Harden's survey result
Summary
“Sit at the bar, watch the frenzy of activity in the kitchen while enjoying the results… and great cocktails too...” – the best strategy at Zoë & Layo Paskin’s “always superb” Tel Aviv-inspired grill on the edge of Chinatown (although, it’s “so hard to bag one of the spots at the counter”). Orders of larger items such as a grilled whole sea bream or lamb cutlets are an “excellent” foil to the many smaller dishes amidst the selection of “simple and delicious” Eastern Mediterranean dishes.
Summary
“Simple and yet so exciting” – Zoë & Layo Paskin’s “friendly” Tel Aviv-inspired grill on the edge of Chinatown is celebrating a decade in business, and fans say it’s “still good after all these years”. The “consistently excellent” Middle Eastern plates “look straightforward but are prepared with real care and finesse”; and there’s a “great atmosphere, especially if you sit at the bar (I love everything about this place!)”. However, even fans sometimes note that “prices have risen” over the years; and there are a few reporters who are “worried it might be becoming a victim of its own success: the food is still delicious but it’s so busy it can feel a bit stressful”.
Summary
“Fabulous and unusual Middle East food” has carved a major reputation for Zoë and Layo Paskin’s Tel Aviv-inspired grill, on the fringes of Chinatown (where the perches at the counter are the best seats in the house). Since its recent refurb, new menu and expansion, however, ratings have taken a knock: “service is still good and professional, but doesn’t seem as cheerful as it used to be, and the new price tags on the dishes may blow your socks off!”
Summary
“In the teeth of ever-growing competition in the Middle Eastern/eastern Med bracket”, this funky Tel Aviv-inspired grill on the edge of Chinatown continues to justify its reputation, serving “fantastic sharing plates” with “good robust flavours” in a “fun” and “buzzy” – if “rather crowded and very noisy” – setting.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at The Palomar?
34 Rupert Street, London, W1D 6DN
Restaurant details
The Palomar Restaurant Diner Reviews
"A second visit to this well regarded restaurant. Many interesting small plates. The vegetarian ones were best, a chicken dish was underwhelming. Great cauliflower fritters. Bread was good."
"Good - though didn’t quite live up to expectations. Bread; anchovies; straciatella w/ fig; beetroot (v good); octopus; pumpkin (v good); broccoli; baklava ice cream sandwich. Bottle of wine, plus dessert wine: £216."
Prices
| Wine per bottle | £36.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
| Bread | £5.00 |
| Service | 10.00% |
34 Rupert Street, London, W1D 6DN
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑9 pm |
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