Suda (Siamese Rice Bar), 23 Slingsby Place, WC2E 9AB

This in one to avoid I think. I certainly won’t be rushing back. I’m not superstitious but perhaps some people would think it untoward that we were thirteen for dinner.

The first problem I noticed was when the waitress poured a bottle of Chang beer (£3.80) down the back of my nice new shirt. The beer was certainly cold enough to sharply focus my attention.

Before ordering the beer I’d ordered a couple of bottles of Prosecco (£26 each) to gets things going and another diner had decided to splash out and order Champagne (£40). The Prosecco eventually arrived and was finished before the starters. After the Prosecco we’d moved on to Pinot Grigio and Merlot (both at £20 per bottle). The Champagne arrived with main courses which was too late and so got sent back.

Eleven of us ordered starters. Ten arrived and were duly eaten. Only after ten plates had been cleared did my ‘Tom Kha Gai’ get to the table at nine pm. The soup was lovely but perhaps I was simply ravenous having been seated waiting for food since quarter to eight.

Things did not get better for the main courses. Some cold food was sent back to the kitchen. The sticky rice was dry and hard crusted. I don’t recall the last time I ate in a restaurant that served food one plate a time, with the waitress returning to the kitchen for each dish for every diner. I’d ordered ‘Nua Panang’ which was last to be served from the kitchen and was not hot on arrival. In fairness, the Panang sauce was delicious.

Every drink that was ordered, whether beer or more wine, took forever to arrive. We decided not to stay for coffee or dessert because we were worried about how many hours that would add to the day.

They asked for £454.96 which included a 10% service charge and made no mention of my wet shirt. I declined to pay the service charge.

Palm Court Brasserie
39 King Street
WC2E 8JS

Actual price per head: £40

Nearest tube: Covent Garden (Piccadilly Line).

Remarks

Not bad. Ham hock terrine starter was tasty. Xmas turkey main course was fine. The sea bream was a popular choice and people remarked on the freshness of the fish. The chocolate tart was way too sweet and not chocolaty enough. The brandy sauce which drowned the Xmas pudding was burnt. Those who complained were offered a replacement crème brûlée. The wine was £14.95 a bottle and the three course Xmas menu was £23.95 per head. Service from Vanessa was good so I tipped her some cash on top of the 12.5% service charge.

I cocked up the bill because I did not take into account a deposit I’d paid of £100 in advance, and hence undercharged each of the diners by a fiver so they paid £35 where it should have been £40 a head. Merry Xmas All.

Attendees

Ali H., Andy Y., Cheebs S., Colin I., David H., Gary T., George F., Ian S., John B., John H., Leo H., Mark B., Martin T., Matt S., Paul G., Paul R., Peter J., Ricardo B., Roger T., Steven V.

Wednesday 4^th May, 2011

24 Goldhawk Road,
W12 8DH

Actual price per head: £40

Nearest tube: Goldhawk Road (Hammersmith & City Line).

Remarks

I really enjoyed my meal here. The Polish staff were friendly and accommodating. We drunk 12 bottles of house wine at £13.50 a bottle and they have an impressive array of flavoured vodka. The food was hearty.

Attendees

Andy Y., Brian B., Gary T., Ian S., John R., Joseph G., Mark T., Martin T., Matt S,. Paul ?., Peter J., Ricardo B, Richard O., Roger T., Roy C., Stephen T., Steven V.

Wednesday 2^nd December, 2009

42 Crawford Street,
W1H 1JW

Actual price per head: £40

Nearest tube: Marylebone (Bakerloo Line).

Remarks

Quite good fun with the attractive Swedes at the next table providing musical interludes. The herring was excellent.

Reservations

Ali H., Colin I., Fred D., George F., Gilles C., Ian S., John H., Jonathan B., Mark T., Mike A., Paul R., Pete H., Peter J., Phil W., Tom L.