Opium

I would like to be able to offer informed comment, but sadly we never got through the door. My partner booked a table for 9pm and we duely arrived on time. As we got to the door, one of the two security men held out his arm and told us it was a private party. When my partner said he had made reservations only two days prior - and that no one had since rung to say there was a problem, the security tried to tell us we must have the wrong place. Finally, the other one - clearly taking pity on us - took us to one side and said the restaurant had accepted a private function at relatively short notice and he apologised that no one had informed us. There was an upside to this inexcusable mess - we went to Patara on Greek St and had a spectacular meal.
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Thursday, May 10, 2007

First off I wonder the validity of this website when it classes this place a Carribean and not Vietnamease.

We went for our company's Christmas party and judging from the reviews I wasn't looking forward to it. However, it turned out to be much better than expected. The menu consisted of five choices for starters, mains etc. for £45, which was a but steep. I had smoked duck starter, red chicken curry as main and fruit and sorbet for afters. I don't know how much the wine was as I was not paying. Cocktails (about £9) are half-price till 9pm. There were 14 in our group and everyone enjoyed it, although if I was paying I would have found £45 just for the food a little bit OTT.
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Gareth
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Sunday, December 10, 2006

I went to this restaurant/bar with a hen party on Saturday. We were particularly reserved as far as hen nights go, and there were about 23 of us in all. On entering the restaurant/bar I was impressed by the decor, and thought it would be a great place to come for a romantic dinner for two- tucked away in the corner etc. They seated us in lovely chairs, which were too small for the tables, felt rather like I was eating with my knees round my ears! We were all sat together on a table, so I presumed they would be able to cope with having a large party, unfortunately I was mistaken. They waited roughly 30mins before taking our order for a set menu. To the eye the menu was quite nice, with a large variety of meals to choose from, catering for carnivores and veggies alike. Unfortunately it wasn't as appetising in reality! I had the chicken stir fry in lettuce for starter, and it was simply overcooked, leaving the chicken extremely chewy and dry. Around 40 minutes later when the mains started arriving, I had the lamb with mushrooms, this was simply the most awful thing I have ever tasted and despite my hunger I only ate a little and left the restaurant not wanting to see what horrible thing they would give me for dessert. The meat was ordinary, a little overcooked and didn’t have much flavour, and the mushrooms were so salty, it was as if they had been boiled in soy sauce! Not only that, but the meat came with no side order of vegetables, unless you ordered them for £4.00 each, which extortion in its best form.

As far as the venue is concerned, when they started turning up the music and dimming the lights I knew I was in for a rough ride. Gradually party goers started arriving, and were stood behind our party whilst we were eating. I’m usually an avid party girl, and would ordinarily love this scene for drinks, but on this occasion was not impressed at all. The area around us became extremely smoky, and to combat this they turned up the fans above us to full power, which then practically froze our food whilst we were eating it, and turned the area into a wind tunnel. Our waitress was extremely bad-mannered and seemed to delight in grunting at us when we complained. A member of my party tried to complain, and although the manager finally came over, she was dealt with contempt and rudeness. All of this for £40? In my opinion not worth it, don’t waste your money and time.
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Natalie Cole
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Monday, October 30, 2006

I read the other reviews before coming here in the hope that they could not all be true!!! sadly they are, this is quite simply the worst place I have ever been to! although they were only working to a fixed menu so knew what they needed to cook 2 weeks in advance! they still managed to try to expalin the chef would not be cooking one dish and 15 mins later (when everyone was eating their 'warm' main courses) my starter turned up... along with the slightly warmed noodles!!! the steaks were fatty and and the general management were rude and showed no regret at all! go here at your own RISK
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Smithy - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Monday, September 25, 2006

This is the worst restaurant I've been to in some years.

The service is appalling in the extreme. We had to wait two hours to get our starters (for four) and had to ask for someone to come over for absolutely everything - extra glasses, wine menu, drinks, menu, order, starters, starters again, starters again... etc. All in all it took over three and a half hours to get out of there, and they must only have had about 20 covers. The only positive thing I can say is they weren't particularly rude.

We had a top-table booking last night, so we'd get 50% off the food prices. I thought the food they offered was overpriced even at half price, and the average £17 for a main without any side is ridiculous. Starters were cold and the mains were poor. A friend and myself felt disinctly unwell this morning, and it wasn't due to the overpriced wine.

This restaurant seriously needs the Gordon Ramsey treatment. Avoid it like the plague.
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Dom
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Friday, May 05, 2006

Agree with all the comments so far. Fairly decent food and a nice venue, but the worst service I have experienced in a while. Avoid.
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Steve Deels
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Thursday, April 06, 2006

This is possibly the worst restaurant I've ever been to. Staff are up their own arse. Wrong orders. Terrible food. High prices. At the end the staff couldn't even make a decent cup of tea because 'the hot water is broken'.

Can only hope that Darwinian selection swiftly condemns Opium to well-deserved extinction!
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Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Very disappointing! The food was over priced and cold with the side dishes arriving with the desert! Service was appalling and I would not recommend this place to anyone and I am surprised that Top Table even considers it!
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Simply awful; i think that we fell victim to that terrible waitress as well and the rest was not helpful either. Very uneducated and confrontational. Prices are a joke for what you get.

Tip: AVOID IT
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Manatsu
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Rude service & shabby decor, this was the place to be maybe 5 yrs ago but is old & tired now. Imagine having to sit on bear stained seats with your nice clothes. Overpriced for the shabbiness of the establishment. Go elsewhere in Soho.
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Margaret Murtagh
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Saturday, December 31, 2005