Royal Exchange Grand Cafe & Bar

Friday afternoon and a quick pit stop into the Royal Exchange with O.

We bypass the lobster and oysters and ascend the stairs. A friendly greeting in the gallery by the floor staff and then we're off to find ourselves a table in the brasserie. Has a bit of a country club feel, thick carpets underfoot, fairly heavy lighting.

Of course the Royal Exchange building itself is rather special. L remembers it when it was a trading floor - she visited the gallery with an ex, a City trader. Fortunately the boys with their computers are long gone, transferrred to glass and steel and we can enjoy these historic surroundings. How many traders now meet their dates, expectantly on trains from Chelmsford? You couldn't fail to be wide eyed at all of this. A sure thing?

We arrange ourselves in some low slung seats near the bar. Comfortable, but quite difficult to eat from - can't be good for digestion?

The waiter announces the fish of the day. This takes a LONG time. Not his fault and he is very understanding when O asks for a burger. But there are no burgers.

Having had possible the worst caesar salad in a long history of caesar salads on wednesday in Mayfair, I was determined to end the week on a good note. And I did. Seasoned chicken, on the bone, crisp lettuce (possible a little too much for some, but not for me), plenty of dressing. O has a club sandwich and we catch up over soft drinks. It might be Friday, but there is still work to be done.

Service attentive throughout and friendly. Restaurant quieter than I like. Certainly quieter then you'd expect on a Friday afternoon. Then, the markets are bad, people are maybe feeling attached to their offices?

Other guests - thank god not just city types, though quite a few of these. The odd tourist, some dress downs, some overly self conscious city girls. A good place for an illicit meeting, I would have thought.

O's generously picks up the tab - my guess, probably only £35. What good value for this environment.
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Blue Skies - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Sunday, April 13, 2008

Great service, very friendly staff. We don't even have to order our drinks... they always remember our favourite cocktails. The cockail menu is fabulous.
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Naveed
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, July 25, 2006

I ate at the restaurant on 4th April 2006, and was initially impressed. Great location, and pleasant decor. The staff were helpful and attentive without being intrusive (tho bringing the bread basket round numerous times was a little "fussy")and our charming waiter was knowledgeable about wine to go with the food. A good wine list tempted us to try an interesting New Zealand Pinot. Food prices are reasonable, tho the wine list is a little expensive.

Our main course was delicious - Calves liver dipped in flour and seared to give a crisp exterior and melting softness inside. Served in natural jus with fluffy mashed potatoes, and well cooked green beans with a good level of "al dent" crispness. Perfect. Dessert however, was not so good. My colleague ordered citron tart, which was pedestrian - oversweet, and not imaginately presented. I ordered crepes suzette, expecting hot fluffy pancakes with a crisp edge, flambeed at the table. I got flabby, insipid tasting pancakes, clearly cooked in advance, barely warmed through, with a crude sauce of orange juice mixed with alcohol of indeterminate origin. I ate very little, since it was so disappointing. To the waiter's credit, he offered a replacement, which I chose not to accept. However, when the bill came, the offending article had not been removed.

Stick to main course and wine and you will enjoy. Don't bother with the desserts - this restaurant needs to try much harder on this front, hence my dropping my food rating from 9 to 7.
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Prue Canham
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, April 05, 2006

God I love this place, the atmosphere is fantastic and the food is amazing. It’s something special compared to other city bars. Even though it does get busy there is a feeling of space. The service is always spot on. I would strongly recommend it – go there – you won’t be disappointed.
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Arabella
Monday, October 17, 2005