Criterion Restaurant

The best night I have ever eaten out. Everything was perfect and that's what you expect at this price.
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Paul Dawson - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Saturday, May 08, 2010

Last went here a year ago, and it really hasn't changed that much. Still looks wonderful, and the staff are friendly and attentive. Food was pretty good too,although perhaps not quite as good as last year ( although that perhaps would be nit picking, just a general idea not something I could put my finger on ). One nice touch-our waiter overheard a discussion about my birthday and asked when it was. ( It was actually a couple of days away, one of the reasons we were eating there ). When my dessert arrived, they had piped a 'Happy Birthday' greeting in chocolate on the plate. Sweet:)
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Jeri Kennedy
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Saturday, April 17, 2010

My husband and I booked this restaurant to celebrate our wedding anniversary. The restaurant itself is breathtaking and the surroundings did not dissappoint, however we felt rather let down by the food and the service.

I ordered foie gras to start and my husband ordered scallops, two very different dishes but with the same green garnish which looked out of place and certainly did not compliment either dish. For main course I ordered Salmon and Lobster ravioli which sounded mouth watering on the menu however in real life dissapointed and I would not reccommend this dish to anyone. My husband ordered Ostrich steak for his main and did enjoy the meal though was let down by the side order of seasonal veg which he likened to microwave veg. The desserts were both delicious, I can't remember the name of mine (Amalfi something?) and my husband had a mango dessert which he enjoyed.

I need to comment on the service which was fast (too fast), our starters arrived whilst we were still tasting the small pre starter and still eating the bread. No sooner had we finished our starter when the plates were cleared and the main course arrived - don't think I even had time for a sip of wine in between. After the main course was finished we were offered the dessert menu, we asked for a 10minute reprieve, however 30 seconds later we were presented with the dessert menu which we both ignored until "we" were ready to order.

I think even if the service had been better we would still have felt dissappointed with the food. There were no small details like spreading napkins for us or indeed appropriate breaks between courses, these are just a couple of things I would expect as standard in a restaurant which charges around £200 for a meal for two (with wine). Please note that a 12.5% service charge is also added to your bill. I really liked the grand interior but overall was not impressed with the food. Maybe we've just been spoiled by good restaurants in the past (The Three Chimneys,Skye) but then again its not too hard to notice when things are amiss.
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Aileen & John
5 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, September 29, 2009

I am soooo glad it is back to the Criterion and (poor old) Frankie has gone...sorry Frankie but stick to the horses.

I went Friday 18th September. I had not dared to venture inside the place since the tie-up with Dettori. There had been so many poor reviews I didn't want to waste my cash. In the end I did (waste a lot of my cash) as I had a stinking hangover and couldn't do the food justice. TOTALLY my fault but the staff were brilliant (except the guy that gave my wife the directions to Tiffany's ;0)) and it loved it. Mushroom risotto with partridge or pheasant. Lovely.

If you have never been, go for a look. I always think it looks like the inside of the Titanic. It is so beautiful and will make anyone feel special. This one is definitely back on the list for me.
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Kevin McG - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 6
Tuesday, September 22, 2009

I went to Criterion with my girlfriend. What an absolute delight it was. Truly an amazing dining experience. I think we are going to see a new Marco Pierre White
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L. Roberts
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, June 18, 2009