Le Piaf (Dulwich)

"I'm a regular at La Piaf Dulwich and I'm surprised and shocked at the negative comments on this site about food and service. I am only imagine that people have nothing to do but complain.

I have been coming to this branch for the last 3 - 4 month and although that I'm unaware of what it was like before , it was great each time we go, an would always recommend it to everyone looking for French Cooked Food, which is a variety these days."
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i forest
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Me and my wife and friends have been coming here for many years. It is not very good and in fact has actually gone downhill, but there is nothing better in the area so we put up with it. The staff are probably ruder to us than the average, passing trade, customer, but its cheap and better than having to cook at home. There is a worse place to eat in Dulwich so we are at least thankful for this place and I know if I complained then we might not be allowed back in.
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Lawrence Mallis
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Monday, March 17, 2008

If anyone has given Le Piaf more than one star for anything they've be over generous. I have lived in Dulwich for six years and every time I go, nothing improves.
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Carl
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Sunday, March 16, 2008

I'm really confused by soem of the reviews fro la piaf. I have been a few times and never had a bad experience there before. On the contrary, the food has always been tasty, staff pleasant and service prompt. It can be pricy if you go a la carte, but the lunch rapide hardly breaks the bank. Guys, seriously, if this is your idea of a crap establishement then I suggest that you daren't venture into Greater London - they'll be some unpleasant shocks.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Saturday, March 01, 2008

I wish I had seen these reviews before last Saturday! Following an exhibition at the Dulwich Picture Gallery I wanted to buy lunch for three friends and made the horrendous error of taking them to Le Piaf, not knowing the reputation of eating establishments in Dulwich. Our waitress was very polite and she forwarned us after taking our orders that there was a 20 minute delay in the kitchen. Eventually the starters arrived and were just about adequate. When they were cleared away there was a delay of approximately 20 minutes and we were informed that the item I had ordered as a main course was not available, so I chose something else. There was another thirty minutes delay until the main courses arrived. One of them was totally inedible and we called for the manager - alas it transpired that the other three meals were also cold and undercooked. This was an unmittigated disaster and I was mortified as wanted to treat my friends to this meal. The manager agreed not to charge us for the food - blaming the kitchen staff but not actually apologising for this terrible situation. As we left our table we witnessed the manager apologising to two people at another table.
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, February 13, 2008

I visited Piaf on a Sunday lunchtime with a group of friends, and frankly we were disappointed by what looked (from the outside) like a nice, popular bistro.

The starters were pleasant enough but nothing to write home about, but when the main course came we had nothing but problems. My friend ordered a burger and asked for it to be served well-done, but when it arrived it was still very pink and bloody - more medium-rare. She complained and sent it back, and after 15 minutes the same burger reappeared, browned off very slightly around the edges but still nothing close to well-done. Eventually she ordered another dish and the manager agreed that she would not have to pay.

Meanwhile my steak sandwich, which I ordered medium, turned up medium-rare at one end, and practically raw at the other. I can only imagine that that end was hanging over the edge of the griddle! I ate most of it but couldn't quite face the very raw part. The waitress was very apologetic, and said that the chef was the problem.

When the bill came there were desserts on it that we hadn't had, so we had to get it changed. None of the plates were warmed so food quickly went cold. The only good thing was the waitress, who was clearly very upset that we hadn't enjoyed our meal and did everything she could to sort it out.

A waste of money.
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Karen Boyd
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Monday, February 04, 2008

I have had a couple of mixed experiences but have to say my main complaint has been the laid back to the point of snail-like service... The food has always been of a good standard they just don't seem to have enough waiting staff. If you go at lunchtime midweek they have special deals which are a real bargain. If they speeded it up a bit they would be fully booked dawn til dusk. That aside, I would def recommend it - esp for a relaxed coffee at the weekend after a nice walk in Dulwich Park (weather permitting!)
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Friday, January 18, 2008

I have recently moved to the area and thought i'd try out Le Piaf as it looked very inviting from the outside. We were a group of four who had gone in for sunday lunch. We all ordered our meals and were waiting in anticipation to try their culinary delights. When our food arrived only three out of the four meals were served. The waitress did not bother to check whether we had all ordered meals and scurried off before we could quiz her. When we found the waitress again, we asked her twice to check the orders and to find out what was going on with the missing meal but found the service lazy and rude. The fourth meal eventually turned up after the rest of us had finished our own.

We approached the head waitress at the end of our meal to discuss what had gone wrong. They did not offer any refund or give the meal on the house which i found very rude. They also took a very long time to apologise for their mistake which had ruined our meal.

It's a real shame about this restaurant as the food was quite good but the service appalling. We won't be going back.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 5
Friday, January 11, 2008

I find the negative comments regarding Piaf very bizarre to say the least. I don't live in Dulwich, but whenever I'm passing through with the family, we usually stop and have a meal there. The food is excellent, albeit a bit pricey and the service has always been very attentive. The only odd thing is that, in the evening, it is nearly always empty and this does affect the atmosphere. Regarding comparisons with Pizza Express, well, yes their Pizza's are very good, but, at the Dulwich Branch, it is akin to eating in a creche. (I've nothing against small children, but sometimes the screaming/crying gets too much!).

So come on you Dulwich folk, appreciate the jewel you have on your doorstep.
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Ric
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 5
Sunday, December 16, 2007

"Myself and the family went along for lunch at Piaf after deciding to give it another go.

The food is a lot better than my last visit which was awful which I believe is bacause they have a new manageress and chef there, the manageress being quite charming and stating a number of changes are happening. The kids enjoyed their meals also but it is still a little pricey for what you get.

Please please look at your pricing and portion control and give the place a lick of well deserved paint is my advice. "
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Fran
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Thursday, November 01, 2007