Arbutus

Decent setting, but the food I had was rather disappointing. I had a pre-theatre set menu with a chicken and eel terrine starter, which was a bit unimpressive but ok. The main course however - a goats cheese ricotta gnuti - was lacking in taste, and would have been more suitable as a starter. Also, the main course was actually smaller than the starter I had. To understand the size of the main course - imagine four fresh potatoes (about an inch in diameter) on a plate with some basil. That's it.

Have been to Arbutus a couple of times where I had the pre-theatre set menu with my wife and daughter. For the price it is fine, and the restaurant is convenient to West End theatres. But I fail to understand the Michelin star. Have had better presented meals at similar prices and at prettier, quieter, and more comfortable restaurants that have lost their stars.

Went here on Easter for their Easter 3 course meal with wine at £30. We were both disappointed with the size of the servings here and the food (we took the lamb and salmon mains respectively) was only so-so for the price. I don't see why Time Out listed this as one of the top 50 restaurants in London. We left feeling hungry despite paying £30, which felt weird. As one reviewer below put it, it was just ok-ish and a rather bland experience

I visited Arbutus on Valentines Day and despite the good food, the total lack of service and rude staff totally ruined my experience. I sent a complaint to them via their website TWICE and have never heard back from them. I understand it was Valentines Day, so the restaurant was fairly busy, but that did not excuse the waitors literally dropping our plates onto table and rushing off to serve other tables. We were never asked how our meals were, bread was shoved in our face, before we even had time to take off our coats and the staff showed a real lack of customer service. Service is one of the main things in a restaurant and it is severly lacking at Arbutus. Would never visit again

I visited Arbutus on Valentines Day and despite the good food, the total lack of service and rude staff totally ruined my experience. I sent a complaint to them via their website TWICE and have never heard back from them. I understand it was Valentines Day, so the restaurant was fairly busy, but that did not excuse the waitors literally dropping our plates onto table and rushing off to serve other tables. We were never asked how our meals were, bread was shoved in our face, before we even had time to take off our coats and the staff showed a real lack of customer service. Service is one of the main things in a restaurant and it is severly lacking at Arbutus. Would never visit again

This place is awesome. I've been so many times now i've lost count. What makes it is the incredible service, even on the second time i went, the waiters remembered me and my partner, and everything comes with a smile. On top of that, they are all so well informed on every bit of the menu it's incredibly impressive. You can be sure that they know what they're talking about, and will give you honest opinions on anything you ask. Then comes the food... I've not once been let down. Everything I've had has been delicious, well cooked, well prepared and wonderful. Wine- good range, and on top of that you can get a 500ml carafe of pretty much everything on offer, for the same price as 2/3 of the bottle would be. Meaning you can chop and change wines depending on your course if you fancy. And always ask your waiter- they'll give perfect advice, and never very expensive ones Overall this place just has the perfect mix of great food, great service, but without the snotty attitude that so many places of the same standard have

Went to Arbutus last weekend with my boyfriend. And it was OK. Really OK. In fact this whole place just sits in this sort of flannel like state of mediocrity. We are shown to our tables, the restaurant interior and atmosphere is quite nice. The staff are pleasant and helpful with the wine menu. They bring round some decent bread- no salt and not enough butter (maybe I am just greedy!). There is so background music- I like no music and I think a restaurant has to actually be quite brave to do it. No music is far superior to bad music. Which incidentally, restaurant music usually is. Food: We both had the much talked about mackerel burger to start. It was ok. It was edible, I was hungry so I ate it. I mean it did not offend me, but it could have done with some more seasoning, the texture was a bit spongey too. It tasted quite fresh. All OK. But not setting the world alight or anything. Main course: I had the rabbit with rabbit cottage pie, endive and another green vegetable (?). Again, it was ok. A little dry but not enough to take back, again could have done with some seasoning. I was hoping for sumptious comforting cottage pie and rabbit and it was all a bit measured, neat and boxed in every way possible. My boyfriend had a steak. It was OK. BUT..listen up folks. The dauphonoise potatoes he had with his steak were just the best things I have eaten in a long time. Just creamy and perfectly salty and garlicky, soft with just enough bite and that nice skin on the top. These were good. Go to this place and order these potatoes. Three of them. Then leave. Anyway, then had the apple tarte tatin. I am particular about pudding. I am particularly particular about tarte tatin. Decent amount of caramel, no soggy pastry but not too dry either and the caramel should clump up a bit around the edges with a good dollop of vanilla cream or ice cream. This was not tarte tatin. This was stewed apples on pastry with a bit of caramel which had not been cooked for long enough. The pastry did not have that buttery warmness which you expect when ordering this very special pudding. This place has a Michelin star. I do not see how. Really do not get it. I think its actually just quite OK. If I went with the expectations which I would have when going to a high street chain French bistro-ey brasserie/gastro restaurant (like chain Cote or something similar) I would not have felt so dissapointed. In fact would have thought it was perfectly fine. As it is, its 'okishness' irriritated me. Alot.

Nice, had the tripe; partner had a chewy steak but they gave us a free tarte tatin in compensation. Other partner's bouillabaisse was quite rich. All palatable and reasonable for the area. Contrary to other posters I enjoyed the lack of music. Means you can hear the conversation. Well priced quality restaurant for the area.

First time diner at Arbutus - food and service was very good, friendly and informative. Pig's head starter had fantastic flavours. My wife had the Cod and vegetables (need to find out the recipe for those vegetables - superb) A little light music in the background would add to the atmosphere.

Another fine evening at Arbutus.. Fantastic food and great service. Starters were a bit tardy, but waiters were gentlemenlike and cannot complement the food enough.