The Green Room

We went here for my friend's birthday hoping for a fun and enjoyable meal. It was probably one of the worst experiences I've ever had in a restaurant.

We choose the carrot and coriander soup as our first course. When it came the soup was cold and tasteless. Two people didn't bother eating the soup it was that bad.

The second course was a fish cake that was made entirely of potato and was burnt, and a risotto that was very badly cooked.

When the bill came over we asked to see the manager so we could ask for the soup to be removed, which is fair enough as it wasn't eaten. It was the owner who came to talk to us, and I have never see anyone be so rude. His response to our comments was to tell us that "you only bought one bottle of wine and you haven't spent that money so I don't need you to come back again". That told us!

I'm not one for writing complaining reviews, but I honestly don't see why anyone should have to experience what we did. What was worse is that it totally ruined my friend's birthday.
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Anna
0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Friday, March 18, 2011

Can't believe I have not been here before. What a wonderful find. Def recommend fish cakes and brownie. very good value. Excellent service.
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Tim henderson - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, March 08, 2011

Reading the good reviews here i find it difficult to understand that we are all referring to the same establishment. I went there the other night for the first time with a group of friends, all of us locals and all of us new to the experience.

The first disappointment was the predictability of the menu. If smoked salmon with rye bread and rocket finds its way on the starters list, then it should surely be bound together with an exciting ingredient or at least a decent dressing! None of it, it was just what it said. And not very generous either. The squid ala Romana (lightly battered, as we were explained), which most of our party went for expecting crispy flavoursome bites, had a texture and flavour of unseasoned chewy popcorn. Awful. Only marginally better were my pan-fried strips of chicken in balsamic vinegar marinade. Again, a literal take on the simple-enough menu description, very basic and unimaginative.

The mains fared slightly, but very slightly, better. With the exception of the seriously tough (undercooked?) confit of duck (isn't it meant to fall off the bone or at least be tender?) which was inedible, all of us managed to eat most of our food. The chips served with the minute steak was actually very good. Alas the pepper sauce that drowned the otherwise decent peace of meat was packed with uncrushed black peppercorns which made it risky to bite into the meat, such was the density of peppercorns. Surely, the pepper is here to provide the flavour, and only the green ones should be left whole? Those of us who ordered calf's liver were happy enough but not overwhelmed. The fishcake brigade commented that those were "acceptable".

In fact, the food could've been described as mediocre were it not for the trully awfull starters. I won't go into desserts as we hardly had any, except for one of us who decided to go for a cheese board which promptly arrived with not a trace of bread or biscuits to accompany it. When requested, the owner delivered a basket filled with Jacob's crackers and - lady's fingers, the light sweet biscuits normally (and only!) used in triffles! This is when some of us thought that we may have fallen victims to some candid-camera enthusiasts, but no one dared to utter it in front of the rest of the party.

The owner deducted from the bill the inedible duck as well as the duck-eater's starter but again, it was too little for such an overpriced, unbelieveably sub-standard dinner.

It is a mystery how they've survived for so long. Send in Gordon Ramsay to slap them round - that's the only way for them to go. It is definitely au revoir from me.
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Lelia
2 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, February 08, 2011

What a wonderful evening. Can recommend 100%. Despite not having an reservation on a busy Friday, we were delighted to be treated with first class service and first rate food. They really cared! We were made to feel comfortable and happy. As a consequence we were thoroughly satisfied. It is certainly unusual to find such attentive waiting staff and this is reflected in the warm and inviting atmosphere. I can highly recommend the risotto which is 'to die for'. Although my husband says the fish was so delightful that it 'just melted'. The waiter has such a magnificient knowledge on wines that his recommendations were perfect. If you haven't tried it yet - YOU MUST!! But I'm making sure I have reservations next time
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Katie Melligan
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, October 26, 2010

had such a lovely meal at this chic little restaurant. The atmosphere is charming and laid back and we had amazing food. Service was friendly and warm and their desserts are exceptional. Will be back very soon.
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Sue
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, October 24, 2010

we thought the green room would be worth a try having seen fairly decent reviews and is within our local area, went with some friends. ambience fairly ok, seating not so comfortable but reasonable. good choice on menu. generally food was very disappointing and totally overpriced, not worth the money at all - standard of cooking was very mediocre. the wait in between courses was around 45 mins, which is not acceptable. a real shame as it would have been good to have a decent local run restaurant to go to. sadly, we will not be back - it's just not worth it.
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Karen
5 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Sunday, July 18, 2010

I used to love this place, but standards have definitely slipped. We went there last night and the service was absolutely awful. It was slow, clumsy and sometimes down-right rude. The food was still pretty good (bar a cold crab cake and - rather bizarrely - frozen grapes on the cheese plate), but I definitely won't be going back. What a shame...
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3 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Friday, July 09, 2010

We had a delightful modern French dinner at The Green Room a few months ago.

I'm dreaming of the chocolate fondant for desert!

The service was friendly yet not too friendly, professionally precise but still casual enough to make one feel a 'regular'.

Even living in Holland Park, I find excuses to go to W. Hampstead just to dine at this great discovery.

It is terrific to find enterprising young restauranteurs who actually delivery quality and at a reasonable price.

Suggest you book soon!
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Jeannine
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Thursday, June 03, 2010

This is a lovely little restaurant restaurant, tucked away in a secret corner of West Hampstead. It bills itself as Modern European and one can say it does the job very well.

The service was very attentive, contrary to some of the other reviews here, although there were occasional lapses of concentration, so I will concede it's quite possible they could drop the ball on a busy day. But I went mid-week and all was well.

The standard of the food was very high. My company and I had no complaints on this front.

The decor and atmosphere were fine, but... it was a bit too echoey for my liking. To their credit, they refrained from playing loud music, as this would have added to the din. I went on a mid-week summers day, when there were few customers and the front windows were open. I would imagine the acoustics to be quite different on a Friday in winter!

Pricewise, I felt the bill was a little steep for what it was. Not so steep as to cause a problem, however, but still on the surprising side! I have ordered more in seemingly "posher" restaurants and been charged less.

However, I do recommend the Green Room. And I will most likely return as it made a good impression overall and falls well within my usual stomping grounds.
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Alan Ingham - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, August 11, 2009

I had a wondeful evening out with friends at this lovely littel restaurant in West Hampstead. It is definitely the best in the area. The service was exceptional and the food was fresh and tasty. The ingredients they use are very good quality and the set menu was great value for money. The waitress was very attentive and friendly and the atmosphere is just right. Loved the decor and will definitely be going back
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, April 10, 2009