Terroirs (5 William Street, London, WC2N 4DW) 2.7.09 – We tried Terroirs on basis of Square Meal's summary. Disaster from the word go. Arrived after theatre at 10.30, waitress offered to lay a table which proved to be between the two loudest women in the room and two men locked in debate, all of us elbow to elbow, within six feet of clattering kitchen noise – though plenty of other tables were free. A4 menu is printed in smallest known type which my companion had to read to me as I had no reading glasses. Almost impossible to hear whispering waitress who took several attempts to make clear that the bavette would come cooked the chef's way, which did not match my preference. Resorted for expedience to bream. She didn't point out that this would arrive garnished with clams, even though I had ordered clams as starter. Vast wine booklet possibly does credit to the patron, but again scores of pages in tiny print were impossible to navigate. Waitress returned and when I pointed to the first red on the list, a gamay, she said it was off!!! To be fair (why?) when the food arrived the clams and smoked duck starters were delicious and full of character, though the bream and dry quail main courses were so-so. A £19 Beaujolais and one coffee brought the bill to £73 inclusive which felt pricey after negotiating a 90-minute obstacle course. Most of the meal was spent shouting to beat the ambient noise. By 11.30 the staff were itching to pack up, so we didn't recognise comparisons with the Left Bank. Won't be returning. Scores: food 5, service 5, atmosphere zero, value 5.
Link to this reviewJuly 2009 | 
David J.50s, Male, Central London