The Pryordurkins

Posts Tagged ‘tomato’

In what is becoming a fairly unique affair, I managed to have lunch again on Thursday.  Again with some colleagues, I found myself at the Queen’s Head & Artichoke, 30-32 Albany Street, Regents Place, London.  In what appears to be a very fine gastro bar we were seated quickly in the 1st floor dining room.  With the waiter hovering (and speaking in a very broad french accent – I reckon he was from Hackney), we quickly placed our order.  He seemed a little put out that we all ordered soft drinks and when I asked for a coke, I for a brief moment, thought I would get a cork!.

Anyway I went for the Black bean soup, tomato, red onion, cucumber & lime salsa at £4.50 for my starter and this was very good indeed.  It didn’t need any seasoning at all which is always good to find.  For a main, I went for the Lasagne with organic beef at £10.50.   Served with rocket leaf salad, it was well cooked and flavoursome.  The portion was just a little on the large side for a lunchtime meal so I would perhaps not do it again, as the rest of the day proved a little troublesome carrying round my slightly expanded belly.

Score: 3 Stars. Visited May 2008
Tel 0871 3327235

Situated within the infamous Yumbo Centre, this restaurant for many many years was regarded as one of the best on the island serving quality food to men (and women) of a particular persuasion.  We arrived at around 7pm and were pleased to find they had a table free.  As it happens, they had several tables free, but we just assumed because it was early.  Anyway, the decoration befits the general style of the Yumbo Centre, with flashy lights, tacky signs and lots of swishy curtains.

We ordered up a bottle of wine (Marques de Riscal Sauvignon) and some food.

Lets just say the wine which was cheap and drinkable was the best thing about the whole experience.

My tomato and rocket soup was very salty and not in the least bit enjoyable.  Dusty went for the Chicken coated in Sesame seeds.  Yes it was a strange combination and frankly it tasted worse than it sounded.  Think cardboard coated in straw and you will start to get the idea.

Next came the mains.  I went for the special of day, a roast pork based something or other which is exactly what it turned out to be.  Along with some warmed up Pork (read the earlier review, it wasn´t the drink that made me bad, honest!) it was served with potato croquettes.  Yes potato croquettes.  If that were not bad enough, it was also accompanied by watery (previously frozen veg).  The sauce was some kind of sweet sickly affair, which even now, three days later makes me want to gag.

Dusty’s Fish dish was no better and I could see he was struggling to eat it.

So, although we decided not to do any reviews while on holiday, we just had to write about our experiences at this once well regarded restaurant.  It was absolutely horrendous and should be avoided at all costs.  The food was foul.

Score: 0 Stars. Avoid. Visited April 08.