what the critics say

Zoe Williams - 9.5/10

Matthew Norman
your comments review this restaurant and win a bottle of champagne
Extrordinarily excellent burgers and very good service, a little on the pricey side for me but I guess that's to be expected in this part of town. Overall I highly reccomend.
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Steve Kerr
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Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Friday, December 16, 2011
Very disappointed. The room is depressing with a low ceiling. The food quality was only average and very overpriced.
The worst part was the wines. Outrageously overpriced!
Will not be returning.
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Rodger Slape
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Food 5 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, July 04, 2011
Very disappointing. Menu looked fantastic. Started badly when I ordered fromage de tete and waiter wanted to make sure that I didn't really want to order cheese! Fromage de tete over salty. Guest brought wrong starter twice. Burgers dry and tasteless and frites not as good as McDonalds. Floating island quite good.
Was this just a bad day ? A real shame.
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Fatty
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Food 4 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 4
Monday, March 14, 2011
I have been here twice now and have twice had the pulled pork beef burger. I love a good burger and this is one of the best in town. I don't like the fries that they come with but forgot to ask if they could change them this time. We had an early evening reservation and were told that we had to be gone in two hours. As it was just my friend and myself this wasn't a problem but I do hate double seating in restaurants. Even though we had plenty of time, we found the staff quite pushy in getting us to choose desserts and it spoilt the experience somewhat. The plated desserts were world class standard. I know the head pasty chef so guessed that I wouldn't be disappointed. Finally, the house red was £5 for a small glass but is the nicest that I have ever tasted. Go.
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Sarah
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Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Monday, March 07, 2011
On the spur of the moment, we decided to go into town and do a spot of sale shopping. Having traipsed around the shops all day long, we thought we would at last give Daniel's new Bar Boulud a go at the Mandarin. When we are in New York, we always eat at Daniel's, and out of all the 3 michelin starred restaurants, we have always preferred his. We arrived at 9.30pm off the cuff with no reservation last Monday (bank holiday). The place was absolutely heaving still and despite being full, the waiter found us a table within minutes -good start. Within 15 minutes of sitting down, our food had arrived and was perfectly cooked. We had steak and sole, both were excellent and extremely generous portions. The price; well I live in the home counties and most of my local pubs are more expensive for a steak. We though it was excellent value for money. Our desserts also were excellent. This isn't 3 michelin starred food or a 3 michelin starred experience, but for the price you pay, you get superb food in a place with a nice buzzy atmosphere, perfect for casual dining when you want something decent to eat. We were most impressed, and it takes a lot to impress us! Can't wait to return. Well done Daniel.
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J NOBLE
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Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Monday, January 10, 2011
I never really go out in the Knightsbridge area, so when I found myself there last Saturday I thought it would be good to try Bar Bouud. After hearing great things about Daniel Boulud's New york flagship restaurant I had been wanting to try this place since it opened.
After a quick drink in the bar while we waited for a table, we were then led to the main restaurant. The place looks cool, light and airy despite it's basement setting. The menu reads really well with a huge choice of classic French dishes along with an American influence. We started with a shared platter of charcuterie, which although being £28 was well worth it. 5 different terrines (2 chicken, lamb, beef and pork), some great cubes of pig head, 2 different hams and some saucisson. It also came with toast, 4 pickled veg and mustard. It was plenty for 2 but could have been enough for 3 or even 4 people. Mains were also good with my Piggy burger being cooked a lovely rare and my friends Coq au vin was top notch. Cheese for dessert was the only let down with the choice not being great and the cheeses themselves not being in good nick.
The wine list was top heavy on Burgundy and Rhone (I think this is were the chef is from) and also top heavy on prices with little under £50. We ended up with a nice Chorey les Beaune for about £60, which went well with all the dishes.
Service was also very good, our German waitress was great as were all the staff who looked after us.
Overall a cool place with great food and a nice buzz, not cheap but as I have said before, where is in London nowadays.
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Chris
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Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Our second visit was as enjoyable as the first. Some individual items on the charcuterie small board may look a bit meagre, but together they're plenty for a starter course. Scallops, venison and sausages main courses were excellent even if the servings are not over-generous. Our waiter came up trumps with a suggestion from the more modest end of the wine list.
The number of staff circulating around the room doesn't cease to amaze, but they're polite, efficient and never a nuisance.
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Kentishwanderer
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Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
What started of well, went steadily down-hill after the warm greeting and nice drink at the bar. Once seated, the incredibly under experienced waiter blustered around, constantly interrupting and then deciding to knock our water over all three of us. Even when we suggested it would be easier to move to another table (plenty available) the inelegant attempts as mopping it all up took a while and just caused more irritation. After several more interruptions, including having more water, but fizzy for those who had asked for still and vice versa, we got through the uninspiring medley of cold meats. This was followed by a rib eye and two burgers which were so unmemorable, that they were not worthy of comment. Except to say that the plates were too small, the chips were poor and the steak was not up to much.
Then onto dessert - cheese all round, except for some specific cheeses we asked not to be included. Of course they brought us the cheeses, including the ones we did not want. A quick scrape of the plate back in the kitchen, and they returned minus the requested cheeses.
In summary - this is a restaurant attached to one of the best hotels in London - the service was appalling, the food was dull and the overall experience should not be repeated.
It is so disappointing when a restaurant promises so much and delivers so little, I have had better meals for half the price and nicer surroundings.
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Tim Wood
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Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 3
Sunday, September 05, 2010
I had an excellent lunch there today (18/09/10). Since I was on my own they sat me at the bar overlooking the kitchen which was intriguing as I have never seen inside a working kitchen before! I was offered a newspaper and drink then ordered.
For mains I had the Yankee Burger (rilled beef patty with iceberg lettuce tomato, sweet onion, sesame bun, pickle and pommes frites with cheddar cheese). This was one of the best burgers I have ever tasted.
For dessert I had the Coupe Peppermint (flourless chocolate sponge, hot chocolate sauce, mint ice cream, chocolate sorbet) which as absolutely delicious!
The service was very quick and efficient which is ideal for a quick lunch even though it was very busy and noisy.
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Mr CM
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Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
I've made three visits to Bar Boulud in the last month. Each time I've been very happy with the food - the charcuterie is always the best bit. Wasn't mad about the burger or the choc peppermint sundae (which I would argue is made with garden mint not peppermint) but the former is extremely popular.
The dining room is split into two, but there doesn't seem to be one that's hipper than the other, both have been very buzzy when I've visited. There are plenty of tables at the bar, it would be a very good place to enjoy a lunch by oneself.
What is really amazing about Bar Boulud is the service. It's extremely attentive and professional, while also being friendly and relaxed.
With a couple of glasses of wine and 3 courses per person, I nearly always pay £40 a head including service. And I always feel that it's been well worth it - certainly enough to keep me coming back.
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June
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Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, August 02, 2010
what the bloggers say
Londonelicious
Gourmet Chick - 8/10








