St John

This place is wonderful. The bone marrow salad was delicious and plenty for two as an appetizer. I had the calf liver with shallots for a main and it was so tender if practically melted as I ate it. The atmosphere is exactly as I hoped - unpretentious, intimate, with staff that ran the place like a ship. Excellent food and wine at prices very much within reach for the quality. And it certainly was far from shabby, unless you're used to dining at glitzed out places like Nobu. I'll be coming back soon.

Was excited to be taken to lunch by a friend just before Christmas. What a major let down. Decor was tired and shabby (not chic). Service disinterested. Food was poor - toast with my crab starter was cremated. The rest of the food was average at best. Even wrote to the proprietors and they had a good reason for everything. Michelin starred - no way!

Had a really poor meal here, pigeon was hugely overcooked and had to be sent back, another dish was not properly heated. The St John is clearly resting on its reputation of old

We recently ate there. Food novel, service excellent. Attitude of management typical. We brought a surprise birthday cake for a family member (which was the reason we were eating there) and we were told that there was a cakeage charge of 6.50 per person. Quite riddiculous. On reflection, no atmosphere and not the place to celebrate birthdays.

Myself(a chef) and 3 foodie friends were all excited to visit st John restaurant,, on arrival, it seems quirky, quite neutral but different and cosy... the menu was simple, the food also simple... I had bone marrow to start and was kinda hoping it would surprise me a bit especially for 8 quid, when to make that dish would of cost 50 pence... Roast bone marrow.... is roast bone marrow, not a lot you have to do with it really... they cooked simple food well.. no complaints there... and i suppose they are honest with this and don't claim to do anything else other than cook game/meats well.. but... I don't know.. it just needed a little bit of excitement,, a little bit of a spark!!! it has such a great reputation that it should and could raise it's level a little higher... any good house cook could do what they did at St John... also my massive let down was the desert... Chef can obviously cook a good bird.. but has no idea of desert,, the chocolate terrine was dry and pretty gross, the only other choice that i wanted was a lemon posset- cream set with lemon and sugar?? Come on!!!! and some other random non exciting deserts..... gave it 3 cos they cook the food well and waiting staff were great, knowledgable and helpful, although slow.... London has so many awesome restaurants,, it's great they change the menu often... always nice to go back and see whats new!!! But I won't,, as once again, it will be a bit of a let down.... Sad really... the concept was so exciting... the execution... non inspiring....