The Exhibition Rooms

I went to this restaurant with my wife the other night and was very unimpressed. We found the manager rather bossy and arrogant, almost telling us how we would like our food cooked. The starters were ok, but mains were almost too boring to finish - the meat and vegetables were pretty tasteless and plain. The odd green hand-cut chip obviously got past whoever was hand-cutting . My partner sensed something odd about her main and left it largely untouched. None of the serving staff remarked on this at all. In fact, it was near impossible to communicate with the stony faced waitress, who we noticed perked up considerably when serving a table of male diners! I would say don't bother with restaurant as there are so many other good places to eat in this area.
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3 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Sunday, October 02, 2011

We've been there a few times now, and I have to say, while the downstairs bar has become a firm favourite, doing great cocktails and nice, good value finger food, the dining room upstairs is badly losing focus. The last two visits we've had there, both on Thursdays, the fish was awful, to the point that it had to be taken off the bill. Last Thursday the service was wildly erratic, with our meals arriving after a half hour wait while people at the next table, who'd arrived after us, got served within 10 minutes. As to the food, while my duck was great, my wife's sole was badly overcooked and utterly tasteless, the clams were stone cold and oversalted, while the sauce tasted overwhelmingly of raw garlic. We didn't pay for her main, and in fact we cut our visit short, skipping dessert and going home.

While we'll continue to use the downstairs bar, I can't see us eating upstairs again, not until they regain their mojo.
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nik
5 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Sunday, May 22, 2011

I would consider myself a regular at this restaurant having moved to the area a few months ago. My wife and I go normally once a month. Every time we have been we have never been disappointed, the quality of the food is unfailingly excellent. The ambience and atmostphere is great and the service is friendly and efficient, without being intrusive.

We went with friends on New Years Eve, normally you would expect a drop in quality and service on such a busy night, not so, it was business as usual and the set menu for £39.99 was unbelievable value for NYE.

The downstairs bar is a great venue for pre or post dinner drinks and I have never had a meal here that I didn't want to order again. The negative reviews left here are either malicious or about a different place. The Exhibition Rooms is the the best restaurant in Crystal Palace, by a country mile! Go there!
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Cliff Morgan - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, May 10, 2011

We visited the restaurant for a Sunday lunch. The decor and atmosphere of this retaurant were good. The waiting staff were very friendly but there were simply not enough of them.

We waited over half an hour for our food and during this time the waitress returned to ask us if we wanted more drinks. We ordered more drinks but these didn't arrive until after we had finished the main course.

When the food arrived it was good. The desserts were even better.

I left with mixed feelings. I will probably visit again, but not on a Sunday.
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Marcie
6 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
Monday, January 25, 2010

The Exhibition Rooms ranks as the best restaurant in south east London, and certainly has every right to feel smug. Its a great and simple place, dishes are fantastic in quality and decent size as well. The night we went for our anniversary the service was impeccable. (the owner removed the waiter who had been incapable of opening a bottle of red wine, asked us to eat the bread off our table and couldn't hold out starter plates)

The Dover sole was superb and was a delight to eat. A Vin Santo was the top of the icing to a lovely meal.
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Matt
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, December 11, 2009

Visited the Exhibition Rooms for the first time and was very impressed with the service, the food and the ambiance. Will certainly recommend to my friends.
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M Robinson
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, August 09, 2009

went there for lunch, the food was good, being in the catering trade i heard good reviews about this place. i was disapointed with the lack of knowledge from the front of house team or interest in the customers
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graeme meek
6 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 8
Saturday, March 28, 2009