L Restaurant and Bar

We booked this restaurant on line for July after reading many favourable reviews. We were greeted by the host who accommodated my husband's disability by offering us a choice of tables. The service was very attentive, the atmosphere beautiful and the meal was sublime. We would suggest that you try the Mojito--not too sweet, just a perfect balance of mint and lime. We enjoyed the gazpacho and the Zarzuela de Pescado. Our only regret is that we were too full to try any of the desserts. We would love to returnt to this restaurant.
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Louise
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, July 24, 2008

The L Restaurant and Bar had a good menu selection, in general the food quality was just standard. The best dish of all courses was the scallops that was cooked just right. For the main courses, the duck was fair; the monkfish and shellfish stew was more like a seafood soup and the portion was a bit too small. It is definitely very pricy if without the 50% off offer. The waitress was always attentive and quick but lacked a touch of friendliness. The interior was nice and the ambience fair, given it was not busy.

On another note, even though I am not very artistic, the background music - "live jazz" - wasn't very jazzy at all, but it's nice. All in all, everything lacked a bit of a wow factor.
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Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Wednesday, June 04, 2008

My husband and I were in London for the weekend to watch our local team - Portsmouth - play in the FA Cup Final. I had found this restaurant on your website which I read avidly and we booked for our first night there. What a lovely welcome we had. We were greeted enthusiastically and taken to a very nice table. The waiter and his wife who was helping out that evening looked after us so well, advising on choice of menu and giving excellent friendly service. The food was delicious, very well presented and in fact the whole evening was a lovely occasion. The restaurant itself is very modern, light and airy. We would highly recommend the restaurant to anyone and will definitely go again when next in London.
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Mrs Heather Wills
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, May 19, 2008

Another fantastic meal at L!!

We booked a table in early January for dinner with six of our closest friends just after everyone returned from Christmas holidays. After going to L several times in 2006 and early 2007 we hadn't had the opportunity to return for several months. Much to our surprise the menu had lots of new dishes many of which were perfect for sharing. We ended up with two fantastic platters of delicious food that made the most of novel flavour combinations without going over the top as do so many restaurants "modern european" restaurants. The food at L is truly a foodies delight. Given we'd chosen the restaurant we were pleased that our friends raved about both the food and overall experience!
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Shawn Luetchens
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, January 28, 2008

I went there last Sat for a birthday dinner with my friends. Throughout the evening, the whole staff indulged us with excellent service, drinks and food in serene ambience. It was a superb evening!
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Anna
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, December 12, 2007

took my girlfriend to the L last night and we were not disappointed. In fact, I think it's the best dining experience I've had.

The manager was fantastic. We were provided with a complimentary glass of champagne purely due to me briefly mentioning that it was her birthday while booking.

Furthermore, while my girlfriend went to the ladies the manager told me the staff were 'planning a surprise'. They didn't let her (me!) down when they produced her dessert plate with a beautiful chocolate 'Happy Birthday Dee' written to the side of the dessert.

Our experience was beautiful and we thank all who work on the ship. The Sommelier was informative, the waiting staff ultra-frindly but unobtrusive. The setting is low key and romantic and the food (though limited in choice) is exquisite.

£120 well spent and loads of brownie points in the bag. Thanks all at the L, I owe you one.

Go there.
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Mike
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, November 01, 2007

Went to L Sat 27th Oct approx 6.30pm - we wanted somthing decent to eat after a day of shopping. We did not receive a good welcome and they seemed somewhat inconvenenienced as we did not have a booking, they were pretending that the restaurant was fully booked! We were the only ones there!

After some deliberation we were allowed to be seated (at the worse positoned table in the restaurant ) and told that we must be finished by 8pm!

After about an hour a few more people arrived by the time we left @ 7.45pm the restaurant was only half filled.

Our waitress was polite and helpful. The food was good, nothing spectacular but no complaints and good value for money (for 2 people we paid £85 for 2 courses + wine).
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, October 31, 2007

We went to L on Saturday night. It was very busy and lively. On the gallery level the noise from below was too much for us but the customers below were obviously enjoying their experience. We did benefit from the 50% reduction on food only. The quality of the food was excellent in general. Starter was a bit short on scallops for the price. 2 slices of bread at £1.75 was excessive and should be provided anyway.

Main course - Halibut on Thyme Mash was very nice but an accompanying veg e.g. green beans or mangetout may have added to the appearance and value. The creme brulee was delicious and the Spanish cheeses were lovely. We didn't actually order creme brulee but were happy to accept it as it is a favourite of ours.

Wine was a different story - Chablis (£27.50) to accompany the fish was of poor quality with a strange aftertaste. It took 3 attempts to get it chilled down by which time we were on our dessert course. A glass of a lovely Pino Grigio was provided while we waited though. The waitress was charming and attentive but the gallery is very tight for space at the tables for 2. Total bill was £87.00 and some items were overcharged. Not sure if I would return which is a shame because the chef is obviously very capable.
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Visitor from Scotland
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Monday, October 08, 2007

I have dined here a couple of times and am sad to say the level of the food has slipped. Their tapas used to be much tastier, now it is quite salty and mushy. The scallops for the starter had a chocolate/almond buiscuit on the sidet which was strange. My partner's pork belly was well over cooked and hard, my Catalonian soup for the main course was good but that was about it. We used the 50% offer on a la carte, so plus some drinks and desserts the bill came to a bit over 60 pounds (service charge of 16-17%!! added) which I thought was a waste. We will not return again.
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Sue
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 1
Monday, September 17, 2007

Took two food writers for lunch here and all of us were impressed by the relaxed atmosphere, friendly service and good value tapas. Baby squid with ginger and chile were a big hit, and grilled scallops with vanilla showed an ambitious and talented hand at work in the kitchen.

Bill would have been c.£35 per head for more than enough food and a couple of glasses of wine each, but after 50% discount, was surely a steal.

Everything one could wish for from a neighbourhood restaurant, but which still seems too hard to find in a metropolitan city like London.
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Tony Little - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, September 05, 2007