Coq d'Argent

after reading the dreadful review, but hearing so much good, I decided to take my wife there for our 5th wedding anniversary. what a place, beautiful setting and some of the best food in london (dessert were amazing), service was friendly but a bit rushed and the wine on the expensive side but a few good deals if you know were to look (dont be shy ask the somelier for affordable wine).
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mac - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Thursday, September 08, 2011

Popped in a couple of days ago for the first time at around 6pm, being so popular for the recommended views, there was a huge queue, which my friends and I avoided by returning at around 8pm and made it to the upstairs bar where we were told that they have already run out of nearly half chosen by us wines.. well, something like this may happen, especially when it was so busy that evening, so after we were served, we proceeded to the terrace, straight to the views, half an hour later, just about ready to top up our glasses and suddenly this woman approached us and without any introduction pressed on lecturing us about some private banquet .What?! I did wear my glasses, yes, surprise-surprise I can read! Five out of five have not noticed any signs suggesting a private venue, and by that time having spent half an hour at the terrace, without any attempts of hiding behind the bushes, please, taxi!
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Anna
3 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Saturday, June 04, 2011

I ve been to Le Coq D'Argent saturday evening, to share a nice moment with my mum. What a big disappointment !

We arrived around 8.30 they give us our table, then very quickly we ordered and they said to us, the sommelier will come for the wine, with my mum we wanted a glass of champagne, the sommelier came and put the menu on the table ok , no time to order the wine, our starters arrived (literally 5 min ) I was very surprised, so we didnt take aperitif, straight to a glass of wine, my mum took asparagus and I the foie gras, what a shame it was warm, with a poor presentation and not tasty, and we had to wait for our glassesof wine I was already annoyed! then they took of our plates and bread (while usually they take the bread before the dessert...)

i took a fish not amazing , and for dessert we shared a tarte tatin. The waiter came and show us empty plate ( with creme fraiche and ice cream) while he was suppose to show us the entire Tarte before to cut it !!

After that they came ask if we wanted something else tea coffee.. we had another glass of wine so we just said so far we are fine, and 2 min after we had the bill ! What a joke !

So I was ashamed to bring my mum there really ! I felt bad it was expensive it absolutely didnt worth it ! London is having so much choice do not go there !

voila this was my experience, never ever again!
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Alexandra
1 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Thursday, May 05, 2011

Pretentious and rude staff. Food mediocre, service abysmal. Wine list a rip off. Shame as it is a real destination place and could be brilliant. Would never go again and would advise anyone else to only drink so you can enjoy the gorgeous terrace without having to put up with the attitude and sloppy standards.
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3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Sunday, April 10, 2011

I came with a group of 17 of us and we had a long table at the back. The tables are about one and half size of normal tables, which is nice if there are just two of you but it made it difficult to talk to people further down.

We were on the group menu which was £42 for three courses. Bread was plentiful and just as well because there was a little wait for the starters. I had the lobster bisque, which was divine but wish there were more. To follow I had the Romney marsh lamb which was nice but almost cold. The accompaniments were what made the dish. My partner had the slow cooked rump and this was very tasty. Veg was ordered for the table - chips, mash, boiled poatoes, spinach and green beans. Some of our group knew the head chef so he came out and supervised the serving of the plated desserts. They were very nice - the chocolate was a little too rich for me, not enough contrast in flavours or textures. We had wine, maybe a glass or two each and some water. The petit fours were good too.

Service started well but soon fell into chaos. One half of the table seemed to get served better than the other. We were situated by the serving station and I saw one waiter blow something off a customer's plate ( don't know what and it wasn't in our party so I didn't say anything). Coffees were meant to be included but only one half (not mine) actually got theirs.

The total bill was £1,440! Racked up I feel by the ridiculously overpriced wine. Ours was £67 a bottle and it wasn't any better than an Asda ES Merlot. Go to Bar Boulud for a great glass of house red.

I wouldn't recommend but I would go back if someone else was paying.
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Sarah - View all reviews by this user
6 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 3
Monday, March 07, 2011

I've eaten at Coq d'Argent a few times recently.

The location and atmosphere are great, with the dining room feeling really special. The outside views are a bit over-rated, given the derelict hulk of a 60s office block across the road to the south, and it can sometimes be a victim of its own success, with the bar area getting very over-crowded. I've found the food to be consistently good, even on the set menu and the frequent special offers.

In other respects, however, my patience is wearing a bit thin. The service can be good - it certainly should be given the market its pitching at - but is distinctly variable, and can be dreadful. I've had one of the more junior sommeliers be extremely rude and patronising about my choice of wine, and bar staff refusing to provide my group with the full wine list.

The value for money, however, is very poor. The mark-up on wine is appalling, even by industry standards. "La Crema", a middle-of- the-road US white, is £30 across the road in Corney & Barrow wine bars and almost double that on Coq's epic wine list. Being treated like an idiot in this way leaves a nasty taste, even if the wine doesn't. This sort of thing must be totally counter-productive - prices apart, the wine list is genuinely fantastic and anyone who loves wine (but isn't celebrating their latest bonus) would be tempted to spend a bit more if they thought they were getting better value.
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4 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 0
Thursday, January 13, 2011

Dreadful service - the waiting staff are condescending and I found them unacceptably rude.

A disapointing experience given the cost. It is a shame because the venue has a lovely setting.
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4 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 3
Wednesday, August 04, 2010

I have to say that the food, service and venue are truly first class.

Last night I proposed to my finance here. Everything went according to plan and the food was also exceptional.

It was wonderful to see on a Wednesday evening that the whole roof terrace and restaurant was packed!
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Michael Marshall
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Thursday, July 29, 2010

I have been to Coq d'Argent quite a few times over the years and always found it to be a great central venue in a great setting with very attentive staff. I've never found the food amazing, but always thought it was well presented and good portion sizes. However, last night I booked a table for five people at 6.45 and couldn't have been more disappointed with the whole experience.

The menu has changed for the worse and I can only assume this is due to a reduced number of people working in the Kitchen. There are now only cold starters and desserts to choose from which are delivered to your table in a matter of minutes which suggests to me that they are cutting corners by pre-preparing absolutely everything and avoiding offering hot more time consuming dishes. The starter was okay, nobody really complained, but it was pretty average. The main courses however were a disaster from every aspect. Beef with Chips - of which there were only TWO chips, I had pork belly which was incredibly tough and inedible, my other guests had the rack of lamb of which they got one very small cutlet. The vegetable portions were very small and you had no choice but to order additional side orders to bulk up the meal. After getting a bill for over £400 for five people it's pretty amazing to think this restaurant is doing so well - the place was packed out. Clearly I'm missing something. Needless to say we won't be returning until they realise they need to go back to what they did so well - deliver great food!

I also agree with some of the reviews here about the staff - the reception staff are brilliant, but the waiting staff are very rude.
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2 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 0
Thursday, July 22, 2010

I went to Coq D'Argent for the first time last Fr, 9 July 2010. It was my friend's Bday and we booked a table via toptable.

It was a pleasant surprise to see such a big terrace bar and the setting was beautiful. The staff is extremely efficient, however, be prepared to queue for some time for drinks as the place is really busy.

On the arrival we asked at the reception if it would be possible to arrange a candle for the Birthday girl and received a positive reply.

The dinner was perfect, very attentive staff. The food was great, I only didn't like the bread - too hard, not tasty. I had a smoked salmon for the starter and salmon again for the main. Both were good portions and the salmon was cooked to perfection.

My plum desert didn't impress me much but my friend's frozen white chocolate&cherry was delicious.

What's more, the Bday girl received a second candle with a complimentary chocolates. Nice touch!

The restaurant is a very beautiful place and great for a special occasion.

Highly recommended!
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AB
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, July 13, 2010