Galvin at Windows

Very good overall. One of the best I have had in London and only behind Manoir Quat'Saisons.

Expensive but v.good for celebrations
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Anon
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Thursday, August 23, 2007

I had lunch at Galvin@Windows for the first time recently. And I have to say, I wish I had visited sooner. It was absolutely fantastic from all aspects – food, wine, service and location!!

Firstly and most importantly the food – simply delicious! I started with a perfectly seasoned lamb terrine that melted in the mouth. This was followed by a beautifully moist roast pork loin on a bed of greens and very delicious sauce – everything was perfectly cooked. For dessert I opted for the crème brulee, which was a fantastic end to the meal.

The wine selection is excellent, with the usual expensive selections, but with a very good range of affordable whites and reds. There was also a good selection of wine by the glass which is excellent for lunchtime.

The service was great – it was polite, professional without being pretentious or overbearing. This is not your usual Hilton Hotel restaurant staff, nor is it prima donnas strutting around the place making the customer feel uncomfortable – they had it just right. To be fair to other reviewers we had nothing to complain about, so not a real test!!

Lastly, the view is without doubt fantastic. We were seated at an inside table, but that in no way spoilt the occasion or the view.

Our selections were from the lunch menu, which is very reasonably priced for the location and the quality. In fact my colleague selected a starter from the a la carte menu, without additional charge – which was a pleasant surprise!!!

One very satisfied customer - I will be back soon!!
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Ralph T - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, July 10, 2007

I recently visited Galvin's windows on the World with my wife on our wedding anniversary. We only live about 10 minutes walk away, and having tried the excellent Galvin Bistro on Baker street on several occasions, thought that it would be nice to have food from the same kitchen, but with a terrific view.

I have to say that I was relatively disappointed on several fronts.

1) Table. Despite booking a couple of weeks in advance, and indicating a preference for a window table, we were sat plonk in the middle of the restaurant - and the views can hardly be said to be spectacular from there. The restaurant won't guarantee a table at the window, no matter how nice you are - so its a bit of a lottery.

2) Bizarre - I have never complained about a chair before in my life - but these were so low compared to the table that I had slightly the feeling that my chin was on the table cloth. Just didn't feel very comfortable.

3) Staff - too many of them, in too much of a hurry and all being far too attentive. I was so "welcomed" in a variety of ways that I didn't really get chance to settle, relax and look about me before some other sub-sommelier was asking if I wanted to choose the wine now - to which the answer is no - I haven't opened the menu yet - please calm down.

4) food. ok - in parts. This is actually quite a sad thing to say about something that should blow you away. The foie gras was fine - but not ultra exciting. My wife didn't like her starter - and left half of it uneaten - just a bit "out of the fridge" for a terrine of pork. My main course was fine - but even a week after the evening, I genuinely can't remember what it was -which is not a great sign either. Pudding - some chocolately thing with gold leaf. Ooo.

5) Cost. Ouch. I really don't mind spending money on good food - However, this was toppy for what it was. For example: two glasses of champagne to kick things off - usually an expensive indulgence but worth it for a nice evening. £16 a glass is getting a bit steep for the house champagne. Wine generally was pricey too, with the bottles heading over the £50 mark after 2-3 choices. In the end, 2 glasses of champagne, 2 starters, 2 mains 2 deserts, 2 coffees came to ....2 much. A total of £244.

I can buy a lot for £244. In fact I can eat at Galvin's Bistro - better food and less fussy service, and I can go exactly TWICE. Or I could go once to the delightful Galvin, and once to Boudin Blanc, or I could go to Tom Aikens, blow the lot in one go, but actually have a meal where I am delighted and entertained by what I eat.

Verdict. OK, not special. Relies upon its position in a hotel with a view to hike the prices and deliver white-plated averageness: If you get a special table at sunset, maybe ok - but paying the same as a good quality HiFi for 6 plates of not superb cooking and a bottle of wine - hmm. Not again - there are too many places making a proper effort.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Monday, June 25, 2007

One should expect first class service and first class food from a restaurant like this, but unfortunately the price only reflects the egos of the waiters who service the venue. On arrival, I was suprised to find that noone offered to take our coats, which instead lay slung over our chairs for the evening. The fantastic views were obscured by blinds which moved up and down intermittently, as if they had a mind of their own.

While there were several waiters milling around, my party found their attention intrusive - in my view waiters are there to facilitate an evening, not to try and be an active part of the meal. In addition to this, when members of the party had questions we were made to feel somewhat idiotic for not knowing what the complex french terms meant. In addition to this some of our glasses and cutlery were dirty.

When the food arrived once of the dishes was cold, however, what little there was of the food tasted delicious.

In all, this could have been an amazing place to go to eat, but our experience was marred by the strange waiters and the tiny portions of food.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Monday, June 18, 2007

My girlfriend and I went to Galvins on a Saturday night and were immediately impressed with the buzzing atmosphere as we arrived at the restuarant. We had not heard much about the restaurant, other than what we had read, so were not sure how popular it would be - we were pleased to see a full bar and restaurant.

First impressions were excellent and the front desk were courteous and welcoming. We were early so decided to go to the bar first, which was the only disappointing point of the night ,as there were a number of spare tables but we were told they were reserved and no-one seemed that interested in finding us a seat so we were left to hang around by the bar and then fight with other similarly floating patrons to grab the first table that came free. Once seated though, the bar staff were very attentive which was good, if not a little odd, following their indifference when we arrived at the bar.

When we went through to the restaurant it was a complete contrast, the staff were, in the main, superb. I would agree, however, with the comment below about it being hit and miss, as whilst our main waiters were great, there were a couple who served us once or twice who were of a noticeably different standard to our main waiters. We decided to go for the gourmand (tasting) menu with wine and were not disappointed. The wine selections were excellent and with each course came a new glass with an explanation of why that wine had been chosen for the dish.

As for the food - this was the best part of the experience. The food was quite rich but in going with the gourmand menu, we were given just enough of everything, so as to be satisfied but not needing any more. The particular highlights were the veloute of artichoke and the seabass. The only comment on the sea bass was that it was so delicious in its own right that we wondered if some of the other elements of the ragout that accompnaied it (ie, the mussels) overcomplicated what was already a superb dish.

The only course that we did not finish was the cheese course, as the cheese came without any crackers/bread or graped/chutney, which was not to our taste, but maybe the correct way to serve this dish? Whilst the cheeses were very good they were extremely stong to eat on their own. However, the staff were more than happy to accomodate our need for crackers! The dessert , a chocolate souffle with raspberry coulie, accompanied by a superb dessert wine, helped to finish of a superb meal on a very high note.

In summary, excellent staff (except for in the bar), brilliant food and the gourmand menu is a great way to try a number of different great wines, without having to pore over the wine list.
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Mark
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Sunday, June 10, 2007

With less than 10 days' notice the restaurant decided to cancel my booking due to closing on Bank Holiday Monday. Not only did I know it was a bank holiday when I booked in January, I specifically asked about it when booking because other restaurants had told be there were not opening due to the Bank Holiday.

So I haven't been able to taste the food or sample the atmosphere. I certainly won't try to book with them for any important occasion.
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DNF - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 5
Saturday, April 28, 2007

My girlfriend and I have just had an amazing evening here. The food was fantastic, the service attentive and friendly. Overall exquisite and amazing value.

We took a 3 course offer, including aperitifs, and a glass of wine. We found the set menu delivered a more than adequate choice of fish, vegetarian, and meat options. We finished the meal with coffee which was extra.

It really was food and service of the highest quality. It is in a hotel, yes, but so what, the décor is modern and classy, with floor to ceiling windows looking out over London.

If you want to add a bottle of wine it will set you back another £40/50 for something decent – however we didn’t and the bill came to less than £100 which says it all.

You are not going to get better value for money than this full stop.

DP - Richmond
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Daryl P
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Thursday, April 26, 2007

I absolutely love this restaurant and have been here about three times. Twice we had a seat by the window making the evening really great. The food is tasty and the service just right. This is one of my fave places to dine.
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Amanda Joseph - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, April 02, 2007

We ate at Galvin at Windows on Friday evening and I can honestly say I was truly disappointed. The service was apalling and despite our complaints (which were completely disregarded) continued to be. Two of our main courses were greasy and got sent back to the kitchen uneaten.... the view is fabulous but completely obscured by the strange parapet which surrounds the main dining area. All in all, as far as value for money is concerned it was overpriced and the food was not up to the standard expected at the prices they charged. I will certainly not be eating here again.
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Monday, November 13, 2006

We would agree with everyone about the quality of the food. Exceptional. Up there with the best in London (and that's saying something these days!!).

However we were totally underwhelmed with the atmosphere and the service. We were told when booking (a month in advance) that window tables couldn't be guaranteed, fair enough. BUT, when we arrived some were vacant but we were'nt allowed to sit there. How can this be, unless someone has reserved one? Even more galling one remained vacant for close on 2 hours!! The tables described as 'just back from the windows' do give you a sort of view but one's shoulders are up against the wood panelling for the raised platform in the centre of the rsetaurant; most claustrophobic and cuts one off from the rest of the restaurant.

As an aside, unless you are over 6 feet tall the tables will feel that they are half way up your chest; either the chairs are too low or the tables too high.

The way that our complaint was handled to begin with was desultory at best. (In fact, the lady who saw us to our table would have let us leave, losing £250, rather than act on our complaints.) Although a more senior person tried to make up for it later. Overall a very disappointing evening (especially as it was meant to be a special occasion for us). We think that we will stay with the restaurants that give us fine dining without us feeling that we are in a hotel dining room. If others feel the same that will be a shame because the kitchen brigade deserves much better.

Friday 20th October 2006
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Frank and Margaret Smith
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Friday, October 27, 2006