L'Autre — Restaurant in London

This is what it’s all about. A close friend was over from New Yoik, who I don’t get to see very much. Myself, her and a mutual friend met for a drink in The Grapes in Shepherd Market Mayfair, as it was near her hotel. Given it’s Christmas this drink mostly involved drinking a pint in a sort of contortionist style, pressed up against a wall and harking at what joy it was. We soon escaped and began to look for a restaurant. After not very long we spotted the immortal words ‘Polish / Mexican Bistro’ above an inviting looking place. Of all the Polish / Mexican bistros I’ve ever been confronted with, this looked the best. Teamed up with a plaque that said ‘Mayfair’s Oldest Wine Bar’ and lots of stickers from various reviewers that suggested we wouldn’t get food poisoning, we were sold. L’Autre is the place’s name, completing the bizarre cultural blend, and inside is an equally blissful blend of kitsch and class – brimming with personality and every inch the GLP. We got a cosy little table in the corner next to a fully 70s looking electric fire, surrounded by authentic beams, themselves adorned with fairy lights and police hats, amongst other paraphernalia. How many restaurants can you have nachos to start and venison goulash for main? It worked.

The staff were friendly and courteous, the food was good and great in places – hearty and tasty – and a decent wine selection. A trip down to the facilities revealed a downstairs too, with everyone having a right old time. That’s what the best great little places do – make sure everyone is having a great time and feels like they’re in on something. Next time you’re round that way, get yourself...

As a Polish native, I left this place genuinely offended. This wasn’t a fusion of cultures — it was a mockery of Polish food and a slap in the face to anyone who actually knows what real Polish cuisine should taste like.

The “Pol Mex nachos” were a sad, soggy disaster — clearly microwaved, with a limp, cheap frankfurter awkwardly thrown on top, as if that somehow made them “Polish.” It didn’t. It made them embarrassing.

Then came the pierogies — and I use that term loosely. These were the worst store-bought pierogies I’ve ever had, boiled into a waterlogged mess. Overcooked, bland, and rubbery — they had all the charm of a wet paper towel. It was honestly insulting.

But the real punch in the gut? A 330ml bottle of Tyskie — the kind you can get in a corner shop for £1 — was priced at an outrageous £8. That’s not just overpriced, that’s daylight robbery.

Yes, the staff were lovely and the atmosphere was decent, but that doesn’t change the fact that this place feels like a calculated cash grab. I paid £81 for three beers, some microwaved nachos, eight soggy dumplings, and a tiny glass of wine.

Never again. If this is someone’s idea of Polish-Mexican fusion, they need to start over — with a cookbook and...

Polish/Mexican... sparks your interest? In the midst of Shepherd Market I spotted this little gem with a board outside showing home made pierogi’s! Being a keen dumpling eater, I decided this will be our first true post lock down dining experience.... and I’m really glad I did!

A wonderful vibe with a stocked out bar, Mexican decor, 3 of us went for a charcuterie platter to share, a duck pate each and for mains we went for mixed pierogi’s.

The highlight for me was definitely the pierogi’s, the pork and sauerkraut mushroom ones being so unique and tasty accompanied by the flavourful beetroot soup it was a whole taste experience on my plate.

The desserts are home made and polish specialities - highly recommend if you have any space after the incredible food! I went for freshly made hot apple pie with vanilla ice cream.

A nice little addition and pleasant surprise was how much we enjoyed the alcohol - never having tried it before I can now safely say the polish do vodka very well - having savoured 2 spiced honey vodka shots and 1 cherry vodka shot with no mixers even...