Wagamama

When I first went to Wagamama's - it was some years back, around 1992 i think - I was very impressed with the clean cut look and the slickness of the staff, they were the first in London that I know of to use those electronic order machines, although I wasn't too keen on the bench style seating.

Forward the clock a few years up to the present time and much is the same at Wagamama's - even the menu!!

It is still very much a favourite of mine and I go around once or twice a month, they have spread a lot since the flagship restaurant opened in Bloomsbury ... I rarely go to that one any more, but frequent, Angel, Camden and Soho in about equal measure depending on who I'm with.

The pluses are that the food is clean cut, looks good and is fairly priced - my faves are chicken katsu curry and anything with udon noodles, infact it was here that I fist came accross those lovely fat Udon noodles, they're common now of course. The service remains slick and fast.

The downs are still those benches - call me old fashioned but I like a bit of privacy with my food 'n' conversation - and the uniforms suck, i mean really, they are so unflattering, as a man I've got to be completely honest - a meal out is much improved if the waitress looks hot!