Hardy's

We ate at Hardy’s on a deal where they rolled back prices to 1984 as it was their 25th birthday. Pity that they also rolled back portion sizes to 1884. Garlic mushrooms for starters consisted of two squat mushrooms. Cheese and filo parcels were greasy and over-powering. Scampi and chicken dishes were both cheap quality. It’s a pity as Hardy’s is local to us and we would have returned.
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Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Utilised a 50% off offer, and pleased I hadn't paid full price. Food was disappointing - for a start we had to send back one main and two side dishes as they were cold. Scallops were nicely cooked, but tiny and needed a second basket of bread to feel satisfied. Seafood and chorizo stew had a decent variety of fish, but there was a lack of subtlety and finesse about the dish - it was just full on paprika and nothing else. Other dishes were demolished, but apart from the recipient of the fish and chips, noone looked overly enamoured. On my first visit, I too enjoyed the fish and chips all I can say is, if they don't have them on the menu, enjoy the bar and try somewhere else for dinner.
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littlehippie
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Saturday, May 30, 2009

My wife and i chose this restaraunt to spend our Valentine evening together, after i read some of the great reviews, and being a taxi driver i had taken some people there from time to time who raved about it.

So i booked a table and really looked forward to our special night at the restaraunt.

I immediately on entry realised the dull and deadness of the ambience and atmosphere i began to think i was at a wake. We were shown to our seats and presented with a free glass of Champagne each.(lol) Our three course set menu

began with a kind of pate platter, which was nice but scarce. (not special)

THEN THE MAIN COURSES - I had the fish and my wife had the Lamb (pitiful portions)

Dessert - I had the creme broule (disgusting) My wife had Chocolate desert with berries (tasty)

THE BILL AT THE END WAS A GOOD EIGHTY QUID BUT NOT GOOD VALUE AT ALL. I was actually very dissapointed with the portions and the value for money aspect.

The waitress and her partner were very polite but lacked enthusiasm.

Another disappointment was that i am a big Thomas Hardy reader and i know he lived in Dorset Street when in London, sadly there was no evidence of that on the walls at all... weird! or is it an unknown fact by the proprietors?
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John Stone
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 4
Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Went to Hardy's last night on your 50% off food offer - its was great and would have been very good value for money without the 50% off - with it, it was an absolute bargain! Food was splendid - (I had Wood Pigeon, girlfriend had Trout) the ambience was lovely, very friendly and relaxed and the service was great. We've been to a few of the more formal restaurants locally (Galvin, Michael Moore) and this is much more laid back - but we will definitely be coming back to this one regularly - specially at these prices - three courses for 2 including wine and service for 60 quid - wow!!
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Les
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, February 11, 2009

I have just had one of the finest lunch experiences of the last 10 years. wonderful non pushy yet attentive service despite being very busy. Wow the food was amazingly sourced, with robust mutton chops, muntjac venison and cider pot roasted pheasant with poached quince. Starters were home cured bresoala & remoulade. Lots of interesting salads and I noticed many people ordering the grilled kippers or lemon soles. Deserts of blackberry clafoutis nicely rounded of our lunch whilst others in our party enjoyed the interesting British cheese plate with home made prune chutney. So good to see knowledgable and well cooked unpretentious fayre is back in vogue. I shall certainly be back!
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Paul cavangh
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Great location, helpful staff and outstanding food. What a perfect way to celebrate my birthday and engagement. The food was simple but to an exceptionally high standard. 10/10 highly recommended!
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Julia Woods
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, February 07, 2008

Anyway, I agree with most of the reviews, lovely atmosphere, great, simple food cooked as it should be. And the sausages come from the Ginger Pig, which is known as one of the best butchers in London. They were divine... I'm going again soon. One of the best british in London together with the Guinea Grill in my humble opinion (and i have tried many, believe me...)
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nick
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Hardy's is a restaurant that I had not visited for a number of years but one of which I had positive memories having visited it several times for client lunches when my office was closer. I read some of the reviews on this site that rated it very highly so decided to take my family there to celebrate my daughters 17th birthday. I have to say it was a thoroughly disappointing experience. I had booked a 7.15pm table for five at 11am the same day. The person taking the booking seemed to struggle with my name a bit (admittedly an unusual spelling) but I made it very clear that the table was to be non-smoking. When we arrived we were greeted with a blank expression that strongly implied we were not expected. Within 5 minutes or so of sitting down, it became apparent that the people on the two tables nearest to us had either already eaten or were not eating at all. Of the 8 people seated 5 chain-smoked. On discovering that we were very much in a smoking zone I toyed with the idea of asking to be moved but at that point we were settled and given the fact it was a celebration I didn’t really want to cause a fuss. At that point I thought they were eating and would stop at some point but this continued for the next 2 hours. We ordered a bottle of nice sparkling wine but were a bit surprised when it was poured into 2 glasses straight away before we had a chance to taste. There was no complimentary bread offered so we paid for a basket. The starters were OK but my wife’s pate looked and tasted very bland. Main courses were again OK the lamb was good but my sea bass consisted of a very stingy portion sitting on top of (what I am pretty sure were) tinned tomatoes with a bit of Tabasco. My daughters enjoyed the desserts and the apple crumble was a particular hit but my cheese and biscuits was of scrooge like proportions. We still enjoyed our evening but that owed very little to Hardy’s. Not the most expensive meal but definitely not worth £40 per head.
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Adrian Whitefoord
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 3
Friday, November 10, 2006

We recently were in London and dined at Hardy's and found the service, atmosphere and cusine first class. We are accustomed to eating out in Australia, which I know contry to all beliefs we do have some great food and wines down under. Our Hardy's experience was the gastronomical highlight of our seven weeks away.
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Bob Hicks
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, October 24, 2006