L'Esperance

who said that the lamb is microwaved....should think again.... have been there and i went into the kitchen to say hello to the chef,,,,,that time he took out a big tray with lamb shank from the oven.....it looked delicious...and the smell...ooo lovely

deff go back again and again
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paul
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, March 08, 2012

I arrived here on the back of rave reviews, looking forward to the lamb shank. I must admit, if not for the lamb shank on the menu I would have gone elsewhere. So I arrived and promptly ordered a bottle of Cotes du Rhone, de l'Amandine 2008 (£19.50!) to go with the lamb. The only issue was the starter. So swirling an average but expensive wine around my throat I began to choose said starter. I finally settled on the smoked mackerel with avocado salad; and while I'm at it, why not some olives? After all, no expense spared in the build-up to a good lamb shank. So I ordered, only to find that the lamb shank is not available tonight (this, after starting the bottle of wine). Not knowing what to say I deferred my decision. Eventually I remembered that I only came here for the lamb shank - everything else was peripheral to this. I didn't want any of the other offerings so I finished the starter and requested the bill. £29.75! I realised that I had been charged £4.50 for the olives so I pointed this out to the waitress. The corrected bill returned - $27.25. Not bad for an average starter and some wine! I left to a total silence from the staff - obviously a case of grab-what-you-can and sod that sad little git who arrives solo. After eating a mediocre starter I walked up the road where I found a pub that sells a pint of excellent HSB and a burger for a £8 all-in. OK, it added to the earlier expense but at least it did what it says on the tin. Now, the point I'm making here is not about the food or its quality (though it wasn't particularly inspiring) - it's about the service. Why didn't they inform me beforehand of the lack of availabilty of some menu items. And why didn't they - at the very least - offer some kind of consolation (a reduction in price rather than the - unintended - increase in price might have sufficed)? Instead, I felt like I had offended them by not giving them a tip. I don't normally do reviews but this time I feel compelled to do so. By the way, I'm aware of all the trolls on these review sites so if you wish to question how genuine I am, I still have the receipt fot this evening and I will show it on request.
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Roy Cridland
2 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Friday, March 02, 2012

An appaling meal, the lamb shank was microwaved and the mash was watery and cold, even the waitresses could only muster a half hearted and embarassing attempt at an apology.

Plenty of other places to eat that would beat this place hands down.
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2 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Saturday, October 22, 2011

I would agree with the last review - having had lunch a couple of times at l'Esperance I think it is a lovely place to to be, the food is always fresh, tasty and well-cooked and service is second to none. And the house champagne and wine is very well-priced.

I am an occasional visitor to Surbiton and would always return to this charming bistro.
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Sandy
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, June 07, 2011

I don't know where the previous reviewer was eating, but I can't help thinking that this must be a case of mistaken identity and they are thinking of some other restaurant. Having eaten here on several occasions I must say that this is one of the best restaurants in the Surbiton area. The food and wine have always been delicious and the waiters, chefs etc all show clear pride in what they do.
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Christian
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, March 28, 2011

Visited L'Esperance with 5 friends - looking forward to an evening with good food and pleasant atmospere - unfortunately we got neither, in fact we refused to pay for 3 meals as they were that bad. The woman in charge was positively vile.
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David D
0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, November 03, 2010