Little Bay (Farringdon Rd)

I've eaten at Little Bay previously and was looking forward to my meal there recently. Sad to say it appears the recession seems to have taken it's toll. A rib-eye ordered rare that came back well done and tough, a vegetable tart with stale pastry and a glass of wine that we sent back twice and then gave up on (it tasted like the 'by the glass' bottles had been open for quite a few days).

The staff were efficent and helpful - and it wasn't their fault that the kitchen had an off day - but I won't be going back. At £27.50 for two main courses and one bad glass of wine, it's not the bargain it once was, either.
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Mike
4 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 3
Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Amazed by some of the negative reviews in 2009; maybe they changed staff or underestimated their 'pay what you like' offer, or simply had a blip.

I visited this branch for the 2nd time recently (having also enjoyed the Kilburn one in 2009) and it was magnificent. Service was outstanding from start to finish, perfect judgement of how much attention required, and the atmosphere and whole experience was wonderful.

Starting off with vegetable soup off the specials board, with bread already provided, I was pleased with the big, fresh hit of celery, strong flavours, and perfect seasoning. Very nice start to the meal.

I then had pan-fried salmon with crushed potatoes, a delicate avocado salsa, and a pleasing tomato sauce which enhanced the salmon without being too strong for it. I was also delighted with the very strong hit of garlic in the dish - it's personal preference but for me, the more the better. The dish was delicious; possibly the salmon could have been cooked a fraction less, but certainly nicely done with a crisped skin too.

Dessert was a hot apple cake with ice cream - enjoyable - and wine was a 2008 Bordeaux from the specials board.

All in all a great night out for bill half what one might expect - impressive and uplifting.
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9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, January 21, 2010

We had a great family get-together here on Xmas Eve. The food was good, the wine was good, the service was extremely friendly. I don't know how they do it at the price. This place is terrific, some of the other reviewers must have gone out of their way to have a bad time. They accommodated us despite some late arrivals and the presence of kids and a baby. To top it off they found my Mum's lost earring at the end of the meal. The Little Bay is ace.
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Boz
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, January 05, 2010

My family and I went there for a 'traditional christmas lunch' today. I have to say from the whole experience, we will not be going back there again. EVER.

Firstly, we had to wait for our table on christmas day! as the other diners were not prompted to leave in time. The table was set as we all sat down at it, and even then it was not set correctly.

We were served luke warm soup for starters, one of the mains were cold and as for the turkey dinner, well it consisted of 1 slice of think cut turkey, a sausage, 4 brussells and 3 roast potatoes (that was advertised "with all the trimmings").

Soup was split down a family member of mine and another guest was covered in coke that the waitress dropped, we had a sticky swimming pool all over our table/floor, which our 4/5 year old diners slipped in a few times as she didn't even clean up the mess properly.

The service was terrible and to top it off, we had to pay £41 for the privilege of being treated like rubbish.

I wouldn't recommend going there on such an important day of the year, it will just set your day off to a terrible start and you will leave the restaurant hungry.
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Sarah
2 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Friday, December 25, 2009

A really disappointing meal. The bizzare decor aside, the prices are just too cheap to provide food of any quality. The risotto had no flavour at all and the texture of porridge. The fish pie was off-puttingly presented in a dessert bowl, and looked really white and anaemic.

Most of the buffet salads were covered with oily, rather nasty dressing. And the whole place had a very tired , shabby ambience. I had to go as some friends had arranged it - but I won't be going out of my way to visit again.
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1 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Friday, October 16, 2009

My wife and I went to Little Bay this evening and were disappointed. We have been in the past and it has been fantastic. Tonight, however, the staff had changed and the food was poor. My starter of calf’s liver was nice, but my wife’s starter of soup was luke warm and served in the biggest bowl ever, which meant she had to eat so quickly to avoid it getting cold. Main courses were below average and we went for the goose fat chips (which used to be fabulous) were standard chips. We also ordered mixed vegetables, which, arrived as a bowl of broccoli swimming in salt water. This was a bit suspicious as the soup was broccoli soup. We won’t return for a while.
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Ian & Sarah
4 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Sunday, June 07, 2009

This place is an absolute jewel, i think it could be described in one word which is FANTASTIC, the decor, to start off with is beautiful, its romantic and unique, the service is out of this world, the food is simple, brilliant value and not to mention the opera singer that walked through the tables singing and the ambience is perfect! what an amazing find!
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10 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, March 04, 2009

I've been to Little Bay Farrington in February when the 'Pay what you think it's worth' offer was valid. I was quite excited until the starter came: very small portion and not great quality. For a main course I ordered the duck breast; it looked nice and well cooked but when I put it in my mouth I was disappointed to realize how chewy it was! The dessert was not too bad but the portion was again very small and the price you would normally pay was high.

Overall, even though I could take advantage of the February offer and visit the restaurant again paying much less than normal I didn't do so and I don't think I'll ever go there again.
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George
2 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Saturday, February 28, 2009

The problem is the food is simply disgusting! Pay whatever you think it is worth. I think it is worth nothing except for the kindness of the staff
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Raphi
3 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 0
Saturday, February 21, 2009

One thing to remember when eating at The Little Bay is that this is not fine dining: this is an excellent value, neighbourhood restaurant, that does not purport to be anything else. With that in mind I am quite surprised by some of the particularly negative reviews here.

The quality of the food isn't outstanding, but it is good; main courses of steak and butterfish were decently cooked with robust and tasty sauces and an apple cake made for a very satisfying pud. It was the kind of cooking that you would expect to be served at a friend's house (albeit a friend who is reasonably talented in the kitchen!) which is absolutely fine considering the price you pay.

The atmopshere is very jolly; to be honest, I could have done without the live opera but it certainly makes for an entertaining evening and I believe the restaurant is much calmer downstairs. Our waitress was charming and I found

the overall experience very enjoyable.

Considering that the prices are in line with chain eateries like Wagamama and Gourmet Burger Kitchen I don't really see how anyone could complain about the Little Bay. I discovered this place because of the 'Pay what you think it's worth' gimmick but I shall definitely return.
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Emily Coates
8 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, February 18, 2009