L'Orange

[Barry]

Thanks Geoff for introducing me to term "amuse-bouche". Often eaten one, and will not now have to call it "the appetizer compliments of the chef". Ele and Ela always used to provide one, but have not done so for some time.

[Gambrinus]

After all the comments on here and never having been there myself, I decided to give l'Orange a try this week.

The restaurant ambience is very warm, the seating comfortable and the music non-intrusive. It is a bit of a shame that the place is so compact and although there is plenty of space per person, it did not feel particularly intimate. ****

Aside from maybe lacking a bit of intensity, most of the food's consistency and taste was good. The only exception here was the beef carpaccio, which he should maybe leave to the italians to make. Overall not a breathtaking experience, but certainly enjoyable and healthy. ***

Service was friendly and relatively attentive, but most of the time we were pouring our own drinks, which I found unnerving considering that we were sitting at the table closest to the service area. ***

Prices were within range of the quality of the food and a complimentary portwine at the end was a gesture which I seldom find in restaurants I visit for the first time. ****

Overall I would give it a solid 3,5 out of 5

[Barry]

Think that a fair review, G., given our experience. Still do not understand the very bad earlier reviews. Last time we were there, a Canadian couple on holiday were back for a third visit, saying they loved the place. Looking back to the first negative review, I guess if you thought your scallops were undercooked, this should have been raised with the waiter. Must admit seared scallops are just that, seared.

[Mike,Chislehurst]

G, great report. On the same lines as your posting here, how would you rate Bella Vita?

[Bruce Wallis]

That would be an interesting one, because in my book L'Orange doesnt even come close to Bella Vita

[Gambrinus]

I would consider myself too biased to rate Bella Vita as I live right around the corner and take away several times per week (yes, I know, I am a lazy sod, but cooking for one is just not worth it when you consider the good value for money of the take away service.)

[roy4eyes]

Although geographically the opposite of G., I am prepared to offer an opinion.

Both restaurants serve good food a touch above the average for CVO but I would give Bella Vita 8/10 and L'Orange 6/10 mainly because of relatively limited menu of the latter.

I can only think you have been very unlucky Bruce so perhaps on one of your next visits you would join Carol and myself for a meal there to perhaps change your opinion.

[Bruce Wallis]

It's a date Roy! Even if the food is uninspiring, yours and Carols company will more than make up for it....(I am such a creep)

[Bruce Wallis]

It's a date Roy! Even if the food is uninspiring, yours and Carols company will more than make up for it....(I am such a creep)

Double post...I must have hit the button twice in my excitement at being invited out......we dont get out much y'know

[blue]

Is the menu at Bela Vita fairly limited? I don't remember that & they always have several specials in addition to the standard menu. I never, never trust a restaurant that has loads of choices, it is just not possible to prepare & cook vast numbers of dishes fresh every sitting. It is either ding food or vacuumed packed & boil in the bag. We went to a restaurant the other evening in Gale & all you could hear was the constant dinging coming from the kitchen, someone should show them how to disable the dinger.