And there I was thinking the previous reviewer was being harsh (though I don't like the Smithfield place and haven't succeeded in getting into the Gunton Arms ) ! Can't make up my mind if the DH “Ouevre” which dominates everything was the idea behing the restaurant or vice versa, but am leaning towards the latter as the execution is just so incomplete. The place is interesting enough, though my companions (2 female, one male) felt the atmosphere was a bit of a “downer”. The server was an attractive and very well-spoken young lady who was good when she was present, but then she was mostly absent (leaving the remains of our main course, including assorted chicken feet – which come with the chicken), on the table for almost 45 minutes after we had stopped eating. The house white and red wines were OK and not overpriced… but 1. the first course which is compulsory (in the sense that there is no choice) was unanimously thought to be misconceived, not hang together and not well executed – especially the chicken liver mouse served with the enormous cold Yorkshire Pud. The liver was strangely pink under the yellow lights and tasted of…very little. The heirloom tomatos were not fully ripe but at least the pea salad was good (especically the lardons). 2.The main course chicken comes empaled (literally) on an earthenware spike with some hard, cold stuffing sitting on top of the cavity at the “Parson's Nose” end, chicken feet attached to the legs splaying everywhere and a ton of near cold french fries surrounding this piece of culinary art. The place was busy, by the way, though not too noisy (a plus) but I can't help thinking that if this is really Mr Hix's money that's at stake he should stop the frenetic openings and start concentrating on making each place really work before moving-on to the next. Or – sell-out soon (just a personal view).

My wife and I left Wimbledon after a day “on” Court 1 in the early evening balmy sunshine. The Gaucho's setting by the River is perfect and this should be a “killer” proposition. But it isn't. We sat outside and with one notable exception in a Peruvian waiter, “enjoyed” fairly awful, hit and miss service. The senior staff in particular seemed not to treat the customers as people at all – avoided eye contact and smiling. Ah well, the food though expensive should have made up for it but the starters were meaner than usual. The 300gm rump steak was up to standard, but the sides were not hot enough. Luckily, the riverside setting is just gorgeous and the other people eating seemed out to enjoy themselves in a laid back sort of way, so the general shortcomings seemed to be mainly forgiven. Not sure we'll be back sadly.

Well, Georgian food won't be everybody's “cup of tea”. But I am curious to try new tastes and Tamada certainly provides them. The stuffed breads really are worth sharing and the Borscht was not of the cloying, sweet, variety. The rolled aubergine was interesting though the beef spring rolls were a bit bland and disappointing. The layered veal was very well worth tasting and the portion was not mean either, so thumbs up there and for the spring chicken baked in a dish with potatoes. I want to try the giant dumplings too (next time?), they look attractive and they are a specialty. The Georgian red wines was decent but I am not sure they are worth the money. We tried the second cheapest at £20. Most were much more expensive. The people were solicitous and patient, but one particular waitress disappeared on us three times mid-sentence without warning which was off-putting and unprofessional. My conclusion, interesting cuisine, a good local resource, clean, welcoming and pleasant but needs a bit more work on the wine and waiting skills.

It's important to be fair; after all a lot of money has gone into Delaunay.
The place is seriously easy on the eye, it feels authentic. The welcome earlier this week, on a beautiful day, for lunch, was very professional, a smile from a smart, well presented young woman, an expression of appreciation for a return visit, came across really well. Service continued to be attentive but not intrusive. Four of us, old friends and colleagues, got what we bargained for: a congenial, unhurried, tasty lunch at just over £55 per person.
So, why the slightly guarded ratings?
Well, I'm not sure this place has yet hit it's stride, though I think it will. For some reason, the omelette Arnold Bennett which at the Wolsesley is SO good, here tastes less unctuous, less “creamy”. Once again I had the choucroute which was, again, getting on for very good – especially the cabbage which was not “vinegary” at all, but somehow the dish as a whole came across as a bit “ austere”. The wine, which another of us chose, was really just right for my food – being an Alsatian Pinot Gris, but I think it was overpriced for what it was. After all, this grape is not exactly “high flown” or exotic.
We left in good spirits, so all in all, it was a good experience. But, somehow, the zeitgeist has not yet been captured here as it has at the Wolsesley. On the other hand, it is still easier to get a table here when you want one…

Overall, this is a stunning space to eat in, either on beautiful day – as today – or in the evening when the lights make for a wonderful scene. The service could not have been more attentive, especially if they'd got my name right on the reservation. My guests thought that it was “on the poncy side”, so Galvin brothers beware ! I enjoyed it, though.

I have to assume that since the last reviews were posted, someone has put in some serious effort with this restaurant. Four of us dined there last week to accomodate the late working of one of our party. The staff were accomodating and helpful, not at all aloof or lacking in engagement. The tables which we occupied were grouped together to help give what is essentially a lunch place (given its geographical location) some atmosphere and the food was, in serious Italian style “correct”. The a la carte prices are stiff though, even before wine, which does detract from the value for money, but then the prices are (I suspect) geared to expense account eating. Overall we were all please with our meals, which did exactly what it said on the menu, and with our evening. So the “bad rap” that the other reviewers here have given the restaurant seems to me to be no longer deserved. Or I could have been lucky ?

My wife and I ate here for the first time last night, with two friends who go there reasonably often (and whose daughter is a major fan). Apart from the somewhat overpriced wine list (I could only find two wines at prices I considered appropriate for the wine), I have to say I was mightily impressed.
The place is not at all pretentious, but it is comfortable. The food is not cheap, but it is good value and absolutely delicious and very well presented. The service was not servile, but it was friendly, smiling and attentive. My crispy hen's egg with truffles was a great way to start and the veal was just “melt in the mouth” tender, beautifully pink in the middle and tasted sublime. I also had a taste of my wife's poussin with leg pie,,, clearly the dish was on the “bijou” side, but the miniature pie's crust was absolutely right and the contents together with the artichoke (if memory serves) on which it was sitting was again, just great.
So far as food is concerned, this place scores a 9+ with me. The food and drink score is 8 overall as I really do think that there ought to be a red “house wine” at around the £20 mark as well (though the red Pays D'Oc Cabernet Sauvignon was acceptable as the sole “entry level” wine).
Hope the second visit is as good as the first !

I try to see good in every situation: so here's the good bit. I went to Polpo very recently and ate at the bar as it was lunchtime and I was alone. The lady who answers the telephone and seats diners was helpful, friendly, bubbly and cute. The atmosphere was humming and, as I had blundered in not really having looked at the name, I was heartened and expected to exit a satisfied customer. The food was undoubtedly cheap – but though it tasted good there was almost none of it to taste. The apple and prosciuto with tallegio was exactly that – but one tiny slivver of apple, one tiny piece of cheese and possible less than one slice of prosciutto to wrap them in. An “amuse guelle” not a starter. The soft sausage on cabbage was fine, though mean. Tasty and rustic. Now the bad: I asked for a glass of still water, and found myself confronted by a large bottle – I think I should have been told first. The servers behind the bar gave absolutely no impression of wanting to do more than transact, no looking directly at the customers, no engagement. The food was more or less litterally plonked on the bar by someone who walked by without stopping or looking or smiling. At least it arrived quickly. Lastly, I would have had a coffee, but saw the barrista preparing coffees for tables, sticking his fingers inside the little glasses they use – and they (fingers) looked like they needed a good wash. I was too embarrased to dock the 12.5% “discretionary” service charge. Is it me ?

This is the most serious, "correct', imaginative vegetarian food I think I've ever eaten. And I've been here twice for lunch recently. I can only agree with the Squaremeal review (for once). Portions are laughably tiny, though, and the price is high considering the raw material cost. BUT the textures are good and the flavours just what one needs to dispel the conventional wisdom that veggie is boring and “grey”. This is anything but – so management, increase the portions a little and in return I'll visit often.

Just wanted to update my earlier review of lunch in September, went there for breakfast this week. A very simple order of coffee and poached egg on hash took 45 minutes to be delivered when the place was 75% empty. Awkward though friendly waitress with no excuse except the kitchen was “slow today as we are short-staffed”. Oh dear, mediocre in September, poor in November. And I used to be a fan.

Apart from the zany pieces of furniture dotted about, I can't see that Mr Loubet has had much effect on the place since the re-badging. I was always happy to go to the old Zetter and I'm now happy to go to the “new one” too. The food is much the same, modern, honest, tasty with ok portions. Good people serving, friendly not servile. Bright room, filtered well-water… Decent enough place to go to for lunch – but nothing to set the pulse racing, which is what a new 'patron" should bring and in my view is what is needed to elevate this review to a 9.

I have read Richard's review but can't really match his level of enthusiasm for my experience, though I would have liked to.. We did not kmow BL – so did not get the friends' frills, “only” what Joe Public gets.

Took people there for Sunday breakfast today. Good atmosphere, great location, well decked-out, good value. BUT 1. Dirty Crockery, 2. Terribly weak caffetiere coffee – depite sending back the first, the second came as anaemic as any American might want. 3. Service typical of a chain – no one there who cared about what impression the customer might walk away with. Receptionists chatting among themselves, while people waited for them to turn their gaze towards the customer; servers who did not listen (to the request for coffee brewed strong) and who did not check the crockery they brought to the table for cleanliness… COME ON SOHO HOUSE ! YOU KNOW ABOUT HOSPITALITY, GET YOUR HiT SQUAD IN NOW !!!

What a shame ! Anyone who has read my reviews (not vain enough to think you do !) will know that I'm a "glass half full' person. So imagine, hard, intense day. Looking forward to trying Trullo out – booking made by our foodie friends who rave about their previous experience. I'm late for the 7.30pm time, unavoidably due to deadlines. Get there to be met outside with desperate young down and out dirty, desperate addict – I can't pass by without giving but am struck at the contrast just behind the glass. Dislike this area, always have. Don't get to do more than kiss my wife and greet our friends before a good looking charming waiter tells me that I can't have a starter as we must vacate the table by 9.30pm. Oh dear, wouldn't have come on this basis – who's supplying whom ? What tosh – ordered cabbage with brown shrimp – prep time 30 seconds, on table within 60. Cost of ingredients, 50p max (nice mark-up!) taste, surprisingly good. Value – not so sure. Wine – friend is knowledgeable so not bad but not cheap at over 22 quid at lower end of list. Onglet – yes the best bit of the meal, not tough and a tasty but again very cheap cut. Followed immediately by a reminder that we must leave and the bill. The staff were apologetic but no less crass. The Squaremeal review above suggests a cheapish place to eat, but the bill for four came to 186 pounds (rounding) which means that although the atmosphere was really quite good and the staff individually trying hard, this is going to rank very low indeed for a return trip even making allowances -as I have- for my own lateness. Sorry.

I'm confident that in a few weeks my overall rating would be a 9 – but the RDS is just getting going… considering which, the results are very encouraging for the future. To my mind, the youthful and refreshingly unassuming and friendly people I encountered in this Hoxton comfort food “saloon” are already working well together and producing some impressive food in the Southern US style. I really enjoyed my starter of fiery steamed prawns, the firmness of the prawn to the bite evidenced that this was fresh and not the “flacid” consistency that makes me fear for my health. This was followed by the most wonderful short ribs, no kidding. They were tender, full of flavour and unctuous as well as appropriate in size (ie not mean – this is supposed to be American food!). I guess the fact we were drinking wine (good but for a Chilean sauvignon blanc, not cheap) shows our age – given the location and style, the 'target" demographic must be the stylish young hedonists that inhabit this part of the City fringe – and I hope that in due course there will be a cocktail list as well available to complement the beers etc.

My wife thought her salad was just great, crispy, tasty and again not mean. She also thoroughly enjoyed her burger and fries – so for a new place, this shows an encouraging ability to please. I'm sure we'll be back shortly – the place is already buzzing and the value for money is very fair and that too is an incentive.

Oh, and by the way, the American made ice cream is potentially addictive.

Given what Raymond Blanc states on the website that he has tried to achieve, I think he's done a magnificent job and an 8 all round rating reflects that (people seem to bandy the highest ratings a bit too readily !). I ate there today at lunch: the place looks like a brasserie, feels like a brasserie and achieves really good, moderately priced brasserie fare. I was entertaining a client there and we both had the cheese souffle followed by the cod and samphire (which I am very fond of) with a glass of the house white wine plus coffee. With a generous tip the total came to just over £71, which was a very pleasant surprise. The food was not earth-shattering, but it was elegant and appropriate. The service was really good – it is nice to be served by real human beings and not automatons who are “dead behind the eyes”. Our waiter had a sense of humour but was neither partonising nor over-familiar. Well done Raymond – both my guest and I told each other we'd go back soon.

I was impressed by this restaurant, notwithstanding the lack of atmosphere in its unremarkable downstairs restaurant.
The reasons why: respectful, attentive service from people who seemed to care whether we liked the food or not, coupled with authentic cooking and wonderfully tasty food.
I had lunch there this week with a friend with whom I go back a long way. He had chosen the venue as he had previously enjoyed it on a couple of occasions. We ordered a variety of dishes to share and we were impressed by almost all. The value for money was also very good given the high quality. Especially enjoyable were the warm spicy tempura prawn roll (outstanding !), the sea bass sashimi (the sauce made the dish), the sea weed salad which was refreshing with the chicken terriaki… all ingredients seemed fresh and cooked with care and not on an industrial scale. There other tables were largely busy, but the place remained calm. We were not hurried and we were served with a smile.
OK, so not a romantic or modernistic venue (downstairs, anyway), but for food and service… well, I liked it.