Brasserie Joel

Finding a good risotto in London is harder than I thought with many getting the consistency wrong or not cooking it long enough and so the rice is still hard. But for Brasserie Joel it was not a problem as they served me one of the best risotto dishes I’ve had for a very long time.

I’m not usually one who finds myself dining in hotel restaurant but not doing much research beforehand that was where I found Brasserie Joel to be, in Park Plaza Westminster. After getting lost around the roundabout to realise that the hotel was actually located in the middle, I finally made it to their restaurant greeted by their warm friendly front of house staff at the entrance. We were called in immediately guided by the waiters through their narrow dark walkway leading into a windowless room ,compose of sleek black walls and seatings with a mix of warm red and purple lights. It wasn’t very spacious but big enough for you to settle down into your table and get lost in the dimmed lighting over your meal. Some could find it slightly cold and quiet and maybe slightly claustrophobic with the dark enclosement but it didn’t bother us and we enjoyed the atmosphere.

As soon as we were settled with the menu we were given some appetisers of minced olives served with little pieces of cut up bread and also a basket of their unlimited freshly baked bread with their delicious Normandy butter. Each table was also laid out with a can of their A L'OLIVIER cold pressed Lubéron olive oil for you to enjoy freely with the bread. It was a great appetiser to start and all very tasty. Bread was warm , crusty and fluffy inside. The butter was of the highest quality, creamy and smooth and the olives and its oil were very fragrant and flavoursome. When I say unlimited it really was unlimited as the staff were more than willing to refill them without you asking first hence you hadn’t had to feel embarrassed about asking.

Prices are quite high compared to the average menu but I suppose that is expected for a hotel restaurant .As usual, most of the menu didn’t come with a side and had to be ordered separately. It is why I tend to avoid hotel restaurants as quality and quantity doesn’t seem to make up for the price. Well quality is not a problem at Brasserie Joel and luckily we were there with an offer dining off their limited a la carte entitling us to one main course each for £1 per person and with their unlimited bread we were sure not to worry to be leaving hungry.

First to arrive as our starter to share and came after a short wait was our beautiful Porcini risotto with parmesan, plum tomatoes and pea shoots served in a retro style heavy red saucepant. The waitress told us many people had complained about the pot, finding it a distraction to eat but I couldn’t disagree more as it manage to keep the risotto warm all the way through our meal and added some fun in eating it. But it did not just win in presentation but also in taste. Cooked to perfect timing the risotto rice was soft all the way through like a risotto should be, sticky to the perfect consistency and very flavoursome from the mushrooms and herbs used. The parmesan was light so did not make the dish too heavy and all was seasoned perfectly with burst of sweetness from the tomatoes. It was delicious, can easily be one of the best risotto I have had helped by the fresh ingredients used like the mushrooms which were still fresh and bouncy when biting into it. We throughly enjoyed it to the end.

Next to arrive were our mains in which I ordered the traditional fish pie which came with buttered peas on the side. It didn’t stand out as much as the others but was very adequate in taste with the smooth creamy mash potatoes, seafood flavour and seasoned well. However I did wish they could throw in a few more shrimps in there as I believe there were only three, just for that nice change in texture of bite and bounciness that I enjoyed when I found one.

Finally our roast chicken came which was excluded off the Twitter deal but as it was of their dish of the day which is another offer they do, it only cost only £9.95 on a Wednesday and served with mini roast potatoes. They do a different dish of the day per day of the week. Now the roast chicken came generously, a good half a chicken topped with rocket salad and looked very herby. This was another win. The chicken was beautifully roasted in flavour of lemon and herbs.Skin was roasted to golden yellow, thin and crisp with no signs of fat, into a very juicy succulent white meat, all the way to the bone. There was no sauce but it hadn't needed any as it was perfectly flavoured to enjoy on its own. The potatoes were fluffy and also well flavoured with the same herbs and citrus flavour making it all very appetising.

From the beginning to end service was very attentive and friendly with the refilling of bread, staff coming over to make sure our meal was okay. We received adequate service even though we were dining with an offer and even welcomed back again. However due to the layout of the restaurant there was not much space for the waiters and waitresses to stand and with us being placed in the corner it did feel at times we were constantly watched over and stared at which made things quite uncomfortable. Other than that they were fine.

On the whole we very very much enjoyed our meal at Brasserie Joel. The place and atmosphere is missing some vibe but the deliverance of food definitely makes up for it. All ingredients were given attention to detail, fresh and well prepared to give off the best of flavour rather than the use of salt. Probably not an everyday casual dining unless you’re living in the hotel but would be considered for that special occasion just for another risotto, roast and more of that freshly baked bread.
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Lamchowder - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Monday, May 21, 2012

We went to this restaurant because of its ease of access from Westminster (only a short stroll over Wesminster Bridge, something which one doesn't always bear in mind north of the river!) and had it entirely to ourselves. This was sad, as this was an empty restaurant which thoroughly deserved to be full! We had impeccable and attentive service from Nathan and enjoyed the dish of the day, a dessert and some excellent coffee. A thoroughly pleasant experience. We look forward to our next visit.
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10 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Thursday, November 17, 2011

We had an excellent time at Brasserie Joel. We were on an offer with three courses and unlimited drinks, which worked out as excellent value. The food was all really well presented, and was delicious, and they were generous with the top ups of the drinks. Service was friendly and efficient, and the whole place had a good atmosphere. Definitely worth trying.
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ajp50
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Saturday, September 03, 2011

My Son and I had dinner at this hotel Brasserie on Friday night, and we were pleasantly impressed. We were seated very promptly, as the restaurant was not very full. It was around 8.30 pm.

The menu seemed nicely varied, with meat, fish, pasta etc. We both had the Scottish haddock with asparagus. The portion was fairly small, but it was very nicely presented and we very much enjoyed it.. We ordered wine by the glass from the wine list, and were impressed when our delightful and efficient waiter, brought the bottles to us, so we could see that we had the wine that we ordered.

Our meal was finished off with two beautiful desserts,( Rum Baba, Monie Praline,) and coffee.

I felt that the charge was reasonable for the food and service in a smart and stylish restaurant, and I look forward to dining there again.
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Diana Partridge
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, May 30, 2010