The Admiralty

Had lunch in this beautifully appointed room on Good Friday. I booked it on the basis of reviews on this site and also the 'special offer ' of 3 courses for 15.50. What an offer! the food was light and quantities just right for lunchtime. The service was excellent (although only about 6 tables occupied) the staff friendly and professional and the atmosphere conjusive to a relaxing holiday feel ). A bottle of Pinot Grigio was 19.50 and service at 12.5% added 6.31 to our bill. Total #56.81. What a deal. next time in London I SHALL be back.
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Rita
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Monday, April 09, 2007

Great night out. Took friends here from out of town and everyone enjoyed themselves. Food was a delicious blend of French and British, served in a modern style on the plate. Every bite was worth it (I recommend the gnocchi). Atmosphere was nice if a bit cold -- beware the draft under the bench seating. It's especially nice to walk through the Somerset House courtyard from the Strand at night. Would certainly return.
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Melissa
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Very very poor indeed. Service was intrusive, the starter clearly out of the fridge. The bread they offered was stale. Didn't even ask how I wanted the beef cooked, which should have set the alarm bells, and when it arrived it was fatty, overcooked and tasteless. Please don't eat here.
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Ian
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, January 30, 2007

If you are thinking of booking at this restaurant DON'T. Dining there shortly before Christmas there was no linen on the tables (just wood veneer); the portions were small; food poor (savoury tarte tatain was a tiny circle of puff pastry with a few vegetables arranged on top); main course at best of poor amateur standard (acidic sun dried tomatoes mixed into a cream sauce!); only the person I was with said yes to water but a huge bottle was brought to the table already open (and charged for of course). To add insult to injury the bill came to much more than expected and we realised afterwards (on checking the menu on the website) that we had been considerably overcharged.

A total nightmare - stay away!
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Maggie
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Saturday, January 06, 2007

Overall, very disappointing.

I booked a table at Somerset House on the basis of what looked to be a very appealing menu, and indeed things started off fairly well, with an amuse bouche of carrot soup and an excellent fois gras terrine and honey comb starter. However, the role of the accountants in the running of the restaurant began to show through in the main courses, which were all miserably small. Savings had also clearly been made in the sourcing of the ingredients, and I couldn't help feeling sorry for the chefs, who clearly had talent but were struggling to make the best of rather second-rate produce.

Dessert was the killer though, with everything (except, perhaps, the fruit salad) having been horribly overcooked. While I didn't much enjoy slogging through a creme brulee that had the consistency of asphalt, my experience was markedly better than that of those who ordered the thick, rubbery crepes.

Service was good, but the dining room was only so-so, with the sumptuous premises badly compromised by rather crappy furniture. I suspect that this flawed look was deliberate (if only because it would have been impossible to create accidentally), but I'm afraid that it didn't work for me.

I won't be going back.
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Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
Friday, December 08, 2006

We have just had Sunday lunch at the Admiralty and, whilst I cannot put my finger on anything in particular, I was slightly disappointed.

We had the Sunday Lunch two course menu which, although it was small portions, was tasty. The staff were pleasant, although not particularly engaging.

Perhaps, it was just a lack of atmosphere, which many restaurants suffer from at lunch time, but I just left short changed. However, we love Somerset House, so we are bound to return to see if this was a one off!
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Pete
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 5
Monday, October 09, 2006

I ate here from the A La Carte Menu as part of a group of nine people. We were sat in quite a small room with quite an intimate atmosphere, although the decor was slightly unusual (I had a solitary stuffed deer's head glaring at me throughout the meal). At the end of the meal, everybody seemed very satisfied by the food (including two vegetarians) which is unusual for a party of nine. My starter of oxtail ravioli was imaginative and extremely flavoursome. My main of halibut on a bed of lentils served with belly pork and pureed cauliflower worked in as much as the flavours combined well, although the halibut was overcooked. I would recommend this restuarant for those seeking someting mid-priced that can cater for large parties, although be aware of the over-intrusive service. If you like your wine to be left on the table for you to control, this is not the place for you (even asking for this appears to make no difference). Furthermore, watch for unrequested bottled water refils - these can end up costing more than your food bill!
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Chris2005 - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Monday, August 14, 2006

We came here to celebrate my son's first ASBO. We had a splendid evening. The food and service were superb with beautiful surroundings. We hope to visit again soon.
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James Young
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Thursday, July 27, 2006

I wanted somewhere special but not too expensive for lunch with a friend. We went using the summer offer of three courses plus a glass of Pimms or rose for £19.50. When I arrived, my name was instantly recognised and I was greeted with a beaming smile and told my friend had just arrived.

The dining room is gorgeous, with a high ceiling, plenty of open windows (we were there on a boiling July day, so the breeze was wonderful) and fanstastic little chandeliers in the shape of old-fashioned sailing ships. Decor is charming.

We chose the same things - a smoked salmon and yogurt starter on a bed of thinly sliced cucumber, swordfish on pureed potato with roasted dwarf tomatoes, green beans and a deliciously light sauce and then a marvellous pud: chocolate and mascarpone sponge topped with chocolate ganache, a little chocolate filigree basket containing milk sorbet (divine!) and a good swirl of chocolate sauce to accomany it all.

Service was friendly, unobtrusive and unhurried. Our bill, including service charge and a large bottle of water, was £45.80 and worth every penny.

We wandered out into the hot sunshine and thought about joining the numerous small children who had turned the courtyard at Somerset House into a giant paddling pool. Darting in and out of dozen of little fountains looked very attractive with temperatures hitting record highs!
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Jo - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, July 21, 2006

We have just returned home to Kent having enjoyed an excellent lunch at The Admiralty Restaurant in celebration of our daughter's 2.1 degree from Oxford University.

The service was efficient and friendly, the food superb. We took advantage of the website promotion and the glass of Pimms made an excellent start. Puddings were extra - but worth every penny.

A very enjoyable occasion. I will be using the website again and would recommend Sunday lunch at the Admiralty.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Sunday, July 09, 2006