Tom Aikens

Went here very recently. I hope it gets 10 in the good food guide this year; it deserves it.

My only little niggle was that there was a lot of petit fours for just 2 people. It'd be fine for a larger party, but when it's just 2 people (who don't quite get when to stop....) it leads to being very full. Maybe a smaller selection for a smaller party? Other than that it was fantastic. One of the best meals I've ever eaten.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Having visited a number of top restaurants around the world, I certainly recommend this place; the reason is mainly due to the fantastic food. The food is really fantastic in every way, form the aesthetics of the presentation, like a master piece to the taste and textures. The service is very good and attentive but not overbearing. Perhaps at certain moments the time between courses can be a little on the long side, some may prefer this.

The only thing that would let this place down is the fact that there is somewhat of a lack of ambience. The décor is contemporary yet very subtle, perhaps too subtle. I would definitely recommend this place, but would prefer not to otherwise too many other people may end up booking all the places. For a truly amazing deal I suggest you go at lunch for the set menu; though the choice is very limited (2 offerings per course), at £30 for a Michelin starred restaurant it is a steal. There are many other restaurants which have been handed stars, but in my opinion they don’t all deserve it. This place really deserves its star, and I would be almost inclined to give it two. I have been many times for both lunch and dinner an have yet to experience a disaster, I hope this trend continues; I’ll keep my fingers crossed…
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chribson - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, July 02, 2008

The food was excellent, it really deserves its Michelin Star.
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wayne king - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Went here last wednesday for lunch. Loved the decor - modern, smart and tables well spaced out.

Service was attentive but not overbearing.

Food was magnificent - as good as anywhere I've eaten in London.

Well deserving of the michelin star.

Would thoroughly recommend.
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Sam A.
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Excellent lunch. Artisitic starters. John Dory cooked to perfection. Innovative amuse bouche and the most generous petit fours at any michelin star restaurant I have visited. Will return.
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John H.
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Went for lunch on Friday last week. Thoroughly enjoyed it. We had a good table and all the other tables were full. The £30 lunch menu was good value and between us we tried everything on it. The only minor disappointment was the peach dessert which was a bit wishy-washy but by contrast the cheese selection was superb. Ended up expensive (as mentioned by other reviewers) but that was largely my fault for getting carried away with the wine order.
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Harry H - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Thursday, May 29, 2008

To foam or not to foam!!! That was the question we asked ourselves as we left Tom Aitkens. First and foremost the main courses you will order are second to none, better than most I have tasted around the world. The pollock starter was beautiful, light, tasty and left you wanting more, the fillet steak main course was divine. I have never tasted a fillet steak so beautiful in my life! The rhubard desert was stunning. However, the sheer elation felf was slightly deflated by the

'in-between" creations!. Some worked and some fell wide of the mark - and lefy my companion feeling rather queasy, particularly the petit fours. Overall, we were really pleased to have experienced Tom Aitkens and enjoyed the experience, other than the slightly over attentative service. Would I go back, maybe in time.
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PaulG
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Monday, May 05, 2008

Please do not confuse Tom Aikens restaurant (one michelin star, Modern French Cuisine), Tom's Kitchen (Luxury brasserie) and Tom's Place (Seafood and Fish & Chips restaurant)... The same owner Tom Aikens but three differents restaurants.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Friday, April 11, 2008

Excellent food and great service. Try the fish and chips which is an amazing dish. If I have a criticism, it is that the surroundings are a little sterile, but overall I would highly recommend the restaurant.
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John Szepietowski
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Thursday, March 13, 2008

I visited Tom Aikens for lunch last Friday. As I was first to arrive I decided to opt for a beer to wet my whiste while I waited, rather than the proffered aperitif or champagne. I asked the maitre'd what was on offer in way of lager. He regarded me keenly before naming a single obscure organic lager and adding "we're not really about beer here". Never a truer word.

Tom Aikens is a gastronomic temple. It is compact, slick and stylish with the food taking its cue from the decor and service in this regard. Amuse-bouche for us was a test tube of sauternes jelly topped with layers of celeriac dice, celeriac puree and a sort of truffle flavoured mousse. I don't think I could honestly say I enjoyed every mouthful of this (it could have done with losing one of the celeriac layers) but it was at least interesting. I am also very much of the opinion that an amuse-bouche, compliments of the chef, is the place for a little experimentation.

My starter of duck breast, confit duck and root vegetables rather surprisingly arrived cold (admittedly by design). It was very pleasant but I couldn't help thinking that I would have enjoyed it more had it been warm. It was also a rather substantial portion, throwing my companion's miniscule langoustine starter into sharp relief. He did wolf it down in record time though so I assume it tasted good.

My main of sea bass with blood oranges, blood orange sauce and broccoli puree was a highlight. The delightfully piquant flavour of the sauce mingling interestingly with the crispy skinned fish and unctuous puree. Again though I won in the portion stakes with the lamb on the other side of the table arriving in the shape of three fifty-pence-piece sized medallions.

Dessert was something to do with rhubarb (a sort of mousse thing) and was light and tart and thoroughly moreish. As we both had the same thing we could agree that it was a triumph without bemoning the cack-handed quantities. Petit-fours deserve special mention - a selection of spoons with assorted cream/fruit based goodies jostled for attention amongst madeleines, chocolates and sugary wafers.

Overall Tom Aikens was very much what I expected from a restaurant of its reputation. High quality ingredients cooked with a bit of flair and invention, professional and courteous service (as ever in Michelin joints the staff are predominantly French) and a diningroom with a sense of occasion about it. From my meal the main point to watch is portion control but apart from that and the slighlty offbeat amuse bouche I would certainly recommend Tom Aikens for a high quality meal in the modern French style.
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PW - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, February 19, 2008