J. Sheekey

It was very nice atmosphere, very british, very good services,polite waiters. dishes are okay.it is not bad but not special. quite expensive. service charges are 12.5% include the bill.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 4
Sunday, April 27, 2008

I went to J Sheekey earlier this week for the first time although I had heard of it. My starter of squid was delicious, cooked just right. I tried my boyfriend's dressed crab which was prettily presented although not sure it was anything wonderful, taste-wise.

However, we both had dover sole for our main course - mine was plain and my boyfriend' s was with shrimps and parsley sauce. Both were absolutely delicious as were the accompanying vegetables.

We polished it off by sharing a cheeseboard and fruit pudding. Again both were OK but not fantastic.

Wine was excellent and service was friendly and discreet.

I would definitely go there again.
Comment on this reader review

Chrissie
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, February 27, 2008

I chose Sheekeys for dinner on Friday night having read these great reviews and having enjoyed a meal there a few years ago. However, it was a very disappointing evening. The restaurant looked tired and jaded and and the staff all appeared bored and disinterested. Above all, we were underwhelmed by the food. I started with sardines which were covered in breadcrumbs which destroyed any taste of fish. My husband's dressed crab was completely tasteless and not the wonderful fresh crab that you would expect for £15!! We both had pollack for our main course and once again this was bland and very disappointing. I cannot understand how someone could comment that the 'quality of the fish is excellent'! The presentation of the food was also lacking any imagination. It is overpriced and poor value for money when compared with great restaurants.
Comment on this reader review

Majella
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Sunday, February 10, 2008

We are Sheekey's regulars. The ambience and the reception of the people who work there is always superb, warm and very friendly. We always have drinks in the bar and althought it is sometimes crowded we always feel very 'at home' John and Mark who run the restaurant are simply superb and I'd like to think of them as friends, really top professionals and ahead of their game. The food is always cosistent, elvers notwithstanding! And I have never had an eating experience less than wonderful, the waiting staff echo the management and all in all it is a slick, professional and lovely experience. I would reccommend Sheekey's without reservation and look forward to my next visit week after next.
Comment on this reader review

David
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Originally on recommedation i have been here twice before going onto theatre and both times have enjoyed the experience.

The quality of fish is excellent, if pricey although to compare against quality fish restaurants, for example Loch Fyne and Fish Works, the prices make sense.

It is a luxury to be able to choose from such a variety of seafood cooked in different ways.

We found the staff professional yet friendly. My being on crutches may have helped.
Comment on this reader review

Duncan DJ
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Monday, February 04, 2008

Heaven on earth
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, January 29, 2008

A follow up to my below email, in the interests of fairness: I called up and spoke to the manager, who took my disappointment very seriously and investigated it fully and offered to make amends. At least it shows they take their customers' complaints seriously (proves that it's always worth taking the matter up with the manager, especially if you don't get a reply to emails: that way you know how seriously they take it, and ti gives them a chance to put things right)
Comment on this reader review

Nick
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Wednesday, January 23, 2008

I went here recently. First, the waiter brought us the wrong orders (when I helpfully pointed this out, there wasn't even an apology). When my bream came, I pointed out that it was patently undercooked, as there was a big blob of blood in the middle (nice..). This was taken away, again, without apology.

When it came, it was tepid (odd, if they reheated it)..We both agreed that both our meals were bland (there was not a single "herb" on my fish, contrary to the description on the menu..), and both fish dishes were bland and underwhelming.

A great disappointment, especially at the prices they charge (I wrote to the restaurant too but no acknowledgment). Save your money and go elsewhere, is my advice.
Comment on this reader review

Nick
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, January 22, 2008

My Mother is over from New Zealand, and so I decided to take her to what has been described as a very good seafood restaurant. There were four of us booked in for dinner.

Having been seated at our table, the waiter asked straight away what we would like to drink, not having shown us a drinks menu or anything of the like. We asked if we could have a few minutes to decide and finally after 10 minutes had to call the waiter back to take our order.

We ordered Starter and Mains, and also a £45 bottle of wine. Our starters were so so, rubbery shellfish for me, and the other 3 not so bad overall.

Our Mains arrived, with both myself and my Mother having the Brill. Having never had Brill before, and not wanting to make a fool of myself, I didn't say anything regarding the texture of my fish. Subsequently, I have now confirmed that both of our fish were well over cooked, hence the tasteless food I ate.

After seeing the waiter top up our glasses from the second bottle of wine, we all noted that there was at least 3 inches of wine left. When I finally asked again for our waiter to top up our glasses with the remaining wine, we were informed that it was finished. This was blatant robbery, obviously seeking for us to purchase a third bottle.

The waiter cleared all four of our plates from the same place at the table, reaching across both of our guests as they cleared the far side of the table.

When laying down our individual courses, the cutlery was laid back to front, Fork on the right and so on, and finally our coffee was cold.

Having spent over £400.00 on what should have been a more than memorable experience, I have to say that I was very dissapointed with both the food and the service. There is no way I would recommend J Sheekey to anyone, even if it was going to be free!!
Comment on this reader review

Warren Roodt
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, January 22, 2008

I have been to J Sheekey’s on a few occasions with business and have always found the food and table service to be excellent. That being the case, I decided to take my girlfriend to the restaurant one evening after work and can honestly say I won’t bother going again!

Why the change of heart, food not good, service not good?

The reason was down to none of the above but the snobbery and pretentious manner of the desk staff on the reception.

I had booked a table for 17.30 on a Monday evening and arrived at the restaurant at 17.15. The door was locked and it wasn’t until five minutes of knocking even got the girl on reception to lift her head and acknowledge that people, by now around six, were waiting outside. Eventually one of the waitresses answered the door and explained that they were still clearing up from the previous sitting and that we could not come in. As it was December and -3’c I asked if we could have a drink at the bar. When, after shouting three or four times, the waitress got a reaction from the front desk, the answer was ‘no’ and with that the door was shut in our faces.

Given that my meal for two would probably have netted the restaurant about £120, I walked off in disgust.

J Sheekey’s is nice but at the end of the day it lives of its reputation and that means that they don’t have to bother too much about customer satisfaction. If you don’t book to go again, they won’t worry as someone else will.

One day that chain of people will run out!

I did write a letter of complaint to the restaurant and low and behold I never even had an acknowledgment. It was probably read by the same pretentious, snotty girl on the front desk!
Comment on this reader review

James Petty
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Friday, January 18, 2008