AA Gill's review of Roast (The Sunday Times)
Jan Moir's review of Roast (The Telegraph)
Roast reviews
Lovely setting, but food average and wildly over-priced. Service is a big issue: rather than being ignored, we find the waiters incredibly intrusive, constantly interrupting conversations and not coordinating their service. On our first visit we had three waiters assigned to our table, interrupting us at 30 second intervals. On return visits they were busier, so not so attentive (!) but equally irritating in their ability to disrupt the flow of conversation for trivial questions. Additionally, if you visit on a Sunday there is huge pressure to turn tables and their constant reminders that "you only have 2 hours" are somewhat unwelcoming.
by fjm30, 21 Nov 2010
by fjm30, 21 Nov 2010
We had been speaking about going to Roast for some time and were unsure due to mixed reviews. I have no intention of ever going back.
We arrived to a smile and were seated at our table. We were given menus and asked if we would like a drink... I responded that I'd like just water for now and would look at the wine list. It then took at least 15 minutes for anyone to come near us again, and I had to wave them down. I asked for some advice on the extensive and expensive wine list. No real help available, no sommelier for this extensive and - as mentioned - expensive wine list. We finally decided on a bottle which then took at least 10 minutes to arrive.
Food was ordered and delivered promtly. Taste ok, value for money not ok. Overall the food was good. The service was appalling though. There were so very many waiters and no one to wait on us - each time we required service we had to hail someone down.
Considering the cost to dine here, it certainly is NOT worth the money spent. I would not choose to dine in this restaurant again. Nothing special on offer! Stay away. I would much rather eat a Sunday roast at Garrison or the Village East on Bermondsey Street, both of which provide far better all round value.
by hayley1, 10 Aug 2010
We arrived to a smile and were seated at our table. We were given menus and asked if we would like a drink... I responded that I'd like just water for now and would look at the wine list. It then took at least 15 minutes for anyone to come near us again, and I had to wave them down. I asked for some advice on the extensive and expensive wine list. No real help available, no sommelier for this extensive and - as mentioned - expensive wine list. We finally decided on a bottle which then took at least 10 minutes to arrive.
Food was ordered and delivered promtly. Taste ok, value for money not ok. Overall the food was good. The service was appalling though. There were so very many waiters and no one to wait on us - each time we required service we had to hail someone down.
Considering the cost to dine here, it certainly is NOT worth the money spent. I would not choose to dine in this restaurant again. Nothing special on offer! Stay away. I would much rather eat a Sunday roast at Garrison or the Village East on Bermondsey Street, both of which provide far better all round value.
by hayley1, 10 Aug 2010
I dined at Roast last evening with a colleague, and we were hugely disappointed. The food was fine, if predictable, but the service was slapdash to say the least. We felt as if we were on a production line, treated with less care and respect than the suckling pigs being manhandled in the kitchen behind us. Even at half the rather large price, I would have felt short-changed. Avoid.
by Daniel Wain, 21 Nov 2009
by Daniel Wain, 21 Nov 2009
Food was OK but 'service' (more the lack of) was appalling. I wouldn't recommend this restaurant to anyone and will not be returning in the near future.
by seacroc, 29 Oct 2008
by seacroc, 29 Oct 2008
Was looking forward to this for a birthday treat but was sorely disappointed. The restaurant was freezing and when we asked if the air con could be turned down we were told heating was an ongoing problem. Given that telephone calls are made to confirm bookings, this problem should be mentioned, since it definitely ruined our evening. Food was OK but service was not of a good standard. Overall, very disappointing.
by LYNCH, 02 Mar 2007
by LYNCH, 02 Mar 2007
Food was of reasonable quality, but the service and the overall ambiance is not so good.
by matt chapman, 28 Nov 2006
by matt chapman, 28 Nov 2006
Oh dear. What a waste of a great site. Setting brilliant above the market, staff seemed quite friendly, but the food was way overpriced for very average stuff. My partner ordered roast chicken, very ordinary for £17, plus vegetables were an extra £6 for mushrooms and mash. He says the chicken breast was overcooked.
I ordered crab cakes, which were OK, but the plate of 'cheeses and meats from the market' was a bit of Jarlsberg type cheese, 2 slices of jamon and a bit of pork pie, and some vibrant yellow piccalilli. Really not nice. It's so disappointing for a place that obviously has lots of people who are into food around in the market.
I wouldn't go again, or recommend it to anyone.
by Elsie, 21 Oct 2006
I ordered crab cakes, which were OK, but the plate of 'cheeses and meats from the market' was a bit of Jarlsberg type cheese, 2 slices of jamon and a bit of pork pie, and some vibrant yellow piccalilli. Really not nice. It's so disappointing for a place that obviously has lots of people who are into food around in the market.
I wouldn't go again, or recommend it to anyone.
by Elsie, 21 Oct 2006
I chose Roast on the recommendation of a friend. I booked online, but guess what, no record of the booking when we arrived. Fortunately I had the email confirmation and the hostess was apologetic. After a short wait in the bar area, we were seated at a distant table. Initially I wasn't too happy about this, since my email had asked for a good table as we were having a very special celebration. However, our waiter was excellent and at least we didn't have people constantly walking past us.
Starters of pilchards and Parma-style British ham arrived promptly and were tasty. Mains of roast chicken and beef wellington followed soon after. These portions were very generous and neither of us could finish our meals. Eventually space was found for a very tasty apple crumble.
At some point toward the end of the meal, my husband told the waiter that this had been to celebrate my birthday and that there had been no record of the reservation. Wheels turned, both the hostess and the manager apologised profusely and gave us complementary glasses of bubbly.
Although the food was good, I wouldn't say it was outstanding. Would I go again? Probably not.
by missg (2 reviews), 15 Oct 2006
Starters of pilchards and Parma-style British ham arrived promptly and were tasty. Mains of roast chicken and beef wellington followed soon after. These portions were very generous and neither of us could finish our meals. Eventually space was found for a very tasty apple crumble.
At some point toward the end of the meal, my husband told the waiter that this had been to celebrate my birthday and that there had been no record of the reservation. Wheels turned, both the hostess and the manager apologised profusely and gave us complementary glasses of bubbly.
Although the food was good, I wouldn't say it was outstanding. Would I go again? Probably not.
by missg (2 reviews), 15 Oct 2006
I never usually comment on restaurants, but I feel I have to write about Roast. On arrival, we were greeted by smiling staff and shown to our table in the light airy restaurant. The atmosphere was bustling and the menu looked appetising.
Which is why it is such a shame that we were underwhelmed and disappointed by the food and time it took to arrive. One dining companion's first 2 choices of starter, first choice of main and our first choice of wine were all unavailable. The starters then took 30 minutes to arrive (whilst staff bustled round us constantly topping up our wine and water even though we asked them not to) and dishes were not all brought out at the same time.
The main courses took over an hour to arrive, despite being told every ten minutes that the food would be with us in "3 to 5 minutes". When they finally arrived, they had clearly been sitting around somewhere for a long time. Again, the dishes were brought out piecemeal and we had to wait for our vegetables. Both the pork and the chicken were dry and the bed of mussels that came with the halibut were stone cold. Unsurprisingly, we requested the bill soon after finishing our main courses 3 1/2 hours after we arrived.
Roast was overpriced and understaffed. I will not be going back.
by Anonymous, 29 Jun 2006
Which is why it is such a shame that we were underwhelmed and disappointed by the food and time it took to arrive. One dining companion's first 2 choices of starter, first choice of main and our first choice of wine were all unavailable. The starters then took 30 minutes to arrive (whilst staff bustled round us constantly topping up our wine and water even though we asked them not to) and dishes were not all brought out at the same time.
The main courses took over an hour to arrive, despite being told every ten minutes that the food would be with us in "3 to 5 minutes". When they finally arrived, they had clearly been sitting around somewhere for a long time. Again, the dishes were brought out piecemeal and we had to wait for our vegetables. Both the pork and the chicken were dry and the bed of mussels that came with the halibut were stone cold. Unsurprisingly, we requested the bill soon after finishing our main courses 3 1/2 hours after we arrived.
Roast was overpriced and understaffed. I will not be going back.
by Anonymous, 29 Jun 2006
Very good food - calf's liver delicious. Views of St Paul's and over Borough Market make for an interesting setting. The interior was a let-down though, lacking atmosphere and style. For such a new restaurant it looks pretty dated.
by C Smith, 16 Dec 2005
by C Smith, 16 Dec 2005
I enjoyed Roast. The pork belly was very tasty, good to see this on the menu, and the house red was excellent. Just watch the glass door on the way in, you can easily walk into it!
by Anonymous, 12 Dec 2005
by Anonymous, 12 Dec 2005
Excellent food. Attentive service... simply an enjoyable experience with St. Paul's view as a bonus.
by nshamim (5 reviews), 05 Dec 2005
by nshamim (5 reviews), 05 Dec 2005
Lovely atmospheric spot for lunch. We went on a Saturday when the market was in full swing but the restaurant still wasn't buzzing - have people yet to discover it two months since its birth or is it slightly too expensive since there isn't a set lunch menu? We loved it, though.
by Don, 04 Dec 2005
by Don, 04 Dec 2005
Went to Roast for lunch and was actually quite disappointed...
An original venue, but windows have no blinds which meant one of us was himself nearly roasted for about 30 minutes while the sun was moving round the room!
I thought the wine list was only so-so: the Gevrey Chambertin 2001 was probably too young to be worth paying £49 for, and the Cote Rotie (£50) was only marginally better - possibly trying too hard to find 'original' wines at the expense of reliability... I also have no idea how they managed to initially charge me £98 for the Gevrey on the bill!
Food-wise the veg was a little undercooked (sprouts) but the chips were good, Rare Ox Heart interesting but not that flavoursome (perhaps it's not meant to be though!) and the others said their food was OK but not that special... I guess the kitchen may still be 'teething'.
Will probably give Roast another chance as it's a pretty good venue, but two missed strikes and it'll be out of contention.
by Prasutagus, 23 Nov 2005
An original venue, but windows have no blinds which meant one of us was himself nearly roasted for about 30 minutes while the sun was moving round the room!
I thought the wine list was only so-so: the Gevrey Chambertin 2001 was probably too young to be worth paying £49 for, and the Cote Rotie (£50) was only marginally better - possibly trying too hard to find 'original' wines at the expense of reliability... I also have no idea how they managed to initially charge me £98 for the Gevrey on the bill!
Food-wise the veg was a little undercooked (sprouts) but the chips were good, Rare Ox Heart interesting but not that flavoursome (perhaps it's not meant to be though!) and the others said their food was OK but not that special... I guess the kitchen may still be 'teething'.
Will probably give Roast another chance as it's a pretty good venue, but two missed strikes and it'll be out of contention.
by Prasutagus, 23 Nov 2005
Good food - especially for those who really like their meat. Quality was high, though not quite St. John standards and service was mostly good, but far from quick.
Enjoyed the wine list too, and a superb location with views over Borough Market on one side and towards St Paul's on the other.
by tekka (34 reviews), 18 Nov 2005
Enjoyed the wine list too, and a superb location with views over Borough Market on one side and towards St Paul's on the other.
by tekka (34 reviews), 18 Nov 2005
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