41 replies to this topic

[ITSMEAGAIN]

Dear Jarrod, I apologize for not replying to your April 2nd comment regarding my review of this restaurant but I've been out of the country since then.

You said I had misquoted your review of 29th March regarding the meat dishes served up to you in this restaurant, by saying you found them tough. But, and I quote from your review when talking about both the lamb and beef dishes you had "...both looked like they should melt in your mouth but were just a little tough....". TOUGH is what you said.

Any restaurant serving food at these prices and trying to achieve Michelin standard should be serving "melt-in-the-mouth" meat. Anything less renders them simply average. There's no excuse.


Reading these reviews it seems to me that this restaurant is still under-achieving and quality and consistency remains a chancy affair. If they do expand next door I hope for their sake that they are not over stretching themselves and that their food and service improves.

[Fran]

Reading these reviews it seems to me that this restaurant is still under-achieving and quality and consistency remains a chancy affair.

As far as I can see, almost all the reviews here (and indeed elsewhere) are very favourable. It's too expensive and/or fussy for some and of the two not entirely positive reviews (other than yours), one was more than four years ago, and one was enthusiastic except for one criticism that the writer didn't think was major.

Anyway, I would be interested in your reviews (in separate topics) of nearby restaurants that you DO think are good.

[mitzi]

Looks like work has started on the expansion of The Artichoke... Good luck to them, cant wait to see the transformation!

[ITSMEAGAIN]

As far as I can see, almost all the reviews here (and indeed elsewhere) are very favourable. It's too expensive and/or fussy for some and of the two not entirely positive reviews (other than yours), one was more than four years ago, and one was enthusiastic except for one criticism that the writer didn't think was major.

Anyway, I would be interested in your reviews (in separate topics) of nearby restaurants that you DO think are good.

When I find a really good one nearby I'll let you know.

[mitzi]

Went to The Artichoke last night, really enjoyed it! They have moved seamlessly into the adjacent building, with a view straight into the kitchen (no pressure chefs!). Bit more buzz now it is larger, food is excellent (my favourite being the bread!). Do go!

[Kerry]

We went to the Artichoke a couple of weeks ago, and sadly I was left very much underwhelmed.

To qualify this, we have eaten at a lot of good and Michelin starred restaurants...The Waterside Inn, La Gavroche, The Square, various Ramsey's including Hospital Road, Pied a Terre, Nahm, Benares etc. We also ate at a Rising Star restaurant, the Marquis at Alkham. So we should have a reasonable appreciation of good restaurants.

We got off to a bad start, despite having booked well in advance (over 2 months) we got probably the worst table in the house, right by the outside door and associated breeze, and toilets. What was disappointing was that we witnessed at least 2 'walk ins' come in and get significantly better tables than us.

The Amuse Bouche was in itself very nice, but a restaurant aspiring to have a Michelin star should not serve the dish when one half of the table is not present, as my wife was not when I was served.

After this bad start, the food started to make up for it - the beetroot and cheese starter was excellent, and the scallops were delicious, worthy of a spot on any menu. However, the foie gras yoghurt with gooseberry...well quite honestly it was disgusting. I know foie gras is contraversial and I'm not a great lover of it (nor am I a hater and have enjoyed foie gras dishes immensely in the past) but the texture, flavour combinations - it just didn't go at all and we both left it after one or two tries.

The fish course was pretty good, and the lamb good but not excellent.

The puddings were a mix - we tried both options and the strawberry dessert was fantastic. However the malted barley choice was very average, an interesting ingredients gamble but I wasn't sure it came off.

All throughout the service was average at best, they seated one table outside and the door was consistently left open despite the very cold breeze. After asking a number of times we resorted to closing the door ourselves at least twice. Again not what you'd expect.

The matching wine we had with the tasting menu was pretty good and did complement the food, but service of it was sluggish and it appeared after the dishes had been served on more than one occasion.

Considering the bill for 2 was the best part of £250, I cannot say it was either value for money or worthy of such a price or further down a Michelin star. The service needs addressing and the food isn't quite there yet, the quality was too variable. Little touches are missing - for instance at Spage in LA where we had eaten a couple of weeks before, the waiter took my wifes white napkin and replaced it with a black one to match her dress...nice touch. The food was also immeasurably better there, and the cost for 2 was about £160! The Marquis at Alkham, a rising star, was also a whole lot more polished from a service, presentation and menu perspective.

So while it was a nice meal, it wasn't a great meal and at £250 per couple we won't be going back in a rush.

Any other recommendations to try next...?

[147]

We went to the Artichoke a couple of weeks ago, and sadly I was left very much underwhelmed....

So while it was a nice meal, it wasn't a great meal and at £250 per couple we won't be going back in a rush.

Any other recommendations to try next...?

Were you eating early in the evening ?
A lot of restaurants fill their tables from the window back to give the impression from the street that they are busy.
If we pre-book a table I ask for a specific one. Did you not ask to sit elsewhere when the waiter showed you to your table ?

[Kerry]

Were you eating early in the evening ?
A lot of restaurants fill their tables from the window back to give the impression from the street that they are busy.
If we pre-book a table I ask for a specific one. Did you not ask to sit elsewhere when the waiter showed you to your table ?

It was an 8pm table. I didn't ask to sit elsewhere because I didn't know the restaurant and only later established a large area of tables to the left as you go in (by the kitchen). We were seated in the narrow portion of the restaurant. And the table was only half the issue. The service and food compounded it significantly for me.

[Fran]

Today's Sunday Times has a supplement called "Britain's Top 100 Hundred Restaurants", which includes The Artichoke, and gives it a particularly prominent (and favourable) review. The supplement was compiled in conjunction with Harden's, and I generally find their ratings and reviews very reliable - or at least, in tune with my own tastes.

[Ian]

Going back to the Artichoke tomorrow - first time for us since the re-furb so looking forward to it...

[Eaton]

There is an article in the BFP (below) which states that Raymond Blanc believes it should have received a Michelin Star by now.

http://www.bucksfree..._Michelin_star/

[valibou]

Love Artichoke, superb for a treat locally! No need to go to London, so saving on transport cost and babysitting cost too!
I wish I would have been able to go to the celebrations with Raymond Blanc, has anyone been?