Cafe des Amis

We had a table for 4 booked at Cafe des Amis for 8pm. Because the previous diners were taking so long to finish, we didn't actually sit down until after 8.45pm, by which time we had been to enquire several times as we were getting very hungry.

The woman at front of house could not have been more accommodating, despite the situation being somewhat out of her control. When we eventually got our table, we were given a complimentary bottle of champagne to begin with – then the exclusion of steak dishes from the 50% discount was removed and we were allowed an upgrade from house wine to our own wine choice. All of this without having to ask for it. This was exemplary service and shows what is possible with confident and decisive management. We all left very happy after a wonderful meal, having completely forgotten the disorganisation earlier. Despite having visited Cafe des Amis on and off for probably 25 years, this experience has elevated my positive opinions of the place to a whole new level.

Surprisingly easy to find then the board right outside had an arrow in the wrong direction. Had to wait to be seated whilst staff member finished long telephone call. Before sat down was brusquely told tables were turned at 7 pm, as it was 5.15 pm we hoped faster service :) As with most restaurants they want a drink choice before you draw breath. 2 bottled beer choices and one was down to the last bottle. Selected fixed price menu (although website doesnt show the extra £3 for steak) hoping for speed but not the case but once starter arrived everything else followed ok. Food was very good especially the chocolate fondant which was really a hot chocolate filled chocolate steamed pudding. Staff were still preparing for the later evening rush and weirdly placed nice candles on the empty tables and not those occupied until we asked for one..strange. Maybe a typical London thing but a 12.5% service charge which was ‘discretionary’ but automatically added to the bill unless you kicked up a fuss. Would choose this place for a quick pre-theatre meal where a welcoming atmosphere isn't important. Cost £50 for 2 × 3 courses + 2 bottled beers.

This place does not deserve to be tied to French cooking I am afraid. Not that something's really wrong with it, but they lack the level of details and attention that would promote them from under average to at least good (I will come back) in my mind. To list a few: tables cleaned with a spray not moving salt, pepper and menu already on it, staff seeing a guest dropping a knife on the floor but not proposing to have it changed, …

The diner I had there 2 nights ago was really … so so. Terinne de campagne (and not champagne as shown on their web site) as a starter, not much to say about it. I have had much better ones in my life, but also worse ones as well. This was followed with a duck confit with sauted potatoes. Until recently, I never ate cold sauted potatoes – the gap was closed at this occasion. The plate itself was cold and although the duck was marginally hot (not too much and to me not hot enough equally) potatoes were not. A big disappointment as what could have been a decent dish turned into disappointment… As a dessert, I tried the hot apple tart with ice cream And again the tart was barely hot, and definitely not as much as it should have been.

Nice products but a total lack of commitment from the chef (or his / her aids) at ensuring that what is being served to their guest effectively meets not only standards but also expectations.

Suggest that the chef reads the user guide that came with his microwave or gets one. Sure that he can make some very good use of it…

My parents were down for the weekend and we were catching a matinee at the Aldwych. I wanted something close by, that was a bit special but not mad expensive, with a bit of atmosphere.

On the approach I was disappointed – down a bit of an alley way, next to some bins – it also looked dead inside and very quiet. We almost didn't go but my Dad insisted enthusiastically that we should go and I'm pleased he did.

Its a bit 90s inside, but clean and bright with thoroughly pleasant staff. They subtly confirmed we were here for the 50% offer as we walked in (so no awkwardness at payment time) but if we had elected to have the 2 main courses from the set menu for £14 we would have been ok to switch with no drama. Happily the restaurant got steadily busier and bustlier over the next 2 hours.

The menu was varied and all sounded lovely – we struggled to choose. The wine came quickly, was cold and crisp and our glasses were magically topped up all through the meal.

I had tuna capriccio which wasn't massively special but perfectly fine as a starter, my boyfriends moules marinere looked fab and he wouldn't share which is a good sign. For me the butternut squash ravioli in sage and butter sauce with pine nuts followed. It was delicious. He has the calves liver – his only complaint being the portion was too big. No pud but another bottle of wine and a coffee instead.

With the 50% off we clocked up nearly £60 off the bill. Which meant that for four people having two courses and half a bottle of wine each with a coffee we paid £25 per person.

I thought it was great value and whilst I might not go there for a special evening meal, it felt perfect for a special weekday or weekend lunch in the West End. Warmly recommended.

Value for money as square meal gave us a 50% off total bill voucher! We ate three courses and had drinks and a bottle of wine for £200. ( four people) But with the voucher the bill came down to £100! That was brilliant value! Smallish intimate restaurant, and had a menu, to suit us all, even a vegetarian!

Wouldn't take much for this to be really good, food wasn't hot, staff not trained well enough, it all felt a little fatigued and it wasn't particularly busy.

First visit to the above restaurant on recommendation.Overall opinion was busy and energetic staff (running up and down the stairway).
The only gripe was the main meal served on COLD PLATES… Gorgeous Chocolate soup with mmm black pepper ice cream, was the highlight of the entire meal.

Would I go back again NO.

Thurs 9 Sep 2010

A very disappointing meal and experience. I have eaten here before and had happy memories but not on this occasion. £100 for two people, for the total bill did not reflect the type of quality I would expect for that price. I have eaten better food for less than a third of that price. I will not be returning.

Service
Very over-attentive poor waitresses, who served every table, which led to us being asked what we wanted to eat literally ten seconds after we received the main menu by four different waitresses – this carried until we ordered and once again, when we were given the dessert menu, despite asking them to give us ten minutes to look at it! Also, the waitresses were very keen to remove the wine list from our table, again despite us saying that we will order and when we did order wine, the waitress walked off before my friend could order her drink!

Food
Our mains arrived far too quickly for our liking, about five minutes after ordering. I ordered a steak, with a peppercorn sauce, which was not cooked as I requested it and was not hot…which is how I like my main meal. I asked the waitress if the dishes had been put in the microwave and she hesitated to answer – not encouraging. I had to send my food back and unsurprisingly my steak was overcooked! I was too hungry to complain again. The presentation of the food was satisfactory.

Venue
It is a nice restaurant, we ate outside – I do not know if they have outdoor heating but it was a pleasant enough evening and the area was covered. The bar area is downstairs and it looked nice. I like the fact that this venue is slightly away from the main chaos of Covent Garden – it is down an alley-way (but you are totally safe!).
Toilets were satisfactory.

Value
I would suggest dining from their set menu if you wish.

We've just eaten a lovely meal in this restaurant, and at the end we saw a mouse scurry from the kitchen to behind the bar. We reported this to the maitre de who asked what we would like her to do about this. On arriving home, we then phoned the manager, and got much the same reaction. Don't eat here if you want mouse infested food, and the ambience ruined by roaming mice, and almost worse than this staff who don't seem to see a problem with this.

Café des Amis was a great experience. The restaurant understands it is about more than the food – it excelled with a mix of friendly, polite and very competent waiters. I was impressed how the staff paid extra attention to each table, even though the restaurant was full.
The red tone of the décor pleases the romantics, yet the large windows bring brightness in the restaurant for people looking for a casual meal. The tables are laid out in a way that each party can talk without hearing conversations of others.
The food praises simplicity and yet offers a range of perfectly combined favours. The Charcuterie plate has great hams and crunchy cornichons. The prime beef carpaccio was tender and well marinated; although I am not quite sure the spicy mint dressing compliments the beef. For the main course, the tuna steak with tomato salsa was a delight: tender and fresh. The tomato salsa brought out even more the freshness of the tuna. The meal was finishes with a delicious cheese platter and a glass of port.
I had a great experience at Café des Amis and will go there again. I recommend this restaurant to all looking for a combination of pleasant atmosphere, excellent service and mouth watering food.

Great value deal from Square Meal/Top Table. Excellent reservation service too.

The restaurant was easily found to us non-Londoners from sleepy Sufffolk. It was warm, welcoming and busy. Our table was ready and the waiting staff service perfectly balanced in attentiveness. The menu was varied and left some of my party spoilt for choice. Sadly for my husband, who had set his sights on the oysters, they had run out by 9.00pm, equally the steak tartare. His final choice of scallop tartare satisfied his ‘raw’ fish desires and was matched by his tuna, cooked almost rare for main course. Others in the party enjoyed lamb and duck cooked to their own preference. The side dish of “triple fried chips” appeared to be no more exciting than a portion of frozen McCain chips reheated!
Sadly the evening was marred by poor service from the kitchen with an hour long wait between the starter and the main course. The wait for one pudding, three coffees and 3 brandies only made matters worse, especially as our day travelcards would run out at midnight!
The waiting staff and management were quick to apologise and allowed a discount from the main bill, which was already reduced to 50% via our Square Meal reservation.

A place to return to – I believe we would. We are prepared to think we just caught them “on a bad day.”