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An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
Theatre
The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C
Blood Brothers
Music
The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed
Muse
I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play
I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food
Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
Evening Standard rating
Reader rating
Description: Set in leafy Primrose Hill, Manna is a veggie escape from the hectic City. Newly refurbished, Manna is looking better than ever with earth tones and rustic wooden furniture complimented by crisp white tablecloths and black leather, all surrounded by contemporary mood lighting and gorgeous wall coverings. The look suits romantic dinners as easily as lunches with friends and the menu features fresh, moreish vegetarian dishes for any occasion - try the Manna Mezze to share, enjoy a healthy and delicious salad or indulge in a fantastic Organic Aubergine, Red Pepper, Spinach and Mozzarella Stack - proof that vegetarian and vegan food isn't all about mung beans and quorn.
Open: Mon 6:30pm - 11pm
Tues - Sun 12pm - 3pm and 6:30pm - 11pm
Dress code: Smart / Casual
Payment options: All major cards accepted
Loyal following: Manna chefs Emma Kolback and Agnieszka Walzuk
We had just missed Belinda Carlisle when we arrived at Manna in Primrose Hill. Gwyneth Paltrow, who lives just across the road, was nowhere to be seen - she dines here occasionally, at London's longest-established vegetarian restaurant. Its following is so loyal it has survived since the late Sixties, when macrobiotics first became fashionable.
Our own pilgrimage here was an attempt to lessen the strain of eating out when one of you is vegetarian. London is shamefully poor at providing for non-meat eaters and all the trends are for masculine, meaty menus. And when the only offering is based on goat's cheese, aubergine or mushrooms, eating out can lose its thrill.
The vegetarian ordered Moroccan briouat - triangles of filo pastry stuffed with kasha, porcini and tempeh - which were deemed to taste like "spiced oatmeal". Our health fanatic friend opted for an asparagus Caesar salad. It arrived topped with two juicy chargrilled spears, but was overpowered by a heavy saffron aioli and too many parmesan shavings. Capers were an unneccessary confusion. My purple bittersweet salad contained roast beetroot, radish sprouts, radicchio and blue cheese, but was spoiled by the addition of aduki beans, which served only to muddy the otherwise sharp flavours.
My main course, the chef 's salad, contained everything in the kitchen. Artichoke hearts and potato salad in basil mayonnaise, roasted peppers and avocado, butter bean salad and sun-dried tomatoes (remember them?) plus seeds, sprouts and leaves aplenty. My taste buds were baffled. The overall effect was heavy when I'd hoped for lighter pickings.
Other mains went down better, especially with the vegetarian - his burritos may have been fashioned like enchiladas - in long tubes rather than parcelled like a burrito ought to be - but contained tasty sweet potatoes and chickpeas, set off by a sweet and smoky chipotle sauce. And a Manna mezze was a collection of interesting nibbles and salads chosen from the starters list.
For pudding we had lemon pavlova - light and tart - and a good fruit crumble with cream. The desserts were indulgent treats. Of course, they're the only thing you don't need to visit a vegetarian restaurant for.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Just ghastly.
Both courses I had were almost inedible. My haloumi cheese and tomato kebab was accompanied by some inedible brown goo. The cheese was tough - the (single) tomato was tasty. I kept it simple for the main course - penne with tomato and basil sauce which was a very weak willed and watery affair. At frist prices seem reasonable but then you remember that £13 for a plate of mucked up veg is extortion. Service was a bit dreamy.
Organic Coke (cold frothy wee in a glass) was pushing things too far for the younger members of the party (two of whom went to MacDonalds on the way home).
- Beezz, london
Manna's a great place. One of the three best veggie places I know of along with The Gate at Hammersmith and Terre a Terre in Brighton. The interesting menu changes regularly and the drinks are usually superb. I agree that the Chef's Salad is a little heavy (too much oil for me) and I'd suggest trying the same dish at Mildreds where it truly is excellent, very light and invigorating.
And when you go to Manna *always* ask for the bread.. cooked on site and in a number of varieties it's absolutely delicious.
- Tobe, London, UK.
One thing your reviewer doesn't mention is the price - fantastic menu and delicious food but it's hard to see how main courses of around £13 are justifiable when there are no expensive ingredients used. Other than that - love the place.
- Jackie, London
