Eastside Inn

Truly special food served with obvious knowledge and passion. I went for lunch so I don't know what the dinner arrangements are but there is a quick business lunch offer served in one hour or the a la carte option where you are simply invited to indicate your special preferences (or dislikes) from a list of about 15 ingredients bought that day.

We went a la carte and sat back and waited to be surprised. We were. Whilst roast woodcock served complete with beak pointed proudly upwards and the head stuffed with foie gras might be a bit much for the faint hearted the quality of the cooking was simply outstanding. Between us we enjoyed various forms of fois gras, duck, scallops, woodcock, saltmarsh lamb and John Dory followed by a simple but outstanding cheeseboard and spectacular puddings – caremelised banana and chocolate, a sublime Grand Marnier souffle with chocolate ice cream and an extraordinary meringue mini – bombe filled with passion fuit and pineapple and flambed in Malibu, bringing a tantalising whiff of summer beaches to a drab January day.

Add to all this a knowledgeable and helpful sommelier and terrific waiting… More

I decided to hold off reviewing the eastside in until I had been back.

My first visit was during the week it opened and there was not a whole lot to recommend. I have followed the chef and was happy that he and his wife had gone solo. The sommelier was of a good pedigree as well, so I was somewhat bereft when I left feeling let down by all three.

I can forgive a few errors in service, when newly opened. When this continues some months after, I am afraid to say that it is not acceptable. Don't get me wrong the service is not bad, it is just not correct. Little things, knives and forks with marks, plates trying to be cleared before they are finished, too long to get a waiters attention when the restaurant is half empty.

The sommelier is a grumpy sort of a fellow and a little pompous.

The food is unfortunately WAY overpriced and had not improved from my first visit.

It is safe to say that I wont be trying the finer dining area and it would be greatly appreciated if someone could turn back time and bring back Vic Naylors.

For anyone wanting a good meal go to St John next door.

Lunched at the Bistro, which in the case of Eastside Inn means regional french grub served on bare tables around an open kitchen. The food: charcuterie may have lacked variety, two types of ham, both Italian plus some lovely crunchy little pickled cucumbers, but it was fabulous value, one portion at £6.50 easily enough for two. Choice of five mains plus a special of the day, the spit roast short rib of beef I had was fabulous, you didnt need a knife it was so tender. Skipped desert which was an act of iron willed abstinence since the choice included a classic ice cream sundae, creme brulee and rice pudding. Some good wines offered by the glass, not enough of them, but you can't have everything.

Service was informed, mostly efficient, required a prompt on the red wine, and friendly. Big fan of open plan kitchens right at the cntre of the action, makes for a good atmostphere even if the restaurant is, as it was, not very full. Extra interest provided by the presence of Fergus Henderson who was obviously in to check out the competition, I noticed he left a clean plate.

Good for practically anybody, even vegetarians… More

The Eastside Inn – well one always has a level of expectation about a new restuarant – and it is disapointing to come away unsatisfied (and hungry!)

We had a 6.30pm booking as I was told on booking that this was the only booking available – however when we arrived the Bistro was completley empty and did not even begin to fill up for a good hour or so and even then was not full – so was being told that the only booking available at 6.30pm a trick to get the restaurant filled earlier?

While the Cosmos ordered were of a very good standard, the food and service were disappointing. The food whilst well made, was in tiny portions and extremely over priced for the small amount served. £17.50 for monkfish which was barely there – also there was a pretty limited choice on the menu.

We were also asked a one point if we would like to finish our cocktails in their canverous lounge beneath the restaurant – we declined on the basis that there was nobody down there!

Overall the service was too fussy and a tad arrogant – and to be charging £17.50 for a tiny piece of fish in this current economic climate is simply unacceptable. A shame… More