Rules

Went for a pre theatre meal. Arrived at 6pm and our order, which was a main of Steak Diane and another of Lamb, no starters, was taken almost straight away. There was us, a few others and lots and lots of empty tables.

After 35 minutes nothing to eat, no bread (table next to us got some) and sat with a soft drink and a glass of Pinot Noir.

Finally asked the waiter about the food, who grandly infomed me that a (pan fried) steak diane, as my wife had ordered it medium/ well took 35 minutes to cook. Yes, if you have to go halfway across town to buy the meat, but otherwise complete tosh. How do they cope when it's half full?

The food when it arrived was OK, not exceptional, but well cooked and presented.

Now it was nearly 7pm and we had to move on, the waiter then seemed disappointed we only had time for coffee… whose fault was that?

Cost : 1x cola; 1 glass Pinot noir; 1 steak diane; 1 lamb; 1 mixed leaf salad; 1 tomato and shallot salad; 1 espressso; 1 cappucino = £79.00.

Overall a nicely presented place but as a dining experience, completely underwhelmed – never going back, there are many more that offer much better.

I can understand why it appeals to tourists, but if you are going to spend money, go to somewhere where a fine dinging experience won't cost you much more, but will leave you totally satisfied – try The Square, Sketch, or even top floor Smiths of Smithfield, not fine dining but… More

We have just read about Rules in the Times having dined there last night and wondered if we went to the same restaurant! Yes the dishes are classic British standard but the service was sadly lacking. Having chosen red wine from the special selection, which was duly decanted we asked for bowl-shaped wine glasses only to be told ‘these are our standard glasses’ and ‘we used to have other glasses but not any more’. The starters were exceptional, as were the main dishes but the ‘creamed brussel tops’ turned out to be halved sprouts you could not get a fork into, the parsnips were equally hard and the mashed potato was gloopy school-dinner reject standard. We did not see a waiter throughout the meal, either to pour wine or check everything was ok (I know some people do not like this but at least we could have discreetly sent the veg back, rather than have the maitre d' sent to our table like a stern headmaster!) We declined to pay service charge as the ‘impeccable service’ was not in evidence on our visit.

On our first visit to Rules we were impressed with the interior design which was cosy and as old fashioned as one would expect. We decided to dine as we know the barman in there, young Michael who is a superb barman and Londons finest. Not only can he make you any drink you name, he also creates his owns drinks and many of the bottles behind bar you simply cannot get anymore. Real connoisseurs the guys upstairs and very friendly.

If only the same could be said about the staff downstairs. The front of door manager literally looked me up and down on my entrance. I thought I might have left my flies undone or perhaps had something on the bottom of my shoe but I think I passed the first test. I was not jettisoned into the street anyway.

The menu was nice and the food good but the entire evening was ruined by the extremely miserable waiter we had. Never smiled once.

I wish these places would ram home to their staff that surly and miserable staff does not make one want to return. Its basic stuff really and if they don't like working there then go elsewhere…as we did. Straight back into the bar upstairs where the friendly people are..and did I mention the drinks??!