The Ritz

I took my friend to the ritz for a pre theatre dinner at the ritz recently and had mixed feelings about it. The service was undoubtedly excellent. Although not particularly friendly, they were always there on hand to provide anything you wanted, The food on the other hand was disappointingly plain. Nothing really struck me as exceptional and I've had better meals at a local pub restaurant. The surroundings and setting were second to none - enough to make anyone feel a bit special, although ours were spoiled slightly by a trigger happy tv style pensioner "HELLO, YES IM IN THE RITZ RESTAURANT - ITS VERY EXCLUSIVE - YOU'RE EMBARASSING ME - YES I'LL TRANSFER SOME MONEY - OK BYE!!!!!" The wine and champagne we had was outstanding (although you would expect that considering how much it cost. All in all an excellent experience but the food didn't justify the name.
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Chris Burge
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Save yourself a few hundred quid on seriously overpriced 'haute cuisine' and avoid The Ritz Restaurant. 'The Capital' restaurant in Knightsbridge is much better. Message to the chef at The Ritz...cut down on the salt - it's not necessary to embalm meat before serving it!
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Si
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 2
Friday, June 29, 2007

Afternoon Tea with my sisters as a birthday treat. I thought it wa going to be an expensive snack. How wrong could i be. THe sandwiaches were delicious and more were offerrred as were the scones and cakes. we each had svera pots of tea and the waiters wer charming. They pampered us as only the Ritz could. It was , Fun, a bit special and we were doidn't feel ripped off.
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Andrew Stafford
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, February 08, 2007

For my 50th birthday, I was given a voucher for 'tea at the Ritz'. At the time I didn't realise that this was only valid for 12 months. When I tried to book for a Saturday tea, I was unable to do so for at least five months ahead. When I called the Ritz to try and extend the voucher, they politely told me that it cost an extra £25.00 to do this. The moral of the story is, make sure you book as soon as you receive your voucher to ensure you are not RIPPED OFF by the Ritz a second time. I will update you when I eventually manage to book a table!!!!!
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Mrs M Taylor
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Saturday, January 06, 2007

We went to the Ritz for a pre-theatre dinner as a treat for our daughter's 21st birthday. She was not disappointed, from the Champagne Cocktails which cost almost as much as the meal, to the exquisite dining room, everything was impeccable. We had booked a two course dinner, but were pleasantly surprised when we found it was actually four courses, including coffee and petit fours. We were concerned that we wouldn't get through the menu in time for the theatre, but were assured that there would be no problem. The service was fantastic, at one time I think we had 5 waiters in attendance, talk about being treated like royalty! The waiters were suitably aloof, but chatted when we spoke to them - all part of the training I suppose. The menu was interesting and by the time we had helped ourselves to the little extras, like unlimited french toast and the bread trolley we were very full. I thought this was fabulous value for money, even taking into consideration the £15 bottles of water. An experience to remember!
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, December 12, 2006

I went here with my mum for afternoon tea last year as a special occasion- an experience i'll never forget it was like a fairytale we walked round with open wide eyes we took photos of everything even me sitting on the sofa in the toielt! and of the doorman outside!the afternoon tea was very very special the sandwiches were chilled and you could have as many as u want, the cakes delicious i didnt want to food to end, the waiters were delightful very high standard, my mnum had got a rose for me through them and they gave it to me at the table and said 'a special rose for a special lady.' Everything was perfect i bought the ritz teddy bear and a recipe boon for the ritz afternoon tea-I felt i had to sit up stright and i dint want to spill or break anything it was just soooo special YOU CAN'T KNOCK IT!
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Kat
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, December 01, 2006

We went here as a party of 5 last week for a friend's birthday. The surroundings was breathtaking and the service impeccable. However that's where it all ends.

For £35 each I wasn't every impressed with the food. Granted we had a glass of champagne included but still it was pretty poor show food wise. The selection of sandwiches were bland and the scones which were provided were tiny fancy sized ones with no currents (the cream and jam was very nice though). The cakes too were just awful. You're better off going to some where like 'patisserie valeries' or 'pauls' for some proper cakes.

You really are paying for the kudos of just sitting in the Ritz which I found to be a bit of a tourist attraction. There were lots of people with cameras and were there thinking that this good high tea.

There was a dress code which is understandable but it was a shame that the birthday boy was not dressed in a jacket and tie (but was extremely smart) and so was made to change into a jacket and tie which they provided which made him look worse (think the most horrific tie pattern possible teamed with what looked like his big brother's suit jacket). I have no idea how this made the place look any better.

All in all it's a shame as I was so looking foward to having tea here but I ended feeling as though I was a tourist visiting London thinking that this is what 'posh' Londoners do. For a much better experience and more luxurious surroundings (if that is possible as the Ritz was nice - if somewhat tired looking in some places esp the ladies powder room) then your better off going to the Library Bar in the Lanesborough Hotel (Hyde Park Corner). No dress code (they even allow jeans) and you get the most amazing experience.
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hp5al - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Friday, November 17, 2006

I booked for afternoon tea as a special treat for my friend who came all the way from Japan. We got there at 1pm and we thought we treat ourselves to some light refreshment as we booked the table for 1.30pm. I was absolutely starving as I was saving my appetite for afternoon tea. Fortunately for me, our drinks came with assortment of nuts and crisps. 1.30pm was fast approaching and the waiter told us that they were seating people for afternoon tea. Head waiter asked for my name, however name was not on the list - OH MY GOD! The waiter kindly checked the other list and he was pleased to announce that I did book the table but not for afternoon tea but for lunch instead. Oh well, I have been for tea before but not for lunch. The head waiter did say that is was an experience and he did advise that it was a much better choice. We got to our table - the decor was absolutely amazing. This is how the other side lives. I scanned across the room and there were a lot of tables empty. I felt a little underdressed as most people were suited and booted. Most of the people seemed as if there were a bit on the wealthy side - it made me feel great as I felt for a minute or two that they probably thought I had plenty of money to spend too. We were asked what we wanted to drink - I opted for orange juice while my friend chose bottled water (I wondered how much that was going to cost!) Menu came and we went for the set lunch menu - choices, choices, choices! I chose monkfish for starters, chicken for main course and pineapple with ice cream for afters. The bread trolley came round and we each chose a roll. The waiter came round with all the cutley. (I remembered from Pretty Women that you work yourself inwards!) Started to eat the roll as you do and admired the decor. The crockery reminded me of Fortnum & Mason as they used the same colour - Aqua. We waited 15 mins and our complimentry starter came - I didnt realise that you get freebies. It was quite touching as we were not expecting it - it was a plate of 5 bitesize starters each had their unique flavours. Then came our starters that we chose. It was quite funny as they came with the plates which were covered up and the waiter would lift off the silver covers at the same time - like some kind of magic show. The starters were delicious! Next came the main course which was chicken. It was quite strange to eat as the chicken was on bones. This was a bit awkward to eat!!!! (If I was at home I would be using my fingers and thumbs by now!) Anyhow, it was delicious, I forgot to mention that on the table were slices of toasted bread - no crust of course! The atmosphere was funny as I was fascinated with all the waiters. They were rushing around as if there was no tomorrow. We were then expecting our pudding but instead we got another freebie - wow, this must be our lucky day! It was a small shot glass thing which had lemon jelly which was really refreshing - eventhough by now I was totally stuffed as I was making the most of my money by eating all the toasted bread. Then came our pudding - caramalised pineapple with vanilla ice cream and this donut lookalike (which Homer which approve!) which had been soaked in rum. I ate everything except for the donut as it wasnt that great - it was soggy! Next, the waiter asked us whether we wanted coffee - being me, I said yes! Then came a plate of petit fours. They looked cute and tasty but for some obsecured reason one could not eat anymore. The bill came and we took our time as we were so full that we couldnt move. We totally enjoyed the experience and I was glad that booked for lunch and not for afternoon tea. I would definitely go again just to check out the other wealthy people that exist in the world!!!
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Suzi Wan
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Saturday, September 16, 2006

We were given a pre-theatre dinner for two as a gift. The surroundings were grand, interesting and all you would expect. Alas, the meal was not. Quite frankly it was very so-so and you can probably enjoy more interesting food at your favourite local eaterie. We finished our three-course meal in an hour - certainly we were made to feel that we had to hurry up to make way for people who were not in the "cheap seats". The service was also poor - we were served the wrong things twice. My husband also felt the maitre d spent the whole evening giving us dirty looks. Experience at your peril!
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Sarah K
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, September 06, 2006

With the Ritz doing a three-course luncheon offer for £37, I decided to visit for the first time. My companion had had to cancel at short notice so I called ahead to let them know and to specifically ask for a quiet table, of which I was assured. On arrival, I tried to stroll nonchalantly past grandeur and orchids and palms but was astonished out of my facade on catching sight of a room packed with families and their grannies tucking in to tea, complete with tiered cake-plates, at 1230. It was so surreal I did a double-take.

Seated in the dining room I realised, too late, that my table was anything but the promised quiet spot, although even at peak time, the restaurant remained half empty. I was seated next to the waiters’ main station, the nearest table to the kitchen. Crockery rattled, four waiters at a time jabbered to each other and the kitchen door squealed continually. Worse, a principal waiter grumbled and swore in Italian several times behind me. Another principal stormed past me in a fury of angry muttering and one poor soul mooned by the door talking to himself. Two principals called across my table several times to their staff at the station behind. I sat in amazement, horror and embarrassment. Two other parties were not having much joy. One clearly thought the wine was corked, and another sent a main course back to the kitchen. Besides the principal waiters, who were in a league of their own, I thought service was amateur and detached. The Ritz management should take a trip to Orrery, but I suspect the management, at least on the floor, might be part of the problem. There was one quiet and helpful waiter who looked rather put-upon and clearly did not fit in.

I am ashamed to say that my principal of not ordering bottled water abandoned me and I paid £5.50 for the Duchy Original brand. My mullet in parsley sauce arrived, but was as salty as the disastrous pasta at the Marylebone Getti. I began to wish deeply and guiltily that I’d spent my lunch money with the charity collectors outside. Temporarily unable to eat a range of foods from shellfish to unpasteurised cheese this left me with lamb as a main course. It was uninspiring, surrounded by dollops of goo but worst of all did not agree with me. Dessert was crème brulée with raspberry sorbet; not extraordinary fare but good and beautifully presented. By this time though I had lost enthusiasm and appetite and could not summon the will to finish it. I just wanted to leave.

Surely people who love good food and exquisite service do not go to the Ritz. Do they go for the exclusivity, to be among fame and fortune? Take a look at the tea-room at lunchtime and think twice. My fellow diners were mostly businessmen with a dusting of elderly ladies and gents and a few uncomfortable-looking younger people who seemed to wish they were elsewhere. Perhaps people go for the grandeur? The dining room’s style to my taste is a kind of grubby, dated, rather vulgar opulence. The carpet and table floral decorations were just plain awful. But the silver did gleam and I’m sure it all looks better in the evening. Why people eat here remains a mystery to me. I left trying not to think that I could have eaten at Galvin three times for the same price, and resisting the temptation to try to save the helpful waiter.
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Felicity
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, July 26, 2006