The Stockpot

We have been twice, loved it, basic english food if you want it as well as continental at a very very good price and everything we had has been every bit as good as the Bluebird further down the Kings Road at a fraction of the price. The toilets are wonderfully clean, obviously checked regularly, especially given the long opening hours. The service given is very prompt, courteous, efficient and considerate (ie warning about very hot dishes for the lasagne, and they weren't kidding!) We noticed about 8 taxi drivers eating there on the second occasion we were there, if they don't know a good place to eat in London then no-one does! Can't wait to try the others.
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Wartons
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, August 13, 2008

I have been going to the Stockpot for decades. I live in Wandsworth but view it as an old friend/my local haunt/a great, cheap place to eat before the cinema (50 yards away), and as a place where you are always, unfailingly, welcome. That's eat. It would be possible to have a bad experience in heaven. This isn't heaven, but in food choice terms, price and location, it get's close.
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Geof
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, July 18, 2008

Great value food, busy restaurant which means fresh ingredients, energetic and well managed staff.

Customers: vertical social representation, from builders working locally to the wealthy; wide age and nationality range.

A long serving local cafe competing with national chains which have lessened the uniqueness of the King's Road over the years. High rents have pushed up the cost, and narrowed the clientele, of the new competition.

If you are looking for excellent value and a customer mix of real people, then this place should be on your list.

Long live The Stockpot.
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Chris Woodhams
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Saturday, June 28, 2008

Amber... I had to write after reading your review, having had a similar experience a few months earlier. I had gone in with two friends and as soon as we sat down the manager said in his loud voice "Ouuutttt nooooww..!!!" "I have warned you before and now you take your self and your friends out or else". None of us had ever been there before and the whole place, which was packed, was staring and people muttering.."shame" at us. Suddenly, the Manager (and I use the word loosely) realised his dramatic gaffe and gave a cheesy grin and said oh my mistake, please take a seat and I give you a free beer. The atmosphere was dreadful and one of my friends was up for biffing the oafish stunted manager for his cheek. Quite a few of the customers got up immediately and showed their support by walking straight out, refusing to pay. thanks to you who did that, xxx

I have never been so flabbergasted in my life.

So, we can't say what the food was like but Amber you should have reported him too.
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Demelza Harrington-Jones
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Thursday, May 22, 2008

I eat here every other Sunday with my grandmother and we have never been disappointed with either the service or the food. The staff have always been pleasant even when run off their feet. If however, I want haute cuisine then I would go elsewhere in Chelsea and pay a bill at least five times higher. House wine is excellent, (under £10). This is freshly prepared food from an extensive menu and a bill for two, including a bottle of wine is less than £25 - ON THE KING'S ROAD! What more do you want? (Incidently, try the Burger with Bacon Red onions and Cheese, highly recommended).
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Nathalie de Domenici
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Not impressed. Staff not friendly and Manager obnoxious. I was under the impression that the cutomer was the important one, at the Stockpot however from my experience this is not the case.

I was asked to leave the restaurant on one occassion until the manager realised that he has mistaken me for someone else who had been in the previous day. He had made such a noise that all eyes were on me and his apologies were useless after his embarassing outburst. I got the shock of my life when this man approached me yelling that he didn't want me in his restaurant. and I was to ' get out'. Apparently on the previous day a lady had asked why her order was taking so long and the manager threw a 'hissy fit' and told her to leave never to return. He used the term ' banned'.

I have frequented some of the most popular and upmarket restaurants that London has to offer and never seen this sort of behaviour from Management.

The manager should have taken me aside and spoken to me in private rather than disturb the other customers in the restaurant at the time.

I wish I could use the term ' cheap and cheerful' , sadly only the cheap applies which doesn't reflect quality.
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Amber
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 2
Thursday, April 24, 2008

Stock Pot Review

Well done Karmabandit, I couln't have put it better myself.

Atmosphere - Nil

The Management - Thinks he is running a 5 star hotel rather than a cafe. He has little interest in the needs of the cutomers. He is rude, course and has no manners. It's the case of if you don't like it leave! Not at all welcoming.

Staff - Not a happy bunch! They never smile, surely that tells you something about their boss who clearly feels the need to ' Lord It Over' his customers. What an awful being. Doesn't he realise we are his meal ticket!

Prices - Not cheap. A hefty helping but for the most part many of the dishes served i.e. Veges are tasteless.

Value for Money - Depending on what you order. You cannot always be sure. I would rather pay a couple fo extra pounds and go to somwhere more welcoming with good service and a smile.

Service Charge - I really object to the obligatory service charge. I always leave a good tip but do not like being put in a position of not having a choice in the matter. Most folk leave more than 10% and feel good about it as it is their money and they have made this choice. No decent restaurant or caff has this system.

Personally I feel that the owner is working in the wrong area of London. The locals are too well bred to show him up for what he really is - a little man with short man syndrome trying to prove something to himself. Go back from whence you came as you certainly don't fit into the Kings Road.
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Santorini
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Disappointment. My husband and i ate here last friday and found the food to be quite standard and nothing special. i can understand why locals may go for a quick bite but i wouldnt go out of my way to eat here and we wouldnt go back or even recommend it to be honest.
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Swati
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Thursday, March 20, 2008

I don't understand how people can write bad reviews on here about the Stockpot, as I have been eating here for over 3 years now, travelling nearly 9 miles across London and back in an evening just to eat here, when I have a huge choice of cafes and restaurants to choose from between North London and Chelsea. The manager is not annoying at all, he is friendly and makes sure you are well looked after, now and again saying something in Italian or singing a line of a song to himself, never to any patrons. I had a meal with my mum here and finished with 2 mugs of tea after our desserts, it was very busy in there on a Friday night and yet no one pressured us to hurry up or leave, we could've drank that tea for a good hour if we wanted to.

The waitresses are pleasant even when the place is packed and they are super busy serving the food in good time. Other diners are happy to start a conversation with the manager or seem genuinely surprised by his friendliness when he leads them to a table - it's nice to see a manager of a restaurant this pleasant, especially living in London, you don't see many happy positive people - just take a ride on London Underground.

The food is what you would expect 'British food' to be... roasts, pies, puddings, fish and chips, etc... although the fajitas and pasta are very good too. Nice selection of dishes for vegetarians too - about 6-7 daily specials (always including 1 veggie special) on the boards which are always changing and remain interesting.

The price is just as good as the food - get this... 2 starters, 2 main courses, 2 desserts, 2 teas, 1 glass of house wine and 1 can of coke and the optional service charge totalling just under £30 - in Chelsea? In London even?!

There is no 'upstairs' at this Stockpot restaurant, so I don't know what an earlier reviewer was talking about.

This is more of a cafe/diner style restaurant - don't expect anything super-stylish, trendy or posh here - it is what it is and that's why people love it here.
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Stephanie
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, March 15, 2008

I go to Stockpot in the Kings Road with one of my friends who is a but fussy about her food but she loves Stockpot!!! I also visit their branch in Panton Street Nr Trafalgar Square and the food and service etc is just as good. I highly recommend Stockpot.
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Diane Donovan
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, February 26, 2008