Sunday 23 November 2008

Review: Lantana

I've written quite a few restaurant reviews on this blog, some favorable, some not. I'm sure that whenever a new restaurant opens, the owners must wait nervously on tenterhooks for the first reviews by both recognised critics and public alike. They can make or break a business in those first crucial weeks after opening, and in these difficult financial times it's positive feedback that can boost a new restaurant and bring customers through the floor. At Lantana, we've been keeping a keen eye out for our first reviews and we're chuffed with the sheer amount of positive feedback we've received so far. We've witnessed the marketing power of blogging, not only from Shelagh's own blog, but from coverage on some extremely well respected food blogs such as The London Review of Breakfasts, and that of breakfast aficionado Russell Davies. Mowielicious describes Lantana as "The Best Australian Cafe in London", complete with pictures of my lovingly iced Hummingbird Cakes. Nice one Mowie!

The web now plays host to loads of customer feedback sites. Tipped, and Qype are two of them that feature some customer reviews about Lantana and again for the most part the customer experiences are favorable. Reading them gives us a great idea of what people want and allows us to iron out any teething problems that any business experiences during its first few months.

Then there are the reviews from established publications. We've been featured in Time Out as one of the top 5 cafes in London for cheap eats,

"The super salads (smoky aubergine or a crunchy sugar snap and red cabbage combo, for example) are Ottolenghi-esque, the cakes and sunny breakfast offerings already drawing in a band of regulars."

and in the Evening Standard the mighty Fay Maschler wrote of Lantana,

"Breakfast has a list of dishes to inspire your day and lunch offers fine, healthy, inventive salads and irresistible home baking."


Well, as much of my day is spent baking, I'm pretty happy with that feedback!

10 comments:

Kake said...

The Randomness Guide to London has reviewed you too... I'd had you on my to-do list, but my "colleague" Ewan got there first!

It was via your blog that I found out about Lantana, BTW — and I found your blog while searching for restaurant reviews (Hawksmoor, Cock Tavern, and Benares), which is nicely recursive.

Frequent Traveler said...

Congratulations, Pete ! That is very good news for you :)

Anonymous said...

Hi! Thanks for the shout out, love the site! Just to let you know - your link to my blog is broken :-(

Mowie
http://www.mowielicious.com/

Anonymous said...

I think there is an anonymous sausage lover on your site Pete.
Shouldn't be allowed.
It seems everyone has been to see you and try the teasingly delicious looking eating goodies that your working on except me, so consider it a priority next time we are over that I drop by for a scrumptious breakfast.
Chris

Pete said...

Thanks Kake, I'm glad to hear you've read some of my reviews and thanks for directing me to the the Randomness Guide.

Thanks Annie, maybe one day you'll make it to Lantana...

Mowie, will sort out the link when I get a mo.

Chris, I'm afraid the next time you're over the cafe will be closed so I'll have to recreate the experience at home. Now thank god for Uncle Charley's Sausages, I have your Christmas present sorted...

Trig said...

Great. I'm pleased to hear about your success, Pete. I really must try to get to Lantana for breakfast one day when I'm in London.

Anonymous said...

Pete, can you email silverbrowATgmailDOTcom please?

Anonymous said...

That reproduced breakfast at home was scrumptious. Based on that, I think anyone who hasn't been should consider a visit to Lantana a mandatory pilgrimage.
I haven't been but then the "mountain" moved to No. 15!!!
Thanks Pete.
Chris

Unknown said...

Hey, can you email me so that I can talk to you about working with a large restaurant reviewing site? I can't find your contact details anywhere.

Sorry to have to leave a comment about this!

Ryan
visser49erracing.wordpress.com
ry_visser@hotmail.com

Issy said...

Great looking dish! Make me hungry!