Scoffers

We went here on Saturday evening and felt the whole experience was decidedly average. We booked a table for 8pm and arrived to find only 6 other people there. We were placed on a small, wobbly table for 2 in the middle of the room with a view of an old electric fire - rather odd for August but no one had thought to put it away. After placing our order our starters arrived within 5 minutes and were piping hot - straight out of the microwave? My spring rolls were too hot. My partners pork comprised of 2 pieces of dry pork with a bit of limp salad.

The mains were not much better - my lamb was luke warm and a bit dry, whilst my partner's cod was OK but it was sitting on a bed of solidified potato. Both courses were brought out and consumed within 1/2 hour of arrival - why the hurray?

Deserts were very average. I had sponge pudding which looked and tasted like it came out of tin. My partner, though, had a superb chocolate pudding. We asked and paid for ice cream on the side and were brought tiny little bowls - not enough for the pudding.

The whole bill, including 2 glasses of house wine came to £75. I feel this was rather too much for what was a very average meal. The staff were lovely but i felt they were let down by the mediocre food. I am aware I am the only person on this site who feels this way - perhaps they were having an off night? However, I don't think I will be returning.
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sarah
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, August 26, 2008

This was my first visit Scoffers, even having lived about 10mins walk away for the last 7 or 8 months. It didn't look particularly appealing from the outside when i had walked past it a few times, but when my friend suggested it last night, and spoke highly of it, I agreed to give it a go. I was very pleasantly surprised. Although the decor is unusual and not necessarily apt for a dinner with 2 mates - we were in very dark conservatory area with a tree in the middle and almost christmassy lighting - the food did deliver. A delicious, and generously portioned monkfish with sweet potato, bok-choi and ginger in a dark jus. Although the flavours were perhaps a little over-powering for the subtle monkfish, the overall taste was exquisite. Finished off with chocolate brownie (good) and a oddly creamy tasting vanilla ice-cream.

A bottle of Aussie red between us, a main course and a shared desert set us back £25 a head incl. service. Very reasonable... Also a charming frenchman to welcome you, who has apparently been there for several years.
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Tommaso Campione
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Sunday, March 02, 2008

Scoffers is a great restaurant. Quaint, cosy and the food is of a very high standard. The service is friendly and relaxed and atmosphere is intimate. This is my favourite restaurant in south london by far and if I had more money I'd go every week!
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Jen
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Monday, January 14, 2008

This was a fantastic place - the best I've been to so far. My fish was so delicious, that I wanted more! I loved the atmosphere and the service & staff was great but top marks for the food. I can't wait to go back. My favourite restuarant.......maybe. Keep up with the good work scoffers!
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Saturday, July 28, 2007

I have eaten at Scoffers several times since last summer with family and friends, and have always enjoyed the food and the venue. I have been recommending it to others , and hope to visit again in a few days time!

Carrie Lees
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Carrie Lees
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, April 09, 2007

Having been to Scoffers twice now in the past two weeks I highly recommend it as one of the best eating experiences in the area (certainly far superior to the neighbouring well-known French bisto!). The menu was interesting and different but lack pretention (though the dessert menu could have afforded to be a bit more adventurous than the perennial restaurant choices). Dishes were served quickly and well presented. All our choices were delicious and really excellent combination of flavours. We ordered several different wines, all of which were great and not ridiculously priced. Overall, the service and atmosphere make this a great and affordable place and I'll definately be going back.
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BP71
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, March 28, 2007

I completely agree with the reviews below. Great food and friendly service, but..

We went there on a Friday night and there isn't a no smoking area. We were sandwiched between two tables full of people smoking. We'll definately go back but after 1st July!
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 6
Thursday, January 25, 2007

what a brilliant find. We went in for a meal on Wed and loved it. Staff were friendly. Good wine, lovely food - could not recommend it more for an unpretentious, wholesome eat.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Thursday, January 04, 2007

Love it! Alway brilliant service, food and a good choice menu (especially for vegies!) Tucked away just off Battersea Rise, with a lovely back conservatory which has a real tree inside and a few monkey's hiding away.....
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, December 12, 2006

I have visited Scoffers on two occasions now. The first occasion was during the summer and the second occasion was for a family meal to celebrate my birthday.

I do like the atmosphere in Scoffers - it is quite laid back, but full of local people and completely unpretentious. The staff are also extremely attentive.

I thought the food that I ate on this occasion was good, but by no means excellent. The starter of fishcakes was adequate (a bit dry), but the Parma ham/mozarella salad was a better option.

For the main course we all had beef stroganoff, which was very tasty but big on rice and short on meat.

The big disappointment was the pudding. I chose sticky tofee pudding, which had clearly just come out of the microwave and was really cold in the middle. I also made a fairly simple request of having custard with my dessert, but I was told that, I couldn't have this unless I forgo the toffee sauce. Assuming that toffee pudding without the sticky sauce would be fairly bland, I asked to pay extra for the custard, which would have been fine had it been home made, or even a good equivalent, but it was definitely Ambrosia!

I will probably go back to Scoffers but for a casual meal with close friends and not for a special occasion.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, October 25, 2006