Buddha Bar London savaged by Evening Standard

Buddha Bar London, the latest edition to the global nightclub chain, has been savaged by the Evening Standard's food critic Fay Maschler.

In her latest review, the famously acerbic Maschler finds the ambience, music and lighting at the venue less than appealing and gives it just one star out of five.

"Can't see, can't hear each other speak, where is the delight in that?" she asks.

Meanwhile Bloomberg's London food critic Richard Vines is impressed by Alan Yau's brother Gary's Japanese restaurant Aaya in Soho.

"This isn't to knock its rivals. But Aaya is special, and you don't need to be recognized to have a good time," he says.

Guy Dimond enjoys Paul Merrett's The Victoria, in Sheen, south-west London, but warns: "If you're hoping for Michelin-starred food in Sheen, you'll be disappointed. The menu's of very modest ambition, no more extraordinary than many new gastropubs these days. But simple can also be done well."

For the reviews in full and more see What's on the Menu? >>

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Paul Merrett to reopen Victoria pub and hotel >>

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By Kerstin Kühn

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