Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's

We had dinner at Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. I made the booking online and made a note of our special occasion. On being taken to our table we were congratulated on our anniversary, which was nice, as it meant they had read the details of our booking. We are not wine experts and asked a waitress to recommend something, which we did enjoy and in our price range. We had the 6 course prestige menu so we could try a variety of things. I am not an adventurous eater, and found myself enjoying more than I imagined! They were small portions, but having had the 6 courses, we left feeling very satisfied. The only course I didnt like was the main course, pork, but that's more to do with my fussy tastes, not the food.

The service was fantastic, and the ambience of the restaurant very pleasing. As one other reviewer has said - it's nice to actually dine somewhere rather than just eat on the go. We received a little sponge cake with a candle and "happy anniversary" iced on the plate. We also got a tour of the kitchen which was great.

Our booking was made for 8.45pm and it was midnight when the left the restaurant and we had thoroughly enjoyable evening, something I'd definitely recommend for special occasions. My husband is saying we can go back for our 25th anniversary, but I'm not sure I could wait that long!
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Fiona Morrow
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Just returned from a fantastic lunch at our favourite restaurant, as always service and food were outstanding.

A special thank you to David (manager) and of course his team at Claridge's.

Cannot wait for our next visit.
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Beejal Desour
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, May 17, 2009

We were fortunate to get a reservation at this incredible restaurant during a recent visit to London. Fine dining is not a lost art! It is obviously an available experience. Unfortunately it is in short supply and obviously not fully appreciated in todays world. The food is beyond belief. Environment and service likewise beyond criticism! Thank you Gordon Ramsay at Claridges. Most restaurants are just for "Eating" these days. I had almost forgotten how wonderful it is to "Dine". The price has already forgotten but the memory will always be with us.
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Ken Irwin Sr.
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, May 10, 2009

We flew in from Los Angles on Saturday, 18th of April and were notified by the hotel consierge, (we were staying at the hotel) that we could get a last minute 6pM reservation, (which we had requested two months previous). The food was fabulous but quite expensive. The service was good but I was left waiting for attention for small amounts of time. The restaurant stayed about 75% full for the two hours we were there so I suspect that they deliberetly hold back tables. Overall a good experience with exceptional food.
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Michael
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Monday, April 20, 2009

Had lunch at Claridge's on Easter Friday and had a very good but not great meal.

After entering the hotel we made our through the beautiful lobby and bar and arrived to the reception desk to be greeted by 3 hostesses and a propped up copy of Gordon's great pub food book. Im all for upselling but this looked a bit tacky in such a fine dinning restaurant.

We were shown to our table, given menus and some mineral water. The restaurant is not big, I would guess 80 covers when full, but the first thing you notice is the sheer number of staff. I counted 22 on the floor in all, and as good as the service was it just felt to full on for me. At one point we were served by 3 different people in under 6 seconds.

The service felt very impersonal and scripted. After ordering my Onglet the waitress told me that 'Chef Ramsay cooks it medium rare', fine by me but I doubt if Chef Ramsay was in the kitchen.

As for the food we went for the lunch at 3 courses for £30. 3 choices for each course, with the gnocci starter, Sea trout main and the chocolate mousse with blood orange sorbet being the highlights. Included in the menu was an amouse-bouche and a few petit fours with the bill.

The sommelier was very helpful helping us choose a nice Pouilly Fusse that was not to oaky.

The room was only about half full (we were there between 12.15 and 1.45) so slightly lacking in atmosphere.

One last point we were told when booking and via email and when we arrived at the restaurant that they would need the table back at 2.15. when we left just before 2pm there was still plenty of empty tables and the table next to us were rushed through their lunch because 2 of them turned up late. On 2 occasions while they were waiting they were approached by a member of staff to remind them that the table had to be returned by 2.15.

Overall good but could be much better.
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Chris - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, April 14, 2009

My Husband and I went to Claridges for diner on Saturday 14th March - it was my Christmas gift to him ( Iknow , it was the earliest booking I could get and we waited 6 months) We had the most fantastic time. The food was delicious and the service superb. I have nothing bad to say about it at all. We had the 6 course taster menu and it was wonderful. Yes I agree drinks are a bit pricey but I also agree if its for an occassion then splash out and it enjoy, I dont think you will be disappointed. If you are 'into' cooking ask to gointo the kitchens this is a lovely experience for the wanna be chef in us all.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Wanting something nice to do for my 40th Birthday I decided that I would take myself and 3 friends to lunch at Gordon's restaurant in Claridges. I can honestly say that it was without question the right choice for a special occasion. The set lunch menu's start at a reasonable level for 3 courses, so you don't have to break the bank.

However a word of warning, Gordon then does make his money elsewhere. A single shot of Southern Comfort to get things warmed up cost £6!! and don't be frightened (or feel too chav in the surroundings) to ask for tap water rather than bottled, unless you wish to pay just shy of £4 for bottled.

Not the place I could afford to go every week but for a special event I would recommend without question. The staff were like bees, buzzing in the wings, always at hand and they seem to appear like magic (and Mr Ben) when you needed something.

They could not have served us better, been more friendly and welcoming. The food was fab. If you have something special to celebrate and few bob to splash for it then I would not hesitate to say go for it.
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George
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

My husband took me here for my 25th birthday.

The food was fabulous and the service was out of this world. The staff were very polite and even came over for a chat after we had dinner. The only mistake we made, were we had glasses of wine and it would of been cheaper just to buy a bottle. They knew it was my birthday and they came over with a cake, (free of charge) and got all the chefs to sign a menu for me. (which is up in my kitchen)

All in all, the whole thing came to about £250. I have no complaints about Claridges what so ever and I'll definitely be going back.
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Holly Udobang
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, February 13, 2009

We had dinner at Claridges to celebrate my brother in laws 40th birthday on Saturday 10 January. Unfortunately we were left disappointed with the whole experience.

We decided to have a drink in the bar beforehand but it took an age to eventually serve us. Once the drinks arrived we had almost finished ours by the time my father in law received his drink.

The first 3 choices of wine we ordered weren't available, therefore almost forcing us to choose a £95.00 bottle. The table in the alcove was lovely and the starters amazing. Unfortunately my main meal order was taken incorrectly, an honest mistake, so I then had to eat my main course after my family had finished theirs. However, all the main meals were full of flavour and meat and fish of excellent quality.

All of the above could easily be overlooked, if it wasn't for the dessert course!! We ordered this just after 11pm and at about 11.30 the waitress came over to apologise for the wait and confirmed they were just plating up. The desserts arrived just before midnight, and were certainly not worth the 45 minute wait! My husband and I had Tarte Tatin which was inedible as the base was completely burnt.

I mentioned the wait to the waitress and they didn't charge us for the desserts but the meal for 6, including 2 bottles of wine, was still in excess of £600.

Unfortunately the attention to detail just wasn't there. I have been to a number of Londons "fine" restaurants and would never go back to Claridges again.
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A.Tracey
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, January 14, 2009

We had lunch here yesterday new years eve.

The food was simply out of this world, i had the cod for my main course and i must say it was the best fish i've ever had, we were invited to the kitchen as a special treat so i got to thank the chef personally for our amazing meal.

Cannot wait to go back!!

Thank you to all at Claridge's and a happy new year to all.
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Mitch & Beejal Desour
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, January 01, 2009