The Ivy

I went to the Ivy for the first time last Saturday and again today, both for lunch. And I must say I love it. I mentioned to the waiter that I am gluten intolerant and they brought me some gluten free bread, which is very welcome with the smoked salmon. I also asked if they could use different oil for my chips in order to avoid trans-contamination and they did it without a problem. And when another waiter brought some sauces he mentioned to me that there was some flour in them, so I couldn’t have some. It’s good to know they communicate with each other. The food was superb and the staff courteous and helpful. I will definitely go back. The food deserves every penny and the wine is perfect. I give only 9 for the atmosphere because it gets very noisy at lunch time during the week.
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Elise - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Had lunch at The Ivy yesterday & had a fab time. Food was great, lovely buzz & staff were really friendly. So relaxing & enjoyable.
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S
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Monday, November 19, 2012

Celebrating my wife Carol's 50th birthday at the Ivy our first visit. On arrival the reception was excellent, the food to die for, and service out of this world. Only problem we live in north east. Visit to london will not be complete again without a meal in The Ivy.
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Andy hill - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, October 25, 2012

Had a lovely three course meal at the Ivy on Sunday evening, with my Mum and girlfriend. The service was second to none. The staff were all very attentive without being over-bearing. We all agreed the food was exquisite, all three courses were exceptional. We sent our compliments to the chef, needless to say.

Everything about this restaurant is top class, and I'd strongly recommend it to anyone.
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Richard
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, August 28, 2012

I have been to the ivy on numerous occasions & have had excellent service & Food every time & have just booked to visit again in September....some people are only happy when they are moaning!!!!!!!
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D Isaac
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, August 09, 2012

After 9 days of glorious food and hospitality all over London including the East End, our experience at The Ivy was a huge disappointment. The staff seemed to be totally unconcerned about us. They did not ask us for drinks when we were seated and they kept returning to the table asking if we were ready to order. The food was boring at best. The atmosphere was unappealing . We felt rushed and nobody bothered to ask us if we would like coffee or dessert. You know, the usual things a fine restaurant's staff would do and you should expect. Lastly, of course, the price was much too high to pay for such a horrible experience. I should have stayed home and made a better meal or gone to the local pub,

An American who will never return again to this over- rated establishment! Kudos only to the doorman who went out of his way to get us a cab so that we could get the hell out of there!
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Nancy A. Hallo-Hudson, M.D.
2 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Sunday, August 05, 2012

I have always loved The Ivy even if getting a reservation is more of a game that is a bit pretentious. I enjoyed it again on a recent trip to London. But like all restaurants in London the staff has become very non-UK. So the Londoness about the place has changed. Also, they once had the best French Fries in the world, but now they are very standard, fat and soggy.
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7 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 6
Thursday, June 28, 2012

Have visited the Ivy today...The staff were absoulutly fantastic, We were made to feel like Royalty....The food was superb and I trully felt that i had died and gone to heaven!...
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Margaret Hallinan - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, June 10, 2012

What a disappointment....

We decided to give The Ivy another chance...on our previous visit, the food was uninspiring and very average..we thought perhaps we were just unlucky. Yes, the restaurant is buzzy and the atmosphere is good and you can spot a few stars if you are there for that... but if you want good food, this is really not the place to come....and it was a long wait between starters and main course...sadly for a foodie, it just doesn't stand up...we will not be returning...
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6 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, May 02, 2012

I was taken to the Ivy (my second visit) for my recent birthday and can only say that my review is likely to further muddy already confused waters.... The overall experience was lacking compared to my first visit a few years back: the ambiance is still wonderful, service attentive and swift, setting at the same time characterful old-world and descretely modern. Dishes are inventive and (in our cases at least, tasty). Prices very acceptable for central London in a resturant with such a high staff to client ratio. So what let it down?

I felt we were rushed. Our reservation was for 7pm but we called and asked if we could defer until 7.30pm and were told this was no problem. Duly arrived for 7.30 and were seated promptly; no asking if we wished a drink while we considered the menu and twice we were asked if we were ready to order. We ordered and the starters arrived in what seemed like moments! Being hungry we tucked in and despatched this first course - plates were whisked away and we'd barely had a sip of wine before, bang, mains arrived. Both having had substantial starters this was not really welcome. Perhaps we should have complained but of all the things to directly complain about, that must be the hardest. Anyway, I was barely able to eat half my main, and certainly couldn't now face a dessert from the fabulous list - and astonisingly we were on the way out by 8.40. What a shame! It wasn't even as if they were busy - certainly our table did not appear remotely required for a 9pm service, as we were originally told it would be. Maybe in future I will discretely ask to have a pause between courses, and pointedly ask for a pre-dinner drink - but then I think: "Why should I, I'm at the Ivy!".
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Marcus Holden - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, January 18, 2012