Frankie’s at Criterion

I have just come home from a most dissapointing meal at this restaurant.

The sevice was freindly and polite. the food awful. we ordered a beetroot salad to start. the beetroot was paper thin and had been sitting on the plate for quite some time - I had to peel it off, the green salad which was supposed to garnish it, was in fact a few leaves out of a packet - not a fresh one at that. we ordered smoked haddock as our mains - when it came the people on the next table complained to the waiter that when they had tried to order it there was none left. after i had tasted mine i wished that the waiter had told us the same. it smelt stale, tasted insipid and wasn't helped by lumpy mash and a not very pretty poached egg on top. all in all a total waste of a lot of money. shame - the room is very ornate and we were expecting better from it. the next table were not impressed by the tiny helpings either. Sorry, you'll have to try harder with the cooking or hire a chef that can cook and serve fresh food.
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max - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, April 29, 2008

I took clients here for dinner a couple of weeks ago and came away with very mixed feelings about this place.

The food was, on the whole, very good, although two of the main courses which we tried to order were not available and we were only told this when we tried to order (this is probably a pet hate that is individual to me, but I think you should be told when you are handed your menu if anything is unavailable, rather than have your time wasted in considering the menu and then be forced to make a rush decision in front of the waiter!).

The Entertainment was original, with a magician attending at most tables with interactive magic tricks.

We were certainly not rushed! In fact, the time between courses was actually commented on by the group. In all, I think our party of 8 spent over 2.5 hours having dinner!

The real problem I found was with the service. The restaurant was probably less than half full and there seemed to be ample people milling around in uniform although it became almost a game to try and get the attention of someone to order more drinks or simply to ask for sugar for the coffee's!!!

All in all, I don't think I'll be rushing back here, as, despite the size of our bill, I was left feeling like the staff really would have preferred we bother some other restaurant!
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Liz B
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, March 12, 2008

I work in the building above the restaurant and as such feel obliged to pop down from time to time for lunch and / or drinks.

It is certaily one of the most spectacular rooms in london and should be an awe inspiring location for a restauranteur.

Unfortunately it has been uniformly dreadful every time - the service is terrible, slow and amateur. Waiters have spilled drinks on my clients, or on the table every time we have been there.

On one occasion we wiated in the bar trying to order for 10 minutes and just left.

The pizzas are just about ok.

This should be one of the great locations to dine in london - will someone please fix it!!
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charles lemon
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Monday, February 04, 2008

Went for Sunday lunch yesterday (two couples, one teenager and two under 10s). I would have been embarrassed to serve food this poor in my own home....in fact I could do better. The meat (I had roast beef) was overcooked and of poor quality. This was accompanied by 4 carrot batons, an over-cooked (ie verh hard) yorkshire pudding and a fondant potato. When I called to book I asked whether it was OK to bring children and was under the impression that they were used to catering for families. However there was not children's menu and we ended up having to order full sized (and full priced) roast dinners for a five and an eight year old. It might be a beautiful dining room but it's easy to see why it was no more than a quarter full!
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sue stevens
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 2
Monday, December 10, 2007

After a great time at the Saturday Matinee performance of Les Miserables, I had booked a table for 9 at the Criterion to keep with the french theme.

What a disappointment! The service was terrible, although the restaurant was busy as you would expect there were plenty of staff, but unfortunately none of them understood english!

The starters were superb and some parts of the main courses were very good too, but unfortunately all the vegetables accompanying sauces and even the green salad were extremely salty, the over saltiness spoiled the main courses. Desserts arrived in 2 shifts and the coffees were cold.

We informed the maitre d' of our views and he initially argued with us and then gave us a long string of excuses. He "generously" took the optional service charge from our bill, something we were intending to do anyway! The final straw came when we paid the bill and the restaurant's card machines, which were held together with tape failed several times before eventually allowing us to pay our bill.We left the restaurant feeling like Les Miserables ourselves.

Needless to say we won't be returning.
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Elliot Mount
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 0
Monday, October 22, 2007

A great friend of mine was lovely enough to book this beautiful restaurant for my 21st birthday, on the Friday 21st September 07.

What first caught my eye was the magical, moonlight-feel of the place. The lighting was dimmed, but with candles on every table and pretty lamps in places, it felt as if you were miles away from the crazy antics going on outside. It was breathtaking.

The service was great - polite, friendly, helpful and smiles all around. They gave us plenty of time to browse, and were always on hand - what more could you want?

The food was absolutely delicious; we had Aberdeen Angus steak, a side and vegetables to start, and the softest and creamiest cheesecake with raspberry sauce for desert. I found myself eating it all slowly in order to let last longer, it was that good!!

And yes, it is quite pricy, but believe me when I say it is well well worth every penny!

An absolutely fantastic way of celebrating my 21st, it could not have been any more special, and I could not have asked for anything better. I'd just like to use this opportunity to thank my friend, Sally for making this evening one to definitely remember! x
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Tina Charalambous
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, September 25, 2007

We took tourist friends there for lunch because it really is the most beautiful room in England - a real jewel. As usual, unfortunately, the food was uninspired. With no wine and only one or at most two courses each, no coffee, the cost was £200 for seven of us.

No point eating there when you can just have a coffee or cocktails at the tables in the front half and appreciate the beauty of the place that way, instead.
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exotissima - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 3
Friday, August 24, 2007

Another little jewel I think. The interior is simply stunning and the previous review regarding the “Ghosts” couldn’t be more apt.

The food was great and perfectly served. I really rate this place as it is central, beautiful and classy. I will definitely go again.
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Kevin
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Friday, August 03, 2007

I visited this restaurant with friends from Australia after the theatre. The ambience of the Criterion is quite magical and you can feel the ghosts of Noel Coward and Fred Astaire! Our food was excellent and quickly served and service was attentive. My godfather especially enjoyed his steak which he said was among the best he had ever tasted! A very enjoyable evening and we would return again.
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Miranda
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, April 04, 2007

I have been many times and always have a wonderful experience. The food is always tasty and great value, the ambience just right for a romantic or intimate meal. It is one of my favourite haunts and I will travel from Kent happily knowing that it is my destination.
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jane
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, March 05, 2007