Much-loved wife and I enjoyed a fabulous lunch (well ok afternoon) at Pied a Terre this week. We had a 1.30 pm booking and had prerequested the tasting menu and I was a bit concerned we would be rushed through and out. Not the case at all. On arrival we were offered the choice of a smaller quiet room or the larger (very slightly) more boisterous one. We chose the latter which was probably a good choice. Apart from one customer who really shouldn't have been allowed out to eat – but then maybe he thought the same about us?
Service was just superb. Great mix of characters working the floor. All knowledgable; all friendly; but with a comfortable knack of knowing exactly how much or little to say. Wine service was equally strong and done with skill and finesse and without snobbery. When one half bottle was rejected (my own fault – one I had chosen – not been recommended) on the grounds purely that I didn't like it, my offers to pay were refused and it was immediately replaced with an alternative and with a smile. (Of course I couldn't hear what they might have been saying out of my ear shot)
We came to Pied a terre on recommendation from a chef friend (we are both chefs) so hadn't previously read any reviews. Looking at them now I wonder if some of them are of the same restaurant? Or maybe people's expectations of a two star restaurant vary. I didn't realise it had two stars when we booked and in truth a couple of times I felt the dishes missed a little at 2 star level. But that is personal taste. I find the same at le manoir from time to time.
But any criticism would be unjustified really because the overall experience was just BRILLIANT. It is probably a good job we had tickets for Billy Elliot in the evening or poor James would have had to put up with us all evening as well.
As an aside I couldn't believe the price of the set luncheon. We didn't eat it because we had come a long way to try as many dishes as possible but it looked an absolute bargain.
Congratulations
John… More