The Yellow House Restaurant

the yellow house is a fantastic restaurant -

i booked last minute on a saturday night for a meal with a friend and went in to find friendly, helpful yet unobtrusive staff, marvellous, imaginative yet unpretentious food - and i mean one the best i have eaten in london in 4 years.

The main chef, who comes and talk to you personally about the weekly desserts, is a star. Here is a restaurant created and run by people with a real genuine passion for what they do - and it shows in every detail.
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Delia
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Sunday, April 29, 2007

I gave up on this restaurant because of the service a year ago and I am disapointed to see nothing has changed, I also gave it quite a few chances as the food is great, however the very unexperienced and rude waiting staff make it very unpleasant dining experience.
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Sarah Farley
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
Saturday, February 10, 2007

I had to add another review after my latest visit, as the place was right back on top form. Fantastic food from start to finish, and thankfully very friendly service too!

The quality of ingredients really is second to none (for those fans of borough market- think along those lines), and considering that I think the prices are very reasonable. The head chef (and I think proprieter) really is an absolute gem- amazingly friendly and sincere as well as being a fantastically talented cook.

I think their freshly baked bread is the best I have ever had, and it is the only restaurant in London where I always order dessert- they are that good!

Pizza was great as usual and my girlfriend had a wonderful organic beef canneloni. The quality of ingredients really set this dish apart!

SE16 needs more places like this!! Thankfully, I hear they have recently taken over Caulkers pub by Surrey Quays tube- so keep your eyes open for the Yellow House bar... I can't wait!
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Mark
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, January 23, 2007

I am a regular and it simply great. The food is very good, the service friendly. The pizzas are made fresh each time and so its not a fast food restaurant. The negative review that I have seen isn't representative and I cannot imagine the staff being anything other than friendly as per usual.
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Les Johnson
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Saturday, December 16, 2006

Today was 3rd and last chance for this restaurant. First two times the food had been ok but the service appaling. Gave it one last try today and the theme continued. Sat at the table for 15 minutes with not even a drink order. Had to ask for the order to be taken. Observed next table finish their main course and spend the whole of the rest of the time we were there trying to get a desert. Also glass of house red would be best used as paint stripper. Thing is its tiny - how can the service be so bad its not like there are 50 tables to manage. Want to support local business, encourage places like this to thrive in Rotherhithe. Have given it 3 goes but cant do it again - bad service winds me up too much and can spoil the whole experience.
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James Fogg
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Monday, December 11, 2006

The Yellow House is a great local restaurant, and I feel that some of the negative comments are very unrepresentative of the place.

Great care goes into sourcing the ingredients and wine, and the cooking is generally simple and allows the quality to shine through. The chef is an absolute scream, and makes the effort to talk to all the diners.

I am not normally a big dessert person, but I have to have one every time I go to the Yellow House as they are simply superb, and all freshly made on the premises. Generally not for those on a diet however!

I have been several times, and have been very impressed every time with the exception of my last visit. The food was, as usual, great (the simple bread and olives are fantastic, and superb duck), but unfortunately the service let the evening down. We asked the waitress 5 times before she eventually bought the glass of water we requested, and when I pointed this out she answered "I'm only one person", which I thought was very rude. We were left waiting an awfully long time for our main course, and were offered desert menus prior to the main course arriving. I pointed all this out to the manager and he explained that the particular waitress was about to leave, and she had made an error in not calling out the main course to the kitchen. He was extremely polite and apologetic, and gave us the desserts and coffees on the house, and knocked off the service charge (I am very sceptical of the claim in another review that the manager told someone not to come back- certainly not at all representative of my many experiences!)

So, despite a disappointing experience last time (in terms of service- the food was great as ever), I'd say this was definitely an unfortunate exception (and clearly caused by a rude waitress who has since, thankfully, left).

One other minor criticism generally- I suggest to make reservations you call rather than doing it online. The one time I booked online when I turned up it was evident they had no idea we had a reservation, although thankfully they did accommodate us.

I urge everyone to try this restaurant- weekly changing menus, well priced, excellent ingredients all make it a great place to eat. I'll be back!
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Mark Demain
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Thursday, November 16, 2006

NEVER AGAIN!

Despite good food and a good atmosphere my friends and i all thought a wait of 1 hour and 20 mins was too much for an order of 6 pizzas! I had heard bad reveiew regarding the service but deceided to give them a go - I should have listened.

We booked in advance (for my wife's birthday) via the website as requested but the kitchen seemed completely taken by surprise. And despite our attempts to politley hurry them up they continued to serve other customers who had arrived after us - we were left hungry.

To add the ultimate insult to injury we then had a SERVICE CHARGE automatically added to our bill!

I quietly asked whether the restaurant though it was appropiate to add the charge when the service had been so unbeleivably bad when the senior manager came over and shouted "if your not happy its best you don't come back!"

We were stunned.

The food was ok but definately not worth the hastle!!

My advice would be eat elsewhere.

cheers.

m.
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mark burnaby-davies
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Tuesday, September 05, 2006

I went to the Yellow House last night and had a lovely evening. I am unable to eat certain food due to a medical condition and the chef and staff made it very easy for me and accomodated any request. The food was delicious and well priced, plus a great selection of wine. Would recommned you book as it gets very busy.
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George
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, August 25, 2006

I live down the street from it and have been there many times for brunch and dinner. The food is fantastic and the chef is lovely and so friendly. I always have the same waitress and she's nice, but the guy who works behind the bar isn't. He makes a good cappucino though, so all is forgiven. Long live the Yellow House!
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Kara
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Friday, August 18, 2006

I went to this restaurant with a party of 6, two of whom were staunch regulars. So I'll write this review based on what we all said on the night.

It's simple food with very good ingredients and presented very well. Everybody has had mushrooms on toast for instance. But not like this. At home it's a snack. Here I wanted more.

It's ambitious. The head chef has an impressive CV, having worked for a big name or two in his time.

The staff are friends as well as colleagues. This comes across in the service. Everything is very relaxed and not pushy in any way.

It's also worth noting that the menu changes on a weekly basis, so there's always a turnover of courses.

I recommend this restaurant. If I lived more locally I would probably come here regularly.
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Alan Ingham - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Thursday, August 10, 2006