Gazette (Balham)

Just come back from lovely Saturday lunch at Gazette which, thankfully, seems to have improved hugely since it's relocation.

We'd last been in the summer and vowed never to go back as the service was so incredibly awful... not to mention rude.

But the new restaurant looked so nice - and busy - we thought we'd give it another go.

The menu is much bigger, the restaurant itself is lovely and the food is good. Best of all, the service is massively improved. You can even take your dog inside which is a bonus!

Glad we gave it a second chance and will definitely be going back.
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Lou
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Saturday, March 26, 2011

Gazette has just been relocated a few hundred yards away to larger premises. The restaurant definitely feels 'authentic brasserie'. They now have a really nice bar (with a great selection of interesting beers) alongside a seafood and charcuterie counter. We ate there recently and had a wonderful evening. Very friendly staff too. Altogether this has to be one of the best French restaurants around.
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Chris
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, March 17, 2011

Went to the new Gazette on Balham High Road for Lunch on Sunday. I used to love breakfast at the old one on Ramsden Road but I will not be visiting again.

Food as always was pretty good - but had to wait for an age for an orange juice and then when our Moules and Croque Madam arrived we had to wait 15 minutes for the pretty raw chips - 3 times we were told "yes, they are coming, just wait!".

At the point of paying we reminded them we had a taste card (we had booked informing them we had one) - they then said "you can't use unless you book" - we reminded them we had booked. They then pretty much flicked the bill at us with disgusted eyes, we paid, and vowed never to go again. In a time where prices for everything are increasing this restaurant has taken a gamble on getting bigger more prominent premises. They should remember that it is a local regular clientele that keeps a restaurant afloat and treat them with a little more care or quite quickly that big flash new venue will be a ghost ship.
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2 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, March 14, 2011

I'm so surprised by the negative reviews on this restaurant. I have been 3 times over the past 6 months and have found the service charming, the steaks excellent and cooked to perfection and wine good value and quality. It has the feel of a local place in the heart of Balham. I notice that they are just about to move sites onto the old Jackdaw and Rook on Balham High Road and just hope they don't lose the local charm that they have now.
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8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Thursday, February 17, 2011

Tried it twice .First time everything was disappointing. Gave it a second chance because it looks so inviting. Left after being ignored by staff for about 20 minutes.

Useless.
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Maryann
2 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, August 25, 2010

What a disappointing experience, based largely around terrible service.

We arrived to order a caraffe of house red (which took 15 minutes to arrive) and then eventually place our orders. I went for the ribeye steak (requested medium rare) and my wife had the calamari risotto.

When the food arrived, the steak resembled nothing like a ribeye and was very well-done. I requested that it be taken back and replaced with the original order...no apology was forthcoming. So my wife proceeded with her food which was ok but alarmingly I was left to look on and see the waitering staff and chefs joke around and drink coffee. 15 minutes later we reminded the waiter that we were still waiting for the ribeye which came 5 minutes later. Once again, no apology. The steak was cooked to medium rare but still a very average cut and something that anyone would be disappointed to pay £15 for.

Given the poor show in service we asked straight for the bill and noted the 'discretionary' service charge to be added on to the bill. Which we took off straight away.

If you want decent French food in the Balham area at cheaper prices, give the French Cafe a chance - and don't even bother with this. It's a shame because Gazette is in a great location and could be so good.

Owners need to seriously review the service and kitchen abilities behind this establishment and up its game as a matter or urgency. Very poor.
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Simmo - View all reviews by this user
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Monday, August 23, 2010

I have been to Gazette in Battersea a number of times, and although the service can sometimes be less than charming, they are always efficient and the food is excellent. I even organised my sister's hen supper in the private dining room in Battersea, and everyone commented on the high quality of the food and generous portions.

It was quite late when we arrived (about 9pm) at Gazette, Balham so there were a number of free tables, but for some reason the waitress wanted us to sit on a group table. I asked if we could sit at an individual table for some privacy and the waitress reluctantly agreed.

We sat down on a filthy table (due to the fact it hadn't been cleared since the previous guests left), and we had to ask if the table could be cleared/wiped clean. The surly waitress cleaned the table, and swept the remnants of the previous guests' food onto the floor and onto my lap! We then had to ask several minutes later for a menu - nothing was forthcoming.

When we eventually ordered, instead of receiving a steak, my friend received a salad with melted cheese on baguette. When we questioned this, the waitress reluctantly removed the salad without a hint of an apology. I therefore ate my fish (which was very average) and my friend ate her steak (which was miniscule) separately about 15 minutes later.

By the time the steak arrived the chips we ordered were stone cold, so I asked if we could have another portion for my friend. Again, I was met with a very quizical gaze, and silence, so my friend eventually told her not to worry.

What a shame that this restaurant has lost its way like this.
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3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 2
Thursday, August 19, 2010

We visited this place on a weekday night. I have read some good reviews and people I know have raved about it. I have to say that it was all decidedly ordinary. The steaks were done well, but I expect that from a French restaurant. The snails were ok, a bit chewy and the sauce was, well, ok. The mussels were ok, but the sauce was ordinary. Nothing spectacular. I think for the price I expected better.

All in all it was - you know - ok.
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ST - View all reviews by this user
4 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, May 05, 2010

Style over substance and overpriced.

Our breakfast took ages to come out. My fried eggs were served up in a saucepan, it was awkward to dig them out but I guess they were stuck to the bottom. We ordered toast and got burnt garlic bread, it didn't arrive until we'd finished eating.

Wouldn't recommend or return.
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- View all reviews by this user
1 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Sunday, May 02, 2010

I have never experienced such appalling service in a restaurant in 40 years - haphazard, off-hand, bordering on rude. We waited almost an hour for our main courses, which were quite ordinary. Our table downstairs was next to a store-room door which delivered icy blasts of air to us at ten-minute intervals. I have no idea why this place is always so busy - we will not be returning.
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2 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 4
Friday, April 02, 2010