J Sheekey

J Shakey

The Atmosphere is the pull here, yes, as per popular myth there is indeed a bowler hat wearing gentleman to open the door and he reception is very friendly indeed. Sadly beyond this things start going down hill very quickly indeed, and the food does not live up to expectations (at all) and basic errors marr the impression. However it is a late night address in these parts but the bar is far too cramped to make it a stop off for a bite and a glass of wine. This leaves to think that it is very sad indeed as the premises are beautiful and worthy of attention to detail in kitchen. Should signs emerge that it will turn around I will give it another go!

King's New Clothes .... appalingly bad.

Went there with my wife last night for pre-theatre dinner.
What an awful experience. Firstly there are so many staff they were literally tripping over each other in the confined space. Secondly there were more ‘glorified waiters’ in suits strutting around trying to look important than you could shake a stick at. During the meal they stopped at our table no less that 4 times to ask how things were, at one point one of them stopped and started recounting the history of the place while we were trying to have an intimate meal for 2. GO AWAY !!! The waitress was also especially attentive and she did a fabulous job and was charming but that was the only good experience. I had potted shrimp followed by Smoked Haddock with Collconade and poached egg. The Haddock was practically raw. Now I like Sashimi and Sushi so raw fish isn't all bad but when it's warm and slimy … Ugh! My wife had the dressed crab and ‘supposedly’ Monkfish and Prawns Tandoori style. Firstly the crab was passable. However in the main dish we couldn't find *any( monkfish at all and she counted 5 prawns. Cost for this including an obligatory 12.5% service charge? NO wine and 1 bottle of water … £108. What an absolute scam. I don't know what's happened to London but this is the second time in a week I've paid over £50 a head and been served with poor quality food. J Sheekey has become a success based on it's own propaganda. Unless you like staff who have no clue about creating a fine dining experience and like substandard food give this place a miss. It's only volume's of unsuspecting theatre goers that keep this place ticking over. Anywhere else and it would go bust within a month.

Big reputation, big let down

A friend and I are big fish fans and decided on a meal at London's famous J Sheekey for some fishy fare. Unfortunately whilst my friend got on well with her pricey yet sumptuous dish, I had several issues with mine – a fish pie – not least of all the lashings of what appeared to be dijon mustard coating and killing the fish in its entirety. I got up to about eight mouthfuls or so, before quitting and I should have sent it back if my sense had prevailed but this is J Sheekey I thought, and who am I to argue the merit of its otherwise much lauded food. So instead we continued the night, me in quiet disappointment and my friend excitedly moving onto dessert. What a shame I thought, on an otherwise perfectly good night out.

I used to like this place a lot more when indeed it was my favourite fish restaurant in london. however, in recent years i just feel it does live too much of its name and reputation. Yes it still serves up quality fish food but it feelsfor me somewhat unthoughtful and simply average rather than outstanding (what it used to be). However, given the location still a great pre/post theatre/cinema option

Going to J Sheekeys for their fruits de mer platter is for me the equivalent of walking into a spa. A brief respite of pure unadulterated luxury, a heady healthy hit that generally goes a long way towards improving my state of mind. The definition of a treat in other words.

It hasn't changed here in years, an I mean that in a very good way. Nicco Polo and I settle into a luxurious banquette with a self-satisfied sigh entirely at evens with the surroundings. Acres of luxurious linen cloths, a friendly and superbly well drilled FOH team and an awesomely good selection of shellfish. Nothing else needed.

Given my frothing tone so far, I should stress that while Sheekeys is luxurious, there's nothing pretentious about it. Seeing that we were struggling and wasting time with the faff of peeling the succulent little brown shrimp, our waiter gave a handy seaside tip, pinching head and tail together to pop out the sweet, fresh goodness. If I were a newbie contemplating attacking a platter, then this level of thoughtfulness would be even more appreciated.

If there's something vaguely erotic about the eating of an oyster, then fruits de mer is the culinary equivalent of no holds barred, hanging from the lampshade sex with a fruity, nubile and entirely innapropriate ex. A plethora of succulent, juicy little nubbins, blushing creamy pink morsels and taut sinews, each begging to be sampled next. Like the aforementioned illicit tryst, there's a wild menu of differnt styles, types and positions, everyone has their favourites and it's all so borderline lewd that nobody wants to imagine their parents at it.

After that, an ice cold buttery white wine and something to mop up the juices (see, I said you didn't want to imagine your parents at it…) we collapse back into the banquette. Perfect, absolutely perfect.

Very good as usual, especially at lunch time. Perhaps the only slight issue was the number of large tables with noisy diners, Keeping these larger tables a distance from others would be a good idea.

Consistently (over the last 28 years) my favourite fish restaurant in London. Maintains a good traditional feel with modern edges. Beautifully fresh seafood and wonderful oysters. Service outstanding and ambience wonderful. The seafood bar was a great addition and a super place to have a simple (and often good value) lunch. Can't praise it enough.

Can manage to serve nearly all tastes on cost and value depending on choice of dish. Excellent white wine list in particular and choices like Menetou Salon can be good value.

There are a couple of ways into the restaurant – I prefer going through the customary greeting by the doorman, into the tiny lobby – but you could go in through the oyster bar if you wish. There's a teeny tiny bar which serves all manner of things in old fashioned martini glasses, and every available space is covered in photos of bygone stars… The restaurant is made up of a series of interconnected rooms, all crammed with little tables, all crammed with very animated diners. It's all run on a very tight and strict schedule – there's no room for dilly-dallying.

As a starter I had little scallops, with crushed peas, pea shoots and crispy pancetta – absolutely yummy – one of my favourite combinations; the Hubby had devilled whitebait, which came out in a huge portion, with a serving of fresh tartare sauce to the side – he often has this – and says this is the place to eat it.

I can honestly say that I don't eat fish and chips, never have and ordinarily probably never will – but I eat it at Sheekey's and at Scotts. The haddock has a casing so crisp it shatters with your fork, and it's served with crushed minted peas and chips – delicious!

This is what the Hubby chose, and I did gaze in his direction, but he ignored my fluttering eyelashes. No matter, I had one of my other favourites – the sole served off the bone, with really good bernaise sauce. I had my usual herb green salad – can't go to a Caprice Holdings restaurant without that – and the Hubby had his parmesan courgettes.

The food was perfectly cooked: the bernaise was both unctuous and light, the sole practically melted in the mouth. The Hubby's fish and chips really did look delicious, and he tucked in with gusto. It's difficult to say much more about it, really: I have never had a bad meal at Sheekey's – I have never had any issues with the staff at Sheekey's – it's a fabulous restaurant!

If you're going to go to one of the Caprice Holdings restaurants for the food (!), it has to be Sheekeys! If you're going to celebrate your wedding anniversary, or significant birthday, it should be Scotts. If you're taking your easily impressed aunt from Blackpool, and you want to show off – may as well go to the Ivy – I don't want you cluttering up Sheekeys for the rest of us…

We decided to return to J Sheekey for a birthday celebration last night and from the moment we arrived to the moment we left we were not disappointed. Following a starter of scallops my monkfish tail was perfectly cooked and one of the most tender I have had in a long time. My wife opted for oysters followed by the Ray – she is still talking about it 24 hours later! These were all washed down with an excellent bottle of Gavi.
J Sheekey never fails to deliver. If you are looking for a special night out you could do a lot worse than spending a few hours in this wonderful West End institution.

Been many times over the years and it is one of those places that rarely lets you down, in fact since the Oyster bar was added its lifted the feel of the whole place.
No point really in going if you don't love fish or sea food, it kind of what they do and they do it very well. The menu is one that makes you feel immediately comfortable, its not innovative or exciting but there's a lot of comfort food on offer and the execution is very good indeed. Never been day or night when its not been anything other than very busy, so there's a buzz and a vibe that is very appealing. Service is always good and they are always on top of their game. The wine list is very good indeed- the bar has a fantastic selection of champagnes and sparkling wine including a couple of Englands finest.
Its very popular with the luvies so there is always a good chance of bumping into someone famous who has just come off stage at The Geilgud or The Lyric.