Gow's

If you ask me, I think some of the people on this review page must just like a good whinge!

I too have created a profile on this site just to post a review of Gows, however, my experience was wonderful! I dragged my new husband out for what was meant to be a quick meal after work but we stayed for hours as we were enjoying ourselves so much.

We ate in the bar/bistro upstairs and got a lovely window table. The service was quick and very friendly, the food was marvellous,I went for the Lobster burger (WOW) which came with a free glass of champagne! James went for the Monkfish (another WOW) and we went through a couple of bottles of a wine I've never heard of before but fell in love with.

One of the deserts we wanted was unavailable which really wasn't a problem but the manager still gave us our coffees and another drink on the house when there was really no need. Such a nice guy.

There was a great buzz to the place, not too loud, with plenty of light and nice touches around the place like candles and flowers. we both felt very comfortable. One of the ladies toilets was out of service but I'm sure that's temporary.

Will be eating there again.

A recent (business) lunch at Gows and it was a miserable experience. Agree with the reviews posted. For a seafood/oyster restaurant I expected a heck of a lot more. The seafood linguine was very average – a tin of mixed (shelled) seafood thrown together with some tomato sauce and a leaf of basil, sitting next to a mound of pasta. The only sole in the place was the brown leather one they served as a tuna steak.

The food was one thing, but the service sunk to even lower depths. Only by waving our arms like a mad octopus (table of 4) could we attract attention of the waiter/waitress and the place was less than half full.

It's also pretty dingy downstairs with little atmosphere.

The only saving grace was a half decent pud.

Just had dinner at Gows, was so bad I actually signed up to create an account to post this. The staff were unattentive, our table was set with glasses that already had half drunk drinks in them, they forgot our drinks, etc etc – overall disappointing but was luckily with relaxed people. It is overpriced for mediocre/poor quality food.Agree with other reviewer, that I would have rather had McD's from liverpool st stn than eat at this place. Never again – too many restaurants in the area to have to sacrifice a meal to that.

If Gow's paid me to eat dinner there, I'd scream and run for the hills. This evening's meal at Gow's was possibly the most flavourless, miserable and un-inspired meal I've eaten in living memory. I'd rather go hungry than be paid to eat at Gow's.

The interior at Gow's is miserable, the staff don't even bother to ask why your plate returns to the kitchen un-touched. The risotto was diabolical, the steamed potatoes had been “boiled” a good 12 hours ago and reheated in the microwave – rubbery edges and brittle centres mmmmmm.

This place charges more than St John Bread & Wine, yes, you heard right. There are toby grills that would wipe the floor with Gow's, it's just appaling. Please do yourself a favour and go for a McDonalds. You'll be less disappointed and still have plenty left over to go for a bite at the Anchor & Hope. This place shouldn't be allowed to even serve food, and where the hell does the Squaremeal star come from??? When did you ever eat here?

Two of us visited Gow's for lunch (12:30) a couple of days ago.
Good to see a pretty short menu BUT how on earth in the middle of December can 2 items from that menu not be available – to whit, native oysters and fresh crab. There was a lame excuse that the delivery had not yet arrived – inexcusable.

In the end, we shared 15 rock and Colchester oysters – the size is as you are given, so no choice there.
For main, my companion had fillet of seabass – it looked overcooked to me, but was apparently OK (that word again) – while I had a dover sole. Lazy prep had stripped off only the dark skin.

With my sole, I had boiled new potatoes with parsley butter. These had clearly been pre-cooked and reheated, as witnessed by their general dryness and hard outer shell.

Pud was a neutrally tasteless treacle tart and coffee (no refills offered) was either low quality and/or had been stewing too long and was not very nice.

The wine list is predictable and dull – we chose from one of their more expensive wines – a white CDP @ £50.00. Again, this was adequate but unmemorable.

The final bill, including service, was about £95.00 a head, which is comparable in price but not a patch on quality to Galvin's on Baker Street.

It never ceases to amaze me how badly served with fish restaurants is London and the rest of the UK, with a few notable exceptions.