Smoked by AI · London · people

Heidi Lauth Beasley

Critic · Journalist — London bars, casual restaurants and neighborhood rooms for The Infatuation, where she is a senior staff writer.

bylined Infatuation London reviewer since 2018, filing first-person verdicts on rooms the scored guide leaves unrated (the guide only scores places where you can eat a full meal, so her bar pieces carry judgment without a number). The Infatuation is an approved source in SOURCES.md.

Their own reviews and picks.

Their own judgment, in their own words, by the piece it appeared in.

• The Infatuation London ↗their review · 2025-11-21
  • The BullHighgate

    “Outside of those rich, moreish lobster croquettes, a lot of the dishes read more fancy schmancy than they taste, and you might be in for a long wait for some dry lamb during the Sunday lunch service.”

• The Infatuation ↗their review · 2025-03-28
  • The Anglesea ArmsHammersmith

    “It's fun to join the throng of regulars for a cosy, countrified modern European meal. If the sun's out, it's your Great British duty to fight for one of the tables on the mini pavement terrace and order the excellent, garlic soiree spaghetti alle vongole.”

• The Infatuation, 7.9/10 ↗their review · 2025-02-27
  • The Compton ArmsIslington

    “The Compton Arms is an Islington pub that's perfected the art of the cool, whiff of gastro pub residency.”

• The Infatuation, rated 7.9 ↗their review · 2024-12-17
  • GodetIslington

    “Such is the case with this Islington wine den where Fred Again enthusiasts and juicy pickle-positive burgers exist in perfect harmony with glasses of ruby Gamay and eavesdropping on promising third dates... Although Godet is more drinking than dining, and more tunes than chewing, the short menu of thick, saucy patties by Perk'd Up Burger and nice little nibbles of the croquette and stuffed olives persuasion are worth getting involved in.”

• The Infatuation ↗their review · 2024-10-10
  • The Noodle InnSoho

    “The near-glutinous slivers of potato are the perfect vehicle for the unadulterated sinus-clearing joy of the spices. This unsung heat hero is how you should start a meal at Noodle Inn.”

• The Infatuation London ↗their review · 2024-09-11
  • Master Wei Xi'AnBloomsbury

    “sitting down at Master Wei, knowing that you've made it back for another bowl of London's best beef biang biang noodles is a feeling you'll go out of your way to recreate.”

• The Infatuation ↗their review · 2024-08-02
  • MigaHackney

    “Charm, inclusivity, and the best Korean food in London is just part of the DNA at Miga.”

• The Infatuation London, 'Bottle + Rye', 8.1 ↗their review · 2022-11-30
  • Bottle + RyeBrixton

    “The oh-so soft, white bread soldiers get a honey wash, then a delightfully industrial quantity of butter is added, before it's grilled over a high heat, and the perfect dose of salty anchovies are added.”

• The Infatuation London, 8.9 ↗their review · 2022-09-29
  • Noble Rot Lamb's ConduitBloomsbury

    “Inside the converted 18th-century townhouse, the casual drop-in wine bar is up front with tea lights that are fated for flirting over and at the back is a proper sit-down dining room where hours dilute to seconds.”

• The Infatuation London, 8.0 ↗their review · 2022-08-26
  • TrivetBermondsey

    “A charming Bermondsey space complete with pampas grass and a covered terrace, this sophisticated restaurant toes the line between fine dining and friendly with attentive service, homemade onion ketchup, and creative dishes like the 'drunk lobster' noodles that comes in its own little sake bath.”

• The Infatuation London ↗their review · 2022-08-22
  • True CraftTottenham

    “It's quality pizza for a tenner or under, excellent, quick service, all in the kind of neighbourhood spot where people actually talk to each other.”

• The Infatuation London, 'Acme Fire Cult', 8.4 ↗their review · 2022-08-16
  • Acme Fire CultDalston

    “This is a restaurant where you'll find hefty slabs of tender Tamworth pork alongside a tangy fermented squash hummus that instantly ranks on our list of the best vegetarian dishes in London.”

• The Infatuation London, review of Carousel, 8.4 ↗their review · 2022-05-27
  • CarouselFitzrovia

    “this is the kind of place where you can come for dinner 10 different times and have 10 entirely different meals”

• The Infatuation London, 7.7 ↗their review · 2022-01-06
  • Bar CrispinSoho

    “It is a mistake to go to Bar Crispin and not get the cheese platter. A glorious trinity of stinky, creamy, and classic, it's a total no-brainer for catch-ups and cold cosy winter nights. FYI, it's served with fresh Bermondsey honeycomb.”

• The Infatuation London ↗their review · 2022-01-05
  • Little BatCanonbury

    “A no-brainer for one last drink or dimly-lit birthday drinks, they're open until 1am most nights and the classic cocktails here really are great.”

• The Infatuation London, 'Kol', 8.4 ↗their review · 2021-12-01
  • KOLMarylebone

    “each element of their tasting menu creates a sort of delirious fever dream where you have absolutely no idea what you just ate but you do know that it was very good”

• The Infatuation London ↗their review · 2019-02-05
  • Bancone (Covent Garden)Covent Garden

    “The thin sheets of pasta with the thick, nutty sauce is an absolute winner. Order this.”