The Square

My husband and I went to The Square for our anniversary last night. We were both severely disappointed. The atmosphere was non-existent and we got to soak it up for a while as nobody came to take our order despite us having our menus closed for at least 20 minutes. We also got offered a semi-empty bread basket with two of the choices missing which was not out right until half-way through our meal. In the end I had to call a waitress over and complain that people who were seated after us had already been given their amuse bouche 9Cauliflour mousse with truffle jelly) before our order was even taken. My husband ordered a beef starter which was distinctly average and I had langoustine which I have to admit was excellent. I did find it slightly odd that I only got three pieces when the gentleman on the next table got four. This was followed by our main courses; pork which was very tender and tasty and sea Bass which again was nothing imaginative or amazing. Then came a display of the some of the worst service I have ever received in this calibre of restaurant. As my husband was holding my hand and we were having a romantic moment we were rudely interrupted by a smarmy French gentleman who proceeded to 'sweep' our completely clean table. Then came the cheese course which again was interrupted in the middle of my selection as the waitress had to run off and help at another table leaving me slightly bewildered (she also forgot my grapes). The cheese selection was fine but there was nothing in the desert menu which did not contain nuts or alcohol so we swiftly moved on to the petite fours which were ok and a doughnut will vanilla sauce which was complementary to everyone in the restaurant. I certainly would not have paid for it as it was soggy and the sauce was completely without flavour. All this came to a bill of £202 with no wine but 2 glasses of champagne. We will not be going again; the food is good but certainly not good enough to outshine the other shortcomings of this restaurant.
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 4
Friday, November 16, 2007

The trouble with 2-star restaurants at this price is that when they come up short it is a great disappointment. We came to the Square for our 10-year anniversary so this was a special occasion for us. These were our disappointments:

The wines by the glass are vastly overpriced. I chose a Spanish Casa Viejas, at more than 10 pounds a glass. It was average to say the least - you could pick up a better wine in Oddbins for about 8 pounds a bottle! A Californian Syrah at 12 pounds was much better but still marked up far too much.

The staff let my wife choose a main course that was covered in pretty much exactly the same tasting sauce as her starter. And I mean covered - buttery, fishyness completely drowing out the flavours of crab and turbot respectively.

The food is too rich. OK, this one's subjective - we don't go out to these kind of restaurants all of the time but we've been to Gordon Ramsey, Maze, Mirabelle, Le Gavroche and not had anything like the same problem. I could barely get halfway through my main course - glad I didn't choose the tasting menu!

The food is too salty.

The dessert wine didn't turn up with the dessert. I had to ask for it again. This is not good enough. Mind you, it was excellent dessert wine.
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Chris Marshall
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Monday, September 10, 2007

My partner and I ate at the Square a couple of weeks ago. It had to be one of the best meals I've ever eaten. Started well with a quirky little box of canapes and an amuse bouche of sardine mousse. I had the foie gras, which was a beautiful combination of the unctous and the caramelised, followed by a stupendous slice of the tenderest beef imaginable. If I have one criticism, it would be that the balsamic reduction served with the beef had become oversalted. Portions were substantial, so to finish (after a lovely pre-dessert of cherry cream) I ordered the rather dull sounding english summer sorbets as it was all I could manage. It was outstanding. Perfect flavourful sorbet scattered with tiny balls of some kind of jelly and a mystery herb. My partner is still talking about her creme brulee. it wasn't over yet . We were finished off, in almost every sense, with hand made chocolates and nougat and a fan of tangy fruit petit fours.

The service was attentive and pleasant, though there was one arsey waitress who seemed to think a compliment about the food beneath her notice. We appreciated the one sitting policy, so we didn't have a nagging feeling we should hurry up.

It's eating food of this standard which makes you realise what two michelin stars are about. The damage was £210 with aperitifs, a bottle of nice Chablis and service. Worth every penny.

The Manoir au Quat'Saisons beats the Square on service, but I think the Square outclasses on food.
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rosyrose
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, August 07, 2007

A colleague and I had the tasting menu with matching wine last Sunday night. The ballotine of foie gras with beetroot was exquisite. Possibly the best foie gras dish I've ever tasted. The halibut was also outstanding. With so many delicious courses, it was a little daunting to recieve the dessert - an enormous peach melba souffle with almond ice cream. A smaller version would have felt more appropriate. It is also too sweet, and not peachy enough. Despite that small disappointment, it was a lovely meal. The wines were also well-matched to the dishes. Highly recommended.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, June 18, 2007

I took my wife to the square for the first time today for lunch.We chose from the set lunch menu and found the food well presented and proportioned with excellent quality ingredients. The staff are attentive but not over fussy and the meal was served in appoximately 1hour 30 minutes, which ,if you are there for a business lunch, is just about right.

There is a wondeful attention to detail which is understated but helps to make the overall experience a pleasurable one.

There is always an expectation when you enter a 1 2 or 3* restaurant. We think the square delivers and is rightly ranked as one of the very best in London.
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Paul Ellis
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Friday, March 30, 2007

My brother treated us to a meal here last weekend. Turning up for a 7pm booking, the restaurant was empty but for 2 other tables. Despite it being quiet, we weren't greeted warmly and in fact I felt a sense of condescension from the staff.

Our waitress then went onto to LOUDLY explain the specials to us as if we were hard of hearing.

We went with the 3 course meal and the food itself was good but there was just SO much of everything that all four of us were left feeling absoltely stuffed, even my brother who can normally tuck away a fair bit.

I would recommend it for big eaters but the attitude did put me off a little.
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Cindy
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Tuesday, March 06, 2007

We booked the square because of all the wonderful feedback we heard. I have a group of friends that come to visit every six months and we go somewhere special each time, previous ventures have seen us at places like maze and tom Atkins. We opted for the tasting menu. The first six courses were very good but lacked the wow factor, which I thought a 2 star would have. The dessert was a thyme and orange soufflé with bay leaf ice cream which looked the perfect soufflé, but sadly not. The only flavour that the whole of my group could taste was egg, we told the waiter and he apologized then took them away. The manager came to the table and also apologized he then went on to say that he had had the same complaint the night before! Which begs the question why is it still on the menu?

We were not offered another dessert, we had a glass of sweet wine put in front of us and told it was from the kitchen. The wine was very nice but sadly no dessert to enjoy it with. At this point we had clearly managed to upset the French waiting staff, my wife said he looked like he had just flambé the winning lottery ticket. We were not offered a cheese course which was optional to the tasting menu, we were not even offered coffees or liquors, we had petit fors placed in front of us and that was the last we was of the staff . The whole bill for a table of 6 was £705 plus a 12.5% service charge. For me the square was a huge let down considering there 2 Michelin star status. Even down to the first impressions, there was no music. When we arrived it felt like it was rude to talk, especially with the French police stood over your shoulder. For a group of people I would recommend maze every time.
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Mike Abraham
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Saturday, February 24, 2007

We went for a special occasion and had the full tasting menu with selected wines, which, at £130 per head still delivered astonishing value for money. I don't think I'll ever forget this meal - I've eaten at a lot of top London restaurants and this is one of the best I've ever had. For those not looking to splash our quite as much the three course evening menu looked stunning as well. Okay, its not for those on a budget, but even at these prices the quality of food and friendly, super efficient service is a bargain deal.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, January 27, 2007

Recently I booked a Friday afternoon lunch...a longish one with half bottles of Champagne and a 96 Bordeaux...the experience (food, wine and service) was so good, we called again Saturday night and were accomadated for dinner. Between the two of us (sharing every course) we tasted maybe 20 different dishes. We loved truly all but one, but only because we are Americans and are accustomed to a different style of beef.

Having eaten with all the "big boys" from Ducasse to Boloud to Bocuse, you name him and this chef can stand toe to toe.

Will I return, I am looking up next years vacation schedules already...
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J. David Miers, PhD
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Even though it was for a 6:30 dinner seating booked the day before in mid Nov, we had a great menu.

High cuisine at it's best for us. Food that turns the emotions. BEST MEAL ANYWHERE for us, including a nice previous visit to in Nov 2004.
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Fawaz
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Friday, November 17, 2006