Bumbles

I booked an office Christmas lunch here for 35 people. We found that the food was excellent, surprisingly good considering they were cooking for such a large group. We were given a nice large room downstairs with long tables. The service itself was OK (again, considering the size of the group and the number of places they were serving) but they could have got more staff in, they seemed a little short-handed. They knew we were coming, after all!

Our main problem was the organistion and staff on the day. The meal was booked fine, they took menu choices by email and took an extra deposit when we had an extra attendee book in a week before the meal. However when we got there they claimed total ignorance of the extra attendee (despite having a deposit for them…).

Worse, they very cheekily tried to overcharge us by a large amount on the drinks, and this came as quite a shock as we had agreed with them beforehand that we would buy drinks at the bar invididually. Magically, when we actually got there they claimed to know nothing about this arrangement and gave us drinks bills by table, and overcharged bills at that. It was a transparent attempt to get an extra service charge in and take advantage of (possibly slightly tipsy) office workers in a rush to get out to the pub. The staff themselves also seemed quite snooty and unfriendly, with one bloke plain looking down his nose at everybody. I know that serving for a large group can't be the best job in the world but c'mon, it's Christmas in London, you're going to have an office party in at some point..!

I'm sad that we had such an experience here. Other diners have had positive experience here, and I will say the food was very good. The restaurant is clean, nicely decorated and cosy without being too “homely” (but I can imagine it getting crowded quickly as it's so small upstairs). I would probably come back here by myself or with a friend for lunch or dinner, but I wouldn't recommend it for a group. The service is probably better for individual diners too.

Our party of four were delighted with everything about Bumbles from the atomosphere to the wait staff to the food. The attention to detail in the decorations and food were much appreciated. Details at the table included square wooden slabs for a bread plate, an agate butter dish and interesting carved bowl for bread. Even the salt and pepper shakers were interesting carved wooden eggs. We had the best table in the house in the front window.
The food was fabulous. I had salmon in a crisp little cone w/a dollop avacado mixture so it appeared like an ice cream cone for starters. The flavors together were wonderful. My main dish was an Angus sirloin that was cooked to perfection with mushrooms and cauliflower that tasted better than I've ever had.
My spouse had the squid risotto that he did not love as much, but it was accompanied by a cauliflower risotto w/cauliflower foam that was excellent.
Another member of the party had the lamb burger with onion rings and chips which he enjoyed very much
Desserts were also heavenly. Highly recommend this restaurant.