Albannach

We came early Saturday evening (5.45pm) for the 50% offer and really couldn't fault it. Cocktails were very nice, service was attentive. We were seated downstairs and I felt if we had been any later I would have wanted to be upstairs as the atmosphere definitely turns towards being a bar after 7pm.

The haggis starter was very good and the gravy just superb. I would have preferred it to be a little hotter. Fishcake small plate was commented to be full of fish. I had the chicken for main. I don't normally order chicken in restaurants but this was stated as free range and a 25 minute wait so I was expecting good quality. And I have to say that it was very nicely cooked, not dry at all and very tasty considering it was "just" roast chicken. I would have liked the garlic mayonnaise to be more garlicky. My sister said that her ribeye was cooked to perfection and the whisky peppercorn sauce out of this world. The chips were very nice too, a little thin for my preference but definitely not fries. We couldn't manage pudding as I was full, the portion sizes are quite generous.

We had a query with the bill and the 50% was not deducted but this was rectified very quickly amidst apologies.

I would have no problem recommending.
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Sarah - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Had a fantastic meal at Albannach last night, soooo tasty and excellent service from Kalina. We also got 50% off the food which made it a very affordable enjoyable experience
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Marie - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, September 06, 2011

An odd evening of pluses and minuses. On the plus side, the staff are charming and attentive and the food is pretty much OK. The major minus is the fact that this has to be the noisiest place in London. The restaurant is in the bar and the deafening din from a bunch of beer-swilling M&S-suited oiks quite ruined the evening for us.
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Ian Freeman
6 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 7
Friday, June 10, 2011

Ate there on Wednesday 16th Feb. The staff were lovely, very friendly and made us feel welcome. The place was packed however the service was prompt. Being from the Scottish Borders myself I was very impressed with the haggis starter and loved the way it was presented. The best Ive had! Spatchcock chicken was ok, but the desert Tipsey Laird was amazing and I will make it myself now. Loved it! If I lived in London I would eat there every week! Thank you!!!
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Rosie Morse
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Friday, February 18, 2011

4 of us went to Albannach to use some vouchers for Oysters and Proscecco.

The night we went was really wet and the entrance to the restaurant is tiny so everyone trying to get out of the rain was at a disadvantage.

We were sat immediately and the waitress was very good. We had 2 vouchers so had 24 oysters and 2 bottles of wine. The oysters were lovely with a gorgeous shallot/vinegar dressing or lemon.

We then ordered starters and chips, I had a really tasty prawn dish with lovely chips. My guests had smoked salmon and chips, Beef Carpaccio and chips and a huge burger and chips.

The food is lovely, the service for us was pretty good. The place is decorated in a very lovely way but the downside it is not good for noise.

I do want to go again and take my Boss who is Scottish as I hope he will enjoy the menu.
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Deany70 - View all reviews by this user
6 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Sunday, November 14, 2010

Bar has very good atmosphere but will not be returning for food.

Seven of us went for dinner on a saturday night. We had a drink in the bar to begin with and there is a good selection of cocktails and other drinks; although bar men looked very serious about the whole thing.

Went upstairs for dinner. Some of the waitress staff were delightful, although a little slow to take an order for drinks. Starters were all enjoyed though presentation of the odd dish was somewhat lacking.

Main courses were very mixed. Steaks were very good, but totally unaccompanied as there was no salad garnish. The chunky chips on the side were lovely. 3 of us ordered 'neeps and tatties' - these arrived cold and when sent back, they returned 10 minutes later even colder, when much of the steaks had already been eaten. One of our friends though received her meal 15 minutes after the rest of us even though her side dish was brought with the rest of the food and we were a bit sceptical about the story that her meal was 'in the lift' for well over five minutes. We also ordered the wild mushroom tortelini which was interesting: it seemed to be homemade pasta but was extremely thick. There was a small filling of what we think was feta cheese which was very unexpected as it had not been mentioned on the menu and the 'wild mushroom' was limited to a rather tasteless sauce drizzled on top.

One of the waitresses was clearly embarrased by the level of service however until that time the speed of service had been very slow. The manager came over and apologised about our stone cold side dishes which they duly took these off the price of the bill although the meal for which we had to wait a long time stayed firmly on the bill along side the 'optional' 12 1/2% service charge - which I am afraid to say we only paid about 5%.
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4 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 2
Sunday, February 28, 2010

Very disappointing. A shame because the waiting staff were lovely.

Three of us booked for lunch. I had to ask for the table to be cleaned.

My guests had both finished their starters by the time mine arrived. I asked the manager what was happening and he told me to ask the waitress. There was apparently a computer problem in the kitchen. Exactly the same thing happened with our puddings.

The food was competent but unremarkable. The journey down to the poorly lit loos was very gloomy.

The waitress was pleasant but clearly harassed.

Glad we tried it, but certainly won't be going back.
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Ian
3 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Went last weekend with my Wife for her Birthday and we were both looking forward to a really nice steak.

I thought I'd go for the 300g Sirlion as I was pretty hungry but when it turned up, it didn't really look any different in size to the Wife's 225g one but cost £4 more plus both were at least a 3rd FAT.

The waiter didn't bother asking if the meal was OK until it came to pay the bill and he noticed we weren't paying the 12.5% service charge.

Overall I'd say it's over priced, £21 for a pretty cheap tasting Rose £75 for 1 starter, 2 mains and a bottle of wine. Would have been £84 with the tip.
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Ian
2 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Visited ages ago with a work colleague and was seriously underwhelmed, but since the refurb it feels a lot more welcoming and they seem to have stripped back the menu, keeping simple / popular stuff like burgers, steaks, roasts etc.

Service was good though I still find the place too loud at times. That said, their whisky list is one of the finest in London and the bar alone is worth a visit.
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B.
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Thursday, November 19, 2009

Terrible customer service,

- had a private party which they offered to place us in the private room

- 2 (out of 14) of our party did not turn up due to last-minute childcare issues, we were still charged for 14 even though they could not have re-allocated the seats (seeing as we were - at their offer - in the private room)

- over charged everyone for the set menu, which took several emails and phone calls to resolve and have refunded, even though I had the cost of the menu in writing from them - why dispute this?

- charged 15% 'optional' service charge for 14 (not 12) guests at the higher menu cost, none of which was refunded.

- less than pleasant responses to phone calls and emails

Food wasn't bad, but not good enough to overcome the poor customer service
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Gideon Marsh
3 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Wednesday, September 09, 2009