Kettners

I love this place and it definitley deserves a better rating. I popped in last night on an impulse and love the old style french brasserie feel to it , and it always feels really buzzy being right in the heart of soho. Pre dinner drinks are a must.
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veggieburgers - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, December 06, 2011

DELICIOUS food!! No doubt about that! (Although the bread was a bit skimpy compared to The Ivy). And the wine we had was lovely too - altogether about £40 each was spent (2 of us).

My MAIN criticism was that it was all a bit hurried. We didn't feel we could relax because we were always being pursued by the next question from the waiter. Furthermore, my partner's plate was taken away before she had been asked if she was finished - and I was still eating!!

A minor criticism was that the place was a bit loud. Quietness wasn't encouraged so we had to shout to be heard. The pianist did an excellent job of trying to keep the atmosphere calm but the waiters seemed "panicky" and there was a lot of pushing & shoving. Too many chairs & tables? Too many people?

Overall - 9 out of 10 for food. 6 out of 10 for service. 5 out of 10 for atmosphere.

Overall: Very good but The Ivy is better - and so worth paying that bit extra.
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Graham Scott
7 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Thursday, October 27, 2011

I took my Mum here for a pre theatre meal and must say this restaurant ticked all the boxes. Restaurant is bright and stylish. Food was good. Service was quick and yes I would go again.
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Linz - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, October 19, 2011

i tried kettners again last night ( monday ) .....having read the recent rave reviews ( 3 in a row ? ), they must have gone to a different restaurant , the food had got worse the prices had gone up and the rest of the customers ( 4 tables) looked as they had all made a dreadful mistake and couldn t wait to leave ......bring back the belle epoque empire look that they trashed a few years ago ....and the reasonable but not amazing food they used to serve ....i am never going back despite what these strangely enthusiastic reviews may say ......am i being suspicious of overly enthusiastic gushing reviews for some restaurants .... i will be more careful in future
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james hanratty
2 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Don't normally write these but felt compelled after reading some of the other comments. All I can say is, if there was a problem before, they've got it sorted now. Went with some friends on Saturday and had a brilliant night! We were early so had a cocktail first (Berry Caipiroska, lovely) after which we were escorted to our table in the packed restaurant.

Despite the number of people eating (or maybe because of it?) the staff seemed to be enjoying themselves, which I think is always brilliant for the atmosphere and our waitress was friendly and efficient, without making us feel rushed. I started off with the mussels and then had the steak which was just perfect with a beautiful béarnaise sauce. The waitress recommended the pavlova, which was strawberry that day and which all but one of us ordered and it was gorgeous, I will go back just for that! I wouldn't call it cheap, but it was certainly good value for money, as a fab night was had by all. Kettner's is one of those places I'd been aware of for years but never had actually gone into and it's instantly become one of my favourite places in Soho and I'd go back anytime!
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Aries77
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Good food, terrible service. Went there the other night with friends, got ignored by the "too-cool" front of house staff when first arrived and table was not ready for 20 minutes past booking time. Food was good, although not worth the fuss. Had terrible service and was ignored for most of the evening. Had to wait 15 minutes to get the bill, then another 15 minutes for the waitress to come back and take the payment. She then made inappropriate jokes about the way my friend was trying to get her attention. I don't know how putting your hand in the air after 15 minutes of waiting to get attention can be seen as a salute, and thought it was totally inappropriate of her to say what she said to us. WILL NEVER GO THERE AGAIN!
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Nikki
3 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Thursday, July 21, 2011

I went to Kettners last week and having read many reviews I expected to enjoy the experience. It was however very disappointing, the starter being a French restaurant could not even provide a decent French onion soup. It had some sort of frozen cheese in it, yes frozen. The main course was even worse with the burger as tough as shoe leather and the frozen and thawed out bread bun was rock hard. The creme brûlée to finish was stone cold !

Overall it was dreadful. I cannot understand all the other reviews that state the food is good ! Or was it because it was booked through toptable at 50% off !! It's just a thought !
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Andrew moss
2 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 0
Saturday, April 02, 2011

We booked for a table for two and was really looking to our first visit, disappointed by brusque welcome. wine arriving 3/4 through the dinner and seated on a table that could hardly hold plates and glasses almost banging elbows with adjoining table a la a fast food diner, will not be going back Posted my comments to Kettners feed back e-mail and did not receive a reply.
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Steve Rouse
2 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Thursday, March 10, 2011

The waiter was rushing us the whole time. The main course was terrible. My husband ordered a beef burger (not enough time given to look through the menu properly) and it was completely raw (not even someone prefering rare would want it that RAW). My duck was as dry as bone with no hint of a taste. The dessert was good.
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2 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 0
Friday, December 03, 2010

In a word, shoddy.

I booked a Sunday table online for myself and 2 family members who were visiting with chlidren and thought this would be a good bet as the restaurant is big and has a children's menu.

I then spent a week calling the restaurant to find out what the Sunday menu would be as I know they do a set menu every Sunday. No matter whether I selected the phone option for reservations, manager office, marketing did the phone ever get answered. The kitchen picked up the phone once and then hung up on me after keeping me on hold for 10mins whilst they found the 'right person' to answer my query. Knowing what a menu has on it is going to have a pretty big impact on whether you decide to dine somewhere...

So, I went in on Saturday afternoon in person to find out. At first the management looked for a Sunday menu but couldn't find it and as I was in earshot (about 6 foot away) I heard the manager say to the waitress "give him a booze menu" - brilliant.

After several discussions with the kitchen the waitress informed me that they didn't know what the Sunday menu would be as it depends what is sold on Saturday - though roast beef was a dead cert. Clearly a well organised kitchen. I was told though that it was £16.50 for 3 courses - very reasonable I thought.

We arrived on Sunday (only 2 other people in the restaurant) and the menu's were given out except that they stated £14.50 for 2 courses and £5 extra for 3 courses. I queried this with the waitress who then explained that I was wrong and that the menu's were also printed wrong as it should be £15.50 plus £5 supplement for 3 courses. What a mess and they clearly stated £16.50 for 3 courses the day before. They offered to take a pound off if we went for 3 courses. None of us did as a matter of principle.

If we weren't on a tight timescale with hungry children to feed then we would have left right then.

Anyway the prawn cocktail came and the langoustine on the plate was foul - how a chef could have sent it out is beyond me - it was falling apart and full of intestine tract black goo (the tail shell was off). I mentioned this to the waiter and he said "no problem sir" took the plate away and I never saw him again.

I could go on but I'm actually bored of writing anymore about this place. All I'll say is that the roasts were mediocre and everything was luke warm to cold. It took 2 hours to get through 2 courses. Painful.

Beautiful building, nice decor, below average food and very bad service. Best avoided until the management and chefs are replaced.
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Hopey
3 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Sunday, November 28, 2010