Medcalf

I haven't been back to medcalf, after initially having a fantastic sunday lunch there I booked for our staff Xmas lunch and it was disappointing (no roast potoatoes?! I know maybe I am being overly traditional but still...). Went back last week and we had a really tasty, reasonably priced meal. Had skirt of beef which was cooked to perfection - and a huge portion too, really pink in the middle., with a great bottle of wine. They didn't bat an eyelid when we asked for welsh rarebit as a side order to our beef (in great contrast to Great Queen Street where they look appalled if you want to try something they decide doesn't go together). Good atmosphere and a really quirky looking place.
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SE - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Thursday, August 21, 2008

I visited Medcalf after reading that the Head Chef had recently decided to leave and form a restaurant of his own - Market. I therefore went with some trepidation, however, I felt that the back of house did well, what let the restaurant down was the front. All food that was produced by the kitchen was reasonable, not mind blowing, but exactly what I was expecting, good hearty food. The only slight let down was the chocolate brownie which had a real microwave vibe about it.

The front of house seemed to be pretty disorganised and slow and made the great excuse that they were busy, erm, I would have hoped they were busy on a Saturday night at 9pm! Overall it was good, but I don't think I would go again, mainly due to the service, plus theres plenty of similar places like this in London.
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Suzy
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, March 18, 2008

I popped in for some light lunch here this afternoon after reading a favourable review in the evening standard some time ago. I have to say, the quality of the food was fairly good. I started with a delicious welsh rarebit, very reasonably priced at 4-50, and followed with a pleasent, yet unspectacular, cheddar tart. Alas, at 10-50 the owners should be ashamed for the meagre portion they provide and for the pathetic salad that accompanied it - it was nice, but at that price you expect something more than a slither of cheese quiche! The waitress was perfectly nice, but had a habit of being slow when she should have been quick and vice versa.

So while perfectly enjoyable, i shall never return purely on account of the fact that i just paid 18 quid for cheese on toast, a bit of tart and a mineral water - they then had the cheek to lay on a service charge!
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Dante
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Monday, February 18, 2008

How many people remember all the components of their meal?

I ordered the scallops as a starter but was a little taken back by the lightness of the plate that materialised. It was only on seeing the menu again ordering dessert that I realised a third of my starter was missing. The reaction from the waitress? A rather dead-pan "you should have told us at the time".

Typical of the night really which seemed like a service lottery and detracted from the well cooked food.

A disappointing end to an average dining experience. I won't recommend this and next time will probably visit the chop house round the corner
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Jung
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Friday, January 25, 2008

Great place to go for dinner with a relaxed local vibe.

Food was 8/10. Wine good prices.

Decor is great and with the view of street outside, still busy on a chilly october night, the place even had a parisian feel.

Just book. Gets busy even mid-week.

Top place.
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JD
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, October 19, 2007

Ate at Medcalf last night, and have been surprised by previous comments regarding the service and the quality of the meat. The service couldn't have been friendlier or more efficient, and both the devilled kidneys and the lamb were very good. Slightly restricted options for wine by the glass, but the Cabernet Sauvignon on offer was great. Prices are also extremely reasonable. I would certainly eat here again.
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MarkP - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Friday, August 10, 2007

We would say one of the best meal in london.

Really good meat. service is nice, atmosphere ok. even not so much expensive as it probaly should be.

We recommend it. the average price is lower then it says above.

try the warm brownie as dessert, really nice!

GO!
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alesco
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Sunday, July 08, 2007

Went for dinner on a Thursday night with a group of ex-colleagues. The decor and atmosphere were spot on, comfrotable and relaxed. The menu looked good, a short but well choosen selection of dishes. So it was a shame that the food let everything down. The steak was far to tough and seemed to exhibit no difference between those that had asked for rare or medium. The braised beef was equally disapointing, well cooked but ultimately a flavourless piece of meet. As someone else commented on this site, you would expect an old butchers shop to source their meat with a little more care!

The wine list is reasonably priced, although not putting regions on the French wines means that a working knowledge of provinceal French towns is required if you don't want to just rely on the descriptions.
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Paul - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Friday, March 23, 2007

My wife and I were somewhat disappointed with our dining experience at the Medcalf. Our main disappointment was the main entrees being offered on the dinner menu. Being a former butcher shop, we expected better cuts of beef and pork. However, on a positive note, the service was friendly and efficient. The red wine selections were good. And, dessert was very good. The dacor of this restaurant is dull and unattractive.
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Gerald Susmarski
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, February 20, 2007

I would beg to differ from the comments below. My wife and I ventured for our first outing to Medcalf on a Saturday evening and we were extremely impressed with the quality of food, the personal service and the relatively low bill. Not only was the pork belly amazingly delicatable, the steak (ordered rare) was perfection itself. I have been to a number of eateries in London and I would have to admit that this is by far my favourite.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Monday, February 12, 2007