Ping, 180 Earl’s Court Road, London SW5 9QG

Ping, 180 Earl’s Court Road, London SW5 9QG

28/11/2012

www.weloveping.com

She said: Having been to Bounce a few weeks earlier this would always be compared in its ping pong/dining/drinking experience. On first impressions there was some unnecessary ‘cool’ ticks like bouncers at the door and over-trendy waiting staff but once we were seated in Ping – a more casual trend-image-seeking versions of Bounce, it was actually a rather enjoyable experience. The Noci E Pera Pizza I went for was very good and complimented nicely by my Espresso Martini and the bonus here is that the ping pong is free to play, though there are fewer tables than Bounce and they are close together. My ping pong had improved since Bounce which helped the whole experience and I wouldn’t let the bouncer and initial club-like feel put you off this otherwise fun, alternative night out – also cheaper than Ping at £30 for two this time including alcohol!

He said: Having moaned that Bounce was pricey [see below], we then found Ping on the opposite side of town. It’s free to play, and the food and drinks are cheaper. She will confirm that I never admit I’m wrong but, in this instance, I guess it’s not all about price. There’s no question that Bounce is the true temple to table tennis. Ping is more of a trendy bar with tables, but the formula still works. And there’s something about the tables being fewer and much closer together that actually makes it more social, and more likely that you’ll end up hanging-out with a bunch of new people. Unless you’re Type A and go postal with all the balls from other tables interfering with your game. Stick with Bounce if you want to deploy your killer volley six foot back from the table.

Hawksmoor, 5A Air Street, London W1J 0AD

Hawksmoor, 5A Air Street, London W1J 0AD

24/11/2012

www.thehawksmoor.com/airstreet

She said: I had previously known about Hawksmoor as a strictly meat-eater’s domain so when I heard that this new West End opening also specialised in fish I wanted to see what the whole Hawksmoor buzz was about. Sitting above Regent Street in a long horizontal Art Deco dining space, entered through an easy-to-miss side door on Air Street, Hawksmoor felt elegant, comfortable and smart. We were seated in a u-shaped banquette near the middle of the room so could survey the room and its diners comfortably. Service was attentive without being fussy. I went for the set menu at £25 for three courses. I had the shrimps on toast to start which was a juicy, garlic soaked concoction, followed by a whole Royal bream with a side of mushrooms which again was cooked to perfection and melted in the mouth. To finish I had the lemon tart which was perfect but also dug into his peanut butter shortbread with salted caramel ice cream which he ordered as my back-up! Overall I enjoyed the Hawksmoor experience. I thought the food, service and setting was good but it needs to be busy to have an atmosphere otherwise it could feel a little soulless and cold. I would certainly come back.

He said: What I like most about Hawksmoor is the back-to-basics feel to it; not to the space, which is distinctly opulent in that pared-back art deco way, but to the food. There is no over-elaboration; the menu is short, and every dish focused on simplicity, allowing each of the few ingredients involved to sing out. So my Caesar salad was the classic, without the modern bells and whistles, and my trout was visibly a trout, eyes and all, for me to hack away at. My only disappointment on the food front was stale/tough croutons in the salad, which is a major issue in a dish of just four ingredients (plus dressing). Service was easy-going but efficient, in keeping with the formula. For me the only false note was in the interior; I am a big sucker for art deco so, in theory, I should have loved this place, but the fluorescent light just killed the vibe. Before writing me off as a ponce you just go see for yourself. Like me you’ll probably walk away thinking ‘that was nice’, but with so many great restaurants in London it might be a while before a repeat visit. Somehow this recent opening is already on the map for tourists, so make sure to book.

Bounce, 121 Holborn, London, EC1N 2TD

Bounce, 121 Holborn, London, EC1N 2TD

17/11/2012

www.bouncelondon.com

She said: An intriguing place anonymously situated in the basement of a building along Holborn, Bounce is a ping pong heaven. You can rent a ping pong table for 30 minutes or longer in a trendy, club-like setting with a restaurant and bar alongside. We had our choice of tables in the chic, darkly lit restaurant which overlooks the dozen or so ping pong tables. I ordered the Wild mushroom pizza which was delicious – good size, garlic- soaked mushrooms in a truffle oil; the side salad was a let down – a few measly leaves on a quarter plate but for something different, this ping pong, eating-drinking combo is a fun, smart and alternative London dining/entertainment option. The bill for two mains and non-alcoholic drinks came to £44. Not the cheapest pizza on the block but worth the experience.

He said: this is another winner from the guys behind All Star Lanes. In many ways it’s an identical proposition, but with wiff-waff instead of bowling. According to the Bounce PR machine, the place is sited in the very spot where the noble sport was invented so, if you’re so inclined, descending the steps into this vast basement space can have a pilgrimage vibe to it. Once you get passed the table-booking process, a little clunky on our visit, you are confronted by the really awesome sight and sound of a dozen or so tables in a winning modern-retro-Americana style, with a solid mix of mainly post-millennial music filling the space (dj at weekends); the dining area is at mezzanine level up a few steps at the back, giving a great view over the whole scene. He and She have an 18-year long Pong rivalry, so we charged-up on carbs (the menu is mainly nice thin-crust pizza) ahead of the big duel. I loved the whole thing, the only thing I can fault really is the pricing. I wish it was a little cheaper and I’d be there all the time. Clearly I’m in a tight-fisted minority – this place is a huge hit already. Go: you will love it too.

Aubaine, 31 Dover Street, London W1A 4ND

Aubaine, 31 Dover Street, London W1S 4ND

13/11/2012

www.aubaine.co.uk

She said: I had noticed this new addition to Mayfair and having never been to the Aubaine chain which had caught my eye in other parts of town (Chelsea, West End) I thought it was time to give it a go. I was not disappointed. This is a classy joint with a sophisticated yet laid back French café feel with food to match. The service was attentive and in fact when they seated he and I separately at separate tables (not having realised we were one party having arrived at different times) they took our deserts off the bill!

I opted for main and desert this time with my main being a goats cheese tart which was the right balance of all things, followed by a ‘Dulce’ tart which I had chosen from a plate of amazing looking options presented by the waiter at my table. I really enjoyed the whole dining experience and would recommend Aubaine equally for a romantic meal, business deal or ladies lunch. The total bill came to £53 for two courses plus coffee. About what you would expect to pay for the location.

He said: I always thought of Aubaine as a small-plate type of place, so I really had no expectations about this one. And Aubaine’s frontage takes-up a tiny patch of Dover Street, so I certainly wasn’t prepared for the surprisingly large and comfortable dining room at the back. Maybe this is why I like this restaurant so much – it was all so unexpected. The food was French-bistro-meets-Ottolenghi: fresh, simple, light and tasty. Service was swift and attentive. The pricing was spot-on. If it was a car this restaurant would be a Volvo: top quality and not time wasted on flash. In aspirational Mayfair there’s really not much like Aubaine. This is a great place for a laid-back meeting,  business or otherwise. I’m looking forward to going again.