The French Table

Overall a rather disappointing meal. For the prices one would expect a far higher standard. They seem to be attempting to create a fine dining experience which just doesn't work. The standard of cooking and the quality of certain ingredients used is simply not reflective of the price and the bravado with which you promote your restaurant as a classy french eaterie. Having recently dined at La Gavroche and Koffmans at the Berkeley I can assure you it is a million miles away from that standard. However the positives were: veal - very tender and well cooked, Quail starter - very nice and the best starter among our group of 7, the mini birthday dessert plate presented to my mother was a great touch. Now the negatives: Pork belly was a disaster, clearly trying to be clever but 2 of the 3 were poorly thought out and did not taste good at all and we struggled to see where the pork belly was in all that mess. The smoked lamb was very disappointing (cutlets were ok but its hard to mess that up). The crab starter was awful - like eating cardboard or so the 3 who ate it declared. To top the lot, the Pavlova, NOW this may have been a kitchen error but there was just a sloppy bit of meringue and some bits of fruit thrown on the plate. 3 people ate this and all said this is not a Pavlova! The other dishes were average. We were all so disappointed that we didnt even want to complain there and then. We just wanted to leave. Unfortunately we will not be returning and will not recommend this restaurant. p.s. please take note 'The French Table'. For a £300 meal its simply not good enough.
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Ramtin and Sawyer family
3 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Saturday, July 30, 2011

Two of us had lunch here today. The food was perfectly cooked and looked very good on the dishes when they came up to the table. The variety on the menu was excellent - plenty to choose from.

My husband thought the wine list a little scant, but chose a different wine by the glass for each course, all of which he enjoyed.

The only bugbear I had was that my water glass was not replenished as often as I would have hoped.

All in all a very enjoyable lunch. Will visit again.
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Eileen Spalding
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, June 05, 2011

What can I add that hasn't been said before? Answer - not much.

I brought my partner here for a special occasion lunch and enjoyed one of the finest restaurant experiences I have enjoyed anywhere. Food was exquisite and the service faultless. The management were friendly and engaging as were the waitresses.

I realise it looks lazy to give tens across the board, but I can't think of anything I would have changed.

Simply can't recommend this hidden gem highly enough.
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Bootsy - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, January 12, 2011

We recently moved to Surbiton and tried this restaurant for the first time for lunch recently. Overall we enjoyed the food, service and ambiance and in terms of cost it was getting on for half the price of a similar meal at 1 or 2 starred restaurants but approaching the same quality.

The only point against the experience was selecting a 2005 white burgundy to be offered a 2006 at the same price.
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9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Friday, September 24, 2010

Having booked lunch here on Christmas Eve 2009, I was apprehensive for two reasons - the possibility of being stuck with inflexible and uninteresting "christmas menu" of the usual culprits, and the usual reduced service accompanying the busy silly season. Nothing could have been further from the truth at this elegant medium sized space that was absolutely full house on the day. It had joyous ambience and nice little touches of crackers on the tables, which guests entusiastically pulled, then wore silly hats and read bad jokes, and gave their plastic toys and puzzles to children at neighbouring tables. The staff all attired in uniform red were well informed, made experience enjoyable and comfortable for their patrons, and service generally was excellent.

The food was very well executed and in constrained way quite innovative. It is the little touches and the presentation of what was a very flavoursome and fresh food that made it so enjoyable. The entree torte bomb of wild boar covered in pastry, interesting and humorous at the same time, the main guinea fowl with wild mushrooms was superb. As were the other mains of pork belly, and particularly beautifully presented and flavoursome lamb dish. Desserts were reliable and creatively presented, and at reasonable BYO corkage, made for an excellent dining experience and a nice way to get into the Christmas spirit. Well worth the 20min train ride from the city centre stations. Cannot wait to return and sample their dinner menu, in different season.
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foodietraveller
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Friday, January 08, 2010

We moved to nearby New Malden last year, but only had dinner here for the first time this Wednesday. Hugely impressed and will return asap.

Elegant and confident French food that doesn't try too hard, with well thought out combinations of ingredients and distinct flavours. Both starters of Quail and deep fried quail eggs set against with a subtle mustardy celeriac roulade, and scallops on quinoa and pomergranite were great. The main course meats of duck and lamb were perfectly cooked and seasoned. The spatzle and girolles mushrooms with the lamb were particularly good combination. A big chocolate finish was straightforward but satisfying.

A varied wine list came with good advice, a good range of dessert wines by the glass, and all represented value for what is easily the best restaurant we've found so far in our new lives in the burbs.

2 people, 3 courses, 1 Californian Syrah at £26 and three additional glasses of wine with service for £126.
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Chris Taggart
10 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Friday, September 18, 2009