All reader reviews by rich

Ambassade de I'Ile

To be frank, one of the biggest disappointments I have had in a very long time.

As par for the course, the hype far out weighs the content. I certainly don't mind paying top dollar for a great experience but this place fell well short. The waiting staff seem all over the place. Taking a drink outside is a joke. There are no tables to put anything and everything is very awkward to deal with. Without sounding snooty, you don't expect to have to carry your drinks, menu's and wine menu's to your table, whilst the waitress just looks on! at these prices. Also having to watch the chef / owner smoking next to us, chatting with his buddies left a lot to be desired. Theres a time and a place for that. Im sorry to say it was pretty much downhill from there on.

The amuse was a total joke, a massive, rock hard radish on a stick, with a bit of veal stuck round it. Wondered if I was missing something here! Our starters were mixed up. These came before any of our wine selections, which were made twenty minutes previous. The main course of veal was, I don't know, a main course of veal. (Had a lovely piece of veal the day before at Lindsay House).

Didn't bother with dessert or coffee as by this time I was totally fed up. There again, who wants to pay nineteen pounds for a solitary souffle? We were in and out of the restaurant in less than seventy minutes and two hundred and forty pounds lighter. Rushed and totally ripped off. Doubtless the Michelin Guide will be falling over themselves as the chef is a two star in France. If this is their game plan, I can't see the place lasting, in view of the tremendous competition it faces in London. In conclusion, don't bother, spend your hard earnt money else where.

Thursday, July 31, 2008
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 1

The Ledbury

PLEASE, do not take any notice of the 'review' below. I'm sorry but what total tosh.

As a chef myself, who uses the michelin as a standard benchmark, I fail to see how anybody could be so ultra picky. Wonder if 'sir' has ever worked in a pro kitchen.

Anyway, my wife and I, made yet another long winded trip to dine at the Ledbury.Its worth ever single mile. Food is as good here, as anywhere else in London, we've dined. We went to Pied a Terre the evening before and had a fine meal, I have to say in my opinion the Ledbury as the edge. Great ideas, very well executed. The passion fruit souffle, wow. Thats coming from a chef who as fifteen years expierence, working at a very high standard. Just go and relax. They will do you proud.

Thursday, March 06, 2008
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10

Tom Aikens

Just how utterly snooty can a place be?? Turned up for a reservation, in best bib and tucker. ( or so I thought, nice suit, cufflinks etc)I was then told, oh so partronizingly, by a very crass restaurant manger, that I simply could be allowed to dine, in this holy grail of a restaurant, as I was wearing sports shoes!! No I bloody wasn't. Sports shoes I ask you. This moron wouldn't have know the difference between a sandal and a work boot. Just beggars believe that restaurants in this day and age are allowed to get away with such an appaulling piss poor attitude towards their customers. Really who do they think they are, apart from offensive and down right rude. Totally up themselves

Sunday, November 25, 2007
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0