The Wolseley

Fantastic simple food, lots of choice, light or hearty mains. Tip, there is a selection of tables, which are non bookable, so you can arrive and wait for a table. Sat night was busy - where in london is not busy but the good thing is we were seated after some drinks at the bar. Atmosphere is buzzing...i ve been here for afternoon tea, dinner...£130 for 3, with pre dinner drink each, bottle of wine, mains and 2 desserts to share...
Comment on this reader review

foodie
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Sunday, October 11, 2009

Our family of four had lunch here to celebrate my husband's retirement. We have been a few times now and have never been disappointed. We were up of one of the little balconies which we like although service can be a little slower. It wasn't a problem as we were looking for a relaxed unhurried lunch.

We arrived early and were pleased to be able to sit down straight away. The food was as reliable as ever. It's not haute cuisine but good, simple dishes cooked well. Service was friendly and helpful. It's not cheap but it's a great place for a special occasion. Can't wait to go back!
Comment on this reader review

Alison Townsley - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Saturday, August 29, 2009

We had dinner at The Wolseley last night in a party of four. The venue is indeed beautiful and grand, which contributes to the pleasant dining experience. The staff was very friendly and polite: they noticed we had been exchanging gifts, confirmed it was a birthday celebration and brought a "happy birthday"-tagged desert to me, for free. This degree of friendliness is rather unusual for London's standards, I have to say.

I agree that the food is not exceptional: it is very good, but not amazing. The prices, however, are quite steep: the wiener schnitzel comes without any sides whatsoever (not even fries) and costs 19 pounds... The wines, fortunately, are reasonably priced.

All in all we had a very pleasant night, and I would recommend it for special occasions.
Comment on this reader review

Bruno
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, August 18, 2009

If you're not bothered about the quality of food that you're served and you ache to see some daytime TV calibre celebrities, this place is for you. I wish I'd read the reviews here before I'd booked a table, it was a huge disappointment. Every dish was poor.
Comment on this reader review

June - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Monday, August 10, 2009

Over rated, average food and too expensive for the food and wine quality.
Comment on this reader review

Tamara
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 1
Thursday, August 06, 2009

wouldn't ever go back. Been lots before and was ok but when i called on a monday to book a table for the following week i was told i had to call between 9 and 5 for future bookings. heading back to nobu instead as their service is a million times better.

rude woman! not even an apology. i will take my money elsewhere!!!
Comment on this reader review

Emma P
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Great place for buzz, atmosphere, glamour and people watching.

We got a fabulous table up on a mezzanine balcony, level with huge gothic chandeliers, and with a commanding view of the plebs (Ha!) below. We had an Edwardian style push-button bell to summon waiting staff. Very theatrical and grand. I assumed it would take ages for the waiter to respond - but they were there instantly. I suspect they may have thought we were someone we weren't...

Service on the night we went (a recent Sunday evening dinner) was efficient, despite the place being packed, but lacked the charm I've experienced on previous visits. There were a lot of gawping yokels rubber-necking to spot celebs (lets face it: most of us are closer to the yokel bracket than the Heat page fillers - thank God!). But generally a very cheerful crowd. A bit too much in the way of artificial fibres with gaudy floral prints cladding slightly fat arms and rounded backs, but still: cheerful.

The food is...not the point of this place. It fulfils the necessary function, but it's certainly nothing remarkable.

The wine list is dissapointing. Far too short for a place of this size. Utterly unambitious. No adventure or clever left field choices. The standards (Chablis, Sancerre, Cotes etc) are predictably overpriced, substandard versions. Stick to cocktails as long as you can (the Capirenias are fab), then knock back house plonk or Champagne - suits the mood of the place and it's ambitions much better than trying to do well with this list.

It's all pretty overpriced (for what you get in your glass and on your plate) but you're paying for a fabulous room and added fabulosity. I do agree that it's lost a tad of it's sparkle from a couple of years back. Bit of a factory now without the go-getting, be the best efort it used to exert. However.

It's very very London, in spite of the fact that nowhere else in London is anything like it (well, Simpsons a little bit maybe, and some of the grand dining rooms in the City Guilds perhaps), and it's only been around for a few years. Now an established institution.

Really enjoyable place. Give it a go - you'll love it (darling).
Comment on this reader review

Kwev
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, July 01, 2009

There's some big pluses with the Wolseley. The decor is beautiful and airy. Thankfully, they have good aircon, I'm fed up of feeling faint in restaurants. Nice and breezy. Service was quick and unfussy. The food is....I would say...to the point. Well prepared and presented though no huge wow factor - which I think is reflected in the reviews before. But my quails eggs starter slipped down easily enough, the fillet was juicy and tender and the mousse was very tasty. Wine good and they're not constantly filling your glass. We felt it was a pleasurable experience that let us concentrate on our conversation - always a good sign. The table could have been better. My only complaint.
Comment on this reader review

Ross Todhunter
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 6
Saturday, June 27, 2009

Went for afternoon tea on Monday PM. The place was heaving but as we had made a booking we were seated right away.

As it was 4pm we opted for the Afternoon Tea. I hadnt been before but lots of friends had, and they all raved about it so i was expecting great things. On the whole i was disappointed. The staff were friendly enough but the tea was not as hot as it could have been, the sandwiches were v v disappointing. i would have been ashamed to have sandwiches like those to anyone who had come to my home for tea. Cakes were fine as were the scones, but i really dont see what all the fuss is about!

Best spend your hard earned cash somewhere else. I wont be rushing back.
Comment on this reader review

Fiona
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Go for the atmosphere and the glamour - but not for the food. The place looks amazing but my food was below what I'd expect for a pub meal. Tough steak - supposed to be a rib eye but I doubt it. Anemic undercooked chips (no sauce offered). My friend's pork chop - tiny portion and dried out. Meal for the 3 of us (cocktail, starter, main and bottle of wine) £175. First time we went a few years ago it was much better. Seems like one of those places that doesn't need to worry about the food as the celeb status will keep people coming in.
Comment on this reader review

SE - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 1
Monday, May 04, 2009