Joe Allen

I visited Joe Allens on Saturday the 7th Feb after seeing La Cage Aux Folles (Excellent highly recommend) for after theatre dinner. I had been before but not for a number of years. While the restaurant retains its ambience and the service is not bad the food was awful. We ordered a goats cheese salad the best of the meal a simple steak which was as tough as shoe leather and an absolutely tasteless New York cheesecake a bottle of red wine, for which we had to ask twice and were onto our mains before arriving. The place obviously relies on its old reputation which is a shame because it has such potential but then again at £45 per head what do they care if you never come back, I certainly wo'nt.
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 0
Monday, February 16, 2009

Very disappointed. Not been before but was looking forward to it. Clearly resting on it's laurels and living on it's reputation. Pretty cold welcome and indifferent service. Every other table seemed to order the "off menu" burger as if they knew something no-one else did which was laughable really. I was tempted to order a burger myself until I saw one coming out of the kitchen. I ordered a crab sandwich instead and it was rubbish - I have eaten better quality from cheap beach takeaways. My wife had eggs benedict which was very average. I couldn't really fault the actual restaurant style and ambience but the food was shockingly bad compared to so many other places in London. Whoever owns this place should visit any of Nick Jones' excellent venues to understand what real quality home cooked brasserie food is like, The website advertises a pre-theatre menu but this was not offered when we visited at 18:30.
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 1
Sunday, November 02, 2008

After my positive reiview of this place, I sadly fear an update is needed.

Generally as jolly as ever. But: Service needs to be speeded up a tad. We waited more than 30 mins for food to be serrved after ordering. On a weekday lunch.

Lobster. If you are going to charge twenty quid for a lobster, please have the decency to make sure that it is not just a big prawn. Which mine was. If you served a titch like this in Maine or Massachusetts you'd be laughed out of business.
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Mike
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Thursday, October 30, 2008

Joe Allen is seemingly ever-reliable. Normally used for a birthday celebration or large event, this was for a quiet dinner for three on Sunday night. The food was excellent: the Chicken Liver starter amongst the best put-together dishes I've eaten. Mains were also thoroughly enjoyed: a classic burger and a superb pork loin along with a well-prepared steak. Desserts all went down well, leaving a lovely evening and already planning our next visit!
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, October 06, 2008

Joe Allen was as usual up to its high standard. Good food, attentive, but also discreet service and great ambience. We were able to have our conversation without being crowded or chased by the waiter, however, he was there when needed. Another great experience.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Booked online at london-eating. My favoutite place for a West End post-theatre supper. Caesar salad, grilled lobster and cheesecake all delicious, service professional, but above all it's the vibe that brings me back. Manages to buzz even on a quiet Tuesday.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, August 27, 2008

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