The French Table

The food was amazing and very reasonably priced - we were on a bit of budget so had their cheapest bottles of red and white wine and both were lovely.

Definately worth visiting as it is by far the best restaurant in the area.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, February 27, 2008

i went here for dinner last night. The food was excellent, very traditional, heavy French flair beautifully presented. I had spinach wrapped hallibut for a starter which was quite devine. the menu was interesting and certainly aimed at the "foodie" market ie no steak and chips which is refreshing, especially out of London. The only downside was the service which was friendly but slightly "studenty" which may be the atmosphere they want to create but I didn't think it matched the menu very well. Also very suprised by the lack of interesting French wines on the wine list. I'll definately go back but at £120 for 2 with an apperitif and one bottle of wine not for a few months.
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loy
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Friday, February 01, 2008

On my last visit I had one of the best restaurant meals I've ever experienced. All elements came together perfectly - I really could not have asked for any improvement on anything.

Some of the earlier reviews touched on problems with service - in the past I too found this to be the case on occasions but it seems to have been ironed out. We experienced no slip-ups at all and all staff were friendly, polite and efficient. I ate duck croustillant to start, and stuck with my trusty pork trilogy as main; this is always on the menu but the three component elements change each time. The star of this line-up was the pork belly and fois gras mini-burger, a quite simply heavenly combination. Even the bread of the miniature 'bap' was spot-on, slightly sweet and broioche-like with sesame seeds on top. The fois gras was perfect. We sides of mashed potato, which we already knew to be good, and sliced carrots which were subtly flavoured with cumin - a combination I wouldn't have thought of but it worked brilliantly.

For dessert I swooned my way through another 3-way 5-star selection, this time frozen mango parfait, kiwi compote and coconut sorbet. Each component in itself could have made a delicious dessert, teamed up they were stunning.

By the time we got to coffee we were on such a roll we thought what-the-hell and got Armagnacs as well, and these unsurprisingly were top of the shop. The entire meal was a triumph and I'll remember it for a long time.
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Backdrifter - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, November 05, 2007

This place is totally extraodinary, and not just for a suburb, but for anywhere! My husband and I are real foodies, and aren't squeamish about spending lots of money eating in lovely places in London, but now we've found this place, we've pretty much stopped going into town for special occasions - we just eat here.

The food is amazing. Last night, our third visit, we had the best beef I have ever eaten - Argentinian fillet with braised shank, served with celeriac puree, wild mushrooms and red wine sauce. The meat was so soft and tender you could have happily eaten it with a spoon (I'm actually not exaggerating), the flavour was amazing and the sides were perfectly teamed. The vegetable sides are chargable (which I don't usually like) but really generous and very good indeed. I'd also highly recommend the trio of pork - a masterpiece! Puddings are amazing too, with lots of choice - we really enjoyed their trio of chocolate, which is always on the menu, but the items change each month (we had white chocolate icecream, chocolate gateau and chocolate ganache). For me, they slightly fall down on their starters - they're usually more imaginative and complicated than the mains or puddings, and I think the flavour combinations don's always work. I have to say this little quibble hasn't ever made any difference to my enjoyment of the place, though.

They do all the tricky things restaurants often fail at really well: portions are generous without being heavy; they change their menu monthly and always have specials, which keeps it interesting; the service is absolutely professional without being obsequious, over-zealous (e.g. topping up wine every 15 seconds) or snooty; they have a long, well-explained and reasonable wine list with seasonal specials and do many of them by the glass; they have lots of choice on the menu and don't do a fixed 3-courses so you can have what you like (and they're fine with you sharing a course - they even bring an extra plate); they only have one sitting a night, but they stagger it so the restaurant feels busy and has atmosphere all night, plus you feel like you can linger over coffee for hours.

Every time we've been, it's been a special occasion, and they always mark it. Last night was my birthday, and they wrote 'Happy Birthday' in chocolate on my dessert plate, as well as giving us two complimentary glasses of lovely pink bubbly. We recognise one of the waitresses by now (another sign of a good place - they have regular staff, so there's good continuity), and although she wasn't serving our table, she came over to wish me a happy birthday and ask how we were, and came to say goodbye when we left.

I don't think I could be more effusive if I tried...
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AliceT - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Friday, September 21, 2007

I moved to Surbiton in December 2006 and have struggled really to find a decent restaurant that isn't an Italian or a cafe bar with your usual pannini's and burgers on the menu.

The French Table however is in a league of it's own. Found a short way down Maple Road in Surbiton, this delightful restaurant is a hidden gem.

We sat at 9.15pm on a Saturday night. We booked that day and were very lucky to get a cancellation spot. Normally you would need to book well in advance.

Throughout the night we did not in anyway feel pressured to leave, the staff were extremely knowledgable in the food and wine offered on the menu. We left the restaurant at 11.50pm and there still 2 tables full.

Now to the food. Well what can I say, apart from fantastic! The presentation, the flavours and the portions were were absolutely perfect. To be honest, I have never had such a exquisite meal. Some may find the prices rather high, but for the quality and the professionalism of the chef and staff, it's very reasonable and worth every penny.

Will be returning very soon.
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Paul
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, July 09, 2007

"The French Table" is simply excellent in all respects. The food is delicious and staff knowledgable and friendly. The place itself is not big but is high on atmosphere.

My boyfriend and I had duck mille feuille and mackerel with horseradish for starters and fillet of beef and hampshire lamb for main course, with the cheese board to finish. It all tasted beautiful and was immaculately presented. The cheese board in particular was of an exceptionally high standard and very good value for money.

We would definitely recommend "The French Table" to anyone who likes good food in plentiful portions.
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Ewa and Alex
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, July 08, 2007

We spent a very enjoyable Saturday evening at the French Table with a friend who has very high dining standards. I am happy to say we were all delighted with the service from charming and knowledgeable waitresses and the superb food. We will certainly return .
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, May 23, 2007

I was taken there for my birthday lunch. The party was myself, my mum, my son and daughter in law and my 3 year old grandson. Not necessarily a group that would be easy to please.

The food and the service were all excellent. My mum who has a small appetite ate more than I have seen her in ages. My grandson was made to feel welcome and given crayons, paper and a toy something quite unusual in a place that serves this standard of food. There was certainly no pomposity.

An excellent place from every point of view
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Kim Burridge
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Sunday, March 18, 2007

A restaurant for a special occasion.Very pleasantly surprised - this restaurant matches a good quality restaurant in central london - expensive for surbiton but well deserved. Very attentitive staff and great food.

Not a huge choice on the menu but what was served was excellent.

Suits a romantic night or a group of close friends.
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Heather
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Sunday, January 14, 2007

Somewhat dissapointing after having dined here on a number of occasions and having refered many friends and family. To start, not the best first impression, the champagne was not very cold. When I called this to the attention of the owner/hostess, I was told the same thing as on a previous visit, which is that it had been kept in a very chilled area. This of course means nothing to me if the wine is not cold. The same subsequently was true of the white wine we ordered. Although offered a refresher, it was me that had to suggest it first be put in an ice bucket, which it was, but then not given enough time to properly chill before being poured again. I did not really want that to spoil the occasion so I just let it pass. Then as the place got quite full and busy, there seemed to be a lot of frenetic rushing around rather than a controlled organisation, which was distracting. The service and food were as I had expected and to a high standard until it was time for dessert. We were given the menus and then allowed to sit for nearly 20 minutes without being attended. Staff were going back and forth passed us on a regular basis but no one stopped to take our order. After the wait, we decided just to get our bill and leave, as it was also quite noisey. I am afraid this once lovely, quaint and hospitable place may have been spoiled by its own success. Alas.
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Priscilla Kheir
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Friday, April 28, 2006