Plenty Chinese Food - 21.11.2014

EATERY: Plenty Chinese Food, 93 London Rd, Mordon, Surrey SM4 5HP
FOOD ORDERED: Hong Kong Style Sweet and Sour Chicken with Rice, and Chicken and Sweetcorn Soup

 


"Zang"

PCF is a Chinese takeway shop. It has the sterile surroundings you'd expect from a take-out only eatery with it's bare tiled walls. I wasn't expecting anything particularly special from this establishment.

I ordered a from the lunch deal selection, not the cheapest at £4.90, but it does come with a COLD canned drink (something they should probably mention on their menu). I decided to also order a portion of chicken and sweetcorn soup, as I find this is often a good indicator as to the quality of the rest of the meal.

I'm happy to say I was pleasantly surprised, the soup with thick and meaty, the lunch portion was generous and they were happy to subsititue the egg fried rice for plain. There was plenty of meat, and it was battered nicely. My only criticism might be that there was a touch to much sauce, and the soup serving was maybe a little on the small size given it's price of £2.80. The gent serving was a decent lad too, and the food came good and quick.

In conclusion, a great meal from a modest munch-house.

QUALITY: 7.5/10
PORTION SIZE: 7/10
PRICE: 6/10
SERVICE: 7/10
ATMOSPHERE: 5.5/10

OVERALL: 6.6/10

Gosto Fino - 14.11.2014

EATERY: Gosto Fino, Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5DX
FOOD ORDERED: Bacon Sandwich

"Brown town"

Gusto Fino is a cafe located on the Merton Civic Centre's mezzanine floor, above the reception desk. It is mainly frequented by Merton Council's staff, though it is open to the public too. The atmosphere is quite sterile, a bit like a staff canteen, but I guess that's kind of what it is. But it's clean, and the service is fast, and the queues are often short, though maybe that's not such a good thing.

I ordered a bacon sandwich on brown bread, with brown sauce. The bacon was pre-cooked and microwaved, which wasn't as bad as it sounds...however, the fat was severely undercooked. As I've mentioned previously, fat needs to be crispy, chewy fat is gag central - bleurgh. The bread was dry and a touch on the thin side, I really wish I hadn't ask them to leave out the butter.

On the plus side the sandwich was cheap (£1.95). Nothing to get overly excited about here though.


QUALITY: 5/10
PORTION SIZE: 6/10
PRICE: 7/10
SERVICE: 6/10
ATMOSPHERE: 6/10

OVERALL: 6/10

Villagers Cafe - 12.11.2014

EATERY: Villagers Cafe Restaurant, 12 Crown Lane, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5BL

FOOD ORDERED: Tuna and Sweetcorn Jacket Potato

   

"It's really alright"

Villagers Cafe is a greasy spoon in the heart of Morden. It appears to serve as a common room for employees TfL who work nearby. The decor is simple, but the establishment itself is bright and very clean. Service was quick and friendly; I was in and out with 20 minutes.

I ordered a baked potato, which came with a small salad, for £3.80. The potato was hot and buttery, though maybe just a little watery...but I'm nitpicking: it was grand really. So grand that I maybe could have eaten another one, but I didn't want to end up accidentally running over my own head. The salad was crisp and fresh too. I can't stand sandy tomatoes*, luckily these lads were perky as heck.

Nothing groundbreaking here from the VC, but then, that's not why you go to a caf' in Morden is it? Solid and decent food, and service with a smile. Couldn't ask for much more in my opinion.

QUALITY: 7/10
PORTION SIZE: 7/10
PRICE: 7/10
SERVICE: 7/10
ATMOSPHERE: 7/10

OVERALL: 7/10

* Is it possible that legendarily naff singer-songwriter Sandy Thom (of Tooting), named herself after shit tomatoes?

Wiltshere Bakery - 16.10.2014

EATERY: Wiltshere Bakery, 4 Morden Court Parade London Road, Morden, London, Surrey

FOOD ORDERED: Bacon Roll

"Beer can sandwich"

The Wiltshire Bakery is conveniently situated between where I park, and where I work. They offer a breakfast deal or a bacon roll plus (instant) coffee for £2. On a previous visit to this establishment, the sales lady told me I'd need to pay an extra 10p to NOT have a coffee...which I found confusing. I didn't want it, and I could have just left it on the counter, but I didn't want to make her feel silly.

I have bought bacon sandwiches from the Wilty-B several times before, so I felt quite bad for them that on the occaision that I'd chosen to purchase for review, they'd supplied me with sub-standard product. In my mind, there are two characteristics that bacon should have - 1) it should be hot and 2) the fat needs to be CRISPY. Reader, this bacon was neither. The roll was decent, but the star of the show did not turn up.

I will buy from them again, as they have been good to me before. It's just a shame they didn't cut the mustard on this visit.

QUALITY: 5/10
PORTION SIZE: 6.5/10
PRICE: 7/10
SERVICE: 7/10
ATMOSPHERE: 6/10

OVERALL: 6.3/10