Avenue

I took my boyfriend on a belated valentines (we didnt forget, just too busy!) and i have to say was pleasantly surprised.

The restaurant decor is fantastic, with photographic "art" filling the otherwise blank walls, and very good use of lighting to make the space feel open yet welcoming.

We arrived early for our reservation and were welcomed to a bar table and offered an extensive list of cokctails etc. obviously we had champagne being a celebration, but a cheeky cocktail before dinner was too much to resist and we enjoyed some well made classics.

the staff were extremely attentive, no post valentines blues here!! well informed, our waiter recommended some excellent dishes, the oysters to start of course followed by a great smoked duck salad and a classic crab bisque. both as good as you would expect.

for mains we had tournado rossini (perfectly cooked and still moist at medium well) and a pork belly with leeks and glazed apples. both were perfect and it was clear that the staff knew they were serving good food from the pride in delivery.

we skipped dessert in favour of another cocktail, but i think we will definatly return to try a full menu.

not a bad word to say. try it.
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Millie
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Saturday, February 23, 2008

We arrived and were immedeately seated, although we had not booked, which was good. The waiters were friendly, but a bit disorganised. Then came the food...

I had ordered what was stated as "whole lobster" in the menu. They had taken out the lobster's meat and mixed it with horseraddish which totally destroyed the lobstere's mild taste. Besides, because the meat of the lobster was mixed with lots of sauce, they could not put it all back into the carcass and chose to keep the remaining meat in the kitchen, so I got less. But not only that, they had also kept the big claws, which make up a large portion of the animal. So in fact I was served 1/2- 3/4 of a lobster, but paid for an entire one. I was not happy! My boyfriend had a venison, which was far too dry. Unfortunately we could not complain, because we had been invited. We are not going back.
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Katharina
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Would really recommend this restaurant. Had a wonderful celebratory lunch here and the food was excellent. The staff were friendly and efficient in spite of the restaurant being busy. Difficulty parking was the only drawback.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Saturday, May 19, 2007

We had a bad experience at the Avenue. Let me explain - we booked for a pre theatre meal, but they weren't ready when we turned up on time, and they made us wait, without giving us the menu, which I had to ask for.

I had a salad which was acceptable, my partner had a mushroom risotto which was good.

The recommended wine probably was good before the fashionable addition of oak chips to flavour it, so it was sour.

We both had the steak - It had been cooked with the fat on it - I thought I was back in the 1970's and it was unacceptable. The croquettes were uncooked but I couldn't tell the waiter and he never came to ask how the food was. Perhaps he knew.

It was my partner's birthday and she didn't want it spoiled by a complain, otherwise I would have complained and refused to pay the bill.

There were about 4 diners in the restuarant and as it is all hard surfaces, it was noisy already. It must be horrendous when its busy.

There were ashtrays on the tables - roll on July.

We skipped the deserts as we had to get to the theatre - and despite the restaurant being virtually empty, diners entering the restuarant were made to wait at the bar.
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Roy K
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, April 02, 2007

Dines here on a Friday night. Was not overly busy and the place is well laid out in the minimilist style. The decor and paintings are all along that theme and if you are into this type of atmosphere it is a good place. Seated quickly. Opted for the A La Carte menu. Green Salad and Soup which was very good. Main course was the Chicken and Roast Pork with associated side dishes which you have to order separately and are slightly pricey. Overall food was very good although wait staff are a little too busy rushing around rather than keeping their attention on their clients. Several tables had trouble trying to catch attention of wait staff so they need to improve that aspect.

Lastly their is a nice bar if you like pre or post dinner drinks. The place though is smokey even when half full and there is no Non Smoking Tables / Area. We were kindly seated way at the back which is quiter and much nicer (near the piano..not playing) but unfortunately the Maitre D then managed to site some smokers right next to us despite been promised to keep them away. All I can say is roll on Non Smoking time!

Cost was £82 for 2 but we dont drink much so it would be closer to £100 with a bottle of something avg. Overall OK but nothing to blow your mind away.
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AJD
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Saturday, March 24, 2007

On arriving at Avenue, I thought the room looked very promising and I was expected a very nice dining experience. I was wrong!

After waiting for longer than 15 minutes a waiter arrived with some bread, rushed off before we could even order any water or drinks. No side plate, no butter knife, which left us using the starter cutlery directly on the tablecoth. Finally managed to order some sparkling water. 10 minutes later, a bottle of still water arrived. We managed to get a waiter's attention who finally brought us our sparkling water.

So 30 minutes after we were seated we had bread & water. Great!

The starters were ok, the mains were a disaster. I had the bland chewy overcooked fish & my husband had the steak, the fries came 15 minutes later, which kind of defeats the purpose of steak & chips.

Needless to say, we won't be going back.
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Nayda
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Saturday, March 10, 2007

An old favourite with impeccable service and delicious food - an extensive wine list. I would recommend. Also has a good bar for drinks before dinner.
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Katie
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, January 08, 2007

My girlfriend and I ate here two years ago for a special occaision and, having had a great meal, decided to return for our anniversary. Sadly, the repeat visit completely soured our opinion of the place. The dining room is stunningly designed and promises much. However, the food and service let it down terribly. As a start the butter was rock hard and no side plates or bread knives were provided, leaving us to cut and butter our rolls over the tablecloth using our starter cutlery. In my mind this is simply inexcusable in a place charging what avenue does (at least £40-£50 per head). We were pleased that the set menu was available on a Saturday night, however the food was bland and forgettable. Skipping dessert, we had a coffee and a cup of hot water with lemon, all very nice, but we were horrified to be charged £2.10 for the hot water. Having turned down petit fours, a waitress then brought a delicious looking plate of them to our table. When we said we hadn't ordered any she said 'Oh, don't worry, they are on the house.' Our brief delight was shattered when the original waiter ran over and snatched them back off the table without any apology. For the sake of a few quids' worth of chocolate, he should have left them there instead of being incredibly rude. When the bill came (after some delay) with the 12.5% service added, no pen was provided in case I wanted to change the amount and the full amount was typed into the credit card machine without me being able to object. When I said I wanted to change the tip the response was a blank-faced 'Oh, I'll have to speak to the manager.'

Overall a thouroughly disappointing experience, especially as the beautiful room promises so much more. Don't bother - you can have a meal made and served with much more thought and attention for far, far less. A waste of time and money.
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Dai the Violin - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 2
Friday, August 18, 2006

Surprisingly busy for a Monday night - I had the Crab and Avocado Salad which was very tasty followed by a delicious chicken dish.. the staff couldn't have been more helpful and attentive and made our evening really special. I would recommend this restaurant and imagine it is the perfect place for a business lunch with all the surrounding offices...less formal and more fun in the evening with good separate bar.
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Danielle
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Thursday, July 27, 2006

Classy dining room, fair service but food disappointing. Odd flavour-clashes (chicken livers and capers does NOT seem to work) and the whole thing far, far too expensive. One for the hedge-funders I suppose.
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Mike
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 1
Thursday, June 01, 2006