1880 at The Bentley Kempinski

I came here for my girlfriend's birthday. We just couldn't resist trying out this place, with the great reviews and the 50% off Gracing Menu offer from London-eating.

The hotel is tucked away at the back of Gloucester Rd, with a wonderful entrance and winding staircase leading to the restaurant downstairs. We were met by the friendly manager who whisked us to the bar to enjoy a drink and the live piano prior to being seated.

The gracing menu had everything to suit all palates. We had the 8 course menu. I have to say I normally find tasting menus rather heavy, but we both walked away from 1880 feeling "just right".

All in all, a great experience, and great value.
Comment on this reader review

S
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, September 29, 2006

An exquisite meal, friendly, attentive but unintrusive service. We went for the eight course grazing menu and suggested wines for each course, £100 per head. Special mention must made of the rosemary foccacia - simple but bursting with flavours, the duck marinated in port with the deep fried hen egg and the seabass. The wines went so well with each dish, it was a fantastic gastronomical experience. Although atmosphere was slightly lacking, expected of a hotel restaurant I suppose, a little too dimly lit and european decor for our taste. Will definitely go there again.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Sunday, June 11, 2006

I recently dined at 1880 and had a marvelous time. Contarary to the review below, many of the dishes have changed and are indeed better than before !! The service was attentive and the food divine. Quite expensive but worth every penny! Look forward to my next visit already !
Comment on this reader review

julie collins
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, May 09, 2006

I'm a big fan of 1880 but haven't visited it for quite some time so was really looking forward to dinner with my partner on Saturday evening.

OK let's start with the positives, the staff at 1880 are great, very good at what they do, polite knowleadable and unobtrusive, the menu reads great as well. I love grazing menus and Andrew Turner knows his stuff.

But, and there is a but, something leaves you cold about the place and I can't quite put my finger on it. It may be the garish decor and very bright lighting, it could be that for a Saturday night there were only 14 other guests so no evident atmosphere. I'm not sure but it detracted so much from the positives that we left feeling a bit underwhelmed.

On a slightly more critcal note it would be nice to see the menu changing a little more, I ate here over 12 months ago and they are still doing some of the same dishes, the desserts were exactly the same and I wouldn't necessarily say that they are memorable so why are they still on the menu!!!

Finally pricing, it's expensive but then we know that and I don't think you mind if it's memorable, but it's not. Wines in some areas are very expensive this is just a general bug bear as I simply don't understand how a bottle of "Cigare Volant" can be £ 38 in one London Restaurant and then £ 58 in another.... Sorry 1880, you could have been a contender now there are newer better guys out there punching there weight, try Maze or if you really want the best "Tom Aikens"
Comment on this reader review

Tass Patsalides
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 5
Monday, April 24, 2006

My wife and I have been to 1880 a number of times and in the past we have always had a fantastic experience. However our latest visit was a disappointment. The food was still excellent but the service at this price point left a lot to be desired.

The sommelier had been taken ill and no one else was available to cover which caused problems but beyond that the staff were obviously harried and under pressure. Parts of our order were missed and it was difficult to attract anyone's attention quickly enough to put it right.

I raised my concerns with the manager and the service charge was waived, but I would much rather receive the old superlative service and pay.

This is still a fabulous place to eat and the food is superb. I hope they can sort the service out.
Comment on this reader review

S Johnson
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Thursday, April 20, 2006

There's nothing more to say than 'An evening at 1880 is the best dining experience I have ever had.'
Comment on this reader review

Giles Clark
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, April 05, 2006

If you're looking for exquisite food and great service in grand surroundings, a visit to 1880 downstairs at The Bentley Kempinski is highly recommended.We opted for the seven-course grazing menu (£55)-probably the best way to sample the full range of the first-class cooking.Each course, which was introduced by the attentive but not overbearing staff, was beautifully presented--and complimented by a different and excellent wine (seven-different wines from £35). Highlights were a parsley rissotto with fried fennel, the signature scallop with a pepper sauce, and the duck marinated in port. The cheese selection was impressive, with a huge choice of different French varieties, and the chocolate souffle was out of this world. We learnt that the executive chef Andrew Turner had recently left, and they were waiting to appoint his successor. However, this was no detriment to the cooking. The adjoining bar is also worth a visit pre- or post-dinner, and there is a good choice of fine Cuban cigars. Don't let the fact that this is a hotel restaurant put you off. Expensive but well worth it for the quality of food and service. A gourmet experience not to be missed.
Comment on this reader review

Gerard Smith
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Saturday, March 25, 2006

what a restaurant food and service excellent . made to feel like we were the only people there, even though we were a party of eight. the bread to start is the best you could ask for and the cheese trolley was just amazing.
Comment on this reader review

TIM VISITED 04 / 03 /2006
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Friday, March 10, 2006

Awesome food and service, though plush atmosphere can be a bit intimidating. This is offset however by most fantastic service from the sommelier and the whole waiting time.

However, be warned if you're looking at the menus on 1880's website. Prices on the grazing menus are 25% dearer when you turn up. I emailed the Bentley three weeks ago to point this out, but alas no response.
Comment on this reader review

- View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Thursday, February 09, 2006

I never write reviews, but I went to this restaurant with a party of five on Saturday night, and I was blown away, so I feel I need to let others know about how fantastic their Saturdays could be if they only decided to eat here. The food was exquisite, with amazing attention to detail and care. The different flavours were mixed with the expertise only a true connaisseur could possibly achieve. The service was equally attentive (although not intrusive), with the waitresses even offering to call us a taxi at the end of the meal. The best meal I have had. Ever. Fabulous praise for a fabulous restaurant. Even the bill was cheaper than expected, and we were more than happy to leave a generous tip.
Comment on this reader review

Cameron
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, January 30, 2006