Michael's review of The Modern Pantry

Extraordinary. For full max West End top prices we were seated beside the door. The rapidly vanishing menu was partly / gradually announced by the terribly amused waiters. The pitch they gave us was that “at least it means you get fresh ingredients”. Well maybe but for these prices you would certainly not expect something out of a tin. It wasn't simply that certain dishes were off (fair enough) but they were obviously making it up as they went along – eg with a huge raft of the printed menu gone (when three of the waiters colluded to work it out) then ‘bits’ went missing from oursubsequent menu choices (this was a Friday night), eg the duck leg confit Asian curry (without any curry) suddenly found its bok choi accompaniment replaced by broccolli. OK maybe, just, but there should have be a bit more acknowledgement of the cock up. Then suddenly the rice ran out – rice! OK so what were we offered instead – mash! English plain mash with Thai curry – for £17! Eventually a chef apologised for this but no adjustments were made to our £120 bill for two. Definitely one to avoid. And they all seemed uncomprehending of any issues… enough said.