Livebait (Waterloo)

We were sorely disappointed by our meal for 4 last night. Service was sort of ok, I suppose, if a little unattentive & moody, but I was amazed by the exceptionally poor quality and ungracefully high prices of the food and wine. Sole gougons came complete with a nice piece of chef's hair holding it all together (literally cooked into the gougons, not just lying on top...!), which completely put all of us off our already-uninspiring meals; some rather old, tired & chuffy grilled lobster and a very grey, bored slab of tuna to go with the hairy sole. Our bill was reduced on complaint, but to save our sufferring stomachs from further injury, we will not be returning, and I would suggest that only the health and safety board should visit.
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Richard
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 1
Friday, January 12, 2007

Oh dear. Have fond memories of this place from years back, but was hugely disappointed by a return visit. Service chaotic, food average at best. By sheer coincidence, a colleague was also eating there, and was similarly disappointed.

Neither of us shall be returning. Farewell, old friend.
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Tony Little - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Monday, January 08, 2007

My friend and I went on Friday 8th December and had a great lunch. The squid in spicy tempura batter was perfect and the crab thermidore divine! The staff couldn't do enought for us and were charming! We will definately be going back again.
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Di
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Went there on friday after booking through www.5pm.co.uk. We got a free bottle of champagne on arrival. The food was absolutely outstanding and we even went with the waiter's recommendation.

The service and staff where very friendly and helpful.

Really can't fault it and finding it hard that it gets bad reviews. Will definitely go again.
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Nathalie Patissier
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Monday, November 06, 2006

I can only add to the deluge of reviews about the disgraceful service. This restaurant is in the middle of theatre land and should be used to late diners - especially when taking bookings for 10pm, which they did with us. We arrived at five past ten, and were then aggressively rushed through our meal (which, in any case, only consisted of one course). The waiter seemed angry that we even wanted to eat there at all.
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Toby Lichtig
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 3
Thursday, November 02, 2006

The service as this resturant is just disgraceful. we waited for 20 minutes to order a drink and then ordered food at the same time; something that really gets my goat. These are two separate decisions and should remain so. our starters then came within, no exaggeration, 90 seconds of ordering. Something else I find unsettling. Food ok, nothing to write to mum about. Worth the experience for the crab cakes and to add to this list of bad service complaints.
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Paul Adams
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Friday, October 20, 2006

There seems to be a common theme through these reviews - I hope someone at Livebait reads them!

I ate there on Saturday lunchtime and there was only one other table occupied. There were probably 8-10 staff there at the time so there is no excuse for the dreadful service we received. When my starter arrived it was wrong and when I pointed out I actually ordered something else I was curtly told "no you didn't"! It was pretty much downhill from there. Dishes were basically thrown on the table and I was given the impression that I was really inconveniencing the waitress by being there (she was clearly more interested in chatting up the chef!)

A real shame I think because the food was actually pretty good. I would never go to this restaurant again though - I came away feeling insulted...
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Nicky G
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Monday, September 25, 2006

Despite having the makings of an excellent seafood restaurant - super decor, fantstic menu, good location, recognisable brand etc - I was disappointed with the experience. It started when the waitress asked us if we'd like bread - which we later found was charged part of the £1.00 per head cover charge - what a cheek! Unfortunately, that was the only thing our waitress proactively asked us because from then on we had to get up and ask for water, then wine, then to order - which was disappointing given that on that particular afternoon there were more staff than punters! On a positive note, the food was excellent - although the portions were small. Actually, having said that, we wanted to order fine de clare oysters which featured in a lot of the seafood platters but not individually, only to find that they didn't have any - which left us concluding that the cheaper Rock oysters were being dished out in place of the better, more expensive oysters. The most worrying thing was that when we asked the waitress what Livebait actually was, she wasn't able to answer and nor were the chefs!!
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Emily Mardon Taylor
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Good oysters to start, but after eagerly awaiting my main course it arrived a sad and paltry dish - so I sent it back, something I never usually do, but at £17 quid I expected a lot better. Glad I didn't read the reviews first though as wouldn't have expected better so would not have sent it back. Got a very good plaice instead after sharing the other main with my boyfriend. The waiter was very good about it and we got 2 free desserts and coffees. Plenty of better fish restaurants in London and a lot better value - would not recommend it.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Friday, August 18, 2006

I have been to Livebait twice now and would recommend it. The service and food was excellent on both occasions. Maybe not the cheapest but certainly good fish. I plan to visit again in couple of weeks with a group of 6 friends from work on a trip to London.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Friday, August 04, 2006