Boisdale of Belgravia

We have been to the Boisdale on 3 previous occasions which were very good but I had to write about our last meal. We took American friends with us to show them a good night – what a disaster. They gave our table to someone else as we were 20 min late so they put us in a side room – no atmosphere at all. The service was appalling – when we complained they said they were busy??? They gave the two men in our group a whisky to keep us happy while us two ladies just sat there with nothing. They told my veggie friend that her meal would take 20 mins so could she choose another – as there was no other she chose a plate of vegetables – which arrived 40 mins later. It was an embarrassing night and we'll never go again. Incidentally I wrote complaining to them but as yet havent had an apology so thats why i thought I would warn other potential customers.

My Boisdale experience was pretty dire. We had a celebration night lined up so wanted to do something special and extravagant. We were really disappointed

Had to ask for wine three times and waited 30 mins for it to turn up, cigarettes twice, received the wrong starter, my friends steak tartare didnt come with an egg, (as descried on the menu) and despite asking straight away and repeatedly, the raw egg took 15 mins to arrive by which time everyone else round the table had finished starters. Four £35 steaks were ordered medium rare, one arrived well done, three arrived cold the replacements were burnt on the outside and raw in the middle. We were told that they were sorry, but the mistakes were because they were busy. I thought getting food and service right was a prerequisite of running a restaurant, particularly one that aspires to be at the higher end of a dining experience.

The bill was incorrect (charged twice for items) and despite being told they would compensate us they only, begrudgingly, removed service from the bill. Couldnt get out there fast enough.

If we wanted to smoke cigars, they couldnt accomodate us in the terrace and suggested we smoke them outside the front… You will have a better experience having a steak in the pub round the corner
AVIOD

great atmosphere, try and go on one of the nights when they have live jazz. I only ever have steak for a main, definitely up there with the best i've had in london. a favorite starter is the scallops with haggis, rosemary mash, crispy bacon and redcurrant jus, all goes together amazingly. since they've opened their smoking terrace i think its now probably my favorite local watering hole, not much more than a pub for a pint and you can sit outside in comfort. great whisky selection for after dinner as well.

I've been coming to Boisdale's for years (8 to be precise). I've always enjoyed the food and the service has always been immaculate. Sadly the dinner I had there with friends on last Saturday has left a sour taste in the mouth and I won't be returning. I had booked a function room for 12 people and on the morning had 5 drop out, for a variety of reasons, having a child taken to hospital being one. Not ideal, obviously but I let the restaurant know and they moved the party out of the room and other people into it. They did say at the time that they would want to charge us for the full 12 dinners, however when we arrived we asked to discuss this further and this was deferred to the end of the meal.
The food was good as usual, and when the bill came it was for what the 7 of us had eaten and drunk, which was of course absolutely great. I questioned this and the waiter did say that someone would speak to me on Monday but that it was fine, so we split the bill and paid Then today I received a call saying they had reinstated the original 12 meals and they would be deducting this from the card I had made the original booking with. Apparently this was not to cause embarrassment, although I am now face with the embarrassment of trying to recoup the money myself or swallowing the new raised bill myself. All could have been sorted out much easier at the time, while people were there, especially that I've been a long term customer.
Technically they are correct, however I'd expect more from a restaurant I had supported for 8 years, particularly as I had kept them informed all the way along and they had put other people in the room. Clearly though short term cash is more important than them than long-term custom. For that reason, my opinion is that if you're thinking of Boisdales, don't. They really don't deserve your money (or mine).

It serves very reliable food, the emphasis is on the quality of the ingredients rather than an imaginative use of them. Great meat and fish, the best haggis in town – try it and you will be pleasantly surprised – and a very very good wine list that provides plenty of choice from all major wine producing countries and good value. The service is patchy, like too many restaurants Boisdale seems to almost exclusively recruit staff who are ‘passing through’. The atmosphere is relaxed and very clubby, clientele by and large blokes who like meat. They also have a wonderful covered roof terrace. Good for smokers and carnivores, less than ideal for those well in touch with their feminine side.