L'Autre

I've read the reviews for this restaurant and strongly disagree with the negative ones. We've been there several times and have always had excellent service and excellent food. I'd go there more often if I lived in the UK and got to London more than about once a year.

As for the person who booked a table for 9 and showed up with 6, well, I suppose everyone has a bad day now and then. L'Autre is very small and I'm sure that they had to move furniture to put together a table for nine. Everyone, including the owner has always been very pleasant to us and provided service that I can only praise.
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Gail Kernish
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Do yourself a favour - do not go to this place. My friend booked a table there for nine people lunchtimish, on a Sunday. Six of us arrived, as three could not make it, only to be told by the proprietress, who took on an offended tone, "Next time, could you call us before to tell us exactly how many people will arrive." The problem was apparently that they HAD TO (emphasis hers) prepare a table for nine people. There was no one else in the entire place but us! The service continued in a similar impolite and careless fashion throughout the meal. It felt like they were doing you a favour! The Polish food was, I thought, very good (there is no "Mexican chef"), and portions generous, but when we left the place instead of talking about what a good meal we had, we all talked about how bad the service was. I will not be going there again, and will try and dissuade any friends who mention the quirky Polish-Mexican combination - there is no Mexican, there is a Polish proprietress who appears like a throwback to the seventies local "Spolem" shop. Any Pole reading this will know what I am on about. Dire.
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Solinka
4 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 6
Sunday, February 21, 2010

Decided to check this place out despite some scathing reviews on this website. Had dinner there recently with a big group of people, and i must say, we were not amused. First of all, there was mineral water on the table before we arrived (which we didn't order and so it added about £30 to our bill). The service was, well, nonexistent pretty much - we had to call the waitress to order, or ask for something, or - to hurry them up after we were waiting for our main dish for over 40 minutes! In short - you felt like they were doing YOU a favour by serving you.

Considering the amount of money we left there, i'd expect a littlle bit more attention and politeness - a simple thank you for coming would be nice, but we had none of that.

what else.. oh yes - food. Nice, but not fabulous. Especially for the price. I won't even mention the microwave or value tomatoes, hmm..

Don't think we'll go back there in a hurry.
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3 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Monday, February 01, 2010

Having read quite a lot of dubious reviews, I avoided going to this restaurant for years, thinking the combination of Polish and Mexican cuisines unpalatable. I could not have been more wrong!

The restaurant is housed in one of the oldest buildings in Shepherd Market, and the ambiance is quaint oldie worldly with a cosy fire - perfect for a long lazy autumnal lunch. The staff are attentive and service is extremely fast.

The food was simply delicious.

The only complaint I would make would be that the coffee was stewed, but if it had bothered me that much I could have asked for a fresh pot to be made.
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Charlotte
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Monday, November 30, 2009

Having just read a few scathing reviews on this restaurant, I felt the need to write something rather positive about it.

I ate at L'autre rather recently and thoroughly enjoyed everything about the cozy little restaurant. An unusual menu enticed us in, combining Polish and Mexican and it had something for everyone. We are already planning what to eat next time. The food was great, service delightful, decoration and ambience, a breath of fresh air from the usual places you dine out in London.

A quirky gem of a place! Just hope it retains its charm for years to come.
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, November 10, 2009

I recently stumbled across this restaurant and was intrigued by the Polish / Mexican mix. Its very small but ultimately a cosy atmosphere. The food was a pleasant surprise. Not something to shout about but I do have to say the pierogi (dumplings) were very very tasty. All in all not the best value for money but a lovely cosy atmosphere and overall tasty food, not a bad find at all.
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7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Thursday, October 08, 2009