Cheyne Walk Brasserie

I have been a regular of this Cheyne Walk Brasserie from the beginning. I recently took some friends to lunch and noticed that it was empty at 2pm. After spending lunch there, I would never return. There was a new girl who had the attitude of a prison warden on death row. Not only extremely rude but when I complained that my dish, which was completely meat free on the menu, had pork in it (I am an observant Jew and vegetarian) I had the plate snatched out of my hand, no apology and was told that she would not serve me further.

The chef came out and was also very rude. A real shame as I live a few doors down and used to love it there and had recommended it to many. From this experience, I would never return and never recommend it to anyone.
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Maya Reuben
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, April 01, 2008

I went to Cheyne walk brasserie with clients 1 week ago, the restaurant is very cosy, the staff friendly, the sommelier helpfull but the food average.

I had the pigeon, and the truffle puree. The puree was quite nice but not warm enough and the pigeon not very tasty...

The bar upstairs is very nice for a coffee or an aperitif. I would probably return and try another dish. And I have to say the wine was just fantastic.
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Stephanie - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, October 02, 2007

My husband and I were invited here by friends who rave about this place for supper last Friday. I had a quick peak at the reviews first and was quite apprehensive, but trusted their taste... I'm glad I did, it was fab!

The place looks lovely - really one of a kind and the room upstairs for drinks is gorgeous. The restaurant was packed and staff were friendly and fun. Although busy I certainly didn't feel they showed a lack of attention. The best thing though was the grill in the centre of the room where food is cooked. A great focal point.

The food was lovely, I had a huge seabass and envied my husbands beef. Sides were also good, yummy Dauphinois. Puddings were less exciting but I had a nice chocolate fondant. The cheese looked good too, if a little smelly!

The prices might be a little Chelsea and the wine list made me wish I had a bottomless purse, there were some outstanding bottles on there, but it really is not bad value. We had a great night and will be back...
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Aimee - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, June 06, 2007

You know those places where the staff are incredibly well trained but seem to be concentrating on other matters ?

You know those places where it's all about the ambience and colours and presentation, but the food is distinctly ordinary?

You know those places where you everyone was so busy trying to be professional that they couldn't crack a smile?

Yo know thiose places where they burn rosemary as a speial touch but it smells like a forest fire?

You know those places where they ask if everything was satisfactory but aren't prepared for a negative response?

You know those places where you leave and you feel empty?

This is such a place.
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Antony Gevisser
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Saturday, April 14, 2007

I find it hard to believe any review which complains about the service in this restaurant - if anything, it is over-serviced. Too many staff, too attentive - but then you are paying to be looked after! As for the food, it was quite plain and simple, but tasty - definitely not Michelin star standard, but it is a brasserie. We had the asparagus and artichoke ragout - bit bland. The whole grilled lobster - fair size, but it was what it said on the label. Oxtail - very nice except the sauce lacked a little sweetness which would have made it superb. Desserts - chocolate fondant - perfect in texture but too sweet, caramel souffle - rose to the occasion but not quite right. My wife said she could have done better, and I would not dare argue wih that. Overall a reasonably good experience, but for £140 with a £26 bottle of wine, I would have expected better.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Sunday, April 08, 2007

The food is average but the service is appalling. We went on Good Friday when the restaurant was not very busy (4 tables occupied). Had a nice pre-lunch drink upstairs and then went down for lunch. They tried to seat us in a dark corner and we asked for a brighter seat. We were told that the other tables were booked. We asked the floor manager and she moved us to another table. Not another person was seated while we were there so the tables were not booked. Ordering took about 30 mins and getting a bottle of wine took about the same time. We ordered the Easter menu which was quite good value but the portions were small and the meat over cooked. In addition, only 2 of the promised 4 sides came out. In fairness to the floor manager she brought out some more lamb which was cooked rare and another portion of sides. After that we ordered dessert (another 30 mins to order) and we had to remind the waiter that we were on the set menu after he brought us the a la carte. After dessert there was another delay to get coffees and again the chocolates promised on the set menu never arrived despite a couple of requests. Getting a second bottle of wine was another battle and when it arrived it was the wrong one. Finally, getting the bill took another 20 mins and when it arribed it was wrong with extras that we had not ordered thrown on. At this stage the staff had changed over and getting the bill corrected required all sorts of negotiation. I also asked that the discretionary service charge be removed so we could pay that in cash. This was challenged so I listed the various problems we had (as above). Not a word of apology and a general degree of unhapiness from the new floor manager. I was going to give a 10% tip but the sour meant we were inclined not to leave any service charge. A bill of £266 for 4 (without service) is chunky enough without the attitude. We left without leaving any tip and we were followed out of the restaurant by the floor manager (obviously they didn't understand the meaning of discretionary service charge). She asked that I come back in and speak to the manager. I and one of my co-diners said we would be delighted to speak to the manager. After waiting approx 3 mins for the manager to appear, we left as we had been in the restaurant for over 3 hours and I was fed up. I received an abusive phone call on my mobile 5 mins later saying I was immature and that the chef was distressed! The manager refused to listen to my complaints so I hung up and was outrageously rude. In short, overpriced, average food, lazy and uninterested staff and unfortunately indicative of some of the restaurant scene in Lodon where they think a service charge is deserved rather than earned. My advice is to go to the Cross Keys pub or Pigs Ear up the road - better food at half the price. (Also the place needed a good clean - when the menus are grubby and dog eared its not always a great sign.)
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Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Friday, April 06, 2007

This place is simply one of the best restaurants in London. We ate here on a Saturday evening with 10 of us for a birthday party. We had pre and post-dinner drinks in the bar overlooking the Thames, and the atmosphere was totally unpretentious and like the fabulous cocktails, very chilled.

If your preference is simple food but of extremely high quality and taste, then this is the place for you. For example, the king prawns cooked on the open grill tasted as they did on our honeymoon - straight out of the indian ocean and onto the barbecue for a minute or two, as opposed to how they normally taste in London - straight out of the Thames and into a frypan for 2 hours.

The service was excellent considering our party size, and the atmosphere was spot-on.

Superb place, and unlike many other restaurants you read about on here, not at all up its own exhaust pipes!
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Ed
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Sunday, February 25, 2007

Overated restaurant. Smart and elegant but food average at the most. Service very poor i.e bordering on rude and painfully slow. Best part of the evening having pre-dinner drinks at the bar upstairs.
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Martha Valieri
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 2
Sunday, February 11, 2007

The only problem with this place is getting a table. When it first opened it was the ideal venue for Sunday lunch but now it seems that you need to book 3 months in advance!!! Other than that perfect, pricey but worth every penny. Tip: arrive 1/2 an hour early and have a pre-dink or two upstairs in a bar with the most beautiful view of albert bridge.
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EJ - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, January 31, 2007

As a special treat each year we celebrate our christmas party along with our colleagues at the cheyne walk brasseris. We always choose Sunday lunch time - drinks up in the lounge with the superb view of the Thames - sipping wine in the luxurious atmosphere - then onto lunch in the dining room - there is a great buzz from the customers enjoying their meals - the roast chicken is to die for - the staff ever so attentive - nothing is too much effort for them. All in all a fantastic start for the christmas festivities.
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kay jenkins
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Sunday, December 10, 2006