Galvin

I read the reviews here, and was expecting good food, poor service and a poor atmosphere.

I was wrong - everything was near perfect for this visit to Galvin. I'd booked dinner fairly late, so when I was shown to an awfully set table (too near the door in the middle of the room), I was a little disappointed, but wouldn't have complained. However, the maitre d' noticed I was looking at a much nicer table nearby, commented "sorry, that's going to be made into a table for 6 in five minutes, but I'll see what I can do for you" - and five minutes later, gave me a wonderful table in the heart of the restaurant. So full marks for service (the other staff were polite, helpful and knowledgeable)

And the food did not disappoint, my companion had a quail's egg salad for first course followed by a monkfish selection that she loved. I started with a fois gras salad (so so) with a gorgeous pig's cheek main course. Absolutely wonderful. The wine list was acceptable, and fairly priced as well.

As for the decor - hardly a date venue with the panelled walls and the older clientele (I'm in my early twenties), but comfortable and unassuming nonetheless.

For £50 a head or so, it's good value, and I'll definitely be back . . .
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Chris
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Sunday, April 29, 2007

I have to disagree with the last couple of reviews of Galvin - I ate there last night with my boyfriend, and found the food excellent, and the service both warm and professional. We started with the steak tartare and jambon persille, and both had the roast veal brains as a main course, not a dish that is often on menus these days, and was utterly delicious. The wine list is very interesting, and offers great value for money. The selection of French cheeses was great, and the waiter very knowledgeable.about them. All in all, a great evening without breaking the bank.
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Lola - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Seems we were not alone when we turned up for our table and they couldn't find our reservation - lots of head scratching and finally we were accomodated-food was very good, service Ok but this place really lacked atmosphere for a saturday night-the decor is uninspiring and when the staff are yawning in front of the customers thats not a good sign-may go again for lunch but would pass on dining there again in the evening I think.
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- View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 8
Sunday, April 22, 2007

Our experiemce of Galvin on Tuesday February 20th was similar to Andrew's review. The food was up to expectation - perfectly cooked and using high quality produce. We could not find fault with any of the three courses. However, we were made to feel uncomfortable from the start in that our booking was questioned twice -the second time after we had sat at our table. We were asked twice if we knew the time we had to be out! The waiter was fussy and patronizing. He mentioned that a basket of warm bread was on the way as soon as we sat down. We eventually had to ask for it after our first course had arrived. Having finished our starter, we realized that other tables had butter - we again had to ask for it. He more than once stressed that if we needed help with ordering from the menu or the wine list we should ask. When we ordered the Veloute of Italian Onions, he proceeded to translate for us although we had not asked for nor did we need an English translation. Our knowledge of wine is sufficient for us to feel confident in ordering from most wine lists. Was it something to do with the fact that we are two middle aged sisters? The Bistro was not busy - we were there by 6.00 p.m but had to wait outside until the staff meeting inside came to a end with a round of applause. They obviously had something to celebrate. Galvin needs improve it's service for it to be a truly memorable experience.

P.S. Galvin contacted my husband at 6.50 p.m. on Thursday Feb.22nd to ask why he hadn't turned up for his 6 p.m. booking! They seem to have been having problems with a new electronic booking system and were apologetic about the mix up on Tuesday.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 8
Saturday, February 24, 2007

We happened to be lucky in that we booked only late afternoon today (Saturday) to be given a table for the evening as long as we vacated by 8pm.

We duly arrived at 5.55pm only to be told by a very flustered Maitre d’ that we were too early and to come back later when the door would be left open to indicate the restaurant being able to take customers for the evening. After waiting outside until 6.15 we noticed others starting to arrive and enter (even though the door still wasn’t open), so we also went in to receive a courteous if slightly frazzled service (we overhead the Maitre d’ apologising to another customer that lunch had finished late this day).

As far as food goes, it was very good without being exceptional. I had the escargots for entrée whilst my wife had the pork rillette. Mains were ok with the roast venison/swede combination good but the sauce too strong and sweet for the meat. The deserts were the highlight, being better than the mains in our opinion. The wine list was well priced.

In terms of service, because we had an early booking the restaurant was mostly empty. Unfortunately this caused most staff to congregate around the front of the restaurant to chat (we even caught one of the waiters preening himself in front of the mirror) which we and other diners found rather distracting and certainly not particularly professional. The French bistro style of bustle is ok by us, but at this time due to not enough customers the service started off in a careless manner. Incorrect drinks were delivered, wine glasses weren’t maintained, the bread wasn’t delivered until after the entrée was served – you get the picture…

The atmosphere in the restaurant is quite good, the wood panelling stylish in true bistro fashion. All in all it was reasonably good value for money with the food being good rather than exceptional and unfortunately let down by the inattentiveness of the staff leaving us feel a little unwelcome.
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Andrew
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Saturday, February 17, 2007

Galvin is my favourite restaurant in London. I've eaten from the a la carte and fixed price menus and have never had a bad meal. The slow-cooked dishes are particularly fantastic. It is a lovely relaxing restaurant with friendly service and great wine.
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Majella
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, February 14, 2007

I went to Galvin last night for a pre-valentines dinner. Apart from a minor wait at the entrance (due to 3 groups arriving at once) the whole night was splendid. Everything tasted wonderful, the waiters were very helpful both when trying to cater to my vegetarian partner and when helping me choose a suitable wine. The atmosphere isn't amazing but it's a pleasent place and unlike my first visit (as well as other reviews) i was not bumped by waiters this time. Value for money was also fine, yes it's expensive but in my opinion i beleive it's justified.

Definately going back... for a 3rd time.

It was my second visi
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Toby
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, February 14, 2007

I ate at Galvin a couple of weekends ago breaking off from a girls shopping trip for a bite to eat. I had heard a lot about Galvin and expectations were high but they certainly didn't disappoint. The set menu was very reasonably priced but we opted to go a la carte instead. I started with the Warm haddock vichtsoisse witha poached egg submerged beneath the velvety soup, it was absolutely delicious and just the ticket to warm you up. The foie gras parfait was simply served ungarnished (theres a confident chef for you) and was similarly delicious. We both followed with the pithivier of winter vegeatables with caramelised endive in orange sauce - another roaring success and perfectly portioned for lunch. On the wine front we had a Pot lyonnais - like a caraf of wine as we didn't feel we could polish off a bottle at lunch which is always a nice option and significantly cheaper than ordering by the glass. i will definitely return to Galvin again and look forawrd to trying their other restaurant too.
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p.jackson
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, February 07, 2007

My partner took me to Galvins for our 6th anniversary and I can honestly say I had the best meal in ages.

The service was excellent, I was impressed that the waiters seemed to know what dish I had ordered and what dish my partner had ordered.

There was a slight hiccup on the desert, we had to wait quite a while for it to arrive as it got a little manic but it was well worth the wait.

Reasonably priced for a London restaurant. I will definetely recommend it to my friends and will go there again myself one day in the not too distant future.
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Jules - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, January 31, 2007

We went to Galvin on a Saturday night with some friends. We had such a wonderful and we can't wait to go back. I suppose I can see what some of the other reviewers meant about the atmosphere, but personally I loved it. I like the use of wood and the subtle colours - it wasn't fussy and at the end of day, I'd rather they worried more about the food.We all had great meals, I can recommend the escargot and vichysouise soup, both were delicious. I had the venison and it came with the most amazing pureed swede I had ever tasted. We found the service perfetc, they were there when we needed our glasses full etc, but they didn't hover. Oh and the desserts? Heaven, pure heaven. I can't recommend this place enough.
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Lucille
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, January 30, 2007