Le Palais du Jardin

I have to agree with a lot of what has been said. I have always enjoyed the food. There was one hostess who was superb. Alas, the same cannot be said for the other staff who varied between patronising and downright rude. When and if it reopens, a change of attitude from manager and staff would be most welcome.
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Gerry McArdle
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Now closed, either for good or major refurbishment by the looks of things. Maybe that's why the manager was so grumpy with previous reviewers.

I used to love this restaurant and had my first date here 6 yrs ago with my wondeful man so I hope it returns to its former glory or makes way for something equally as marvellous.
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Gemstone
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, May 12, 2008

As a French, I decided to treat my girlfriend with a good french cuisine on the evening of the 23rd of May, therefore I chose this restaurant. My choice was firstly because of my last good experience in there and secondly because it is close to the theatre that we were going on that same evening. The meeting and greeting of the hostess was welcoming. After that, the rest was completely disappointing and did not meet the minimum standard expected from such a place.

* The menu was dropped at our table without mention of a daily special;

* We placed our order of a bottle of water;

* Even though there were only another two tables being served, and after giving all the signs that we were ready, we still had to fight for the waiter attention;

* The order was taken , in a polite manner but not a friendly one;

* we orderer a second bottle of water and informed that it would be all drinking wise but the waiter left the wine glasses on the table;

* The second bottle of water never arrived;

* The starter was served by a third person (dressed in a different uniform) without greeting and wishing "enjoy your meal"

* The main course was politely served by a fourth person from who we ordered again a bottle of water;

* It worth saying that during the whole experience, none of the four staff

approached us to check on us even when the plates were been cleared;

* The dessert menu was presented without any suggestion and the waiter was not approachable;

* The bill was presented with an optional service charge which I declined to pay and wrote it on the bill;

* The waiter collected and checked the money beside our table and confronted us when he realised that the service was not included, but without asking what was wrong with the service;

*The waiter who seemed to be the leader is the same one that never brought the second bottle of water, never bothered to check on our table during the meal, took the money from the table with just one sentence "Is it ready?"

THE WHOLE SERVICE SPOILED THE MEAL THAT WAS GOOD.
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Clyde
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 2
Thursday, April 24, 2008

Having read the reviews below I felt compelled to add some comments.

Unfortunately I can't comment on the food in this restaurant but I can comment on the service and in particular the manager.

I booked a table for 8pm on a Friday night having been suggested by a friend to try the seafood here. I arrived at 8pm exactly and was told that I could not be seated immediately as they were 'too busy'. I said I understood and didn't mind as my friend was actually running a few minutes late and took a seat at the bar. My friend arrived soon after - we ordered a drink and took a seat at the bar. we were surprised that they claimed they could not seat us as the restaurant was over half empty, so I went to the hostess and asked if we could take our seat now. She snapped at me that she knew we were waiting and that the manager was going to seat us in a few minutes. By 8.30 we had still not been seated and so I asked again. This time she told us to bear with her as here manager was 'in a difficult mood' and she was afraid of asking him again to seat us. We thought this was rather odd but were having a nice time chatting so sat back down at the bar. By 9.10pm we had still not been seated. In the mean time we had seen several people some in and ask for a table (without a reservation) and were seated immediately. I asked the hostess again and she asked (rather sheepishly) whether I would mind asking the manager himself to seat us as last time he had shouted at her. I went back to the bar and was about to suggest to my friend that we leave and go somewhere else as the whole thing seemed extremely strange when the manager walked by. I asked him whether there was a problem with the table and how long it might be before we were able to sit down, and I could not believe his reaction. He launched into a torrent of abuse saying things like 'I'm double your age, how dare you tell me how to do my job....girls like you are lucky to eat in my restaurant...'. He then picked up the bar bill and threw it over the bar (nearly hitting one of his staff) and shouted at us to get out immediately. We were quite shocked - it seemed so ridiculous that we thought he was joking. When my friend asked if he was serious he grabbed her by the arm and dragged her out towards the door. By this point the whole bar area was watching. While we collected our coats two other couples came and collected theirs saying that having seen the display they no longer wanted to eat there. The hostess apologised and lifted her eyebrows as if this was a usual occurrence.

In summary, unless you are an American tourist (they were always seated immediately) and are prepared to be shouted at and abused do not go to this restaurant.! Having read similar reviews below I am partly relieved that it was not just us treated in such a way, but also incredibly shocked that the manager is still in a job. .
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, April 14, 2008

My friend and I went there on Thursday 10th April 2008 for her birthday, (we have been many times before), the food was as always "out of this world" the service and atmosphere was impeccable. However, like many times before the toilets were disgusting, toilet roll all over the floor, bins over flowing with tissue, the sinks were dirty with old soap and there was water all over the marble top, the toilet roll holders were both broken, and the dust on the back shelf you could write your name in, and it was only the beginning of the evening (7pm). so like before on our way out I complained to the Maitre De, he told me it was a "land lord problem" and was "being dealt with", I said "no its a cleaning problem, the toilets are dirty", with that he shouted at me and my friend and said "people like you make me sick" and then said "get out of my restaurant", I was so appalled with his manner and arrogance that I shouted back at him in front of a bar full of customers and I hope I informed them how we were being treated in the process, he really cannot treat paying customers like this, I will take this further, I promise you, I used to use this place all the time and it was definitely one of my favorite places but now, I will never set foot the place again. If you like good food and want to be treated like you are 2nd class citizen, I would recommend it, However if you want good food and service that you expect when your in London then avoid at all costs.

By a very disappointed ex-customer.

The 0 for service is totally for the Matre De not for the waiters
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, April 12, 2008

We went Saturday 23rd February, we didn't have a booking but that wasnt a

problem. The minute we walked into the restaurant we felt we had made

the right choice it just gave of that sort of vibe. The food was superb, all 3 courses

we could have chosen 90% of what was on the menu. Service, Atmosphere everything 11 out 10. We will definitely go again. And have recommended

L P D J to all our friends
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esther - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, February 26, 2008

We went to Le Palais du Jardin Saturday February 23rd, An absolutely fantastic

experience. All 3 course were superb, the service atmosphere and the staff

all get 10 out of 10. We will definitely go back.

Esther Mon 25th Feb 2008
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esther - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, February 25, 2008

We went last night for the first time and had a great evening. Drinks beforehand in the bar area - very relaxed. Meal was excellent: sadly the roasted cod was off the menu, but our waiter recommended the halibut and he was right, it was delicious. Vegetables cooked nicely, house red was very good (no need to pay exorbitant prices when the House is so good). Service was very good indeed. Atmosphere extremely pleasant and surroundings first class. No complaints whatsoever. We definitely will be coming again.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Sunday, January 27, 2008

What used to be a fantastic restaurant with great food, buzzing atmosphere and above all impeccable service, turned into disappointing eatery with highly expensive, but very average menu and slow service.

I have fond memories of LPDJ of how it used to be 10 years ago, when I was a regular customer. Over 10 years a drop in the quality of food they served became more apparent; however, the staff was very attentive and professional and place had its usual charm. Not so last night when we decided to have a dinner at LPDJ, the drop in standards became obvious straight away. While waiting for our table, we ordered a drink from a person behind a bar, only to be told a few moments later that somebody else will come and take our order again. There was only one person serving behind the busy bar so it took some time before we were able to order again.

When we eventually sat at our table, it took ages for the waiters to take our order and then to bring it us. We had to pour wine and water ourselves, because we soon realized that there was no point in waiting for the staff to do it; there just were not enough waiters for all the guests. Because of all of this and my partner’s disappointing main course, I decided not to pay the service charge. My decision upset the Manager of the restaurant, who walked to our table and said that the only reason we got the table was because he knows us and he put us before the bookings and now I am not even willing to pay the service charge. I told him that the service was substandard and that he should employ more staff! He then said that he should allow fewer customers into the restaurant! Well, Mr Manager, you will not be bothered by this customer again and I don’t know if you noticed but there were lots of empty tables especially upstairs!
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- View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 3
Sunday, January 13, 2008

I really don't understand all the negative reviews on this website. Palais du Jardin has always been a favourite of mine. I went again last night – and all was as good as ever. Nice welcome, excellent service, lovely food, and cleverly selected house wines at £16.50 per bottle. I wish we had such quality and value near to Oxford. My only complaint is that it is too far away!
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Garry Wiseman
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Saturday, January 12, 2008