Little Bay reviews
My boyfriend took me there for my birthday. He's been there before for a company Xmas meal and loved it. I have to say that it was a very good experience for me, too. The food didn't come up straightaway but it was delicious. The waitress was very helpful. Since it was getting dark, the waitress lit the candle for us, which gave it a romantic atmosphere. The price... well, I didn't pay but I thought it was very good value. I'd recommend it.
by jennymxiong (5 reviews), 16 Oct 2009
by jennymxiong (5 reviews), 16 Oct 2009
Looked through the window when passing on Saturday and thought that the Little Bay on Farringdon Road was unusual but quaint and worthy of a closer visit.
Went back at night to the sound of the smoke alarm going off. It didn't deter us - a party of six - from going inside once the commotion had passed (it was only the extractor fans). We sat and ate a three-course meal, with wine and beers, and couldn't believe what value for money we got.
WE will definitely be travelling back down from Yorkshire for another visit, unless the chain come up North. Well done, and thank you!
by yonender, 06 Apr 2009
Went back at night to the sound of the smoke alarm going off. It didn't deter us - a party of six - from going inside once the commotion had passed (it was only the extractor fans). We sat and ate a three-course meal, with wine and beers, and couldn't believe what value for money we got.
WE will definitely be travelling back down from Yorkshire for another visit, unless the chain come up North. Well done, and thank you!
by yonender, 06 Apr 2009
When I discovered Little Bay, I automatically thought to myself "Hey, looks good; I have to go there some day". The "some day" came sooner than I thought. I went there today. Yes, Valentine's Day. With my sweetheart. We were lucky enough to catch the 'pay how much you think the food is worth' offer.
Well, to be honest, I hated every second in the restaurant. As soon as we got there, a nice gentlemen welcomed us and walked us to our table. The first impression of the place: tiny, yet cute. However, that bubble quickly burst! The place was packed; I honestly felt like a sardine in a little tin, stuffed in with all the other sardines trying to enjoy their meals.
Anyway, we received the menus. I must say, the drinks were reasonably priced. However, we had to wait 10 minutes before someone even came near our table, despite calls and hand-waves. We eventually ordered the grilled vegetable tian with organic aduki beans, as we are both vegetarians. Once we got our food, another disappointment: the portion was the size of 4 cherry tomatoes, the vegetables were burned and the aduki beans were cold (all 6 or 7 of them!).
Okay, I thought, it's not that bad. Boy, was I wrong... For dessert we ordered pistachio creme brulee and strawbery ice cream. I personally love creme brulee and could not wait to try it at Little Bay. HUGE disappointment. We had to wait 20 minutes after we ordered to actually get the food. The sugar on the top of both of our creme brulees was so burned it was literally black! Even after taking it off we could taste the burn. They were also very lumpy and not mixed very well as there was bright green pistachio flavoring at the bottom of the TINY pot. I did like the strawberry ice cream though - very nice texture.
It took another 20 minutes before we got the bill. We ended up paying £10 for both of our meals as they were not worth more!
The restaurant itself looks very lovely from the outside, but as soon as you come in you see how small it actually is. The decor is beautiful but slightly over the top in some places. Tables are scraped and dirty, with no tablecloths or anything. Even the walls had bits scraped off, which looked really unpleasant. The staff and the owner were being very intimidating, constantly looking around, giving people strange looks and talking to each other in rapid French.
So, if you have money to waste, you're not very hungry and you don't care what the place looks like, Little Bay is perfect for you. (My sweetheart and I ended up going to Yo! Sushi after our tiny meal at Little Bay.) Otherwise, avoid.
by stella-x, 15 Feb 2009
Well, to be honest, I hated every second in the restaurant. As soon as we got there, a nice gentlemen welcomed us and walked us to our table. The first impression of the place: tiny, yet cute. However, that bubble quickly burst! The place was packed; I honestly felt like a sardine in a little tin, stuffed in with all the other sardines trying to enjoy their meals.
Anyway, we received the menus. I must say, the drinks were reasonably priced. However, we had to wait 10 minutes before someone even came near our table, despite calls and hand-waves. We eventually ordered the grilled vegetable tian with organic aduki beans, as we are both vegetarians. Once we got our food, another disappointment: the portion was the size of 4 cherry tomatoes, the vegetables were burned and the aduki beans were cold (all 6 or 7 of them!).
Okay, I thought, it's not that bad. Boy, was I wrong... For dessert we ordered pistachio creme brulee and strawbery ice cream. I personally love creme brulee and could not wait to try it at Little Bay. HUGE disappointment. We had to wait 20 minutes after we ordered to actually get the food. The sugar on the top of both of our creme brulees was so burned it was literally black! Even after taking it off we could taste the burn. They were also very lumpy and not mixed very well as there was bright green pistachio flavoring at the bottom of the TINY pot. I did like the strawberry ice cream though - very nice texture.
It took another 20 minutes before we got the bill. We ended up paying £10 for both of our meals as they were not worth more!
The restaurant itself looks very lovely from the outside, but as soon as you come in you see how small it actually is. The decor is beautiful but slightly over the top in some places. Tables are scraped and dirty, with no tablecloths or anything. Even the walls had bits scraped off, which looked really unpleasant. The staff and the owner were being very intimidating, constantly looking around, giving people strange looks and talking to each other in rapid French.
So, if you have money to waste, you're not very hungry and you don't care what the place looks like, Little Bay is perfect for you. (My sweetheart and I ended up going to Yo! Sushi after our tiny meal at Little Bay.) Otherwise, avoid.
by stella-x, 15 Feb 2009
I have eaten here for lunch a few times and it's great food, great value for money and good service. Definitely worth trying!
by jennifer_kwok, 30 May 2008
by jennifer_kwok, 30 May 2008
Never before have I been forced to eat my supper in my overcoat. Despite repeatedly asking the serving staff to close the back door, it remained open with a gale blowing through the restaurant and I was frozen. The restaurant is cheap but the food is pretty average (you get what you pay for). The service was also poor - plates were cleared before we had finished eating, etc. We will not be going back.
by sarahgill, 06 Jan 2008
by sarahgill, 06 Jan 2008
Don't let the decor put you off - if you can stomach this you will be rewarded with incredibly good value, top food.
by flower girl (2 reviews), 19 May 2007
by flower girl (2 reviews), 19 May 2007
Decor a cross between Gaudi and kindergarten fingerpainting, but I liked it! Funky, international music at a volume that encourages, not overpowers conversation. Food tremendous, and remarkable value for money (especially pre-7pm, when prices are even cheaper) considering its Exmouth Market location.
Order the crab tart starter to see what I mean - flavourful crab in a light pastry shell, topped with a perfectly poached egg (solid enough not to make a sticky mess, runny enough to spill luxuriantly into the pastry shell), and a silky, lemony hollandaise over all. Dribbles of hollandaise, golden chilli oil and a dark, sweet ginger/soy spin round the tart; lovely presentation, glorious flavours and textures. Cost? Order before 7pm and it's a phenomenal £1.95. Mains pre-7pm are a ridiculous £5.95, and feature duck, red snapper, rib-eye steak, lamb and, unbelievably, sea bass.
Buoyant staff, good wine list, and no rushing you out on a Friday night. I discovered that there are five Little Bays throughout London. Can't wait to work through them all. I really can't praise this restaurant highly enough.
by mscanuck, 05 Aug 2006
Order the crab tart starter to see what I mean - flavourful crab in a light pastry shell, topped with a perfectly poached egg (solid enough not to make a sticky mess, runny enough to spill luxuriantly into the pastry shell), and a silky, lemony hollandaise over all. Dribbles of hollandaise, golden chilli oil and a dark, sweet ginger/soy spin round the tart; lovely presentation, glorious flavours and textures. Cost? Order before 7pm and it's a phenomenal £1.95. Mains pre-7pm are a ridiculous £5.95, and feature duck, red snapper, rib-eye steak, lamb and, unbelievably, sea bass.
Buoyant staff, good wine list, and no rushing you out on a Friday night. I discovered that there are five Little Bays throughout London. Can't wait to work through them all. I really can't praise this restaurant highly enough.
by mscanuck, 05 Aug 2006
Wow, what a little gem. Had a great evening with excellent service, exciting, tasty food at bargain prices. Would highly recommend it.
by C Tudor, 15 Mar 2006
by C Tudor, 15 Mar 2006
Went here for a cheap meal and it was fabulous - great food and unbelievable prices. Would definitely recommend it.
by fussy (14 reviews), 21 Feb 2006
by fussy (14 reviews), 21 Feb 2006
The food is cheap, decor is tacky and the head waiter is incredibly rude and arrogant.
by Elizabeth, 27 Oct 2005
by Elizabeth, 27 Oct 2005
Ridiculously under-priced. Consistently good food and buzzy atmosphere. Definitely book upstairs.
by cjanerun (2 reviews), 11 Sep 2005
by cjanerun (2 reviews), 11 Sep 2005
The downstairs is not worth the trip - the interior is cold and the music not audible. Make sure you have an upstairs table.
by Anonymous, 18 Mar 2005
by Anonymous, 18 Mar 2005
Have we missed a great restaurant in London? Let us know.
