The Ambassador

Went for Sunday Brunch having wanted to go here for a while. On paper this place seems to do everything right, yet in practice it just didn't quite work for me.

The brunch menu seemed to be more of a lunch menu with a few additions, no fishcakes, smoked salmon & eggs, pancakes & maple syrup, BLT's or any items I expected to see except eggs benedict or waffles. The food we had was okay but herrings & sour cream and eggs benedict are hard to get wrong. Toast came untoasted (eg bread) and service was slow but very friendly. Only about a third full so atmosphere was very quiet.
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Chris - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Monday, June 30, 2008

I agree with the last reviewer - it really doesn't make sense that this place isn't full most of the time. I have been here three times now, having the set lunch menu (cheapskate that I am) on each occasion. Each time I have enjoyed really well executed dishes with good quality ingredients, with thoughtful, friendly service. The low-keyness of the place is a pleasant antidote to the aching stylishness of many of its neighbours, and the lunchtime set menu a bargain at £12.50 for 2 courses, £16 for 3. In theory it is possible to eat a huge meal here for the price of a take-away sandwich lunch - but the unhurried space and service encourage you to linger over a decent bottle of wine, so it never works out like that. I'm going to get there as often as I can (next time shelling out for the a la carte in the evening), before it becomes hard to get a table.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Thursday, May 22, 2008

My first impression was….why is this place a third full, when most of the restaurants on Exmouth Market are packed? It's true that the restaurant itself is slightly underwhelming when you walk in.....lacking a little in atmosphere, but the staff are warm and friendly, and after you've eaten the food, you'll forget all about the location. And the food was really good - simple and tasty. Starters of crab salad with red pepper and avocado puree was light and flavoursome; smoked haddock with a perfect poached duck egg was simple and well executed. Mains comprised a particularly tasty broad bean and gorgonzola risotto, and gilt head bream with samphire and sage butter sauce (all cooked perfectly), and were only let down by the chips that were a little on the limp side, and not as crispy as one would hope. Nevertheless, the previous feedback on the restaurant was accurate, especially with respect to the quality of the food and the staff. Maybe it'll be busier when we return. I'd certainly recommend a visit....
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littlehippie
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Thursday, May 15, 2008

The Ambassador is a real find. Ate here on Friday 25th April before going on to Sadlers Wells. Unfortunately we only had time for one course, due to a 7.30. performance start. Our food arrived exactly at the time our waitress said it would and was cooked to perfection.Friendly helpful staff, great food and a reasonable bill. If only all restaurants could reach this standard. We look forward to returning when we have time to enjoy more of the menu.
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Mutti - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, May 08, 2008

I have been here a few times before and always been impressed, so I arranged a surprise birthday party at the Ambassador last week, involving a large guest list, mix of dietary restrictions, and lots of children. The Ambassador came up trumps and the whole thing went really well, entirely due to their smooth management and some great ideas on their part (e.g. a separate children's table, with lots of activities provided). The food was all excellent, and everyone was very impressed. I cannot conceive in fact how the event could have gone better - they even screened us off from the rest of the restaurant, so it felt like a private party. And it was terrific value.
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Sophie Scott
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, January 22, 2008

We couldn't book either St John restaurant for my birthday, so we thought we'd try here instead. Turns out we made the right choice - this place is excellent! I had the nettle soup, a pork chop cooked medium and finished with the blackberry souffle - all were delicious! My seven friends all raved about their food too and they're all hardened and fussy foodies.

Considering we also had mulled wine to start, a bottle of fizz, a fair few bottles of red and white followed by a dessert wine with cheese the bill was surprisingly small. On top of all this the service was friendly and attentive and the atmosphere buzzing and relaxed.

We will be back and I thoroughly recommend The Ambassador for great food in a relaxed and unfussy atmosphere.
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ealinghands
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, December 16, 2007

This is now my favourite restaurant in London. The Ambassador has all the right ingredients: modest, yet warm and tasteful decor, fantastic food, an extensive and often eccentric wine list and charming staff. The menu changes weekly and the combinations are both innovative and inspired; the chicken liver mouse with pickled radish and parsley was rich but too good to leave unfinished, the rolled mutton shoulder with parsnip crisps and cranberry jelly was also sublime, nothing went unfinished on our table ! I can't wait to go back.
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sfb
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, December 01, 2007

Really good food and a decent wine list. Friendly service. Highlights were a very earthy roast pheasant wit celariac and a delicious chocolate pudding. A good quiet spot for dinner.
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Eamon Scrabley
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Friday, November 09, 2007

Outrageously good ! So much thought seems to have gone into the flavour combinations of each beautifully presented dish - the salsify soup, pork belly and chocolate pudding being particular highlights. Extensive, well thought out and well priced wine list with a large selection of wines by the glass. Excellent service and great decor create a wonderful ambience - The Ambassador deserves your business !
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SFBS
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, August 29, 2007

I went here on the basis of a special offer - 50% off food - and am glad I did. The food was delicious and we would not have felt short-changed if we'd paid full price. My fish dish was exquisite, with the meat so chunky and skin so crispy - it was perfect. Puddings were rich and tasty. The wine was a little disappointing though - perfectly drinkable, but not exactly 'mmm' (no, it wasn't the house).

Unfortunately their use of the special offer hadn't really drawn in many other punters and the place was very quiet. This meant that the service was good though.

If I had to return here then that would be fine, but I'm not going to hurry up and do so, when there are so many other equally-decent similarly-priced places to visit.
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Nick - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, May 08, 2007