Crazy Bear

Crazy Bear, W1T 2RG

Lovely sushi, extensive menu, excellent wine list. Fit for SLT groups and team lunches / dinners. The downside is total lack of light, hence reading the menu is a challenge!

A very wet and windy Thursday evening brought us to The Crazy Bear. Having not been here for a number of years, I didn't know whether the decor had changed, but once entering, it still had that louche, slightly subversive feeling of the Orient, of the past.
Three of us decided to stick to fish dishes, thinking about our waistlines. Started with Yellowfin Sashimi, which was ok, not the best I've tasted. Followed by Sea Bream with ginger and cashew nuts, which was excellent. Perfectly cooked fish, with finely chopped lime, the whole dish fresh and light. Friends decided on Black Cod and the Red Snapper in banana leaves- all delicious. Sides of duck spring rolls and Pad Thai wrapped in an omelette, both well made.
The restaurant was half full in our section, which for 9.30pm, was surprising, downstairs the place was packed.
Service was fine, with little interaction with the staff, but alert when additional drinks were required.
Overall a good evening, with smiles all around, until we stepped out into the cold and wet.

‘Unlimited Champagne’. Mmmm. It speaks to the latent Hooray Henry (and perhaps the lush) in me. So when a sub-£40 tasting menu promises endless bubbles and eight courses, my squeals of joy are audible. Hello, Crazy Bear!

Recent reviews paint this place as an institution with a flailing cult rep. Service is hailed as super-slick or mean-spirited and sloppy, with more regard for a mean cocktail than a decent feed.

In contrast we received a v.warm welcome for lunch, with jolly staff as happy to take our coats as to top up our glasses well before they were dry. We had to request a peek at the promotional menu which was swiftly offered – just as well, as the alternative looks mighty steep in price – but the Brut was already flowing, so we didn’t quibble. Chefs were happy to mix and match dishes for a pescatarian, which is a doozie in my books.

Dim Sum from the vegetarian menu was less varied in texture and type than the meat-eater’s menu, with so-so flavours among the sticky, steamed buns. But if the starters were lacklustre, then the mains were triumphant. Okay, so I ended up with a trio of tofu dishes, but each was distinctive: a pokey and aromatic curry, a simple stir fry where each skinny green bean had a satisfying snap, and more than a tickle of kaffir lime among the noodles. (I was completely overwhelmed by the sheer quantity in the latter stages, so my advice is to save yourself. That curry’s goooood).

And so to a trip through the moody bar downstairs, to simply spend a penny. I turned to my left as directed, but saw an impenetrable labyrinth of mirrored walls and proceeded to style it out as I pawed each surface. I had half a mind to take a run-up and CHARGE! as I searched.

What exactly did the decor set out to achieve by squirreling away the lavs? I didn’t notice any locals slapping each other on the back, madly chortling at my misadventure, and it must’ve proved downright tiresome for the long-suffering barman. To this day, I can but pray that the neon trough in which I washed my hands was – gulp – a sink, and not a urinal…

This ‘member’s only’ trickery is extended to the anonymous facade, and it really gets my goat. I pitter-pattered back and fourth across the same stretch of pavement in a state of bewilderment before entering the joint, feeling like an ultra-spod. (The camera phone never lies, right? I must be here)?! Indeed, the darkened doorway was the right spot, but I’d missed the paw logo on the doormat in the absence of an actual sign.

These piddly irritations might sum the place up. There’s a lot going on to impress, but there’s a fair bit of style over substance too; I suspect it lures a crowd keen to see and be seen after hours (but this is a foundless assumption). Lovely though the service was throughout – with no hidden extras sneaked in, unlimited mineral water thrown in and a real effort to please – we did feel slightly shoehorned out the door when we’d paid. It’s understandable given that the wine flowed so freely and we were fore-warned of 90-minute slots; but we were welcome to slink to the bar for more reveling, at the mercy of our own pockets.

Our lunch was a stolen treasure on a week-day off work, and I’m glad to have popped along. I can’t lie that the wealth of neighbouring tapas joints aren’t top-notch because they might offer a more consistent treat for the soul and the tummy. They might not be as flash or as fancy (and their hours not quite so permissive), but they’re a sound bet when it comes to a lunch that lasts way into the evening.

Visited the Crazy Bear last Thursday (27th September) and had a wonderful evening. Drinks in the bar downstairs as the DJ was playing great music. The place was full and the atmosphire was buzzing. Had two different cocktails, both well presented and tasted special. Moved to the upstairs restaurant and had a fantastic meal (You must try their Sushi, best ever!). The staff were polite, friendly and the service was very attentive. I will be back soon!!

I went to the Crazy Bear on Whitfield Street for lunch this week and was very very impressed. I had been for drinks in the bar before, so I knew how unusual and cool the place is but had never eaten there before. I had seen their website advertising a ‘Champagne Lunch’ deal, which looked incredible, and I am pleased to say that it really was! We had a selection of 8 different dishes of sushi and Thai food, and through the whole meal our glasses were continuously topped up with Champagne. Seriously, it was unlimited Champagne the whole way through our meal. I love Thai and Japanese food anyway, and the Dim Sum was beautiful, and I loved the Ostrich!
Our waiter was really friendly and attentive, and made sure we were enjoying ourselves the whole time we were there. I think the lunch was just under £40 each, which for all the Champagne and the quality of food we had, was really great. I can't wait to get all the girls together to go back and take advantage of the offer again!

Being seated at the bar ( on cute snake skined chairs) on arrival for Cocktails was a luxury not normally observed at so many bars on a Friday night..the numbers politely controlled so you could fully take in this weird and wonderful setting! Mellow but up lifting music is delivered by the Dj but seems to go un noticed as the lively crowd hum under the bass! The lighting dark but comfortable…giving you a chance to take in all the weird and wonderful decor!

We ordered cocktails which were delivered by bar staff that clearly knew what they were doing and I have to say that the service was execptional.

This Bar really has an Alice in Wonderland feel and it took some direction from staff and a moment to take in my surroundings when attempting to visit the ladies room…which is mirrored almost to the point your not quite sure where you are…! It was a bit freaky to say the least !!

But on the whole I would recommend this bar for drinks, and would say that in the case of The Crazy Bear you do get exactly what you pay for!!

I remember Crazy Bear from its early days – great food, epic bar and a cool, slightly kooky crowd partying away downstairs knocking back cocktails.

Roll forward a few years to last month, and the cocktails are still good, not quite great as they were before, but much better than the norm in London. The atmosphere was really terrific – buzzy, noisy without being noisy, with a more office-orientated crowd. Not as cool as it used to be, but still a nice place to get a drink.

If only the same could be said for the service. Apart from the front door which is friendly and professional, the service in the rest of the restaurant is average, with occasional variation to utterly dreadful. It took four attempts to get cutlery to eat with, for instance, and when it came it was almost thrown onto the table in a manner of disdain. Wasn't happy at all with the attitude of the staff.

Fortunately the food made up for the spiteful service. The slow roasted pork belly was as good as ever, tender, moist, meaty, with little fat and delightfully balanced in flavour. Seared beef was also good although it did lack that little spark that elevates a dish from being merely good to absolutely stonking. The red duck curry is still brilliant, full of flavour, sweetness and spice without the over-bearing stickiness and cloying feel that lesser curries can impart. The bitter chocolate soup was brilliant and still one of my favourite ever pudding choices.

In terms of value for money, considering just the food, I have to say that it is decent value. It is more expensive than your regular local Thai restaurant, but the food does a good job of justifying the prices. What isn't acceptable is the level of service, although credit is due to the front of house manager who agreed that she has a problem with the staff and that the service aspect is something she is actively looking into fixing.

On that basis then, a qualified recommendation – great food and a lovely environment if you don't mind putting up with haphazard service

I went to Crazy Bear with my husband and friends, unfortuanately as we booked at late notice they only had a table early, so there was no atmosphere!

On the other hand, the food was lovely and did make up the quietness in the restaurant!

Inept service with clueless, inexpereinced and ineffectual staff . The Door staff should be deported
This is just a glorified Pub with a couple of Restaurant style lights
Lack of clear outside signage
Had walked past the venue 3 times without it being obvious where it was situated.
This place deserves to go out of business.
Don't take your worst enemy here under any circumstances

Absolutely rubbish

It was my wife's birthday, so I looked at Crazybear for a nice sushi… that was a mistake!

I had emailed the restaurant on a Monday, 4 days prior to our event, for a table/booth and I requested to visit the restaurant. They replied that should be fine and that they had availability.

I then called on the Tuesday to let them know that I was going to visit in the afternoon. That was also fine. While at the restaurant I pointed to the gentleman in charge the booth I wanted. He checked the system and he said it was available and that our booking would be OK for Thursday evening, the time slot I requested.

On Thursday I received a call from Crazybear to confirm my booking. I did confirm with them.

Back with wife on the Thursday, a quarter of an hour earlier than my reservation. They took us in, I said I have a reservation, and guess what… the booth I had chosen was not available!!!

The staff were clueless what was going on. They all refused to take responsibility. The person I had met and spoken to the previous day “had a day off”. The Manager was nowhere to be seen (hiding maybe?) They offered us another noisy table which we said we didn't like.

I explained that I had emailed, phoned, visited and confirmed my booking in the past 4 days. Someone with more responsibility said he “understands, but unfortunately the booth I wanted was not available”. He did not show that he cared much either. Did not even try to put on an 'I'm sorry' face.

We tried another table, but it was terribly noisy. We did not want to spoil further our birthday evening, so we left.

Appalling experience. Stay away.