David's Reviews

There can be few more pleasurable ways to spend a leisurely summer Sunday lunch, than on the balcony of the top floor of Smiths of Smithfield.

It was a beautiful day and the ability to sit outside under the awnings provided a very relaxed and enjoyable location for lunch. The food was excellent. I am not sure what has been happening recently in the kitchens there but, on this occasion, the food was much better than we have enjoyed on previous visits. My eggs benedict to start with was very well presented and the egg poached to perfection. My friends had the smoked eel and the calamari as their starters and similar comments of satisfaction were expressed.

A very good bottle of Gigondas, sensibly priced, accompanied our meal.

For the main course I thoroughly enjoyed my roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, my friends had the roast lamb and the lobster. The meal and the accompanying vegetables were will cooked and seasoned, with no evidence of the ‘over seasoning’ that can sometimes happen at Smiths of Smithfield.

I declined the desert but I gather, from the appreciative comments, that the creme brulee and the tarte au citron were excellent.

To top off the occasion spendidly we were served by a waitress, who we learned is from Sydney. She was attentive without being intrusive and certainly added value to the selection of both the food and the wine. Smith's are to be complimented on securing her services and she is certainly very skilled and competent in providing a high standard of customer service. Regardless of the food, good service is often a reason for returning, or not returning, to a particular restaurant. On the evidence of our last experience we shall return.

Although it has been tucked away on Exeter Street more years than I care to remember it is not often that Joe Allen fails to hit the spot. They were probably one of earlier pioneers of ‘table turning’ but they usually do it with such finesse that one doesn't feel annoyed. They also go to great lengths on making the booking to be sure you understand how long you have the table for.

Sunday bruch/lunch is always fun and extremely good value. The regular changes to the menu avoid becoming over familiar with it as there is always something new to discover. The old faithfuls like the Caesar Salad, Eggs Benedict and the, never advertised, burgers are extremely good. the french fries are wonderful and one should enjoy them with the homemade tomato relish.

The pre and post theatre menu works really well if yuo are on a budget. For people who like to watch other people there is usually someone in there who you might recognise.

In a city like London a restaurant cannot survive in the way Joe Allen does, without having that certain something. Most times it is a very good meal, well served and accompanied by an interesting wine list.

In all my years of eating in ‘fine dining’ restaurants I only recently discovered Le Gavroche. What a waste, what was I thinking of?. I cannot praise the experience of dining here too highly.

The food was absolutely fantastic. Each course maintining the standard throughout the meal. My scallops in a ginger sauce were amazing and my partners twice baked cheese souffle, although probably dripping in calories, was fantastic and one can understand why it is a signature dish for this fine restaurant.

The main courses were delicious and well presented. My roast veal was wonderful.

I completed my meal with cheese and the choice was exceptional and the waiter clearly knew his product really well and took some pride in having his suggestions accepted by the customer. My partner had Omlette Rothschild and I have seldom seen such satisfaction with a desert as that clearly brought. The somelier kindly suggested a desert wine to accompany it and I gather the blend of the wine and desert reached new heights of enjoyment.

The staff were all professional and it was a joy to be served by them. To top the evening off, it was our 25th anniversary, M. Roux came into the dining area of the restaurant and took time to greet all of the guests at each table.

A brilliant finish to a positively amazing evening.

We dined at the Ritz on Thursday 16th April. The greeting and being shown to the table were excellent and very welcoming. The smoked salmon was sliced and presented near the the table and was very professionally done. The flavour and the accompaniments certainly did not let it down.

As always, at this restaurant, I chose the Rack of Lamb. It was beautifully pink and carved and presented at the table. The vegetables were excellently cooked and presented, particularly the celeriac. My partner had a beautiful piece of sea bream. A superb bottle of Gigondas, which was very sensibly priced, bearing in mind the restaurant in which it was served. Despite the comments in Ian Fleming's ‘From Russia With Love’ we have no problem with drinking red wine with fish.

The meal was finished off with a very well prepared and served Cheese Souffle. Well, one cannot waste a good red wine.

Throughout the meal the service was attentive but not intrusive. Although a smallish cheeseboard was presented the waiter knew his product really well and was passionate about some of the cheeses on offer.

All in all a very good evening and once certainly to be repeated sooner than later.