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I’m going to keep this short and sweet. Instead of enjoying what would have been a wonderful lunch at Hereford Road, just around the corner, we somehow ended up at Mulberry Street - a ’spontaneous’ choice made in a moment of madness, and a horrible mistake. I admit it’s my fault for not having done some thorough research beforehand. It’s very unlike me…
Billed as an authentic New York pizzeria, with a brunch menu, it’s a loud, energy-zapping place with inappropriate rap music for the many young children present, an open kitchen and constant loading and unloading (take that to mean crashing glasses and plates) of the dishwasher.
Service was appalling. The manageress could see that I wanted to order and avoided all eye contact with me. I finally had to grab a waitress, who still hesitated before coming over! After ordering, it must have taken another 30 - 35 minutes for our food to arrive. I can’t remember the last time I had to chase up my food. We were literally about to pay for our water and walk out of the door when the food arrived. Was it worth the wait?
Regular readers will know that I don’t complain much. When I do, it means I’m seriously pissed off. My full New York breakfast (£9.50) resembled a sub-standard B&B breakfast. I spent two happy years eating some of the finest brunches in Manhattan, so I think I’m qualified to judge this. One poached egg was hard as a bullet (the one on the left), giving me indigestion for the rest of the day. ‘Our own baked hash browns’ turned out to be inedible mush, which tasted of only flour and no potato. I’ve never left behind an uneaten hash brown in my entire life, so this was a first. The sausages consisted of two measly chipolatas, while the bacon was far too salty and dry. I filled up on toast, by far the best part of my brunch.
My husband went for the Fresh White Spinach 20 inch pizza - with spinach, ricotta, mozzarella and cherry tomato (£17.99), made for a few people to share, but he was hungry…This was admittedly prepared using very fresh ingredients, which accounts for the 3.5 I’m giving Mulberry Street, but I’ve never had to add salt to a pizza. Half the crust was crispy, the other half doughy. Unfortunately for this review, I chose a slice from the doughy side. Could the so-called pizza chef not even bother to turn his pizzas once in a while to ensure an even base?
I left Mulberry Street astounded. Walking past Hereford Road afterwards and gazing through the window to see contented diners in a tranquil setting only made me feel even more miserable. And just to rub it in, Inaho, my favourite Japanese restaurant from the mid-90s, was just across the road from Hereford Road!
10 - Perfection, 9.5 - Sensational, 9 - Outstanding, 8.5 - Superb,
8 - Excellent, 7.5 - Very Good, 7 - Good, 6.5 - Above Average, 6 - Average
Contact Details:
Mulberry Street
84 Westbourne Grove
London W2 5RT
Tel: 020 7313 6789
info@mulberystreet.co.uk
www.mulberrystreet.co.uk
hahah, i dont think i wud be wanting to visit that palce then! Although tbh im not much a fan of american brekkies, too greasy for me sorta. And i am dyeing to try pearl liang after your praising reviews! I can’t wait for end of exams atm! haha. Although out of royal china club and pearl liang, which one would you recommend i visit first?
Too bad you didn’t go to Hereford Rd. We’re regulars there (once a month or so), and are usually exceptionally happy with the food there.
Vivien - I highly recommend Pearl Liang, for dinner or dim sum. I don’t think Royal China Club was that great, based on my one and only visit recently. Good luck with the rest of your exams! Celebrating with a few good dinners are in order…
W2 - you can imagine how grumpy I was when I walked past Hereford Road. I wish it were my regular! You’re very lucky. Will review it when I get a chance…
We look forward to reading your Hereford Road review.
We’re very fond of the place. We’ve become big fans of Chef Pemberton.
Incidentally, thanks many for directing us to Pearl Liang - which is also within walking distance for us. And walking we will need to do, given our ever expanding waistlines.
Do let me know what your opinion is of Pearl Liang. I know what you mean about expanding waistlines! I’m going to Italy for a few days tomorrow and plan to walk as much as possible, to compensate for all the food I’m going to be consuming…