The Modern Pantry

Extraordinary. For full max West End top prices we were seated beside the door. The rapidly vanishing menu was partly / gradually announced by the terribly amused waiters. The pitch they gave us was that “at least it means you get fresh ingredients”. Well maybe but for these prices you would certainly not expect something out of a tin. It wasn't simply that certain dishes were off (fair enough) but they were obviously making it up as they went along – eg with a huge raft of the printed menu gone (when three of the waiters colluded to work it out) then ‘bits’ went missing from oursubsequent menu choices (this was a Friday night), eg the duck leg confit Asian curry (without any curry) suddenly found its bok choi accompaniment replaced by broccolli. OK maybe, just, but there should have be a bit more acknowledgement of the cock up. Then suddenly the rice ran out – rice! OK so what were we offered instead – mash! English plain mash with Thai curry – for £17! Eventually a chef apologised for this but no adjustments were made to our £120 bill for two. Definitely one to avoid. And they all seemed uncomprehending of any issues… enough said.

I have been once a week since it has opened pretty much, and I love the food.

I am always willing to allow a period of grace for the service while things kick in, I am sure that things will settle down at the Modern Pantry. Don't misuderstand me, the service is good, but with everything else that it has going for it – GREAT should be the word on my lips.

Firstly I mirror the previous reveiw about the onglet – the last time i was there the table next to me were having a pretty similar conversation about the onglet. Now, if the CHEF recommends the onglet medium, then it is the servers job NOT TO ASK THE DINER HOW THEY WANT THE CUT COOKED – it is the job of the server to say ‘the chef recommends the onglet medium, as it brings the best out of the cut, i hope that will be all right for you’ – it is a simple thing.

Secondly, the job of the maitre d' to welcome, charm, and manage – not only the the restaurant but also the customers expectations. I have visited a few restaurants during my spell on this planet and I am a happy regular customer at all the ones that are worth visiting…mainly due to the maitre d'. Now please don't take this the wrong way, I used to be a maitre d', I know how it works. I don't expect special atention, I don't expect freebies or better tables, all I want is welcoming service and a lack of attitude. If I had only visited the restaurant once the answer would be a simple one – someone was having a bad day, however i have been a few times more and either someone is really unlucky and having more than a bad day or ‘houston we have a problem’

This is no way intended as a dig, just a little wake up call, which for a new restaurant shuld not be happening so soon.

I will still continue to go… More