Restaurants

Food is okay, not better than that. Service was absolutely the worst I've ever had. Distracted servers, drifting off to their distant planets. Hopeless, so far beyond redemption that comment to chef/owner (who stood distractedly watching the whole mess, too busy chatting to his own pals to care/notice) pointless. Hard to believe anyone could suffer this torture.

What a fantastic evening my family and I had at Hereford Road. We went there for my parents' 45th wedding anniversary, and nothing could have been better. The best oxtail and fish dishes in London, and some of the most inventive cooking as well. The people who write that they had negative experiences here must have gotten the restaurant confused with another place. As a I eat at Hereford Road quite regularly, I've never experienced anything similar. It is always a sure thing and inspirational cooking.

Really Excellent.
I am writing to redress the balance. We had also heard fantastic things about this restaurant but were a little underwhelmed by some of the online reviews.
When we arrived the restaurant was already full and buzzing. We sat at the banquette opposite the kitchen and watched the chefs cooking - a treat in itself. We also listened to the comments as diners left most of whom stopped to thank the chef for the great food.
The food was delicious, I started with oysters, the main course of lamb was perhaps the best I've ever eaten and then apple crumble. What could be better.
I would definitely recommend this restaurant. Don't be put of by the below review as I almost was. I find it hard to understand why people feel the need to be rude but perhaps Tescos is exactly what they deserve.

What an underwhelming experience!
After such rave reviews I had really high hopes, so the bog standard food in the cold underground bunker was a huge disappointment.
A sweetbread starter was bland and dull, while the beetroot with duck egg was simply the two of them chopped a bit (and not fully trimmed) and dumped on a plate together.
Main courses of tough beef with oily chips and reasonably tasty lentils with bland goats curd left a similarly bad taste in our mouths.
We abandoned pudding and went to Tesco instead.
I wouldn't go back, and I wouldn't recommend anyone else to either.

A very poor experience.
This is a classic example how a poor front of house can kill a restaurant. Between the 2 of us we sent back one starter, one main and left before pudding. And yet no-one told the chef. (You can watch what is happening from the cramped tables by the kitchen) As far as Tom Pemberton was concerned everything was great and we were all enjoying his food.
I eat out most nights during the week and this is by far the worts meal I have had in the last 12 months.

- We were very disappointed by our experience at this restaurant.
- Firstly they did not have a record of our booking.
- They left us standing for 20 minutes whilst seating others, and left us holding our coates and no offer of a drink
- When having taken our seats, we were left for 20 minutes and then the waiter came to take our order. Only then we were told that certain dishes were no longer available.
- We both ordered, only to be told 5 minutes later that they had run out of the one of our starters
- When one of our mains arrives (Beef) the maitrede told us it would be free as it was not as big as a usual portion - this was an understatement as it was an end cut of the beef and was not medium-rare as I had ordered and lacked flavour
- The skate was soggy and was bland
- Although we were offered both mains free of charge, we felt this was not the point as we had wanted a nice evening of good dining which did not happen!

excellent meat at lunch (st.john bread and whine style is evident), fresh cooked, 3 good organic beers, we come back as soon as possible, 52£ /2 people, willingly given

Unpretentious authentic food served by friendly, helpful staff...... I LOVE it>

Hereford Road is the best restaurant in London. From the warm welcome as you enter to the superb interpretation of some British classics, the entire experience leaves you thinking "that's how dining out should always be."
The menu is based on the freshest ingredients available that day; enhanced by the artful preparation of the chef, each dish is a culinary delight - from the perfectly braised cuttlefish to the succulent lamb.

It was an absolute pleasure to eat at Hereford Rd, the whole experience was a joy. The food was exciting, delicious and beautifully presented, the staff were helpful, polite and also beautifully presented! We have returned several times since and never been disappointed, may they continue on.