Bob Bob Ricard

Had a great evening at BBR to chase away the early January blues!

Shots of vodka over Russian snacks such as jellied ox tongue, herring, cured pork lard and pelmeni (meat dumplings) got the meal off to a roaring start.

Starters of lobster cocktail (they sub lobster for langoustine whenever they don't have langoustine in stock, which is virtually always!) and a meaty terrine were superb. The beef tea soup looked great too! For mains we enjoyed chicken kiev (the sweetcorn mash served with it was utterly delicious) and pig cheeks braised in port which were so tender and meaty and delicious that I've been dreaming of them ever since. As I have of the apple jelly dessert served with the most buttery shortbread rounds I've seen!

And then there's the decor – flamboyant, kitsch and yet reminiscent of luxurious days long since gone, this is not somewhere for the faint hearted!
Lots of fun!

We first visited in December when it just opened and quite liked it. We have just been back – wow, what a transformation! The atmosphere is amazing – all twinkly and glamorous, millions of little lights and reflections everywhere. The menu is now larger and better organised (we found it confusing and limited on our first visit), the service very proper. Our tomato consomme had such a clean, fresh summer taste that both of us were instantly addicted. My companion's sea trout with caviar sauce was in her words “divine”. And my spicy beanburger was so meaty and moist I had to check twice that I did not get the carnivore's version! Perfectly finished our meal off with a strawberry and cream souffle to share. What a difference ten months make – we will certainly not wait this long for our next visit.

Bob Bob Ricard is odd and I can't make my mind up whether I like it or not. My friend is in love with it and has taken me twice, once for brunch (great) and once for dinner (confusing). I didn't get on with the nursery food meets fine dining menu where macaroni cheese and shepherds pie sit alongside lobster and beef wellington.

It's not cheap, so I'd rather spend that money in a less ‘novelty’ environment and get to grips with a more cohesive menu if I'm paying those prices.

The service is great and it's had a really buzzy atmosphere both times I've been and the room is certainly striking and it does make for a nice change. Take a mixed group of friends for a noisy burger and too many bottles of red and you'll have a great time. Or go for a lazy brunch or tea. Don't take someone without a sense of humour.

Now… Those uniforms… It seems so cruel to put such trained and welcoming staff in those god awful jackets . They look like servants from Daddy Warbuck's mansion in a crap am dram production of Annie.

After reading some reviews on here contradicting the review I read in the Metro a while back , I was dubious about going but I am glad I took the risk to try this place.
We went quite early last Thursday evening so the place was partially empty, we were immediately offered a seat downstairs near the bar, yes it's a bit dark but nice. The waiter was very attentive and we received our drinks quickly alongside the complimentary olives and nuts.
After finishing our drink we were offered to go to our table which we kindly accepted.
The staff were very friendly and not over attentive which was good.
My wife tried the Eggs in Mayo which i guess is a bit basic but they tasted good, I tried the middle white pork belly
dish which was served with the pork and jelly in separate jars which was a nice touch, the pork and jelly on top of the light crouton wafers was excellent and i would definately recommend this!
On to the main course and my wife had a lovely fillet steak on the bone which she loved, and I can vouch it did taste good. I stuck with pork yet again and had the… More

I generally only write reviews about places I like but his place was just too much! Had drinks in the bar downstairs on what has got to be the most ill conceived bar fit out I've probably ever seen…David Collins (who I'm generally a fan of) should know better. Has he tried sitting at one of the bar tables? I defy you to get your legs under the table..its just wrong! Call me mad but I actually quite like the idea behind the menu…its all comfort food favourites but needs updating and is overpriced. eggs with mayaonnaise and anchovies were just that…I actually enjoyed them but very dated…in a less designed space at more reaonsable prices the idea could work…depending how deep the owners pockets are I give this place 12 months.

Would probably work in St Tropez!