[James]

Please Vote in this Poll and Add a Reply if you have any comments about this Restaurant

Joanna's
56 Westow Hill, Crystal Palace, London SE19 1RX
Open Monday to Sunday - 10am until Late

Web: http://www.joannas.uk.com/
Email: info@joannas.uk.com
Phone: 0871 811 1499

[gekko]

Some people say this place is snooty. I've been twice and loved it both times.

The first time was on a very wet bank holiday Monday back in May. Great food to warm us up. Sadly, the lunch menu (which is cheaper!) only runs Mon-Fri and wasn't on bec it was a Bank Hol.

Second time was a few weeks ago when I took my mum. I had the smoked chicken and mango salad off the lunch menu - yum. We also had a side portion of sweet potatoes with satay sauce - not a dish I would have thought of, but it worked so well my mum has replicated it back home.

This place has a great interior and is great if you want a good old style sort of restaurant. Excellent for taking parents to .

[weeble]

Agree with Gekko - a great place for the parents, has just the right semi-formal but family-friendly atmosphere. However, given the price, I have not been completely blown away by the food.

[rachel]

I agree with Weeble - I don't think the food lives up to the prices being charged for it. We celebrated our engagement in here on Xmas Eve 2002 - it cost us over £85, and the food was no different to what you'd get on the lunch menu for £6.95. Nothing wrong with it, just not fantastic.

[charlie]

I agree the prices are expensive but the food is always reliable and the service is generally good which is more than I can say for Numidie whose prices I have noticed have gone up. Joannas also make you feel like a wanted customer. They do a great homemade burger and chips which is quite reasonably priced. Its also great to go to a restauarant where you can sit at the bar with a pre-dinner cocktail looking over to London. 100% agree about the parents thing, also grandparents, brothers and sisters, cousins and great aunts............

[Cymraes]

I heart Joanna's! I've loved everything I've had there so far. The cod dish I had first time I visited was perfect, and I've tried to replicate it at home several times with little success.
My only complaint would be that the creme brulee was so massive it nearly made my belly explode.
The service has been so friendly on occassions that after a couple of glasses of wine I've almost hugged the staff goodbye. Good parking round the back too, which saves the nightmare of trawling Crystal Palace for a space.

[gekko]

Cymraes, on Feb 21 2005, 02:38 PM, said:

I heart Joanna's! I've loved everything I've had there so far. The cod dish I had first time I visited was perfect, and I've tried to replicate it at home several times with little success.
My only complaint would be that the creme brulee was so massive it nearly made my belly explode.
The service has been so friendly on occassions that after a couple of glasses of wine I've almost hugged the staff goodbye. Good parking round the back too, which saves the nightmare of trawling Crystal Palace for a space.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Are you the owner?

[Uncle Wilf]

Some say I own the Cambridge, after I made some warm comments about it.....

There's far too much suspicion about these days.

Speaking of the Cambridge, it's got a nice open fire, and in these inclement conditions it makes for a wonderful spot for a drink.

[Cymraes]

I don't own Joanna's; more's the pity.
I've just re-read my comments though and I do come across as rather too exuberant, but I'm sticking by what I said. Even the hugging part.
Perhaps they should give me some free dinner for my efforts.

[gekko]

Uncle Wilf, on Feb 21 2005, 04:05 PM, said:

Some say I own the Cambridge, after I made some warm comments about it.....

There's far too much suspicion about these days.

Speaking of the Cambridge, it's got a nice open fire, and in these inclement conditions it makes for a wonderful spot for a drink.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I put my head round the door on Sunday but it was too smoky and my other half wasn't convinced, so we went to Black Sheep instead.

Anyway, back to Joanna's, I think the service is okay (they take your coat for you, which is good) but I don't think it's worthy of a hug. Maybe I'm too reserved .

[Cymraes]

...or maybe I was a little too drunk.
Please note that I said I "almost" hugged. I am British after all.

This post has been edited by Cymraes: 23 February 2005 - 09:29 AM

[fozziwig]

My bf and I had a meal at Joanna's on Friday night and we thought it was hideously overpriced and very, very average at best.

Staff were nice but unorganised and we felt really pressured to order, shove it down and get out so they could get more bums on seats. Is a shame because the interior is lovely (although the tables are a tad cramped) and it should be really nice. But we won't be going back, ever.

[RachelF]

My feeling about Joanna's is that they think they are a lot posher/better than they really are. The food and service are ok, but as you said fozziwig, a bit over-priced. Having said that, I was planning on taking my mother-in-law there on Wednesday.

[Dazza]

But they are one of the longest serving restaurant in the Palace they must be doing something right ! Dazza

Even longer than Lorenzo's !

[fozziwig]

Hmmm, I guess they must be Dazza! I'm not sure I can put my finger on what that elusive quality may be though...

I'm certainly no food snob/tightwad (honest!) but I know a good steak when it's plonked in front of me (***, I'm starting to sound like my dad!) and would be delighted to part with my hard earned bucks to pay for it... but £18 for a stringy, sinewy bit of beef and, while I'm reliving the experience, £6 for 3 anaemic 'piri piri' prawns, is taking the michael in my book.

But it is very pretty in there. Maybe that's it?