Automat

We popped in for a quick lunch, and therefore only had one course.

I ordered the 'special' automat burger from the (rather sparse) lunchtime menu, which was supposed to come with artichoke and mozzarella. Unfortunately after ordering we were informed that the artichokes hadn't come in to the kitchen yet that day (it was nearly 1pm!). So it would just be mozzarella that made this burger truly 'special' and worth the extra four pounds on top of the standard automat burger (which can also come with cheese).

What a shame then that the mozzarella was nothing special at all - I'm sure the stuff they sell in supermarkets tastes more exciting than this did. Furthermore, the burger itself did not really stand up to scrutiny. While cooked in accordance with the medium-rare instructions, it was frankly bland and forgettable, and the chips were similarly insipid.

Contrary to some other reviewers, we found the service to be problem-free. And the toilets were first rate.

For the money (£16 for a burger!), though, Automat really doesn't warrant another visit.
Comment on this reader review

Forth Bridge - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Thursday, August 28, 2008

My friends and I dined there this Sunday afternoon and while the food was ok, the service was absolutely atrocious. The staff are extremely discourteous and rude. They are so keen to get rid of you that they hover around trying to collect your plates even before you have finished eating your food. Then, they try and hurry you out the door because they have another party booked at your table which they did not inform you of at the time of your booking.

My favourite part is the discretionary 12.5% so-called 'service' charge, which I have to pay for bad service. No thank you. Avoid at all costs.
Comment on this reader review

Elizabeth
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Sunday, August 10, 2008

As regular customers (we have been there 4 times in the last month only), we are very disappointed to find that although the quality of the food remains the same, service is starting to become a real problem.

After having reserved a table for 21:15 on a Tuesday evening, we arrived exactly on time to find a queue of people waiting to be seated. We informed the hostess that we had a reservation for 21:15, at which point she said ok, then switched directly to the other customers next to us. We have reserved out usual table (booth at the front). Ignoring that we were there and the booth was available, she gave the table to a group of three men in suits who in fact had a reservation at 21:45 .... We were then left waiting for half an hour while she seated everyone in line, including people who had no reservations, all the while telling us our table was still not ready.

Needless to say we walked out after 30 minutes of standing up by the entrance. As we left, another group of 4 was leaving for the exact same reason. They REALLY need to sort their staff out.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Automat has a great atmosphere, a good crowd and decent prices. The food used to be good as well, so we went there a lot.

Unfortunately the quality of the kitchen has gone down significantly in the past months. They took the petit tender roast from the menu, what used to be best meat dish. The flat iron steak they serve is of very poor quality and so has been the rumsteak recently. Last time we sent 3 out of 5 dishes back to the kitchen, because they quality of the meat was so poor.

Same is true for the tartar, which is not that good anymore. They also served us burgers without bun, without even apologizing for it, or reducing the bill.

The location is really nice, but if they don't get their food back to an acceptable standard, they unfortunatly disqualify as restaurant.
Comment on this reader review

Malte
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 4
Friday, June 06, 2008

Went here for dinner on Saturday 3rd May having already had breakfast there a few days earlier. The atmosphere was fantastic, buzzing, but not too loud.

The service was discreet but spot on, as soon as you wanted a member of staff the waiting staff dedicated to you were on hand.

The Automat Burger was delicious - almost too much to eat, but so good that you couldn't stop! The chips were just right, crispy but fluffy inside and the dessert (Cheesecake) topped off a great night out. 10 out of 10!
Comment on this reader review

St John & Victoria
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, May 31, 2008

Automat is billed as an "American style dinner". Nothing American about the limited range of brunch items, the stale, cold pancakes or the additional charge for every teaspoon of maple syrup. The waiter offered white or brown toast when asked for French Toast. At least they automatically add 12% service charge !
Comment on this reader review

Anshuman Mehta
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Monday, May 19, 2008

When calling to book received a rude response.

Initial service took 15 mins.

Food was very average.

Generally poor.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Thursday, May 15, 2008

Went here with my wife for Breakfast on her 30th Birthday. THE PLACE WAS AMAZING!!!!

Everything you'd expect from a 1930's themed American restaurant - classy, not pompous. Decor was spot on, from the booth style seating to the bathrooms and the slightly narrower than normal doorways. We really felt like we had stepped back into 1930's America.

The food was fantastic - Pancakes with blueberries and maple syrup, Bourbon Vanilla french toast with streaky bacon, Hash browns....ALL FANTASTIC...

If you only go to one restaurant this year, go here! So good we're going for dinner on Saturday night!
Comment on this reader review

St John & Victoria
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, May 01, 2008

Went here for brunch this afternoon and had an absolutely lovely meal, I had the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, which was fantastic! Very nice salmon. My friend had pancakes which I tried, they were also absolutely lovely. The waitress was friendly and very efficient. The decor and atmosphere was very nice and I would most definatly reccomend it.
Comment on this reader review

- View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, April 05, 2008

I went there as part of a group of 14 for lunch on a Thursday. The decor is very impressive and the atmosphere was nice - however this was let down by 2 areas. Firstly the food was not wonderful - I ordered a burger and chips and the chips were so salty that I was unable to eat them.

Secondly and worst of all was the matter of the service. The waitress was rather curt with us on ordering. But the greatest sin was removing some of the plates off the table when people were still eating - they even tried to remove a soup bowl that someone was still eating from. When we ordered desserts not everyone was asked and so we were served in 2 sittings.

Despite the atmosphere I won't be going back as it is not cheap and so there should be a reasonable expectation of good service.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 4
Thursday, March 06, 2008