Galvin at Windows

By some distance the worst meal I've ever had in London. Out of our party of ten, two others apart from me had virtually none of their food it was so disgusting. The three-course £65 meal started with some kind of appetiser in a glass that was inedible. The smoked salmon starter was better as it was totally devoid of taste. The chicken main course was similar, while the dessert could best be described as nasty. Service was better than the food, and the wine was relatively acceptable.
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2 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Saturday, November 12, 2011

Everything was excellent: the atmosphere, the service, the value for money and the food too, the menu offer was good, dessert needs maybe more sprint. Excellent wine combination with the food!

Why i give the highest point? Because it is very difficult to give such a good hospitality with that much of guests at once. Just imagine if the restaurant would be that big, or better to say: small, like other starred restaurant. The staff have given a very good service. I'll book at Galvin once more.
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A.M. Dellepiane
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, October 31, 2011

I was taken to Windows for my birthday yesterday as I'd only ever been to the bar next door but loved the ambience and the views. I must say I was impressed with the restaurant. I'd read bad reviews in the past so was a little worried but I think that was before the renovation and there must have been a real change made with the food and service from what I have read. The food was great, the service was great, the waiters were attentive. We had asked for a window seat and got one just behind those directly in front of the window so it was not too bad but I did wonder why we could not get a seat right by the window when we had booked well in advance. The same goes for the bar. Empty seats but you are not seated at the window for some reason, even when you request it.

Anyway, I was impressed overall, although I find the restaurant overly expensive. I think you pay for the ambience, the service more than the food, but having said that, although the portions are a little small, the food was delicious and we were also given inbetween "canape" type delicacies, which was surprisingly nice touch. Overall, I'd recommend it for a very special occasion. Well done Galvin, keep it up!
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Netty
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Thursday, October 20, 2011

My Partner and i had dinner here on saturday evening and i honestly cannot fault one part of the whole evening. the staff were polite and courteous from the moment we stepped out of the lift.

We both chose the tasting menu and the food was superb, and the matched wines where also excellent.

Again i must say just how good the staff where, we wnated for nothing all evening.

All in all an excellent evening and would recommend to anyone.
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Justin Todd
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, July 25, 2011

Took my partner there for a meal on his birthday and it was an amazing evening! The views, the service, the wines (chosen with the able assistance of the sommelier) and most of all: the food, all exceptional. I wish I could afford to dine in style like this more often. They didn't put a foot wrong and we left on a high after a wonderfully memorable evening.
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dglambeth - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Friday, June 17, 2011

Dinner at Galvin last Saturday night, and all told had a great evening.

First off the service was very good from the hostess through to the great sommelier, our waiter and the food runner. All the staff were on the ball, knew their jobs but more importantly in my book were also relaxed and had the ability to share a joke.

Now on to the food, we had the 8 course tasting menu with matching wines so I wont go into detail of every dish. However the standouts were the asparagus with peas, Parmesan and crispy chicken skin and the lightly curried John Dory. Thats not to say the other dishes were not good, they were all high quality almost perfect plates. The matching wines were also all top notch and really complemented the food perfectly.

As for the restaurant itself, it is well laid out, so as to give as many people as possible a stunning view of London. My only real fault with the place would be the atmosphere just seemed to lack a real buzz. As good as the food, wine and service were I just felt there was something missing.

In short a restaurant with very good food and service. I would return but more likely for an early evening meal than a special occasion.
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Chris - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Thursday, May 12, 2011

I booked a table for two at relatively short notice, based on a recommendation from my boss.

Having been told to ask specifically for a window table to really appreciate the stunning views that the 28th floor of the Hilton Park Lane have to offer, we were certainly not left disappointed. We arrived early and took a seat in the neighbouring bar before being told that our table was ready, and the way we were greeted simply set the tone for the fantastic service we were to experience throughout, with 6 members of staff wishing us a nice evening as we passed through the bar to our table.

As one would expect at a michelin star restaurant, the service was exquisite throughout the whole evening, with what seemed like a separate waiter serving us for every element of the meal. And as for the food, it really was superb. We chose from the 'Menu Prestige' and the choice for each course certainly was not excessive however there was enough available to suit all pallets.

The stand out dish was indeed our dessert, an apple tarte tatin like no other. Served at the table from a brass skillet, the healthy portion ordered to share, was met with a stunning caramel sauce as well as cream, which made every mouthful better than the last.

The evening at Galvin at Windows was truly fantastic and is an ideal place to really impress a client or in my case enjoy a romantic evening, superb meal with stunning views of London to match.

I will certainly return here, however with the wine list proving to be somewhat over priced, and the menu's starting at £65 a head, it will remain on the 'special occasions' list rather than becoming my regular!
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treborc - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, December 21, 2010

I think the most exceptional thing about this restaurant is the views of London - the food is quite good, but lacks the excitement and special added touches of other restaurants in this price range/with a Michelin star. The food was traditional French (think foie gras, duck), with everything I tasted being consistently good, but not amazing and definitely not imaginative. I would return for a drink in the bar in order to take in the view, but probably not for dinner as there are too many great places in London that provide you with a more exciting meal for a similar price.
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Bluenoser - View all reviews by this user
7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, September 22, 2010

We had dinner last weekend, also to celebrate hubby's b'day earlier in the week. When I booked I had mentioned special day and asked to be by window, but on arrival were shown to a table at centre of room. Asked for table by window, was told we would be moved when one became available - and we were. I must say, the staff were very knowledgeable and helpful and always around without being intrusive.

We went with the tasting menu, the risotto was perfectly flavoured with balanced texture. The cured salmon was lovely and blended well with the accompaniments, however the crab was very sparse - but i think the portion size could be halved.

The foie gras was one of the worst i've had in a long time, it had no flavour i enjoyed the brioche that came with it! The fish course was scallops and I love my scallops not this one though - it was meant to be seared but was quite soggy and a touch under-cooked . We were quite disappointed by this time, and then the meat course arrived. We both had the lamb, the steak was mostly fat and bone with a bit of meat stuck to it, the cutlet was nice but chewy. It came with a quarter of one baby carrot (menu says carrots!) - unbalanced to say the least.

The cabecou was fab, a good blob of it too and the truffle honey which i've never had before went very well together. The (3) shavings of fig were out of place perhaps as i couldnt taste on their contribution. The yoghurt with strawberry granita was really nice, especially the yoghurt which put the foie gras to shame!

The chocolate dessert was perhaps the best dish of the night, it was perfectly my kind of balance not too sweet not bitter just beautiful.

The accompanying wines went very well with each course complimenting the food. The Graham's grape reserve was a surprise, quite heavy and punchy but loved it.

We were quite disappointed with the food as we expected a 2* to be spot on with the food every time. The theme may be to not try too hard with the creativity, but the cooking, portions and balance (especially the meat course) needs a lot of work to be made good. All in all a pleasant evening with lovely views and services, but the food a big let down. We wont be rushing back, as we there are too many places in London with much better food for the price, or even less for that matter.
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Nush
8 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Saturday, July 31, 2010

I took my family here for my fathers birthday and we had 3 courses from the A la Carte Menu for £35. The food was absolutely delicious, we were also given an amuse bouche from the chef along with some breads for the table and some complimentary chocolates and marshmellows at the end of the evening.

Service was very good, possibly too attentive to be honest. There is always a fine lline when you visit fine dining establishments between very good service and feeling like youre being watched!

I requested a table by the window and we weren't dissapointed! Amazing views! The staff were very nice and catered to our every need.

The portions (although typically small as expected from fine dining restaraunt!) ended up to be very filliing! I recomend the duck!! delicious!

They do try and get you though with £4 glasses of lemonade and £5 bottles of water for the table! Deffinately dont go here if youre looking to save some pennies but for a celebration, as was my occasion, it is perfect! Would recomend.
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Mell - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, July 13, 2010