather than individual-based orders.
Only this way you enjoy the taste of the food and you keep your wallet happy.

Our verdict is as follows:
Quality of Food        3.40
Hygiene                     4.40
Value for Money      3.20
Speed of Service       4.40
Quality of Service    4.00
Ambience & décor   3.80

Wahaca gets an overall rating of 76.4%

O'NEILS - Pubby of 'em all

There aren't that many pubs who turn into chains properly, without even realising you are in a chain. O' Neils appeared to us as a very basic pub, not as great as the old independent ones spread across Wimbledon. However, the atmosphere felt "pubby" enough for us to consider it the best among pub chains.

The wooden dark feel of pubs is heavily counter-balanced by large windows almost ceiling-to-floor, which makes it the best at lunch or any time during daylight. This is where we took our seat and reviewed the menu. Most of the dishes are pub classics with either ingredients or names slightly changed or more Irish-driven. Nevertheless, you have quite a large choice of standard pub dishes which do not delve into "posh" ingredients or keep the "gastro-pub" craze to a minimum, such as the boar and chorizo burger.

Our selection covered some cornerstones of pub food. The ultimate fish 'n' chips is a very generous combo portion of haddock which does not look frozen or at least dried up in cheap batter - we wished there were more chips. The classic burger was plain and pretty standard. The sausage and mash had very succulent sausages but a grainy mash without any smooth texture. Last but not least, the vegetable tart had a nice taste but was too hot and slightly burnt on the edges.

The bill was fairly cheap or slightly below average. We did not feel the place had any 'wow' factor unless on an evening out for drinks. Yet, it did not disappoint completely with obvious hints of cheap food. O' Neils is squeezed in the middle of the average lunch.

Our verdict is as follows:
Quality of Food        3.00
Hygiene                     3.25
Value for Money      4.00
Speed of Service       3.75
Quality of Service    3.50
Ambience & décor   3.50

O' Neils gets an overall rating of 68.5%

LA NONNA - A Traditional Corner of the World

South of the broadway, almost at its outskirts, you find many isolated restaurants. On a missed lunch appointment in another restaurant in the area, the Italian restaurant La Nonna came by as good alternative. Brick and wood of an opaque brown colour do not make it bright and it is not an easy spot to find if it wasn't for the green dwarf pine trees on the outside.

One of many long-standing Italian restaurants in Wimbledon, La Nonna presents itself as a smart but casual place to eat with a nice colonnade of red bricks and a nice display of paintings and kitchen tools in the form of artwork. Not too much in the eye. There is some sort of veranda where the large windows open but there is no outside dining.

Menu was standard, not too short or too long, and there was the usual display of Italian dishes: antipasti, pasta, pizza and then meat or fish. Linguine alle vongole veraci and gnocchi alla salsiccia where the ones jumping out of the traditional menu stereotype. Choice of wine was good and adequate.

The bruschetta we ordered was standard was bland and not punchy. Same disappointment with the pizzas: whatever the flavour, they were bland and not well seasoned, with a very hard, dry and crunchy pizza dough. The salmon, the linguine alle vongole veraci and gnocchi alla salsiccia were the only winners. The salmon was salty but had a good counter balance of balsamic vinegar; the fishy and tomato-ey sauce of the linguine was quite oily but not overpowering and well-prepared. The gnocchi was quite heavy but savoury and delicious - yet, recommended in colder weather.

Staff was friendly and the service was good. Setting was calm and relaxing at lunch time, probably perfect for a quiet lunch. Nothing overboard in quality and presentation, rather static and within expectations. We would recommend it for a business meal or a quiet meal with friends who fancy the non-pizza side of Italian cuisine!

Our verdict is as follows:
Quality of Food        3.83
Hygiene                     4.33
Value for Money      3.67
Speed of Service       4.67
Quality of Service    4.50
Ambience & décor   3.33

La Nonna gets an overall rating of 81.1%

EDWARDS - Sticky Situation

The largest place we ever went to eat is probably Edwards with its warehouse-like feeling and cavernous atmosphere. It is a common place to visit on Friday and Saturday nights, and during daytime it holds a different feeling while still retaining its dark glow even with the sunshine is beating outside.

The place was absolutely empty on a Friday lunchtime, with only 2 people on a far corner of the big establishment. It felt the place was closed or booked for a party but apparently it was an ordinary day. The second wave that hit us upon entering was a rancid smell of sweat and dirty feet, faint but still overwhelmingly obvious to the nostrils. We took seat on the plush low leather sofas and large, thick oak tables only to find ripped armrests and sticky surfaces. It felt like entering the room after the party was over, after drinks had been spilled and you are sober enough to realise the mess.

Even the menu was sticky, and despite the seemingly extensive choice, it was not inspiring enough and rather average. The drinks and cocktail menu was smaller and looked more original. Our order ranged from burgers and hot dogs, to sandwiches and fish 'n' chips. People's choice was tarnished by the smell and there was an unfounded fear of food poisoning hanging on our table. It was slightly worsened by the 25-minute wait when we were clearly the only group waiting to be served. Suddenly, the group agreed the place had a more nightclub feeling - why bother staying open for lunch?

Once food was served, there was no burst of colour pleasing the eye. Despite being all different, the monochromatic "beige" glow overpowered each plate whether it was fish, meat or vegetarian. A lot of bread, cheese and potato - starchy enough for any alcohol-fuelled nightclubber but boring and below average when your mind is crystal clear. Food was definitely frozen or ready-made, and the salad promised as a garnish on the menu never reached the table. Below average quality was the result.

Edwards is an easy-going place, large and spacious for dancing at the weekend. It is probably best for drinks only with that portion of chips or a nice chilli dog to keep you going. Atmosphere during the day is just dry and dead, where the furniture and bar décor lose all their glamour from the shiny disco lights. It is a place for drinking, it is a place to enter and never remember...

Our verdict is as follows:
Quality of Food        3.00
Hygiene                     1.17
Value for Money      3.67
Speed of Service       2.50
Quality of Service    2.83
Ambience & décor   1.50

Edwards gets an overall rating of 50.0%

OKI - Take Away My Identity

On the hunt for another source of oriental taste, this time our journey took us to Oki, nicely wedged in a row of terraced buildings. Looking through the full glass façade, white walls and wide beechwood tables were the only foundations of interior design. The pattern seemed only broken by an open kitchen to the back right left corner and a multitude of posters on its walls that seemed holding up with blu-tack. The hint of simple man's food seemed overwhelming but we took a table to see what the food could tell us. Try to avoid any table at the front by the entrance on a cold day since there is no double door entrance, and whoever comes in, will bring a cold breeze directly on you.

The menu was quite extensive, covering a large set of East Asia-inspired dishes and also using more local, traditional naming which you probably do not see in less authentic East Asian restaurants or noodle bars. People may say Oki is a Japanese place but from the menu it is a clear mix of Japanese and Korean.
We were quickly intrigued to Don Buris and Bibimbaps rather than the usual Teriyaki Chicken. A good choice of Bento Boxes were also available which made it harder to choose. Prices did not see competitive enough against the many East Asian joints in Wimbledon, and their offers or discounts did not seem to be promoted or highlighted well enough as we only read about them on the wall posters after ordering. Staff did not seem ready to wait us, either in being available or visible when ready to order, or being helpful in their recommendations. It was puzzling to see all waiters huddled in the centre of the restaurant.

When the food came, a good show was put on. Presentation of the dishes and the dishware itself made a first good impression. Don Buri was in a simple but nicely decorated bowl, the traditional Bento Box was generously filled with all the ingredients, and the Bibimbap came in sizzling and smoking on some sort of metal griddle. Flavours were good and not bland. The Crispy Duck Don Buri was nice at first; however, the strong taste and the large amount may make you feel sick after a while even with the tiny a salad. The Bibimbap looked great in the presentation but did not single out the dish as special in terms of taste, especially as the griddle continues cooking the food and may burn it slightly. The Bento Box, simple as it is, was the winner of the day thanks to its variety and generosity: a choice we recommend and you cannot fail!

Oki appears to be cheap and cheerful, with many elements clashing and not really setting things straight. Reviews call it a Japanese restaurant when it is clear a fusion of Japanese and Korean. You have soothing and earthy green tea in a nice cup (better than Wagamama) and then beer comes in a dirty glass. Dishware looks great and then wall posters seems old laminated prints at the local takeaway. It seems the whole restaurant could be better off in focusing on takeaway only since the sit-down experience is not as enjoyable. Perhaps a work on its identity could make the place improve a lot faster - for now, we may take the food but eat it elsewhere.

Our verdict is as follows:
Quality of Food        3.25
Hygiene                     3.50
Value for Money      3.25
Speed of Service       3.50
Quality of Service    3.00
Ambience & décor   1.75

Oki gets an overall rating of 63.1%

HOT PINK GRILL - Grease Vapours

Hot Pink Grill, as the name says, is sold as an open grill restaurant with fine and well-resourced cuts of beef, chicken and so on. Opposite the Wimbledon Theatre, it quickly flashes you a neon-style logo on seemingly plain Norwegian wood, and its windows peer into a diner-like approach to layout and design with red leather seating booths and the sauce dispensers. However, the wooden panels and hanging lamps hint to a cottage or perhaps the good old gas station joint on those forsaken American country roads.
From the visual effects, we quickly move to olfactory ones which overwhelm from the moment you enter the door.  The vent do not seem to be working so expect a smell of grease permeating around the kicthen area, not far off from those old fish 'n' chips or grease spoon joints of the 60s when smell of fried stuck on your clothes.

Menu is interestingly minimalistic and narrows it down to a simple grid of value (£3 to £10) by type of meat (beef, chicken and veggie), some sort of tac-toe scheme which probably makes it easier to handle and at the same time is the exact opposite of a complex but variegated menu. All drinks are own brand, a reminder to all products are made with unique recipes and the place cares for the environment.
No orders at the table. You order at the till, pour your "refillable" soft drink at the machine and then wait for the grub. We felt the place was understaffed for a Friday lunch when we saw one man only taking our orders and payment, and also making coffees and other special drinks in between.

Food looked very nice on arrival and was rather filling. Sauces that came with the meat dish were not that great but the veggie one received praise for the actual food and the sauces - quite a surprise when it is not the restaurant's speciality. Drinks were a big disappointment, with both Hot Pink Cola and Hot Pink Lemonade tasting plastic and fake (or should we say a Coke stripped of its artificial sugars!); milkshake was good but not special.

There was a constant reminder of "eco-friendly" philosophy, talking about well-resourced food, more recycled waste, no bottled water. However, the buzz was not as strong as expected with some of us not realising it and also the whole experience hardly reinforcing the message, especially when the whole thing seemed a rough copy of a 50s plastic diner with a hint of Norwegian wood and "grease" smog invading our nostrils.

Our verdict is as follows:
Quality of Food        3.33
Hygiene                     4.00
Value for Money      2.67
Speed of Service       3.00
Quality of Service    3.00
Ambience & décor   3.67

Hot Pink Girll gets an overall rating of 66.1%

WAGAMAMA - The Year of the Fork

With the chimes of Chinese New Year in the air, our first stop in 2014 was by chance some East Asian food although more Japanese inspired. Nevertheless, the chain owner is a Chinese national.

The modern vibrant look of the restaurant reminds the simplicity of East Asian housing, with long wooden tables and benches for group eating, and still holds the European minimalist touch. The large tables are ideal of large groups and you can easily turn up and find space; if you are a couple or smaller group, you will probably end up share the table. Table surfaces almost look empty with just tiny bottles of soy sauce and chilli oil, and paper-like mats with chopsticks on the side. Do not panic - you can use fork and spoon and they come with the dish but we noticed it takes a while to get them!

Menu is a good mix of Japanese-named dishes made with noodle or rice, either griddled or in a soup or with specific sauces. There is a good choice of chicken, pork, prawns but also a great combination of vegetable medleys that can inspire the vegetarian and the vegan. Half of the ingredients are common, while others are trypical of Japanese-like cuisine which you may or may not know. Expect flavours to be salty, tangy, vinegar-y, sometimes sweet, and usually these are mixed together.

Starters are well presented on nice dishes that re-use the simplicity and minimalist themes. White rectangle dishes for the pork gyoza (dumplings) with a square inset for the special soy sauce, or white oval plates with tiny bowls in which to dip your chilli squid. In some occasions it was felt the starters looked nicer and tasted better than the main dish. Mixed reviews were received for the main dish: some felt it matched what they expected, with good presentations and great sauces that overcame the seemingly bland ingredients; others thought what you paid for was nothing more than food you can easily buy from a take away. Not all dishes were amazing. Food was well cooked and well presented but intensity of flavour was not consistent. Noodles are probably your best choice, either griddles or in soup. Rice dishes are more risky as they could be dry or just matched with sauce that may not meet your expectations; perhaps the Firecracker was the only rice dish that did not receive a bad comment and that could be thanks to overdose of chillies!

Ultimately, service was quite disappointing from the rolling eyes ewhen we asked for a table for 10, the endless minutes waiting for a fork and tap water, and the rather impolite tone of voice to customers, either when asking an outright question for the bill or when repeating for the 3rd time the plate you have is no for this table.

Left with a hint of disappointment, which sounds baffling when you think a restaurant chain aims at specific food and service standards. Current rating leaves Wagamama at the borderline with the worst restaurants so far. If you pay a visit, keep your expectations low.

Our verdict is as follows:
Quality of Food        3.67
Hygiene                     4.17
Value for Money      3.17
Speed of Service       4.00
Quality of Service    2.83
Ambience & décor   3.17

Wagamama gets an overall rating of 71.7%