The Summerhouse

Food & service needs improving despite beautiful setting.

A firm fav for business meetings

The Summerhouse has become a much-loved Little Venice/Maida Vale institution, busy all year despite its name, and an undoubted improvement on its predecessor, The Boat House. The main attraction here is the bucolic view of the Grand Union, its passing barges and waterfowl. On a sunny summer’s evening, it was a perfect place to wind down and relax, although visits here in winter also bring that comforting feeling of being snug and sheltered from the elements outside. The angle at the Summerhouse is – perhaps unsurprisingly – fish, with the restaurant seeking in some ways to model itself on a Long Island venue (clam chowder is available). Starters range from £6-12 and mains from £17-30, so not obviously cheap, but with better-value options available for the more price conscious. Beyond the piscine, there are meat and vegetarian selections too. I began with Cornish crab and asparagus presented in a tomato shell and decorated with pea shoots. Both aesthetically and taste-wise the dish pleased. My dining comrade was somewhat more disappointed with his ‘popcorn shrimp’, which basically comprised deep-fried battered fish substance and a little pot of sweet chilli sauce, perhaps more reminiscent of an Aldi frozen offering than what one might in a nice restaurant. There were no complaints from either of us, however about the mains: a whole lemon sole for me and fishcakes for my comrade. The former was tender and flavoursome and paired well with hazelnut and tarragon mash as well as samphire; the latter showed a great balance between fish and potato in the cakes. We paired the meal with a lovely bottle of rose from the Provence, chosen from a reasonably innovative list. While generally a very enjoyable experience, the Summerhouse could do with working on its service: our server ignored my question about whether they had a dry sherry on the list; our dishes were brought and cleared with almost no ceremony, and my still-full wine glass whisked away at the meal’s end before it was finished. These niggles won’t stop the crowds coming, so best to book and enjoy, whatever the time of the year.

Glorified fish and chips restaurant. Trainees servicing confirmed by management. Dismissive, poor service and will never return again! It relies on a very gorgeous canal side setting and that is what you pay dearly for.

Food is glorified fish and chip shop standard. Annoying seating policy, had booked canal side table and called to re confirm to arrive and be told it's first come first served. We were plonked in the middle at the back and asked to move one table over to end seat and before we even got to order drinks we were told we will probably have to move when it gets busier. Food is ok, Seashells fish and chip shop in Lisson Grove far better, tables by canal came vacant and stayed vacant for most of our stay. Gave myself neck ache with all the twisting around I had to do to get service for starters, drinks, mains and dessert. Very inexperienced staff and when complained I was informed they had trainees working. The Manager is very dismissive but did offer my son a strawberry non alcoholic cocktail which I appreciated, until I saw it on the bill for £5. The only thing going for this place is the lovely canal side setting and it is that for which you pay dearly. It is so overpriced, average fish and chip shop standard and dire service.

Having had to do a few errands in St Johns Wood and then settle down for lunch in this delightful part of Little Venice, certainly makes London seem the best of all worlds especially on a surprisingly sunny November's day. This very same location, so many years ago was in its previous and less salubrious form known as Jason's, and so it was quite a revelation to step into a bright and inspiring canal-side venue which reminds one more of San Francisco's Fishermans's wharf or other. The decor at Summerhouse is ubiquitous with light wood and sea-faring trinkets and memorabilia, but not so much as to be overwhelming as just to bring enough interest and delight into what seemed to be the perfect waterside venue. There are rows of tables for two which are right by the canal whilst another part centres around an airier atrium-like area with bench seating to one side. In keeping with a light lunch we had soup and mussels which were perfectly delivered, both the food and service, which incidentally was suitably unhurried for such a venue. A glass of red wine seemed to go rather well as the sunshine shone through much of the restaurant, making if feel a million miles away from any of the London bustle. Afterwards, we strolled back to Maida Vale before eventually returning to more errands in St Johns Wood. Overall a definite one to revisit as a regular whenever one has the time to lunch in this delightful neighbourhood.

We found the Summerhouse earlier in 2012 wanting a change from some of our regular haunts and have been regulars ever since. The overall ambiance we enjoy night or day, the nautical theme is great on a sunny day, but can be equally interesting on a dark evening if sitting on the terraced area, you may even feel like you are on a boat. We have taken many of our overseas friends here as well and they have been impressed too by this new find. The food is consistently very good and the quantity generous, but do save room for the Banoffee Pie, it's the best of several pudding choices. We haven't fully explored the complete wine list but it has good variety and pricing. Service is consistently very good in our experience here. Being located by the canal, it also provides access to a pleasant walk after eating. Finally the best news is that the Summerhouse is now open all year round.

I stumbled upon the Summerhouse while walking around Little Venice with my sister-in-law and her two children before an afternoon event. Saturday lunchtime (25 August) and the place was about half full. We were seated immediately at a table by the window overlooking the road, which suited us very well. The staff were extremely polite and welcoming, despite that arriving with a 9 and 15 year old may have put some off. Henry was given a children's menu, a colouring sheet and a jug of crayons, while the rest of us were given the adult menus and wine list to peruse. The menu choice was limited, but still very interesting and as a vegetarian, I had more than one choice, which is not always the case. Our drinks order, then food order were taken promptly, without us feeling rushed. It was then that we could sit back and take in the lovely ambiance of the place. We remarked that it really did feel as though we were abroad and not a 10 minute walk from Paddington Station. Decor is light, airy and nautical without being twee or cheesy. When the food arrived, we were surprised by the portion sizes as they were much bigger than expected. Two large salads, one fish and chips and chicken gougons left us feeling full, but with the interesting offerings on the dessert menu, we had to order three of those too. Eton Mess, lemon tart with fresh raspberries and a chocolate mousse with pistachio cream were all delicious and plates were cleared. The only part that took longer than needed, was getting the bill. Meercat-like, I had stretched upwards several times to get anyone to notice we were finished, but it was not until the barman saw me that the bill was brought over. It was a delicious meal in lovely surroundings with good service. For a suburb-dwelling west Londoner, I found the price rather high, especially as we had not ordered alcoholic drinks, but this is a well-to-do central London location. I also do not like service being added, even if it is optional, however, I felt that we were treated extremely well and did not ask for any of it to be removed from the bill. I would definitely recommend the Summerhouse and am very glad we came across it by chance.

A stunning venue on a sunny afternoon spoiled by incompetent management. Table for 4 had booked at 1.30 for Sunday lunch. Left standing around until 1.55. Asked for water with slices of lime and a filter coffee with milk on the side. The water and coffee arrived; the lime and milk didn't and had to be reordered. There is no bread unless one has pita bread which is clearly ony purchased to accompany a mezze for 2 (which couln't be ordered for 3). The two fish pies were short on fish and long on potato and were only part eaten. The waiter asked if they were ok and told that there was a disproportionate amount of potato to fish (1 prawn and 2 pieces of salmon). The sea bass was delicious but (1) undercooked and (2) tepid. The manager appeared. What might have been an apology was an explanation that the fish portion is standard; we had been given extra potato. We smiled politely. The man was clearly an idiot. Eventually a waiter took orders for deserts. Shortly before 4, the manager asked if we could vacate the table as it was needed for other diners. By way of apology, the two cups of tea and one cup of coffee were knocked off the price. For the first time in a very long time 4 “foodies” agreed unanimously not to pay the “optional” service tip which had been added to the bill.