The Capital Restaurant

My husband and I ate here and had one of the most pleasurable meals ever - and we know a lot about quality food! We received attentive service second to none. The dining area is not large, so you get a good feel of the room, which was very pleasant. We had the lunch menu (about £29 pp) and a jolly smashing bottle of wine too! Would definately come back, as think you would find this restaurant extremely hard to beat.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Friday, January 13, 2006

Taken to restaurant by client for Friday expense account lunch.

Service and atmosphere generally good, quiet, discrete very satisfactory.

Party took set lunch menu. Food well cooked e.g meats,

What we did have issue with generally was the composition and the balance of the menu. This seemed to us to not be up to the mark for a Michelin two starred restaurant. In particular the balance of the tastes was somewhat insipid this did not allow the real tastes of the ingredients to come through or complement each other - perhaps the design of interracting tastes was poor.

For instance as an "amuse guele" the start off was a lentil broth with "chili onion Bhaji" - the broth was pretty tasteless and the "bhaji" lacked any chili piquancy - This was less than exciting to the taste buds. An issue applicable to this offering and the rest of the menu was that it was slightly overseasoned with salt - (perhaps less salt and a salt cellar on the table might address this better! )- the drizzle of interdeterminate sauces (red gloop and pesto on a fish/shellfish starter) were ill considered and did not complement the well prepared meats. Equally apple compote sauce although bright green was fairly tasteless - why not use an unusual apple variety to enhance the taste rather than just achieving something akin to an out of the supermarket jar taste?

Mains were not presented very aesthetically as they lacked a diverse colour palate principally through lack of green vegetables - this led to an un balanced and excessively protein/ carbohydrate rich dish e.g assiete de porc/ boeuf en daube.

Deserts did not raise the bar - e,g, undistinguished mix of chocolate and coffee ice without any cleaness to the palate or indeed much unctuous quality. "Essex Girl" fellow diner thought the apple crumble type concoction ( which I understand is de vogue in France) would have been better made by her grandmother!

All in all this was a pleasant environment for a long lunch. However, for the food rating I and my fellow diners have to question the validity of the Michelin 2 star rating on the conception/balance of flavours in the menu. Maybe the quality was reduced for this set lunch and/or maybe this is acceptable for Knightsbridge. However, compared to a benchmark 2 Michelin stars such as Le Manoir (set lunch menu) this falls well short as to freshness and balance of ingredients and stimulation to the palate - we have eaten better in unstarred establishments such as gastropubs.

The kitchen here needs to take a long look at its menu formulation and address the rather confused style of menu (pan Asian or Gascon that it is trying to produce).

Maybe eating 3 Michelin stars offers a huge step up - the diners involved remain to be convinced - it is fortunate they were not paying for this from their own pockets!

One sincerely hopes the a la carte menu is born of a different philosophy.
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WD London
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Friday, January 13, 2006

I wrote a review in Oct 2003 of my experience of the Menu Degustation at The Capital. Sadly I walked away slightly disappointed by two of the courses that I felt were not particularly "sumptuous or decadent" (veal steak main and chocolate brownie dessert). The rest of the food, wine and service were exceptional though.

Not put off entirely, I went back for lunch on Sunday 8th Jan. All I can say is that it was absolutely superb. The 3 course menu for £29.50 is absolutely stunning value for money for such an outstanding dining experience.

I did find it hard to choose a wine near £35 so my advice is: don't be embarrassed to set a budget and tell the sommelier. Aperitifs before dinner came to £25 inc service, cheekily the Champagne offered was £15 a glass inc service! Next time I will forego pre dinner drinks and enjoy wine by the glass with each of the three courses. Can't wait to go back!
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James Holden - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Went to The Capital on Monday 19 dec, - food was excellent although portions were meagre, staff were very quick at removing plates to the extent that you felt you had to hold on to crockery otherwise it was removed. Maitre de was arrogant and offered no advice with regard to food. Paid £170 for meal for two - had to pay for three courses, although only had two courses - asked for copy of menu - was given a piece of A4 paper that looked like it has been used to wrap a present, asked for a better copy and was refused - will not go back - Petrus much better value and portions more satisfying.
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derek
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, December 21, 2005

The service was slow and inattentive and the food was definitely not up to Michelin star standard. There was a minimum charge of £29.95 for lunch, whether or not you wanted 2 or three courses (2 courses advertised at £24.50) and the discretionary service charge was taken without consultation. Not at all impressed! I recommend you do not visit!
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Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 2
Thursday, December 15, 2005

I would disagree that this restaurant offers value for money. At a bill £250 for two people, this was excessive and not justified but the rather small, nouvelle cuisnes portions.The Capital tries to be a one star Michelin Parisian style restaurant but has got it all wrong. From the stuffy dining room to the Russian waiter speaking in French accent, to the exhorbitant wine list, this restaurant has little in terms of positives. Very disappointing
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Eliza
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, December 13, 2005