The Princess

I used to love this place and go regularly, but it's completely lost the plot lately. Nobody answers the phone to take a booking, and when they eventually do, they want to you phone back or leave a message. There's no communication between the downstairs bar and the upstairs restaurant. The food hasn't been as good, leaving us to speculate they've got a new chef, the menu (which used to be wonderful) is now average, and the service has been lousy. Avoid.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, April 16, 2008

This place is a real gem!!!

The bar, in my mind, feels like the perfect modern, unpretentious local. The restaurant is relaxed, the staff are friendly and knowledgeable, and had clearly tried the food and wine themselves which added a confidence to their service. The menu was unexpectedly excellent, well thought out and individual without trying too hard and the wine list complemented the menu superbly.

We tried the salt and pepper prawns with baba ganoush (the best baba ganoush I've tried this side of the Middle East) and the salt and pepper squid (sweet and juicy) to start. The twice cooked rabbit was original and worked well and I have to complement the chef on his ability to cook the perfect steak! The Californian Pinot Noir that we choose (also the waitresses' favourite) coped with our choice of starter and mains and the waitresses' suggestion of a slice of lime in my amaretto to compliment the manchego cheese just put the finishing touches to a fantastic night.

I wish I lived next door, i'd be in there every night!
Comment on this reader review

Kathy Rougier
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Thursday, November 08, 2007

Had a fantastic evening here last Friday. Nice room, extremely charming staff and the food was marvellous. Good wine list, we had numerous bottles of an excellent Bekaa Valley rosé for seventeen quid. A very indulgent, very chilled-out night. This is my new favourite restaurant in London.
Comment on this reader review

Boz
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, July 11, 2007

The upstairs dining room is beautifully decorated and the food here is delicious. It is of the standard of a decent restaurant and is not very 'pubby' in the way that e.g. The Eagle or The Coach and Horses are - but it is none the worse for that.

Service was very friendly and of a high standard, to match the food. Pudding wine went down a treat.

It is not that cheap, but worth it, definitely!
Comment on this reader review

Nick - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, May 08, 2007

I had dinner there with my husband a couple of week sago. The menu was short but with most dishes quite appealing to us! The food was excellent, even though the portions of the starters were ridiculously small, contrary to the main courses, lamb as well as fish were superb and sevred in proper sizes. Wine list was interesting but could have had a bit more choices by the glass. Service was attentive, nice and frinedly. A great evening all in all. And a great place for a romantic dinner! Prices on the high range but worth it.
Comment on this reader review

Anne-Sophie Perret
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, February 26, 2007

What a truly amazing find! As soon as you ascend the wrought iron spiral staircase taking you from the bar to the upstairs restaurant, you know you're in for a treat for the eyes....what you don't realise is just how fantastic both the food (well sourced produce, great flavour combinations, served piping hot) and the prices are. I went with a girlfriend, but i have to say this is a perfect place for a very intimate date, too....
Comment on this reader review

Aarti
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, January 31, 2007

My husband had been and raved about the place but mainly about the chocolate fondant desert and promised to take me.

Amazing food, friendly helpful staff, loved the dining room, great wallpaper.

And the chocolate fondant pudding is amazing!
Comment on this reader review

Sarah Courtney
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, January 27, 2007

I normally love this gastro pub, the superbly cooked dishes and its excellent range of wines (clearly chosen for fun and much as good wine taste). But recently the staff seemed unwilling to stop the atmosphere being ruined by a large gang of drunk yobs. Two even managed to stage a mock fight in the middle of the restaurant. Hilarious for them and miserable for everyone else. Surely not the target customer. Unless the Princess can manage its customers it soon may not have any. I shan't be going back.
Comment on this reader review

Alan Houmann
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Turned up for Lunch with a friend and ate downstairs in the bar. We both agreed that this was some of the best food we had eaten in london and it blew away most gastro pub grub I have eaten. Service wasn't snappy but it sells itself as a relaxed place that does excellent food so can't really complain about that.

A pudding of meringue and passion fruit was beautiful, definietly going back, already put it in my diary for a months time.... yum
Comment on this reader review

Andrew
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, April 12, 2006

We chose the Princess for dinner on a Saturday night having already been there for a great Sunday roast with friends, and we were not to be disappointed. It was fully booked, but we were told that they may have a table for 8.30 if we came to the pub earlier and showed our faces upstairs. The service was impeccable, the wine list superb, and the food was outstanding. We cannot recommend this lovely place enough
Comment on this reader review

Griff
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Saturday, April 01, 2006