I have NEVER written a review before, but am so angry and disappointed by the entire experience we had at ‘the Ivy’, that i wanted to help prevent others from wasting their money!
I recently went to ‘the Ivy’ to celebrate my Mother's birthday for Sunday lunch, accompanied by my husband and my father. Having been to ‘the Ivy’ 2 years ago, I was very excited about going back as we had previously had exceptional food. Unfortunately, there are few words adequate to describe our disappointment.
Firstly, after we had checked our coats in, we were left loitering at the door without being greeted by anyone. We were then shown to our table and presented with some delicious sounding menus. We were then asked, ten minutes later, if we were ready to place our order, and we said yes, and were then promptly told in a non-apologetic manner, all the things that weren't available, which of course happened to be the things we wanted. Our drinks were delivered, Cosmopolitans in the smallest glasses available in western society, and 2 beers. Then … the assault of the food began … out of 4 starters, one was raw and cold, one was cold, one was a joke [autumnal salad … which consisted of a 70s-esque mess of limp leaves], and an adequate smoked salmon starter which cost £13 … must have been salmon royalty. All plonked on the plate and the starter of mushroom risotto [stone cold] looked like a dog had been sick on a plate.
The main courses, 2 roast beef, 1 pork belly and 1 partridge. Partridge was fine, pork belly was distinctly average and tepid, and the pile of fat masquerading as beef, enormous and cold wet flannel yorkshire pudding, reheated potatoes and soggy vegetables with a pile of tasteless horseradish was one of the most disgusting things i've ever been served.
The service overall was surly and unfriendly, there seemed to be a general opinion among the waiting staff that they are too good for their jobs and whoever the clientele are, they are beneath them and purely to be tolerated. The… More