The Glasshouse

I agree asolutely absurd comments, we dined here a few weeks ago and it was FABULOUS!! There were 6 of us celebrating a birthday, and each of us enjoyed every one of three courses immensley...particularly desert where we polished of two sticky date puds, a pear sorbet, a prune & armanec sorbet and the best was the trifle - just to die for!

I had an entree of onion risotto, which was a main and I asked for it be served as a starter - which the wait staff didnt even flinch at all about. I then had the beef for main which was perfectly cooked.

I honestly dont understand the reviews below, I also thought that this was AMAZING value for money, and so reasonable for the ambiance and service.

The food is delicious and I can't remember the last time I thoroughly enjoyed three courses at such an affordable price. I would highly recommend it, I dine a lot in London due to my work and thought the meal was just so satisfying.
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Vanessa Douglas
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, March 04, 2008

After trying this restaurant once before and leaving a little disappointed with the food and having a sour taste in my mouth with the service, I decided to give it another go a couple of week ago mainly based on the reviews of the fellow diners on this website. I am pleased I went back!

The food was much much better than Imy first visit. Roasted Venison was absolutely perfectly cooked and simply left me wanting more.

The service was attentive and the atmosphere welcoming and warm. We were with some diners who had not eaten there before and they really enjoyed their experience.

I am pleased that the meal lived up to the reviews here on the website, and as its a local restaurant for me I'll certainly go back.
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- View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, January 02, 2008

As the last person to write the review, I am surprised by the bad reviews. I can only think it is people being pretentious or strange expectations before arriving to the restaurant. First of all, the restaurant is very well priced, the food is extremely good, Unpretentious menu and therefore the result on your plate is also unpretentious. Nice service and overall exactly what you want from a nice restaurant.

The more I travel and the more i go to nice restaurants the more i realise what kind of people complain like some of the reviews below- pure snobbery.

I am sure some have good reason to complain but so, so many people just moan about tjhe most insignificant details. They want to be treated like roaylty? well go to a different restaurant, this one is about good food, nice service, a light and airy restaurant and none of the fuss you get in central london.

Enjoy or as some of the reviewers would say "bon apentit"
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Food enjoyer
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Monday, December 17, 2007

As a fan of the Glasshouse over the years i am perhaps biased, but with many visits to my name, my thoughts will give a rounded and more accurate review of what this place is about; when reading reviews one needs to bear in mind the two kinds of people who write in: those who had an experience they want others to share (or not) in, and those that are happy in their own misery who will spend time rubbishing a respected restaurant, when they had already decided their end thoughts before they ordered... more of that later.

To most, the Glasshouse is, in the same way their sister restaurant chez bruce, a very good neighbourhood restaurant void of central london formality (and prices) and with no pretensions or arrogance to flaunt their Star; the benefits are clear, (probably) the best value michelin star rest. in london with friendly (yes!) service and all the extras that make it thrive (for the last 9 years) as a consistent performer - this is how michelin award, consistency.

To rubbish all this work flippantly is ignorant, but to do so in the (belows) ironic instance is something i guess alot of places come across weekly - an aggressive start to their evening when ordering (by all accounts) means you can never recover something already lost, despite all the staff being aware and doing their upmost to give the service... (his is the irony.)

The niggles? food - bad duck dish accepted, and the disgusting sauteed saudi prawns ruined the scallop dish! i make that 2 out of 4, fair enough... no advice offered for the wine? don't people ask if they would like to know more about a wine, or, they just order - one or the other; the sommelier at this place would love the opportunity to share his passion and knowledge with those that are interested, it's not just a job for these guys.. advice for the menu, i would order something, again, or ask - the maitre d's know the menu inside out and are pleased (and proud) to assist..

Maybe this person works at la cena? or just eat there all the time, good luck otherwise to the others - just please avoid the places i go, so they can fill their "cramped" tables with people who WANT to enjoy the experience!

ps my last visit confirmed my view this place is one to try; desserts mediocre - try the pear sorbet, homemade yoghurt, sticky tof pud for starters and tell me mediocre! for those who dont ask, take it from me - warm salad of duck stunning, guinea fowl sublime and if not one of the above desserts, try their huge cheeseboard, it has something for every cheese lover;

i will be back... thankyou Glasshouse, a fabulous meal, every time
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Monday, October 01, 2007

Simply unacceptable.

Dined here on Saturday night, and was treated to appalling service by talentless and disinterested staff. Waiters coming and going on the table all night long, each one asking the same questions again and again. Nobody offered any help in going through the menu, there was no real interest in "selling" dishes to us, no assistance given in helping to choose appropriate wines which surely all Michelin starred restaurants try to guide you (and your wallet) with suitable wine which enhance their food?

I do not think being asked to move my small clutchbag from the table because inept waiters could not find room for a small dish of mashed potato was Michelin Star service, I also did not think asking 3 times for the bill was acceptable either.

The restaurant itself was incredible uncomfortable with the temperature too warm, there are also far too many tables in the room so intimate dinners are impossible as everybody can hear what you are discussing.

The food was very average indeed, I started with soup, which was actually rather good, and a very interesting combination. I followed this with duck, and in honestly this could have been any red meat. There was no hint of flavour whatsoever in either the duck breast, fat or sauce. My husband chose scallops accompanied with prawns that were dreadful, he left some untouched, he chose the Pork which was excellent - so 1 dish out of 4 isn't a bad result for Michelin star is it?! Desserts (if you can stomach them) were mediocre.

I'm not sure how this has managed to earn a Michelin star, a venue clearly resting on their laurels.

If you are looking for a quality restaurant and excellent value for money try A Cena in Richmond town centre, 10 / 10 every time!
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Mrs Smith - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Monday, September 24, 2007

My boyfriend and I went here as we live locally and were delighted to find a michelin star restaurant on our doorstep. We are both vegetarian - no fish- and I mentioned this when we booked. We were very impressed when the head waiter came over and talked us through the menu and what the chef could do for us. The staff were proactive and friendly. The starter was fantastic though the main course was ok. We waited for desert but by this time the restaurant was very packed and busy and we got a little fed-up waiting and got the bill.

We have been back again and had better service and desert this time around which was fantastic. I would recommend this restaurant, but my boyfriend and I eat out a lot, and if you were booking this for a very special occasion I might re-think.. Perfect for an outing with the parents or in-laws.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Saturday, July 28, 2007

Rather like the curates egg , good in parts.My wife and I dined in a full restaurant on a Thursday evening and it was pleasantly buzzy. Service was excellent,friendly and efficient.

The food was mixed. A superb rabbit and girrole tagliatelle, the understated cream sauce full of flavour with the pasta nicely al dente.

My wife had a servicable warm duck salad which she enjoyed but " it wasn't special".

Main courses were mixed. A beautifully judged lamb rump with provencal vegetables which was a delight both to look at and to eat.

Slow cooked belly pork was totally misjudged. It is a wonderfully robust dish which does not require tarting up. The choucroute was a good idea but the apple tart on which the pork was perched was just a misplaced conceit.

We drank an entry level Cote de Gascoine which was decent and finished with very good coffee.

Was it worth the £95 the two courses cost? Not really, the cooking was too uneven to justify these high prices.
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
Friday, July 20, 2007

This to me is typical of London- overpriced, mediocre food that somehow draws them in. The pork 'signature' dish I had landed like a brick and was surprisingly bland; the starter was nothing special. Quality of ingredients is surprising given cost of the menu. I've been here twice now, once for lunch and once for dinner, and though I live nearby will not return. Service is fine but nothing special, and the setting is quite cold overall and very close to other diners.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Tuesday, July 10, 2007

We went to the Glasshouse for a job promotion celebrations. I would say that the food was excellent however they charged us for the wrong wine which was considerably more expensive than the wine we had chosen. Of course, I feel that it was partly our fault for not checking but an establishment as up market and already expensive as it is should not be trying to over-charge people, as it was our bill was £160 (for two people) so it's hardly as though we were being cheap skates. It left me with a bitter taste in my mouth at being over-charged and I certainly shall not be going back if that is how they treat their customers.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Thursday, June 14, 2007

Wow, what a super place! What a find too.

Three of us had lunch there and we thought it was great. The starters were works of art, as too were the main courses, but the sea bream was not a favourite. A very extensive wine list which caters to all tastes and budgets. Shall DEFINITELY go again.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, May 16, 2007