Chez Kristof

My wife booked this restaurant out of 4 choices for my birthday dinner. It is an attractive restaurant but not really special. The room was not full when we arrived on time yet the manager did not know who were despite my wife going there personally to reserve a good table. It was all a bit badly handled.

The waitress asked for our drinks choice and I asked for the wine list. As nobody had yet chosen their meal I was undecided about a white or a red wine , ordered a white and when it arrived everyone had decided to order meat based dishes so I changed my mind and asked for 2 bottles of much more expensive red. The waitress was visibly irritated. Also when asked a question about the wine list, I was promised that she would find out some information from a colleague. Despite my asking him personally a minute later for his advice he never came back!!

The food was perfectly OK but not exceptional for the price. The service was off hand and cold. This ruined what could have been a lovely evening. They should go to New York to see how service should be. 12.5% was added to the bill and I was reluctant to pay this. There are many other restaurants in this area which offer a much better all round experience. I will not return but I expect that they could not care less.
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Keith Macgregor - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 4
Saturday, May 03, 2008

We were recommended Chez Kristoff in a good food guide, reserved a table for 2 and set off to sample the delights. On arrival, we were told by a much hassled waitress to pick a table, very strange we thought, even at the 'Harvester' they show you to a table. We plumped for a table not realising that we were going to be totally hemmed in later on by another table that was slid in next to us, all I can liken it to is being at a restaurant on Valentines night.

The witless floor staff then proceeded to totally ignored us for at least 10 minutes, no cutlery, no menus, nothing. We had to get up and go and ask for these seemingly non essential items, yet more waiting, finally some miserable chap (presumably in charge of this fiasco) dumped a bread basket and a pot of mush on the table and wandered away, finally a menu appears, shame they didn't bring the wine list at the same time.... It was time to leave...which we did, not to apologies for ruining our evening but to moaning from ‘The miserable one’, that we haven’t waited that long…not sure how long he wanted us to hang around! Good Luck to anyone that accidentally stumbles upon Chez Kristoff...you going to need it, I suggest taking a picnic and something to read.
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Cliff Hutchings
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, January 21, 2008

I was looking forward to going after reading the previous reviews and I can now see why people like it.

We arrived at 7 and got excellent friendly service. We thought it was a great dining room but too dark to read the menus and it would get loud when the crowds spill in. It was Wed so pretty quiet.

Our meal was average. They didn't open the oysters very well so lots of debris, my 'roast lamb' was 2 large chunks of meat that were a bit tough and tasteless - I should have sent it back. My wife's food was better but what can go wrong with a piece of smoked haddock covered in creamy cheesey sauce cooked in a skillet. I can recommend the house white since you have to too far up the wine list to get a quality.

But that's only one visit. Bottom line, I can cook better than that, and at those prices I'd rather stick to better.
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MrFussy - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Thursday, January 10, 2008

I have been going to Chez Kristof for a while now and it has become one of two restaurants in the Hammersmith area that help my fiancee and I welcome the weekend after a hard week in stressful jobs.

I have always found the majority of the food at CK to be of excellent quality (aside from the razor clams which always seem to be gritty), and the pre-dinner cocktails to be mixed by a bartender with a pleasantly heavy hand. The prices, whilst on the high side for W6, reflect the quality of the dishes consumed and consquently I have never felt cheated on leaving.

As it is a theme running through these posts I feel I should add my 10p's worth with regard to the service. Given that I generally book a table on Friday afternoon for 19:00 and we are often the first patrons to arrive, I have never had much of a problem with the service during the meal. I have noticed that, as the restaurant fills up between 20:00 and 21:00, when it comes to paying, the waiting staff are often quite busy. This could be easily fixed by the owners simply hiring another 2 or 3 waiters and thereby solving what I believe to be a minor problem that pales into insignificance next to such great food.
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Lee
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Thursday, December 06, 2007

Went for dinner in a large group celebrating a friend's birthday. The service was, contrary to what has been said below, excellent. The waiting staff could not have done a better, friendlier job. As for the food - well, this was one of the most memorable meals I have had. A ham hock and foie gras terrine, followed by a wonderful duck confit, and then the best tarte tatin (and I'm very fussy about my tarte tatin) I have had since one in Normandy about 15 years ago. It seems everyone else was equally happy with their choices. Delicious breads, a lovely atmosphere in the subtly lit room. A great evening, thank you.
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constantine - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, October 16, 2007

I've taken clients here and can thoroughly recommend the food - it's top drawer.

The wine selection and ambience are also first class but I'm afraid the service is pants. Nothing that couldn't be sorted with a bit of careful management but it's just slow and disorganised.

I'd bear that in mind if you're taking important guests unless you fancy a very long night.
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farnook - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Went to a great free party here on 26th of June. There is a new chef yhere and the food is outstanding......Less pretentious, more delicious. Service greatly improved.Worth another try.

We took our kids there and they were whisked off to watch films while we had our second bottle of wine.

Frances
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Frances Baker
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 6
Monday, July 09, 2007

I approached Chez Kristof with some reluctance, having heard of the spotty service in some reviews. I can say after several visits that it is a thing of the past. Friendly welcome, attentive service, inviting decor, and food that is worth a visit. Not quite classical French, but a wonderful marriage of traditional and innovative preparation. I loved the cuttlefish salad, a wonderfully grilled sea bass, tasty steak tartare, sides of French beans and peas. The Pear Tarte Tatin was a perfect finish to a perfectly enjoyable meal. They offer Polish vodka and very decent French Bordeaux and Burgundy by the glass. I will return again and again.
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Phil
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, July 06, 2007

I can agree with the service comments, but the food I have had on every occasion at C K has been outstanding and top five french food in london. this place is a gem in my view where you can always get a table for 4 people on a friday night with none of the pretention of NH. it is perfect for both cozy dinner and lunch. the prices do sneak up on you but it is worth it.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Saturday, January 13, 2007

Yesterday was the second time I have taken important business clients to this restaurant for lunch and the second time I have been completely let down by really slow service (last time we waited 35 minutes to be served one course which left us with 15 mins to wolf down the food). Also, the staff need be more polite and to monitor the floor rather than gossip at the bar with their backs to the tables. Food was average at best and yes, our team all eat regularly in France. Even though this place is 5 mins walk from our offices we won't be going back again. Overpriced, unfriendly and slow.
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Sarah
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, November 28, 2006