Northcote

Www.bycost­ello­⁠.com ( 40s, Male, London )

The old building and general ambience of the place was absolutely delightful, big open fire in the reception room where aperitifs were served. Big soft white leather dinning chairs in the dining room made it all quite convivial.

We opted for the tasting menu as we were regularly reminded was cooked by Lisa recently of Great British Menu fame. The food was all delicious and easily up to the Michelin stared expectations, featuring things like Stone Bass with Langoustine Macaroni and Roe Deer in bread baskets (beef Wellington but deer and bread).

The let down unfortunately was the service; once shown to the reception room we had to wait a good ten minutes for drink orders to taken and our coats were not taken until the drinks actually arrived. Then we had to wait a good hour for ‘Lisa and her team’ to be ready, most of that was spent with empty glasses, a second drink seemed not to occur to them! Then our table of six was in a cramped inaccessible corner, which resulted in the waiting staff having to pass food and even cutlery across the table.

While a pleasant and enjoyable meal, it was badly let down by the poor and protracted service.