Butlers Wharf Chop House

I have never been so embarrassed in all my life! I have a Spanish friend that came over to the UK and after being treated in Barcelona I decided to take her to London to see the sights and we ended up in the Butlers Wharf Chop House by the Tower of London for something to eat. We went there as the Evening Standard was running a promotion to eat 3 courses for 15 pounds. I thought this was good . However we were put in the restuarant where there was not the same deal but the Evening standard was supposedly doing a 3 course meal for £25 each. However all vegetables were extra at £3.75 each including satue potatoes and after an hour and a half we only ate the poor starter. After prompting the waiter we finally finished the small portions two and a half hours after we sat down only to be confronted with a bill that made me fall off my chair! They had charged us £4 for water, £4 for a small fruit juice and £2.90 for half a lager. Then on top of this they had added 12.5% service charge. I paid. Had I not been with my Spanish friend I would have told them the food was poor, cold, small portioned and extremely expensive and the service rubbish plus I feel they robbed me. Beware -if a deal looks too good to be true it probably is and it certainly was here.

Small portions, overpriced, and poorly garnished. The food left a great deal to be desired in terms of both quantity and taste. Having spent many years travelling in Europe/USA/Canada/Australia/Asia/Africa I can quite confidently say this is the worst food I have ever had. We had poor service from the beginning which improved when the waiter changed. Unfortunately, the damage was done. I unfortunately expect to receive the initial drinks to arrive before the food. Not much to ask. Excluding the view (of Tower Bridge) and the waiter who tried to dote on us when he realised his colleagues error, the evening was a disaster. Not worth the trip.

With a friend, we decided to try the Chop House , Butlers Wharf London. What a fantastic luncheon experience, the attentive waiting staff were excellent , when the plates were cleared it was done with such finesse that we did not notice the plates had been removed , there was plenty of room for the comfort of customers and for the waiting staff to manoeuvre . The food was brilliant to say the least and the waiter explained not only what the ingredients were used but how it was prepared. I had the ox tongue for a starter a little salty but still can't really fault it. My friend had a pig trotter for a starter, the first time she had tried it and loved it, it had been cooked slowly for four hours, shredded and deep fried . For the main course we both chose the rib eye steak medium rare, we were given steak knives but we didn't really need it as the steaks were so tender a butter knife would have sliced through the meat.. We both had bread and when we were offered more bread the butter knives were changed swiftly, we did not have to ask for anything apart from our choice of wine, food and water, it was absolutely brilliant, we both ordered the same dessert, sticky toffee pudding, and wow what more can I say just wow again. As far as I can say this restaurant so far is my favourite and the bill was not a shocker either . I would love for Michell Roux to visit this restaurant if he has not done so all ready because his televised program "Michel Roux's Service ' showed exactly what front of staff should be and the Chop House is just that.

Tried the bar side (as opposed to the restaurant itself), where there is a resticted version of the full menu. Nobody appeared to receive us, so we sat at a convenient table. As it was early evening, there were just a few diners. Nevertheless, rather than a welcome when the head waiter appeared, we were interrogated brusquely about our booking status and whether we were intending to dine. Though we decided to stay, the staff remained unfriendly but also inefficient: a sherry ordered as aperitif came only after a reminder and well into the first course; vegetables were forgotten and had to be found, again on reminder (no apology). The main course was tepid - a waiter problem, for there was nothing wrong with the basic quality of the food. A shame that they seem to think they don't need to try too hard, in a location where punters will always be dropping in.