PJ's Bar & Grill (Chelsea)

A party of 16 (tourists) went to the PJ's in Chelsea. We were all enjoying our stay and the food. The service was nice and friendly. We all agreed that the place indeed may be visited again. Will in fact book a table for a social event in September. Perhaps my dishes of spring lamb and starter of Tiger prawns were a little bland due to lack of salt, so I had to add some. Desserts were told to be nice. Prices weren't too bad either. £50 for 3 courses and a good lot of wine + coffee.
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Miss Nielsen, Norway
8 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, July 26, 2010

My American friends visited me last week and we all went to PJS for brunch on Sunday and had had an amazing time. The place was packed...Food looked fab and tasted the same. My friends were very impressed especially by good and friendly service. We will definietely be back...soon.
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Maurie Defoe
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Friday, December 18, 2009

Just went for a birthday meal here after 9 years as I remember it to be a great place to eat. My husband had the Goat's Cheese starter, which was nice (but you can't really go wrong with Goat's Cheese seeing as it has all the flavour) and I had the Wild Mushroom ravioli (bland bland and, um, bland). Then came the main course. The duck breast was so rare, I thought it was still alive. And the lamb rack was more or less the same. So we returned both dishes to be cooked further and they returned only slightly better cooked and the lamb was now missing the parsnip chips - did the chefs get hungry?

Anyway, safe to say, our last visit there. The ginger beer was good though....
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Mrs Manning
6 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
Saturday, November 21, 2009

Just had brunch here. Have been many times on a Sunday. It is very buzzy with a real Euro crowd. Today ordered hamburger rare. It arrived after 30 minutes grey as grey could be and frankly inedible. I called over the waiter (charming) and explained that I could not eat the food. He insisted on me ordering something else although I explained that my partner had already finished and that it would take another half an hour. When I asked for the bill I was charged for my hamburger toppings and alternative. I asked to speak to the Manager who duly arrived and when I explained that my main order was inedible she said "The kitchen is very busy." I told her that was no excuse for slow service and food that was well below standard and that as a customer I did not care if the restaurant was full - if they cannot provide the food then they should not accept the covers. She then offered to give us a free dessert. I said I did not want a dessert and that the bill should be reduced accordingly. She tilted her head upwards and said that there was no getting through to me and stomped off. She knocked off my eggs benedict which at under a tenner was not exactly a charm offensive. I thought the customer was always right not the Manager who tried to justify everything. BTW I am in my 40s so not exactly an idiot when it comes to ordering in a restaurant.
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GoldfishWoman
5 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 2
Sunday, September 20, 2009

I booked this table at late notice and was pleased to get a table. However the table we were given wasn't in the best location - very cramped up against the neighbouring table, and next to the bar so there was lot's of traffic. That said, it was Friday night, and we did book late, and overall it's a small gripe.

The food we had was fantastic. My wife and I ordered the duck salad, and scallops for starters. The salad looked (and was apparently!) delicious and the pieces of duck I stole from my wife's plate were melt in the mouth succulent. The size of the dish was also impressive - I've had some measely salads in my time in restaurants in London but you couldn't accuse this one of that! The scallop and chorizo starter was delicious too but could do with maybe 1 or 2 extra scallops - 3 just didn't seem enough. But can't fault that taste!

For the mains we both had the 10oz sirloin. My medium was cooked almost perfectly and was delicous. My wife had well done, and while it was cooked right I don't think it had been allowed to rest long enough - there was a slight excess of juice on her plate. Minor complaint though as the steak was fantastic (yes I stole some of that too!) and the chips were good and plentiful. Only downside was the Bernaise sauce wasn't great - but the peppercorn was pretty good so guess that makes up for it.

Drinks selection was good and reasonably priced. The waiter we had was also friendly and attentive, and quick. Didn't have dessert as we had to rush off to a show but the list looked impressive so that was a shame too.

When the bill came I was plesantly surprised too - I can honestly say I've eaten half as much, of half the quality, for twice the price elsewhere in London. I still find the added service charge (even though it's made clear on the menu (not always the case!!)) to be a little presumptious, but I'd have had no problems in adding a tip on here anyway so again, it's a minor complaint.

I've marked atmosphere down as 7 simply because of the proximity of the next table. While they were loud city boys anyway, hearing the exact detail of all their conversations was a little off putting; but the general demeanour of the place is good.

Overall, I'd definitely return here and would recommend it to anybody looking for great food in the area. Also handy for Victoria Apollo - we left the restaurant at 19.20 and made it to the theatre in time for our half 7 show.
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Mike
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Sunday, February 15, 2009