The Exhibit

Hmmm... I'm wondering if some of these reviewers were in the same bar and restaurant as me!

I went for a meal and drinks during April and the food, wine, ambience and service were spot on. If you want fun and quality served up at the same time, this is the place to come. Both the bar and restaurant staff were brilliant fun, quick and helpful, and the food was great... special shout out to the sticky toffee pudding!

I'll definitely be back soon...
Comment on this reader review

Nicki
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, May 06, 2009

I disagree with some of the below reviews. I eat there every so often as I live in Balham and am always happy with the quality of service and food. In April they had 50% off food offer which is always good! Perfect for lunch or an evening meal with friends without breaking the bank.
Comment on this reader review

Catherine
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Someone quite rightly pointed out that food was half price in April so I sincerely hope that high numbers of customers wanting a cheap meal, was the reason for the absolutely awful service I received here throughout April!!

I have been once for an evening meal at Exhibit and whilst the food was pretty good, the service slightly let it down. However, we didn't complain and paid the 12.50% that was sneakily put on the bill.

However, on three other occasions I have been there for lunch at the weekend, (it is very convenient and great for sitting outside if the weather's nice) and every time the service and food have been poor.

One time, the bar man told us to take a seat and then forgot us for half an hour, and the waitress was generally incompetent at bringing drinks/food together. Another time, the glasses we were given our drinks in were dirty, the food was average (after a ridiculous wait) and the bill was forgotten- we actually had to tell them we hadn't paid when leaving as they had no idea.

The last time I went with a larger group and the service was so infuriatingly bad I vowed never to go back for fear of rising blood pressure! Drinks were forgotten, people's orders (mainly breakfast fry-ups) were cold and took about 50 mins to make- and the waitress seemed to be completely oblivious to everyone and everything. Most people around us were also completely unimpressed .

My advice: Go for dinner if you're really curious about this place but avoid like the plague at lunch time- the staff obviously haven't woken up by then!
Comment on this reader review

Michelle
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Went on Saturday eve as we were reliably advised the menu was half price during April. i thought the food was pretty good (pear and rocquefort tart followed by seabass) though the service was a little slow, and it was a tad raucous in there. still, I'd thoroughly recommend going, especially at those prices!
Comment on this reader review

roym - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 10
Monday, April 27, 2009

Superb service! We had never eaten at The Exhibit before as have always thought it was mainly a bar. I was very suprised to find such a lovely restaurant upstairs. The service was superb, extremly welcoming and friendly. The food was of a very high quality and reasonably priced. King prawns to start and a perfectly cooked steak for mains. The Exhibit will certainly be our new regular local restaurant. Highly reccommended.
Comment on this reader review

Christie Pinkton
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Sunday, March 15, 2009

I ate here with a friend on Friday night, and it was great. Pre-dinner drink in the bar downstairs - it's a nice, relaxed crowd with cool music... less of the thumping beats that you used to get here a few years ago! It's classic and modern rock and some pop thrown in. As I say, the crowd is relaxed... mix of singles, couples and groups of friends. It's still cool, but a bit more chilled out than it used to be.

The food and wine is really good and good value. In my eyes the food here is as good as you can get in the area, but the prices are kept competitive. I had the ribeye steak and chips for £16, which was spot on, and we had a nice £20 bottle of Malbec. The service is friendly - the girls clearly enjoy their jobs - and the food came out in no time. I'd recommend it for a quick bite with friends or a more formal dinner as a couple or with family etc.

Will definitely be back
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Booked a table in the restaurant for 6 of my girlfriends over the weekend and had a great time. Great food, wine, atmosphere and the staff were very polite. I also nip down on a Sunday every so often as they have amazing roast dinners!! Highly recommend.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Simply awful!!!

The bar on the ground floor was next to empty yet it still took us about 15 minutes to get a drink. This should have been the point where we walked out and found another place for dinner but since it was raining we thought we would try the restaurant on the 1st floor. Never again!

The food when finally delivered was not what we ordered and when this was corrected it was served cold. The staff look very unhappy and it is probably why the place has little to no atmosphere.

Avoid this venue at all costs! There are much better places in the area.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Friday, November 21, 2008

We had dinner at The Exhibit last night and was really impressed. We spoke with the waiting staff and found out that the chef was relatively new - well if he's trying to bring back quality to the food he's certainly succeeding - our food was top notch!
Comment on this reader review

Bridget
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Friday, November 14, 2008

I agree with the last comment, this place is dire.

Drinks were foul, beer flat, when I complained I received an indignant comment from an overly confident bartender, who, like most of the staff was well above his station, spending far too long trying to look flash rather than serving customers.

There was no way I would eat in here.

This place stinks, I mean that colloquially and actually - it is very musty....
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, October 20, 2008