Oriel

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

Dreadful place to eat - great location but this won't make me return after two trips when I was utterly disappointed with the food. Shrivelled up filet de beouf and overdone fries so not worth the money. Second time I waited more than an hour for my dried up and tasteless pasta to arrive. Nice bar but will never be back for food... so not worth the money!
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 1
Saturday, March 03, 2007

This restaurant is in a great location and it serves great food but the customer service is appauling.
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The Bear Man
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Great atmosphere even on a busy Sunday afternoon. Maybe because it was busy, something went very wrong in the kitchen for our main course took over an hour to arrive, while the table next to ours changed guests - twice. The waitress was suitably mortified. Food was great once it arrived. I'm not sure I'll return in a hurry.
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Hong Kong Girl
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Sunday, February 11, 2007

Ate here with a friend before concert, so early evening, very busy. Eat out alot at very nice places so was not expecting too much but if was great, if in the area would definately go there again .
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Teresa McDonnell
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, December 30, 2006

I totally agree with the last review!

The food is good value for money (considered the location) and the staff always gives good personal service - yes, sometimes they are too busy to stand by your side at all times, but who wants that anyway?

Go there for lunch, dinner or maybe just for a drink in the bar - any time of the day Oriel has a buzzing atmosphere and I have never been unhappy with my visits (go there at least four times a month!).
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Camille
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, December 09, 2006