Green's Restaurant & Oyster Bar (Cornhill)

I had a business lunch here. The surroundings are spaciius and comfortable but that is really where the good stuff ends. Service was slow and inattentive - water was not replensihed in the glass or by the bottle, and food took rather too long to arrive. The balance of flavours was not good overall with sauces and stuffings overpowering the food they were supposed to accompany. I had PIgs Cheeks starter which were tasty enough but overpowered by the sauce, and stuffed chicken breast for main which was overcooked and dry, with the flavour of sage in the stuffing oblitering everything but the rather bitter sauce. The best thing about the main was the side of spinach, which was lovely. Blackberry Creme brulee dessert was OK but nothing more. Only 2 rather delicious chocolate truffles were delivered for a table of 3, although these were topped up when asked. The last straw was white sugar being delivered when brown was asked for, and a confused waitress needing to go searching for brown (which was eventually found). Overall not an impressive experience and I won't be rushing to return.
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Jason Brameld - View all reviews by this user
5 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Wednesday, October 12, 2011

The setting is grand but food was poor. We were given a tiny corner of the restaurant, a space best reserved for an indoor plant. Had broccoli and Stilton pie which consisted of liquid cheese with broccoli stems floating on top. Not value for money. I won't be returning.
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2 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 0
Thursday, August 04, 2011

Not a touch on its sister restaurant in St James. The room didn't work, felt a bit like a Browns style restaurant. Not cheap either for what was average food. Won't be returning.
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RD
5 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Friday, October 08, 2010

I stopped in here a few weeks ago for a city lunch with a couple of friends; whilst the furnishing is a little quizzical the food and service were excellent, some of the best I have had in this part of London.

The generous spacing between the tables, high backed booths and slightly bland corporate décor create a library hush, that does not befit the food nor the patrons. If your priority is a lunch venue with a buzzing and lively atmosphere then the nearby city outpost of Gaucho or the upstairs dining at Green Door may be more suitable.

If however, you can surmount the mountain of quiet then the rewards are plentiful. A menu full of British classics awaits, each served simply and full of flavour. The weekly specials are (for once) exactly that and well worth investigating before dipping into the seasonal offerings on the main menu.
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Scott Rogers
8 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Went for lunch on Wed 21st Nov. Really very good indeed. I had the crab cake starter and rump of lamb for main. The crab cake (comically mispronounced by the waitress) was stuffed full of fresh crab and not a lot else, really surprised as I was expecting at least 50% potato. Served with crème fraiche and a lemon wedge it was fresh and very very tasty.

The lamb main was delicious with beautifully pink and flavoursome lamb, the side disk of cauliflower gratin was very good too with a lovely mature tangy cheese sauce. Side dishes were all very good too, al dente vegetables and great chips. Others reported the calves liver as absolutely delicious.

The Bill: I was not paying the bill, but the prices looked to be pretty much average for city lunches

The Venue: it has to be said it is a very impressive building with the oyster bar (old Lloyds Bank HQ) visible through the internal windows, very pleasant surroundings

The service: friendly, helpful and efficient
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James Holden - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, October 22, 2009