Lamberts

its rare to find such a good quality restaurant in the suburbs of london. different class!!!
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, November 07, 2009

I've been to Lamberts 3 times in the past year since I moved to SW London and am always really really impressed with it. The menu is very well thought out and there's always lots on there that i want to order.

I get the impression the chef has a real passion for food. We went there for Sunday lunch yesterday and it was one of the best roast dinners i have ever had - even better than my Mum's!

The only downside is that the service isn't as good as it was when i first visited. Yesterday it wasn't particularly attentive, finished plates were left in front of us for too long and the staff seemed to priorities laying up the empty tables over serving the customers - it's one of my pet hates, makes you feel as though they want to get rid of you and finish their shift (understandable but not very welcoming) and they aren't open on a Sunday evening so were laying up for the next day.

But that's made up for by the excellent excellent food and I urge anyone who lives locally to eat there.
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katej
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, November 03, 2009

My husband and I went to Lamberts last night for my birthday, and really enjoyed our meal.

The restaurant was a little empty when we arrived but filled up somewhat as the night went on. We were brought bread and rapeseed oil (very nice!) as soon as we arrived. The service was a little slow early on, which I think was down to a new waiter (the unfortunate bloke then dropped a glass of champagne by the next table so I think his first night nerves got the better of him) but was otherwise very pleasant.

Food was very good to excellent. My first course of seared venison with pesto, white bean and aubergine was lovely - the meat was very tender, although I thought the aubergine/white bean mixture could have been a little hotter. My husband had the confit octopus with black pudding, which he enjoyed. We both thought our main courses were great - I had Torbay sole with some lovely potato things and he had the open John Dory ravioli, which he really liked. Puddings were good too, although I found the Chapel Down nectar I had with mine disappointing.

We had a very nice bottle of Sancerre, and enjoyed our evening. The slight emptiness detracted from the atmosphere a little - I would like to return when the restaurant is full and buzzy - but the food was great, and we will be back.
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Anna - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Thursday, August 20, 2009

Lamberts – so pedestrian they may as well have built a crossing on it!

Having not eaten for several hours, I was highly anticipating my trip to Lamberts. I have heard good things about this modern European restraint, situated just off Balham High Road. Unfortunately, I can’t say the experience lived up to my expectations.

When I asked the waitress if we could have some bread, a vain attempt at staving off my hunger, I was greeted with a shout of ‘it’s coming’. Not the best start to proceedings. A starter of seared venison was well worth the wait, as was the special – game terrene. Whilst waiting for our main we were greeted with a little surprise amuse bouche, a refreshing courgette gazpacho, undoubtedly the highlight of the evenings proceedings.

Unfortunately, this is where the pleasant surprises ended. How on earth can you get saddleback loin of pork wrong? Well ask the chef at Lamberts, I’m sure he or she will share their secret with you. The main was about as ordinary as a Westlife single and equally uninspired.

All in all, Lamberts was over priced and over rated, with very little atmosphere. Not the worst night of my life, but not worth a re-visit any time soon.
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3 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Sunday, August 16, 2009

We went there last night after reading good reviews.

A little welcoming bowl of soup was very nice. Starter - fish soup - was miniscule, slightly bitter and lukewarm.

Venison was delicious and tender. Gurnard was beautifully cooked, but came in an uninpsired sauce, very heavy on the butter, with some rather soggy leeks. It was crying out for a bit of texture. Globules of fat in the sauce. Treacle tart was passable.

Service - poor. When you're spending £100+ on dinner for two, you expect better, especially with Chez Bruce around the corner.

I'd spend another 30 quid and go for a real dining experience...

One more thing - while I don't think paying for bread is necessarily a bad thing, £2 for two thin slices of "artisan" sour dough is taking the mickey.
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Rob Jessel
5 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Saturday, May 02, 2009

Just had an excellent meal at Lamberts in Balham. Relaxing decor and great service. The Skate served with cockles and capers was devine! Shared a treacle tart with ice cream dessert with my friend. Liked the complimentary chocolate with the bill nice touch! Will definitely return.
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Helen Davies
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, April 30, 2009

Unfortunately, a bad experience for my husband and I. We were so much looking forward to eating out at this Restaurant, as so many reviews were excellent...

My starter of beef pie was dry and, having complained to the waitress about it, the restaurant kindly agreed to take it off our bill. The main course of different cuts of lamb was also a disappointment, as one was undercooked, one dry and another perfectly cooked, but overseasoned. My husband's fish/mussels stew starter was underseasoned and also the portion was very small. The dessert with vanilla ice cream and wine were excellent, but shame about the rest!!... A big disappointment, we were so unlucky on the night!...
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Anna Dobrolioubova
6 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Wednesday, February 25, 2009