Restaurants

My stars here are actually not for dining in the restaurant, but for the bar area, cocktails and snacks.
I actually visit the Brasserie fairly regularly for after works drinks. Location is great, and they actually do some good cocktails at a normal (London) prices (about £8/9).
They also do an excellent charcutterie platter, and a tasty baked camembert and bread platter (both at £11).
The restaurant did seem overpriced, and the staff are a little slow (but very frindly and helpful when they do arrive), but overall good for after work/ pre theatre drinks and nibbles.

Ghastly. A nasty dining experience. We were welcomed with 'you must be gone by 7.30. which was fine because we needed to be at the theatre and had already said so. Service was slow in spite of this.Food was totally unappetising. I admit we chose badly with salads, but they were quite without any taste or dressing. No bread or roll was offered. I asked for my tuna to be served medium. It came very rare. When we complained, instead of any apology, we were met with sneering, patronising indiffence. Obviously here the customer is always wrong. Over priced and an altogether expensive and unpleasant experience. Shame on the manager.

I had dinner there last night....service was OK but the food was mediocre and certainly overpriced for what it was. The "Prime Scottish Sirloin" in particular was reday for the knackers yard.

Had the most appalling experience here at breakfast yesterday morning.
10 minutes to be asked for drinks. When they arrived they were without sugar or milk which we had to ask another waiter 5 minutes later to bring.
The first waiter then turns up again to take my order for breakfast (English) without asking either which juice I'd like (concentrated, carton) or how I'd like either my eggs cooked. Again I had to get the other waiter to recall him.
The food arrives 40 minutes after we arrived, my partner's Eggs Benedict - on TOAST?! and both meals completely stone cold.
As someone who entertains clients at least 3 times a week I was staggered to receive this level of staggering incompetency at a central London establishment - especially one which should be banking on regular return trade for the Old Vic theatre - it's hardly tourist central.
Needless to say we left without paying for the coffee (my partner insisted on telling them and the waiter barely even acknowledges her) and didn't return for the 5.30 pre-dinner.
Fire Station across the road an excellent alternative!

I went for lunch before a play at the Old Vic.
Front of House that seated me was friendly then I waited, and waited... 15 minutes no one even blinked at me. I know they had a rush of theatre folks, but they should be used to it.
I managed to catch someone's eye and asked if I could order and a manager came over and took my order: A Croque Madame and a glass of wine. When the wine came, the glass was covered in little fibers from a towel. I brushed them off and didn't say anything.
I didn't say anything when the people around me who were seated after I was and ordered after I ordered received their food. I waited. And waited. The waiter ignored me every time he went by. Finally he came over and asked me what it was that I ordered. He told me he would check on it... 20 minutes later, still no food. I managed to wave him down and asked him to check on it... again... 10 minutes later I had my sandwich.
When I tried to pay, the reader took my pin but kept voiding the order so the waiter had someone else come over and it went through without a problem.
I complained about the service (I never complain) and I was told that the kitchen got a new menu. No apology.
Truly dire place. Dreadful service and my sandwich was really average.

I wonder why such bad previous reviews!Managment might have changed!
Came for lunch had a great time with my colleagues. Good value for money with their lunch menu at £14.95. Would definitely recommand it as the food was well served and service professional and friendly.

Unfortunately I happened on this restaurant last Saturday just before going to the Old Vic (it's heavily advertised within the Theatre).
The experience started well enough, the front of house staff being welcoming and friendly, the wine waiter attentive, if somewhat pushy. Things went downhill when my companion ordered the pork, and was asked 'how would he like the pork cooked: medium rare?' PORK? MEDIUM RARE? I dont think so! Such a question should never arise but the waiter thought it appropriate to argue the point! We carried on with our order. I ordered the salmon. After the competent starter of asparagus and parma ham, I was presented with pork. I remonstrated this was wrong, and promptly the waiter told me I made a mistake! To cap it all the Restaurant Manager was extremely rude and aggressive, over the pork matter, and told us never to return to the Restaurant. NO FEAR! I will not, and I certainly will not recommend this venue to anyone. I read reviews on other websites, and sadly they all concur about the poor service. STAY AWAY!

One word for it: "bof". It might be all about the location but the service is extremely slow and the food is not worth the price. In case of emergency only if the Anchor and Hope nearby is overcrowded and you can't face "eating" at McDonald's on the other side of the street.