Le Relais de Venise (Marylebone)

We really love this restaurant and forgive the occasional queues. But the "cheap" is an illusion. Eat plus a drink plus dessert is over 35 per person. Sorry but it needs to come down. Also the frequent waiter changes mean that you will on occasion get an untrained one and will suffer.
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D.Tsakiris
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Went for Sunday lunch last weekend and was sorely disappointed. It was busy but not overcrowded, but the service was abysmal. We had to give our drinks order three times, and dessert order twice. A second drink order in the middle of lunch was completely ignored. Medium-cooked steak was practically raw and had to be sent back; frites were below average. The gimmick of serving "seconds" in order that your steak is hot throughout fell flat, as it was stone cold.

And even simple ice-cream was disappointing - tiny portions for £4.50. Won't go back and wouldn't recommend it at all.
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Pepper - View all reviews by this user
2 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, May 08, 2012

Everyone seems to know about this place, and now I see why! Everything about it is perfect! You know exactly what you're going to get without spending hours studying a menu, the house red wine is exceptional, and the service is second to none.

As someone who has travelled, the best places to go are the ones with queues round the block, and this is a perfect example. The meat is to die for. AND, when you think you have finished, they come round with a second helping! Also, for any of you who think you know what a french fry is......you need to go here to really experience one.

Oh, and if you don't want to queue, go at lunchtime....it's much quieter!
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, August 17, 2011

If you want a near perfect steak and a delicious bottle of Corbieres then Relais is difficult to beat. The folk who say you can get a better steak elsewhere don't mean "better" - they mean "bigger". Not the same thing unless you are an American.

The mango sorbet I had for dessert was a treat. Service was efficient and smiling. In short there's not much not to like for anyone who is discerning about what they eat and likes a restaurant to keep the menu simple and the quality sky-high.
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Tim Bennett
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, March 02, 2011

Like previous contributors to this particular restaurant's review, I cannot understand why anyone would want to pay good money to eat here. Perhaps I'm missing something as the queue was round the bend, but having to stump up £20 per head minimum - as thats the least they will serve you for. -You get a very small piece of steak with chips and a hurriedly 'prepared' couple of lettuce leaves with the odd walnut thrown in. Staff were on the whole surly and miserable-looking but arguably efficient - having said that they only work the tables as the menu has a take-it-or-leave-it choice apart from a few puddings. I asked for a table way from the entrance which was greeted with an air of disgust! Be wary of the 'optional' service charge automatically added to your bill - you dont have to pay it, I didn't it and the staff couldn't understand why!! 'Proper' chippy across the road looks like favourite next time. Lunch - Christmas week 2010.
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2 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Saturday, December 25, 2010

"the idea that in Paris you would catch any French man or woman accepting this is laughable" - Er, there is a Relais de Venise in Paris. So clearly those discerning French types do, ahem, accept it!

It's sad, really - this is one of the nicest and best-value restaurants I can think of in London. I ate there with my husband on Saturday night - our fifth visit, I think - and we had, as usual, a fantastic meal. And a fantastic time: the atmosphere is what really makes this place. The steak is always cooked to perfection, the chips are great and the sauce is delicious. Desserts and cheese are always excellent. I am not going to go down the path of justifying why my opinion is correct by stating exactly how many restaurants I have been to and how I am a seasoned 'foodie'; all I can suggest is that you ignore the detractors below and visit this place. It's worth a cold, half hour queue, which is exactly what we did on Saturday night.
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whipped - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, November 22, 2010

Without a doubt the strangest experience I have ever had in a resteraunt.

A queue outside which went round the block - with punters (seemingly bright and multinational e.g. know their way round a menu) craning their necks as if it was the last meal they would ever eat waiting for the doors to open. So all looked encouraging although queuing is not something I often do.

After twenty minutes we sat down to an average wilted salad that had been dressed far too early. Then a lukewarm very average steak (and not much of it). Chips were good.

We sat non plussed and could not believe the 'herd' instinct of human beings as more punters, stood in the freezing cold, desperately waiting for god knows how long for a table.

I SIMPLY DO NOT GET IT - GO TO SOHO HOUSE BRASSERIE AND YOU CAN GET AN EXCELLENT STEAK AND CHIPS FOR LESS THAN £20.00. There is nothing to recommend - and the idea that in Paris you would catch any French man or woman accepting this is laughable
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Henry Tomlinson
3 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Monday, November 15, 2010

Queued around the block for this, not sure why afterwards. Very mediocre steak, too much sauce, crowded seating. Not terrible, but definitely doesn't match the hype. You can get a better steak for less very close by.
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Peter, Fitzrovia - View all reviews by this user
5 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Monday, September 20, 2010

It's quite frustrating to read the negative reviews here. This restaurant is what it is; it is a concept restaurant in the canteen style. There is one starter, one main course but a choice of pudding; the house wine is excellent, by the way. The idea is that you fill up quickly on good food and then give your table up to someone else. Contrary to what I have read in these reviews, the meat is cooked to perfection, the chips are lovely and the sauce is beautiful. The service is simply neutral - not rude or arrogant.

To the person who asked for mayonnaise with their chips - they just don't DO IT at this place. Go to Michel Roux's restaurants and ask for ketchup! Just try it.

This is about simple food cooked simply but well. People who want 30 different things on their plates or waiters bowing or sraping before them or, worse still, a stiff and boring atmosphere, should just pay the extra 200 quid ad go to some Michelin Star restaurant. Le Relais is designed for busy City workers trying to pack in a quick lunch or early dinner. Tourists - go to the West End!!!!
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9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Friday, August 13, 2010

The food is ok....not the best cut of steak, but ok. Go here if you are hungry, want to spend a lot of money and be rushed after a hard days work.... Or, if you haven't been to Paris and just want to experience eating in a rude atmosphere!
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3 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Monday, July 12, 2010