Le Relais De Venise

I agree with the comments about being rushed etc but that's the style of the place - go there for a quick meal and you won't be disappointed, but don't expect to linger.

On the subject of the sauce they use for the steak, we asked if it was OK for someone with a nut allergy. The reply was that they couldn't say - the sauce recipe is 'secret' and no one in the kitchen knows what's in it. Oh how silly and pretentious.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Went to this restaurant last night and I would not recommend it if you want to take your time (like the French do) and enjoy your food. You are rushed through your courses and before you finish them, the next course is serviced. If there is a queue then they will want you out FAST. We were a group of four and had also had dessert and wine but still they were anxious to keep coming to the table to take away glasses (excuse) and then guess what ... the bill was placed on the table without even asking for it. And then, after five minutes, the rude Manageress told us we had to leave. What a nerve. Even MacDonalds don't order you out and we spent £120 between four of us.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Saturday, February 09, 2008

Four friends went to Le Relais De Venise in Marylebone Lane, W1 on 8th Feb 2008 to celebrate a friend's birthday. I recommended this restaurant as I loved the food. Unfortunately last night, being a Friday night, was not quite so good. As soon as we sat down we had our salad on the table. We hadn't even finished eating this when the main course came along. Again we hadn't finished eating when the second helping of steak and chips came along. We were hurried right through our meal and we all began to feel uneasy when the waitress kept coming up to the table to ask us if we wanted more drinks etc. We had infact had wine and desserts and coffee as well as the main meal but each time we were hurried. The next thing ... the bill got put on our table without asking for it. Within 5 minutes of not settling the bill, the Manageress came up to our table to ask us to leave. Normally I would have complained but as it was our friend's birthday and we didn't want to spoil the evening, I didn't. Sorry I wil NOT BE RETURNING. They want you in and out so they can make as much money as possible. It is not cheap and I can think of better places to go. I will NOT BE RECOMMENDING this restaurant to anyone else (I had previously). Go if you want a quick, expensive bite to eat!
Comment on this reader review

Lee Michaels
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Saturday, February 09, 2008

We have been dinning at this restaurant since it opening in 2006. The food & service have been brilliant. Same food as what you get in Paris with a very polite and efficient service.
Comment on this reader review

RJ
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Went there with my daughter for lunch last week having been recommended. They've got it well organised for a high number of covers and quite rapid turnaround if you allow yourself to be hurried, but the atmosphere was good and service pleasant, albeit some waitresses had difficulty making themselves understood!

The steak, fries, sauce were all very good, though not that special. The bit of lettuce and bread that pretends to be the starter was rather diasppointing and if you want a pudding you have to pay extra making it actually quite expensive for what you get. The puddings were quite good though. But then London is about the most expensive place in the world to eat out these days so you'd expect to be ripped off a bit.

Overall it was quite a pleasant meal experience and with the 20% off they give you for the next time it makes it better value for money.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 6
Saturday, November 17, 2007

I have to disagree with the comments around service below.

Fact: This place doesn't take bookings.

Fact: This place has great entrecote.

Ergo, there is often a line of customers patiently salivating at the door waiting for you to finish so they can enjoy what you just had.

We thought the manager at the front of the house was brilliant at managing the turnover and getting hungry people (us) to a table and minimising their waiting time.

We were definately not rushed through our meal and we had plenty of time to chat as we ate. However, having waited a while ourselves we understood that others were waitinf for a table. So we didn't linger on and let someone else also enjoy their evening. Customer that complain about being rushed are ones that are selfish.

If you are wanting to sit for a long time after your meal, choose somewhere that doesnt have a long line of hungry customers. Be nice and share!
Comment on this reader review

bella
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Thursday, November 01, 2007

Absolutely love this place but i do agree the service isn't great. I love the buzz of the atmosphere and absolutely love the sauce. they do rush you in and out (i eat here once a month for the past year) however the waitresses do try hard to accommodate the line ups. No choice on the menu but the main dish is delicious.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Saturday, October 20, 2007

EXTREMELY RUDE AND PRETENTIOUS MANAGER

Although we didn't pay for the service because of the manager, the waitress was nice fast and polite.

Being french myself been going to the original restaurant in Paris for 20 years and although the manager was strict, she was very polite and welcoming, unlike the one in London.

Disappointing.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Sunday, August 19, 2007

My sister and I went last thursday night, we met for a pre drink in a local hotel bar, and tipped up at Le Relais de Venise at about 7.15. We were slightly worried as there was a gaggle of people clustered around the door - however these were foolish smokers, and a a group of people waiting for a large table (you can't book here). We went straight through and were seated immediately. Excellent, attentive service, occasionally felt a little rushed - but I did keep wanting to lick my plate! Salad lovely, steak better - we thought we wouldn't be able to cope with a second helping, but it seemed to go down with ease. We shared a portion of profitteroles afterwards and then a nice coffee. The house red wine was the perfect accompaniment to the meal. Total cost, all in £66. And the receipt carries a lunchtime 20% off offer - I think we will be back!

Horrah!
Comment on this reader review

Tom Attwood
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Saturday, August 18, 2007

When met with a childs plate of sliced rib steak you might be tempted to ask if these are diet portions. Fortunately, the steak comes in in some kind of beautiful butter tarragon sauce and is beyond comparison to school dinners. As a bonus you get seconds ( the relay ). There is some table decoration provided (I think it was lettuce) and the desserts are pretty good too (although someone on our table had strawberry and lemon tarts which were a bit dull)

As Keyvan mentioned the house Bordeaux is very drinkable and they have a Grand Cru that is also good value.

Not sure if it was the 5 bottles of wine our table had with our meal but I seem to remember the cheese was also just ready.
Comment on this reader review

Andrew Spruce - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, July 31, 2007