It's been a year since I put finger to keyboard and brought you my brief thoughts on Worcester Park's many and varied restaurants, cafes and takeaways - during which time I've eaten my way through even more of KT4's eateries.
So here is my updated gastronomic gander through Worcester Park. Do add your own thoughts and comments!:
The Chef (Chinese): Decent and reliable. £16 per head order as much as you like is great, but we never make it past the starters!
Cafe Piccolo (Italian): Part of a small chain of local restaurants. Enjoyed my recent visit there - accessible food, popular with families.
La Mama (Italian): Looks wonderfully inviting - passing it almost daily for two years I vowed I'd go there and try it one day. That day came last month, and it two year's anticipation turned into the disappointment of a lasagne that tasted of canned tomato soup.
Bombay Masala (Indian) formerly Le Kitchen: Take-away only, but fabulous food and a great range (at the top of the hill, opposite Sainsburys). Looks uninspiring from the outside, but the food is to die for.
De Niro's (Fast Food): CLOSED APRIL 2009
Chubby's (Burgers, Kebabs, Pizza): Have only tried it once. OK, but not a match for the supremely brilliant Surry Nefis
Pizza Express (erm...): Well, it's a Pizza Express. Go elsewhere in Worcester Park if you want real Italian.
Meghna (Indian): Decent Indian food. £9.99 Mon-Thurs deal (£10.95 on Fridays) is definitely worth trying.
Shalimar (Indian): Well, it's opposite The Plough, so technically Old Malden. But what the heck - decent Indian food, Raja & Sara make excellent hosts. Slow service, but hopefully because it's cooked to order.
Surrey Nefis (Fast Food): Chicken kebab, pitta bread, small chips - salad, no cabbage. Extra chilli sauce. Thanks.
Kingfish (Fish & Chips): Only use it 'cos it's local. Average fish, soggy chips.
Ryan Gate (fast food & Lebanese delights): Worth it for the experience, especially the Lebanese dishes. Pizza actually very good, when they are serving it, that is..
Silks (Italian, Thai, Chinese - Fusion food): Silks closed on January 1st 2009 (Full review here)
Chinese Canteen: Superb takeaway Chinese food, cooked to order in the open kitchen while you wait. Fantastic taste and flavours. Great value for money.
Classic Wok (Chinese): Good food, good value for money. But my loyalty is still with Chinese Canteen!
The Munal (Nepalese): Subtly different to Indian cuisine - more flavoursome and aromatic. Can highly recommend the £9.95 Mon-Thurs set meal. Well worth a visit.
Berties (was 'Cafe Experience'): Decent and friendly local cafe at that with a loyal clientele. Best English Breakfast in Worcester Park!
Cuppaholic (cafe): You might have missed this one - it's in the small parade of shops, just by the station. Full marks to the hard working staff here, but the food barely hits the 'average' mark.
Ginger & Garlic (Sri Lankan / Asian takeaway): Interesting alternative to your traditional takeaway. Well worth a try if you are feeling a little more adventurous. Full review here.
Papa Johns: Cheap, stodgy and nasty in my opinion, but always seems busy.
KFC: I went there once because everything else was shut. I was so ashamed that I scrubbed myself with carbolic soap for a month afterwards.
Midas Touch: Trendy bar feel to this place - menu is fairly standard but food better quality than standard pub grub. Worth a try!
Checkers Sandwich Bar: Can't fault Joe for his cheerfulness, but the food was bland. The floor could do with a thorough scrubbing and the waitress dashing outside for a cigarette in between serving didn't create the best impression.
Your comments welcomed - especially on the ones I've missed!
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58 Worcester Park comments:
Surprised about your review on La Mama's. If you choose the pasta or steak it is indeed excellent and their muscles are fab. I think lasagne is one of things that not a lot of people do well! Good tip about Le Kitchen, will have to try as I'm a sucker for curry. Agree with you on Piccola, lol.
Jenny - I'm assuming you mean mussels, rather than muscles. Unless you've spotted something about the waiters that I didn't...? ;-)
Hi there,
As the new proprietor of Silks, I invite you in to try some of our food. You've given some good reviews of other restaurants so maybe you could give us a go and see what you think.
To put the record straight, we offer Chinese, Thai and Italian food. In our kitchen we have three seperate chefs for each cuisine. All highly experienced and highly trained in cooking their specific nations food. So, we don't have one specific chef cooking different styles of food.
Your right, our branding and the word fusion needs bringing up to date so that everyone knows exactly what style of food we offer. As time moves on (and finances improve!) we will invest in better signage and a stronger corporate image.
Roy, I appreciate your views on my restaurant, it's a shame we didn't entirely 'wow' you. All of our food is cooked from fresh and is bought by hand from the markets twice weekly to ensure our food is totally fresh. Our chef's have rigourous training to ensure they are up to the job of preparing and cooking top food.
I do understand that Silks won't be to everyone's taste, because we don't fit into a specific genre of restaurant, but we have come a long way in the three months I've been involved, I would go as far as to say the restaurant is the best it's been since it opened 5 years ago. As you can probably see from my babblings above I am very passionate about what we do and would urge anyone and everyone to give us a go! I will personally look after you to ensure your total satisfation!
Anyway, I've gone on and on and on.... But if you do wish to book a table then please give me a call: 020 8335 0888.
Many thanks,
James Colairo-Moss
Wow A reply from the proprietor of Silks - good to see someone who cares about their business. Silks is the only WP restaurant i've regularly used, when finances allow. I also exclusively use their "sister" business Chinese Canteen. Both are excellent. During our recent visit, there was a new younger manager, I now guess the new proprietor. He was very attentive and helpful and friendly. We have our favourite dishes, and with three cuisines, it's hard to find something which you wont like. If you want a quiet meal, avoid Saturday nights when you tend to get the birthday crowd. The decor does look a bit dated, yes unfortunately modern decor dates very quickly, but don't worry about that, because the excellent food will take your mind off the decor very quickly. The £10.95 set menu is also very good value and a good chance to try Silks. I've also found their wines very good - I've had two Pinot Grigios there which were excellent. I can recommend this place. May I also suggest that we expand this part of the blog to recommend eating establishments in WP.
If you like Nepalese food, and I do, the Munal is well worth visiting. The Everest Chicken and Nepalese Hash Bhutuwa (Duck off the bone) are particular favourites.
Good to read about Silks - always wondered what they were about. Also agree with your comments about Le Kitchen.
More about Silks....
We were struggling to find a venue for a christening party. There really isn't that much in Worcester Park, particularly involving small children. Silks have an area for parties. We had eaten there before (about a year ago,it was OK), and went for it.
Glad we did. Good area for a party, nice food, great wine. If I were doing it again, I would be back to Silks (very helpful proprietor)
Went in the Piccolo today for a joint birthday party for my daughter and her cousin. Food was excellent, service was very very good and attentive. Haven't tried Silks but like the owners attitude, might go in there on my next visit back to WP....
Having just re-read this section I feel I must defend Kingfish. I'm happy to be corrected, but I think this maust rate as one of the best Fish and Chip Shops I've ever used. Try it on a friday evening when it's busy - both the fish and chips will be freshly cooked - no sign of soggyness. What out for the owner's jokes whilst your waiting ..... Prepare yourself for gems like "Why did the skeleton cross the road? .... sorry I can't remember the punchline
I've only just seen your reply to the below :) lol, I mean mussels! Not like me to spell things wrong either (bad spelling is my pet hate)!
Its all about the Nefis for me. That place has been like a second dinning room for me.
I agree about La mama, we usually make the trip to wimbledon for Italian but we decided to give La Mama a try as it looks good from the outside and it seems popular. I wish we didn't... Everything, especially the tomato sauce tasted like heinz soup... I suppose this keeps the Kids happy tho!!!!
..... Prepare yourself for gems like "Why did the skeleton cross the road? .... To go to the body shop :)
I am new to Worcester Park, after reading this post, I went to Nefis over the weekend and the food was delicious and portions were very generous. The owner even gave me free bottle of Coke when I mentioned of reading about Nefis on your blog :-)
Why did the skeleton cross the road? To get to the Body Shop!
Anyway - gonna try "The Chef" tonight - will let you know... only lived in Worcester Park (up the hill behind the Plough) for about 5 years (!) but had no idea The Chef was an all-u-can-eat!
And how fab to have a Worcester Park blog!
Hany - welcome to the Worcester Park Blog! I hope you enjoy The Chef. Do let us know your thoughts on it.
Ive only lived in worcester park a few years, (the hamptons) and have never found a decent indian restaurat.., apparently the shalimar is voted the best, which i disagree, (probably as I had a takeaway) and Munal was always empty and tasted like the food had been cooked the night before also being cold and Ive tried many throughout the area, Ive been unsucessful!. But now reading your reviews about Le kitchen, Im going to try it tonight!
Also..
I've really enjoyed the food at Cafe Piccolo and found every time the food is served piping hot and delicious (wel Ive only tried the lasagne, pizza and caesar salad!)
:)..
and the Nefis kebab shop food is nice but a bit pricey and the kebabs come in Henry the 8th sized portions!...
Havent tried Silks but always been keen, so its definatly made the list of places to visit!
Papa johns is nice and the nicest local pizza delivery place in worcester park!
I would also like to say that the Cafe (near the old M&S-forgotten the name), does a great breakfast and always hot and the price is not bad either! From the outside it looks a bit dirty, But the food makes up for it!
Girl 18 - thanks for the comments. Let me know what you think of Le Kitchen after you've tried it tonight. Can't beat a good curry with Eurovision!
Looks like Ryan Gate might be changing soon - it's up for sale:
http://uk.businessesforsale.com/uk/Substantial-Restaurant-Deli-Convenience-Store-For-Sale.aspx
Ryan Gate has been up for sale since last year. No takers, obviously!
Sorry to post twice on the subject of food, but it is something close to my heart. There is a new Indian takeaway in Worcester Park (Rasool Bengal, I think). It's in the Vale Road parade (where the yoof used to hang out). Not the cheapest, but it ranks alongside the Sri Krishna for quality food.
YUM (delivery is quite quick). Please try....I really would hate to lose them....
P.S. I think we should have a permanent restaurant website for the Worcester Park environ.
Great to have a WP blog of our own - and enjoyed the food reviews, but why not a brief address so we can find the restaurants?.
Don't forget WP goes up to N Cheam and the Blue Chip chippie is very good all cooked freshly.
Also disagree with comments about Meghna, not everyone wants their head blown off by a curry, you sensitve types, give it a try - it's really good
what about the harvester at the plough.personnally i have done all three in local borough i.e the george morden and the plough sutton common road.i think the plough wprcester park comes a poor third.just check the chips and their salad
You've included Shalimar opp the Plough in New Malden, so I feel compelled to recommend Aroma next to the Plough for great Italian. Service is slow, but food is as genuine Italian as it gets.
The guy who runs Aroma is a bit of a nutter though
SURELY WE SHOULD ALSO MENTION RUPALI - 2 DOORS FROM SHALIMAR. ALSO EXCELLENT.
1 LINE ON THE KINGFISH
WHY DIDNT THE GHOST GO TO THE PARTY? - HE HAD NO BODY TO GO WITH
If you want decent fish and chips avoid the kingfish and head to the top of the high street to the fish and chip shop (cant remember its name) that is accross the road from sainsburys and on the bend. Lovely!
I'm ambivalent as far as chippies go. I think Kingfish can be on the pricey side for what you get although the guy who runs it is really good with the little Brinksters (as is the owner of Cafe Picollo). The one at the top of Central Road you're describing was our favourite until Mrs Brinkster had an unfortunate issue with the food there one time...
Ocean Fish Bar (at the top of the hill) is the best chippie in town. You even get a free hair with at least every meal.
Silks and The Chef remain favourites in our household - treats as far as price goes, but when you eat out as rarely as we do, well worth it! I organised a surprise 40th in Silks last year, and the manager could not have been more helpful or accomodating - he was just great, and a marvellous advert for his restaurant. I always think of it as somewhere I can take my nan for her steak or salmon type dish, but still get a great thai curry for me.
The Chinese Chippy opposite Cheam Common Infants is also great - free lollipops for the kids always popular, but I have to mention La Mamma - lovely staff in there, again great with the kids. Not so great however was the caterpillar in the salad one time! Haven't been back since, it kind of put me off. Moving slightly out of WP blog range, love India Cottage on the London Rd - great food, lovely waiters. That's made me hungry now, must eat!
From the point of view of a parent with a child of three I would say you are being overly harsh on Kingfish and Cafe Piccolo. That are great with small children and my son and his friends love both places.
On the grown up front The Chef, Meghna and La Mamma are my certain favourites. This is the first time I find myself seriously disagreeing with the comments on this blog. However, Silks and the guy who runs it are indeed fabulous.
My mum will no longer go into Berties since they have introduced an 'old timers' day. Obviously kindly meant but for those between 60 and 80 a bit of an unpleasant label!
Went to the Chef last Sunday for the lunchtime eat all for however much, arrived a little late at 14:45 but was offered a table only to be told that the kitchen closes at 15:00.
Now don't get me wrong I know it was a late lunch but if you advertise that the lunch runs from 12:00 till 15:00 surely they would complete the service !! Well apparently not. In the end we decided not to eat there as i really didn't fancy just having a starter.
Instead we went to a small pub a little further away that did a good roast dinner... From 12:00 all the way thru to 21:00 on a Sunday !
To say i was a little miffed with the chef would be an understatement & unfortunately for them WAS somewhere i used quiet often.
There's nothing wrong with the colonel's finest, nothing at all.
KFC uber alles
I had some of the colonels finest for lunch today. Sweet!
If thats the Colonels finest, i dont wanna be within a mile of his worst!!
You are just too amusing.
oops..
posted this question on the guestbook and another part of the blog by mistake.., so here goes again: can anyone recommend an MSG free Chinese restaurant?? I love the Chef and Silks - both have tried to help me out with MSG free stuff but it means missing out out on all the dishes I like....MSG means I end up with headaches and a streaming nose the next day if I eat it :-(
thanks
L
longgella eat as much as you possibly can of your m s g ,i find you and your question as about as exciting as a bad case of gout. i might be guilty of bad manners,but i couldnt care less,you bore me rigid.st phillip alleyer
Cowardly Anonymous:
Bless - you took the time to reply so you must care eh?.......
I read your comment about The Shalimar Indian Restaurant and thought I'd add my views.
I started going there in the week that they opened and a more friendly service would be rare to find.
Raja and Sara are the perfect hosts and the food is indeed cooked to order. For instance, I like the flavours of a Pasanda, but prefer spicier food (pasanda is a mild dish). The chef is happy to make my order from scratch - not just bung in a couple of extra chillis! :O)
They've won loads of awards and I can't fault them for quality of both service and food at a very reasonable price.
I left the area a while back, but when I visit family and friends, we make a point of returning to the Shalimar.
Could be wrong, but there's been no sign of the Royal India, a fine restaurant opposite the Northend Tavern..take-aways are usually as good as eating in.
Anonymous it should read," eating in just as appalling as the take aways!"
Having found the Munal closed this evening we had a take out from the Royal India. This was easily the worst meal I have had for some time - all the meals were loaded with sugar, the paneer floated in a mixture of cream coconut and condensed milk-like liquid bounty bars with a few peas bobbing around. And as for the spinach ... inedible.
i give this place 1/10 and that's only cos the two waiters in the empty ( i should have been warned when the tumbleweed drifted past)restaurant were very pleasant.
WP really needs a Nando's
I reckon WP needs a 2nd KFC. You can never have too much fried chicken.
I would like to see a Thai place
This is the first time I've been on this site. Bit concerned to read the reviews of La Mammas as we are booked to go there on Friday evening. Will leave my review here on monday 23. Had Tried to book Silks, nuff said!
Cafe Piccolo is great and very reasonable! Also La Mamas is also excellent! Don't knock KFC it's all some peole can afford!
I can't go to La Mama's as I got off with one of the waiters at McCluskys once. Classy haha. I like Piccolo though, going there tonight as a coming home celebration with my parents :D
omg there's someone my age in the hamptons! I swear I'm surrounded by toddlers where are yooou?!
I can't believe you missed A Roma (not Aroma to be picky) WP - maybe the Old Malden issue, but if you're going to include Shalimar, why not?
Great food, good service and a genuine Mediterranean atmosphere. You could only call the service slow if you want a rushed meal.
As for the proprietor, the word is 'character'; character, not 'nutter' - tut tut Alice! Esteban is friendly, good company and professes to understand my fluent Spitalish! An excellent host but, then again, I suppose one man's meat is another man's KFC eh?
I can only recommend that you try it for yourself. I'm just off there now.
We need a Nandos in Worcester Park! Does anyone else agree???
Boy, that kinda talk is fightin' talk. There is only room for one chicken restaurant in Worcester Park and The Colonel holds that monopoly.
I agree A Roma is excellent. I have always had lovely food there. Really noce atmosphere - good sevice. Easy to spend several hours in there as it is so relaxed - very few children (for those of you who are so concerned about such things!) I can recommend the lamb with rosemary but they also do a very good value set menu so you can eat there quite cheaply. I love the owner - very entertaining
Anonymous - I'll go for Mexican/Nandos etc - even though I can rarely eat out now. Rumours used to have a great restaurant years ago, don't know why it went. Would be it be wrong to suggest a decent greasy spoon - or am I the only one who doesn't like the one opposite Post Office in WP? (sorry).
In my opinion, the best places in worcester park are:
For a relaxed meal in a nice surrounding - La Mama.
Best Chippie by far is Ocean Fish Bar (at the top of the hill), great food at reasonable prices.
For curry, you can't go wrong with Meghna, or the one in the middle of the highstreet with the darkened windows (i can't remember the name!).
Jacey
You're talking about Smittys eh? We used to drive 'all the way' from New Malden to go there as it was the only thing even vaguely resembling a Tex/Mex in the area at the time. It was good food too! Desperados in North Cheam fills the gap for us now.
Yes that's the name thanks . Did a great burger also. Has anyone tried the takeaway next to post office in W'Park please (one that doubles as a deli)? Pizzas etc seemed reasonably priced but I'm always nervous of trying something other than a simple kebab.
Jacey - I assume you are referring to Ryan Gate, legend of Worcester Park? I can recommend the food there, although ordering is a bit of an ordeal. Even the tried and trusted method of pointing at the menu didn't quite seem to work for me. Still, definitely worth a try if you're feeling adventurous.
If no one has noticed Ryan Gate has changed hands. To my utter amazement it's got even better. The Pizza are available all day every day and they will cook just about anything in the butchers -had an amazing Lamb filet the other day.
Also talking of great WP restaurants I think technically the amazing and friendly Xander's is in Worcester Park -being this side of North Cheam.
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