The Lobster Pot

Worth going to just for the experience. It's a very kitsch take on a fisherman's cafe. The front door has a porthole and rather oddly, you have to ring to be admitted. I don't know if that's because Elephant and Castle is on the doorstep. To reinforce the theme, there are sea paintings on the walls and - get this - piped sounds of seagulls! Strangely, you almost screen out the seagull noises after a while. The whole thing reminded me of the fisherman's bar in Alfred Hitchcock's film "The Birds". We had the taster menu which was £45 a head. Baked fish dishes are the mainstay. Very tasty but the portions, especially the lobster, could have been bigger. The wine was very passable. Not sure I agree with the remarks about the service - it struck me as a very attentive family-run restaurant with staff very eager to please. They are dressed - rather hilariously - in what looks naval uniforms with white epaulettes. Priceless! So in a dull and homogenized world - go to the Lobster Pot. It's like nothing you've experienced in London before!
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Ross Todhunter
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Monday, April 28, 2008

What a fantastic experience... if you like seafood, then you simply have to check this place out.

I visited the Lobster Pot on Saturday night with my girlfriend having read some favourable reviews on this website and the like, and boy did it surpass all expectations.

It is surreal walking in to the sound of seaguls, and then taking a seat in what appears to be some sort of old ship. The head waiter and his 'crew' were extremely welcoming and helpful with regards to choices of food and beverages. Our mouths were watering as we saw all sorts of delicious dishes pass before our eyes, and in particular the seafood platter which has to be seen to be believed.

We opted for the 8 course taster and simply had to provide details of food that we didn't wish to receive... the rest was then a pure surprise.

Out came a delightful crab salad, followed by a pan fried perch dish and then the lobster. The seafood was out of this world, as were the remaing courses.

We had a couple of bottles of wine to accompany the food, and it was a lovely touch that as each course was served, you would receive a detailed description of what you were about to eat. The head chef then came out for a chat and to make sure everything was up to scratch... which of course it was.

I would sincerely recommend this to every seafood lover, and use your common sense when reading some of the negative reviews, can a place that seems to be rated in the 9s and 10s really be so bad that it was rated zero? i ask you... the Lobster Pot is simply a treat and i can't wait to return.
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Ian C
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Sunday, April 27, 2008

What a little gem in Kennington. A collegue of mine recommended this restaurant. I tried to book for Saturday last week, they were fully booked. After some persuasion I was told I could have a table at 7pm under one condition that I leave by 9.15pm. They mentionned that normally they wouldn't renew a table as people like to take their time when they eat, which is fair. I agreed.

When I arrived I was greeted wonderfully into the restaurant. What a find, alongside one wall was a line of portholes with a fish tank bearing live fish. The decor was a little over, but yet with the combination of the service and food, it did make you feel comfortable. I ordered a platoe fruits de mer, which is fresh shellfish in crushed ice. Absolutely wonderful, everything was fresh, and the crab…well I have never seen such a huge crab, this came alongside with clams and prawns with sea snails. The waiters provided all the tools, even a bib with the lobster pot logo on it.

I then ordered a bouillabaise and a seabass. The bouillabaisse came with around 7 pieces of fish, all cooked like a stew all with cheese and a spicy paste on the side. The dish was enormous and extremely good value for what it is worth. The seabass was even better cooked to perfection. Never have I tasted fish that literally melts in your mouth. I had to asked my wife to share my fish stew in the end.

I normally drink Chablis, and wanted to change, so I asked the manager to recommend a wine similar to Chablis, based on my taste and the food I ordered. He told me a Vire Clesse, wow, what a find, never heard of the wine. Not to mention it was cheaper than the Chablis.

By 9pm I ordered the bill with 2 coffees, no dessert. The bill came to £116 excellent for what it is worth.

One point I would point out though is the toilets are not quite as pleasant especially with the sound of seagulls around, not to mention small. However I cannot see why people are giving terrible reviews about this restaurant in all areas. What is their problem, fine there is a £28 minimum charge per person.

I overheard a small dispute between the manager and a couple who was sitting on a table just next to me. It is probably not for me to say, but I feel sorry for the people who work there making an effort to earn their pay. The couple next to me wanted to share a dish, get 2 drinks yet not pay the minimum charge. The manager said that even though the restaurant is fully booked people don’t bother coming in as he points to the biggest table in the room that lays empty.
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Frank Callas
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, April 24, 2008

My boyfriend took me to the Lobster Pot for my birthday at my request and I feel terrible for suggesting now. I can honestly say that it is the worst restaurant I have ever been to. The food was mediocre but the main problem was the sheer pretensiousness and pomposity of the staff. The whole things is geared towards getting as much money as possible for the meagrest offerings. Initially they brought around a bread basket which I was expecting them to leave on the table. They actually were expecting me to take one small piece and that apparently was my allowance for the night. I was uanble to have my first choice of main dish as there was none of the special left despite the fact that the place had very few customers and they had also offered the last portion to someone who had reserved it but was not ready to order yet - but unsurprisingly seemed posher than us! When my main course did arrive it was passable but far from special and something I could have cooked at home. We choose to share a cheese platter at the end and watch how the waiter cut of the tiniest sliver of 5 cheeses and then counted them in a panic to be sure that he hadn't given us extra by mistake. They were clearly unhappy that I only had a glass of wine but as I am pregnant there was not much else I could do other than grin and bear it while they repeatedly interupted us to fill up my water glass presumably in the hope we would order something else. They already made us feel uncomfortable by their tone when asking us if we had booked when we arrived - as I say the place was practically empty, but what they did at the end so shocked me that I actually unable to respond!!!! Despite the fact that our bill came to £63 with a very small meal the man followed us the door and said that we had not met the minimum charge (£28 each -so by my maths we actually had, and had also arrived after the core 7-9pm hours when this is apprently imposed); he said that he would graciously let us off as it was a Tuesday. He said all this in ear view of another table of diners and we felt thoroughly humiliated and annoyed that we had given him 10p. I urge people to see through the hype and give this place a miss.
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Thursday, April 24, 2008

It's been ten years since I visted this restaurant and thankfully, other than the addition of a new upstairs dining area, it hasn't changed. Some places in life should just be kept the same and the Lobster Pot is one of them. The cassollette is served in an individual brass saucepan of bubbling creamy white sauce and fresh seafood. The lobster is exceptional, particularly if flambeed at your table. We also kept ordering the special of crepes containing creme brule. Nolan and his team do so much to please you, that an evening here instantly becomes a memory for life. It won't be ten years until next time.
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Oliver W
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, April 10, 2008

The Lobster Pot was on our hit list of restaurants to try for quite a while now and we finally got there on Saturday night. We called 2 hours before going to book and although full they squeezed us in.

We were not disappointed with the whole experience, atmosphere was relaxed, service, we could not fault and well the food....... delicious and we know our food!! So fresh and vibrant, if you enjoy fish and shellfish you have to try this little gem.

I would not hesitate in telling anyone about this restaurant and we are already organising a return trip with some friends.

One tip, book in advance especially at the weekend. Keep up the good work Lobster Pot!!
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Sam Turner - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Sunday, March 23, 2008

I went to The Lobster Pot on 16th Feb 2008 and quite frankly thought it waa a rip off. The owners spent most of the time fawning over what looked liked a table of boxers and their entourage. The service was slow and the portions small. The desert was a joke conisisting of a slice of tinned pineapple with stawberry jam in the middle. An attempt to overcharge my champagne bill was spotted by my partner at the last minute. They asked for £30 pp up front non refundable even if a guest was sick or god forbid died! I shall not return.
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len dickins
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Sunday, March 02, 2008

Loved the food, atmosphere and nautical theme. Thought it was just the job for an up market, mid week, girly catch up with an old friend.

But the £28 minimum charge (at peak times) left us with a bad taste. We had 2x excellent bouillabaisse, bottle of badoit and coffees, so felt ripped off to be surcharged. When we mentioned this we were pointed to the small print on the menu and told that the minimum charge wasn't normally an issue. It was not the few extra quid that mattered, but just the discomfort of asking for the bill and then feeling embarrassed to be told we hadn't ordered enough and we felt a bit conned. If most people exceed the minimum, I would question is it worth irritating the few who don't. Surely a minimum charge of the value of 2 main courses should be enough?
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, February 29, 2008

We took two friends to the Lobster Pot and had one of the most memorable meals ever. All of us have dined in some of the finest restaurants in London, New York and Paris so we do know a thing or do about good food. We found the decor charming and the service extremely helpful. The food was superb from the first mouthful to the last. All the fish dishes were so fresh they practically jumped off the plate. I started with a homemade fishcake followed by whole lemon sole. I savoured every bite. For desert I the pancake filled with creme brulee. I was tempted to order another. I washed this down with a mint tea and felt completely satisfied. We will definitely be back and would enthusiastically recomment it do any discerning diner.
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Maira Best
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, February 27, 2008

This is my first review ever, but it's worth it. Me and my boyfriend went there last night. What an experience! The food was great, best french restaurant I have been in London. Well cooked, seasoned and so tasty! We had the surprise menu and every dish was a delicacy. The wine was excellent! The atmosphere a novelty and I thought the service was exceptionally good. I am quite fussy about the service in general, as I think it's very important and the waiters were really kind, they explained everything. They were friendly but not overfriendly or too cold. The chef came out and you could tell he was honestly interested to know how his clients enjoyed his food. a real restaurant for once, and not a fashion trap. I warmly recommend it ! keep it up!
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laura
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Saturday, February 23, 2008