Frankie’s Criterion by Marco Pierre White

I have no doubt that Little Frankie would have fallen off his horse (if only we hadn't been served it cunningly disguised as a Ribeye!).

Three of us eagerly trotted along to the recently opened SW15 eatery with high expectations of finding a New Firm Favourite. We had no sooner left the Starting Gates when the restaurant fell at the First Fence!

Being all great lovers of Italian Red Wines we quickly discovered that we were a Million Furlongs from Red Rum and hastily heading towards Red Square!

Still with high hopes for the food, we keenly Cantered on and ordered our Appetisers (2x Calamari & 1x Gnocchi), when we eventually found our waiter who appeared to have been put out to graze! The Calamari was Fair/Medium but the Gnocchi was very Hard Going/Stodge.

With the insider knowledge that only two other tables were in the Race (1 for two & 1 lone diner) and an open kitchen facing us, we suddenly felt as if we had been entered into the Grand National!

Our Main Courses arrived to our table when we were only halfway through our Appetisers. Some 15 minutes later the same dishes re-appeared and were a Far Cry from the exquisite delights of Marco Pierre Whites kitchen as you could Bet On.

With no one there to Crack the Whip this Horse will Never be in the Running!

TIP OF THE DAY/WEEK/YEAR

Its a 1000-1 Outsider to Ever become a Favourite...
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Lisa McDevitt
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, March 14, 2006

In a word "tatty". The paper tablecloths were greasy - I think they had been changed since the last diners, but I suspect that the plastic tablecloth underneath had not been wiped. the welcome was perfunctory by someone who did not wish to interrupt her telephone call, and could not raise a smile. The room a airless and dull, despite the mirror balls and mirrored walls. The food was OK, but a Margarita pizza, basic burger, and chicken paillard should not tax an MPW kitchen. Fried zucchini were delicious! Coffee was no more than acceptable. Service was very quick - fine with children, but otherwise felt a little rushed, but we were happy to leave. I can't think that we'll return - there's enough choice in the area to avoid this tired and disappointing venue.
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Philip
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 4
Monday, February 20, 2006

Last sunday we had the best lunch out ever in london. With 3 children under 10, there are very few places that will welcome you with such open arms and practically nanny your children for you while you eat! they were jam packed but you wouldn't have noticed it. Sunday roast beef was delicious and my husband had the belly pork which looked tiny and a bit odd but tasted unbelievable. My kids had their own menu for £7.50 - 2 courses - very reasonable and they were allowed to make their own pizzas while we enjoyed a nice bottle of wine. All was finished with a magician - now who can say better than that?? not bad value at all and delightful service, despite there only being 2 waiters and one lovely manageress! Highly recommend it and will defintiely be going back!
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sophie
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Thursday, January 12, 2006

Christmas time comes but once a year which is just as well as I decided to visit Frankie's for the first time with my 2 sons (9 and 12)as a Christmas Eve treat. You realise your children are growing up when you spend £100 on a meal for 3. Yes folks though Frankie's is a "family restaurant" make sure your plastic is well within your credit limit before you visit. Cheap it is not. Diet cokes all round; 1 x 3 course and 2 x 2 courses came in at £98. A lot. Unlike some of the reviews below the food was not at all bad. My rather sophisticated 12 year old enjoyed his salmon and my 9 year old declared his spag bol "tasty". I have to say I rather enjoyed my carpaccio of beef followed by the pork belly. The star of Frankie's must be its rather "exotic" magician who really steels the show and who certainly captivated my children. She arrives larger than life at one's table and I have to say is truly amazing. Makes up for the expense of the meal. I understand that a branch in Putney is planned for February 2006. Let's hope that south of the river prices will prevail though please keep the magicians!
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 4
Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Breathtakingly average food.

Pleasant atmosphere.

Outrageous prices.

Please, I beseech you, do not order the anchovies as a starter. One of our party did and did not get the freshly marinated silvery fish that he expected, but, (gospel truth)got 4 strips of brown anchovy that looked like they'd been discarded from an overcooked pizza.

The pumpkin ravioli (main course - £10.50) consisted of 8 bland ravioli squares approx 1" x 1"
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DAVID NICHOLSON
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 0
Friday, December 16, 2005

I recently went to Frankie's to celebrate a friend's birthday and was bitterly disappointed. The food was bland, my chicken looked alarmingly like road kill, the service was surly and the price was extortionate.
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, December 05, 2005

Venue looks good but the food is absolute rubbish which for the price they should be ashamed of themselves. Quality was very poor. Lamb was overcooked, and the pasta gratinate bland and very boring. Only decent dish on the table was the pork. Staff were difficult to locate but polite when they did attend to us. But I would have to say based on the food I will never go back. If you go its for atmosphere only. Don't go for a dining experience and given I've experienced Marco Pierre White's restaurants before he should do some serious thinking.
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anon
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 0
Monday, December 05, 2005

We went to Frankie's to celebrate a friend's 40th birthday and I can safely say this was without doubt one of the worst dining experiences I've ever had. The food was the equivalent to school dinners, the service atrocious, the limited menu more suited to a bad's children's party and the prices astronomical. Do not go to/recommend Frankie's unless of course you wan't someone to have a particuarly expensive, frustrating, and memorable evening for all the wrong reasons.
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Monday, December 05, 2005

Very poor experience. Decor and atmosphere is very poor (why do they need someone standing outside the door? The restaurant was never even half full

Disco mirror balls, mirrors everywhere, cheap leather,... but you're not done yet. Wine list is extremely poor and food is average at best (give it a 3: the steak was OK, although too salty). Far not worth the money.

Service very poor. How can a waiter claim the wine to be fantastic when it's below average (and still the most expensive one on the menu). Food reminds me more of a canteen. One of the group ordered Sole, and except half a lemon, there was nothing on the plate, not even a sauce, side salad or even the slightest hint of decoration. It looked as if coming out of the microwave. Without any effort you'd probably get it better doing yourself at home.

Not worth to spend more time reviewing it, please don't go.
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Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, November 30, 2005