Kettners

Terrible restaurant that spoilt a lovely night. Service was the worst I have ever experienced, all the Waiters and staff were miserable and were unable to smile, the food was average and some dishes were expensive for what they were. We finished our first round of drinks and were not asked if we wanted another one throughout the whole of our meal and then to finish the night off both bills were wrong and we had been overcharged. When paying the waitress didn't even say thank you, whilst eating we were not asked if our meals were ok, basic standards which i would expect in a cafe.The only enjoyable thing about Kettners is the man playing the piano. My mother is a Personal assistance and was going to use the establishment for business meetings, that was until we ate there.

WORST RESTAURANT EVER. YOU ARE BETTER LOOKED AFTER IN THE LOCAL CAFE!!!!!

WOULD NOT RECOMMEND IT!!!
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Samantha Marshall
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Monday, July 09, 2007

Having read the previous reviews my expectations were very low and I was filled with dread when it was suggested by my work colleagues that we were going to Kettners for dinner and drinks.

The service is rather slow, the waitresses do look like they are constantly sucking lemons and the menu is very 'safe'. But it does the job, if a group of you are looking for a restaurant that has a varied menu to suit all tastes, in surroundings that are traditional then this is perhaps the place to go.

Our table position was slighly unfortunate (under an air-con unit and benefiting from a glorious view of the kitchens) and I'm sure if we had said something we could of been moved, but it didn't matter that much.

The food was ok, average at best - my pizza was tepid but I was so hungry I couldn't be bothered to ask for it be heated up and my starter of grilled mushroom with gorgonzola was slightly miserable to say the least.

I wouldn't go under my own steam and I would have been disappointed had I of been paying out of my wallet, but as a work dinner venue goes it was fine.
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Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 2
Thursday, June 14, 2007

We read about Kettners on another website when looking for bars and heard that it had a good champagne bar. As we were celebrating a friend's hen night we decided to go for a glass of champagne there whilst passing through Soho. Firstly, we were a little offended by being moved from one bar to another because we hadn't reserved a table (we weren't there to eat!). The champagne is obviously well over-priced but this wouldn't have been so bad had it not been for the miserable girl who brought it to our table. We were all suited and booted and having a brilliant night and she made it feel as though it was a hassle for her to bring over the champagne and pour it. I refused to leave her a tip (even the 50p change left over). Can't comment on the food obviously but will certainly not go there again for drinks. So many better places in the vicinity.
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Katie
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Thursday, April 12, 2007

Where do i start!

The service was appaling, the table was booked for 8, we finally left the restaurant at midnight! The waiter kept mixing different wines in our glasses, the food was nothing special and certainly not worthy of the price tag.

The waiter was very abrubt, and rude and certainly didn't add to the experiance.

Only eat here, if you have ALOT of time to hang around waiting for your food, and don't want vegetables!
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 1
Monday, April 02, 2007

Went to Kettners last year - food was great and the service was exceptional. We were on our way to a show and had about 30 minutes to order eat and leave and they managed it
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Friday, March 09, 2007

If you live outside of London and want to get home by train dont go to Kettners after 7.30. Our group of 12 booked for 8.30. some of the meals finaly got to the table by 10.30, the remainder got there by 10.50. the plate of complimentary salad covered in some very nasty dressing which was to share between the people who's dinner was late really didnt make up for waiting while the rest of the group were eating. When the food finaly turned up it was ok, nothing special. The staff were pleasant but none too bothered. The wine that had to be sent back due to the foul taste and the fluorescent yellow colour could have been the same at any restaurant (possibly) but it just kind of summed up the whole experience at Kettners, could be very nice but would need a bit of enthusiasm from the staff and management.

Very nice surroundings just a very shabby service. Cant complain about the cost off the meal but that was ruined by having to get black cabs home to Herts due to the huge delays in service.
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Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Monday, February 19, 2007

Shocking. I've never felt the need to tear a strip off the manager, but having been to Kettner's a few times in the late-90's (when I was pooorer and less sober)I didn't remember being quite as unspeakable hideous as this.

I chose Kettner's for the convenience of location and because a couple of friends were on a budget for my girlfriend's birthday.

Three of a group of 14 - myself included - ordered mixed grill at £16.95. Fillet steak, chicken breast, chorizo sausage and lamb cutlet. The price and the menu suggested that we would not be getting 'sorry, overcooked bits of' the aforementioned dumped on a sorry scattering of chips. This is the sort of stuff you'd not even expect in a Hungry Horse.

We eat the stuff as we'd waited nearly an hour from ordering and I decided I should let the manager know it was really poor. He explained to me that is what a mixed grill is and asked if I had ordered a mixed grill in a restaurant before. So, I was patronised as well. I had to explain to him the concept that there are 'great mixed grills, good mixed grills...and then there's yours...a **** mixed grill'. he shrugged and said he was sorry I felt that way. needless to say we didn't stay for dessert.

This sort of fare might've been acceptable 15 years ago, but we've moved on. Pizzas look like something from a supermarket, pasta bland and unappetising, sea bass was very good apparently so they get a star, service was slow, surly and canteen like. Utterly dreadful and wish I'd gone to a Strada or supplemented my economy-drive friends and just gone to a proper restaurant rather than a facade of one.
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Norman Monkey
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, January 31, 2007

I actually had 3 friends recommended this restaurant! I now have severe reservations about their taste in dining. It was atrocious!

1. We were lead to the dining area which was empty with the exception of one couple also dining. The waitress therefore proposed that we were seated next to them.

2.Nobody offered to take my bag, coat or umbrella.

3. Despite my colleague being on a business call the waiter asked him if he was ready to order.

4. The waiter removed my plate while I was still chewing food.

5. The waiting staff were poorly turned out, slouching against walls when not serving.

The wine was also overpriced and the food uninspiring.

This is a tacky tourist trap presenting itself as a classy London joint. The service was about as amateurish as it gets.
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Autriche - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Monday, January 08, 2007

I went to Kettners last night with a group of eight colleagues. As I knew the restaurant was owned by Pizza Express my expectations for the food were not high. I was pleasantly surprised as the cooking was competent, simple and well executed. The service was very slow and the place was incredibly noisy so conversation was difficult. It was certainly lively and it looked like people were enjoying themselves so if that is what you want I can recommend Kettners. If you want something more sophisticated then look elsewhere.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Friday, December 08, 2006

I was taken to kettners on my birthday last year in November, it was a surprise, there were 4 of us the atmosphere was fantastic, we didn;t wait long for a table, but when we went into the resturant WOW its fantastic, one of LONDONS best kept secrets. the food was wonderful, our waiter knew all about the menu, and couldn't wait to surprise us. I am bringing a group of girlfriends this year, because I have not stopped talking about your place.
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Sue Tranter - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, November 22, 2006