Rainforest Cafe

Awful, awful, awful! Despite booking, had to wait to be seated as they will not seat partially arrived bookings. Rather surly attitude of staff. Thunderstorm in the dark scared the **** out of my toddler, along with the moving animals in the dark undergrowth - but can see this may be interesting for some for a few minutes. Food was dire. Burgers were tasteless wedges of what seemed like processed meat. I feel sorry for the cow that gave it's life up to end up in that. Ribs were so overcooked, and the sauce dried onto the surface (obviously had been lying around for quite a while). They did replace the ribs after complaining, and those were better, but children had already finished theirs and looking to create havoc. Salads were OK.

Walking around - I had feeling staff not really into children. Asked to move aside quite frequently as staff hurried food around the place, and some of the comments I heard muttered not really what you would expect from a "child friendly" establishment.

Value for money? Kids meal £10.25 for 3 small pieces of dry chicken, some chips and 2 scoops of ice cream - no drink. You decide.

After paying downstairs, you have to try and get out through the shop upstairs without having to pay anymore.
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Wokhei - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Monday, February 05, 2007

waiting times terrible,no room to sit anywhere.we had made a reservation, 40 mins waiting, terrible table, cramped, food crap. some kids got ballons our waitress didnt bother, overpriced.
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seanohara
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Having read the widely varying reviews below, we decided to risk a visit. I can appreciate that it is aimed at kids, and this was a special day out for our 5 year old son and his friend. We thought it would be a lovely way to finish our day in London. How bad could it be?

Well unfortunately, it can be VERY bad.

After waiting an hour an a half for a table, with two hungry 5 year olds, I was ready to go across the road to Pizza Hut. How I wish I had followed my instincts. The boys were midly entertained (for 5 minutes) by the stools at the bar....which was full of adults looking bored acccompanied by tired and hungry kids. We were eventually shown to our table, by which time the novelty of the tacky plastic decorations had worn off. The boys were hungry, having not had much for lunch but the food, when it arrived, was truly dire. I think a previous reviewer liken the pizzas to a something from the Tesco value range. How accurate.

My pasta was awful; overcooked and pasty completely smoothered in the most vile-tasting tomato sauce. If you are reading these reviews and thinking, it can't be that bad, believe me, it can be. The food is badly cooked and inedible. On leaving the restaurant, passing a queue which extended almost out of the door, I wanted to warn those waiting and advise them to go elsewhere. The Rainforest cafe is hideously overpriced and not worth your hard-earned cash.
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Kay
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Saturday, December 30, 2006

I have just returned from a visit to Rainforest Cafe and was completely shocked with the efficiency of service and quality of food - especially having read the reviews below!

I am a single parent and only get to see my children once a fotnight - so the pressure is on for me to deliver an exceptional weekend whilst also enjoying time with them.

I am pleased to say that Rainforest Cafe fits the bill with its fantastic decor, moving animals and varied cuisine.

Neither of my two are particularly adventurous, but the menu reflected the sorts of dishes they eat - and healthy too! Portion size and quality was brilliant. I had fish which tasted fresh and was well served.

We booked in advance online and were seated within 5 minutes upon arrival.

The price of the children's menu is quite high at £10.25 but having lived in London for nearly 20 years it is the sort of price you expect to pay in London's West End and especially for such an exceptional restaurant.

Dont be put off by the reviews below - as I nearly was ... they clearly should have gone to McDonalds if they were looking for a cheap burger with no atmosphere!
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Peter Moore
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Thursday, December 14, 2006

I took my 6 and 2 year old here and was very disappointed. The surroundings are fairly novel but it soon wears off after a while. Long waits and very average, bland and overpriced food. The pizza my oldest had seemed like it was straight from Tesco value range. Service was very good when they eventually got to you. Wouldn't come again.
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Leo
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Saturday, December 09, 2006

A badly transposed Americanism. Have been to the ones in both New Jersey and Florida and they do it better. They have bigger locations and better atmosphere. The location here is poor, as is the choice and quality of food. Sure, it looks great when you go in, but there is not really that much to keep you captivated for long. Paper and crayons for the kids is a pathetic effort. Menu is very limited and no pictures. Kids menu is depressingly 'normal' and overpriced. Waiting time is horrific in busy periods and not enough room to do so by the bar, plus nothing much happening in terms of entertainment. Plus side was speed and cheer of service so you didn't have even more time to wonder how you could justify the expense. Go elsewhere unless you have more money than sense.
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Andrew Robinson
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, October 25, 2006

HAving just returned from Florida, we visited the Rainforest Cafe in Disney's Downtown,.

We had three children under 6 and all appreciated the theme even our 10mth daughter who was fasinated with it all.

Meals were wonderful, fresh and plenty of.

Childrens menu great selection.

Yes prices may be a little higher than a Beefeater, but the experience is well worth it. I don't think you are too old to enjoy or need a family to appeocaited it neither. It caters fo all.

I would love the Rainforest to open more Cafes across the UK especially in Cardiff
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Joanne Copner
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Monday, September 04, 2006

We thought Rainforest Cafe would be a great place for our toddler and booked a table for lunchtime on Bank Holiday Monday. The downstairs restaurant is very exciting when you first enter and the animals all looked very impressive (except we didn't see any of them moving) so first impressions were quite good. Our waiter was friendly and helpful but the biggest disappointment, and the reason we won't be going back, was the food. I would go as far as to say it was disgusting. My caesar salad (£11.90) was tasteless and covered with that hideous stale powdered parmesan so I sent it back. The kids menu is £10.25 excluding a drink and the spaghetti was flabby and overcooked whilst the meatball sauce was ok. The puddings were smothered in whipped cream from an aerosol. On our way out we saw another customer banging her rock hard burger bun on one of the trees saying "that's not good". Whilst the staff were friendly and personable and the atmosphere upbeat, the standard of the food will ensure we don't return.
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Amanda
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Visited the "Rainforest Cafe" yesterday after recieving recommendations,and hoping to do my bid to save a litle rainforest - wich accidentlyonly recives founds to save a plot in the rainforest from the "wishing pond" in the shop -. Myself and my 3 children wehre impressed by the decor and friendlyness of the staff, thumbs up, I was horrifyed by the price on the childrens set menu - £10,20 including pudding -!? I expected a "grand"display of foods, but what my children recieved - quality and quantity- amounted to a huge dissapointment!!! Needless to say, we want b back in a hurry and recommendations, well, I'm affraid, not from us.............
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Maik Behrens
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Visited this restaurant last week, waited over 15minutes to pay for the meal. Bread was hard and stale. Not worth the money.
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- View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 1
Sunday, July 09, 2006