Retsina

I don't understand what all these bad reviews are about I went to retsina the other day and had a lovely meal the staff are very polite and happy to help you with anything you need, they made sure that we enjoyed the food! the food was wonderful and the portions where huge which made it worth the price which was quite expensive. these other reviewers come on here and judge every little thing that went wrong if you want a good meal friendly atmosphere then this is the place to come. I shall definitely be coming back and telling all my friends about this place.
Comment on this reader review

8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, June 01, 2011

After several of my friends recommended Retsina (even a Greek), and seeing it on Gordon Ramsay's show, I decided to book a dinner there for several friends and myself. When I arrived, I was berated for not giving an accurate number for the reservation. I had in fact, called twice with an updated number, but the manager said he did not receive the message. He rudely showed us to a table, and when another guest failed to show, even more rude behaviour. We were rushed to order and rushed throughout the entire time we were there. It seemed like they could not wait to get rid of us.

Food was just mediocre at best, and lukewarm. When leaving, one of my friends noticed some sauce had gotten onto her jacket, which was on the back of the chair. She asked the server if he had done this, and the server said it was her fault for leaving the jacket on the chair. No apologies whatsoever. My friend only wanted an apology, and when she spoke to the manager, he had the same reaction. Another friend was missing a scarf, that was checked in at the same time as her coat. The manager said there was no such scarf, because it wasn't on the hanger. My friend had to stay behind to search through the rest of the coats to find out. It was misplaced, and the restaurant was not at fault. Such appalling service for a supposedly great restaurant. I will never set foot in there again, and I've told many about the horrid experience.
Comment on this reader review

1 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Friday, October 22, 2010

I must say that was an unpleasant dining experience. The food in fairness was pretty good but the service was awful. Prior to requesting the bill my friends and I were discussing whether or not to leave a tip (bearing in mind I have never not left a tip before). When the bill arrived the 10% service charge had already been added together with a cover charge. The bill was handwritten on a printed template - they had clearly had to change their policy from service not included (which had been crossed out) as they were not getting any tips.

I enquired about why there was a cover charge on the bill as well as a service charge. The owner was really very defensive and aggressive from the beginning -strange behaviour! This was quite unnecessary as I was merely making an enquiry.

Some helpful advice to the owner - anger management and communication classes may help! Looking through the other reviews on this restaurant, the aggressive owner has been mentioned before....

Suffice to say I will not be returning.
Comment on this reader review

4 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 6
Friday, August 06, 2010

Absolute rubbish, the mezze included crab sticks, tinned tuna and beetroot squares. I could have done better my self.

I think Ramsay has a lot of answering to do for even putting this restaurant on TV, it was absolutely rubbish + and extra 10% on the bill!!
Comment on this reader review

Michael R
0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, July 12, 2010

A nice and pleasant place for dinner with friends. We booked last minute and had a good time.
Comment on this reader review

shumarani - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, July 07, 2010

food passable, value for money and atmosphere really not what it ought to be.
Comment on this reader review

1 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, April 01, 2009

I will never cross the threshold of this restaurant again. My friend and I were bullied and insulted by the owner for apparently not spending enough money on our meal (!), having decided to stop ordering after the huge mezze starters. This staggeringly unacceptable behaviour included trying to remove food from the table while we were still eating, being verbally abused in the process and giving us the bill before it was requested. I have never experienced such an unpleasant scene in a restaurant in my life. The management perhaps needs to understand that in any circumstances and especially in these credit crunch times, it does not pay to berate, insult and alienate your clientele. The word cowardly also springs to mind, I'm afraid: I doubt whether this individual would have behaved in this manner had our husbands been with us. Pitiful really....
View/Add comments (1)

North London Resident
2 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 3
Tuesday, March 31, 2009