Bonds

I booked this restaurant on the back of reviews already written and I'm glad I did.

In agreement with previous reviewers, the food really is delightful. We basically ordered items we couldn't cook ourselves and were blown away by them. Whoever is working in the kitchen knows what they are doing. I'm only knocking one point off for bits of shell in my crab salad. Otherwise perfect.

Personally, I loved the atmosphere. It's grand without being intimidating. It's spacious without being distant. It's very city. I could imagine this being the sort of place where business deals are struck. I'd like my dining room to look like this one day.

The only downside, again as some other reviewers have alluded to, was the service. Although never really a problem, it was a significant niggle. The waiters were perfectly friendly and well-informed, but they seemed to be lacking co-ordination. We received someone else's starters. Then someone else received our mains. Finally our coffee was delayed - and then doubled! In each case, they realised their mistake and corrected it within the minute. But I'm marking down heavily on this score because this restaurant wants to be top of its class.

This would not stop me going back, however.

Value? It is expensive. You know this before you go in. But you get a good package for what you pay. Remember you're in the heart of the city when you're in Bonds.

Bottom line: Most definitely recommended. Good for business meetings and impressive dates.
Comment on this reader review

Alan Ingham - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Fab food, we had the £17.50 set menu so it was also very good value. Artichoke soup and salmon, all very delicious. Chocolate mousse for desert not so great.

Only serious let down was the service. We were there for 2 hours, waiting for various courses to arrive. The atnosphere is typical city lunch, lots of suits, fairly quiet, but nice.
Comment on this reader review

ingridw - View all reviews by this user
7 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Had lunch there yesterday and thought it was amazing. Beautiful food, unobtrusive service and fantastic location. Beats a lot of other top-end restaurants by a distance.
Comment on this reader review

DP
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, September 18, 2009

Very slow service at lunchtime today. The food is nice and the set menu a decent price, but we were forgotten about which was embarressing as we were with a client....
Comment on this reader review

CSL
6 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Thursday, March 26, 2009