Oriel

We are sorry but this restaurant has closed - The Reader Comments are shown for historical purposes only

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The Oriel was a throwback to the Eighties with some pretty dire food and poor value. It WAS part of a chain anyway; the owners have the equally poor Cafe Rouge group which helped give London a bad name for food years ago. The new venture - by the Wolseley owners I hear - will be the much needed grand cafe that Oriel should always have tried to be. But failed miserably.
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Overall rating 1 stars
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Saturday, November 26, 2011

Is it closed? So sad, I worked there as kitchen porten for months! Great regards and great food!
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Samuel
Overall rating 10 stars
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, September 11, 2011

I arrived in London to meet the man of my dreams. After eight months of online chatting, hundreds of hours of phone calls, and burning up Skype, we finally met! At Heathrow airport, he greeted me with a kiss, and said "welcome to London". We had the most amazing breakfast at Oriel on our first morning together - the first morning of the rest of our lives together.

Seven years later we are returning to London for our five year anniversary. I had hoped to visit Oriel for breakfast again --- so very sad to hear that it won't be there to greet us on our return. Thank you for such amazing memories, at least those will never go away.
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Liza
Overall rating 10 stars
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, May 05, 2011

I have so many fond memories of the Oriel. Years ago when I traveled to London on a regular basis, it was where I ALWAYS had dinner on my arrival day. A Ceasar salad, pasta, and red wine. Learning that it has closed is like hearing of the death of an old friend. Thanks for the memories.
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Dick Trammell
Overall rating 9 stars
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, January 05, 2011

A great shame to lose such a vibrant place. One simple measure of success of any restaurant is how full it is...and by that standard, it has to be rated highly. Over the past 22 years i have been there at different times of the day ( breakfast, lunch and dinner), and nearly always find at least half its tables occupied, if not all, and that is no exaggeration .The clientelle are decent, I have generally had good food there andI have found the service responsive and friendly.

if a chain puts in yet in another branch there, it will only serve to drag down the area. I hope the landlord and tenant can find a way to agree a renewal of the lease.
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sami
Overall rating 8 stars
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, March 10, 2010

I love this restaurant, for me it is part of Sloane Square. It is the perfect place for breakfast on a Saturday morning before heading down the Kings Road to support the economy. I am very sad to hear that it will close later this month.

I don't live in London anymore but fortunately I will be back this weekend so I will be there on Saturday morning, perusing the breakfast menu and pondering the eternal question... british bangers or continental croissants.
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SJ
Overall rating 10 stars
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, February 16, 2010

I will sorely miss the Oriel. A fantastic place for ambience, food and value for money. I love sitting inside as well as making the most of the seating area outside in the summer. I've never had a problem with service and the manager on the front desk is always polite and efficient and so are the waiting staff. 3 courses for two, bottled water, a bottle of vino and a couple of espressos to round it all off for under £100 is a bargain, especially when it's possible to spend £40 quid for two for much less in Peter Jones across the road, which to all intents and purposes is a canteen, albeit a posh one with a view (and yes, I do like it there too) . I've never felt rushed in the Oriel, they're not champing at the bit to get rid of you. Not sure what the entire story is here, but Lord Cadogan, you have it all wrong. Good luck to all the staff, you will be missed.
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Claire
Overall rating 10 stars
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, February 15, 2010

This place is a complete rip off and filled with the worst cases of the left over lap dog society. More fool them if they think it is worth paying the extortionate prices for the rubbish they serve up as food. Cold stale bread pre-sliced in a bread basket (here's an idea...heat it up before it gets sent out to the table); a caesar salad that could well have come out of a supermarket packet....; and, a real miserable bunch of staff who can't crack a smile.

Give the whole place a miss. It is for pretentious time wasters who just can't think for themselves. If you want atmosphere and energy go downstairs to the nearby Royal Court. If you want good food and good service, go opposite to the Botanist.

Honestly....if this place were any where else except Chelsea it would have shut up shop long ago....
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Overall rating 1 stars
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, February 10, 2010

One of the saddest restaurant closures for years. I have been using it since it started, on a regular basis and found the service charming and the food well priced and delicious. It has been a delightful meeting place for women and indeed for couples. Very odd decision by Lord Cadogan.
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Lady St Johnston
Overall rating 9 stars
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, February 10, 2010

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


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