The Ivy

Great wine, nice food, AWFUL service!
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tracyk - View all reviews by this user
6 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Monday, August 01, 2011

dont waste your money, very average, they pack you in like sardines then they have the nerve to charge you cover and service charge, they are just taking the michael.
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trevor,pembrokeshire
4 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 2
Sunday, July 31, 2011

This was our first visit to the Ivy as a treat from our children for our birthdays and we were both greatly looking forward to it however the reality proved to be a total disappointment. Whilst the food was tasty, the surly and rude service spoilt the whole occasion. We waited so long for service at one point that my husband had to approach someone himself and found the maitre d' and another member of staff searching the internet and looking at volkswagon camper vans! This reflects the Ivy's apparent total disregard for their customers and we will definitely not be returning there in the future.
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Chris Upton
3 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Sunday, July 24, 2011

My boyfriend to me to The Ivy a few weeks ago, I was really looking forward to it, however it could not have been worse.

We were seated at a table next to each other (which is not what you want when having a romantic meal) like some naughty school kids. The staff was basically falling over each other because there were so many of them yet so little room between the tables. It generally felt like being in a school canteen and not in a restaurant.

The starters were ok (nothing special really), my boyfriends main also just ok. I had the steak which was nice however the sauce that came with it was absolutely disgusting. It was cold and really unedible. The chips (not normal chips but "posh" french fries which one can find in every supermarkets freezer section) were also not very nice and our side dishes just about ok.

We then had the menus thrown back onto our table to pick dessert, however no one came to take the order for about 20 minutes. By which time I was so annoyed that we just asked for the bill and got a rather nasty look from the waiter.

When we finally got the bill (which took another 20 minutes) I did make a complaint about the lack of service and got the manager to take the service charge off. No way was I going to pay for service not received.

The waiters were horribly rude, constantly shouting at each other and blatantly ignoring customers.

I have been to a fair few "Fine Dining Restaurants" and have had better food and service in all of them.

Definitely won't be going to The Ivy again.
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Nadine
1 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Thursday, July 21, 2011

I took my family of 5, with my 3 daughters there last night for my Birthday !! and have been several times before but on business. I did cast an eye over the reviews earlier in the week and got a bit concerned that maybe i had made an unwise selection. I am pleased to say we all had a great evening as service and food was to a high quality and the only downside was the obnoxious people on the adjacent table making sure everyone heard what they had to say.

My rib eye was a treat, the salmon was cooked to perfection and the kids enjoyed the burgers and fish and chips and the desserts were well received.

As in most restaurants you have to wait a while if not ordering starters as this was the case but was forgotten when the food arrived at the time they predicted.

For me the Allan Jones mural and Bridget Riley painting is still a treat !!

So enjoy i say.
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Ken
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, July 06, 2011

My wonderful boyfriend took me to the Ivy for a surprise as it was my birthday. The food was excellent as was the service and atmosphere. We were given champagne on arrival and an excellent table overlooking the entire restaurant. I watched the chef de rang and other staff members go about their duties and admired that precision and professionalism. The food was beautiful and very well executed.

I would highly recommend going.
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9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Sunday, May 08, 2011

We booked here about 4 weeks in advance. We were given limited timings so we selected 21:45.

Having arrived early for drinks, unsure if we could, but happily offered at the bar, we were also offered an earlier table at 20:30. Not bad for a Sunday evening. We accepted and were taken to a reasonable table in the middle of the throng. Immediately we were offered a drink and provided with crusty warm bread. There were several waiters, though no one appeared dedicated to us, but that did not matter.

Our orders were taken after about 15 minutes and the wine arrived about 5 minutes later.

The starters took 15-20 minutes and were superb. ( Fois Gras and Mussels ). Waiters continued to top up our wine ( be careful. This is how it gets expensive ) and we were regularly asked if we required anything.

The main course arrived 20 minutes later ( Veal kidneys and Bannockburn Steak ). Both were done to, as per selected perfection, as were the side dishes. Clearance was slightly slow, but they were very busy.

Dessert was the English cheeseboard and Blood orange trife. Both again were superb.

When we requested the bill, it took about 10 minutes, but not really important. The whole meal was £200 for 2 people including all drinks and tip. Value ?? Bar the cost of drinks, well worth it, if you get the chance. I would recommend the restaurant as value for money.

Overall..... Go, if you get the chance.
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Neil Wakeford
8 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Sunday, April 03, 2011

I can't understand the majority of these reviews. The service was excellent, food came extremely promptly, but not so that we felt hurried at all. Empty glasses were refilled or taken away without us noticing. The waiters were all very polite.

The food was also very good. Both my king prawns and sea bass were excellent, full of flavour. We were about 10 minutes early, and had to wait in the comfortable bar for less than 5.

It is the superlative atmosphere, service and food which make this restaurant so popular, and thereby renders it extremely difficult to get a table at a popular dinner time.
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the big cheese
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Sunday, April 03, 2011

Wonderful food and great service. Went pre theatre, had the 2 course pre theatre menu which was very reasonable. The fish was superbly cooked and one member of our party was running 30mins late, but despite that her main arrived along with the rest - very impressive. They will provide side plates if you ask for the bread. The desert - chocolate suffle with peppermint icecream was soo yummy - it would be worth going back just for this. we were able to get a table booking just the night before. If your in the area, why not give it a go and make up your own mind!
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Jessica
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Thursday, March 31, 2011

A strange combination of fantastic food and extremely impolite staff.

We have a table without time restriction and after 2 hours at the middle of dessert been insistently asked to move to a bar. Unbelievable behaviour for any high class restraint.
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5 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Monday, March 14, 2011