The Earl Spencer

We went for Sunday lunch. SO disappointing - £13 for one salmon fish cake which was predominantly potato plus a tiny sprig of salad and a teaspoon full of mayonnaise on the side. Will never go back. A real disgrace...Oh yes and it took 45 minutes to arrive
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Sunday, July 08, 2007

We used to be regulars here however I will not go there again. After only one dinner was brought out and the other didn’t come for over an hour, we asked two different staff members to find out where it was they just dismissed us so we spoke to the owner who was insulting, rude and said he has too many problems and cant be bothered to deal with us, if he carries on with that ****attitude then he wont have to for much longer as he will be out of business. Customer service is obviously something he has never heard of so we left hungry and out of pocket by £40.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Friday, June 01, 2007

Big disappointment. Went on a Saturday night, arrived at 8pm and the fight was on to get a seat. Once we nabbed a table, we hunted down a menu (menu boards on the walls were out of vision) to find that 3 out of the 5 mains were either unavailable or changed to something less appealing. Ordering at the bar is almost impossible as the place is packed and the lack of staff makes the wait for a drink a long one. When ordering, discovered that something else was unavailable. When it came to ordering wine, half of the wine board was cleared as stock had run out, then half of what was on the board was not available anyway. When dinner arrived, the waitress let the entree slide to one side of the plate, making the sauce flow into one of our full wine glasses. When will pubs learn that it is worth spending (investing) another £100 for an evening to put more staff on. The staff were under the pump and it doesn't help when someone hasn't ordered in enough food and alcohol supplies. Food was average at best. A pub with no wine and no food? This pub is riding on the wave of a 2004 award... give this place a miss.
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Shay
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Sunday, February 18, 2007

I have been going to the Earl Spencer for about 3 years now, and after the Evening Standard award a few years ago the place did for a short while become virtually impossible to get into. However normallity has returned and it is still very busy in the evenign and well worth getting there early to get a table.

The food is wonderful, and sometimes we have sat there thinking we don't fancy what is on offer only to be pleasantly surprised by the flavours and experience.

The food is freshly cooked in the Kitchen and on busy nights this can result in a slight wait for the food to arrive at the table, however it beats hands down pre-cooked and microwave warmed stuff that you get at most other pubs these days.

It has now become a regular Sunday night treat as the staff are so friendly, the food is excellent and the wine list is something I still haven't managed to work all the way through (yet !!)

If you like good food (as I do) and don't mind a slight wait whilst it is being freshly prepared then I would whole heartedly recommend the Earl Spencer to anyone.
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Tim G
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Monday, December 04, 2006

Having been put off by reviews and overcrowding that always seems to follow awards, decided it was time to give the Earl Spencer a go. Although full (8pm on a Tuesday) we didn't have long to wait for a table.

Food was really good - great combinations of flavours and generous portions, although the wine list was tempting we decided to wash it down with some first class beer (Timothy Taylor's Landlord).

Service was friendly and efficient and the whole experience cost us £50 for two including service and drinks - excellent value given the quality of the food. And its in Southfields (which is great for those of us lucky enough to live here).
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Dom
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, May 24, 2006

I went to the Earl Specer for the first time on Tuesday night after hearing great things about the place. I was amazed - it was packed. The service was poor, although we were the only people at the bar it still took 5 mins for someone to come over to us to takje our order. We then waited (the what now appears normal) 55 mins for our food. When it came it was good - but nothing that special. Living near Wandsworth Highstreet I won't be going back - I would choose the King's Arms over here any day. Better food, better service, better atmosphere... - And they have a nice garden as well
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Sam M
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Thursday, May 11, 2006

One of my favourite Sunday lunch venues. Good food, good selection of wines and definitely worth a visit. It's very casual so don't expected to be waited on hand and foot.

It can get incredibly busy and you can't book, so get there early.
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Jo
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Thursday, March 16, 2006

Having written some bad reviews in here about the earl and reading others, I thought I'd give it a try again, so went in today with friends-food was fabulous and the service was excellent, bar staff seemed to have changed and are much more friendly. To comment on the review written by "anon" on sunday 5 feb, I too live around the corner, and I dont think people have a problem waiting but this is a gastro pub and as such having a drink waiting for a table doesnt really work as there isnt much room. People locally have been put off as it did change after winning the award, but it seems to have settled down again now and I would recommend it, food was always great in here, it was the attitude that caused me concern. The grilled sardines and lamb shank today though were amazing! Anyone who has been put off, try it again, I did and am delighted that i did!!!
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AJ
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, February 26, 2006

I live around the corner from this pub and have been in at least every couple of weeks over the last year or so. The food is fantastic. People need to remember that this is a PUB essentially; they change the menu at every sitting which is more than can be said for most restaurants -if a dish runs out an equally interesting and delicious one is out on. If people are not prepared to wait 10-20 mins on a busy night for a table (whilst having a drink)or expect restaurant stlye service then perhaps a restaurant would be better suited. Absolutely unbeatable in the area for variety and quality. People would do well to bear the prices and the fact that they're in a pub, in mind.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Sunday, February 05, 2006

Since moving to the area recently I have been to this pub a few times. I have to say that the food is very good, and while we may have to wait half an hour, it's worth it! The staff have been friendly and helpful. We have no complaints and i have to disagree with a lot of the other reviews. I don't know what it was like before but I would definitely recommend it now.
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Kylie
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Friday, January 06, 2006