The Butcher & Grill (Battersea)

A truly disgusting meal at Butcher and Grill the other evening. Usually the food is great so extremely disappointing.
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3 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 0
Friday, October 14, 2011

As a former Battersea resident, I had been going to the Butcher & Grill, and had always enjoyed what was good food, simply cooked at a bit of a premium, and with great service. Wow, well what a change.

My advice straight-up is to give this place a wide berth. It may have a good butchers and deli tacked onto the restaurant, but that doesn't mean that the chefs can actually cook a simple cut of beef, to requirement - which really is what is (or should be) the proposition of the restaurant.

Being a balmy evening, my friend and I decided to chance the mosquitoes and sit facing the lock. Big mistake, as the poor overrun waiters took ages to serve us, clear plates, let alone ask us if we wanted more wine.. as we had to practically beg for a second bottle. We started with oysters - lovely, minerally natives, but once to the mouth, we had to negotiate a lot grit and algae. This completely ruined the experience for me, as it isn't difficult to get something so easy and splendid, so wrong. After a good wait of twenty minutes and hand gesturing to flustered staff, our steaks arrived, a rump and sirloin - looking shriveled and tense. Weirdly there was no smell when they arrived - a well cooked steak should smell of caramelisation and that satifsying beef steak smell. and I had ordered medium rare - after the first cut, no pink flesh, no juiciness, just toughness. My friends was worse. Just terrible, especially from a restaurant that prides itself on it's knowledge of meat.

The manager was called over, who was instantly defensive. 'We have a very busy restaurant', he quipped. I reminded him that that isn't my problem, and to cook a steak well or scrubbing a few oysters isn't too difficult. I drew to attention that our main course order had been sitting under the pass, toughening up.

Our steaks were replaced, to be met with said restaurant manager scornfully demanding that we cut our steaks open in front of him, so he could revel in our renewed satisfaction, and that perhaps the inept chefs had in fact got right what they should have done first time round. Medium rare steak.

After that debacle, no apology and nothing comped, my friend and I dealt with a bill that nearly topped 80 quid. Frankly, I would never return to the Butcher & Grill if it was the last restaurant on earth, and strongly suggest the proprietors of this buiness give the chefs a lesson on how to cook, and the manager (the one who was on that night) gets a lesson in good manners and maitre'd-ing a restaurant, as he clearly needed guidance on both.
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Steven
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, August 25, 2010

We had a great night at butcher and grill. Lots to choose from on the menu, including fish and salads if you are not into steak. The quality of the beef us amazing, it comes from an award winning farm.brilliant wine list and warm, friendly service. Excellent chips and bearnaise!
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, July 29, 2010

An absolutely terrible restaurant, and a sad waste of what might be quite a nice concept. Food was completely dry and inedible, accompanying sauces sweet and cold. And, It took an HOUR for our party to be offered drinks. £50 per head for 2 courses. Go elsewhere
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1 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Thursday, October 01, 2009

Tuesday night treat at The Butcher!

I literally live next door and I often sneak in at late hours to buy some food at their high-quality grocery. Never disappointed by their amazing selection of meat, freshly baked focaccia and pistacchio ice-cream.

On Tuesday night, the restaurant features 50% off your dinner bill.

I went twice so far with some friends. Nice bottle of wine, rare steak with selection of sauces and starters, desserts.... Everything is so good! The meat is very high quality. Their selection of starters is the perfect combination with the taste of the steak, along with traditional and more innovative sauces (I love the red wine one and the soy and honey).

Last week we paid £23 each... A bargain for the amount of food we had! Plus, easy and very quick service... And well, in my case, a short and tipsy walk back home!

Don't miss it out... Tuesday night!
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9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, September 22, 2009