La Petite Maison

This was the 2nd time i've been here in 4 years, and the first time for dinner. Pitched up on a whim and were given a table outside; perfect for one of the few balmy March evenings. So, the good news is the food is good - The lamb cutlets were plentiful, succulent and superb, the salt cod croquettas were good, although perhaps not as good as in some top end Spanish restaurants I've been to, and the tarte fine was just that, fine, in the sense of just ok..perfectly acceptable..

The service is frankly indifferent and mediocre - Friendly to be sure, but expect to wait for your food to arrive - perfect for a catch-up or a leisurely dinner, but not great if you're in a hurry.

Price-wise it's on the high side - 2 of us had 3 courses and a glass of wine each and it was £150 including 13.5% service (somewhat cheeky given the quality of the service). It's not extortion, but neither is it going to be a regular haunt unless you have a lot of money. Which brings us to the clientèle. Wow, this is a Mayfair set, to be sure. In the time we were outside, we say a hand-made Bentley, Rolls Royce, Ferrari, top end Range Rover; all of whom had drivers.. These are guys who yesterday were having lunch at the one in Nice and wanted to continue their experience today in London.. Great for people watching!

All in all a great experience, but there is certainly better food to be had in London for this kind of money, and definitely better service.
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Digitalgoldfish
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Friday, March 30, 2012

A costly disappointment after all the hype!

I took three girlfriends there for a special occasion. I rang 48 hours before to order the chicken with the fois gras - "I will just have to check with the kitchen if they can accomodate you" was the sniffy reply. 10 minutes on hold and then my wish was ungraciously granted. I had to secure the chicken with my credit card. At this point I am wondering if it is gold plated! I was then called twice prior to arriving to double check we were still coming and still wanted the chicken.

Our starters were delicious, but when the main course arrived it was a tiny piece of grilled chicken. "You have to be kidding me!" I practically shouted at the waiter! "This is it? The chicken which had to be ordered more than 48 hours in advance and secured with my Visa!" Lots of scurrying later it emerged that they had FORGOTTEN we had ordered the chicken! "But don't worry it will be at your table in 10 minutes"...30 minutes and a deflated atmosphere later it arrived. It was....well it was a roast chicken with a lump of fois gras on the top. My six year old produces better food at his after school cooking club. A huge let down. The Emperor's Clothes disguised as a pretty ordinary chicken! Save your money!
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Felicia Morris
4 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 1
Friday, March 30, 2012

i have been a huge fan of this restaurant for many years. I recently came for lunch on a Thursday. The food was great but the service was horrendous. We were forgotten then the wrong main dish then the main dish disappeared and no sides. I had to call over a manger to have a rant to get some service, It ruined a special family event. Is the restaurant trying to save money by not having enough staff. For the money this is not acceptable.
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richard
5 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Sunday, March 18, 2012

Hurrah for La Petite Maison! The food is great, the rose goes down a treat and the customer base is orange.

To moan about the prices here (in Mayfair? with this clientele? as an offshoot of a Nicois establishment classic?) is hugely vulgar. Shame on you.
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Ricky - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Starters were disappointing and, frankly, totally forgettable. No bread was offered, so service is not without reproach. Call me conservative but, unless it's Wagamama, I don't see why all dishes of one table cannot be brought in at the same time. We had fish for main, the turbot and sea bass were beautifully cooked and full of subtle fragrances - the highlight of the meal. The greens side dishes are not worth their price, just order the potato side dish, nice and buttery. Dessert was fine. Overall, the experience was a disappointment because so many raved about this place - it is fundamentally overpriced and not worth it!

I won't go back.
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jmd
5 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 2
Saturday, June 04, 2011

I love this place, been 3 times this year. its always consistent. best placed for a buzzing night out with excellent unpretentious food. the place to go in the summer!.

However it is expensive so just for special occaisions
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The Shrimp - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Overpriced, Overrated.
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2 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Friday, October 29, 2010

Our first time at this restaurant and hopefully not the last.

Several supremely memorable dishes included the onion tart adorned with fresh slivers of anchovies and olives, gorgeous carpaccio of octopus and scallops, green beans with sliced pate de foie gras, charcoal grilled prawns in warm olive oil , wonderfully fresh langoustines and a memorable melting pink veal chop which tasted better than can be described. All the portions were big enough to share but always leaving you wanting more until the next delight eclipsed the one before.

The creme brulee to end was stunning and could have fed a family of four. The only drawback was the clamour of noisy conversation but such great food will always attract the crowds. It's not cheap but this quality in this prime location can only be at the costly end of the market.

Having read the glowing reviews of AA Gill and Giles Coren we were expecting a treat and were not disappointed.
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, July 14, 2010

I simply adore this buzzy restaurant and use it about 4 times a year whether it's for dining with friends, business colleagues or clients.

Lunchtimes are generally best from a personal perspective as the cacophany adds to the allure of the place.

The food has to be the freshest in London and the starter section which serves as tapas is absolutely divine. I would always go for this option at lunchtime and in the evenings go for the alternative.

The wines are also of a quality as high as the food.

During the summer when the weather is brighter, the restaurant is flooded with extraordinary light which evokes memories of the south of France.

The service is a bit hit and miss and I put it down to the fact that the staff are constantly run off their feet with the sheer volume of diners.
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Lisaloops - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, June 11, 2010