Bluebird Restaurant

Went for my wedding anniversary after hearing so much about it. Wished I had read this site first. The decor is undeniably cool, but the food was really not up to the big fanfare this place seems to get.

We arrived quite early in the evening and the restaurant was only 1/3 full, but instead of seating everyone near to each other we were spread out (presumably so the waiters all got someone in their section for a tip). This meant that there was zero atmosphere though.

We had platter type starters with pate's - it all looked good, served on wooden chopping boards (kooky), but it was actually pretty bland. Main courses were again relatively tasteless and very fatty meats and sauces (not in a good way).

The wine list was good though, and I imagine were this place busy and you were in a group you could overlook the average food and have a good time.
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Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Saturday, November 10, 2007

I love 'nice' restaurants, and have frequented many. I had heard such good things about this place that my husband and I decided to have lunch there on our wedding anniversary. The location is wonderful with outdoor seating ideal for people watching however the food was only ok. The Bruschetta starter was lovely, however the prawn cocktail starter wasn't anything special. For mains we had the chicken and the lamb - neither of which are worth recommending. The service was overbearing, to the point where the waitress actually stood over my husband while he finished his starter, which seemed a bit pointless when we then waited a further 20mins for the mains. The bill came to a hefty £60 which I really dont think the meal was worth, I think its worth visiting this restaurant for the experience but doubt we will be going back
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Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 3
Monday, September 10, 2007

this place looks more beautiful than really it is...

we waited too muh before the wine reachedhe table and the waiter gave us a bottle of 26 pounds instead of the one of 18 pound

he didn t give us the ice bucketad,we had to ask him without a napink to dry the bottle...immagine all the water that came down the bottle and get you all wet...

he brought us one dish per time...they were all starters that we wanted to share between us at the same time and he didn t give us too empty plates to share the meal

...an horrible place where i won t never ever come back...
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fottiti
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Was at the Bluebird on Friday 25th May 2007. We sat outside in the Cafe for a quick drink before making our way upstairs to the restaurant. Very pleasant on a warm evening. On hindsight, we would have gone straight to the restaurant had we known how amazing the bar area was. Took a seat on a very comfy (maybe too comfy as did not want to move) sofa where a waitress came over to take our drinks order. We were about the only ones there at the time (about 6pm) so we got a chance to take in the magnificent décor and layout of the place.

We soon went to our table next to the window looking over the Cafe and Kings Road. The waiter service was excellent and a complimentary glass of champagne went down very well. The food was excellent, tasted great and the presentation was exceptional (making my mouth water thinking of the food again). Once we had finished our fine, three-course meal, we relaxed with tea/coffee and were not rushed at all to free up the table.

By now the place was a lot busier, but not over-crowded, which made it very atmospheric. A DJ was in the bar area and although the music could be heard in the restaurant area it wasn't intrusive. This encouraged you to go back to the bar and relax on the comfy sofa again to let your food go down with a drink or two.

I would encourage people to try this restaurant; groups, couples, old and young will enjoy it - you won't be disappointed. Enjoy!

PS. I would book in advance as it is very popular!
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Adam Belenkin
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Last evening we were tempted by the smells of an outdoor grill in the courtyard of the Bluebird. What a diaster! We waited for a good 20 minutes before we could flag a waiter to take our drinks order, only to return in another 15 minutes to put them down on an unwiped table to go away again before taking our order. When the food arrived, a hamburger and grilled steak, the fries were not accompanying the order and we asked for ketchup for the hamburger. I eventually went to another table and took a bottle of ketchup before my hamburger went cold. My friend's steak was tough and flavourless and mostly eaten by the time the fries arrived. My hamburger at £14.00 was expensive and just okay. When we asked for the bill, which had a gratuity included, it was for a different table. All in all, for such a good concept in a terrific location, they fall apart on their horrible service.
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Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Had dinner in the newly decorated Bluebird last night and what a fantastic night! The new decor suits the large space of the dining room and bar, makes it feel more intimate. The service from arrival was excellent-attentive without being too full on. We sat in the bar and enjoyed a drink before being shown to our table where we were given ample time to look at the menu and offered some good wine recommendations. The food was of the highest standard. I have always liked this place but in the past the food could be just average-not last night though! The seafood cocktail was beautiful and there was lots of it, the wild mushroom tart was rich but well balanced. The fillet of beef was incredible as was the fish pie, full of flavour and topped with the creamiest mash. I know I'm waxing lyrical here but I was so impressed and am looking forward to the next visit! The only thing I would change was the table arrangement-they were slightly too close together but that really is about it. If you are looking for a good venue with plenty of atmosphere give this place a go, its worth it.
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AJ
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, April 25, 2007

We took advantge of the £20 meal offer and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The waiters made us feel as valued as any full price menu table and, crucially, we found the menu had options and all our choices were excellent. So often they fob you off with an offer menu but to their credit it was lovely.
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Alice
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Beware the seductive menu

The sun was beginning to go down on a warm balmy Sunday and the outwardly attractive Bluebird cafe seemed the ideal spot for an al fresco meal.

My sucking pig (whatever that means) was in fact tepid roast pork on a dry seeded bun - I have had a lot better at a fairground. My wife's mushroom lasagne was lukewarm and dry although it was exchanged for a hotter, but still dry lasagne. We were extremely disappointed and couldn't get away fast enough.
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Mike W
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 1
Monday, July 10, 2006

Had a very disappointing experience here recently. The quality of the food served was well below average and that expected of the prices charged. The mushroom brioche starter was swimming in oil and sickening to eat (so I didn't), the crust on my steak pie was also oily and most of it disintegrated as soon as my fork touched it, the gnocchi was bland and had seemingly been fried as well as boiled. Whatever the chef was trying to achieve, it didn't work. The loud music felt more appropriate for a bar than a dining area and the saxophone player would have probably been more enjoyable if she hadn't had to compete with the CD which continued playing over her in the background. Won't be back.
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Niki
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 4
Monday, June 05, 2006

We had breakfast on Monday 29th May. After waiting for 40 minutes, we were served with our breakfasts. They turned out to be cold. The waitress appeared surprised at our complaint but took the plates away. Some 20 minutes later, the 'hot' breakfasts arrived - not very hot! By this time we were totally fed-up, having drunk our tea and having had to order another pot. Then the extortionate bill............ We will not be back - we can get a better breakfast in a superstore for a lot less!
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David Allan
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Thursday, June 01, 2006