A Taste of McClements

Definitely not a routine meal out! Of the 16 small dishes on the tasting menu, only one didn't quite hit the mark (a somewhat oversweet crab custard), and perhaps violet ice-cream is not to everyone's taste, but the highlights included a perfectly cooked piece of salt-marsh lamb accompanied by a wonderfully flavoursome pig's trotter sausage, a clever "self-assembly" bouillabaisse combining perfectly cooked pieces of halibut, cod, mullet and a scallop with a deeply flavoursome fish broth, and a gorgeously rich but refreshing beetroot soup with vodka. Superb petits fours as well.

Service was excellent, and with only a few tables the restaurant feels wonderfully exclusive. £45 is excellent value for food of this quality given what one pays for similar menus in the West End. Go for a stimulating and slightly out of the ordinary meal.
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8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Sunday, November 01, 2009

Twice i have eaten here and twice i have left disappointed. Some dishes show touches of class but unfortunately most miss the mark, with a lack of seasoning being the main problem. Also the quantity of food is far to much, i would prefer 7 or 8 perfectly executed dishes to 12+ distinctly average ones. Lastly i can't help but feel the icecream we had was brought in, is it too much to ask for homemade when i am paying £45 for dinner? Maybe the 20 covers is just too much for the kitchen to cope with........
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2 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Friday, October 02, 2009

We went there for lunch recently and were so impressed we booked the entire place for a celebration. That happened last night and it was superb. An amazing succession of really interesting flavours, accompanied by some good wine and lots of laughter. Our only problem, with just 20 seats available, was deciding who to invite.
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Eric Baker - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Saturday, May 02, 2009

Went with a friend for lunch today (Saturday on Easter weekend) and have to say I'm astound! The most unbelievable value for money I have ever encountered. I cannot imagine how a profit could be made at £18 for the lunch menu - just incredible.

In my opinion they could easily charge twice as much without blinking an eye and I'd be more than happy to pay. The quality if food, presentation & service is what makes it even more unbelievable. And I've been to a fair few fine dining restaurants to compare against. I can wholeheartedly recommend a visit and cannot understand why it isn't yet a much bigger hit than it seems to be.
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Simona Bailey
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Saturday, April 11, 2009