Skylon

The food ranged from average to very poor. Service was absolutley appalling - starting off as surly and uninterested and ending in just plain rude. They also managed to lose my rucksack. We complained to the head waiter who promptly wandered off. After waiting 40 minutes we asked the waiter for an update; he said he had forgotten all about it. Oh, and we went for the fixed price menu at around £20 per head which ended up being around £150 + service which was a nice touch. Avoid.
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Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, July 23, 2008

We were a group of six friends who wanted to go there on a Saturday night. The restaurant was full and we needed a table for 9 p.m. The lady on the phone said she'll get back to me. Within an hour she called back to say that all was sorted. My wife and I eventually managed to get there early, and we were escorted by a very friendly but polite lady to a cosy part of the restaurant where we had cocktails while gazing out to the South Bank and the wonderful views of the River Thames. When our friends arrived, they ordered cocktails, and everyone seemed to love theirs. At 9:15 someone politely reminded us that our table was ready, and to give them a shout when we were. All in all I have to say that the service was unfussy but excellent. We felt we were very well looked after

I cannot understand other reviewers' negative comments about food. Apart from the various starters, the 6 of us ordered 5 different main meals, and we were all very happy with our choices. The quality and presentation could not be faulted. We were also helped with our wine selection by a very knowlegeable but unpretentious guy, who made a very good choice to go with our various meals. The desserts were yummy too. We have made arrangements to go there again later in the summer and combine it with a nice walk along the river.
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Mat Pershing
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, July 15, 2008

We booked the a table in the Grill on Saturday evening. There's a range of slightly dozy staff at the front desk and at the bar - no communication between them so you have to make clear when you want to go to your table - could have been stuck for hours.

The food was dreadful - slimy under-cured gravadlax, calves liver with bacon that could re-sole a shoe, under-cooked chips and worst of all a fish-cake with a rancid after-taste (probably cooked in old oil, but definitely not healthy).

None of the numerous staff knew how to deal with someone who told them the food was not "alright" - why ask if you're not capable of doing something about it? Definitely to be avoided.
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PJH - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Monday, June 30, 2008

Oh dear, what a disaster! The food is average at best with loads of add ons if you dare go off piste and the menu can at best be described as unimaginative. The setting reminds me of the library in the film Ghostbusters, but with more ghosts. Our starter took an hour to arrive and they don't seem to be in any general sort of rush at all. They've also perfected the barman art of ignoring eye contact. As for the price, well, it conveys the message that they think they are something special. They're not.
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Richard Moore
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Thursday, June 26, 2008

We went to Skylon on Friday night, and I have to say we had a fantastic time. I am amazed to read these negative reviews, as our experience was faultless. The service was ideal - not pushy, obsequious, bored or monosyllabic- but polite, helpful and friendly. The food was melt in the mouth gorgeous, and the cocktails equally lovely. We have already decided to return with friends.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, June 11, 2008

I came away from Skylon very impressed. A business lunch with a difficult subject to discuss and the venue and menu made it an awful lot easier!

Absolutely beautiful food and wine and a great view to boot! Great presentation and not overlooked by other diners.

The service was excellent and the waiter seemed to know his wine, albeit the more expensive ones.
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matthew
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Two of us went to Skylon 'cold', because we like the view over the river. We ate in the restaurant (where the only complaint one could possibly make about the charming and efficient service was that if anything it was too attentive) and ate from the set price menu, which was absolutely delicious and very good value (£20). The food was superb, the presentation immaculate, verging on performance art occasionally (which of course was fun), and the surroundings etc smart, a trifle subfusc, and pleasantly calm. The tables are well spaced apart, which is always a treat in a London restaurant.

The clientele was a mix of suits and others, so not oppressively business class. The wine is on the expensive side but the Verdicchio was gorgeous. We weren't hassled in any way to order more wine, more water, coffee, etc - and I would happily go back tomorrow and eat exactly the same food and be wow-ed all over again.
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Lizzie
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Thursday, June 05, 2008

Had lunch there today with 7 colleagues of mine....

Location and views are great. Deco is really nice. Food is good, but nothing exceptional

Service: well, I've never seen so many waiters standing and doing nothing while we waited for 50min for our pre-ordered starters and a further 45min to get the main course.

Really really not good service at all... I wanted to see for myself.... done! Never again!
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Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Thursday, May 22, 2008

I felt compelled to write a review about Skylon after reading the bad reviews it has received.

I made a very last minute booking for lunch at Skylon for four people just before christmas and was impressed by everything; the food, the service, the location and our table (next to the window). We spent the whole afternoon there because the atmosphere was perfect and the experience went down very well with all around the table, especially my client who is a big fan of good restaurants. All three courses were fantastic, the lemon sole I had was melt in the mouth, and the puddings were exceptional, my client quoted 'this is the best rice pudding I've ever tasted'. All in all I would, and have, on numerous occassions recommended Skylon and I also look forward to my next visit there.
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Leah Williams
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, May 21, 2008

I booked the Skylon as a treat for Dad's visit. I then read the reviews on this website and very nearly cancelled the booking.

I went with the preconceived notion that it was going to be a disaster.

It was not. The service was attentive and not overbearing. The food was perfectly proportioned and as expected (i.e. the hot dish was hot). The dessert was beautifully presented and delicious. The wine list was pricey but then what do people expect in a London restaurant? The vista was spectacular.

My comment is on reviews, go with an open mind. Don't be deterred by the comments on this website. A review is merely someone's opinion and can just be plain wrong, as evidenced by one casting director who auditioned Fred Astaire concluded, ‘can’t sing, can’t act, can dance a little.’
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Eleanor
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Thursday, April 24, 2008