The Summerhouse

It was a nice summer evening so I thought that The Summerhouse might make a welcome change to usual places we would try. Big mistake.

No doubt it is a nice venue, but the service is a shambles and food is distinctly average...and expensive. We shared three starters to begin with: Crispy calamari, Prawn & Avocado cocktail, Tuna Sashimi

The calamari was chewy so when you tried to bite into it you ended just pulling it straight out of the batter. Weak. The prawn & avocado cocktail contained about three tiny prawns, a lot of sauce and a weird guacamole concoction. Not what I expected. The tuna sashimi had the tiniest, thinnest slivers of fish so small that it was indistinguishable. This is not sashimi. It's an amuse bouche sized carpaccio except I or my mouth weren't amused.

For mains we shared the salmon and smoked haddock fishcake with asparagus, hollandaise and a poached egg. This was actually alright but a pretty tiny portion for £15.

With one peroni, one glass of pinot grigot and service this all came to £60. I was starving so went home, had a sandwich and blamed my girlfriend for choosing the restaurant.
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Harry B
3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 0
Friday, June 03, 2011

I went with few friends and had an amazing time there. Originally went there for few drinks but with a charming view like this we decided to get a table.

The food was great and generous. The service was attentive and relax. Ideal...

Can't wait to go back for another fun and lazy day drinking Pimm's
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9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Thursday, July 08, 2010

Decided to make the most of the weather and to enjoy the wonderful setting of this restaurant for a romantic meal a deux. Apart from the setting which was picture perfect (the ducks appeared to be groomed as they swam past) and the cocktails which were excellent it was a series of disappointments. Firstly the manager, a stern German woman, told us that we could not sit by the canal even though the tables were free because they were reserved. Interesting given that we dined for a good 90 minutes and no one showed up to occupy those 3 available tables. Secondly the food was oh-so-average whereas the prices were very steep! The calamari seemed frozen, they were 'unable' to serve the sole off the bone and the steak was a giant piece of animal fat cunningly disguised as rump. For a 2 course meal with no wine we paid £75 - never again. What a shame as it is a lovely location. An alternative for al-fresco dining albeit without such a lovely view try Hush.
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4 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, June 22, 2010

The food is simply not good enough for what is a rather lovely location. Luckily, the tables are filled by those with more money than taste. I can't understand how a brief menu of fairly simple fish and seafood dishes can be executed in such a careless, unappetising way. Even the fish and chips was a disappointment.

A real waste of a charming setting. Doubt it will be missed when it pops off.
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Janet
6 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
Thursday, May 20, 2010

The fact that I live 200m from the Summerhouse is not the reason that I've visited it 6 times (not counting tomorrow) since it opened - it's just a wonderful bonus.

The atmosphere and ambience are delightful; OK, the Grand Union Canal is not the most romantic of waterways, but sitting by the window watching the barges and the ducks with their families is calming and charming. The nautically themed

decor and fixtures are fun and tastefully done - the quirks of having chips presented in a pail and the bill in a butterdish bring a smile.

I cannot fault any meal I've had there. For instance, the calamari are generously served with the best-ever batter; the fish, as in fish and chips, is sparklingly fresh and benefits from (I assume) the same excellent crispy batter. A small mozzarella and tomato salad was too big to finish and the knickerbocker glory was as lavish in nostalgia as it was in cream. The wine list is particularly good value and echoes the list at the Waterway, the Summerhouse's big sister restaurant down the canal.

Service is as attentive and friendly as one could wish - the customer is king.

I do so hope this place doesn't 'pop down' in October as has been rumoured -

I am totally prepared to travel for a good food, preferably reasonably priced and well served but hey! to have somewhere like this on the doorstep is surely a result.
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mrsmeek
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, May 10, 2010

As far as i know a 'pop-up' is something open temporarily and when i went to The summerhouse last week they explained they are only open during the summer months so i guess it qualifies!

We had Pimms in the bar and a HUGE bowl of crudites (i assume this is the uncut vegetables salad that one previous reviewer commented on) with dips served in cute little porcelain buckets! When our friends arrived we were shown to a table by the water and after a hearty meal of Calamari, sea bass and the watermelon and strawberry platter for dessert we were left feeling truly satisfied!

This is definitely a unique venue for London and has a real beach house vibe from the music to the decor we did feel like we had briefly escaped the big smoke.

Shame it's only popping up for the summer.
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Annabel
10 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, May 04, 2010

First of all this is not a pop-up restaurant at all. It used to be a restaurant called the Boat House before Waterway took it over and open all year round. I used to love going there, very relaxing, excellent food and wine. The menu was pricey but it was fantastic. What have they done to it? The menu is cheaper and it seems the quality went down with the price. It was just ok but I would certainly not go back. Steak was tough, salad pretended to be "trendy" by serving uncut carrots and cabbage and charging you £15 for it. Desserts were basic and tasty but nothing special, some frozen berries with melted white chocolate for £6 anyone? The low quality ingredients in the food is obvious.

Pity as this is one of the best locations in London. Waterway is great, has great food and athmosphere, why couldn't they repeat the same thing here?

The place was booked (only a 2hr seating on a sat afternoon), shows what marketing "pop-up" can do for you, but I doubt it will last if quality is not improved.
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5 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Thursday, April 29, 2010

I went here last Saturday afternoon for lunch, the place was busy but the service was good and the atmosphere was still relaxed. It truly felt like I was on holiday, looking over the water edge and tucking into my delicious beer battered fish while my partner had the salmon fish cakes. I will definitely be dinning here again as there is still plenty I want to try on the enticing menu. I would recommend it to anyone who wants that instant relaxed holiday feeling along with good service and good food. I almost forgot I was in London!
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, April 29, 2010

Nice location but they didn't have a single bottle of red wine available when I visited for lunch last week. Food was good though in spite of a very long wait for the starters to arrive. There were only two other tables being served in the restaurant at the time. OK but probably wouldn't go back.
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5 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Friday, April 23, 2010

Was a fantastic night. Great cocktails to start, cheeky I know, but really set the night off. Just wish you were closer but deffo be back in May...
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, April 15, 2010