The Empress

We went on March 26 for lunch. I had not been for a long time, and somehow. I used to like this place, but this time I was disappointed. When I entered I noticed that something has changed. It used to be warmer and more discreet. They play quite loud music that the staff seemed to enjoy. The staff was kind, but somehow a bit too casual for the type of place they claim to be. The tables look a bit rundown.

We ordered the chicken to share, and when I asked for the chicken to be cut, the waiter said that it was not their "responsibility" and they would "not get involved with cutting the chicken". At first I thought that he was joking, but he was not. I do not understand in a restaurant what kind of responsibility there is to take in cutting a chicken for customers. I did ask in the past and there was no problem with it. They eventually cut it, but the waiter said it was exceptional!

Then my husband went to toilet and had to wait for ages. It was the manager inside reading a newspaper. Huum not so impressive.

The food and the wine were nice though.

This restaurant may have changed ownership or management. It used to be much better.
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Anabelle
5 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 5
Saturday, March 26, 2011

20 of us came to eat on Saturday 5th March to celebrate my friends engagement. I literally could not fault it - the service was amazing (such supportive and very patient waiter and manager as I tried to sort out the most complicated bill in history)

delicious food (particularly recommend the roast chickens for big parties - delicious and easy to share) and great atmosphere. The staff were happy to let us loiter and around the bar after the meal and at no point did we feel that we were being difficult - despite being a rather loud group!

Will definitely be going again - either for intimate meal for two or another crazed evening with lots of friends.
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Laura Pettifer
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, March 08, 2011

I organised for a party of 16 to visit here and we went for one of the feast menus. We were particularly happy to hear that we could order a whole suckling pig for the group to share, along with really amazing potatoes, unbelievable gravy, well cooked greens (rare) and good beer. Really helpful, attentive staff that are able to to tailor the menu to your needs... just very nice indeed.
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Eddie Frost
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Monday, March 07, 2011

I attended a wine-tasting dinner at the Empress last week on what was a first visit and was very impressed. It is a lovely space with a pleasing atmosphere and the staff were very efficient and welcoming. The food and the wine were excellent and I look forward to going again.
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Jonathan Birt
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, February 07, 2011

The food is generally good here but somehow every time I go, there seems to be a way that The Empress manages to disappoint. Whether it is the inability to bring all of the table's food in the same ten minute window, losing a whole order or forgetting to bring wine, there is generally something that manages to take the edge off my enjoyment or make me wish that I had not been persuaded out of my misgivings.

It's a shame, because the place is local, the people are nice and I want to like it, but I am afraid that I shan't be going back for a long while.
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CC - View all reviews by this user
5 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, December 29, 2010

We had dinner here last night and it was truly excellent. The food was really delicious - perfectly cooked meat (pheasant and lamb), a great selection of vegetables, yummy crumble for pudding! Plus some great wine. I am so pleased to find such great cooking tucked away in my area!

Service was attentive (but then it was quite quiet). The bar area looks nice too - stools at the bar and leather sofas nearby.

And to top it all off, if you book on their website you get 25% off food at the moment! That makes it a total bargain for great cooking and a nice atmosphere.
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Lady Vics
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Friday, November 19, 2010

We had our wedding reception at the Empress, in September of this year (2010), and have eaten there many times. I have to say I'm surprised by the negative reviews - we think the food is really very good, the menu built around quality ingredients and straightforward preparation, and the staff have never been less than charming and accommodating. There's no doubt the atmosphere is relaxed, but this is a gastropub, not a restaurant - it's not supposed to be silver service.

As for the wedding reception, we couldn't recommend the place more highly. We had 80 guests for a sit down dinner, with another 60 arriving for drinks in the evening. The Empress offer a complete wedding package, which they are happy to help you tailor to your wishes. At every step of the way they were fantastic, always happy to negotiate, find solutions and go the extra mile to make sure we had exactly what we wanted.

On the day itself the staff were absolutely outstanding. I had guest after guest coming up to me to say how great they were. We kept the food simple: wild mushrooms on toast, followed by roast rib of beef (with a risotto as a vegetarian main), and chose reasonably priced but good French wines from what we think (having spent a great deal of time sampling it) is a sensible wine list.

The meal was cooked to perfection. The best man, a very fussy Midlands farmer, was so impressed by the beef (cooked in large joints in the rotisserie) that he insisted on barging into the kitchen to tell the chef it was some of the best he'd ever eaten, and that he couldn't believe he was getting that kind of quality in London (!).

I could go on: about how fantastic the place is for families (part of the joy of eating at the Empress is that they never make you feel embarrassed if you drive a buggy in through the front door - however many buggies are there already), about the wonderful Bloody Maries, about the lovely decor. Sure, we've eaten things there that we didn't like. But that happens everywhere.

It's great. Chill out a bit, sit back, and enjoy it.
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James and Robyn - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, October 08, 2010

I live locally and have been several times since it opened, generally good. The food has always been of a high standard but the service at Sunday lunch last week was poor from the off. Greeted at the door and sat down then totally forgotten about for 20 minutes, then our order taken behind 3 tables who arrived after us, including one of 10 ish people, no apology offered. We had to ask for various things several times, drinks, more water etc. Result was I politely refused to pay the service (only done that once before, I'm not that fussy). The waiter didn't seem remotely surprised, I guess we weren't the first that day.

This place has gone downhill since it opened, mostly due to the quality of staff on duty which is very hit and miss. A shame.
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east_sider - View all reviews by this user
5 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Tuesday, July 27, 2010

I'm slightly embarrassed writing this review, many people seem to be incredibly enthusiastic, but I'm not sure why. Its a beautiful building, and the room is lovely no doubt. I've visited twice now and on both occasions one course was good, but the other was so-so (roasted cod there recently was acceptable, but nothing special). The service is ok, they're keen but not particularly knowledgeable (about the food or the wine). For the money, I think you can eat better in London - even at some of the other pubs in the chain. I also heard that a recent wedding reception there was disrupted by neighbours coming in and shouting abuse at the manager - which isn't very encouraging.

So, sorry to be the naysayer, but I'll be sticking to the superior Britannia and Scolt Head for my posh-pub needs.
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JamesW - View all reviews by this user
4 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 2
Monday, June 28, 2010