Restaurants

Ha - perhaps you've taken my comments too literally - I admit that my Wetherspoon's comment was an exaggeration for dramatic effect. I'll give All Bar One a try next time I see one. Whilst I'm sure readers will read all the reviews, perhaps they'll put more faith in those that aren't all that surprised that the restaurant's toilets were clean and were hoping for a little more than a really good hand dryer on their night out. Each to their own, eh.

Having intended to eat here since it opened, we nearly avoided it because of the most recent reviews (esp 18 May - we like The Garisson too, but it's a different proposition, and Wetherspoon's, that's just a ridiculous comparison). I am glad we didn't cancel. I arrived before 6pm and was trusted with a drink at an outside table without first having to pay. Delightful bar staff. Nice organic Devon cider. At that time, it was no problem for us two to sit at a table for four in the window to catch the fading evening light. We were told the new evening menu would be available at 6pm and it was, promptly, as was a specials board. I ordered the English rose veal with morels and spatzle; my wife ordered roasted quail with rocket salad. We shared some spring greens. It was no problem asking for a jug of tap water. All the service was friendly (though not obsequious), caring, knowledgeable, efficient and informative. The food was superb. Great atmosphere. Pricing as expected. The toilets were spotless and the men’s room had the most powerful hand-dryer I have ever seen. I wish we had more time. Maybe we were lucky, but I doubt it. We have no criticisms. More places like this please right across Britain providing genuine cooking, imaginative ingredients, interesting, well constructed menus, real food and proper staff. Glad to provide some balance. Suggest those other reviewers stick to Wetherspoon's or All Bar One.

I really used to like this place, but having just tried to have Sunday lunch there, would no longer recommend it to anyone. The food is OK, but the service is appalling. The Antipodean manager was incredibly rude to us and some other diners, principally because it seemed he was having a bad day. I've never walked out of a restaurant mid-way through a meal in my life, but did for the first time yesterday. If you want a great gastropub where the staff treat you like they want you to be there, and not as if you're just some ininvited guests, try the Garrison in SE1 (indeed you'd proabbly get better service at a Wetherspoon's that Great Queen Street, but that's probably being cruel to the Wetherspoon's).

Our party of nine prebooked for an evening meal on a Saturday night. The staff were attentive but had to cope with enormous delays in service and deal with our complaints. The soup (when it arrived) was tepid and we sent it back. An hour later the minced meat pie "special" had a crust so burnt it could have been used to tile a roof, the pigeon was almost raw rather than rare.... and so it went. The draught beer was flat and uninteresting but the waiter described it as "its style" ! Well if that is their style , it certainly isnt mine. In short , a terrible experience - the only consolation is that we still laugh about how bad it was and how the waiter could keep a straight face while defending the indefensible !!

We were really looking forward to our meal prior to going to the opera house. We had read some reviews and love meat so it was going to be a treat. We made it clear we were pre theater. The waiting staff couldn't be bothered to stop talking to each other to come over and server us. They were awful they really didn't care about us or service. The food was very average. My steak was not tender. All together a very disappointing experience.

Really disappointed with the food. I ordered the minute steak which came on its own - accompanied by nothing. Everything had to be ordered 'extra' and the steak itself was incredibly tough and chewy, despite being served medium rare. The overly creamy horseraddish was bland with no kick to it whatsoever. It also appeared that the chef had decided not to season the steak. The only good thing about the meal were infact the side order of potatoes. Overrated, overpriced and disappointing.

the food is good, but the experience is horrible. the room is dark and extremely noisy, it is just a nightmare to have a conversation with the person in front of you.

This is the best food in London. The waiter seemed rude and moody at first, then he grew on me, especially once he got talking about the food, which he was very knowledgeable and passionate about. The wait for the food can be long but that's because of it's superb quality, so I advise ordering a starter. Great atmosphere. A real gastronomer's hang out.

I think the food is good, most often. However, I just visited on the 3rd of October and waited for an hour for my meal only to have it delivered cold. I got a 20 gbp meal and it was cold. Not a happy chap. I waited a long time for mediocre food.

For me it's one of the best restaurants in London, the food is excellent, the service always attentive. I eat here a few times a month, and there are few places that come anywhere close. Shame that the Sunday Lunches have not taken off yet, they are one of the great London meals at the Anchor and Hope, but Great Queen street is nearer my home, so I hope they pick up soon.