St Alban

Very difficult to find first time as no sort of sign except for etched glass windows. Nice bar area on entry though this could be better used for tables as a table near the window during daylightight always a good idea. "Interesting" decor. Fantastic lavatories. Food was very good, service very attentive with helpful and adaptable staff. Derinitely a good sibling to Wolesley. Much less of a a money making machine as don't feel pushed through lunch service to make way for tea.
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Putneybiker - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Thursday, November 26, 2009

Went here with b/f for birthday. He'd read some reviews and thought he'd found a nice restaurant. We'd previously been to the Langham Hilton's restaurant and it was amazing so it seemed like he was on a bit of a winning streak.

Turned up and I was not terribly impressed with the interior, it seemed as though habitat and Ikea had donated some items to them and they had set them up in a spaceship.

Service was ok if not a little icy.

I had the Pasta Vongole to start with. Garlic was raw and the rest was ok. Lamb for maincourse and was bland... I didn't finish it.

B/F had Oysters to start with and the restaurant even got those wrong...big chunks of cucumber which meant that they made me gag when I tried to swallow one. Veal chop for main course....just a bit weird really...nothing fantastic

below average...very cheeky of them to ask for those prices

Don't bother... go somewhere better...
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Rebecca Nieto
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Friday, July 31, 2009

We ate at St Alban last night and came away pretty disappointed with the experience. It wasn't bad as such, just not at all what the price should have implied. The venue is neither intimate nor grand, but as bland as a hotel lounge. And the seating is positively odd, with couples seated at right angles so one looks into the eyes of a stranger at the next table!

The service was efficient, but with no panache, style or warmth. It's what one might hope for on a good day at Bella Pasta.

The food was ok. We had the fish stew and the lamb. Neither had any sort of wow factor. The lamb particularly was a few slices with some pesto on top and garnished with mushrooms. All a bit dry and plain. I could find half a hundred gastro pubs in London who could do something more mouthwatering with lamb. And at far less cost.

And cost was our main complaint. The meal for two - mains, desserts and a bottle of indifferent wine - came to £100. That's about what I wanted to spend, but at those prices I expected something a bit special. And didn't get it.
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Ted Morris
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 2
Sunday, July 19, 2009

Went on friday night for a joint family birthday and had a fantastic time. On my first visit, a year ago, I had been very impressed but if anything things seem to have become even better. What I like so much about a meal at St Alban is that it delivers on every count. So many restaurants get something wrong - but at St Alban the whole operation is just so beautifully done. One of my pet hates about top London restaurants is that they pack in the punters so you're breathing over each others' food. At St Alban the tables are well spaced throughout the impressive room so each couple or group can have a lot privacy while the atmosphere still remains buzzy.

The menu is a refreshingly unpretentious yet interesting tribute to Iberian and Italian cooking and is also well priced considering the quality of food on offer. My tortolli starter was melt in the mouth delicious and my main of salt cod was lovely especially with the fava bean puree. The veal I tried was also exquisite and had a really nice smokey, charcoaly taste to it.

As for the service, I'd say it was sublime. They have the perfect ability to be there exactly when you need them and yet not constantly fuss around you asking whether you're enjoying yourself (another pet hate!). Dessert time summed up the service. The occasion was a joint birthday party and when the staff saw one of our party opening presents they presented him with a birthday decoration on his dessert. They obviously overheard the other birthday girl joking to us about her disappointment as they then rushed back with a plate of truffles for her with a birthday decoration. Totally unnecessary, but just shows how keen they are to make sure you have a memorable night.

Overall top marks, a fantastic place that we'll hopefully keep coming back to.
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Jeremy Liebster
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, March 30, 2009

The best things about st alban are the sertvice and the ambience. Love the original damien hirst artwork. The food was ok but nothing memorable.
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mark
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Monday, March 23, 2009

Very good restaurant, as mentioned by the previous viewers. I enjoyed the pork belly, and the wide mushroom soup. My friend's swordfish was charming too. I like the contemporary deco throughout the dining room, bar, and bathroom. The service is flawless. Good choice!
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King - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, March 17, 2009

i went to this restaurant on tuesday with my friend for her birthday. we were looking for somewhere nice, not ridiculously pricey and its near the theatre.

The serive was very good ! the food are tasty !! never seen so much seafood on a paella dish ! we both had a per theatre meal and i think its quite good value for money !! the setting is sophicated but not stuffy !! oh ! by the way the toilet is big, bright and clean (you can even change your canival costume in there, an extra 2 stars for the atmosphere!) !!! we had a nice relaxing meal before the theatre !!!

i will definitely go back !!!
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miss yau
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Thursday, March 05, 2009

My husband had had several meals at the St Alban and had rated it very highly. So after a great evening three weeks ago at the ballet I was looking forward to an excellent meal with friends. I couldn't have been more disappointed. It seems the menu had changed so instead of the promised soft shell crab starter we ordered the fritto misto. This was to heavily battered and bland and you couldn't identify what you were eating. Our main courses were uninspiring and the service was indifferent. My husband said the the standards had deteriorated in a matter of weeks and we apologised to our guests for a less than perfect end to the evening.
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LESLEY BIRCH
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, March 03, 2009

My boyfriend took me here for my birthday after it was recommended to him by a friend, to be honest I had no real expectations, however it couldn't have been more perfect. Food, service, atmosphere all impeccable and a definite 10/10. The T-bone for two and the smoked mash was something else. I really enjoyed the whole evening, superb!! The service was up to scratch and the staff very helpful and efficient. Thanks for making this birthday meal such a memorable one! With regards to value for money I wouldn't know he was polite enough not to tell me! ; )
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Sarah Z
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 0
Monday, January 26, 2009

I recently visited St. Alban on a date and was thoroughly impressed with the food and service. The staff were attentive without being vulture like and the food was all very well presented but not too fussy. All in all, the restaurant was good fun and excellent value for money considering the location and clientele it usually attracts.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, December 23, 2008