Brasserie Joël at Park Plaza

We were staying at the hotel, and ate the Braserie for convenience. The food also sounded great and we took advantage of the set menu deal which allowed for a three course menu with unlimited drinks. Value for money was definitely a plus point.

To begin, my wife had the caesar salad and she really enjoyed, in fact, saying it was the best she had ever had! I had fresh prawns which were simple, huge and fresh. For main course, I had the fishermans' pie done in a french style, according to the waiter. It was creamy and moreish, with a finesse that the made it a cut above the standard fair. The side salad was beautifully simple, with a good, punchy dressing. My wife had Homemade Crab Rolls, but these were not so enjoyable; they were way too salty which ruined an other wise interesting dish (although the name didn't do it any favours either). The desserts, a blueberry macaroon and Semi Freddo respectively were a charming end. The atmosphere was a little dry, although it can be difficult in a hotel restaurant, especially with grumpy lone diner nearby. Staff were happy and attentive. An enjoyable god value experience let down by a poor main course dish.

Popped in for breakfast last Sunday, eat out for breakfast most weekends and like to try new places. We walked into the hotel, very nice, but then arrived at the restaurant; it was noisy, packed and had we not paid £10 to park would have left then – no brainer, but we stayed.
The only option was breakfast for £21.50, tempered by all you can eat and the phrase I hate to see most in a restaurant ‘serve yourself ‘ or, we are too tight to serve you. Now had this been a £4.99 deal I would have accepted, but the noise, the crowds, the painfully inexperienced staff and the food made me want weep, knowing I could have been sitting in London’s finest for a similar price.