Bermondsey Kitchen

There comes a time when you just have to give up on a place - that was today. 4 friends & I attempted to have lunch here. I have never had an entirely good experience here and have always thought the food was over priced for what it was. However, my friends wanted to give it a shot. The 1 point for service goes to the fact that they were happy to welcome the pushchair & baby (not guarenteed in London!).

We were seated at a nice table and given brunch & lunch menus and spotted the Tapas menu for ourselves. Once we were ready to order, we waited for about 5 minutes for any of the serving staff to be ready. It was only then, we were told there was NOTHING available from the brunch menu. So we all had to reconsider.

When I asked what a particular tapas dish was, I had to ask the same question in 3 different ways in order for the waitress to finally understand that I wasn't ordering it, I just wanted to know what it was. When we finally got that sorted 5 minutes later, we had all decided to go for Tapas instead... expect despite everything being listed on the blackboard, there wasn't much available from the Tapas menu. I think her words were 'we have some olives and nuts and things but not much'.

It was at this point we gave up and left! A fairly dull restaurant that appears not to serve food! I will never consider going here again.
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Alex
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Monday, April 28, 2008

Like others on this site, I too have given the BK too many second chances, and Saturday night was the last chance. We have lived around Bermondsey Street and been regulars at the BK for over 5 years, I don’t profess to be their best or/and most regular customer, but over the years we (and our friends and families) have spent a fair amount of money here. The service and welcome, or rather lack of, you receive upon entering have always been a gripe with me, is there any need to look so unhappy?

I used to come here for the food, which used to be top notch, this in the last year or so is also not what it used to be, I have recently found it bland, overpriced and on a couple of occasions have had to send plates back.

Lately the waitresses have changed many times and the one that served us last weekend was terrible. She didn’t smile, could hardly speak or understand English, didn’t bother to bring us steak knives for our pork chops, forgot to bring me the mustard I asked for and brought us the wrong cocktail because she didn’t understand what we were saying. We all ordered cocktails at the bar to start with, one of which was literally slammed on the bar by a very moody barmaid, who again didn’t smile or give a glimpse of eye contact, a very nice welcome I’m sure. Is this how the staff like to be treated when they go for a night out with friends?

We then ordered more cocktails at the table, one of them came in a smaller glass than the others and jokingly we said “we wanted a big glass again” to which the manager replied “we don’t have any more and don’t worry the volume’s the same in this one” as far as I could see we we’re the only customers drinking from the large glasses, so on that basis I think they need to order a few more!!!

Deserts were ordered and the waitress just plonked the cheese knife and fork down anywhere, not even in front of the person who had ordered it, she didn’t even ask. Half way through desert she came and asked “is everything ok for you”. Obviously she realised the bill was about to appear so best start to be nice.

We decided to remove the “service charge” from the bill, after all we didn’t receive any SERVICE. This of course brought the manager over asking why we’d taken it off. We explained the above to him and he said he was sorry but that waitress was on a double shift and that he was in a bad mood as someone had let him down that night!

This place used to be a rare find in SE1, I’ve given it far too many chances and will not return again nor will friends and family. The BK has to realise it is no longer the only place to eat in this area, like it used to be all those years ago, and it certainly isn’t the best.

If this sounds like a bitter anti BK rant, maybe it is, after all 1) I really dislike rude ungrateful service. 2) Service charge is exactly that, so please give SERVICE, 3) Train your staff in customer service, 4) Stop acting like you are the only place to eat in SE1, 5) Remember when customers are spending over £200.00 several visits a year (over 5years) that adds up to a lot of income, so treat your customers with respect 6) A note to the manager, smile and stop telling your paying customers that you’re in a bad mood, staff have worked double shifts etc…the customers come to relax and enjoy their night, not listen to your issues.

I urge people to try it out for themselves and prove me wrong, that we just went on a really bad night, or let me know if all the staff change and they bring in staff with smiling faces who are passionate about working in the restaurant business.
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Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Thursday, January 31, 2008

We had brunch there last sunday and the whole experience was quite enjoyable. We had bermondsey eggs (eggs benedicte), full breakfast, pate, and black pudding. Everything was good, well cooked and well presented; and seemed to be fresh and good quality food (this explains the prices). The service was quite relaxed and friendly. We ended up paying 85 for three (two courses each+ wine/beers) service included. Would definitely recommand it.
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caroline - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Thursday, December 27, 2007

It was more than 2 years ago when I went to BK the last time and I was quite impressed at the time...I went again last Saturday and although it was not outrageously brilliant dining it was still a more than pleasant experience.

The food in this place is definitely nice. I had goat cheese and walnut on rocket as a starter and pan-fried sea-bass as a main course. Both courses were nicely cooked and quite inspiring to my taste-buds...but then that's what I would expect at BK's rates...

Staff were attentive and friendly and I also like the fact that the kitchen is kind of integrated into the seating area, so it is completely visible what's going on in there...gives you some confidence really...

The biggest plus on this particularly night probably was that Kruder & Dorfmeister's K&D sessions was playing as the background soundtrack which gets them some extra bonus points for audio coolness...

On the whole this is a pleasant place to be with good food. The bill might be slightly higher than at other places with comparable food but then that little extra buys you a nice atmosphere and some lovely Austrian downtempo beats...
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Lars Rehm
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Monday, September 24, 2007

Went here for lunch a couple of months ago as it seemed a decent place from the outside with reasonable priced dishes and it wasn't too busy. We were met with a surly waitress who could hardly bring herself to say hello and seat us, we should have left at this point but thought maybe she was just having a bad day. We ordered drinks and a lunch dish each from the minimal menu. A gnocchi arrived simply tossed with some cherry tomatoes drowned in butter (not the roasted tomato and ricotta sauce we had ordered). Unfortunately this was the better of the two dishes as a stuffed tomato on wild rice was stone cold in the middle. I never complain (or write these reviews) but it had to be sent back. It took ages to get any service and there was no form of apology even when it was returned in a messy heap on the plate. The food was tasteless even when hot and the staff were all incredibly rude which is a shame as it is deceptively inviting from the street...
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Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 2
Saturday, August 11, 2007

Went to Bermondsey Kitchen last night with a colleague and had a very enjoyable evening. The place was pretty full, with lots of large groups of people, but that didn't affect the service which was attentive and pleasant. Our waitress was warm and friendly, and explained the things on the menu which we weren't familiar with. I had a delicious huge roast chump chop of lamb with a kind of potato and taleggio cake, and my friend had some very fresh grilled sardines with parsley and garlic. The portions are generous, and its quite nice being able to see the chefs cooking away. I'd definitely recommend it for a relaxed and reliably tasty dinner. I guess my only criticism would be that the choice of puddings could be larger..
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Paul
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, March 30, 2007

I used to be a regular at BK but found I was giving it just too many second chances. If you go on the right day the food can be great, as it's just opposite where I live it's ideal for brunch and the "quick" dinner when getting home from work.

However, there have been multiple instances of food not being cooked through or not having the complete ingredients. The final straw was when I took a large group in on a Saturday and Sunday for brunch. I had called ahead to warn them but couldn't believe the amount of fuss made. We clearly stated we wanted to pay seperately and were happy to sit on seperate tables. After a workers conference it was decided that it could not be done. It took the threat of walking out to make them accomodate us even though the place was quiet and we were about to spend a large amount of money.

BK need to stop taking their regular customers for granted, be consistent on the quality of the food and stop trying to be "too cool for school" (thats a failure of The Garrison and they do it better).
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Martin
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 2
Thursday, March 15, 2007

We stopped in at Bermondsey Kitchen on the spur of the moment, needing food on our way to a party. Although clearly busy, and heavily booked, as it was a Saturday night, the staff were completely unfazed, and went out of their way to find us a table, apologising profusely that we would need to wait 20 minutes.

To our great delight, it got better from there, as there were comfortable sofas and space to enjoy a glass of wine while we waited for our tables, without crowding other diners. A bowl of mixed olives while we waited was generous and extremely tasty, while excellent value at £1.50. When we got our table, it was all we could do not to devour mountains of their home made bread, subtly flavoured with caraway seeds, and without doubt the best bread I have eaten in a restaurant in ages. The waitress informed us that the bread varies daily, depending on the whim of the chef.

Due to time constraints (and the quantity of bread we had consumed!), we only ordered main courses; a beautifully cooked and roasted to order poussin (with an explanation on ordering that it would take 20mins as cooked to order)was moist, full of flavour, and invited gnawing on the bones, and was served with a hearty addition of Puy lentils flvaoured with a mix of various herbs and tomato, with just the right amount of kick. Our second main was an exquistely fresh and also perfectly cooked fillet of cod, served on a variation of a Caesar salad, with a light but tasty dressing and croutons that were also spot on. With main courses costing between £10 and £14, and starters equally well priced, the menu represents very good value, particularly when compared with nearby alternatives.

Service was flawless; enthusiastic, pleasnat and informative. The staff were calm and unhurried despite a full restaurant and two large group bookings. The chefs, visible in the open kitchen were equally calm, and at no stage appeared stressed. The wine list is short, but reasonably varied, and the prices are good, with a fair range by the glass. The acoustics in the restaurant space (often a restaurant low point), given the large number of people, were outstanding, and made for a very enjoyable experience. A very well deserved tip was left, and we will definitely be back soon.
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Kate
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Have just had Christmas lunch at BK and it was delicious!My boss and I ordered identical meals - basically quail, turkey and trifle and it was a memorable meal. We were seated quickly in a corner (we had asked for a quiet spot as my boss has hearing difficulties) and served without any hesitation, although they had mixed up the menus we had asked for. Everything we ate was delicious but we did think it a bit odd to be served coffee before the dessert. By that time the place was heaving!
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Clare Leonard
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Bermonsey Kitchen was a great venue for a relaxed dinner with friends last night. Having read about 'hit and miss' food I was pleasantly surprised by the high quality of ingredients and the small touches that made a big difference. Delicious herb butter with the bread, yummy side dishes, superb cheeses in the cheese plate, and most interesting a desert of poached quince with quince sorbet - delicious! Service was friendly and speedy (but not rushed). I look forward to my next visit.
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Ollz
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, November 24, 2006