Oriel

We visited Oriel in May, whilst staying in Sloane Square and prior to attending a concert at Cadogen Hall.

The service was second to none and the staff were extremely courteous and helpful, and always seemed to find some time to chat to us as well. We simply called in, without having booked a table in advance. Given that it was a busy Saturday evening we would not have been surprised to find the place fully booked, but this was not the case and we were seated within minutes of arriving.

Our initial round of drinks were served pretty quickly and the meal itself within about ten to fifteen minutes of it being ordered. Not too bad for a busy London evening.

We called back after the concert, sitting outside and sharing a drink with friends into the latter part of the evening.

Once again the staff were both efficient and courteous and found the time to chat with us once again. Certainly to be recommended and worth a visit at any time. Infact, I shall be visiting again towards the end of June, with a friend from my college days, from Devon, and I will be attending the Roger McGuinn concert at Cadogen Hall.

James Hennighan

Halifax, West Yorkshire
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James Hennighan
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Saturday, June 20, 2009

We had another nice , well-prepared meal here a few weeks ago. The staff was friendly and the service quick and efficient. We were seated to the left of the entrance which we found to be a bit quieter than to the right where we were seated last year. For the quality and quantity, the price is well in line. We will return.
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J deMarrais
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, April 07, 2009

I had a very pleasant experience here last week; good service, good food, lovely surroundings and, I thought, the price was quite reasonable.
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Vivian
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, January 02, 2009

Rammed in at the front of this 'see to be seen' restaurant.

Food was as expected but the service was appalling.

It took 3 attempts to obtain two glasses of tap water. The glasses did eventually appear as we completed our main courses.

We had already ordered two glasses of champagne, and a bottle of white wine.

Both of these arrived without any delay. An annoying factor was that we were only just lifting our champagne glasses, as the waiter poured out the white wine.

As the water was delivered, the waiter muttered under his breath, that the 'bar had been busy' - an odd remark considering the speed that the alcholic drinks were served.
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Malcolm Steel
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Sunday, September 28, 2008

I am from overseas (Australia) and have now dined at Oriel on two occasions - pleasant wait staff, prompt service, average quality (read gritty spinach!), reasonably priced. All in all a good experience.

I discovered the basement; cool on a hot day and a great place to meet and have a coffee - but please spare me. A tea pot with a saucer being used as a lid and plastic spoons- you have to be kidding. I thought the place had some class until this happened.
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Rod L
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Friday, August 29, 2008

Really surprised at firstly how astonishingly busy it was when I went, and secondly how good the food and service were.

Very friendly chap served us for lunch today, nice lunchy type menu with lots of summery (ha ha, what summer!) dishes, the calamari salad was great!
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Elizabeth Beacon
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Sunday, August 10, 2008

Nearly an hour's wait for main course, despite repeated protestations that 'the chef is cooking it now'. Rude. No apology. Just dreadful - we left.
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Friday, August 08, 2008

Lunched at Oriel yesterday, very pleasant and reasonably priced, and for once in Chelsea, smiley staff (particularly the lovely girl who sat us down).

Food is clearly not Gordon Ramsay, but we spent £60 and had a nice bottle of plonk and good mains, the pavlova we ate for dessert was excellent, and clearly made in house.

One gripe, how come no one told us about the beautiful air conditioned basement (30 degree heat that day), we chanced upon it when visiting the conveniences and would have happily eaten down there in the cool tranquility...
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Molly
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Sunday, July 27, 2008

I don't know what everyone is on about how bad it is. True enough, there are posers sitting in front of the cafe but there are real people who went there for the food, which isn't bad at all. Wasn't fantastic but I would still go back there and I live in Chelsea, even though I don't make a good enough effort to go there. The service wasn't bad at all when I went, both times. The waitress was so attentive and compliant. I would go back there if I ran out of ideas for places to go to.
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EN
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Tuesday, June 24, 2008

This is a perfect place to go to if you like to "pose" in a "posh" cafe in Chelsea.

Overly priced less-than-average food and rude waiters who sneer at you if you don't order a glass of wine for lunch on Monday. Went there 3 times and always the same.

I have 3 friends who live in Chelsea, and they never go there as they know this place is for just posers who do not live in Chelsea but want to pretend to live there, or tourists.
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JD
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Saturday, June 21, 2008