Simpson's-in-the-Strand Grand Divan

We dined at Simpsons last Wednesday at the recommendation of a colleague. The entire experience was appalling, with the possible exception of the dessert which was acceptable.

Starting with the room itself. It is tired, grubby and smelled like old cabbages. The tables are arrayed in lines like you might see in a 1940s school dining room - which is perhaps the atmosphere they were aiming for ?

The other diners were a mixture of older business men and bemused tourists.

The service was terrible. We sat for 20 minutes before the waiter took our order. Two of our party of 6 were vegetarian (for religious reasons). There was one vegetarian starter (a salad) and one vegetarian main course (mushrooms). These were not appealing. My guests asked the waiter if the chef could prepare some pasta. He simply said 'no'. They asked if he had any suggestions. The waiter merely shrugged. They ended up ordering vegetable side dishes as their meal. I was deeply unimpressed by the lack of options on the menu and the waiters disgraceful attitude.

The meal took over 2 hours due to the slow service. The booth we were sitting in was uncomfortable and there appeared to be no air conditioning as the room was stuffy, hot and, as mentioned above, smelled bad.

My oysters were inexpertly opened and I had to pick bits of shell out with my fingers. Their 'legendary' steak and kidney pudding was, in fact, a pie made with a flaky pastry crust rather than suet pastry. It wasn't terrible but it certainly wasn't legendary.

The treacle pudding was OK but could easily have come from a supermarket.

Getting the waiter's attention for a second bottle of water or the bill was almost impossible. The bill, when it arrived, already had service added and unfortunately when I paid I forgot to remove the service charge.

In summary there was almost nothing to like about the whole experience. Admittedly it was a poor choice given that two of the party were vegetarians but that does not excuse the rude and off-hand attitude of the waiter.
Comment on this reader review

A Hunt
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Friday, April 20, 2007

This is a superb piece of British history - and it increases the pleasure to eat here after one has an understanding of what the restaurant represents, how it evolved, and how it is maintaining traditions of British cuisine. The wait staff have improved dramatically for our most recent visit. The menu shows the sheer pleasure a gourmet gourmand can have in straightforward, "clean" British cuisine. The trick is to plan the flavors, and revel in the meats and the sweets without seeking the complex sauces and non-traditional fare. The meal is pricey - but the ingredients and the ambience make this, for my book, a very good blend of value for money, both intellectual and gastronomical.
Comment on this reader review

Karn - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, March 23, 2007

Simpsons preserves all the bst british traditions, polite & discret service good food and a relaxed atmosphere. The food is rich and sumptous, no light salads or weight watchers specials.... no no roast beef, potted shrimps and of course stick toffee pudding. Excellent restaurant pur and simple.
Comment on this reader review

Matthew
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, December 13, 2006

We were treated to a meal on Simpson's on the Strand by my aunt as it was her birthday and we were served the most delicious food ever, and the cocktails we drank at the bar before eating absolutely took my very breath away.

The fillet of Scottish Beef was cooked to the standards of good and to the best of my ability, we ended with desserts that melted my very mouth, the Ice Creams with the Lemon Sorbet was beautifully decorated and very much enjoyed by myself as we all had a dessert of our own choice.

The waiting staff who took great care of us, well now there was not a bad word at all to be spoken about the waiting staff, they took a great deal of pride and care in all the duties they performed and we were well looked after and would have been clearly happy of any assistance when required.

If you have a bob or two, and you fancy eating in the line of elegance and in a posh atmosphere, Simpsons on the Strand is the restaurant for you and hopefully to grace my presence through the doors of Simpson at any time soon enough.
Comment on this reader review

Joseph Kelly
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, October 14, 2006

Went on a friday night and this place was fantastic, the atmosphere was gr8 everyone was having a good time. The staff were brilliant and the interaction with the staff was fab they were really up for a laugh. The food was well priced for what you got. This is what british culture is all about! traditional british food at its best!
Comment on this reader review

Helen
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, September 25, 2006

Never had thought I could enjoy such as did with typical British dishes. All its environment is a must. Really impressed of furnishment, service and quality of roast meat. A place to come back once and another. Around GBP 180 for two, with champagne Grand Cuveé, one dessert and one porto.
Comment on this reader review

Miguel Martínez, Spain
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Went there for a business lunch on a very hot July day.

Nice bar upstairs, good decor, service and atmosphere but mega expensve and had to settle bill before going to restaurant. (Not very convenient.)

Grand Divan like a colonnial dining club. Good service but layout not very intimate. No aircon!

Black pudding starter and dover sole main - all OK but nothing special. Basic English fare.

Prices vey high - £160 for 2, excluding pre-dinner drinks and with only a basic bottle of wine, no puddings.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 2
Monday, July 31, 2006

Simply: this is the best about british food!

I'm italian and I never eat, in London, as well as in this restaurant.. and I think it was cheaper for what we eat:

Oysters, roast-beef (the best!) and lamb with souces, pudding, coffee, wine and water at 50£ per person.

Music and waiters magnific!

Usually good fish&chips + tea/coffee are about 15/20£ per person.

Go there if you are searching a romantic and very polite place.

See you soon.

Bye.
Comment on this reader review

Isabella
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, March 09, 2006

Booked for dinner pre-opera and was dismayed that I couldn't have stayed longer! Traditional British fare done perfectly, attentive service, and a fantastic pianist to accompany this sublime evening. It may be a bit of a time warp, but one I welcome with open arms.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Thursday, March 02, 2006

simpsons stands for everything that is truly british from the impeccably polite and well turned out waiters to the sumptuous beef and wickedly naughty desserts. how fortunate am i to have experienced such delights courtesy of my sister in law who, I now realise, obviously has equally impeccable taste.
Comment on this reader review

ali of st ives
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, December 19, 2005