Skylon Restaurant

I booked a table for four at Skylon for a family birthday - my mother's 75th. We preceded dinner with a film at the bfi, and dinner at Skylon seemed like the perfect way to round off a weekend of family celebrations. I should have heeded the warning signs. When I phoned to book, I requested a table by the window, explaining that it was a special occasion, and I asked for a time of 8.15. I was coolly and snootily instructed by the lady who answered the phone that I could have a table at 8pm or 8.30pm, but not at 8.15pm, and I was told that a table by the window could not be guaranteed. I laughed, and said that it sounded as if Skylon was run entirely for its own convenience rather than the convenience of the customer. The lady thanked me for my 'feedback', like a trained PR, and thawing slightly explained that everyone wants a table by the window, but she would put in a request. As it was, the table by the window we were shown to on the night proved to be a mistake. It was cold and draughty. The heaters under the windows were either off, or pumping out a feeble amount of heat. It is true that the views are extraordinary, but it's possible to enjoy them in many ways without having to suffer the execrable food and service we endured that evening. The staff seem to have been briefed to 'upsell' at any opportunity. We asked for a bottle of water, and the waiter immediately tried to sell us two. Our wine had no sooner been tasted and poured than another waiter came along to top our glasses up, and we had to ask him not to. As soon as the bottle was empty, we were asked whether we wished to order another. We were asked twice, within thirty seconds, by two different waiters whether everything OK and whether we were enjoying our meal. We felt over-observed and overly attended; the waiters were buzzing around our table balletically in tight grey suits with uber-trendy square glasses, like Thunderbirds puppets. They seemed thrilled to be there, as if this was their theatre, and the customers were merely audience. The food was… really nothing special at all – certainly not worth the £42/£47.50 price tag for two courses. The absurdly minuscule portions might have been fashionable in the nouvelle cuisine heyday of the 80s but a tiny pile of three deep fried potato curls really won't pass muster as anything more than a garnish today. Again, there was a warning. One of our waiters flahed his tongs, and placed two large, inelegant hunks of bread on each of our side plates before the meal began. Like padding before a punishment. My father was so hungry, he ate a cheese sandwich as soon as we got home. There are many ways to enjoy the views of the river without having to waste your time and money on this overblown nonsense - let alone spoil a precious family occasion. I recently enjoyed a fascinating three-hour architectural cruise with Open-City on the Thames for about £20, and we took a picnic from Konditor & Cook: an authentic south bank experience that was enriching in every sense of the word. You can enjoy even better views than Skylon offers from the members’ bar of the South Bank Centre a couple of floors above the restaurant. Full annual membership is £45 (or £75 for dual membership) – with a host of other year-round benefits besides – the same price or less than one measly, fussily served dinner at Skylon. Skylon is for people with money and without imagination. Much better off to enjoy some real, local south bank hospitality from the many excellent, independent restaurants in the area (I live locally), and explore the many other delightful ways there are to enjoy the views of our beautiful river.
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Jon Sayers
2 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Went to Skylon using the Evening Standard offer for 2 courses and a glass of wine for £20. We had amazing service. So much so, we wondered if they thought we were mystery shoppers!!! We had to wait a couple of minutes for the window seat I had asked for and they brought us some canapes. My friend does not drink wine so she was able to have a non-alcoholic cocktail instead. Our pate was delicious and beautifully served as was the shepherd's pie. We could not manage any pudding but we were brought some complementary sweets which was a nice touch.

What I really like about this place is that they definitely treat everyone the same even if you are having a special offer. Would I go again? Yes, probably but maybe just to the grill because the restaurant is expensive and I think the cocktails are on the pricey side too.

Probably the nicest service I have had for a long time in any restaurant.
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9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, February 13, 2012

Took advantage of the Evening Standard offer, which was £15 for 2 courses, £20 for 3 courses with complimentary glass of Portugese wine. The menu was small but well selected. There was one choice each of vege, seafood and meat dishes. I had the chicken liver foie gras parfait to start, confit duck leg for mains, wrapping up with the bitter chocolate icecream. The food was lovely, only gripe was that the parfait came with only a slice of sourdough. This goes for all restaurants where there’s never enough bread to go with the parfait. Duck confit could be a crispier on the outside but otherwise it was good. Service was good and attentive, there wasn’t a feeling that the cheapos have come to eat with the offer. Have also been there when there wasn’t an offer and the Grill had a reasonably priced menu. The restaurant is on the other side of the central bar area. You’re not missing much in terms of views at all. So if you want to splash out, then go to the Restaurant but if you want to keep it reasonable, go for the Grill. Simples.
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juniperchick - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Friday, September 02, 2011

I went to Skylon on the recommendation of some friends, the restaurant itself is huge and highly atmospheric, with floor to ceiling windows of the south bank and the thames.

The service as excellent, as one of my party was 30 minutes late and we didn't fell rushed or uncomfortable.

The food itself was nicely cooked and presented, but there were some odd things that seemed out of place (raw cavolo nero with sauteed ceps?)

Desserts were ok. Wine list was very good with a nice eclectic wines from around the world.

Maybe it was too early in the week (we went on a tuesday) but it didn't live up to my expectations, will probably go again, but maybe a thursday or friday dinner just to see if things are different.

Well priced, and professional service were the highlights of this restaurant.
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Fu-Dog - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Monday, August 22, 2011

My wife and I utilised the Evening Standard deal on a Sunday night: other than the entire building being rather hot (air conditioning problems) it was pretty much ideal. The wait staff were very attentive and polite but never overbearing, the menu was simple but the flavours were expertly matched. The wine list was great. It is a splendid room, after the sun had disappeared behind the north-bank buildings the blinds were raised affording a splendid view of the Thames and Embankment. A rather nice evening. The ES 3 course deal including comp champagne came to about £100 (with a half-bottle of wine)
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9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, August 01, 2011

Great cocktails, great location and views, pretty poor food!
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SE - View all reviews by this user
5 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Thursday, February 03, 2011

My second time there and I had an amazing time in the company of 4 relatives at the Southbank restaurant on Saturday 6/11/10. Excellent food and the service was second to none, faultless. They have superb professional staff, always pleasant and smiling. Pampered we were and they have captured the true experience of dining out in style in a great location, and going home afterwards fully satisfied.

Highly recommended.
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Philippe Granger
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, November 07, 2010

I went to went to the Skylon restaurant to enjoy the Evening Standard special offer for £30 including champagne, on a Saturday afternoon, my first visit and I was very impressed. We had a window table,

which gave amazing views of the riverside, where there was a festival going on. I thought the menu choices were good, I went for the cuttlefish for my starter, adventurous for me, and it was a good decision. For my main, I chose the kidneys, again adventurous, and they were very tasty, this was finished off by the Eton Mess, that when it arrived look far too pretty to eat, but I am glad that I did. The staff were friendly, attentive, and did not raise an eyebrow when we asked for tap water at the table, usually waiters do seem offended when you do not choose to buy the high priced mineral water, but not here! They all looked very smart in the sage green trouser suits that they wore. We did not feel we were being rushed at all, in fact our lunch took nearly 4 hours, and the staff seemed genuinely pleased that we were enjoying our selves so much. The portions were small, but isn’t that the norm in gourmet restaurants nowadays, but the bead basket was brought so many times, there was no chance of us feeling like we still wanted more. But we did feel like more champagne, so we purchased our own bottle. I cannot fault the food or the way it was presented or served, and would not hesitate to recommend it.
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Susan Fanning
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, September 13, 2010

We went to the Skylon restaurant to enjoy the Evening Standard special offer for £30 including champagne. Unfortuntely, we were hugely disappointed. The atmosphere and setting for the Skylon is amazing and we have been to the bar many times for drinks but never for dinner. The service was very good although at times a little too attentive if that's possible. I think that because we were on the offer they did want to move us on quickly. Unfortunately my husband was late for our reservation and the floor manager came over to our table and mentioned our deadline for finishing dinner which wasn't appreciated. Both my husband and my friend had the mackral to start and I had the pork. We all thought the starters were passable. The main courses were disappointing with my gnocchi crispy if not burnt and flavourless. Suprisingly my friend liked the kidneys but my husband thought the seabass was just okay. Dessert was really nice but overall we all agreed that we would not recommend the food at Skylon and if the champagne hadn't been included we would have felt that we overpaid for the meal. Go to Skylon for the drinks and not the food. I can't image paying £40 to £50 for what we ate even if we had champagne included.
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6 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 1
Sunday, August 15, 2010

I went to Skylon last night for a friend's birthday. I had a great first impression, the place was nice and although they initially sat us on a table away from the window, when we requested if we could be moved they were nice and found us a table. The service was quite good, not amazing and we were twice interrupted in the middle of conversations and asked if everything was ok with our meal. It's nice of them to care so much, but being asked twice? And also, if something was wrong surely we would have said something by now!

For the amazing place that it is, I was very disappointed with the menu. There was not a lot of variety, and most dishes looked rather boring (steamed salmon with potatoes, vegetable risotto). None of the starters appealed to me. For main dish I asked for a "chicken, shrimp and peanut stew" as it was the only thing that looked remotely interesting. Well I was very wrong! The dish was very boring, and it came with 2 miniscule (not kidding!) 'shrimp' and 3 peanuts. The rest was chicken. The description of the dish was a complete joke! And it was overpriced too! Do not order this dish!!

Overall the place is ok, but I would go there for a drink or two and go have dinner somewhere else because you will not get any excitement from any of the dishes offered.
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5 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 4
Thursday, July 29, 2010