Launceston Place

Atmosphere was extremely lacking here. Felt like a library (although this may have been that we were there a bit early, but didn't seem much buzzier by the time we left). Crab risotto was amazing but the rest not particularly inspiring. Even though we were having the set menu it ended up being very expensive for a pretty unmemorbale evening.
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SE - View all reviews by this user
5 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 4
Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Each time we're in London (we live in Belgium), we like to try a new restaurant and this time we picked out Launceston Place after seeing Tristan Welch in The Great British Menu on BBC television. We thoroughly enjoyed our tasting menu where I had the hare instead of the two menu options, porc or lam. The food was impecable and delicious, each of the six courses was a delight! Service was good and very friendly. The wine waiter was excellent and very knowledgeable! She choose us a delicious white wine to go with the hare (I prefer white wines to red), not an easy choice. I want to find that wine to have at home too. I also enjoyed the cheese and there too the waiter was very knowledgeable! As I said each course was tremendous, the hare was exceptionally good but there could have been a bit more of it (my only complaint), the salmon poached in champagne delicious and the same for the rice pudding soufflé.

It was a quiet evening (Sunday evening) but the staff were very efficient.

Next time we're in London we will definitely come back!
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Alain Gadisseur
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, October 20, 2009

This restaurant is fast becoming my favorite place to eat in london, i find the menu exciting and the service excellent. i completely disagree with the comments below and feel it my duty as fan of the restaurant to stand up for it. The price is balanced perfectly with the level of service you recieve and also the quality of the food!

if you have not been yet i strongly suggest you do and make up your own mind.
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chris sparrow
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, October 14, 2009

The supposedly great food critic, 'AA' Gill wrote disparagingly about Launceston Place shortly after the restaurant had been sold by it's former 'grand fromage', Simon Slater. I'd enjoyed the restaurant for many years under Mr Slater's management and was intrigued to read Gill's opinion. Anyone that is so conceited to precede their surname by their initials however, is probably not worthy of reading I thought at the time, but nonetheless I was shocked at how scathing his column was.

That was until I finally went there for Sunday lunch today.

The writer of the review is clearly smarter than I'd given him credit for. My heart sunk when my party of four entered. The restaurant is near gothic-dark and depressing. The loo's are even worse-black (like the restaurant) and lit merely by candles. The service is smug and unfriendly-no humour detectable in sight. The price of Sunday lunch was an absolute disgrace. I eat out either in the West End, the City or Chelsea 7 days per week, and I have never felt so ripped off.

The menu was limited in the extreme-and I mean the £45 per head one, not the set menu for a 'mere' £26 per head. The wine list borderlines on theft, so extortionate are the prices-try the £24 house red for example. The portions are minute-a flashback to the 80's nouvelle cuisine scene. When we questioned the size of the tiny strip of roast beef that was apparently the "Sunday Roast" which appeared on our plates we were met with derision. "This is the standard size" we were curtly told, before the clearly annoyed waiter haughtily returned with a couple of extra thin strips. My wife only wanted a starter-she had an egg-and was charged £26 for her abstinence. The bill for a highly forgettable lunch and 2 bottles of house red-£185 for 4 (one of us who only had an egg).

We will never, ever return. 'JJ' Douglas-Mann.
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Jimmy Douglas-Mann
2 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Sunday, October 11, 2009

i thought launceston place would have been a little stuffy. i was totally surprised when i dined there last night. to start with the restaurant is nestled in a tiny little village like area in kensington which eases you into a relaxed comfortable mood even before going throught the door. once sat down the whole experience was amazing, the food and wine where matched perfectly and the service was knowledgeable yet unobtrusive. this little place is a gem!!! highly recomended!!!!
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chris sparrow
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, September 23, 2009

I took my partner on a friday night to this lovely restaurant for a romantic dinner. It was quite a nice and relaxing evening. When you arrive, if the table is not ready, the restaurant has a very nice lounge where you can sit and have a glass of champagne while waiting for the table.

We both went for the tasting menu (£55 compared with a 3 course menu option for £45). The portions are not huge, but you will not leave hungry. The black truffles with spinach and home made ricotta was really good, both the salmon poached in Champagne and the lamb were also very good.

It's a good restaurant for a romantic dinner, without the pretentious atmosphere of Nobu or Nozumi, the staff is friendly and not arrogant.
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NR - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, September 21, 2009

fantastic service great food! will be going back next week with my lady friends for lunch they have an amazing value of £19 3 courses, i dont see that in marcus wareing at £35!!! and you get the same style of food and cooking is Tristan Welsh which was at Petrus previous gordon ramsay holdings as the head chef. this is what you call value for money especially at this time of year!
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Joanna
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Went for dinner Last Saturday to celebrate boyfriends' Bday. From the moment we entered the restaurant (door is tricky to find, but choose the one with the lounge area) we were welcomed and acknowledged. and this continued for the whole evening..especially dessert was special as they organized a little cupcake for my boyfriend!!(which i ate hihi). staff was very friendly and atmosphere was very cosy. Even when i went to the toilet they staff imeedialtey picked up on it and escorted me the right way. My boyfriend and I were Wowed away by this restaurant as it isn't just there to still your hunger, but also to give you an amazing experience.

Cant wait for my own bday now :)
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Best starter I've ever had - the truffle risotto served in a goose egg was unforgettable, just the right combination of fantastic flavour and well thought out presentation. I will be returning for that dish alone!

My husband, who is allergic to dairy, was treated very well until the dessert. A hugely disappointing plate of sliced fruit! When challenged, the manager had a reasonable explanation - the kitchen were missing a vital ingredient to make the non-dairy dessert they had in mind - but would we have known this if we hadn't asked?

Sliced fruit notwithstanding, it was an excellent meal and well worth another visit.
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JCA
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, September 03, 2009

My husband I went to Launceston place last night and I have to say it was one of the best meals I have ever eaten. We went for the Taster Menu which is full of surprises!! The service was impeccable and the ambiance something to remember I highly recommend it.
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Lauren Heap
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, August 21, 2009