Le Caprice

I was impressed that almost everything seemed to be as good as my last visit about 3 years ago. I presume much of Le Caprice's success is due to its consistency. The food is very varied but of a high standard. I am always wary of places that have so many types of food on one menu but I could not fault it. The restaurant was buzzing, the service a little slow but otherwise charming and I had a very good time.
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Rick Brown
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, March 13, 2007

We ate here on Friday 9th Feb. We had a 7.30 sitting and had to leave the table at 9.30. It was a bit of a rush at the end but we were told from the outset that they wanted the table back at this time so I cant really complain.

The food was super. I had the butter nut squash risotto followed by the pok Belly and both dishes were a delight. My wife had prawns followed by the tuna. Only criticism was that the tuna was over cooked. She asked for it rare and it was only pink. It still tasted great so no complaint was made.

We ordered some winter veg which turned out to be a very small bowl of quite dull cabbage.

I never tasted our friends dishes but they looked great and they seemed very pleased. We managed 3 bottles of wine priced at circa £33 for a decent St Veran and the same for a french red picked by our friends so I'm not sure what it was.

The bill came to less than £300 which we all thought was great value.

I think the furniture and decor is ready for a lift and as a result you dont get that glamorous experience some other london spots deliver but you do get excellant food and great service.
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mat b
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, February 12, 2007

we ate at Le Caprice last saturday and this was my second visit to this restaurant. After having an excellent meal on my birthday last year we decided to make a return visit this year and i'm glad we did. The food and service were excellent as before and the whole experience was made all the more pleasant by the fact that they do not allow smoking any more [my only complaint last time around]. standout dish was the crisp duck and watercress salad! a really delicious and unpretentious lunch. 5 stars.
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antony simpson - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, January 04, 2007

I visited Le Caprice on a Thursday evening, for the first time, and I was frankly very disappointed. I was expecting it to be a positive "experience" but it failed to deliver on all accounts. It was noisy, smoky (although to change shortly following changes in the law) and incredibly cramped. The waiting staff were overrun, and on the whole too busy to give you any time (my partner remarked that she felt that they were too abrupt especially when taking down our order). In fact it took us 20 minutes from the moment we requested the bill to its payment.

We had the Vietnamese prawn salad for starters which was mainly salad and contained far too much mint, than was bearable, and too few prawns. The main course, while may have been poorly chosen (chicken alla Milanese and roast red legged partridge) was nevertheless far below average, in both taste and presentation in such an, allegedly, esteemed establishment. In fact the former was so bland that a large dose of condiments were required in order to make it bearable. Thankfully, the side order of allumettes, which was tasty (as one would expect), prevented hunger from engulfing us during the main course. I must concede that the deserts were well presented, fresh and tasty.

Overall I would not recommend it, nor visit it again.
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Amers
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 2
Friday, November 10, 2006

Went here yesterday as I had some time to kill and was hungry. I didn't fancy a large meal, but the kitchen rustled me up a main course size eggs benedict (which was a starter) with no problems. The food was great and despite the fact I hadn't booked the maitre'd managed to get me a spot at the bar with only a short wait. I'll be back again for a proper meal.
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Tom
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Unfortunately i have to add another negative review for this restaurant. On arrival, half hour before our friends, we were told that the reservation (made by our friend) could'nt be found and because of this we were not allowed to have a drink at the bar and would have to stand tucked away by the cloakroom! Rather than stand amongst the coats we decided to wait for our friends outside in the cold. Our reservation was eventually found and we were shown to our table. Food good but not outstanding, service ok, cramped tables and strange having loads of people lined up at the bar eating their dinner!

Wouldn't rush back
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Mrs L King
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 5
Friday, October 13, 2006

I think what some people don't seem to understand about Le Caprice's service is that it is supposed to be superb. Waiters are going to be discrete and unassuming. It is not a country pub where the only waiters that could be found were chatty stundent. Far from it, the joy of the service at Caprice is that 'things happen'. You don't feel obliged to entertain the waiter by mindless chit-chat. All in all, it leads for a wonderfully uninterupeted meal where one can eat and chat to friends without thinking about at thing.
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Davif
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, October 01, 2006

Saturday lunch is a nightmare for most restaurants. Given the choice they would probably close down. So when we were told on a tuesday that we MUST arrive at 12:30 for the only available table at Le Caprice, we were thrilled that they were still on form and popular as ever. To arrive, ten minutes late and find the restaurant not a third full, was annoying, even by their standards. Look, the food is good. I'll give them that. We had the steak tartar and the salmon fishcakes which were each wonderful (the former far better than the Ivy). When we had finished, our waitress began to stack all of the plates in front of us; the main plates, the bread, the oil, the lot. Very nice. It got to the point that I wanted to ask her if she needed a hand. Our repeated attempts to get someone's attention were foiled by the presence of the three grandees and their respective children at the table next to us. After finding someone (ten minutes later) to get the bill, the most galling aspect of the meal occured. Whilst staring at this table of six, the maitre'd, with his back to us, thrust the bill in our faces. At no point did he acknowledge us. Let me tell you, I have only touched on the horrors of this service. All in all, the most atrocious customer service I have ever known, particularly for that price.
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gordon
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Saturday, September 23, 2006

Food was excellent but service was absolutely dreadful. Basic errors in service standards were experienced throughout the meal. Well below expectations for a restaurant with price and reputation such as this.
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Suzanne
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 4
Monday, August 28, 2006

We often eat at Le Caprice before returning to Derbyshire following a days business in London. July 6th was our last visit. We have been going to Le Caprice for over 10 years and never found the staff to be lacking in any area of customer service. Our waiter on the 6th was polite and shared our sense of humour and the service throughout the meal was faultless. The meal itself was classic Le Caprice, high quality ingredients cooked to perfection. The fois gras starter was stunning (beat Racine's version hands downn!) and the Duck main course was just one of those rare moments when nothing in the world mattered! Pure pleasure.

Deserts were wonderful, a very light brule just hit the spot followed by hot espresso, so many places deliver luke warm espresso.

We asked the waiter for a cab which duly arrived and as we left EVERY member of staff said thank you, that is just so rare in other restaurants.

All in all this is my current most memeorable meal and one that will take some beating.

A Simpson Derbyshire
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Andy Simpson
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Thursday, July 13, 2006