Queen's Head and Artichoke

the food was excellent. They make their own bread apparently and one in particular with sultanas and walnuts was to die for. We went there for the food and we were delighted. However the staff were very disappointing. Tried to talk with our waiter but he wasn't interested, he just wanted our orders. Asking for a second round of coffees at the end was too much to ask. His colleague behind the bar wasn't the most pleasant when we went to pay our bill......yes yes we had to go to the counter, they wouldn't come to our table. And finally we didn't even get a goodbye, or thank you when we left! Not good....
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Florence
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 8
Monday, June 09, 2008

The Times are running a ten pound for three courses in conjunction with this restaurant and I have to say it has lead me to a real gem.

I was really impressed with all aspects of this restaurant, the food we received on our deal was a selection straight from the main menu... no cutting corners!

The seabass was incredible, and the cheese cake was really lovely and light. Although we had a cheap deal I would have paid a lot more! The prices on the menu are still very reasonable.

The staff are lovely and we enjoyed the bit of banter!

I will be going back with or without the times deal!!
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kate
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, March 20, 2008

Went here for Sunday lunch on Mother's day. Food was wonderful and I think pretty amazing value. We ate in the upsatirs dining room which had a good atmosphere, although a little noisy with babys (though can't complain on Mother's day really).

Service may not have been massively friendly (as noted below) but it was extremely efficient, polite and the waiters took care of requests perfectly.

Definitely recommended
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Peter, Fitzrovia - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Monday, March 03, 2008

I live over the road from this place, so you could call it my local. I think that it is a great place to socialise, drink, and eat. It used to be far too smokey in the bar to eat, but the upstairs dining room is always too quiet. Now that the smoking ban is in, it is great. The food is excellent, but i think that the tapas is slightly over priced for what it is, as some dishes feel microwaved. The sunday roasts are beautiful, but get there early to avoid dissappoinment as the meats run out.

Like most other reviews on here, the main gripe is that the service is pretty poor. Of all of the times that i have been there, i would say that we have been satisfied with our service just twice. The other numerous times it was like the waiters were bored and uninterested in good service. There is a real lack of smiles, which as we know, cost nothing. Surely the manager can gee up his staff a bit, to turn a great place with great food, into an all round great restaurant.

We keep going back in the hope that we get one of the friendly waiters, but the food talks for itself.
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Roussel
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, February 27, 2008

The restaurant upstairs opens at 6.30. We were going to the theatre so we said that we had to be out by 7.30. The service was swift and pleasant and our deadline was met with ease. The food was up to gastropub standards. Some slightly unusual desserts on the menu. I wasn't sure about coconut cheesecake, but trust me, try it. Oh, and make sure they give you some of the rosemary bread to start with, it's fab.
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Steve
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Sunday, June 03, 2007

I have heard reports that this pub used to be amazing and it certainly has the menu and the ambiance to succeed. The huge downside, and one that will make me not go back is that the service is absolutely awful!

If the staff spent a little less time chatting in huddles and ignoring customers, then I'm sure that this pub would be a winner. As it is, I've had better service in MacDonalds.
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Gaby de Pace
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 2
Saturday, March 03, 2007

Went here for an bank holiday Monday evening meal with my family. Food reviews were all excellent and I think well founded. My tuna with aubergine tabouleh and tzaziki was delicious and there were no complaints about the seabass or sausages (with a bean mash) that were tried either. My issue with the place was the very strange service we received from some very strange members of staff, either so overly offusive they were sickly sweet (winks included) or so rude as not to reply when questioned or return a smile. I counted about 10 waiters/waitresses and yet whenever we needed one there were none to be found. We had to ask if our table (on the 1st floor) was ready about 5 times as I could not get a straight answer from the French waiter - it was like having a conversation with the Riddler. I'd go back for the food in a shot but as for the cast of masterpiece theatre....I can only hope some were temporary it having been a bank holiday. The added 12.5% service charge was only paid in the hope that some of it would reach the kitchen staff.
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Jo
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, August 29, 2006

The place seems nice enough. Lovely decor and a promising menu. We had very slow and indifferent service. Over an hour for a lunch which consisted of orders for nothing more than steaks and salads. Not a place to go when you are on a one hour break from work.

The food was OK, but nothing particularly special. The whole atmosphere smacked of indifference, no effort was being made.

Other people at my work have had better experiences, we are all a little bit disappointed.
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Peter Goodman
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Friday, July 28, 2006

This is a really great gastropub that is consistently good.

Last time here I had an absolutely sublime duck confit leg.

I've had some slightly overly-vanilla flavoured spinach before but generally they use flavours in interesting unique ways.

Definitely to be recommended.
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Hannah
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, April 21, 2006

went there last night with a group of friends to celebrate a birthday. the food was of a very good standard with more than decent portions. one particular mention to the quality of the service which was very good and helpful. being in the hospitality trade myself, I will always challenge the waiter or waitress for recommendations on food or wine, which was done very simply and efficiently on that particular occasion. an overall good experience with good value for money.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Thursday, April 13, 2006