All reader reviews by Rodger Slape

La Brasserie

My wife and I have been coming to this restaurant for many years and it just gets better. The atmosphere is buzzy and typical French Brasserie. The food sometimes drifts a bit off course but generally it is well prepared and good value. Service is friendly and quick; most of the staff have been there for years and it is always nice to see regular faces among the waiting staff.

Patronised by local Chelsea people and always busy…so that tells you something!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10

Simpson's in the Strand

Traditional English food in a traditional English setting. A large panelled dining room with superb roast joints carved at the table from silver domed trolleys which look as though they have been there since the place opened in 1828.

The food is the very best of English with top class ingredients, well prepared and served by friendly, expert waiting staff. For a taste of “Olde England” this cannot be beaten. Go there, at least once, just for the experience.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8

The Markham Inn

I would like to update my earlier review of The Markham. We have persevered with our visits to this restaurant and I am pleased that we did. The food has always been good and thankfully the service has now improved beyond measure. The music volume has been reduced, except for Tuesday and Thursday when a pianist thrashes a piano to death.

The food is good value but the bar prices are a bit toppy! The two Alices (one is the manager, the other is the receptionist) are quite brilliant and very welcoming.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8

The Rib Room Bar & Restaurant

My wife and I are regular visitors to the Rib Room, but most frequently just for drinks in the bar. We have eaten there several times over the years but we chose to go there for Sunday lunch recently and it was totally historic.

The service in the bar is always exemplary and this standard is followed through in the restaurant. The food was selected from a number of menus which were available at varying price packages. Each dish was cooked, with dedication and care, to perfection, served hot and delivered with consummate professionalism by the first class team of staff who are extremely knowledgeable about the food and the wines.

The wines are rather expensive…so beware.

This is a “must go to” destination restaurant…so, you must go!

Monday, July 30, 2012
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9

The Markham Inn

My wife and I have eaten here 4 or 5 times since it opened and each time we thought it would get better...but sadly it hasn't!

The food is well cooked and well presented but the service is truly appalling. The music is too loud for the service staff to hear when the chef calls "Service" from the open kitchen, so the food sits there going nowhere and getting nicely cold.

Reservations are a joke, most times they don't seem to record the telephone reservation so when you arrive they tell you that they don't have a reservation for you, more exasperatingly they don't seem to care whether you stay or just leave and go somewhere else.

It's not cheap and it's not good.

Run by amateurs and likely to move from Elystan street to Carey Street in my opinion.

Thursday, October 13, 2011
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1

Choys

Three of us went for dinner on Sunday evening. The food was OK, nothing special. But the service was dreadful. My main course of Crispy duck arrived and sat on the table for 15 minutes before the main courses arrived for my wife and guest! So, of course it was cold. No apology forthcoming. The water arrived after the second time of asking in the middle of the main course.

The waitress asked me if the Rosé wine which I had ordered was made from roses...not very knowledgeable then.

The service was very poor and I asked the manager to deduct the service charge from the bill...and he wanted to argue about it!

STAY AWAY IN YOUR DROVES. This place should not be in business and if it carries on like this it won’t be for long...hopefully.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0

Sale e Pepe

I have been eating at this restaurant regularly for about 30 years. It is just brilliant. The food is consistently good – not historic – but consistently good Italian. The service is always very friendly and as quick as a jammed full restaurant will allow.

Whenever I have been it is always full...that tells you all you need to know. People love the fun, the buzz, the excitement, the fabulously happy atmosphere. It’s noisy, it’s close together and it’s an exceptional place to eat.

If you want haute cuisine served with silent reverence, then go somewhere else.

Presided over by Tony with his two great assistants, Tomaso and Mario the place rocks! If you want a great time and a lively eating experience then become a regular at Sale e Pepe.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10

Racine

We have only dined here once and were not impressed. The food was average, the service was very poor. We were seated close to the till and service desk on a table for six at a banquette, so we were constantly interrupted by staff checking in or out other guests.

An unhappy and expensive experience.

Monday, July 04, 2011
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1

Murano

Nine of us went to the Chef's table. Totally historic! Service was friendly, very knowledgable, and highly considerate.

The food was superb; using first class ingredients, excellent preparation and perfect cooking.

Of course it is expensive...but it is the best.

Monday, July 04, 2011
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10

Bar Boulud

Very disappointed. The room is depressing with a low ceiling. The food quality was only average and very overpriced.

The worst part was the wines. Outrageously overpriced!

Will not be returning.

Monday, July 04, 2011
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0

The Good Earth

We have been eating at this restaurant and using their take-away service for about 10 years. Only been let down once and they were very apologetic and quick to recompense us.

Excellent service from interested and knowledgeable staff; well managed. Food is very well prepared and without the dreaded MSG!

A little bit pricey but you get what you pay for.

Ask for a table on the Ground floor; the basement is a bit depressing.

Highly recommended.

Monday, July 04, 2011
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7