We have once again enjoyed the pleasures of outstanding Indonesian cuisine at the Dragonfly, Richmond St., London. Yesterday we were reminded of just how special this little gem of a restaurant is. The Indonesian menu, which changes monthly, included Ayam Betutu, comprised sliced chicken breast with a delicate lemongrass and lime leaves inspired Balinese sauce, and Oseng Oseng Sayur Hijau, or stir fried greens; this dish with its sweet and spicy sauce included a perfectly balanced spicing of garlic, chili, ginger and lemon/lime juice. Owners/chef Don and Nora, are to be commended on their culinary excellence and hospitality which they provide in a completely unpretentious and welcoming setting.
Although we made reservations we were spoiled to be the only customers on a Monday. This is the day set aside as Indonesian food for a prix fixe and menu of 20$ not including drinks. The menu changes monthly.
I am from Irian Jaya which used to be called New Guinea. We had a nice conversation about Java where my family lived as did Don the chef and owner.
The meal was ajam (chicken) balado with rice and delicious green beans. I requested some heat in the form of sambal, a very common Indonesian condiment to accompany meals. It was exciting to know he whipped some up freshly and expertly.
Krupuk or prawn crackers are part of the meal. The dragonfly is is cosy little place worth a visit for something special. If you're a couple get the window seat.
Exceptional food at a great price. I always go with my girlfriend and get the Indonesian set menu, it's packed with a variety of well balanced and different flavors. Would HIGHLY recommend to anyone who is looking for something new and especially for those who like authentic thai food (many of the same ingredients from thai are used in Indonesian).
MOST EXCELLENT!!!!. My wife and I went with 2 other couples for the Monday night "Indonesian 4 course dinner". We have been in Java/Lombok/Bali and Kalimantan 3 times over the last 25 years and I can tell you the food is authentic and as tasty as any that we had when there.
The room is very intimate and the service friendly and good. The owner/chef Don noticed that I was wearing a genuine Batik shirt with a pattern common to E Java and came out for a nice after-dinner chat with the 6 of us....nice touch.
Also of note........the value is great. An excellent dinner and wine was a little over $40 each including tip....recommend! recommend!! recommend!!
Fabulous meal. Fantastic meal - surprisingly quiet for a Friday night. Would have given 5 stars across the board if they had decaf available. They should get a Keurig. Small, intimate dining room, maybe a dozen tables, only half full. Steak was perfectly medium-rare, Ayam Balado had a bite to it, but not overwhelming. Sticky Toffee Pudding was great, but you need a real sweet tooth for it. Will definitely be back. Entrees averaged $22.50.
Indonesian Special. The service is always excellent and the food is amazing. The Monday Indonesian menu is very authentic and as it changes weekly there's new varieties to try. We have only been on the Mondays because we love the Indonesian food so much, but we are definitely going to try some of the regular weekly menu items soon.
Great food, really nice staff.
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Casual & Elegant. Located on Richmond Street, in a section referred to as Richmond Row, in a building shared with the Aroma restaurant, is a small unobtrusive restaurant known as the Dragonfly Bistro. Many pedestrians pause to look at the menu in the window and walk on - if you are one of those curious people I must urge you to step inside and experience the unpretentious interior ... and the appealing menu.
The atmosphere is equally casual and elegant, if you will permit me, because of one wall of exposed brickwork and classically set tables, and the service is impeccable from a very experienced server (The spouse of the equally talented Indonesian chef).
It was lunch time when we visited and we were shown a menu that had a variety sufficient to appeal to almost anyone, including vegetarians. For an appetizer, I chose the pan-seared scallops, lightly curried and served with greens and orange segments in a light vinaigrette, and my companion chose a deliciously fresh soup. My entree comprised a glazed salmon that had been marinated in soy sauce, garlic and ginger and served with vegetables and potatoes, and my companion chose an Indonesian beef curry. I will not search for adjectives - all dishes were to die for. I have tried and enjoyed the purist Canadian salmon recipe of frying in butter with a dash of lemon juice - but Don displays the possible skills of a Cordon Bleu chef.
I am left with having to make two decisions; how to experience the dinner menu and how to rent an apartment above the restaurant.
Simply Perfect. Their menu is not extensive, but it doesn't have to be. Instead of scrambling to feed the masses, they focus very carefully on perfecting a good balance of appetizers, entrées, and desserts. It offers a clean, comfortable, intimate atmosphere that is very welcoming, where the staff and owners are always engaging and friendly. DragonFly is also one of the very few places you can try authentic Indonesian cuisine. The bottom line... people I introduce to this bistro are always very happy and satisfied. It's a small restaurant with a really big heart!
Good value. The spicy pho was yummy! Love both spring roll and the noodle, the restaurant is quite small, not many tables to offer though.
We have always loved Vietnamese food, but this one really takes the prize.
This is our go-to Viet food and we just stick with it! We had the Summer Prawn Spring Rolls, which is just very refreshing to have, especially having a long day of walking - it's like preparing your stomach for more good food. The mint in it, really provided that kick of freshness.
For the main, we had the Dragonfly Bun Cha - which comes with pork spring rolls and the Bun Ga Nuong (both are dry vermicelli noodle). Both are very light, but very filling meals - the type of filling where you don't feel bad being full. The chicken was smoky and tender, whilst complimenting the noodles.
The service is top-notch. Very friendly servers, despite being busy. Lastly, the space is cozy albeit small.
Can't wait to come back for more!
P.S. Their banh mi is LEGENDARY (they only serve it on the weekday though sadly :(, nevertheless, it is worth the try!)
A Vietnamese restaurant with high quality of foods and reasonable good prices.
There were around 6 tables in the restaurant and the space was quite limited. Our orders came out pretty fast and they smelled really good as well as the taste. The rare beef tender pho was amazing, you could tell that the soup was cooked but not made by powders. And the beef was sliced into proper thickness and as tender as exactly what’s described.
Instead of the small and very spicy chilies I’d experienced at other Vietnamese restaurants, their chilies were the large one without seeds.
Will definitely visit again if craving for a decent pho soup.
Spicy soup pho is good, and you can add fried dough stick to dip in.
Fish cake and brisket are both good choices.
I have become a frequent visitor recently.
My absolute favorite place to get Vietnamese food in the area... I live nearby and come here regularly. All of dishes (especially Pho and Bun Hue) taste excellent. The service is friendly and the meals are ready in record time, even if you order in. Prices are super reasonable as well, can only recommend this place! :)
Good quality of vietnamese food and good price it it better to have in the restaurant
Cute little cafe, good for a quick bite to eat. Not the comfiest seats though and little bit crammed. Wouldn't recommend for big groups / prams and wheelchairs as steps to enter.
This has been our favorite to go Vietnamese restaurant in London since university (more than 5 years now). I and my friends love not only the extremely tasty dishes here, but also the coziness that we feel every time we dine in. It’s like sitting at home and enjoying my mom’s cookings, definitely best value for money :) I highly recommend the caramel slow cooked pork belly on rice and bun hue (there’re lots of protein choices but my favorite is duck, as no other Viet restaurants offer this choice). Super delicious and very big portion, could never get enough of them
Quaint, tucked away, delicious. I regularly come to this place for lunch, and it never disappoints. My favourites are the pho ga or the bahn mi.
Service was rather non existent, but a cute and small restaurant more akin to a café with food served extremely quickly. The food was sound but not amazing, but good value for money so won't complain. Will go back for the Phad Thai which looked good, as did the soups.
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