Babylon at The Roof Gardens

We went to Babylon in order to celebrate a special occasion recently and were unfortunately extremely disappointed with our experience. The ambience was pleasant and our starters were good, however, that is where our enjoyment of the evening ended. After quite a long wait our main courses arrived. We had both ordered the lemon sole as a main course which was described as baked, however, when it arrived it was absolutely tasteless and the potatoes were rock solid. When we informed our waiter, he explained that it had actually been boiled in a bag "as stated on the menu". We stated that this was not how it had been described and that it was very disappointing. He then said that he would ask the manager to come and speak to us. Whilst the waiter was polite and helpful, unfortunately, the manager was not. He offered us a free drink with our coffee as a replacement for our expensive and inedible main courses which was plainly inadequate. To add insult to injury, when we were in the middle of our coffees the manager told us that our table had been booked for 10:30pm (our reservation had been for 9pm) and that he would move us to the "cosy" lounge. The lounge was, in fact, the entrance area where we had to perch on tiny green stools. We were then informed by another member of staff that we should have been allocated a two and a half hour slot for our table. The following week we received our confirmation booking email, which we should have received prior to attending the restaurant, confirming that we would be allocated two and a half hours for our meal. We are extremely disappointed that what should have been a special evening was ruined and that we did not receive so much as an apology from the restaurant upon expressing our dissatisfaction.
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Emily Vars
3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Really disappointing. Used to go here when i was young and it was fabulous, but we stopped going because the food went down hill and little has changed. Flavours just not that great or inspiring, terrible soggy "roast" potatoes with the roast and very over priced. Gardens looked a bit run down and when we went on a sunday they were even closed! They certainly should have told us this before, as you expect to be able to see the garden at the "roof gardens"! It's the only reason you would pay such high prices for such average food! Greeting staff were offensively rude and unhelpful, and service in the restaurant wasn't great. Bloody Mary was watery. What a a disappointing Sunday Lunch.
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Emily May
3 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Monday, June 06, 2011

I don't know if I should rave about the beautiful gardens, the flamingos, the marvellous cocktails or the superlative food! Go there. It's expensive, but oh-so-worth-it!
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- View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, March 08, 2011

The waiters were very aggressive, trying to hard sell stuff that we kept saying no thanks to. Then they tried selling us entrance to the downstairs club on a monday night when we were there on a saturday! Although the food was good, it wasnt anything very special. This place trades on the reputation of the fact it has a great view, but really .. . . who cares!
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Unimpressed
5 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Monday, February 14, 2011

I went last week for a special occasion, the atmosphere is good, service very very good, food average and little portions, I will go back only for the service and the place.
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L
7 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 5
Monday, January 17, 2011

Good quality food although not big portions, you need to add side dishes to feel satisfactorily full after three courses (My wife and I have a normal appetite). The cost is high unless you get a special deal, also wine starts from about £26 which I think is a high price for a very normal wine. Our three course dinner came in at £152, although when the bill arrived they added an (Optional!) service charge of £19.50. The service was nothing special and I thought £160 was more than enough to pay for the meal and service we had recieved. I put £160 in with the bill, shortly later the waitress came back and informed me I had only put £160 in with the bill. I then reminded her it was an optional service charge to which she said "was the service not ok?" I repied it was ok but was willing to pay £160, she said she would have to talk to her manager! This to my mind is very unprofessional, of course the manager didn't come to talk to us and we made our way out with no intention to return. The waitress even ran past us to see the unshaven manager. It was a completely disappointing ending to a nice meal.

In England, do we not decide to tip? I will normally tip 10% if I'm happy with the meal and service but behaviour which was demonstrated at Babylon, adding more than 10% on the sly and then making a song and dance about it if you don't want to pay it is very poor. Sort it out Sir Richard.
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David Lamb
6 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 4
Friday, October 15, 2010

I went to the Roof Gardens today with my missus for Sunday lunch, which I often find to be an excuse for a good restaurant to serve average food. This most certainly was not one of those occasions. They served the food in a very attractive manner. The food was of excellent quality, the service was first class - very friendly, attenstive, never intrusive, and they had a magician - some might say a bit naff, I say, nice touch.
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Dan
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Sunday, October 03, 2010

Booked Babylon to celebrate my good friend's 30th - easy booking, but a major disappointment overall. We were told the gardens were closed on arrival, but did not look like anything was going on. The service was awful - our waiter didn't listen to us as he was so intent on pushing a certain British sparkling rose on us - we ended up getting a bottle of wine we didn't order and later realised it was £8 more expensive.

When booking our meal, we mentioned an offer we had seen - 3 courses for £27 but were told we could not have this offer and the menu we were being offered was better anyway... despite my friend insisting she did not like peas, she ended up with a pea-fuelled starter and actually ordering was quite stressful as our waiter was not really listening.

When asked about the service, we told the truth and we were presented with a complimentary "award winning" dessert, which was pretty disgusting and in no way made up for a pretty bad experience overall.

Would not recomment going here - over priced, the main attraction was closed and the waiter was inattentive and presumptious.
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Becky Bee
4 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Tuesday, July 06, 2010

The worst restaurant I have been to in a long time. The waiter knocked a candle on to a member of the party spilling hot wax on the table,his phone and his clothes. Then took our meal order incorrectly so that a member of our party did not receive their main meal. Having told us that he would bring the dish in 10 minutes, after 20 had elapsed he came to us and told us that the chef had gone home and therefore could only give us dessert! We spoke to the manager who could not resolve the issue. The waiter then behaved in the most unprofessional manner and told us off for complaining to the manager. A discount on the bill did not really help this disastrous Saturday night!
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2 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Sunday, July 04, 2010

Went along for lunch one saturday in december. Was cold but clear and sunny, a perfect day to enjoy the great views from the roof gardens whilst seated inside.

Staff were cheerful and polite and service was efficient without being obtrusive. My friend had a food allergy which I'd mentioned on the booking, and as soon as our waiter came over he asked us about it, told us which menu items were suitable (or could be modified) and said he would confirm everything with the chef. This kind of thing makes a real difference!

We both went for the 2-course £18 lunch menu, opting for starters and mains. The food was fine, but nothing special. Portions are relatively small, but for lunch I tend to prefer this - and you can always go for the 3 course menu for few pounds more. Total bill including soft drinks and coffee came to £60 for two, which seems reasonable given the location and style of the restaurant.

Unfortunately didn't get a chance to explore the gardens since we were pressed for time, but will definitely come back sometime to take a look round. The outdoor seating in the restaurant is probably great in the summer (but probably in high demand too!)

Overally pretty happy with the experience. I wouldn't suggest you come here specifically for the food, but the view and the great service make it a pleasant dining location. I would recommend this to others with the above caveat, and would certainly come back again.
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Z - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Saturday, December 19, 2009