Crazy Bear

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.

I've been to Crazy Bear a few times, and had a pretty consistent experience, that is really great food but so so service.

The last visit we shared some gorgeous dim sum to start, then shared some OK pad thai alongside a amazingly good green curry (yes, we were feeling rather unadventurous that day I'll admit!). However I should mention the rather strange table set up, whereby they have permanently fixed lamps right in the middle of the tables making sharing or reaching food rather difficult! I get quirky design, but not at the expense of the overall dining experience.

Tired and overated, food and service were poor. As a guest of business colleagues its difficult to complain, but wont be going back there.Try Nahm its better and similar in price.

Another great night at this fenomenal restaurant. Drinks and food were amazing and service was spot on. I do love the Crazy Bear group…you have to try the one in Beaconsfield as well, decor is stunning!!!

I had a great experience at crazybear last week as usual, the stir fried tiger prawns are to die for, the cocktails are amazing, staff really lovely and helpful, a cool trendy unpretentious place. One of London's little hidden gems.

I went with a group of business clients who were keen to try something a bit different. Having never been to Crazy Bear myself, I thought that I'd try this place. Regretted the decision for the rest of the evening.
For a start, when I booked the rather rude lady on the phone said that I would only have the table from 7pm to 9pm – “no exceptions, do you understand?”. We had drinks at The Sanderson hotel first and were about 15 minutes late. The restaurant has no signage or numbers, and no one was stood outside. The surly receptionist rolled her eyes when I asked her if I was at the right place. Considering there are no signs, no numbering etc, I don't think asking if this is the right place is such a stupid question. Being welcomed by someone rolling their arms, folding their arms and saying “yes, where else do you think you are?” would normally be enough to make me walk away and go elsewhere. I then gave my name and she responded with “you realised you're 15 minutes late? Don't expect to keep the table any longer than 9pm”. If it wasn't for the fact that I didn't want the people I was with to have to go elsewhere, I would have walked off. Not exactly a warm welcome! She then took us to our tables, pointed to the seats, said “you're there” and wandered off.

We waited about 20 minutes for drinks to arrive, served by staff who seemed to resent any attempt at conversation or being asked any questions at all about the menu. We ordered various starters to share followed by several curry dishes and rice. The rice was cold and clumpy and while the curries were nice, my local takeaway does better.

When I asked one of the waitresses where the toilets were, I merely got a grunt and a point of the finger.

I went outside with one of the ladies to accompany her while smoking. To save time (since we kept being reminded we only had the table until 9pm) I asked Moody Receptionist to bring me the bill and I would pay. She then crossed her arms again and asked if I had a problem “paying inside like normal customers”.

Two other customers then arrived and asked what the building was since the lack of signage was causing them problems too. I told them it was The Crazy Bear and then saw them get admonished for being 5 minutes late for the reservation too. Nice to know I'm not the only one who got such a rude greeting.

The food was way below standard considering the prices. The banquette seating was uncomfortable and you have to lean forward to reach the table. Regardless of design or price however, the appalling service alone should warn anyone else off ever going here. The place seemed fairly busy so I guess they don't care if people don't come back but I'd certainly avoid it and try going somewhere where the staff don't regard the customers as an inconvenience.

I was slightly disappointed with this when I took my partner there for our anniversary last year. We were seated at a table near the door so not the most romantic of settings and the service was very slow. The restaurant was empty and the next couple that entered were sat next to us and talked ‘business’ in very loud voices – my hints to the staff to be moved were ignored. The food however was very tasty and authentic (those who have been to Thailand will know this), so if you like Thai food then I would recommend it to you. Be prepared for a hefty drinks bill – make sure you ask for a small amount of ice in your drink! The ladies toilets are something to be seen – take a camera with you, it's amazing! There is a downstairs lounge that looks sumptuous and comfortable, if the drinks were a bit cheaper we would have been tempted to spend the evening there. If you don't know where it is, keep your eyes peeled as it is easy to miss.

I've had a little bit of a Crazy Bear Marathon recently having quite by accident eaten in the Beaconsfield and Whitfield Street restaurants in the same week although it's been a very long time since I eat there. It's good to see the decor is still the same – very extravagant and not at all subtle (in a good way) and it was fun to see the reactions of my guests who had not been previously. The food was as good as I remember it – the Shanghai Hot and Sour soup particularly brought a big smile to my face as did the braised pork smoked ribs. Mains were excellent, Wok fried Lobster with red chillies and coriander an expensive and decadent choice but so good although the sample of my guests red duck curry also hot the spot. Back to my old habit I've again forgotten the wine we had with dinner – I must remember to keep the receipts although I'm sure I'll need an Enigma machine to work out the abbreviations. Prices are good for what you get, obviously some dishes are very expensive and could throw you off budget but go with an open mind and wallet. Overall it's a great place – very in your face and the downstairs bar excellent for after dinner. Would be ideal for a date or just for some fun with friends.

The decor and atmosphere in this place is fantastic, and the bar downstairs is a great place to meet up for a first date – intriguing, sexy and very low lighting.

In fact, the lighting in the restaurant is also really low and our table of six all had trouble reading the menu, unless we were right next to the candles. (And we are not THAT old).

Overall, this is a very pleasant experience. The food was OK – not amazing or memorable, but I came away happy and full.

Visit on Sat 08/03/09. A mixed and disappointed experience. We were a group of 12 celebrating a birthday. They were very accomodating in providing us a table. The decor is fastasic. The drinks were good, although for the same price we've had better at numerous venues. The waitress we had was the real downfall. The service was slow and on we had to chase them on drinks after waiting 15-20 mins after the order was taken. This resulted in one drink being brought over twice. The waitress then decided to have a go at us for their mistake. After which we recieved no service at all. When we'd had enough and wanted the bill she seemed to intentionally ignore our looks and gestures and even when I walked over to speak to her she turned and walked away and I had to ask another waiter to bring the bill. Definitely not one that I'll go back to.

So disappointing. With stunning decor and a warm welcome we were offered a table after a short wait at the bar. After being asked to come through to the restaurant the second time, which when asked I could already sense a tone of frustration, we went through to the beautiful restaurant upstairs.

I was so looking forward to visiting this restaurant and the food and drink did not disappoint in anyway.

The staff however were shocking in their attitudes. Our waiter was rude and even the manager on duty said she was embarrassed at his behavior and ‘the behavior of the restaurant’. They quite obviously decided that they wanted our money but turned the music off and stared at us until we felt uncomfortable at 23.45 and brought us the bill without us asking for it.

I cannot tell you how much I wanted to love that restaurant as it's my boyfriends birthday coming up and their Oxford branch with hotel sounded great but I wouldn't go back if you paid me.

I was very impressed by Crazy Bear – I was a little nervous when we went having heard many good things, but lived up to everything. The food was absolutely mouth wateringly incredible, some different twists to classics and some excitingly tempting different choices, I went with 4 friends and every dish we had was superb. The service was efficient and discreet, though perhaps could have been slightly friendlier. The ambience is second to none, very intimate we all felt we had a really special night. It is no wonder Crazy Bear was voted as the No.1 place to take a date – it is an absolute hands down winner that shows class, imagination and originality.

I hadn't been to Crazy Bear for over a year when I recently returned. Already a year ago, I had been impressed by the different style, good atmosphere and the quality of the food. I must say that despite that, everything had improved. What pleased me the most was the excellent service which was shown, not only through timely delivery and discreetness, but also through the willingess to do something extra with the dessert since it was someone's birthday. It might sound like something you might and shoudl expect, but these expectations are so often unfulfilled.

The food itself is very good and well done. I can agree with some people I've spoken to who think that the kitchen is a bit too ambitious in its mixing between Asian and European, but I didn't mind much. The black cod was great, while the lamb was a bit greasy, but overall the food was in deed of very high quality.

After the dinner we spent some time trying the cocktails in the downstairs bar, which is an excellent place to finish or start your dinner experience. Also there, the service continued at its initial high standard. I'm not sure, however, how well the cocktails were made, by this time, it was late..

Overall, a great place that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. The only significant chink in the armor is the time slot system, but that seems to be unavoidable in London.

One of the coolest bar/restaurants in London, Crazy Bear oozes sophistication and sex appeal with the sultry decor. It is no wonder it was rated best place for a date by GQ magazine.

Upstairs is the main restaurant area which serves up some pretty damn good Thai food, and one of the hottest and most authentic thai green currys you'll ever try.

Downstairs is the bar area with lots of initimate little nooks to curl up with your loved one or date and enjoy the many extremely well executed cocktails on offer.

While some may feel the price of cocktails are pricey, for the atmosphere and ambience of the venue and quality of the cocktails, they are well worth it.

All in all an amazing central London cocktail bar/restaurant to spend a relaxing evening indulging.

ps… also worth a visit for the pure novelty of the toilets and the amusement of watching people try and find them.