Clarissa's Kopitiam

From sticky tables to silver spoons. Jom makan.

  • Granger & Co.

    Verdict

    2/5: Wouldn’t bother

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: No
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Modern Australian cafe
    • Service: Odd
    • Other thoughts: Overpriced, mediocre. Strange how staff was cleaning tables and chairs with soapy water throughout the evening.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Parmesan crumbed chicken schnitzel, creamed corn, nashi pear and kohlrabi slaw

    Price

    • Final bill: £29 for one main only, 12.5% service charge

    Date

    • June 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Mirin

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Monkfish skewers
    • Decor: Canteen, almost hawker-like
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Creative Asian-inspired small plates. Bigger portions than expected; 4 dishes with one noodle dish for 2 pax sufficient. Food comes when ready.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Dumplings – Wild boar & bacon, chilli & kaffir lime broth
    • Hot chicken – Korean-style fried boneless chicken thigh, Carolina Reaper & Gochujang glaze, nori mayo, chilli, togarashi, fresh green peppercorns, spring onions
    • Monkfish – BBQ monkfish cheek, alphonso mango, guanciale, furikake
    • Jersey royals – Crispy potatoes, fried egg, soy-cured egg yolk, gochujang mayo, spring onions
    • Mutton curry – Braised shoulder and BBQ loin of dry-aged Hardwick mutton, curry sauce, kohlrabi raita
    • Hand ripped noodles – Roe deer curry, black pudding, daikon, chilli crunch, spring onions, fresh green peppercorns, spiced cashews, dirty egg

    Drink(s) sipped

    • Moonwake Saffron Rice Lager 5.0% 440ml
    • Spicy Margarita – Almave blue agave spirit (0.5%) infused with red chilli, agave, lime juice, chilli. 100ml serve.

    Price

    • Final bill: £115 for 2 pax, 10.0% service charge. Over-ordered by 1-2 dishes, but no regrets!

    Date

    • June 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Little Capo

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Focaccia
    • Decor: Retro
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: N/a

    Dish(es) savoured

    • House-Baked Focaccia
    • Pappardelle, ox cheek ragù, celeriac

    Price

    • Final bill: £55 for 2 pax including a beer, 10.0% service charge

    Date

    • June 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Panda & Sons

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Prohibition style speakeasy (underground)
    • Service: Knowledgeable
    • Other thoughts: Go early if you don’t have a reservation

    Drink(s) sipped

    • Solasta
    • Crimson Summit (mocktail)

    Price

    • Final bill: £26 including 10% service charge

    Date

    • June 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Masala Zone, Convent Garden

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Goan Spiced Crab Cake
    • Decor: Upmarket Indian Eatery
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Decent option for inexpensive Indian in central London w/o needing a reservation

    Dish(es) savoured

    Sharing Grazing Selection

    • Dahi Puri
    • Lamb Sliders
    • Cheese Balls
    • Goan Spiced Crab Cake
    • Chicken Wings
    • Nachos Sprouted Chaat
    • Baby Squid Chilli Fry

    Price

    • Final bill: £30 pp

    Date

    • February 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Hectors

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: Only if asked
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Traditional pub
    • Service: Good, slow
    • Other thoughts: Meal took an hour to arrive

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Traditional Sunday Roast, Sirloin of Beef – Hand-carved, 21-day-aged roast beef with roast potatoes, glazed parsnips, thyme roasted carrots, long-stem broccoli, a Yorkshire pudding and gravy
    • Ocean Fish & Chips – Hand-battered haddock & breaded wholetail Scottish scampi. Chunky chips, mushy peas and tartare sauce

    Price

    • Final bill: £50 total for two mains and a beer, no service charge

    Date

    • June 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • The Hillbilly Social

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes, if in the area
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Jamaican jerk chicken
    • Decor: Modern pub
    • Service: Chipper and friendly
    • Other thoughts: Has beer garden at the back

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Jamaican jerk chicken – Half chicken marinated in our spicy jerk sauce and slow-baked, peanut sauce, served with fried plantain OR rice & peas OR half & half
    • Sri-Lankan coconut fish curry – Served with basmati rice OR plain roti, poppadom and homemade chutney

    Price

    • Final bill: £18-£19 for mains

    Date

    • May 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Pepe Nero

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: Only if asked
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Modern Italian
    • Service: A bit slow
    • Other thoughts: N/a

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Fuoco Pizza – Pepperoni, chilli and jalapeno peppers
    • Pepe Nero Rigatoni – Fresh Italian sausage, mixed mushroom, tomato, cream and a touch of brandy

    Price

    • Final bill: £36 for 2 pax – a main each, 10.0% service charge

    Date

    • May 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Moss

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Lobster
    • Decor: Scandi-inspired minimalist
    • Service: Charming
    • Other thoughts: Creative Scottish fare; 100% Scottish sourced ingredients

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Table bread with sesame miso butter
    • BBQ waffle – potted brisket/ hazel fudge/ duck liver mousse/ beef garum/ porcini
    • Half Scottish lobster with crème fraîche/ signature shagback potatoes doused in need garum/ seasonal salad

    Price

    • Final bill: £82 for 2 pax – shared one starter, a main each, one glass of wine, 12.5% service charge

    Date

    • May 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • La Bottega (also known as Ricardo’s)

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes, if in the area
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Mock Mediterranean outdoor vibes in London zone 3/4 curbside
    • Service: Charming
    • Other thoughts: Daily changing menu by a one-man-band, outdoor seating only

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Olive focaccia with pesto
    • Lasagne
    • Truffle pasta bake
    • Sausage and cheese plate

    Price

    • Final bill: £86 for 3 pax including a bottle of lambrusco

    Date

    • May 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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