Oscar at the Charlotte Street Hotel

I wish I could go back and tell my naive 19 year old self in my student digs “You will NEVER be able to live on Charlotte Street again so enjoy it now you lucky BEEP”. I don't think Charlotte Street Hotel even existed back then; if it did our eyes slid past it as the closest we got to sophistication was blowing the overdraft on prosecco at Bertorelli's (farewell old friend). You need an overdraft to come to Oscar's, the restaurant in the hotel here. We managed to rack up £56 each on a glass of champagne, a snifter of Riesling and a bog standard 2-3 course Christmas meal. Don't get me wrong, this was not foisted on me. I voluntarily opted for the chestnut soup and the roast turkey. I could have had something completely different as there was plenty of choice on the menu but I was excited by the Christmassy courses. Sadly, whilst it was competently executed, it just failed to be much more than your average yawnsome office Christmas lunch fare and certainly not worth the price tag. What else was I expecting? I don't know but it disappointed food-wise. Probably because, greedy guts, “all the trimmings” were tiny and tucked away under the turkey (thank god we'd ordered plenty of sides). All in all a bit like opening your stocking on Christmas morning to discover Santa thinks you only deserve a packet of nuts, a bag of chocolate coins and a satsuma this year. That used to cut the mustard 20 years ago, but now? Not even in a recession, thanks Santa. Everything else about the experience was perfectly “nice”. The service was friendly and competent. The tables are linen-laid and hotelly. There's the right level of noise and busy-ness to feel you're in the heart of London without it being rammed down your throat. I will come back here (and to the other group hotels in Soho and Covent Garden) but will stick to afternoon tea or the cinema dates which are better value. I'm still a student at heart.

I had to find a place to have breakfast/brunch with my son who studies at UCL. This was amazing. The food was delicious. The service slow but good. Not many people n the place on a sunday morning for brunch but that was ok. I would highly recommend it. PLus the hotel is really fun to check out. It is expensive though…

Lunch at Oscar in the Charlotte Street Hotel was a very enjoyable and memorable experience. The decor is interesting and different and certainly not stuffy as some hotel restaurants can become.

The food and service were both very good. It was a busy lunchtime service but that did nothng to distract from the quality of the food which arrived in a reasonable time. The Baked Alaska was particularly well prepared and fulfilled all of the expectations. My main course of veal was very well cooked and presented. The flavours supported the visual impression of the dish very well. My colleague and I both commented on what an enjoyable experience Oscar had given us and our intention to return.

The only downside is that the restrooms are a little way away from the restaurant and that involves a few stairs. I am not sure if they have anywhere available as an alternative for diners with mobility issues.