Clarissa's Kopitiam

From sticky tables to silver spoons. Jom makan.

  • NAM

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Pho
    • Decor: Moody purple neon and plastic ivy, drowned out by the art crowding the walls
    • Service: Quick and friendly
    • Other thoughts: The pho was enticingly fragrant, with each toppings +£3 each (most people tend to order 2-3). Skip the Gỏi cuốn — the Chả giò is far better. Curries included rice in the price. Apparently the durian tempura ice cream was authentic (I don’t like durian, so can’t say personally). Management also owns the coffee shop next door.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Gỏi cuốn: 3 Fresh summer rolls with chicken & prawns or tofu, herbs and lettuce. Served with peanut sauce or nước mắm.
    • Chả giò: 3 Crispy fried spring rolls with chicken, shiitake and vermicelli.
    • Chả cá: Vietnamese fish cakes with pork, dill and spring onion.
    • Phở base bowl: Rice noodles, broth, onions & coriander with meat balls.
    • Cá kho tiêu: Caramelised fish with ginger and galangal.
    • Đậu hũ kho dừa: Tofu braised in coconut and lemongrass.
    • Durian tempura ice cream

    Drink(s) sipped

    • Vietnamese coffee

    Price

    • Final bill: £15 per pax including a drink each and one dessert shared among four, 50% off due to a discount on First Table

    Date

    • July 2026

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Georgian House, Vilnius

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would it seek out: No
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Modern tavern
    • Service: Charming and enthusiastic
    • Other thoughts: Great covered outdoor space a the back

    Dish(es) savoured

    • ADJARULI: Boat shaped yeast dough khachapuri from Adjaria region with georgian cheese and an egg yolk
    • EGGPLANT SALAD: Fried eggplants and zucchinis with basil and pomegranate seeds
    • LAMB SHASHLIK
    • KALAKURI (Khinkali): Beef and pork with coriander

    Date

    • June 2026

    Clarissa Ching

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  • NEIGHBOURHOOD, Kaunas

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would it seek out: No
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Pizza
    • Decor: Modern hipster pizza & wine bar vibes
    • Service: Charming and attentive. They even recommended against over-ordering
    • Other thoughts: Very trendy. Good olive oil selection. Instead of pizza cutters, we were given scissors. Large portions.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Two different types of pizzas

    Date

    • June 2026

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Nice Spice 百味小廚, Bristol

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Roast Duck
    • Decor: Modern hawker store
    • Service: Quick and rushed, as you would expect
    • Other thoughts: The restaurant was packed by 6.30pm on a Friday, and the clientele 100% Asian that night. The Roast Duck and Crispy Pork were better than the Roast Pork.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Three Roasts Meats (Roast Duck, Crispy Pork, Roast Pork), serecd with lettuce and steamed jasmine rice

    Price

    • Final bill: £14 per pax including 12.5% service charge

    Date

    • June 2026

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Vittoria on the Bridge

    Verdict

    2/5: Wouldn’t bother

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: No
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Modern Italian trattoria
    • Service: Good. Very Italian – brash but friendly. They also swapped my coffee cake for vanilla ice-cream when I declined the first option.
    • Other thoughts: Good enough considering the location and limited options (smack right in the city centre: close to National Museum of Scotland, Frankenstein pub, etc), but the calamari was bordering tasteless and the burger was oversalted.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Calamari Fritti: Crisp ringlets & tentacles of squid dusted in seasoned flour, lightly fried. Served with fresh lemon and a garlic mayo dip
    • Vittoria’s Steak Burger:6oz steak burger served in a brioche bun & a tomato ragu sauce. Topped with streaky pancetta bacon & smoked mozzarella served with skin on fries.

    Price

    • N/a – Work dinner

    Date

    • June 2026

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Dim Sum Library, Covent Garden

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: Yes, but only for the wagyu beef puffs
    • Standout dish(es): Wagyu beef puff
    • Decor: Upscale dim sum restaurant
    • Service: Rushed, poor timing
    • Other thoughts: Disappointing given the hype due to low quality:price ratio. The xiao long bao wrappers were too thick, and the side dishes for the mains only came after we finished the rice.

    Dish(es) savoured

    Signature Tasting Menu £39 (minimum 2 people)

    • Starters: Wagyu beef puff with black pepper, dan dan xiao long bao, crispy prawn roll
    • Mains: Wagyu beef fried rice & foie gras, sweet & sour pork, stir-fried french beans
    • Dessert: Oolong crème brûlée

    Price

    • Final bill: £89 for two pax, including 13.5% service charge

    Date

    • May 2026

    Clarissa Ching

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  • HOKO Hong Kong Cafe

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Scallion soy sauce noodles + Char siu
    • Decor: Asian hawker store
    • Service: Quick and rushed, as you would expect
    • Other thoughts: You need to make your decisions up front at the order displays in reception. Would recommend going back and ordering dessert later as the butter on our French toast completely melted when we got round to it. Disappointing French toast.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Char Siu BBQ Pork Price with Fried Egg
    • Swiss Wings Scallion Soy Sauce Noodles with Fried Egg
    • Hong Kong Classic French Toast

    Drink(s) sipped

    • House Iced Lemon Tea
    • HOKO House Lemon Tea (hot)

    Price

    • Final bill: £48 for two pax, excluding service charge

    Date

    • May 2026

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Koya Japanese Restaurant Soho

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Elderflower tempura (specials)
    • Decor: Skinny modern izakaya
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: They appear to have some quite interesting specials – check the boards

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Elderflower tempura with borage honey and hojicha salt
    • Atsu-Atsu (hot udon in hot broth), Tori: Hen meat dumplings
    • Home-style chicken udon with green leaves and chilli (specials)

    Price

    • Final bill: £50 for two pax, including 12.5% service charge

    Date

    • May 2026

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Aphrodite, Perth (Scotland)

    Verdict

    2/5: Wouldn’t bother

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: No
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Classic Mediterranean, complete with faux vines on the ceiling that create an outdoor patio feel.
    • Service: Chilled
    • Other thoughts: Mediocre – I can make better food at home with just the oven function

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Pikilia (Mixed Grill to share): Gyros, lamb skewer, beef burger, halloumi, pita bread, chips, salad and tzatziki

    Price

    • Final bill: £45 for two pax, excluding service charge

    Date

    • May 2026

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Cardinal

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): The mutton belly
    • Decor: Modern bistro. The darkened windows make it look shut from the outside, but it’s actually bustling inside.
    • Service: Good but harried
    • Other thoughts: Delicious but clearly budget-conscious. E.g. the vegetables crowd out the mutton belly.

    Dish(es) savoured

    Market Menu – 3 course £25

    • Complimentary bread
    • Wild Garlic | Haddock | Leek – Gnocchi
    • Apple | Watercress | Mustard – Mutton Belly
    • Blackcurrant Leaf | Rhubarb – Choux

    Price

    • Final bill: £30 including 15.0% service charge

    Date

    • May 2026

    Clarissa Ching

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