All reader reviews by Jim
Gabys
What a disappointment! After reading previous reviews I was looking forward to my visit to Gaby’s, and so were my companions, but we were sadly let down. At first sight things looked promising. The restaurant is conveniently located in Charing Cross Road, just across from Leicester Sq Tube, the food on display at the counter looked interesting and the restaurant’s décor was quite attractive. The dining area is very clean and neat, and the theatre posters and stars’ photos on the wall are a nice touch. Matt Damon is up there and a signed photo of Diana Rigg attested to the quality of the coffee and strudel. We sat down in a happy frame of mind.
Sadly from then on everything went downhill. The staff were taciturn to the point of rudeness, however, they seemed to liven up considerably when three or four of them got together behind the counter… Although the place was almost empty the service was so slow that we thought that we had been forgotten, the food arrived at different times for each of us at the table, and when one dish was sent back to be heated it took an age to pop it into the microwave. The food itself was very ordinary, for example their speciality, salt beef, was just processed meat in very stale bread. And if you go to Gaby’s with an appetite make sure that you order plenty, as the portions are pretty small! We finished off with coffee and pastries and Dame Diana was right: that was tasty. What a pity that the rest of the meal was not up to the same standard. You could say that you get what you pay for, but Gaby’s is not particularly cheap, there are dozens of eating places in the vicinity offering better value. Based on my experience Gaby’s needs to try harder.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Overall rating 
Food 4 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 3
Gabys
A very disappointing experience! After reading the previous reviews I was expecting much more. At first sight all seemed OK - nice location, in Charing Cross Road within sight of Leicester Sq tube, the food on display looked interesting (deli style) and I liked the no nonsense decor. The restaurant is very clean and neat and nicely decorated with photos and posters of shows - the restaurant is situated between the Garrick and Wyndham's theatres. I liked the photos of Matt Damon and the signed poster of Diana Rigg praising Gaby's coffee and pastries. From then on it all went downhill! The staff were very offhand, hardly uttering a word and despite there being only two other tables occupied, the four staff on duty were so slow we thought that they had forgotten all about us. Eventually the three of us were served, not at the same time, and when we asked for one of the dishes to be heated it took an age for them to pop it into the microwave! The food itself was very ordinary - don't expect beef off a joint - this is processed meat in stale bread. And if you have an appetite be sure to order plenty as the portions are not too generous. And the prices are not too attractive either. I finished off with a coffee and a pastry and Diana was right, it was pretty nice, shame about the rest of the meal. There are a dozen or more restaurants nearby offering better value (and service). I eat out frequently in the area, have done for many years and am not a demanding customer. Gaby's needs to try harder.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 3
