The Garrison Public House

We went for Sunday lunch at the Garrison today. We were told 3 times during our meal that we had to eat and vacate the table within a certain period of time. We were rushed through dessert and although a couple of us would have liked to order more wine, our pushy waitress reminded us that we were on a schedule. Hardly a relaxing sunday lunch and we unanimously agreed that we wouldn't be going back. A frustrating experience all round.
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Talia
3 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 3
Sunday, February 19, 2012

Have never written a review before for London Eating but my experience of weekend breakfast here compelled me to share what was unfortunately a dire experience...

Arrived for 10am breakfast on a Sunday. Asked for one of their fresh juices to be told that fresh juice wasn't possible that day. We ordered the full and proper breakfast, bacon butty, toast soldiers and eggs.

First the wrong drinks arrived - twice. Then the toast soldiers came, with hard boiled(!) eggs. The proper breakfast arrived with no portobello mushroom. The bacon butty came with no butty, it was just a side order of bacon.

There were three waiters serving who were all fairly amicable, they asked how the food was and offered to replace the toast soldiers and eggs, bring the bacon in a bun and order a side of portobello mushroom - unfortunately the second set of eggs was hard-boiled also (entirely undippable) and they had no mushrooms to serve. There was little communication between the waiters, who came back to ask us the same questions (any more drinks??) repeatedly.

The food was just passable, apart from those eggs! The place itself had character, though our seating was really cramped for just two people - unfortunately the charm soon wore off and we had a surprisingly tough time at what was supposed to be a leisurely and comfortable catch up for two.
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HS
2 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 1
Sunday, March 20, 2011

We ate at the Garrison on Saturday and were very disappointed. The service was slow and consequently within five minutes of receiving our dessert we were asked if we could hurry up as the next seating were waiting. The menu looked promising but the food failed to deliver. We will not be going back.
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4 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Monday, November 15, 2010

Busy vibe and lovely decor, but really poor service. Food was not bad, but the waitress forgot to place our order, which she realised oh...around...20 minutes later. To apologise, we were offered one free drink (to a table of four). If you're not phased about an overall dining experience and you want vibe, it's good. If you're looking for the complete experience, keep walking.
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3 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 3
Tuesday, July 27, 2010

I don't really understand the hype about this place. Yes it's trendy, bordering on a little bit cool for school and always seems busy to be fair. We were told that they need our table back in 2 hours, which is fine, but they simple couldn't cope with a 3 course meal and the lady in charge needs to learn some people skills. She was outright rude when we complained and for that reason alone I won't ever go back or recommend this place to anyone.

Our food was average at best, the steak of the day was tiny and were refused coffee afterwards, because they couldn't cope.

They need to hire more staff if they can't cope and get over themselves a bit. It's a trendy looking pub that serves very average food in 'cool' surroundings.
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John Hobson
5 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 2
Sunday, July 25, 2010

We stumbled upon this place for a drink, decided to try the food. It was fantastic. Very sweet new waiter who recommended the lamb steak, which I was grateful for. Beautiful place. I wonder what happened to people who had bad experiences? Ours was beyond perfect.
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Monday, March 29, 2010

Awful, food was cold and the meat chewy. I would not recommend this restaurant to my dog, even though I dont have one!
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A Rawaf
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Thursday, March 25, 2010

Arrived Saturday afternoon for a birthday lunch and whilst I was initially disappointed to be sat down stairs (we were a group of nine) on our own, it really did work out for the best and we all felt that we were at a friends house for dinner - was a lovely atmosphere and we all enjoyed downstairs after our initial reluctance. Unfortunately it went down hill from there.

The food was distinctly average and would not recommend heading there anytime soon. Our orders were taken (they do a two course or three course meal c £26 / £29 respectively,) and then the waiter came back down to ask what we wanted for desert - given we hadn't eaten yet, I personally felt a tad put upon and asked whether I could make my decision after my two courses - to be fair the waiter tried, the chef wasn't so accommodating so decided up on the Cheese (nothing really spectacular with the choices and were served quite cold and not at room temp.)

For my first course, I ordered the free range chicken and pork terrine with bacon and sage - it was OK, a bit tough didn't set the taste buds alive, couldn't tell if this was home-made or shop bought? I then ordered the Steak - I kid you not, the steak was no more than 5 millimetres thick, reminded me very much of a Minute Steak, quickly flash fried - (I've had thicker kebab meat!) As mentioned, cheese was fine, just not at room temp!

Overall, I came away quite disappointed, particularly given that this is one of friends favourite places to eat - portions are small (literally) and certainly not sated by the end our our meal.

It's in a great location, the decor is lovely if a little cramped upstairs and it had a nice buzz for a Saturday afternoon - I just feel its a little 'too' cool and the food is more money over quality, which is a bit of shame.
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Crack
5 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 3
Tuesday, February 23, 2010

We hired the Cinema room for my fiancés 30th birthday party this weekend and it was a brilliant venue for 25 of us, we used the screen for viewing photos and also a film which was really enjoyable. The only negative was that there was no bar downstairs and we had to keep popping upstairs to get drinks but this wasnt too much of a hassle.

We had some bar food including fishfinger sandwiches and samosas and the food was excellent, only real disappointment was the cake - dire!

Would have to say this is a great place but the service could be best described as a little frosty at times! Almost felt like the staff didnt want to be there which was a shame.

Would however have to recommend the ambiance and we may consider braving the staff to return for a meal?!
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J-J
6 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Monday, November 02, 2009

Just got back from this place and I would say that it is pretty good. It looks the part, with a busy but not cluttered atmosphere, as far as gastro-pubs go. My starter was the scallops and bacon, which were very good - tender and tasty.

Main course took an absolute age to arrive, and as our booking was late we weren't all that hungry when it finally arrived. It was busy on a Thursday, but not all that impressed by the lack of speed. Still, the waiter was obviously concerned and trying to speed things up, which we noticed. The pork knuckle was ok but not all that. Same for the dauphinoise potatoes really.

Wine was good, with a decent, if slightly expensive (for a pub) list. Overall it was a good gastro-pub, which I'd definitely go back to when a bit quieter, with good service and atmosphere.
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Stephen H - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Thursday, July 23, 2009