The Wolseley

Took my partner to the Wolseley for a meal on his birthday earlier in the week. We'd been before, a few times, and enjoyed it immensely. And did so once again! Waited twenty minutes or so for our table but did this in the bar in comfort. Great food, efficient service, and all in that wonderful room. So much activity all around, as the staff do their busy thing, that makes it seem even more luxurious to be sitting, calmly dining, spoiled by the food and the opulent surroundings.
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DGray
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, June 18, 2008

met a friend here for lunch recently and thought it was fantastic. had oysters and a burger -both really good, shame they forgot my chips though. friend paid (lucky me) so can't comment on value for money, but found what i thought would be a bit of a nerve racking experience to actually be inviting and relaxed. definitely a place i'll be going back to.
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Shrimpy
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 6
Friday, June 13, 2008

Three of us went to the Wolseley on Thursday 5th June. We had booked our table about a month in advance. the first disapointment on entering was being told we had a natty old table right next to the main doorway walk in area to which we said we would prefer to actually sit further inside if poss!

We were then shown to a nice table ,given our menus then forgotten about for about 15 mins. We ordered 3 afternoon teas .3 pots of tea came up (lovely). then nothing. 20 mins later food arrives (lovely) no tea or milk left, had to ask for some more tea. 20 mins later tea arrives, the staff were lovely but to be honest the service was very slow!

there were plenty of staff but we watched one guy come up and wipe the same table behind us 4 times and it hadn't had anyone sitting there (may be they were expecting someone famous!) overall it was great food but to be honest i thought the service was about 3 out of 10 .

Being a londoner i want to enjoy this city and tell others great places to go but this wont be one of them - afternoon tea at Hanbury Manor in hertfordshire knocks spots off the Wolseley!
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michele gascoine
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Thursday, June 12, 2008

Superb, from greeting to leaving, fantastic food at a reasonable price for london.

Seafood was fresh and tasty, only 1 rose wine on the list but obviously carefuly selected. waiting staff professional and efficient, dessert menu endless choices, will recomend!!
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juju
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, May 07, 2008

We went to the Wolseley a couple of years ago to celebrate our civil partnership and had a fantastic lunch, with excellent service provided by the waiting staff. We were made to feel so special.

So we returned last year with our witnesses for afternoon tea - again, it was a lovely occasion and made special by the attention we received from the staff.

Third time, not so lucky though. We returned to the restaurant last weekend to try the breakfast, about which we had heard good things. There were plenty of options on the menu and we anticipated yet another good meal.

Unfortunately, something has happened to the staff - it was just regular service at first but then a couple of waiters went so far as to provide poor service. The food arrived on plates that were barely warm, so all was cold by the second mouthful. The second pot of coffeee was so late that we had finished eating and it was delivered in a surly way. The black pudding was delicious though and I had never dared try it before. So, thanks for the experience but we know you can do better.
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- View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Monday, April 28, 2008

There is something quite magical about the Wolseley.

Two visits to date. A walk in with the guys - steak frites all round. Really very high quality cuts and mine was certainly perfectly cooked. Touches such as the presentation of coffee turn what would otherwise only be a pretty solid meal into quite a special experience. Cost? P kindly paid, but I would guess at £150.

And then I took L recently. She LOVED it. Some interesting starters, solid entrees and excellent puddings. Three courses with wine were around £140. Very reasonable. Took a walk through Green Park after to prolong the bubble and work off a few of the calories.

But it is all about the atmosphere. There are few venues in the Wolseley's league. A cathedral like space, amplifiying every murmur. Eating here is truly a communal activity. Just as eating should be? Well sometimes. And there are celebs, if you are care and take the time to scan for them.

Criticisms? Well it feels like the type of place that you should make a bit of an effort to dress up to. And some people don't. It is a grand cafe after all. Which is exactly what London needs, but because of its pricing, some people treat it as simply somewhere to eat. It is never good when the waiters are better dressed than the customers. But a restaurant can't be held responsible for its guests, can it?

Service can be hit and miss, with cutlery removed and not replaced, glasses not refilled, waiters asking asking which dish belongs to who. Though the greeters, waiters et al are without exception professional and completely unflappable (surely they've seen it all here).

If it is possible to say this in a nice way (and I really do think the staff here are excellent) there is something of the herman munster about some of the waiters. Immaculately turned out (surely these are tailored suits?) and statuesque but with a loping, ungainly style and slow speech. But quite charming.

Notice the industrial metal cladding in the rear stairwells, the flagstones, the use of linen (this really works well) - this truly is a place to touch and feel.

Even a group of sloanes braying and showing off in one of the galleries (including screaming at the top of their voices - how intelligent!) failed to spoil one evening. This really is a restaurant I will make excuses for, rather than find fault with.

London's first £10m a year restaurant? I can quite believe it.
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Blue Skies - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Sunday, April 13, 2008

What a venue!!!! The room is absolutely beautiful and the atmosphere is brilliant.

We were looked after very well and the food, especially the shnitzel was to die for.

A bit on the pricey side but I will be back for special occasions!
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 6
Monday, March 24, 2008

Having eaten at the Bluebird the previous week , which in itself deserves a review,I was sceptical as to the standard of food that would be on offer here as friends had expressed that there would be no comparison between the two as the bluebird is just brasserie food done ok without ceremony,and the wolsey food was explained as drab

This place is an excellent setting & with an even better interior which I would say is without fault (tables a little close together). To may amazement the food has not improved since last year, done better in the East end gov,

Out of eight meals starters & mains only one was ok my steak was raw not medium the eggs benedict poor & four king prawns for £15 cold n dry.

Would have complained strongly if it wasnt for the fact that Bryan Ferry was with Nicky Clarke & friends on the next table, which is probably why this place will always have a reputation. Hope there fruit de mer was nice n cold
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wayne bowes
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 4
Monday, March 17, 2008

Certainly 'buzzing' on a good day, but avoid the seating area at the top of the stairs - you might as well be in Siberia for all the service you will get. We waited about 15 minutes to order wine and another 30 minutes after chasing twice to get the bottle. An incorrect order delivered to one of my guests was not handled at all graciously by the waiter (who seemed to think that my guest should just accept the incorrect order instead). The food is not quite the point of the place, but for the price, quality is not wildly impressive.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Friday, February 22, 2008

Went to The Wolseley last night and had a fantastic time. The food was great, including a lovely moist piece of venison, and the service was excellent. The whole place was buzy and loud; just what you want in a slick central restuarent.

The only gripe would be the size of the bill - £155 for 2 seemed a lot - a glass of hosue wine was £8.

But had fantastic night and will be back.
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sarah
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 4
Sunday, February 03, 2008