Searcy's at The Barbican

We dined at Searcy's following an afternoon concert at the Barbican. The evening view over the City was a great backdrop. The service was excellent and the welcome warm. The food was of a very high standard and enjoyed by all three of our party and by selecting a set menu we enjoyed complementary Prosecco and mince pie. The wine was both good and reasonable and the total bill for 3 of us was a reasonable £108. We would definitely go again
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, January 02, 2009

We had the unfortunate situation of eating supper in Searcy's after a wonderful concert at the Barbican on 30th October 2008. It ruined our evening. The restaurant is very clinical in its decor, with shards of food scattered over the floor near and around the table that we sat on. The views may be stunning, but this cannot make up for the arrogance of the manager who has a bizarre way of discriminating against customers. It seems he will fawn over regular customers and ignore those who have the temerity to seat themselves, this is regardless of what they order or what they look like. He will take your money first but then having paid you get your order last, this takes a real skill. We had to ask for our food and wine;others he managed to serve within minutes of the order being taken.

We then had to send our steak sandwich back as it had wedges of tomato in it, and although this was not indicated on the menu the manger said that it was our fault for not telling him that one of us was allergic to fresh tomato and started to argue with me, this was unbelievable! He grudgingly brought us back another sandwich, meanwhile our 'chunky chips' sat on the table going cold, this time the sandwich was full of gristle and thrown on the plate, with none of the original plates presentation and it was totally inedible with dry bread and a measly tough steak. When the second 'meal' was shown to him by the waitress after being sent back he dismissed it and didn't even engage with us as to why we had not eaten it.

The wine was bland and expensive. The range of wines was very limited. I had to remind the staff that I wanted de-caffeinated coffee three times. The attention to detail was scaringly lacking.

The manager needs to also ensure that if he is going to speak about guests to the restaurant that he remembers that he can be seen in the reflections in the windows and was extremely unprofessional.

I would never recommend this restaurant/bar to anyone and certainly won't be going back there.
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Ruth Willis
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, November 03, 2008

I emailed to make a reservation for the 23rd of April and asked that the £5 Good Food Guide discount voucher be used. They are listed in this publication as a restaurant who will accept these vouchers. The reply to this email on Monday, the 21st, said No problem!

Well, naturally there was. The arrogant manager refused my £5 Voucher, telling me I must have spoke to the “Balcony bistro downstairs”. This is the 2nd humiliation I have experienced in Searcy’s restaurants. The Good Food Guide also lists their sister restaurant at the National Portrait Gallery as willing to accept the £5 discount voucher. When I booked there last Autumn by phone, I was assured it could be used but once again, it was dismissed out of hand upon paying the bill.

I presume the managers who fill in and return the forms to Which publications read what they are writing and what they are agreeing to. It is interesting that both Searcy’s at the Barbican and the Portrait gallery have the remarkably high mark of 4 in the GFG and are the only Publication to praise your restaurants. Presumably agreeing to the voucher scheme boosts your mark and their managers are aware of this. Which guide publications clearly are not aware that this is one way relationship as you don’t actually respect this scheme
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Tony Beirne
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Thursday, April 24, 2008

As a regular visitor and member to the Barbican I had to try the Searcy’s once. Once was enough.

I went there with a friend for lunch and we chose from set menu. It was one of the worst meals I had in London. The food was badly prepared, the flavours were not balanced the whole was a pitiful attempt to mimic fancy food without any understanding of the basics of cooking. I have no idea what they did to that poor soup ingredients but I had microwaved soup that tasted better. Even though I was quite hungry I found it impossible to eat my meal. An amateur cook using the same ingredients would not do any worse. I don’t know if they have a better chef for dinner or what but that food was dreadful.

The ‘modern European’ label as far as I could see meant ‘trying to be French but are not able to hit the mark’. There are numerous wonderful European cuisines that not only are nicer (and healthier to French) but also simpler. Instead of the pretentious fish-soups that need excellent skill to be good the cook (can’t really call him/her chef) would be better preparing some nice simple Spanish/Italian hors d’oevres or maybe a simple salad. Being an omnivore I was feeling really sorry of my food as these poor animals had died in vain and got brutally tortured after death. Both they and me deserved a better fate.

Atmosphere-wise we were lucky enough to sit by the window which gives a wonderful view to one of the pools of the complex and if you are fond of the Barbican complex you will enjoyed it. The interior décor was nothing special and I think it could profit from changing the carpet which was visibly worn in some places. I am particular about carpets in my dining area but after all if you can’t maintain it use a different material.

Someone would really expect something better from the Barbican particularly as the Searcy’s is supposed to be the most highbrow of the three restaurants in the centre. It needs radical changes I will not eat there again.
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 1
Saturday, April 19, 2008

I really enjoyed Searcy's at The Barbican, it's location in this modernist classic is stunning with a view across the lake to Gilbert House and St Giles Cripplegate. The food was excellent of a menu that's varied enough to satisfy most parties, the wine list is good, but not a patch on Searcy's at St.Pancras unfortunately.

The service is friendly and punctual, leaving you adequate time to enjoy each course before the next arrives, and not (as seems to be the norm nowadays) leaving you hanging on for ages between asking for the bill and actually receiving it. On price Searcy's performs well compared to other City establishments, but that said budget at least £120 for a satisfying meal for two with good wine.
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Neil Evans
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Had lunch yesterday and the food was good. The salmon terrine starter was well seasoned and cooked with care. The Guinea fowl cassoulet was tasty and a good size.

Service was swift and polite.

No problems
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James
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 6
Thursday, March 20, 2008

Our first visit to Searcy's proved a big disappointment. The restaurant, at lunchtime on Thursday, was almost empty and devoid of character. The food was attractively presented but the dishes we tried simply didn't work very well and the portions were on the small side. We understood the lack of custom when the bill came - over £100 at lunchtime for two course for two people, with only one bottle of water to drink, is pretty expensive.
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Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Thursday, January 11, 2007

I really don't see the point of this restaurant except for people on the point of death from starvation after a late concert / show at the Barbican. The place looks like an office from the the 80's; the food is prettily arranged yet perfunctory - there's no heart in the cooking at all; it's way over-priced for the quality, and virtually no choice - no a la carte after a concert and only 2 or 3 per course in the set menu; the service is trying although they try. We paid £30 per head for 2 courses and drinks (one glass of wine and a bottle of water) and felt like we'd eaten nothing at all - and believe me I don't even like big portions! And they bring you the bill without asking, so undermining it's whole raison - d'etre - somewhere you could have decent food after a performance without being told to get out ASAP! I suppose this reflects on the paucity of places to eat after 9.30pm in the area - we tried to book Comptoir Gascon but their kitchen closes at 10pm. Next time I'd rather go slightly further afield than be taken on like this.
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Had a great meal on the fixed price menu. The food was beautifully presented, and fulfilled every mouth watering expectation. The view over the lake at the Barbican creates a relaxed atmosphere and for those of us maxed out with overpowering muzac - there isn't any!Pure silence. The service is attentive but not overpowering. But check the bill. The place wasn't busy at all and they still managed to get it wrong - in their favour, of course.
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Paul Knight
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, May 17, 2006

We had a pre theatre meal here and can throroughly recommend it as a better than average restaurant with great views over the Barbican lake and City skyline.

For starters we had the carpaccio of beef, which came on a bed of wild rocket, with blue cheese and pear and what I think was slightly caramelised balsamic vinegar. Very prettily arranged and delicious.

Main course was guinea fowl, which came on a bed of greens, capers, cornichons and various beans. The meat was succulent and full of flavour. Overal the dish well balanced and well presented.

We had booked a "3 course" meal deal via the Barbican website, which turned out to be a little confusing as you had to pay in advance and it wasn't clear that the 3rd course was coffee and petit fours. Some slight confusion ensued when we first arrived about this and this was our only serious complaint.

As for drinks, the wine list is a dozen choices too thin to be taken too seriously, they could do better there.

Service was pleasant and unobtrusive and we would recommend going there before or after a Barbican event.
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Mattflaneur
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, May 17, 2006