Tom's review of Elena's L'Etoile

This really was comically bad in some aspects it made the decidly average food the high point of the evening.

I arrived for my 31st birthday, the maitre d barely looked at us, the waiter broke a wine glass but failed to clear it up, leaving us cleaning specks of glass away from our cutlery and from our water glasses.

We were then asked four times if we were ready to order. Admittedly we took some time to choose, but four times?? Maybe when the waiter knocked my girlfriend in the head with a tray serving the table next to us it was some method of hurrying us along.

Scallops were small & overpriced, my lamb was dry and poorly presented, no better than I can knock up at home for half the price. My better half called her also dry guinea fowl ‘aeroplane food’. I cannot believe they can charge over £20 a plate for this.

Coffee arrived after reminding the waiter twice, and the service charge was begrudgingly removed – the first time we have ever felt strongly enough to request this. A family next to me also were also compaining to each other about the service so I feel the criticism is justifiable.

I feel ashamed that the tourists next to us will go back to Norway and bemoan London restaurants, because the majority I eat in are excellent. However this place should be singled out for criticism. I picked it out based on Square Meals ‘best for romance’ category. They are sadly wrong.