Madison

Dined with a friend at Madison on 30th December, the food was delicious although we felt their could have been more selection on the menu (no chicken dish) which is rather unusual!! Both our steaks were cooked to perfection and the cocktails selection was very good!

The only criticism for those that are considering this restaurant is be prepared for the noise, the bar is extremely busy, in fact the bar area seems bigger than the dining area! Apparently during the week it is a popular bar and much quieter at weekends. Me and my guest did a lot of shouting to hear one another and constantly leaning forward to catch every word!!

Also during our meal we were reminded that we only had 15 minutes left to eat, which we found a bit rude as we were never told that we only had a 2 hour slot! (we could have ordedered more drinks if we had stayed longer)!!

Would go back for a meal as the views were nice, but maybe on a weekend with less noise!!!
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6 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 7
Monday, December 05, 2011

Other than the view I was completely unimpressed with this place. The food is not great, service is not great, it is insanely loud and there is a very small ladies room considering the size of the place. Went to dinner there one night and chose the burger which we thought would be a safe option, but was not well cooked and my artichoke soup was just mostly cream. Separately went to an event they had to see the fireworks on the day of the Lord Mayor's parade and it was impossible to get a drink, the line to the ladies room unsurprisingly stretched more than 40 people long most of the time and when they ended the event abruptly 45 minutes before it was supposed to end you had to wait ages for the lifts down (only two) since they blocked off the stairs (for reasons the fire marshall couldn't explain which was scary in itself). You can go to the top to see the beautiful view without going to the restaurant, suggest you do that and find somewhere else for dinner.
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2 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Monday, November 14, 2011

What to say!!!

Great view, food and cocktails. Moet White bottle was very cool and exactly what the city needs. Service was good and not too much in your face like some other establishments in the area.

Very busy and to be fair looks like the bad review from critics which I read prior have made no impact so far.

Better for drinks than food.
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9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, September 27, 2011

I have been dining in the best restaurants in London for the last seven years, but must admit, while I love good food, I hate seeing myself paying the bill without hardly finishing eating and going home before 10pm! I am still young and for me i love to experience a place that offer the whole package. It is full of very beautiful and well dressed people full of life. Has amazing views too. My eues were everywhere! Didn't really noticed the colors of furniture, the shape of tables or the positions of the food...

The place is very crowded but that doesn't bother me one bit. I like places that i can eat, and after also have a good time. Otherwise what's the point going to a place anyway.

I really enjoyed the food at Madison. I love tasty food. I went there by myself since my friend couldn't make it last minute. I was worried how I would feel, but I was welcomed by the bouncer who conducted me to receptionist who left her desk and escorted me to my table, just after ordering, I was invited to move to a quiet table with better view which I loved! The service was impecable, and most importantly, friendly. I do like being served by people that can smile, not robots. Yes is expensive, but considering the vibe, the kind people, the views and experience I'd say is well worth it. All my friends and I will be going there very often now.
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Joel
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Friday, September 16, 2011

One has to disagree with the critics featured above. Maybe the restaurant has found its touch but I have to say everything that my colleague and I sampled was excellently cooked, extremely tasty - but perhaps rather pricey - even for this part of London. We were there on a Wednesday evening and the place was packed - so much for the critic who said the place won't last - on this showing it will be packing them in and making a fortune. I don't recall that the lobster and seafood cocktail which came in for so much criticism was still on the menu although there was a seafood cocktail - perhaps withou the lobster, but neither of us sampled this. My colleage had scallops which she pronounced delicious and I had duck liver parfait which was foie gras like and decidedly good. My colleague followed with sea bass, which again was pronounced excellent - and this from a lady who is connected with the restaurant business so does have plenty of experience with which to compare it. I had the Tournedos - rare fillet steak cooked to perfection with a huge hunk of foie gras on the top. Again great. We shared a dessert which was also good and ended with tea and decaf coffee (brewed not instant as in some places these days). Service was attentive without being obtrusive.

Criticisms: The place was so busy it was rather noisy - and the prices were high, but not astronomical. Wine list is a little limited with the lowest cost wines at £25 a bottle.

But - the views were spectacular over the London rooftops with the London Eye in the background and the dome of St Pauls cathedral dominating the foreground. Do try and get a table adjacent to the panoramic windows for the full effect. (We were lucky with the weather catching a beautiful sunset behind St Pauls which enhanced the whole experience). Maybe we were a little euphoric after indulging in the restaurant's signature aperitif - Moet Ice Imperial - but overall a memorable experience.
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Lawrence
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 5
Saturday, August 27, 2011