Oriel

This is my favourite place to eat. Never rushed but never have to wait. Excellent house wines and the food always beautiful and well presented, never not too much and never too little. Not expensive, and no added service charge so you can actually tip the waiter/ waitress. Great location (for me) with a real 'buzz' inside (and out).
Comment on this reader review

David M.
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, May 02, 2008

Having read the other reviews before we went to the Oriel, not willing to be put off, by possibly negative people, we were half prepared to find fault with everything, especially the service, QUITE THE CONTRARY!

We were warmly received on the doorstep and served quickly and in a very friendly manner. Several waiters, other than our own, paused to ask if all was well, as they passed. When we thanked our waiter and said we would return, he was so pleased he gave us a restaurant card with his name on to look out for him again. We thanked the restaurant manager as we left, and she was quite overwhelmed, and said it had made her day.

It strikes me that there is a tendency to think that complaining shows discrimination and sophistication, and that, as a nation, when we are satisfied, we don't bother to comment. The reaction of the satff clearly demonstrates how unexpected our favourable comments were, and how encouraged they felt!
Comment on this reader review

Patricia Brudenell
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, April 09, 2008

I went to Oriel a few days ago at about 3 o clock in the afternoon just for a drink.I sat down at the tables looking out upon Sloane Square along the front but was told that i wasn't allowed to sit there unless i was eating, not only was it 3 o clock but they were only about 5 people in the cafe.The waiter was rude as well. Such a pity because its such a nice place to people watch from.
Comment on this reader review

Phillip
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Thursday, March 06, 2008

My boyfriend and I have been to L'Oriel a few times and with friends as well. The food have been nice and the waiters were OK in general. Every time our orders were taken immediately but we had to waite at least 30-45 minutes to get our food and more 10 minutes after we asked for the bill to get it done.

I think L'Oriel managers should think seriously about improving the time customers are waiting for their meals to arrive and to pay the bills. Being in the Sloan Sq. is not good excuse.
Comment on this reader review

Mahtab
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Monday, February 04, 2008

Whatever you do do not go with a party of 3 or more for Sunday lunch.They don't take bookings- so even if you turn up early on a Sunday (just after midday in our case) you will struggle to get a table.We were sent to the bar (a typical ploy for restaurants who don't take bookings- they really like it if you order extra drinks at the bar)- and waited for over an hour for a table for 4 whilst couples poured in before us in a constant stream !!!!!

They weren't interested in seating us or making an effort to block-off a couple of tables so that we could eventually get seated.They were rude and unhelpful and even at 1pm we heard the head honcho tell his staff about several dishes that were no longer available.

There was an feeling of inefficient panic about the place-the staff could not cope with a busy lunch service.

In the end we left and went somewhere a lot more pleaant.
Comment on this reader review

Mike Martin
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Monday, November 19, 2007

I walked into this restaurant with my colleague for a light snack during the day. I was not pleased when not only did the waiter look around impatiently whilst we were ordering but also forgot my olives, served me luke warm latte and then proceeded to also serve us a plate of mushrooms on a cold plate and semi warm soup...which he said was leek and potato, after having to consult someone else...and then! then! he said that they'd have it for three days already-so was it fresh even?

we didn't spend much...but I wouldn't go back again...
Comment on this reader review

Michelle
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Went at 3.30 this afternoon. I frankly just wanted a simple steak and chips. Arrived and was sat promptly and them waited....waited...etc. 10 mins later (and I appreciate the fact that it's handover time) a waiter arrived and took my order. He had no pen, paper/pad. I immediately thought of 'Michael Winner' who always maintains that he will only give an order to a waiter with a pad as they usually get it very wrong without one. I was tempted to say to the culprit "please write it down!" but I gave him the benefit. I ordered a crab salad followed by Entrecote steak, frites and a beer.

I was not dissapointed. Having opened my paper I waited and waited. Nothing happened. I concentrated on my paper. Staff arrived and chatted at the bar. Let's not be harsh I thought and read a few more pages. Starter arrived . Loads of crab (white meat) with rocket, garlic flavoured beans.

It was good. I asked the waiter for my beer. It was not my waiter but he was the deliverer. He consulted my waiter who was chatting in a corner and delivered my beer confiding in me that I would not be charged. That was nice.

My plate was cleared and I continued to read. Wait not long now. My steak was delivered by the plump French receptionist who had first welcomed me.

"That's a nice piece of steak" she said as I contemplated the tough lukewarm looking peice of flesh which accompanied the undercooked edge blackened chips. You know the ones; soggy on the inside and undercooked but blackened on the out.

"Really" I replied; "I'm not so sure", meaning I didn't want the input , comment or advice as I've eaten enough steaks in my life to judge a good one all by my little self.

"It is excellent" she replied,"I would never allow my customers get a bad steak!"

I proceeded to cut around the gristely bits and consumed the more giving parts. Across from me another couple was negotiating a similarly treacherous task as they attempted to get the attention of a person who cared.

I pushed plate to one side with cutlery together to signify I was finished and continued to re-read my paper.

My waiter and the Manageress continued to pass my table. Nothing was cleared.

I read more... still nothing as they continued to troop backwards and forewards.

I wanted the bill and eventuall raised my voice to get the attention of waiter and asked for the bill. Still more time elapsed as staff chatted and argued.

It is the only time in my life where I have been tempted to walk out of a restaurant without paying. I couldn't as they still had my card?! ..

I signed it; (didn't think they could take youre card away for 10 minutes with a chip & pin yet alone have to sign). Strange. I waited for my receipt......

I walked out. Maybe I shouldn't have.
Comment on this reader review

John Scott - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 4
Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Not recommended.

The Oriel seems to have come a long way in terms of its service. The bar and waiting staff were fine. Certainly a little snooty at times, but that in a way that adds to the classic European ambience. Perhaps "distant" is a better word. Only real complaint there was that the pepper-pot grinder did not notice that he had run out of pepper. This suggests a lack of care to me but is not the end of teh world.

The food, however, was more reminiscent of an Angus Steakhouse than a quality restaurant. I had chicken stuffed with mozarella with an "Italian" sauce and sauteed potatoes. The cheese was rock hard and totally flavourless. The Italian sauce seemed to consist of tinned chopped tomatoes with a few olives thrown in to give it a mediterannean flavour. The potatoes were nearly raw and covered with grease. My partner had a mushroom risotto that had the taste and texture of Polyfilla, served in a greasy bowl with fingerprints on the edge. Our co-diners all opted for steaks. These looked a bit more presentable but the accompanying sauces were probably bought-in and tasted as though they were packed with additives.

Good company made the night but I would be tempted instead to eat at home and then head to the Red Lion pub round the corner.
Comment on this reader review

WakingDragon - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 3
Friday, October 05, 2007

I have dined here on numerous occasions and have always been impressed, the last time was Monday, 2 April 2007.

Superb location - and now that the Spring has arrived eating al fresco is great.

Food and service I could not fault.

I would highly recommend Oriel and I will be back soon!
Comment on this reader review

Jacqueline
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Good location, buzzy bar, but very, very slow service and awful food! A solitary waitress was serving the entire basement bar and was run off her feet!

We only had food from the bar menu but it was overcooked, bland, and very unimaginative!

At least we were kept entertained by the other patrons who were a very flamboyant, ostentatious bunch!

Overall not a bad place...as long as you're not hungry!!
Comment on this reader review

Jo
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 4
Friday, March 16, 2007