Spread Eagle

It should have been a special birthday treat (8). We always liked coming here. But last night something was missing, the service was ok, I do not like a waitress to wear jeans in such a 'smart' restaurant, she was friendly though. There was a head waiter? hovering about, but nobody asked us if everything was ok etc.

There was only the set Menu at £19.50 or £23.50 (3 courses) (it was Thursday night)

of the 3 Tournedos au 'Poivre; (supplement of £10) one was the end piece, too well done, the Starter 'Tobermory Scallop' (supplement £5) just 2 scallops.

And in the last hour, the jazz club downstairs started and the muffled sounds of the bass mad it horrible unpleasant in our area. Again no apologies for the noise.

When leaving, nobody helped with the coats, nobody said thank you or good by.

Shame.
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6 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Friday, December 23, 2011

I almost cant find the words to describe how bad this restaurant is..... once we had waited 45 minutes for the food to arrive it was utterly disappointing - most of the menu was sold out at apx 15:00, this menu is served until 9pm, I think not if you've already run out!

The food was nothing special and not worth the price tag.

One good point - the staff were nice.
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2 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Friday, November 04, 2011

I've been here 4 times, three times for dinner and once for an impromptu lunch and am so excited there's such a great authentic French restaurant just around the corner from me. I would argue the quality of food and warm friendly service merit this as destination dining, and I fear very few are aware of this. Its tasty French fare hits the spot and you leave feeling pleasantly satisfied, not stuffed. The Interior and incredible artwork on the walls is a must for all locals. I'll definitely be returning!
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EatCheeseLouise
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Friday, October 07, 2011

The most apt phrase to describe this dinner was 'utterly disappointing'. In every dish, we tried to want to make it good, but it left us wanting. The main was cold. We sent it back. It was slightly warmer on the second trip. The starters, while theoretically interesting, really weren't more than fanciful food combinations, which didn't necessarily work together. My company was quite well minded about it. But, I wouldn't bust a trail all the way there (even by riverboat) for that again. Miss.
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4 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Friday, September 23, 2011

We had a drink before our meal and ordered the food in the bar. Before we had finished our drinks we were told our food was on the table. We had not been shown a wine list and given no indication that the food would be ready soon. We told them to take it away bring a wine list and show us to our table before the food arrived. Which in fairness they did.

The choice of food was OK but a bit fish orientated. I had a haddock soup and my wife had the pate. These were fine. For main my wife had stone bass, it was tiny to say the least. It was presented in a brown sludge which was smoked aubergine puree with some diced peppers around the edge. Given how small the fish was it was not exactly the best part and contained a large proportion of the brown meat. I had the pigeon which was fine but again very very small. As were still hungry so we opted for cheese. This was old and very tired looking. The service after a bad start improved for a while but then slipped back. Overall given the cost I would definitely go somewhere else.
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Martin
2 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Sunday, July 24, 2011

My husband and I had our wedding anniversary meal at the Spreadeagle and really enjoyed the food and atmosphere. I note that several people commented on the small portions, but they seemed fine to me, especially considering that you are meant to order side dishes too, and there was bread served before the starters. I had the duck breast on stewed vegetable and my husband the leg of lamb. It was classic French cuisine and delicious. The dessert was pistaccio creme brulee and again, very tasty. The waiters were very attentive and kept re-filling our glasses. All in all, this is obviously a pub where you will not have large portions of traditional English food, rather a "posh" pub with a rather French menu, although the decor is very English. We had the best table and the paintings on the wall (mainly the local area - Isle of Dogs, Naval College, etc.), gave a nice atmosphere. I would go again, and I would even take my father, who is normally very critical!
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8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Tuesday, May 24, 2011

My husband and I had a fabulous Sunday lunch at the Spread Eagle today. I felt compelled to write a review following all the negative reviews we had seen. We had roast beef and all the trimmings followed by yummy sticky toffee pudding. Highly recommended. The service was impeccable and the the quality of food was great. We will return.
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Gemma and Craig Barrett
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Sunday, March 06, 2011

We celebrated my father in law's 90th birthday at the Spread Eagle a couple of nights ago and were in a private room as our party was quite large. We cannot fault the service.

The food quality was reasonably good though not in any way could it be considered exceptional or even above average.

The portions were absolutely minute, the smallest I have ever seen anywhere - take a strong magnifying glass with you or you will miss your meal!.

For starter I had pigeon (a teaspoon of beetroot + three paper thin tiny slivers of pigeon), followed by pork belly (the meal consisted of a thick lump of fat 3in x 2in x half an inch), 3 thin and very tiny slices of pork, a piece of crackling and a quarter of a tiny potato - this was the MAIN meal!!!!) followed by a small dessert.

After paying in excess of £65 per person inc wine we all left feeling pretty hungry and had to go home for something more to eat. Nobody in the party was overweight or obese!

NOT good value - the mark-up must have been astronomical.. It is highly reminiscent of Jesus feeding the five thousand with a few fish......

I greatly look forward to the owner's/manager's reply to this comment
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foodreviewer
4 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, December 14, 2010

i organised a re union meal for 10 and this was the experience. The starters in general were ok. However, the tiny portions caused some amusement on the table. It then appeared that we were forgotten about for the rest of evening. We ended up serving ourselves the wine until it was finished. I then had to go out to the main restaurant to ask for more. This was brought in and served to us. This was the last time wine was offered to the table for the whole evening and we had to look after ourselves. After 20 minutes the plates from the starter were removed with an apology from the waitress. Shortly afterwards the mains were served. Again there was general amusement at the tiny portions. Several people had pigeon. This came on a large white plate with the pigeon in the centre with what can only be a drizzle of something, nothing else. One of the party found their pigeon too rare i.e. bloody. When we called the waitress back she said that it was meant to be like this and the guest then requested that she would rather it be dry and not bloody red and sent it back. Her plate was removed by the disgruntled waitress and within 5 minutes a fresh pigeon was given to her. I kid you not it was rarer than the one she sent back.

Dessert came...average and minimal. We served ourselves the last of the wine, ordered coffee and left.

No-one enjoyed the food and everyone thought the service was awful. The only reason I did not create a scene on the night and paid the service charge is that I did not want to make the evening a complete disaster
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Jon Phillips
2 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Friday, October 15, 2010

Can't agree more! Rude staff, in and out within an hour and a half, with bland food in the most miniscule protions I have ever seen. The main course would have fit on to a saucer. And all done with such ridiculous pomp and ceremony that this place just doesn't merit or live up to. I don't mind paying high prices for good quality food but this was a joke. Will not be returning. Which is a shame as on location and venue alone it scores well.
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0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Monday, September 27, 2010