Oriel

I checked yesterday - their last day is 26 February.
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James - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, February 09, 2010

If it has closed, which I suspect it has by now, it will be missed.

I understand that there may now be a void there for 18 months, which seems a strange way to operate, even if you are a very wealthy landlord. The other places in that vicinity are not as good, but we will probably become accustomed to them over time.
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James - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Saturday, February 06, 2010

My wife and I have enjoyed the Oriel for 12 years. I hope the petition against closure will succeed in changing Lord Cadogan's mind. We have had indifferent and excellent meals. Generally they have been very good. The place is always full and therefore should make money and this indicates the prices are certainly not higher than other restaurants in this area.
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R Gaymer-Jones
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Saturday, January 23, 2010

I am very sad to say, this restaurant is closing in February after many years. This is just the latest in a number of long serving restaurants which have been forced to close because landlords are increasing the rents so much, that it forces closure. This is out and out greed, and I think it is so the premises can be refurbished and then even more rents can be charged. Other restaurants this has already happened to in this are Chelsea Kitchen, although I am pleased to see this has opened again in Fulham Road, and Flamenco, a spanish restaurant in Pimlico Road, which ran for over 25 years, but again forced to close due to exhorbitant rent increases. All these premises are owned by VERY rich landlords
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Jean - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Saturday, January 23, 2010

I have to say I agree with Lord Cadogan. We went to the Oriel after a great theatrical experience at the Royal Court: the service was desperately poor, the food very average, the prices ridiculous.

If only we could close every restaurant that treats its customers so badly!
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John McRae
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 2
Saturday, January 23, 2010

Yesterday evening at approximately 6p.m. I took my son and his girlfriend for supper in Oriel Restaurant , Sloane Square and was less than delighted with the service.

The experience started well in that we were seated immediately, unfortunately the table was designed in such a manner that it was impossible for one guest to fit their knees comfortably under the table and she had to spend the evening sitting sideways. Our waitress was slow in taking the order and when we asked for a plate of olives to while the time away it had not appeared 20 minutes later. I called what appeared to be a manager but may have been another member of staff to point out the non appearance and was assured that he would look into the matter. The olives did not appear. Our starters were presented and at that stage I asked the waitress to cancel the order for olives. The rest of the meal proceeded in standard fashion.

The food was average and for the area of the city I was disappointed. The prices were very fair . On asking for the bill I made a point of checking and found that I had been charged for the missing olives. This I found to be quite irritating considering the fact that the lack thereof had been remarked on 3 times already. I sent the bill back and it was rectified.

As I was leaving I felt it would be only reasonable to point out to the duty manager that I was disatisfied with the service, purely so that they could retrain whoever was responsible. His reply to my polite statement was that mistakes are made. There was no apology of any sort and the definite impression was that the customer is a nuisance.

I shall not be returning although I live in the area and have frequented this establishment now and then over the years.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, December 18, 2009

I have had three breakfasts and one supper at Oriel in the past two months, and it ticks most of the boxes for a brasserie that doesn't have to work too hard for custom.

The first of the breakfast visits started inauspiciously, as they had no bacon and, refusing my offer to go to buy some, added other choices instead. However, the plates were cold and the food comes from deep in the bowels, a bad combination: my complaint drew exactly the right response, namely 'please have this one on us'.

If only more restaurants realised what a powerful relationship builder that offer is: I have been three times since. On each successive visit, the food has been good, the service adequate-to-good (often not dependent on how busy the restaurant is), and the ambience suits both early morning and evening. As another reviewer mentions, it is pretty busy by 6pm, as punters prepare to go the Royal Court (give 'The Priory' a wide berth, by the way).

My two suggestions for Oriel's improvement are (1) always serve hot food on hot plates, and (2) wake the staff up so that at 8AM, when the place opens (why not 7.45AM to catch more customers?), they don't hang around gossiping rather than serving their busy and time-deprived pre-school-run businessmen and headhunters.
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James - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, November 27, 2009

From mid morning coffee, to a lunch with friends or drinks/food in the evening, Oriel is one of my favourite places to meet. Excellent and friendly service, complimented by a good choice of quality food.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Oriels in Sloane Square is the best place to go .I have the best feeling , always, when I open the door of Oriels .
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Lucia
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Recently visited this restaurant (Tuesday PM) and had a never again experience.

The front of house staff were very good, but food not so good. One steak could not be cut with a knife - it was that tough. Potatoes were reheated and hot food served on a cold plate. When pointing out the cold plate we were told that the kitchen did not have the facility to heat plates ! ! In fairness when a complaint was made about the steak it was removed from the bill. Very poor value for money.
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Michael Chick
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 2
Thursday, November 05, 2009