Gordon Ramsay's Boxwood Cafe

I took my wife to The Boxwood Cafe for her birthday, as we knew it offered a tasting menu, something we both like.

The menu consisted of seven courses, all of which were between very nice and excellent. The wine for each course was also good, but we didn't feel it accompanied the food as well as some other establishments we have had tasting menus (Pied a Terre for example.)

Service at the table was also very good.

On the negative side, when being sat down we were told that we could only have the table for two hours. This was slightly irritating as we had booked well in advance, and always planned to have the tasting menu, and two hours would clearly not be enough time to have it in unless they completely rushed through it. As it happens it took about three and a half hours, and we weren't asked to move - but if this was the case why did they say anything in the first place? When you spend that sort of money on dinner you don't expect to have to keep checking your watch.

Also where I was sitting was near a door to the noisy bar next door, and all the through the meal I could hear thudding dance music - again not what I would expect (and why I have marked down 'atmosphere')

So on the whole - without the two negative points I have given I would say I had an excellent time, but as it was I feel there is distinct room for improvement.
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Dan
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Monday, February 11, 2008

really good coming from the hospitality sectore

, food great , spot on service , well worth it

congratulations to matt and his team well done
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wayne
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Sunday, February 10, 2008

Myself and 3 girlie friends ate here on 26 Jan 08. ...... what a fantastic experience.

From the minute we walked through the doors we were made exteremly welcome, the lady at the door took our shopping bags and coats off us then her colleague led us to the table, she ensured we were all sat comfortably before handing us over to the waiter that would be looking after us whilst there!! The waiter gave us the set lunch, a la carte, taster, wine and drinks menu's and left us to decide what we would like, he came back within minutes and took our drinks order and then gave us some fresly cooked bread which was still warm with salted butter and a mayonnaise spread.

For starter we ordered 2x Jerusalem artichoke soup, which was very tasty & 1x Tagliolini of langoustine, which was cooked perfectly and packed with flavour.

For our mains we had 3x beef, mash and a shallot and green peppercorn sauce & 1x Roasted loin of suckling pig with garlic roasted potatoes and grain mustard sauce we also ordered side dishes of Roasted new potatoes, garlic butter and shallots and steamed broccoli. All the beef was cooked to perfection (2x well done, 1x medium) the meat was so moist and had loads of flavour and the suckling pig was cooked equally good and the crackling was the best tasted!!

The dessert menu was fantastic we all decided on different desserts we had, Carpaccio of pineapple and roasted mango with Campari and blood orange sorbet, Home-made ice cream cones (3 cones with 3 different flavour ice cream), Valrhona hot chocolate fondue, marshmallows, biscotti and bananas and a Homemade cheesecake with gingernut crumble and raspberry sorbet again all dessert's were fantastic and could not be faulted.

The food portions were very generous and we did not leave feeling hungry!!! The bill came to £191 which included service and we did leave an extra tip as the service was unfaultable.

We would all defintely recommend a trip here as the whole experince from walking through the door was amazing both the food and service was exceptional, the decor was stylish, we were comfortable in our seating, there was plenty of room between tables the front of house managers had the staff well organised, all staff stop to let you walk past first.... we were made to feel really welcome and exteremly enjoyed our dining experience here
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Kirsty
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, January 28, 2008

I have been to the Boxwood a couple of years ago and had forgotten how nice it was. We were a party of 6 goign to the theatre, so unfortunately only had time for 2 courses and coffee.

For the main course, 2 of the party had the lobster risotto, which was "slightly too garlicky". 2 others had the venison, which was "very tender".

The side orders were a little strange - the roast potatoes were new potatoes which looked like they had been griddled rather than roasted. The broccolli also had been griddled and tasted a bit smokey. The spinach was lovely, but a very small portion!

The srevice was excellent - attentive without being overbearing.

I agree with another reviewers comments abou the location of the loos - negotiating 2 flights of stairs in high heels is a bit daunting after a couple of glasses of wine!

Summary - lovely fresh food, beautful ingredients, modern ambience, great service.

I would definitely return.
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Grace
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Monday, January 21, 2008

All I can say is fantastic. Food was amazing, staff were great, decor fab.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, January 19, 2008

I ate at the Boxwood last night, it was for my birthday and I went with my dad.

When we arrived we where dealt with in very professional, proficient and friendly manor that remained throughout the evening.

We enjoyed a pre-meal drink. The two bar staff dealt quickly with us but I didn't feel rushed. I ordered a cocktail, Bramble, which I would have to say is one of the best cocktails I have ever had for taste. I felt tho that there was a little too much ice to drink ratio and found myself very quickly finishing the drink. I am a Croydon girl so that might explain it! But I have had cocktails in many parts of the world, including The Cliff, Cobblers Cove, Olive, The Loan Star and Sandy Lane in Barbados and many in London. And I would still say that the one at the Boxwood last night was one of, if not ‘the’ best cocktail I’ve had.

On to our meal, I had the scallops to start, served in there shells, very good. My dad ordered the taster menu, where he got to try all types of food and wine, and the staff gave a good explanation for each, its an experience! and great fun I recommend that.

We both got a few un expected tasters throughout the meal, starting with a soup in a little espresso cup. Very nice. and later a small taster of a cream brulle, which was ok, possibly part of my dads taster menu but they included me in on them. But very nice to get these when you where not expecting them.

It was getting late towards the end of our meal and the restaurant was getting quite empty my dad had to ask the barrister for the desert wine to go with his taster pudding. I got a complementary glass, but we did feel like we shouldn't have had to of asked. And I noticed he had to open a new bottle. For the 2 of us came too just shy of over £200. About £215. I think that was fair.

Good points;

Great fun, ideal for those who want a special night out at a Ramsey restaurant. You will be lucky to see him, but you can see his influence everywhere. To the many dishes with fois grois to the efficiency of the staff.

Bad points;

Really had to think about this, because I feel like I’m splitting hairs a little. I would say that the staff where a little bit uptight. And the food is at times over seasoned with salt. The restaurant is dark some would say quite masculine but I quite liked that. Toilets are in an odd place. My main course was risotto with lobster, having been to Barbados I might be a little spoilt but I didn't think much of it and was too salty.

If you go, use it as a perfect opportunity to try something completely different maybe even get the staff to pick for you and I'm sure you will not be disappointed!

Would I go again? Yes.
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P.J
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Friday, January 18, 2008

I was recently treated, with others, to a meal in the 'Willow Room' by a business client and loved the whole evening. The food was exceptional from beginning to end and the champagne, served by the delightful Amy ( the new waitress from Cornwall) was the most painless experience I can remember.

Bravo!

...and if I wasn't so ancient I'd ask Amy to run away with me!!
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Stephen Boland
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, December 28, 2007

It was ok.

It was a bit dark, being underneth The Berkley and there being NO natural light. Which did not help the fact that i could not see what i had as a main( which was a beef chop with marrow and shallots in red wine served on a black cast iron dish in bad lighting), but the service was good, but a bit expensive, just under £200 for two with NO wine except 2 glasses of champayne @ £17 each.

I would not of minded so much if it was one of gordon ramsay's better restaurants.

Never mind...

maybe its just me......
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rory
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Friday, December 28, 2007

Myself and my wife have just returned from having a lovely lunch at the Boxwood The food was lovely although my haddock omlette was a little too salty which was a shame.

My wife had a potato gnocci in cep sauce which was lovely even though it was not the dish she had ordered,we decided not to complain because wat they brought out looked lovely too.

Service was of good quality, in particular the new waitress from cornwall (sorry i forgot to ask her name) who was out standing.

On the whole a very enjoyable experience so we will be going back again.
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Mitch & Beejal Desour
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Sunday, December 23, 2007

As a vegetarian, I was wary of visiting one of Gordon Ramsay's restaurants but I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised. All the menus have vegetarian options, and they even have a veggie tasting menu.

The food was top quality, it seemed to have been created and presented with as much care as the meat and fish dishes on the menu and was much nicer that the food that I've had at some veggie restaurants such as The Gate in Hammersmith.

I'd taken my nephew there for his sixteenth birthday and when his dessert arrived, one of the marshmallows had a candle in it and the plate had "Happy Birthday" written around it in chocolate - a nice touch.

Finally, I must recommend the banana sticky toffee pudding - it is the best I've ever had!
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Gaz - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Friday, December 21, 2007