Andrew Edmunds

Ate here recently as part of a birthday dinner party. Yes it's certainly a cramped place, similar to The Stockpot for "intimacy" ! The busy ambience worked quite well on the night I was there, although had I been seated right next to a canoodling couple or a shouty goon, I would most definitely not have been happy (and would probably not have stayed). Anyway, one presumes that West End overheads have to be met, hence the number of covers in such a tiny space.

The wine list was far longer than the food menu, which perhaps says something about priorities. The menu itself was limited, with about six choices of main course on offer, four of which weren't to my personal taste. One hopes that these dishes change daily. My companions all had the lamb shank which they voted fine, although I thought it looked overcooked. I opted for the vegetarian mezze dish, which was tasty, but the portion was miniscule, and more like a starter! Hmmmm.

Service was okay throughout. Not bad, but certainly not anything like good value. Not sure I'd go again.
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Eager Beaver
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Thursday, May 01, 2008

Had a very nice meal at Andrew Edmunds last night before the theatre. Have been dying to go there for ages and wasn't disappointed. We are downstairs and although a little snug it was cosy and welcoming. I love the feel of the place - hand written menus, relaxed atmosphere but ultimately well cooked, unfussy food at a decent price.

My halibut, chive mash and tomato salad was divine - lovely fresh halibut perfectly cooked. Desert was a huge plate of Neil's Yard cheese with tonnes of crackers. A very acceptable bottle of Pouilly-Fuisse for £22 accompanied. All in all a very nice evening, attentive (and very pretty!) waitress and friendly managment. Will definitely be back.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Thursday, May 01, 2008

I visited this restaurant last night for my anniversary, I admit that we are a young couple and are easily impressed but I cannot fault this restaurant. Whilst it is true that downstairs is cramped, that all adds to the cosy atmosphere - be careful of the windy stairs after a drink though! I ordered the goose rilletes and my boyfriend ordered the roll mop herrings. I have to say I prefered his but both were lovely. My boyfriend then followed with a rare rib eye steak, which he adored. I had the duck, which was beautiful. For desert I had a beautiful lemon tart and my boyfriend had the mexican chocolate torta with sheep yoghurt, which wasn't my cup of tea but he seemed to enjoy. As young people on a budget we ordered the cheapest bottle of white wine, which was perfectly drinkable. To be honest I wouldn't have had a clue how to decipher the wine menu even if we did have money to burn - but i suppose that shows my ignorance rather that a fault in the restaurant. All in all this was a lovely restaurant and a lovely way to spend our 4 year anniversary. I would certainly come here again, although last year's anniversary meal at Pierre Victoire may have slightly topped it due to the piano player!
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Erin
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, April 20, 2008

I was disappointed with my first and only visit to Andrew Edmunds. I did not have a problem with the cramped seating arrangements as we were a group of four good friends looking forward to an evening out. My problem was with the service and the food. The welcome was warm and we were seated quickly. Orders were taken and the first course came promptly. The range of wine was excellent and good advice was given. We then waited at least 40 minutes for our second course to arrive. One order of scallops was almost raw. When this was pointed out to the staff, no apology was given and the comment was "So you would prefer them to be cooked more" as though it was our fault. The pasta in both orders of ravioli was much too thick and therefore rather unpleasant, and also arrived lukewarm - perhaps because of the long wait? One order of lamb was excellent, as was the dessert, and no complaints there. The problems with the food were basic and just showed a lack of attention and care in the kitchen. It could have been so easy to have made sure that everything was enjoyable but that enthusiasm was not there.
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Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Thursday, March 27, 2008

My wife and i always celebrate our anniversary with a trip to a well reviewed restaurant.This year we decided to try "Andrew Edmunds".

What a treat ! we have been married 20 years and so far this has been our most enjoyable experience .My wife started with an enormous charcuterie plate , i had a mushroom and thyme soup and we both had best end of lamb the manager "Lollie" recomended a fantastic chateau neuf 2000 that was an inspired choice . and our waitress "Brilee" was friendly and helpfull . we ended our meal with a shared sticky toffee pudding and two glasses of sweet sherry.

So great food ,Great wine , a warm welcome and prices that do not break the bank .We believe everyone should try this restaurant! we only hope we can get a table next time . well done!
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Mr a Mrs Gaunt
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, March 27, 2008

We first dined at Andrew Edmunds 5 years ago and it has not lost any of its character since then. The tables are very close together but we still had a very romantic dinner in a restaurant which is full of charm and is very unique. The food was excellent and very good value for money when compared to the average London restaurant. Service was well paced- not too fast and not too slow - and we spent a nice 2 hours over a 3 course meal. Wine list is extensive with some good value for money bottles (as well as some very nice vintages if your wallet stretches).
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Mark Barry
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Monday, February 25, 2008

'Charm is more than just beauty...'

Andrew Edmunds treats diners like Tetris blocks. They are dropped into the windowless basement, shoe-horned in the corridor, propped up at the bar, or even left on the pavement perched on creaking, slatted patio chairs. And most willingly surrender to this tube like treatment. Why? -Because most of the time, the tube works.

The food here is unceremoniously good, the wine list unexpectedly tolerant and the prices are fine. Above this, however the experience is authored. Somewhere, someone is almost illegibly scrawling a fresh menu every single day. They are taking time to point out the virtues of the sherry spectrum on blackboards, and making prominent mention of other off-piste stickies (Bertrand Rivesaltes '84, Coonawarra Botrytised Gewurztraminer...) under the list of puddings. They are offering decent (Pol Roger) Champagne at an effervescently cheerful by the glass price too.

In the kitchen, retro dishes like Duck a l'Orange are wittily rejuvenated, brilliantly becoming Duck a Blood Orange and Beetroot, with Snow Pea Shoot Salad. There are misses, too, tantalisingly talked-up, but in reality really poorly executed, like the Pistachio and White Chocolate Log, actually made with dark chocolate and lifelessly presented. An enquiry into that identity crisis received: "The Chef is Swedish".

Overall, however, despite being cramped into near claustrophobia, my feelings towards this Hogarthian setting are happy; in this unlovely city, a thoughtful approach has charm.
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Douglas
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Sunday, February 24, 2008

Visited Andrew Edmunds last weekend in a group of six, and having been before I knew what to expect in terms of cosiness.....

As a larger group of six on a separate round table this wasn't a problem, but my impression was of a very friendly and homely atmosphere.

After a very pleasant aperitif (a surprisingly enjoyable apple cider brandy) I had a black pudding salad (light, crisp and tasty) followed by a mutton stew. Certainly not my usual ordering style but the stew was cooked perfectly, a wonderfully meaty dish with a generous helping of tender mutton pieces and an accompaniment of well-picked vegetables.

My poor memory has allowed me to forget the excellent red wine we drank but there was a very pleasant (and zesty) Marlborough sauvignon blanc.

My pudding was a good sticky toffee pudding to finish off (though tasting the plum and almond tart I should have possibly gone for that...)

Overall a most enjoyable evening, good food, helpful yet not intrusive service and a really inviting atmosphere. What more could I ask for?
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K Heath - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Saturday, February 16, 2008

Really unique atmosphere (yes, the tables are close together but they are supposed to be!), really friendly staff and delicious food (tuna main course was excellent). And all for a reasonable price. We had an excellent Californian Shiraz but cannot remember the name. I cannot wait to go back.
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Rick Brown
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, February 15, 2008

I was very disappointed with our Valentine's Day meal at Andrew Edmunds. The service and atmosphere were good, but the food barely rose above mediocre. The foie gras was insipid and appeared to be from a tin, and was served with a cursory slice of supermarket sliced bread. The lamb was flavourless and overcooked and was served, unforgivably, with frozen peas. The cheese was dull and stale, and the wine simply uninteresting. The meal cost £130 for two. I would still have been miffed it it had cost half that amount.
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Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 1
Friday, February 15, 2008