L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon

Total RIP OFF....bad service and overpriced dishes. BEWARE!
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Taz syed
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, February 08, 2010

I had the set lunch here about 6 months ago.

Quite nice but the portions seemed tiny to me. Starter was asparagus...two pencil thin stems, main was a lamb cutlet with mashed potato...I nearly burst out laughing when they gave it to me...two mouthfulls-gone!

Its a very snazzy place, a super-model looking french girl showed us in and all the staff seemed very nice and everything but if youre looking to leave a restaurant feeling full up without having to take out a second mortgage this probably isnt the place for you.

I had the set lunch lunch at GR Claridges and that seemed vastly better for about the same price
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loz
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 4
Thursday, January 21, 2010

Whilst this review is probably influenced by how much I was enjoying the company of my dining companion, my meal at L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon was quite simply the best I have ever had. I couldn't recommend it more.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Monday, January 04, 2010

Food lived up to expectation. Excellent hot and cold foie followed by fresh John Dory and superb duck. Quantities were quite adequate. Bread fresh.

Unfortunately the service would be most charitably described as chaotic.

My wife's champagne arrived promptly, my scotch didn't. Between the waitress and the maitre d, who kept appearing for no clear purpose, having spent 5-10mins on the menu, with two enquiries if we were ready to order, order given, still no scotch, but promised. Finally arrived shortly before appetiser.

Promised sommelier still hadn't (arrived I mean!). After again requesting somnelier he arrived short of breath (possibly he had to run being late for work).

His only comment was "Good choice) (fair enough). He was never to be seen again.

Entree arrived hot on the heels of the appetizer.

Wine glass depleted as was my wifes without refill until requested(waitress did apologise. Despite the delays in getting wine refills, first two courses through in 60minutes (too fast for my digestion).

I would not eat there again. I enjoy good food well presented but this was good food ill-presented.
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John Darracott
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 4
Sunday, November 01, 2009

Just returned from my first visit to L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon -having read a lot of reviews, I was expecting haphazard service. I found it absolutely outstanding -the best service I have received in London for a while.

Dined with a friend and booked the pre-theatre menu. £19 for two courses or £25 for three courses is a steal. If you have issues with value for money, bypass the temptations of the a la carte and go for this.

We were seated on the long counter surrounding the kitchen downstairs (L'Atelier) which had a nice buzz to it, without being too noisy or intrusive. Great for a first date as it's a little informal and there's always something going on to comment on. Had the sardine rillette to start -nicely presented and tasty; followed by beautifully cooked sea bream. I think very tasty is the best way to describe the food -it wasn't a revelation (maybe you need to go a la carte for that) but it was a pleasure to eat, and satisfying. We had ordered only one desert to share but the chef made two by mistake. When we pointed this out a lovely waiter immediately apologised, smiled and told us we could have the extra one on the house, because it was good and we would probably want more than one. It was a chocolate and hazelnut pudding with almond ice cream. Again, not a revelation, but very very tasty.

Between us we had four cocktails, and they were all great. Cocktail menu is extensive and creative.

Throughout the service was absolutely brilliant -not just flawless in a colourless way (our tapwater constantly refreshed without asking, very attentive staff) -but charming too. Everyone had extreme classic french accents and grinned the whole time. Although I eat very slowly and it was the first sitting on a friday night, nobody tried to turn us around quickly. We went up to the bar after we'd finished our meal, were shown around the rest of the restaurant and had its concept described by a lovely waitress. Service in the bar was unobtrusive but impeccable -they left us to ourselves until we indicated that we wanted something in which case they came immediately.

I really can't understand why the service has had such bad reviews because for me it was the best part of the evening. Some restaurants don't treat you as well when you're dining on a special offer menu -definitely was not the case here. I suppose when people have had disappointing service they're more likely to leave a review than those who have had good service. Either that or they've taken criticism well and fixed it.

If I have any criticisms of the restaurant it's of tiny, inconsequential things like the intense ugliness of the carpet in the bar and the way everything is connected by lifts and narrow staircases. The a la carte menu is very expensive and I'd save it for a special occasion only. But if you want value for money, go early and get the pre theatre menu. It's what you'd pay at Carluccio's, but here you get something special.
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uberwench
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Saturday, August 29, 2009

With all the great reviews about the food I'd thought it was time for me to check out Joel Robuchon in London. First off the design of the restaurant is quite nice. We had a booking at La cuisine which is the "formal" part of the restaurant located on the 2nd floor. I decided to try the degustation menu. Wow, what a huge disappointment! I have dined at many 2-3 michelin starred restaurants in the world and this was no where near the 2 stars it received. The food was boring nothing exciting, presentation was just mediocore. The restaurant felt more like a brasserie or bistro with overpriced food. The service was ok but once again nothing like a "true" 2-3 star restaurant. I would definitely recommend other diners to eat at other restaurants in London, unless your willing to pay the price for bistro food. I have huge respect for what Robuchon has achieved but this restaurant in my opinion was very disappointing.
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Mike John
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Friday, August 21, 2009

It's very hard to give 10/10 for food - but I have here. It was quite simply perfect.

It's always interesting reading others reviews - how wildly perceptions can vary and how different their experiences. For us, my girlfriend and I (celebrating our first anniversary) it was perfect. And let me just add - we're far from uncritical, having had the good fortune to eat in quite a large number of London's finest restaurants many of which share similar accolades, not always as successfully.

The service was effortless and attentive, fortunately we didn't recognise the failings in this area experienced by other reviewers, in fact quite the opposite. We decided to stay a little longer in the excellent bar enjoying well crafted drinks in the very pleasant surroundings before making our way to our table later than we’d booked - absolutely no problem. When we were ready we were escorted downstairs and to the end of the long counter and seated and immediately greeted by our waitress and presented with the menus and format of explained to us, she was charming, polite, slightly formal and very professional.

Despite being lovers of tasting menus - particularly those matched with wines, we opted for the small tasting plates enabling us to choose a great selection to share and enjoy as much as possible from this incredible menu. Our waitress being quick to point out when she felt we’d ordered sufficient rather than allowing us to get carried away she then paired the dishes to ensure each course complimented each other.

We selected a great white Burgundy from the excellent list and started.

There were so many highlights, the Quail; fabulous lamb; Foie Gras; Pigs Trotter; the most delicate and beautifully prepared Carpaccio and of course the signature miniature burger. Even the waitress accidently dropping an empty wine glass on the counter in front of us failed to detract from our meal; her apology was swift and her embarrassment genuine – and the glass was quickly tidied away.

We ordered desert, no easy feat – as with the rest of the menu the choice and descriptions are perfect – we settled on 3...

Dessert wine by the glass was not just recommended or a list presented, we were given a selection of 4 to taste to determine which we would like – a very nice touch. Then the desserts arrived. And with it – after all that went before for me the best dish. All I can say is that the soufflé was nothing less than a triumph – perfection. In fact, we both agreed possibly the best soufflé we have ever had. All in all a perfect evening, albeit not a cheap one – but then experiences like this come at a price, and what an experience.
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Nick
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, August 10, 2009

Great evening once again at L'Atelier. The food is simple, fresh and so so tasty.The staff is professional,friendly and even chefs will come and have a chat with you.Highly recommended.
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gourmet
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, July 17, 2009

Excellently prepared food with perfect flavor combinations. The rhubarb with pork-y foie gras stands out. The decor is gorgeous, with ivy covered walls and a sleek Japanese-inspired bar, but a bit too dark and noisy.

Though I like the stuff, there was way too much foie gras on the tasting menu. Do we really need a third dish, of nine, featuring goose liver?! I realise it is expensive and haute, but this much foie gras was a cop out and quite boring. The over-reliance on a specific ingredient made the menu seem over-priced.

The service was typically French, which is to say absolutely laughable. We strained to hear the server describe the dishes, in her gruff and curt manner. The drinks and wine reorders required a rugby tackle. (Kidding?) And small requests were completely ignored.

After dinner drinks in the lounge upstairs were not rushed, and in a beautiful and A/C-ed warren.

Generally a fun evening, but do not expect anything close to Michelin star -level service.
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Chuck Farley
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 4
Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Very disappointed. We love their Paris restaurant. The location in London is terrible, the service is slow, the size of portions are very very small and super expensive. We had same food and champagne in Paris and the bill was half of what we paid in London. Never going back...
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Laura
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Thursday, July 09, 2009