La Poule au Pot

I have eaten the best coq au vin in my life at La Poule au Pot. A little piece of France right in the heart of Pimlico. So atmospheric, filled with diners so incredibly popular ... the downstairs area is dark but candlelit and so much fun. Superb food. A must if you love truly wonderful French cuisine.
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Ian
10 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Monday, March 21, 2011

A wonderful restaurant, attentive and well-informed staff who bend over backwards to help you with any queries or requests, but leave you alone if you don't need them. I twisted my ankle on the way to the restaurant on one of my visits - my first, I think - and the waiters were utterly solicitous and charming, bringing me a (very clean!) tea-towel packed with ice and a second tea-towel to enable me to tie it to my ankle, and helping me down the stairs to the loo. The staff do not have a high turnaround, so I can't understand how anyone has had bad service here. Possibly they have not treated the waiters with the respect which waiters at this level have earnt? Another reviewer stated that the tables are too close together. This is rather missing the point - the restaurant is cosy to the point of being crowded, but this is an essential part of the buzzy atmosphere. It isn't austere or minimalist in any way, so if you like to eat in an operating theatre, this is not the restaurant for you. But if you like a starter of foie gras poele, served with a glass of monbazillac, house red served from a huge bottle which is left at your table, the amount marked off where you finish it, and the best tarte tatin in the country, all served in lighting which makes you look 10 years younger, run there as quickly as you can, but do make a reservation.
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Maz
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, February 11, 2011

Authentic French food, and authentic French service. Never fail to have a good meal in a great atmosphere at this place.

If you havent been you must try it.
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C.Harding - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Me and wife went and enjoyed all our evening, smiling staff, food was very tasty, ambience, service excellent, everything was perfect, we will come back and recommend that restaurant to everyone. Thanks again and well done to the team.
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Kris
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, February 07, 2011

I love this place - I come here every time I visit London. It has a great buzz and atmosphere. The menu is very relaxed French food ... don't order too much as the portions are very generous. Crab starter is enough for two - it's wonderful. I loved the Coq au Vin. The selction of table ware is quirky and I really like it. I've recommended it to lots of friends who all have it firmly marked as one of their fave spots when visiting London. Staff are not the warmest bunnies in town but they are efficient and don't over intrude (a fault with some other restaurants) ...they let you get on with enjoying your night + I like that! Try it out ... you'll come back for more!
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Linda - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Friday, February 04, 2011

We went with "regulars" to this charming restaurant and were enchanted by the atmosphere, decor, setting and fabulous food. The lunchtime crowd filled each table, both inside and out. Each of the 5 of us were more than satisfied with our choices from the menu. For 3 courses, wine and coffee we paid approx 40 pounds each. We thought this good value for the high quality of the food and service.
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Robert Charles - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, February 03, 2011

Desperately disappointing experience.

The Moules Mariniere were anaemic and the mariniere sauce was poor, salty and uninteresting. (Basic stock?) The lamb was, afraid to say, also anaemic and dull to eat.

Entertaining clients, it seemed to me that we spent a small fortune, and it was in no way worth it.

Judging by other reviews this establishment has a question mark over its service, and sad to say that was my experience. One of the staff was pleasant, but overall it certainly seemed to me that they do have an attitude problem - it feels as if they are doing you a favour to serve their disappointing (for me at least) cuisine.

Very unimpressed.
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3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Friday, January 21, 2011

A disgrace. Couldn't agree more with the reviewer who said that the rude staff ruined the night. This was the case for my visit, although I'm mainly referring the front-of-house staff.

Their arrogance was unbelievable and unwarranted, since although the food is ok at best (and that's probably inflated because I'm not a massive 'foodie'), I've tasted better for the same price. Front-of-house staff are in serious need of some customer service training.

They need to take themselves down from their pedestal, raise their game in the food department and show paying customers some respect.

Word of warning: Don't leave your coat in their cloakroom. They will give it to any old stranger.
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1 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, January 11, 2011

My wife and I have been using la Poule au Pot restaurant since it opened. I am not in the habit of writing restaurant reviews (life is too short) however yesterday a friend, knowing how highly we regard this place, asked me if I had seen the recent reviews on your site. I have read them with disbelief. We eat out in restaurants 2-3 times a week across the full spectrum of venues available in London (chains to Michelin starred), many of which we think very highly of, and I can honestly say that for us none surpass la Poule au Pot for a pleasurable dining experience. The senior members of the front of house staff have been the same for at least ten years and are always charming and welcoming. The food is un-messed-about-with classic French Bistro/Brasserie cuisine and we have difficulty finding fault with it. If I look back to your February reviews others would appear to agree with us as also did Matthew Norman in his review in the Guardian which appears at the top of this page.
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Peter
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, October 06, 2010

Rude staff ruin a restaurant and sadly this was the case with this place. Having lost my reservation they were wholly unaccomodating and arrogant in their follow up calls. One would expect better from such a highly regarded place.
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3 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, September 28, 2010