Harlequin

A disgrace.

Harlequin offers a pre-theatre menu consisting of 3 courses for £14.99, and given the fact it's affiliated to a 4* deluxe hotel, your first thought is "this is incredible value and it's likely to be a good meal". How sad this was not the case.

With a pre-theatre meal, there is always the risk it might be a bit rushed. For this reason, I phoned in advance to ask whether they could realistically serve 3 courses in the space of an hour. They assured me this was possible and informed me that they'd pass this message onto the chefs.

On arrival, we were informed they couldn't offer one of the three main courses on the fixed price menu, nor could they provide one of the three desserts on that same menu. Then, they were so slow in delivering the main course that it was necessary for me to go and find a member of staff and ask why there was such a delay. 15 minutes is not sufficient time to clear our starter plates, deliver a main course and then a dessert to follow. Very quickly, some food was produced. What was not made explicit on the menu, however, was that this restaurant apparently thinks it's acceptable to serve shallots UNPEELED in their sauces. They also can't offer an explanation when you ask their waiters why they do this. The head waiter, however, can re-assure you that it's down to the discretion of the chef and if he wants to serve them like this, he can. The head waiter, however, is unable to bring the chef to your table to justify why he does this, as he's apparently too busy cooking - even though there are only 7 people dining in this restaurant.

With no time for desserts, I said I would pay for the set menus but not the wine. This was begrudgingly accepted - which was just as well, because I really wasn't going to accept anything less.

Don't be fooled by the low price menu, the apparent smartness of the restaurant, and the initial good service. Harlequin would do better to close down their food operation altogether and re-open as an extension of the hotel foyer.
Comment on this reader review

Dom
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 3
Sunday, August 19, 2007