Tristan's review of The Ivy

I have been going to The Ivy for a couple of years now and it's always a lovely experience. It's always a bonus if you spot a celebrity there, but even if you don't the food and service stand up by themselves. When you first arrive you are seated in a small bar area where you can select from a good wine list or have a rather nice cocktail made for you from the extensive list, before being moved into the main restaurant. I seem to have struggled finding a decent starter (I'm not as fond of the Bang-Bang Chicken as many seem to be), but in my two most recent visits I've had the Tiger Prawns and the Spaghetti with Atlantic Prawns, both of which were lovely, although in both cases I'm not sure how well they'd square up as a main. While there have been complaints that the food isn't something special, I can safely say the Bannockburn Rib Steak is one of the best steaks going, and the pomme allumettes (chips/fries for people who fear those words) are absolutely fantastic. Desert-wise you are spoilt for choice, my personal favourite is the Sticky Toffee Pudding, which is gorgeous. The service is stunning, I doubt you could find better anywhere. The staff are always polite and attentive, and while demand for a table is high you never feel rushed; it's very easy to spend well over 3 hours in the beautiful decorated restaurant, with it's coloured glass windows stopping the people walking past staring in at you and the celebrities at the next table. It is expensive, but you're not just paying for the fantastic food, you're paying for the experience, and in terms of an experience it is head and shoulders above its rivals. That said, while on a par with other restaurants of its ilk it's still very expensive. It's a restaurant that I no doubt will be returning to soon, I'd be back tomorrow if you didn't have to book a table so far in advance.