Joe Allen

Don't go to this seriously over-rated eating house. We phoned ahead and informed them that two of our party were vegans - to which they said that would be no problem. When we turned up the tired and disinterested staff told us that it's a meaty place and that of all their cullinary experience, that the best they would only be able to do a plate of steamed vegatables. When we questioned whether we could have such and such a dish without the cheese the reply was that it was pre-prepared. The waiter then said that we should have warned them in advance and that it was our fault. We told them we did. They had a think and came up with a stir fry. When it came it was limp and badly cooked. The final insult was that they charged £15.00 for this.

Staff - surly and insolent. Food - limp, uninteresting and badly cooked. Ambience - dingy.
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Thursday, May 29, 2008

We just had lunch at Joe Allen and found it very pleasant. We received a friendly welcome, were shown straight to our table, given the menu and offered drinks. Once ordered, the food arrived without delay, we only had salad and dessert of fruit, both fine, so we cannot comment too much on the quality of the food. The young lady who served us was efficient and the bill very acceptable. The atmosphere was good and it was very buzzy by the time we left. We will definitely go back.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Friday, April 25, 2008

This is a popular haunt with many of my friends being thespians and performers. It certainly has a buzzy atmosphere at times but i do have to agree I think it doesn't meet up to it's hype or reputation. The food isn't all that bad and the service is pretty average, but for the prices they are charging and the reputation it has you expect the extra mile and you don't get it. Incredibly, the Chilli Con Carne is not served with Rice...you have to order rice at £3.50 a portion. Apparently some people don't like rice....I went for the BBQ Spare Ribs instead, which, to our surprise - came with a complimentary portion of rice. What the @£$^*% is that about???
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Lee Hathaway
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 3
Thursday, April 03, 2008

Very disappointing service. After being seated, we were basically ignored until one waiter noticed that we hadn't been served. He took our drinks order, and then disappeared - and we sat ignored again until he whizzed by much later and noticed we had no drinks.

Finally, after receiving our drinks, we ordered our meal - but nobody bothered to ask us if we wished to order wine. I had to flag down a waitress to get a bottle of wine. My dining companion had her first course whisked away as she was still eating it (was their main interest in getting us out of there?).

My impression of the staff was that they were indifferent, incompetent and rude. I didn't feel 'looked after'... but left feeling that they couldn't care less if we ever came again - and we won't.
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Chris
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 4
Thursday, April 03, 2008

We have been to Joe Allen's on a number of occasions and have always found the staff to be most pleasant and helpful and efficient and the food has always been exemplary and the ambiance extremely comfortable. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend Joe's to anybody.
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Mr. & Mrs. Henley
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Saturday, March 22, 2008

We were sorely disappointed with Joe Allens. We went there for a special occasion after not going there for a number of years. It had so gone down hill. very mediocre reception on arrival. Staff flippant and really not seeming to care. got our order wrong - served meat to a vegetarian and when we complained, almost tried to make out we'd ordered wrongly? Potatoes un edible as so underdone - again when we complained, and they were brought back cooked - absolutely no apology and almost thrown at us! when we asked for some pudding, the staff said they didn't want to serve us! to cap it all the Loo's were falling to peices and dirty. They did take some money off the bill, however it was the attitude of the staff that really made this a not pleasant experience. we didn't necessarily want money off, just courteous service with a smile!!
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Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Sunday, March 16, 2008

Really disappointing - despite having secured a table booking for two hours, because a couple of the party weren't eating, we all had to leave, despite the restaurant being half empty! Rude staff, bickering both among themselves and with customers, and generally a very poor experience. I won't be going back. Understand it's a restaurant, not a bar, but there are ways of treating people and this was rubbish. Go somewhere else!
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Claire
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Monday, February 25, 2008

Came highly recomended but did not fulfil its expectations. Good ambiance and lighting, let down a bit by cheap paper tablecloths and computer printed menus. Service was prompt and efficient but somewhat surly and unfriendly. My wifes starter was bland, my soup was flavoursome but the consistency of wallpaper paste. Main course meat was OK. Sea bass was good, but pork was a bit overdone. Veg and potatoes in whatever form (fat chips, potato skins or roast) were all overcooked to death. My veg was a bit cold. Deserts were so unbelievably bland, flavourless and unimaginative. Would not hurry back. Came in quite expensive for what it was.
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Garth Logan
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Lovely little place with a really cosy but lively atmosphere.

Had quite simple meals - sandwich and fries but it was very tasty. Would go there again.
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sarah - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 6
Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Went to Joe Allen last night, really average. Its a great location and quite buzzing, but the food and service were very ordinary. We won't go again.
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john prescott
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 4
Tuesday, January 22, 2008