Bleeding Heart

Had dinner with friends at the bistro on Friday evening. Although we had visited on two previous occasions and thoroughly enjoyed the food and atmosphere, this visit on 4 April was disappointing.

The service was aloof - two menus for a party of five & we needed to actually ask for more. We had to ask for the pepper grinder and wave furiously to attract any attention (even though the wait staff to table ratio was quite generous). Wait staff were not familiar with the menu - had to return to kitchen to check on ingredients.

Also quite disappointed with the food, two tuna escalopes were ordered as mains but one turned up which was almost 1.5 times the size of the other. No attempt made to distinguish between the medium rare and the medium well when they arrived either.

Finally, two deserts were not available and the bistro wasn't even full on the night. Unlikely to be back.
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Andrew
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Saturday, April 05, 2008

My boyfriend and I visited the Bleeding Heart Restaurant on Valentine's Day so perhaps did not have a typical experience. There was a set menu from which we both chose lobster ravioli and beef wellington. The food was fantastic, particularly the beef wellington (and my request for extra sauce, because the sauce was so good, was quickly complied with). The atmosphere was also very good once the restaurant filled up.

The service was another matter. It took nearly an hour from sitting down to even get the amuse bouche and things were sporadic from then. On finishing our main course we sat with our dirty plates in front of us for nearly 20 minutes. However, the service was always friendly, the lady who seemed to be in charge was apologetic and smiley and that always goes a long way.

All in all I would fully recommend it. Not cheap - even choosing a cheap bottle of wine (ours was £20 and there were very few sub £30) the bill came to £120 - but the food was lovely. Just don't go if you're in a hurry!
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Victoria
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, February 15, 2008

Went to the Tavern last night and won't return. The best days at this restaurant are well behind it, as recent visits to the Bistro and the Restaurant have also disappointed. The starters we tried were edible but pretty mediocre, but two of the main courses couldn't be finished, and the third was simply passable. Wine list is pretty conservative, borderline uninspiring. On the plus side the atmosphere is pleasant enough. Service average.
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MarkP - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 3
Friday, February 08, 2008

Twenty-two of us met for a celebration meal in The Cellar in January. The atmosphere was great. The service was charming and professional even though we arrived half-an-hour early. The food was delicious and very good value. Just two niggles: the soup was served before the other starters and was not hot enough by the time it came to eat; and bottled water was served although tap water was specially asked for when making the booking. Nevertheless, it was a delightful occasion.

One warning to future customers: a taxi ordered by the front desk after the meal charged £22 for a five-minute journey.
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Valerie
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Excellent, the most sublime Duck Confit and a pint of Adnams with change from £13? Well beyond your gastropub standard but for the same price. I also have to add that the sole French waiter is a real pro and a thoroughly nice chap.
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Justin
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, July 27, 2007

The Bleeding Heart Tavern is definitely the 'poor cousin' to the Bleeding Heart Bistro and Restaurant. Food is OK., but service is erratic. We had lunch there today, and had to wait nearly an hour for the main course. It only arrived after we reminded them we had not been served. Later, when we asked for the coffee and bil, they brought the coffee, but forgot to give us the bill. Finally, when no tip was left, the staff suddently changed from being very friendly to surly. Don't bother with this place, unless you've got plenty of time to waste.
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Martin
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Had lunch there today. Excellent food - good ingredients, simply cooked, in well-chosen combinations. Very reasonably priced. Very good puddings and bread. Service was fun, though I suspect it helps if you speak French (as I did) - when we spoke English they seemed to have some trouble understanding us. Nice atmosphere. I'll definitely go back.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, March 23, 2007

I'm surprised by the negative comments too. Went for a romantic birthday dinner a few months ago and it was one of the best meals and most enjoyable restaurant experiences I've had for years. High-class cooking at reasonable prices, very unprententious and helpful sommelier and great atmosphere.
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Marko
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, November 13, 2006

I am surprised to read the negative review below. I went to the Tavern for the first time last week and was very impressed by both the food and the service. Yes our waiter had a strong French accent, but what do you expect in a French restaurant??
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Monday, August 07, 2006

The most terrible place in London. The chef does not know how to cook a rare steak and the service is appalling. Don't go.
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- View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, May 03, 2006