Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Restaurant

had a wonderful birthday lunch here sunday 19th. all staff were friendly, energetic and charming, lovely service. went for 3 course +cockail set menu which has quite a choice, impressive selection of meat dishes. seared wood pigeon wrapped in pancetta can thoroughly recommend, was a beautiful lunch. liked the vibe of the light room and we were left to chat endlessy for 2.5 hours. a memorable birthday; thankyou harvey nichols and all the staff .
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yum yum - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, April 23, 2009

Oh dear. This was a restaurant I had come to depend on -- a reliable spot in Knightbridge where one could get a really decent meal. Ingredients were always well sourced, almost always well combined, and unerringly well-prepared and well-presented.

It was never much for atmosphere, granted (I always felt like I was on what people in the 1970's would imagine a cruise ship of the future to be like), but the food. Was. Good.

Yes, WAS. A visit last night was, unfortunately, my last visit until I hear news of serious change. Welcoming snacks of cheese and anchovy straws arrived anemically underdone, and were served with a garlicky nonsense of a dip that for all intents and purposes appeared to be whipped Boursin.

While my mum had an okay chicken and foie gras terrine (to list the ingredients in order of amount, perhaps 'Chicken, Salt, and um...every other ingredient involved, and then foie gras' terrine would be more appropriate), I started with a Stilton, Rocket and Walnut salad, which was very tasty, but preluded with some needlessly dramatic protocol (rocket mixed and dressed IN the hollow of the Stilton itself, with some Stilton scraped out when the leaves were served), that begged the question...what's the point?

For main course, we shared the "Chateaubriand with warm salad of cep mushrooms, green beans and Summer truffle for two." Two ingredients NOT mentioned, but rather liberally included, were some kind of preserved tomato (sundried? sunblush? It's all overpoweringly sour nonsense to me), and peanuts. Yes, you read that right. Peanuts.

Putting these things to one side (literally), we got to the beef. It was a fantastic piece of meat, ordered medium, and served well done, with an over-salted red-wine jus. Having already waited a rather long time for the main course, (I don't recall another meal where I've been told 'Sorry for the wait' more often) we ploughed on regardless. When asked by a waiter (not our waiter -- there were enough visible disagreements betweeen floor managers and floor staff that night to ensure that service was provided by whoever happened not to be in an argument at any particular moment), how it was, I simply pointed to the last piece of beef and said if he could find me one person in the kitchen who could look me in the eye and say that the beef was medium, I would buy him a drink. Rest assured, I bought no drinks that night.

Unappealingly 'imaginative' food combinations aside, the simple fact is this: any kitchen that lacks cooking ability to the point that they can seriously overcook a Chateaubriand (and still charge you £49 for it), deserves neither such high-quality ingredients nor your business. I eagerly await news of serious changes.
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Soothsayer
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Thursday, August 14, 2008

We visited on a midweek evening last week to celebrate my daughter's 21st birthday. It was half an hour before an order was taken, another 20 minutes before starters arrived. I had ordered some wine to accompany our first course, but it was only after the food had been served that they worked out that the wine was not available. We were not offered any bread while we were waiting.

Once I had complained we were offered bread twice with our main course, and some items were taken off the bill. But I would have preferred to pay the full amount and had the service expected of this kind of restaurant.
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Clive Couzens
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Thursday, May 29, 2008

Had a lovely lunch here last week.

It's a bright, light room perfect for lunchtime in Spring.

We took our 4 month old daughter - which didn't phase them a bit. The staff could not have been more cheerful, accomodating and professional. Brilliantly well run restaurant. The amazonian Irish lady who appeared to be running front of house was a joy to behold. Many a stuffed shirt maitre'd could learn a lot from her capable, smiling efficiency.

The food from their set Spring menu was very good. Portions are small but adequate. Excellent presentation matched by wonderful flavours.

The wines by the glass are well chosen. The white house burgundy set off the menu very well (as did the Gavi).

House Champagne is too expensive. Had I not been driving home I'd have had a go at the "unlimited house wine" option, and had a bit of a long one...perhaps another time (without the 4 month old!).
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Kwev - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Friday, May 23, 2008

Really enjoyable but not the best atmosphere midweek and place could almost certainly do with an upgrade! Staff attentive but not obtrusive and food excellently presented and prepared. Felt they were a bit sparse with the wine on the offer but on the whole excellent value for a special occasion.
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Michelle
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Friday, February 22, 2008

Wonderful, not at all what you would expect from a department store restaurant. The Fifth Floor is entirely separate from the more utilitarian and noisy Yo Sushi outlet next door, this haven of peace and refined dining amongst the shopping throngs of Knightsbridge is well worth a visit.

The whole food experience was delightful. A selection of tasty breads and nibbles. Starters included asparagus - tender not just at the tip; steak tartare with a tasty bite; main of a melt-in-the-mouth pigeon in sauce including a hint of dark chocolate in the sauce; and chocolate fondue and some truffles to finish. (can you tell we like chocolate?!). All beautifully presented, delivered at the right time and with a smile.

Numerous and attentive staff, not overbearing but immediately there when you needed them. One only very tiny niggle was we were not offered wine when we ordered, we had to ask for some, but really this was a tiny oversight in what was overall a very pleasant evening.

Highly recommended and at 40 pounds a head for 3 courses including unlimited house wine (of which there was a selection) is great value for Knightsbridge, and for the quality of the dishes you are getting here.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Sunday, May 13, 2007

I travel to London from Canada many times a year and have eaten at the restaurant many times in the past year while visiting London and have had wonderful food and great service. I have recommended it to many friends and they have all had a wonderful meal. I highly recommend it. The staff were very polite and courteous. Their Sticky Toffee Pudding is excellent. I shall be going to London in a couple of weeks and will definately be having dinner there again.
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Darlene Chandler
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, April 27, 2007

I travel to London from Canada many times a year and have eaten at the restaurant many times in the past year while visiting London and have had wonderful food and great service. I have recommended it to many friends and they have all had a wonderful meal. I highly recommend it. The staff were very polite and courteous. Their Sticky Toffee Pudding is excellent. I shall be going to London in a couple of weeks and will definately be having dinner there again.
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Darlene Chandler
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, April 27, 2007

I ate at the Fifth Floor with my brother tonight and cannot praise it enough. The foie gras starter was good however, the main course was outstanding. The Pyrenean lamb was delicious and I have never tasted such wonderful halibut. To top it off, there was a superb selection of house wine. The setting was excellent, the service most attentive and the bill at the conclusion of such a wonderful meal was even better! I’ve eaten at many London restaurants and this has to go straight into my top three.
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JC - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Saturday, February 17, 2007

Excellent food and service but expensive. Why have silly little niggles such as a £5 for sea bass and £3.50 for a vegetable side-dish when the set-price for a starter (or sweet) and main course is £34.50 +12.5% service
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David
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 3
Saturday, December 30, 2006