Wild Honey

Had a wonderful evening here last week. The food was definitely fresh, seasonal and delicious.

This restaurant is perfect if you want a relaxed dinner with friends

The meal came in at a reasonable price and the staff were friendly and efficient. I am looking forward to going again.
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Lolaessen
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Dining out on a Sunday evening is more than oft challenging. Places I would like to seek out which include Hawksmoor, Murano or Pied à Terre are all shut on the Sabbath. I’d wanted to blow myself away with a steak dinner at the Maze Grill, but they were fully booked (Sunday evening!) and I was even shooed away with my request of ‘I’ll take a 5.45pm slot instead’. By sheer fate or destiny, Wild Honey accepted our reservation at an extremely short notice.

I’ve been meaning to visit this place for quite some time but have always found myself somewhat reluctant to do so. I adore its sister restaurant Arbutus, but I had this fear of any disappointing facsimile of Arbutus would most probably stop me altogether from visiting it again. Fear eats the soul at the best of times. But not this evening as the fear was immediately quashed when I entered the dining room.

Wild Honey was brilliant from start to finish. For instance, the tone and mannerism of the young lady who took my reservation on the phone had already assured me that I was going to have a decent time. Service was genuinely friendly and proficient. The dining room was not too unlike the under lit Galvin Bistrot de Luxe on Baker Street and the view of St Georege’s Church across the road was impressive. Great choices of wines by the carafe at not too silly prices were an absolute bonus. My dining companion’s (DC) starter of Ribollita - Tuscan bean and veg soup was comfortingly wholesome and fulfilling. My slow cooked hare shoulders (Jugged hare, methinks) in red wine and soft polenta was outstanding; think superior braised beef brisket for the discerning palate. Both our mains of fish (I know it’s strange for purists to eat fish on Sundays, as Billingsgate doesn’t open till Tuesday) were brilliantly executed and fresh tasting. DC’s Icelandic Cod (eat more of this and help the ailing Icelandic fiasco!), crisp polenta and wood roasted piquillo peppers was pronounced faultless and a triumph. My mains of Marseille style Bouillabaisse was epic in portion and presentation, if only that I’d known of this large serving I would’ve skipped the starters. The soup was intensely flavoured and the separately served portions of Red Mullet, Gunard and I think Conger Eel were mesmeric to say the least. Even if you haven’t been to Marseille, I think Wild Honey has done us a great favour! Bloated as I was, my pudding of “how could you possibly refuse something that’s been described as” Warm chocolate soup with milk ice cream was so utterly delicious it was enough to postpone any diets and confirm to yourself that an extra inch increased on the waistline was justifiably deserved. This homemade looking pudding course overshadowed DC’s Wild honey ice cream and crushed honeycomb without doubt.

If Wild Honey (or for that matter Arbutus) was to aspire for a second star; they’ll probably need to apply the following. Introduce a tasting menu at 100 squid a head, poach a snooty sommelier from somewhere (and discard the wonderful carafe options) and worst of all reconfigure the way the said chocolate pudding is presented and reduce its quantity at the same time. I don’t think they need to readjust to those changes and they probably know that too, Wild Honey is unsynthetically and inherently three stars in every way.
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bellaphon
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, October 27, 2008

would have been great except for food which wasn't fresh, or executed particularly well. Went to arbutus recently where everything was execeuted really well. still staff were brilliant, hopefully it was an off night as i would like to go back
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The Shrimp - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Friday, October 03, 2008

I have to say that I was slightly suprised to read the negative reviews below, as I thought it was excellent. Very good wine advice from the sommelier, and the owners were both working on the floor and were efficient, charming and attentive. I also thought the food was great. Highly recommended.
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Neil
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Monday, September 22, 2008

The past review must have caught them on a bad night... i had a great time, fresh seasonal food, service was friendly and not over the top. great food and wine thats available to all.

keep up the good work wild honey.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Saturday, September 20, 2008

terrible food, terrible ambience, and the worst service I have ever had in my life. I have never had a meal so bitterly disappointing. I suggest that anybody who loves good food and more importantly , good service stay well away from this 'half-baked' attempt at a restaurant. I think I have made my point clear.
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, September 17, 2008

We visited on Saturday and had a wonderful meal.

Food was wonderful, we had the crab and salmon to start followed by the rabbit and lamb, with a selection of cheeses and the honey ice cream for pudding. Crab was to die for and the lamb was incredibly tender.

We went early, 6.30pm and the atmosphere was good even tho the restaurant was probably only half full. It was probably nicer for us that it was quieter since the tables are close together and we could hear every word of the couple's conversation next to us when they arrived (just as we were leaving).

Service was excellent, polite and relaxed. I also really like the opportunity to buy carafes of wine which is really good value. We had a riesling, a pinot noir and a sticky which were all fantastic.

Food is expensive but prices that you would expect. Would definitely go back. Menu incidentally appears to be almost identical to its sister Arbitus.
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Annie - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, August 13, 2008

excellent food and service, a fine example of it's type (bistro style dining)

I would definitely go back, I haven't had food this interesting and delicious in a long time!
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, August 13, 2008

I went to the restaurant for a client lunch and it was nice surroundings and the food was very good. Upon arriving, we were put on a 2 person table which was quite small as we were going to be discussing business and going through some paperwork.

We arrived at 12.30 and were moved to a larger table by 12.45. As soon as we sat at the table, 10 minutes later, we were hassled to place an order due to the fact that we will have to vacate the table by 2.

As we hadn't quite decided, we requested more time to look at the menu and 5 minutes later someone was back again and then very 3 minutes until we placed an order.

This continued more or less throughout the meal until we left. It would have been a wonderful dining experience if this hadn't have happened. Let's just say that I will not be going there again.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, August 12, 2008

There are good things about Wild Honey - excellent food and wine by the carafe which allows one to try a variety of wines - and not so good things - tables too close and the 2 hour time slots. Service friendly but not Michelin * quality. For the area, the prices are reasonable and so it is a trade off with the two hours restriction. Good for a quick meal with first class food if one has something else one wants to do later but bad for a romantic meal. Not a "fine dining" atmosphere despite the star. Should be a "Brasserie du Gard" as perfect for a last good meal when one has to rush of somewhere.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Friday, July 04, 2008