All reader reviews by Jos

L'Oranger

Why this restaurant doesn't have a Michelin star escapes me.

My wife and I went there for lunch and had their five course set menu which was sublime. Each course was better than the last. A glass of belini to start then equisite pumpkin soup with a side order of celeriac puree and black truffles, followed by hand-made goat's cheese ravioli, melt in the mouth beef wellington, brie-de-meaux with a truffle centre then a beautiful french macaroon with a passion fruit mouse. Followed by tea and warm petit-fours. Wonderful!

I can't recommend this place highly enough. The staff were friendly and accomodating and nothing was too much trouble.

Definately going back!

Monday, February 15, 2010
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10

San Lorenzo

Do yourself a favour. Save your money and go somewhere else. Truly terrible food and an embarassment. They should either sack the chef or close this place down.

Friday, February 05, 2010
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0

St Germain

Went to St. Germain for lunch. Wonderful setting, if hidden away slightly down Turnmill Street. The food, however, was not wonderful and the service was friendly but slow. The cauliflower soup to start was watery and tasteless and the gorgonzola tortellini tasted very strange with some very odd and unneccessary flavours added to the dish.

Overall a dissapointment as I had high hopes for this place.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8

Le Palais du Jardin

Pleasantly surprised after all the mediocre reviews. Drinks were a little slow to begin with but otherwise the service was polite and well paced. Food was very good with some old-time french classics - fillet mignon to name but one. Atmosphere was bright and comfortable and if you're a seafood fan then I'm sure this is the place for you.

Monday, July 10, 2006
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5

Villandry

The restaurant was nearly empty on a Saturday night which was a worrying sign. As we were seated at the table we witnessed one of the customers berating the head-waiter for poor service, tasteless food and bad wine - they left in digust without paying the bill. I thought this was going to be a fun evening!

Needless-to-say the waiter who served us was so bad it was almost comic... He couldn't distinguish between starters and main courses and gave the impression of never having seen the menu before in his life. Two seperate waiters then followed to double check our order which was completely muddled.

About 10 minutes later the original waiter was fired by the manager in front of all the guests!

Having said all this, the food wasn't bad and almost worth the £50 per head bill (inc wine). Not sure I'd go back in a hurry though.

Monday, May 22, 2006
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5