Le Caprice

We have been to Le Caprice several times and have always enjoyed our meal and the atmosphere greatly

My daughter and I ate there last weekend and thought that it had slipped somewhat..

It's had a facelift since we were last there and I thought the lighting seemed too bright and the tables too close

The staff seems harassed and not warm and welcoming and it felt rushed

We ordered Sea Trout as a main course and when it came the presentation was totally unappealing.... the fish was skin side up which looked uncooked, sat on some soggy vegetable with no colour or appeal whatsoever

When the fish was turned over it was too pale almost white and soggy with absolutely no flavour at all.... just awful

When we complained it was removed but the attitude of the head waiter was one of annoyance and frankly disbelief ....

He knocked the price of the fish off our bill but we were not offered anything instead of it and we were treated cooly until we left

We will not return.....

The next evening we went to another of Caprice Holdings restaurants, Scotts and had as usual a wonderful meal with superb service perhaps they should compare notes and get some tips on how it should be done!!!
Comment on this reader review

N Hallas
3 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Thursday, January 19, 2012

We went to Le Caprice last night and had a fabulous evening. Although we were the first ones in - at around 6ish - the place soon filled up and become much more lively.

Having been to The Ivy a couple of weeks previously, and seeing as they are both part of the same group, it was interesting to see how the two compared; the food was perhaps equally as good between the two, although some dishes worked better than others (the pomelo and mango salad was fantastic, although the butternut squash tortelloni was decidedly average). The service was far better here, though, very attentive but not intrusive - we didn't encounter any of the snobbery mentioned in other reviews.

The one criticism we had was that the set menu was not offered, despite it being available at that particular time. This was in contrast to The Ivy where it was presented immediately. The bill came to just over £135 for two, which included a bottle of wine and service, which is far from cheap but reflected in the quality of both food and service.
Comment on this reader review

8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Monday, November 21, 2011

Went on Saturday 29 Oct after the theatre. Everything was excellent as it was last year when went, again after the theatre. We didn't have to wait for our table and the staff were extremly friendly and service first class. The food was delicious and all in our party of 5 were very pleased with their meals. The fish and chips were the best they had had in any restaurant.
Comment on this reader review

10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, November 03, 2011

We went for lunch at 2.00pm on a friday as a party of 5. I have to say that it would be difficult to fault any aspect of the restaurant. The service was impeccable and unrushed, the food delicious (maybe the rib-eye steaks were a little overpriced at £30). Towards the end of our meal (about 4.00pm) we hit a quiet patch in the restaurant, but that certainly did not detract from the overall experience. I would certainly go again, and recommend it to others.
Comment on this reader review

Bumble - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, May 23, 2011

Slightly disappointed that our booking for 6 people was squeezed onto a table sufficient for four. The result was a very crowded table, much juggling of glasses, plates etc during the serving, and the inevitable spilling of wine during one serving. We were not the only table of six squeezed in and it is a pity that commercial pressure has taken over from customer comfort.

Food was very good, but puddings affected by unwillingness ( or inability? ) of the chef to make custard available on request with one of the puddings.
Comment on this reader review

Andrew Totten
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, May 16, 2011

I came to this establishment tucked behind the Ritz last night after being invited to celebrate my sisters boy friends birthday who is a regular at Le Caprice. The Maître d' was aware of our booking at 9, though no tables had freed up so we were made to wait about 20 minutes while the area around the door became seriously crowded.

We did get a fine table near the window and offered complementary champagne for the wait, which was nice and the gesture was appreciated.

The atmosphere is buzzing which makes it nicely quite casual, and not at all stuffy, a pianist knocks out some fun jazzy tunes which adds to the ambiance giving this classy joint with its black and white photos on the walls a brasserie feel from another era...80s perhaps?

So I started off with the steak tartare, a nice size, beautifully balanced and quality meat, fresh is that morning the waiter told me, and one of the finest, his choice every time apparently. Accompanied with a Montrachet red wine I have to say it was excellent. Someone had the Ox tongue which was nice, but I recommend the tartare, a total winner. For mains I asked for the Pan-fried sea trout with crushed peas, gem hearts and smoked bacon but they had run out, (that and carrots!?!) so I opted for the Gilt head sea bream with steamed mussels, basil & slow-roasted tomatoes, which was spot on, sitting on a bed of mash, crispy skin on top and soft fillet underneath was spot on. I was pretty full after these two courses but when I saw it had to go for Wild Bolivian chocolate & honeycomb mousse, with a double espresso couldn't have chosen more wisely, not too sweet and the crackle of the honeycombs topped off the evening. Over all a fine experience, probably better to go with a group than a one on one date, still highly recommended.
Comment on this reader review

Fred Heys
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Thursday, May 12, 2011

Reading through the reviews they seem to be quite polarised – either very good or very bad. I have been going there many years and find the food and service, especially the service, about as good as it gets, and I eat out lots.

Personally I think it is down to whether people ‘get the place’ or ‘don’t’ - hence very few average reviews. I suspect the ones who don’t get it, and you can spot them a mile away, give out a negative vibe – after all service is a two way thing.

I love the caprice and will continue to rave about it.
Comment on this reader review

Bill Portlock
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Thursday, April 21, 2011

I was very surprised at how bad this restaurant has become. I had never tried pork belly on heinz baked beans before, particularly not at £25 a pop, but this was special.

I don't recommend the food, the service, the ambience or any other aspect of this restaurant and I would strongly suggest you consider anywhere else ... I hear Burger King is good.
Comment on this reader review

- View all reviews by this user
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Friday, August 20, 2010

This place used to be one of the top places to eat, with a refined atmosphere and faultless service. Sadly things have changed. We went for dinner on Saturday evening, the food was very good, but the service was rude, probably to do with the fact that the waiters were rushed off their feet turning tables every 2 hours. It was like a cattle market, and we were rushed through our meal, and told to leave as the next table had arrived. We were surrounded by hen parties and WAG-types who really lowered the tone. Has become a place to go for a quick burger before you go clubbing in Mahiki's or pre theatre bite. Forget it if you want somewhere for a special occasion.
Comment on this reader review

- View all reviews by this user
4 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 4
Monday, August 16, 2010

I am lucky that I eat at Le Caprice weekly. I have also celebrated my Birthday there for many, many years.

I base my comments on the fact that I eat out at least 5 nights a week, so much so that I haven't turned the oven or hob on in my kitchen in well over two years.

The charming chaps at the desk always bend over backwards to squeeze us in at (usually) very short notice. It is always a handy place to have up ones sleeve.

It is a delight to see the slick operation at full speed - I can't think of another place in London that gets so many things just right. Service is always friendly and unobtrusive, Jesus watches his operation in the most charming way - He is a true master of his art.

The bar is the place to sit, in my humble opinion - A great place to watch the world walk by and to get great service from the two barmen.

The food is always of excellent quality, the prices often not silly. I had a small pasta as a main course for supper last week - It was delicious and only £8.75! The fishcakes are superb (order the sorrel sauce on the side) and also reasonable at £15.50. The specials are worth a look.

The Scandinavian Iced Berries with Hot White Chocolate Sauce are legendary - I have only eaten this one dessert in the numerous times I have eaten here - A perfect balance of fruit and chocolate.

You can keep The Ivy and Scotts - J Sheekey isn't bad if you have to be in that part of town.

May Le Caprice keep us happy for many years to come.
Comment on this reader review

Alexander Davey
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, June 24, 2010