L'Escargot Marco Pierre White

Took hubby for his birthday last night - had ordered a table in the Picasso Room. It was a real treat. Food was delicious. Service excellent and the sommelier was a star. We were even treated to a glass of Sauternes each with pudding as a birthday present. We both thoroughly enjoyed it. How lovely to be treated so wonderfully. Highly recommend.
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Mrs A
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, November 23, 2007

we arrived at the restaurant about 10mins before 6, we walked into the restaurant encountered a member of staff who we informed us that we had a reservation & were told " we open at 6, you can wait out by the door" hmmmm not a good start.

we went for an aperitif somewhere nearby.

when we returned we were greeted with a little more courtesy.

Service was efficient but cold & clinical. Food was ok but not brilliant, their was no wow factor normally associated with a restaurant of this level although petit fours were very good. A starter of escargot was ok, shrimp cocktail was dull & poorly presented. main course of lamb was flavoursome but the half ton of kale on the plate was poorly cooked & seasoned, Liver was ok, mash was good.

desserts were ok. Lemon tart was as good as most but nothing memorable. cheesecake was the same. The dessert wine served with the tart tasted like it had oxidised, it was unpleasant anyhow. my bringing this to the head waiters attention earned me a sniff of the wine & a patronising comment. I know the wine wasn't corked. but it wasn't right.

all in all dissapointing meal after a trip to London. Going to Locando Locatelli next week, hope thats better. won't go back :-(
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stuart trangmar
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, November 21, 2007

I went here with my partner about a month ago. My partner was dying to eat here, having heard some good reviews and hoping to find a good French restaurant. When we entered, we were a 'maybe' case, or so it seemed. After the maitre d' had approved our presence, we were politely escorted to our table. The service was very friendly, but it was obvious that the staff is used to suits and not so much the goth look. We were seated far away from all the other diners (which i thought was superb as it gave us a lot more privacy). The dinner itself went brilliantly, the escargots were divine and I can highly remommend them. As a main I had lamb (or beef I dont quite remember) on a bed of peas. I have to admit that this was slightly disappointing as there was a very small amount of lamb (or beef) on an absolute mountain of (English!) peas. A dish that was nice (except for the peas) but not something I would expect in a French restaurant.

All in all, it was an experience. The service was excellent, but the food was not the greatest. It didn't live up to all the great things I had heard about it, and it would not be my choice to eat there again. Been there, done that, didn't leave an impression.
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Maryke
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, October 17, 2007

MY FIANCE BOOKED A TABLE FOR MY BIRTHDAY AT L'ESCARGOT AS A SURPRISE, AND HAVE TO SAY I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED.

THE FOOD WAS FABLULOUS, ESPECIALLY THE LAMB WITH THE PEA PUREE WAS A DREAM. (HOPE TO FIND THAT IN MARCO'S COOKERY BOOK) !

WE HAD A LOVELY BOTTLE OF PINO GRIGIO WITH THE MEAL WHICH WAS ONLY £16.00 , AND NICK HAD A GLASS OF VINTAGE PORT WITH THE LOVELY SELECTION OF CHEESE WE HAD FOR DESSERT.

THE SERVICE WAS EXCELLENT, AND ALL THE STAFF WERE VERY FRIENDLY AND WECOMING.

THE WHOLE EVENING WAS A DELIGHT AND VERY GOOD VALUE FOR SUCH QUALITY .

I CANNOT WAIT TO COME AGAIN, AND WOULD RECOMMEND, AND HAVE, TO EVERYONE.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING OUR EVENING SO SPECIAL.
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ANNE STONE
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, October 17, 2007

My wife and I dined there Friday 7th September '07 after lunch in Criterion. I thought it was all going to be a bit much (two rich meals in one day) and it nearly was. I had prawn & crab tian for starter and it was light and lovely but the steak I had for desert was one of the nicest thing I have ever eaten. Simply gorgeous. My wife went for a crepe with wild mushrooms which was also gorgeous.

The whole impression was one of good food and great company. The waiters and waitresses were really friendly with just that little formality that makes it a very special experience. I would definitely recommend it ... well worth the star on the menu.
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Kevin
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Monday, September 10, 2007

Went there for an evening meal on Saturday 1 September, between 6 and 7pm. Overall this visit was pretty disappointing, and I don't think we will return. My starter, tian of crab and avocado, was fairly bland; the only flavour came from the lemon mayonnaise. The main course, salmon, was a big letdown; the salmon was burnt, and slightly "crusty" round the edges, and as for the squid which was served round the edges, this had the combined texture of a rubber band and dried pasta. Underneath the salmon was a combination of onion, sundried tomato and more squid (this squid was more palatable), the tomatos provided some much needed flavour and moisture to the dish. I have to say, the salmon I cook at home on my "fat reducing grill", is better quality then this! The one redeeming feature of the meal, was the superb raspberry souffle. The service was reasonably attentive, although we did have to top up the wine ourselves at one point.
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Janet Leys
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 4
Sunday, September 02, 2007

I dined at the Criterion for lunch with some work colleagues and I have to say the service is excellent and the food very nice. The set menu for lunch was good value and most of all the surroundings were very chic. I just hope that they dim the lights for dinner !!
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Lynda Cox
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Had a great meal on 17th Aug. Visited between 6 and 7pm and selected off the set menu. After the good first course we were told that they had run out of the mains we had ordered and were extremely apologetic and offered us an 'upgrade' of anything on the A La Carte menu and an additional starter! Even the chef came to apologise. We were impressed by the excellent attitude of all the staff and the excellent food which was cooked exactly right, well presented and very appetising. The cost was reasonable bearing in mind the decor, service and food quality. We will certainly return.
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Dai - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Saturday, August 18, 2007

Had a very nice evening at the 1st floor restaurant. Excellent French food, very nice decor, very nice athmosphere. The service was a bite weird sometimes but overall very good. Not expensive at all except for the wine. Will go back for sure!
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Claire Debleu
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, July 23, 2007

Two of us had a birthday meal in the downstairs restaurant one Saturday night in June 2007. Had a tasty 3 course meal each. Very nice decor. Food is really great. My favourite course was my starter - the smoked haddock and caramelised leek ravioli with mustard beurre blanc - so tasty. Couldn't fault the food all. They don't take the pee with wine prices either - something for every budget. The cheapest bottle of wine was £16 I think which surprised me for a place like this. I would recommend this place.

(This was before the smoking ban)... a guy on the table next to us was smoking a cigar. The waiting staff asked him to stop (thankfully) even though it said smoking cigars was down to the discretion of the staff.
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Hayley Griffiths
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, June 20, 2007