The Palm

It was my birthday last week so my lovely wife treated me to a slap up meal at "The Palm" on Friday night. We had eaten at Palm obver in Atlanta and were looking forward to the same upscale steakhouse food and service. The interior was really pleasant, light and airy with lots of cartoons painted on the wall. It gave the restaurant a relaxed feel which is often absent from this calibre of restaurant. We ate early so the restaurant wasn't full and their were a lot of staff hanging around, it did make the place look a bit untidy. However I learnt that a fair few of the staff were over from the States to train up the London team to offer the same degree of service you get back in the States. Our waiter was very friendly and knew his menu well. He was maybe trying a bit too hard but you could tell he was trying to pick up the US service standards which is to be encouraged. We opened up with a couple of seriously nice classic cocktails, followed by steak, sauted spinack, a side salad and half and half (onion rings and game chips). My steak was lovely very tasty and prefectly cooked. It maybe could have done with being a bit warmer but my wife's was spot on. The wine list was extensive and we went for a mid range Bordeaux which was extremely nice.

We had a little room left at the end and went for a key lime pie for my wife and a new york cheesecake for me. Both were excellent. The waiters came over to sing me Happy Birthday which was lovely. We really relaxed into the place especially as it filled up, no one rushed us and you certainly feel valued. They took the deserts of the bill as a birthday treat which was a very nice touch. The steaks are expensive but the sides, deserts and drinks are pretty reasonable. It is a fun place and it deserves to do well. Not at all stuffy, we will definetly be heading back soon.
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david ginsberg - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, June 15, 2009

Not just American 'style' steaks and lobsters, these beauties are flown in every few days from New York and Maine. Both are tender as butter, succulent and meltingly perfect. The New York cheesecake is literally made to (Chef's) Mumma's own recipe, and the chocolate pudding smooth and rich, rich, rich.

Crossing into Europe for the first time, the only concession to Britishness on the Pont Street menu is a selection of locally sourced meats (required by law), featuring some of the best lamb the UK produces. A single quibble is the house practice of serving side orders of vegetables “family-style”, which means everyone at the table has to like the same veg.

There was one absentee last night: although on the menu, Jumbo Shrimp will only be made available when the ever-demanding owners locate a source of sufficient caliber. Given the care and flair with which everything else has been done, they should be worth waiting for.

Many ex-Drones staff have been re-employed by Palm and the owners are touchingly aware of the role their restaurant plays in local life. Judging by the reactions last night, the locals are pretty happy too. Palm is something quite new, a genuine taste of America in London. With it’s fixed menu, focus on service, quality, attention to detail and the sky-high standards the best American restaurants provide… Are we seeing the arrival of a London restaurant that guarantees a great dining experience? That would be a welcome addition to the capital.
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Crevette - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, May 29, 2009

Popped in after work to take advantage of the opening week discount, which was dutifully applied to my bill. However, it was still expensive, even taking its location into account.

The food was very good. Steak: not the best I've ever had, but certainly good enough to rival London's current steakhouse offerings.

Would definitely go back, preferably as someone else's guest!
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7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
Thursday, May 28, 2009