Pied a Terre

I went to Pied A Terre for my birthday last night expecting a typical Michelin star experience. I did not get this! The atmosphere in the restaurant is dead, the staff are overly formal to the point of being patronising. We chose the standard menu (2 courses for £60) and I had the quail to start while hubby had the pork belly. Before this came out we were served canapes (no amuse bouche or pre-dessert here folks) of beef tartlet and potato croquette. They both tasted of nothing more than the description but the tart case was noticeably blonde and dry. Then the starters came, mine tasted like chicken, not sure how they managed that and when I asked the waitor to hold the foie gras he looked at me like I was mad! Part of the dish is a quail kiev which tasted like a cheap supermarket kiev (maybe not even that good!) Overall my starter was bland and I simply found no taste of fir puree at all! Hubby described his as ‘OK’ but commented that he couldn't understand the parsnip with the squid and pork. For my main I had the chicken. This was actually smaller than my starter and lacked any carbs. The chicken pieces tasted tough but oddly enough one piece was still a little raw! The preserved lemon overwhelmed everything and I couldn't understand why the same shrivelled mushrooms from my starter were on my main! I would suggest you avoid the boudin blanc as it was a very unpleasant surprise on the plate – I can't quite describe why it was bad, it just was. Hubby had the beef, the cheeks were good but the fillet (I think that was the cut) was blue and not medium rare. The chef also decided to add foie gras to the plate despite us making it clear that we were opposed to it. Again, hubby described the meal as ‘ok, but nothing special’.
We decided to skip dessert fearing that the portions would be even smaller and taste even worse. The waitor did bring out a huge amount of petit fours though. Five chocolates on a plate each, two of which tasted like chicken! I kid you not! Also, the little lemon tart (chicken tasting also) had a horrendous brittle pastry which was just awful!
Overall I think we were both pleased to have finished the meal. We have eaten in a number of Michelin starred restaurants in London and I think I can safely say that this is the worst in terms of food. I'm really not sure how it got the star!
My highlight of the night was an interaction between a customer and our waitor. She kindly informed him that her guests were all seated upstairs (private dining I guess) and the waitor said ‘thanks’, looked down and said ‘how far along are you’, to which she replied ‘what?!’ so he patted her stomach and said ‘the pregnancy’. She replied 'I'm not pregnant, I've just eaten'. Horrific! Indicative of the smarmy nature of the waitors though and the strange atmosphere in this place! If you want to spend this much money on food go to Hospital Road!

After writing this review the owner of the restaurant called me (12.11.12). He told me that this review was sensationalist and nonsense. He also questioned my expertise and told me that I basically had no reason to write this review. He refused to address any of the issues I had with the meal and instead wanted me to remove the (opinion based) review. I won't be pressured into saying positive things about a restaurant when I had such a bad experience.

Having said that, this was just my experience. I wouldn't make a decision on a restaurant based on one review and I hope other people wouldn't either. However, if I pay for a meal and am that unhappy about it I have the right to complain, and complain I will. Hear this Mr Pied a Terre: I may only make cupcakes but I eat well. I have no problem paying for good food but I expect a little respect as the person putting money in your till!

If you want haute cuisine..just maybe. More on this in a second. The setting; ‘worthy’, ‘hushed’ and ‘corporate’ are words more fitting than ‘romantic’ and ‘atmospheric’ . The service however is as good as you will find anywhere – discrete and VERY impressive.
Perhaps it is just me, but I could not get excited enough about the food – none of that feeling of ‘food memory’ you have the next morning after a really special meal. Same for my guest. Wonderful sounding ingredients but flavors that were frankly just to subtle (or did I say bland) when combined. Was it good? Yes, certainly; but given the prices, I cannot say it represented value for my money. I have been to many expensive restaurants and come away thinking ‘wow’. I came away from Pied a Terre thinking it was ‘expensive’.
To go or not to go?…That is indeed the question. Not if you want somewhere really memorable, and certainly not if atmosphere or buzz are also on your list. Would I go again? – Sorry guys, Nope, not unless i had clients I did not know well and for whom I needed somewhere quiet, truly dependable and very ‘safe’.

Much-loved wife and I enjoyed a fabulous lunch (well ok afternoon) at Pied a Terre this week. We had a 1.30 pm booking and had prerequested the tasting menu and I was a bit concerned we would be rushed through and out. Not the case at all. On arrival we were offered the choice of a smaller quiet room or the larger (very slightly) more boisterous one. We chose the latter which was probably a good choice. Apart from one customer who really shouldn't have been allowed out to eat – but then maybe he thought the same about us?
Service was just superb. Great mix of characters working the floor. All knowledgable; all friendly; but with a comfortable knack of knowing exactly how much or little to say. Wine service was equally strong and done with skill and finesse and without snobbery. When one half bottle was rejected (my own fault – one I had chosen – not been recommended) on the grounds purely that I didn't like it, my offers to pay were refused and it was immediately replaced with an alternative and with a smile. (Of course I couldn't hear what they might have been saying out of my ear shot)
We came to Pied a terre on recommendation from a chef friend (we are both chefs) so hadn't previously read any reviews. Looking at them now I wonder if some of them are of the same restaurant? Or maybe people's expectations of a two star restaurant vary. I didn't realise it had two stars when we booked and in truth a couple of times I felt the dishes missed a little at 2 star level. But that is personal taste. I find the same at le manoir from time to time.
But any criticism would be unjustified really because the overall experience was just BRILLIANT. It is probably a good job we had tickets for Billy Elliot in the evening or poor James would have had to put up with us all evening as well.
As an aside I couldn't believe the price of the set luncheon. We didn't eat it because we had come a long way to try as many dishes as possible but it looked an absolute bargain.
Congratulations
John & Julia
The Leatherne Bottel

Our visit to Pied-e-Terre was a jovial start to the weekend so was already up against it in terms of meeting our high expectations. Eight courses later those expectations were not only joyfully met but exceeded, with a medley of innovative and refined cuisine, fine wine and excellent service in a darkly seductive atmosphere.

As a diner beginning to return to my vegetarian roots I decided to judge the finesse of Pied-e-Terre with the vegetarian dining menu which upon first sight evoked strong images of colour and flavour. Together with my partner a fellow vegetarian, and friends choosing the meat tasting menu we set off on our sensory journey. On my way I enjoyed a salad of piquant pickled vegetables, a juicy, ripe and flavour packed beetroot and Lancashire cheese bomb, a creamy ragout of wild mushrooms and toasted tarragon brioche, tart of rich and caramelised endive with fresh walnuts…there's more but I think your getting the picture! Essentially, If M&S were advertising the tasting menu you'd be all hot and bothered just by the sound of it. This really was a tantalisingly exciting and truly vegetarian menu expected of a Michelin starred restaurant and gladly superseding my own personal criteria.

In addition, service was friendly, with an entertaining sommelier for those of us taking the wine flights, accommodating and professional with dishes being smoothly swapped for the next course and information on each dish helping us to remember the plentiful menu.

The ambience is dark, richly textured and intimate making it perfect for romantic nights out and group dining alike.

A worthy nod to Shane Osborn and the front of house staff for a fantastic experience worthy of 2 Michelin stars and evident in every element of the night.

I took my wife to Pied a Terre last week for her birthday. We both had the best time of our lives. The service and food is faultless. Clearly the owner and his staff know how to run a French restaurant. We have never been to a better French restaurant and will return very soon.

I had dinner here with my husband a while ago, since I love food and the reviews on this site were good. The food was acceptable, but not great. Especially not for that price. However, the biggest disappointment was the waiting staff: all very arrogant and at times simply rude. They seemed to be very annoyed to have to serve us that day. Definitely do not go here for a nice evening out.

Visited for lunch as a party of four – we had the tasting menu, which is extensive and varied. Little varied service at the start – I found it quite difficult to get a bottle of wine – although the list was very long and had a very wide variety of choices.

Three of us had the wine flight and a very good variation on the norm was to have either a discovery set of wines, or a classic/traditional set. We chose the discovery and also had a very communicative and helpful sommelier who for once came from the Southern Hemisphere rather than France – a first for me was a Brazilian Wine and the pairings including the sherry with the last dessert went really well.

Food was generally as you'd expect, highlights were the scallop and oyster dish and the halibut with a cream and tarragon sauce – more disappointing was the lamb main, which lacked depth of flavour, but moved to a strong finish with the puddings.

Overall very enjoyable, very good, but not great or outstanding – at two stars I preferred The Square, but if you are touring the stars you should include this one too.

This was my first visit to Pied a Terre and I can only say superb, excellent, wonderful. But let me be specific.

Service – A hot bed of criticism it would seem, but when I arrived I was warmly greeted, seated and offered an aperitif. And not disturbed again. When my guests arrived, all were treated the same.

Food – We all opted for the taster menu and what a good choice. A chance to sample so many dishes! The bread was a good indication of what was to come and what came was delicious. There wasn't a single unhappy dinner on my table. The plates were cleared seamlessly. The table was cleared, unobtrusively, of breadcrumbs twice, maybe 3 times. Not overbearing at all. The dishes were all delicious with opinion split as to which was best, from the Foie Gras to the Sea Bass to the Tuna or the cheese, with the Chicken in the mix as well. All very tender and well prepared. All gracefully delivered and explained so you knew exactly what you were about to enjoy.

The atmosphere – Yes it is a small venue, but it's not cramped with very comfortable booths all around.

Wine – While we didn't have the wine flight, the wines suggested by the Sommelier were in keeping with the food. And a good choice on all. Although the prices were kept from me, the resultant bill showed that no farce had been pulled and for such nice wine well suited to the food, the prices were comparable and not extortionate. I would suggest only that the wine list been shown to the host, so you know what you are paying before you commit to the purchase. Although as mentioned, I was not upset with the cost paid for such good choices.

Summary – I took clients here on a first time of trying the venue and I can only say it was a very good job, well done. Thank you Pied a Terre.

This restaurant has all the potential in the world, but it is almost as if it is trying too hard. Our lunchtime visit felt stiff and uncosy. The staff were extremely friendly, but over-attentive to the point where it made us feel uncomfortable, appearing out of nowhere to refill glasses, rearrange napkins, or remove two breadcrumbs as soon as we moved a finger. The food was very good, however, given the stiff competition in this neighbourhood, not worth the steep prices. Presentation, overall style and atmosphere is not right for the majority of the lunchtime audience on Charlotte Street. I had heard many good things about this restaurant, but was very disappointed by the overall experience.

Right up there with The Square, especially for lunch. Great food, always interesting menu, fabulous value for lunch, excellent front of house and service. Like The Square, formal in its presentation and feel, if a little more cosy and intimate – better for dinner than The Square if intimacy is what you are after. The wine list is what you would expect, difficult to find value but that’s true generally in town, and very few rose's.