1 Lombard Street (Brasserie)

I ate here last week for a catch-up with an old colleague. He had veg penne and I had the tiger prawns and both were fine. The location is handy for work and the place has got a lively vibe but the problem that will stop me returning is that the tables are hopelessly close to each other and any type of business conversation is impossible.
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Gemstone
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Monday, March 05, 2007

The worst service I have ever encountered. I rang in advance to see if I could order a table just for a coffee briefing, and was told I couldn't order one but there would be no problem finding a table at that time for coffee (11am). Imagine my surprise when I arrived to a completely empty, yes not a single other customer there, restaurant and was refused a table; "you can't sit there for coffee!" said the visibly angered waiter as I pulled up a chair. When I appealed to another waiter that this was a briefing and I had called in advance he said: "so, we have lots of briefings" and shrugged his shoulders and reiterated that we couldn't possible sit at a table. And so the journalist and I took a seat at the bar. After I complained, they grudgingly let us have a table “for 45 minutes”. We were then told to move after 30 minutes. A grand total of 4 people had arrived for lunch and they were clearly too busy. I don't understand quite how three people and three coffee cups at an empty table in a completely empty restaurant can cause such dismay.
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 3
Monday, January 22, 2007

I booked a table for 8 for a business lunch last Thursday. I had hoped for the restaurant but was told they dont seat tables of more than 6. So the brasserie it was. I have dined here a few times - and have found the food and service to be gernerally consistent. The food is good, not exemplary and the service acceptable. Thursday was no exception.

Our little group sampled a variety from this quite large menu. Comments on the Starters were... beef carpaccio was generous and tasty, (fish) soup of the day was bland. Mains - Ribeye was almost well done for a medium rare but had a good taste. Lobster was excellent. Veal escalope sauce was grainy and cloying but otherwise good. Desserts were deemed by all as excellent especially the chocolate fondant and the pineapple with coconut sorbet.

The service was fine. we were lucky to have the head waiter look after us and our table was next to the waiters station so we were assured of good attention. However, on previous occaisions I have found the service slow and abrupt yet rushed when it appears.

The wine menu is pretty respectable - expect £40 upwards for non-house wine. Accent is on French. Our waiter offered his advice which suited us perfectly. A red from St Julien and a Pouillu Fume, les Vignes

Overall, everyone found something to be smile about and left happy. If you are looking for a good city restaurant, that is always lively at lunchtimes, then this is the place to go.
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Ben Cartwright
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Monday, January 15, 2007

Went there for lunch, menu was uninspiring and the actual food disappointing in presentation and test, especially for the kind of prices they charge. Waited 40 minutes for our main course. But with such location they can get away with murder and I do not expect any improvement in the future. That's why they are unlikely to see me again.
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Maciej B
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 1
Friday, January 12, 2007

I visited the restaurant last Wednesday and I was pleasantly surprised at how busy it was at midday - I think this is a good sign as long as the service is equally as good; which it was.

The oysters were nice and fresh. I enjoyed the liver and bacon - yummmm!! My friend had chicken; which she also throughly enjoyed.

One of my colleagues was over an hour late for the lunch but the staff did not try to hurry us along and were very understanding - so much so that they were topping up our wine glasses and we had a bottle even before we had ordered our starters...

All in all a great lunch and I would recommend to other city high-flyers.
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City Worker
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, November 14, 2006

I ate here on a Thursday lunchtime. As ever it was packed with the usual overload of suits.

Our table was right by the bar (not in itself a problem) however the Barista was particular noisy when knocking out the grounds which did rather detract from the experience.

Food was good and well executed and there was a very good list of wines by the glass. The staff coped well with what was a very busy service and were unfailingly polite.

Not cheap but brisk without being brusque - a restaurant that understands its market.
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London Gourmand - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Most bad restarants overcook tuna when you ask for it rare. This restaurant goes a step further ; its menu only offers "rare tuna" on the menu and then proceeds to serve the most overcooked tuna I have ever eaten. If I hadn't been with a customer I would have refused to pay the bill. But I suppose that's why they're still in business. Avoid this place, it's a joke. The service was appalling too.
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rog - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Beware of the service at this restaurant. At the peak lunch hour they don't seem able to cope. Eating there recently the food was good, but the service awful and it took over an hour for the main course to arrive. No explanation was given by the over stretched staff. A pity, as it used to be the best place to eat in the City.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, September 20, 2006

We had a fantastic alcoved table in the brasserie, where we had a wonderful view of the impressive dome. The atmosphere was buzzing and the waiters were really attentive and friendly.

The food was exceptional in particular the hot chocolate fondant - the best i have tasted!

All in all we had a really enjoyable night!
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, August 29, 2006

This is a bit of an odd review as we never made it through the door. The staff we spoke to were either very unhelpful or very rude. So the food may be great but until they sort out the customer service i wouldn't bother going
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Matt
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Thursday, August 24, 2006