Albannach

Took up the three courses offer that included a glass of champagne which was a prerequisite since I was celebrating my birthday. Dragged along my brother and his wife on a Saturday evening. We all enjoyed the food and the ambience - and the haggis taster was lovely, just not enough! My gnocchi was delicious, and I don't often do vegetarian meals; my brother's trout was delightful and his wife's chicken melting with succulence - I know because I tasted! My salmon starter was also very fresh, and the breads with fresh nuts and raisins were a great starter. Service on the whole was attentive. Recommend.
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Vanessa
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, May 20, 2008

I took my scottish husband to Albannach last night for his birthday and we came away elated!

Had a few whiskies from the excellent choice in the bar beforehand and commented on how it seemed to be a nice mixed crowd (not too touristy, or businessy or chavvy) and moved upstairs for dinner.

Our waitress was new so made a few mistakes (forgot the butter etc) but was so sweet and apologetic we didn't mind - the other waiting staff were gracious and on hand to help out even though there was a large group booking...attentive but not too attentive.

We both went for the roasted scallops in scoth broth for starter and the Haggis for main. Scallops were cooked to perfection and lighter flavours of the broth complimented them wonderfully. The Haggis was the best I've ever had - full of flavour and very smooth, neeps and tatties were creamy and the wine sauce set off an excellent sweetness to the peppery meat.

Both courses were a decent size, leaving us satisfied so we skipped pudding (none particularly appealed and we're not big pudding people).

Food came promptly and was servied on piping hot plates so it was ok to take your time as the food didn't get cold.

My only complaint is we were sat right on the balconey of the restaurant and the noise from the bar travels somewhat, but being set back a little bit would have sorted this.

Highly recommended for a sumptuous traditional scottish dinner, very good value with lovely staff.
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Effie - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, March 28, 2008

I celebrated my 60th birthday at the Albannach yesterday evening. We were a party of 14 and had a wonderful time. The express menu is no longer available and set menus are now more expensive than when I last visited but the food and service could not be faulted. The venison in the main course wa fabulous. My guests and I certainly recommend this restaurant.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, January 27, 2008

Brilliant! Went here last night for boyfriend's birthday, had amazing time. Drinks at 8 and great atmosphere watching the England/France game; then upstairs to dinner at 9.30. The staff didn't even mind us being a little late moving upstairs. Fantastic food, steak was the best ever! Very accomodating and friendly staff. Even got free entry to club downstairs afterwards.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Monday, October 15, 2007

This is not a conventional review, this establishment claims to be the No.1 Scottish Bar/Resteraunt in London, well a few of us were going there to eat and to hopefully watch the Scotland/Ukraine football game, but we were told that they were only catering to the rugby crowd by showing the England/France rugby game, nedless to say this place that cliams to be 100% Scottish has been struck of our places to go, and I suggest that all other Scottish exiles in London take the same attitude.
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Bill
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 2
Saturday, October 13, 2007

I went to Albannach with some Vietnamese friends because they wanted to try a Scottish restaurant; me bein a Scot and having talked about it. First impressions were very good with a nicely stocked bar downstairs, clean and modern decor, appropriately attired staff and a nice mix of business/personal visitors.

We booked in for an early evening meal and took advantage of the excellent Express Menu (2 courses £15/3 courses £18 before 7pm).

For starters we ate haggis, mussels, duck and salmon; trying each others dishes there was not a complaint to be had with my Vietnamese friends particularly impressed with the clean and strong flavours.

For mains we had again salmon, beef fillet (outstanding!), haddock (outstanding!) and a lamb shank (a little tough but on the whole very good). Each dish was served in a beautiful sauce with a small accompniment of mash or veg.

I'm not sure what each of the deserts were (berry fruit salad, drambue mousse, ice creams and a mint/raspberry dish). To be honest neither of these were to my liking. Each seemed to simple and didn't really say Scotland to me - seeming a little summery. This is the only reasons I haven't awarded a 9 or 10. I think next time I would order the 2 courses for £15 and then a seperate desert from the fuller al a carte menu.

On the whole an excellent experience with competent staff, nice surroundings a tremendous food. As a Scotsman I'd highly recommend it!
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Graeme
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, September 06, 2007

Would not recommend this place.

Group of 10 thirty somethings of us went there for a birthday. One wasn't allowed in - dressed in shirt, trousers but they objected to him wearing flip flops. What utter toss. When the rest of us were spending over £700 you would have thought they could have been flexible!

Pushy manager - really irritating.

Veg main course rubbish.

Declined to serve us jugs of tap water

Good waiting staff. good ambience.

We actually had a great night, but despite the place.

I would never go there again - and judging by how few people were in Doon, the bar downstairs, other people think the same.

I wonder what will replace it..
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DHMD
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 2
Sunday, July 15, 2007

Went to this place because I was reccomended by a friend and unless you're a snob then this place is for the cool people!

The bar is great and the staff are really friendly, service was a bit slow, but then it was a friday night and they were very busy

The restaurant is on the first floor and the food is out of this world - try the beef fillet - I'll definitely be back - forget the bad reviews this place rocks!
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raygoldman - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Saturday, June 23, 2007

I came to this restaurant on the reccomendation of a friend and I was pleasantly surprised in many ways.

We came into a vibrant ground floor bar with the usual city types drinking a mixture of champagne and cocktails and had a look at the cocktail list - we decided to try a raspberry something and it was great.

Our reservation was for 8.00, there was a slight delay due a couple of tables running late, but the maitre D found us (not easy in a busy bar!) and let us know what was going on, he was perfectly charming and reassured us in a professional manner.

When we sat down for dinner, we decided to have a liver pate flambeed with whisky and my partner had a salmon and lobster parcel - they were fantastic, full of flavour! we then had our mains: the beef fillet for me rare of course and the better half had the special of venison medallions - again fantastic!

The service on the night was punctual and attentive as these waiters seemed to genuinely care if we were enjoying our meal. After dessert of Chivas Regal ice cream we retired to the DOON bar with our friendly maitre D' in escourt.

Here we had some more cocktails and left around 1 o'clock thoroughly satisfied, I've since read some of the reviews this place has had and wonder if they were in the same restaurant as my experience and that of my better half was fantastic. I'll definitely be back.
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Paul Lewis - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Thursday, June 21, 2007

Food is pretty good - especially if you're a fan of neeps and tatties, but the service is a joke. Our server took our order, went away came back a minute later and took the order again. I've no idea what he wrote down first time, but it was like a Victoria Wood sketch. It also took him 3 attempts to bring the correct wine!

The other waiter who cleared was balancing plates in a mildly dangerous manner in an attempt to cut down on trips to the kitchen. I was expecting to be covered in left-overs at any second. Any restaurant that adds 12.5 % automatically to your bill on a moderatelt pricey menu should provide perfect service. This one falls a long way short. Which is a shame because the look and feel of the place is great.

Don't come here is my advice, unless you're feeling good natured and you want a laugh
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londonneil - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, June 19, 2007