Skylon Restaurant

I received an e-mail advertising the Brazilian summer at the Southbank and the Brazilian menu at Skylon (with sample menu attached). My partner's birthday was coming up and he's very fond of Brazil so I thought this was perfect.

Although we had a positive experience at the bar, where the staff was friendly and helpful, from then on it went downhill.

Our table was booked for 9pm and we had arrived at 8.15 to get drinks at the bar. At 9.10 the waitress comes to inform us that there is slight delay, would we like to order more drinks? We wait a bit longer, still no table at 9.20. My partner orders another cocktail. Still no table. The manager comes over to apologize, hand on chest (to show "real concern"?).

Finally at 9.40 we get shown to our table, rather upset at that stage considering we had a babysitter at home and would now be coming home very late. Then the assistant manager explains that the reason for this delay is that the persons before us arrived late for their booking, which I think is irrelevant as it's got nothing to do with us .

Then, climax of our disappointment, was the menu! The sample Brazilian menu advertised looks nothing like what was on offer on the night. There was only one starter, only one main and only one desert that were "Brazilian".

Then we had to wait for another long stretch of time before anyone came for the drinks or food order, although the staff was over the top (fake smiles and all).

As we were leaving we shared our great disappointment with the manager. All he did was repeat the same apology and insist that this was due to the people before us who turned up late. At no stage were we offered a drink on the house or any other form of compensation, which would have been the decent thing to do especially since we had to wait so long for our table. It is only when we were on our way out, with our coats on, at 11.15 pm that the assistant manager offered us a glass of champagne on the house (i.e. pretty much when he knew we would not accept it) . What an appalling level of customer service and what a disappointment !

When you spend £150 for a meal you would expect a bit more consideration as a customer. Needless to say it wasn't a great birthday dinner.

Have sent a written complaint to the restaurant who has so far ignored it.
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Julie B
6 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 4
Tuesday, June 29, 2010

If it wasn't for a beautiful summers evening and great company this would have been a disappointing meal. We arrived half an hour early to have a drink at the bar. All very nice, very attentive and great drinks. We were told the table was delayed and it would be 15 minutes. 45 minutes later we were finally seated. Menu looked good, lots of good options however it was another 45 minutes before we were eating the starter. We were offered 3 bread rolls while we waited. If I had eaten them I would have been too full to eat! If I had wanted to eat at 10pm I would have booked a table for 10pm!

Food was ok, not amazing but not bad either. Main course was another fairly long wait. Lot of flourish from the waiters with the delivery. Flourish which was a bit over the top considering the plate did not look very beautiful or amazing. Ok main course, nothing special. Ordered dessert and coffee. The dessert was pretty good, crepe suzette and a very retro flambe which I liked. Coffees etc never materialised. Bill was £85 per head as we had nice wines and cocktails to begin with but steep for the average food

Nice waitresses, very attentive and friendly. All extremely apologetic about the delays and gave us a free drink. However I don't know how they can let a table run over 45 minutes when there are people who have booked well in advance are waiting.

I wouldn't go again. The view is great as is the room/decor. However for that kind of money you can have a really memorable and truly delicious meal somewhere else
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6 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 4
Friday, June 25, 2010

We went to Skylon the other evening before a performance. I have to say I agree with many of the recent reviews. The food was mediocre at best-- the sort of food that anyone who travels for business a lot is familiar with, it's basically bland hotel food. What's worse is that it's incredibly expensive for what you get and their wine list is out of control price-wise (I'm happy to spend a lot on wine, but not for the mediocre bottles they have). There's no reason to recommend it. If you want views, you can get them at the cheaper restaurants that line the South Bank, or at the Tate Modern or the Swan at the Globe, all of which offer better food. A complete rip off.
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Allison
3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, May 19, 2010

My wife and I went for dinner at Skylon on Friday night and I have to say we were very dissapointed.

We had a 9:30pm booking, and on arrival we were told that our table wasn't ready yet and to wait at the bar. The waiter apologised about the delay and muttered something about a free drink, but that never materialised.

We weren't seated until nearly 10:30, only to be told that the main course would be at least 30 mins wait.

When the food did finally arrive it was rudely served, with the waitress interrupting our conversation to serve us and ask how the meal is.

The restaurant was very busy and bustling which didn't make for a relaxing atmosphere.

The food was ok, but nothing special, certainly not at this price. The river view is stunning, but that is the only positive thing I have to say for the place. Avoid.
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3 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, February 17, 2010

We had an early evening dinner there last night. We went there for the views and becasue we thought that the a la carte menu was reasonably good value for the location. I am not particularly fussy but I have to say it was very disappointing. The service was impeccable but the food was mediocre at best. I had the steak which was just ok and was served with a hand ful of crisps, a tasteless grilled tomato and a handful of watercress with no dressing. The sauce was lumpy and not very tasty.

The puddings were a joke. My friend had the rice pudding which was miniscule-literally three mouthfuls on the plate and not particularly good. I had a choux pastry which was fine but cost over £6. Overall this place does not represent good value for money as the food is really not up to scratch.
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5 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, February 10, 2010

There are many good reviews for Skylon and I had so badly wanted it to match expectations...but unfortunately it didn't. The view and decor are lovely but the food is variable and the service, though slick, isn't polished. As soon as I walked in I sensed this, being offered a table for 4 at the back when there were seats available nearer the window. What were they thinking?Onto the food - the starter crab pasta was sadly tasteless the artichoke hard and cold. The poached egg had two thumbs up from my father at least. For the mains, the duck and sea bass where good, salmon average (supposed to be rare which is fine but was almost cold) and gnocchi....worst I've ever seen. My poor BF had to eat my side potatoes for dinner. My mother loved the crepes for dessert so that made her evening bless...

The wine list is sky rocket expensive tho to be fair the £35 Rioja we chose tasted nice. Considering the cost of some reds (£1-2000!!) you'd expect a change of glass for a new bottle...but that wasnt to be.

It looked like a lot of people were enjoying their evening so I would recommend this for people who dont care too much about cost and arent fussy about perfect food. If I'm up a the Old Vic for a show and fancy a drink at the bar before or after I would head back to Skylon again but never for a main meal unfortunately, unless it was free. Shame.
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Hazie
6 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Monday, February 01, 2010

This restaurant is so variable - I have had a perfect steak and wonderful service late night in the elegant grill with fab views of the city lights reflected on the Thames but at a busy pre-theatre time I have had rushed service, burnt, salty food and a view of someone's back. It is a shame that when you most need a restaurant on the South Bank - just after a matinee or before an evening performance - Skylon can be so poor. Lunch times and after 8 pm it can be great, lovely surroundings, slick presentation and yummy food and drink but at £23.00 for a steak, £11.00 for a pretty basic cocktail and £20 -ish for the cheapest wine it ought to be good everytime!
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Foodie - View all reviews by this user
7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, November 04, 2009

My Partner and I have had a dinner(restaurant) on 2nd of October as my birthday dinner for him and we arrived on time and we were given a nice table near the window.all I can say the service is great no question with that,the atmosphere i think its fine but if your after with intimate moment or a cozy quiet night this is not the place coz its a bit noisy when its already peak and the food is okay but quite expensive for that quantity but the quality of the presentation is fine ...its generally fine dining but its not a meal for people who are looking for a big quantity.after our 2nd course my partner was given a nice chocolate with birthday message and I appreciate it.

The food is okay but if your after with quantity this is not the place coz its a bit expensive..but who cares if you want to treat someone special for a night.the food was presented properly and the service is great(the waiters were all nice to assist us).
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Rommel - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Thursday, October 08, 2009

My girlifriend and I visted Skylon after taking advantage of the Evening Standards special dining offer and it was well worth it. Excellent food, a fantastic setting and attentive staff made it an absolute pleasure and I would recommend it whole-heartedly!
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Damian - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Sunday, August 30, 2009

Great view. Great food . Great service (however it did take awhile to great the attention of the waiters when we did need something, other then that it was great). Great wine. What more can you get?
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9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, July 21, 2009