Maida Vale

[Suzi Edwards]

i'm going to maida vale on saturday and would like to eat out before going to a party. i used to live there until about 18 months ago, so i know a lot of the places, but i was wondering if anywhere new had opened or if anyone had any recommendations?

my fave place is meson bilbao just off shirland road, but i went back there a few weeks ago for my fix og baby eels and chorizo busturia so i think i might like something else. has anyone been to fats the caribbean place on shirland?

(edit to correct spelling)

Edited January 8, 2004 by tarka (log)

[MobyP]

The peeps who own the Ebury, also own a place called The Waterway. It's on the canal, past Warwick Ave. I've passed it a couple of times, but never gone in. Just had a fantastic lunch at the Ebury though, so I'd definitely have it as an option.

[Suzi Edwards]

ooh cool. i went there when it first opened. perhaps it's time for a return visit. cheers.

[curlywurlyfi]

Time Out was frothing at the mouth yesterday over somewhere called Raoul's Cafe on Clifton Road - can't remember the details though, she said, helpfully.

[MobyP]

Or for the more picturesque, there's the posh cafe on the canal - used to be great for breakfasts - where Edgware Road crosses Blomfield road.

[Spam]

Christian Sandefeldt, who was Chef Patron at The Aquarium in St Katherine's Dock (which incidently, he sold last November), has taken over the stoves at Jason's. I know they are planning to do quite alot of cosmetic work on the site, so it may be closed at the moment. I don't think that number has changed since the last guys had it.

Otherwise what about the Formosa Dining Rooms?

Edited January 9, 2004 by Spam (log)

[rjs1]

The Time Out review of Raoul's was actually of their newly extended deli, not of the cafe, which is over the road.

I just went to have a look at Jason's, which is now called Sandefeldt at Jason's. They are offering 2 courses for £19.50, three for £24.50. Menu (dated 6 January) was less fish-orientated than I'd expect, but maybe that'll change. Haven't eaten there for nearly ten years, but it's a nice location and deserves a good chef.

Opposite 60 Blomfield Road; 020 7286 6752.

The Waterway has an a la carte menu, main courses up to £15.75. We've only been there to drink, but the menu looks interesting. It was very quiet at lunchtime today, but could be very loud on a Saturday night. 54 Formosa Street; 020 7266 3557.

Formosa Dining Room is a lovely space, attached to a pub with the most incredible Victorian interior. Service can be sweet. A la carte menu, main courses up to £16.50 or so. We've eaten there a few times, but don't really think the food is anything special (the £10 set lunch on weekdays is the best value). 5a Formosa Street; 020 7286 3287.

Cafe Laville is the cafe overhanging the canal where Blomfield Road meets the Edgware Road; the view westward down the canal (wonderful at sunset) is the best thing about the place, but it's fine for a coffee and cake.

Hsing, the Chinese restaurant next to it, is worth bearing in mind; clean, fresh flavours, decent seafood. 451 Edgware Road, 020 7402 0904.

We like Green Olive, part of the Red Pepper Group. Two courses £21.50, three £23.50, four £30. It's a pretty room at ground floor level, with fantastic photos of Florence (don't sit downstairs, which is a bit grim). Friendly service, decent-if-not-cutting-edge Italian food, interesting wines. 5 Warwick Place (runs between Warwick Avenue and Blomfield Road); 020 7289 2469.

Red Pepper itself is still doing good pizzas, but it would be impossibly crowded on a Saturday night; we prefer to take away. 8 Formosa Street; 020 7266 2708.

Has anyone tried Cliftons (junction of Edgware Road and Clifton Road)? There's an Irish flavour to some of the menus, but we haven't eaten there yet.

[Suzi Edwards]

we ended up going to the waterway. it's definitely more pub than gastro-pub as the loud music really spills over into the dining area. the food was pretty good though. the standout dishes were some angus carpaccio and a duck confit starter served as a main course. there is a focus on really good ingredients here which i think makes this a good spot.

that said, if you've never been to meson bilbao i'd recommend that over the waterway any day.

[rjs1]

that said, if you've never been to meson bilbao i'd recommend that over the waterway any day.

Where is Meson Bilbao?

[Suzi Edwards]

it's on malvern terrace, just off shirland road and past the (in)famous chippenham pub. it's not the nicest of streets and you can easily walk past the place but it's well worth it. i like to sit upstairs.

there's also an indian on this road called panshi that used to do fab breads. but i have not eaten there for a long time..

also, don't forget the vale, on the corner of shirland.

am now wishing i still lived in maida vale.