Read all the bad reviews before you book- I wish I had done so. Staggered there are so many good reviews and wonder about their veracity.
We are vegan for health and climate change, and in London, as we often are to visit our son there. We were then off to the theatre. Booked the meal for the 2 of us, as our son was busy at the time I booked the restaurant. Unable to nook for our preferred time, as they were supposedly unable to give a 17.30 reservation- but they only had 3 covers when we were eating. So, we had to eat at 17.00. We arrived a little early and unable to get in, until exactly 17.00hrs. At that time, our son said his friend was too ill for his evening out, so he would like to join us at the table just for a chat- he is not vegan, so not to eat. He was due to finish work at 17.00hrs and would then walk to the restaurant- about 30 minutes from work so he could see us, as we see each other infrequently as live so far away. We were let in at 17.00 and I asked the rather offensive woman who let us in and showed us to table, if our son could arrive and sit at the table. I said he only needed a drink or if one course was available that would be great. She said she had to check with the manager and deal with the one other customer who had also arrived at 17:00 hours.
Our son left work and started to walk towards the restaurant. I had no answer from the woman and our canapes arrived. I went to wash my hands, as only finger food, as did my husband. As retired doctors, we are careful about hygiene and never touch door handles once our hands are washed but this is practically impossible in this place, as very unhygienic double pull door handle to escape loos.
Returned to the table and 2 canapes. I asked again about our son, and woman said she hadn’t asked manager yet. Unhelpful woman eventually asked at 17.15, when our son and walked halfway and said no, we had booked for 2, so they would only accept 2 people at our table! I was confused, as many tables were empty, so they weren’t short of space or chairs- I wondered if we hadn’t been allowed to book at our preferred time of 17.30 as a big group due. This might explain why they refused our son, who we then couldn’t see, and he had wasted much time walking to this place. BUT no one else arrived and the place stayed empty until we left at 7pm in disgust.
We ate the canapes, and they were tasteless. I hadn’t finished my pea velouté and they tried to clear it away- unheard of in a good restaurant.
We also had to pay a lot for water- we normally have tap water.
The next part of the tasting menu came and again it was tasteless. I cook vegan food at home, and it is much tastier. I was also starting to worry about the amount of protein in the food. The food served to us was high in fat, as the “croissant” was very greasy, and no values for the food are given – probably as so high in fat and salt and low in protein.
Very tasteless risotto followed- a bit of protein as peas and broad beans but tasteless. We were asked completely biased questions as to how good the meal was, and so I answered honestly that it was not very good at all. They hadn’t expected that. As doctors, we are taught to ask questions that are not leading- i.e. not “is the meal great?” or” is it all good?” which is how we had been asked about our experience twice by this stage. So, I answered honestly that meal tasteless.That was not liked, and service then was even worse- they never re-filled our water for example- also a sign of a good restaurant if it is done. I had also mentioned that the “music” was appalling, and I would prefer it to be turned off, as continuous banging and not melodic at all. We had a very rude reply, telling us we should know it was “blah blah blah very well-known and important music”! Well – we are knowledgeable as have been involved with music a great deal and it was NOT melodic or well known at all- just dire.
Service continued to be very poor. We had 2 parts of the whole meal that tasted good. One of the 2 petit fours and cremini mushrooms and sauce that went with it from Japan. However, the utensil given to us to eat that part of meal was totally inadequate to get the sauce up- it was a knife and fork. So, I had to ask for a teaspoon.
Near the end of the meal, we ran out of water in bottle, and they never asked us if we wanted more.
Last pudding had happy birthday on plate scrawled on with chocolate, but they gave me that plate. When I booked, I explained it was for a special occasion, my husband’s birthday and so they did recall a birthday, but they got the wrong person! I signed email with an obvious female name too.
Dreadful meal, place and non-existent service. Had to pay for service as added to bill at 15%. Compete waste of money for it all and ruined our day and special occasion.