Emiles (Putney)

Idiots!

Stop giving it such good reviews you fools! If too many people know about Emiles, it'll be harder to get a table!

But now that I'm writing, I may as well gush about the place too. I think it's truly superb. I've been to the 'big name' restaurants and have been disappointed on a number of occasions. But Emiles is a constant in the sea of changing standards elsewhere in London.

The menu is fantastic for those who are a little more adventurous - nothing too out there, but often there's something you won't have tried before. I can't help but choose the individual beef wellington nearly every time, but always get to taste everyone else’s.

I used to be a regular, but then moved to Australia. I'm heading back to the UK for a 3 week holiday soon, and we've already made two reservations.

The owner is fantastic. So friendly, and knowledgeable - and the key ingredient - highly passionate about food and wine. Service has always been attentive and friendly

The atmosphere is sophisticated, but at the same time, fun! It's perfect for a romantic meal for two, or a large party of foodies.

The icing on the cake is the price - 2 or 3 course set prices which match the cost of a single course in most decent restaurants. I don't know how they do it, but the longer they stay under the radar the better - It's a real gem.
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John Skinner
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, June 23, 2009

I went to Emiles in Wandsworth about 15 years ago and continued to go there quite often as the food was reliable and presented with thought. Then Putney opened and we went there as Wandsworth was closed. A few weeks ago l returned to Putney after a few years break (now living out of London) and yes the food was good infact it had stepped up another point and there was Emile himself asking why l was foolish enough to return.....my response was , a good welcome, reliable food at a good price run by someone who knew about food, and lastly lots of easy parking.

My only disappointment was we were served far too fast and the evening went too quickly. Try the Pinot Noir from New Zealand it was not the cheapest wine but it drank very well!
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Oliver Allen
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, October 27, 2008

I have to second the great reviews on here, as my experience at Emile's last night could not be further from the awful ones described further down. The owner came over at the beginning of the evening (Emile, I believe!) and introduced himself, then talked to us like an old friend throughout. He fully explained every dish on the menu and recommended things according to our tastes. His friendliness was a lovely touch that I haven't seen in any restaurant for ages, and it worked, because although he's clearly doing the 'good host' thing, he's being sincere rather than obsequious. We felt really welcome, right from the beginning, and he even stood chatting with us at the doorway as he saw us out at the end of the evening.

The food was also lovely and well presented with a real sense of artistry.

The menu is pretty broad (although there isn't much choice for vegetarians, it must be said) and much of it sounded delicious. We had pork belly and foie gras to start, both delicious, and the pork belly came on a bed of really interesting, herby leaves that included mint. An unusual but great combination of flavours.

For main course, we had veal and lamb, both of which were delicious, and the lamb came perfectly medium rare. Neither of us were hungry enough for dessert really, but we decided to treat ourselves, and so squeezed in some cinnamon panna cotta (a lovely, light but flavoursome dessert) and cheescake (the proper baked variety, which was fabulous - I usually find cheesecakes are such a disappointment when they aren't home made but this one was delicious!).

We both felt it was really good value for the class of food and venue; if i remember rightly it was about £23 for 2 courses and £26 for 3 courses.

My friend comes here often as he's a Putney local, but it was my first time, as I'm from north of the river. This place is just a lovely little restaurant, with a relaxed but classy, intimate feel. It's down a residential road, so I imagine you'd have to know it's there to go. But it's worth it. GIve it a try! I'll certainly remember it when I'm in the area again.
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Anna
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, September 12, 2008

I am stunned to read the last review as I have yet to be disapointed with a meal at Emile's. The attraction of the restaurant is that it is not trying to be something it isn't. There is a wide range of choice and a great wine list and friendly staff - the last visit earlier this summer clashed with two large groups and yet our food arrived on time and was as tasty as ever. I would say give it another go.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, August 20, 2008

I ate at Emiles restuarant last week with my boyfriend. It was an experience I do not wish to repeat.

The food was disgusting and the service was nothing but aggressive.

I have never eaten out in a restaurant in London like this. Not only was the food a total disgarace. The atmosphere was totally unrelaxing.

Having complained to the restuarant directly, I got no where. The owner was rude and did not want to know.
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, August 18, 2008

As a pregnant customer, I was horrified by the red blood oozing from my pheasant breast. It took a while to get the waiter's attention and then another while to have my food back, more cooked. Meanwhile my friends had finished their food. I was offered another main course (as the state of the food when it first came had rocked my confidence and put me off eating) but what was the point when I'd be eating alone? I was charged for my main course.

This was a real shame as the food was otherwise excellent - the dessert fantastic.

I didn't appreciate the light tone taken about the dangerously undercooked meat - whose baby would have been affected?
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Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, December 12, 2007

I've been in living in Putney for about 2 years now and am always on the lookout for good restaurants. My girlfirend and I saw Emiles and thought we'd give it a try.

That was 2 weeks ago, it was so good I was back last Friday with a few friends and had such a good time again, felt obliged to write something about it.

The service was perfect - attentive but not overbearing, the menu choice was excellent and we all ordered something different and they were all outstanding. The atmosphere was relaxed but fun and buzzy - it's clear when you're in a full restaurant and everyones having a good time. Couple this with a good choice of wine and reasonable prices and you've got a winner.

We eat out regularly and this feels like a real gold mine.
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Dan Matthews
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, December 04, 2007

After moving to Putney a few months ago I wanted to find a really good restaurant that wan't too pricey to go to. After reading great reviews about Emile's online, I decided to book a table there for a saturday evening and was in no way disapointed! The place was a great find and I had one of the best meals I'd had in ages!! Situated just off the highstreet it is in a lovely quiet area and as soon as we entered we had a very welcoming reception. We had a three course meal - and the food was fantastic! To top it all off the prices were great too and so was the wine we had. We were there for just over two hours, as each course took some time to come out, however we didn't mind as everything we were served was completely fresh and delicious. If you are looking for a restaurant that is in no way pretentious, with great food, great service and you are in no rush, then I would not hesitate to recommend Emile's. I will definately be going back !!
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sarah - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Monday, July 23, 2007

I popped over to Emile's again recently and have been meaning to pop another review on here. Now I am especially glad I did as I'd like to respond to the rather negative review below by Mazerene (?)

Whilst I agree the decor is plain, the fact is it doesn't pretend to be anything it's not. It is indeed tucked away and so caters for people who like good food and wine without necessarily needing to be in the most 'happening' of surroundings. The fact is it's very, very hard to find food of a similar quality at a similar price in London. I'd also like to praise Emile's choice of wines. He has a definite skill for picking excellent wines. I have certainly never been disappointed.

I would suggest to anyone that, if you are in a group, it is a place to create your own atmosphere and have faith in everything else. If you are in a couple or on your own, simply go to enjoy great food and wine.

As for the service, it's really very good in my opinion. Everyone has always been very attentive and courteous whilst also helpful when explaining dishes or new wines.

Lastly (I believe I wrote this last time) if the beef wellington is ever removed from the menu I may stop going. It never fails to deliver.....

I am indebted to the friend who introduced me to Emile's. You should try it too!
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Richard Attwood
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Friday, March 23, 2007

I, too, took a party of guests here for my birthday last night. It's a hidden gem of a place in the middle of a residential area with very limited parking. It doesn't set out to be a pretentious restaurant or to cater to the comfort and whims of equally pretentious clients. What it does deliver, in spades, is wonderfully tasty and attractively presented food in just the right quantities. There is a very good and wide choice for each course backed up by an extensive wine list (although you can ignore that and just go for the lush Chianti Classico and the stunningly fruity Huia Sauvignon Blanc). If you want a restaurant that pampers you and has smarmy waiters at your beck and call then go into central London and pay way over the odds for indifferent food at a place with 'a name'. On the other hand if you want a relaxed dinner out in a venue with a genuine warm welcome (and Emil is a very genial host) and fabulous food then the only name you need is Emile's in Putney. For a three course meal at under £25 this is outstanding value. I've been here 4-5 times in as many years and it is consistently good at what it does. I will definitely be back.
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Neil
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Saturday, February 24, 2007