The Grill at the Dorchester

Pleasant greetings at the entrance but thereafter it was downhill. This was my 4th Sunday Grill at the Dorchester in the last 6 years. Special celebrations require special venues, right? Unfortunately, the Grill is no longer one such venue. The staff were wooden and without a vestige of charm or British hospitality. Not surprising as none appeared to be British. The portions have been ridiculously reduced in size. I had the "usual" smoked salmon (about 1/2 the portion I received in 2007) and three modest slices of beef. The carver had paused after the 2nd cut and asked me if I would like a third slice, as if she was granting me a favor. The amount of beef was significantly less than any other visit. By reducing the portions the Grill has effectively doubled the price. Dessert was ordinary. What a shame!! This was one of the fine old London dining establishments. It is no longer a little slice of British dining and culture but now is merely an expensive venue for an ordinary meal served by charmless foreigners. Won't be going back, ever.
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Bruce McNair
5 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 3
Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Food at The Grill is, unsurprisingly, high-quality and quite creative. Careful preparation is evident and - most of the time - the different ingredients complement one another well. My pudding of black cherry soup was notable. Although the lunch deal is very good and worth taking for food, wine at The Grill is prohibitively expensive; the smallest, cheapest glass costs £9, which I found excluding. Service is crisp and polite but matched the venue, which lacks a little warmth and heart. I probably would not return as there are better options for a high-end hotel dining experience in London.
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dawnage - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Sunday, October 10, 2010

Very dissapointed with the robotic and unsmiling service that we received at the Dorchester for Sunday lunch. Utterly charmless. Surely even a 'grand' hotel should present a warm and friendly face? The greeting at the desk was fine but practically everyone we encountered thereafter was indifferent and distracted.

Be wary of the Champagne trolley that is presented when you are initially seated. No prices are indicated and 4 glasses cost us £88.00. Fine if you are a wealthy resident but they should offer a simple printed card with prices before your order because I'm quite sure some guests must be shocked when they get their final bill. Especially, if they inadvertantly order a vintage Champagne. God knows how much that would cost!

The starters and desserts were excellent, superb wild mushroom soup and a lovely herrring dish. The chocolate dessert, rum baba and pannecota were great. The Dorchester is famed for its roast beef which was good but the dish lacked body because the jus was underpowered and vegetables artfully arranged but random. For me, the plate lacked the essence of a good roast. Basically I'm just not a fan of jus, a decent sauce or gravy with body and meat juices is needed to hang the plate together. The fish dish of brill was good but the portion looked rediculously small, especially in contrast to the beef.

We wanted to try the Dorchester for the experience but the 4 of us agreed that we wouldn't go back. In comparison to the Athenaeum and Dukes hotel, it was poor.
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Carl
5 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Sunday, December 06, 2009

Where to have a decent sunday lunch?

Well of course at home - but when in the mood to be waited on and avoid

the washing up there is Browns - very good- The Goring ditto and the

Dorchester .We have found the Dorchester Grill to be the best by a narrow margin

the service is excellent the roast beef cooked as you want well done or rare etc

vegetables good, smoked salmon starter perfect,and dessert pretty good

as well and its a deal at £35 for 3 courses.

The room of course is notorious we used to go when the place was a must on a Sunday there David Lean , over there Michael Caine etc then the management

had a brainstorm and changed the setting the murals on the walls of

dancing Scotsman etc , the ceiling probably they could nt touch- but its still

a handsome room in essence and with the good food and service one can

ignore the flying scotsman.

Its still nice to be going to the Dorchester.
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alan fowle
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, September 18, 2009