Giles Coren's review of Automat (The Times)
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Automat reviews
Three American co-workers and I were not able to make it back to the US for Thanksgiving last month, so we booked a table at nearby Automat for their special Thanksgiving menu. We arrived at 1.15pm as scheduled, and waited 20 minutes to order (remember, this is lunchtime during the week). By 2.05 our food had not arrived and several of us had 2.30pm appointments back at the office. We inquired, and were told it would be at the table in "3 minutes".
At 2.15 we asked again and the manager said it was taking a long time since it had to be roasted. Imagine that. Having to roast a turkey. What next, they have to boil the water for the coffee? (Don't worry, they didn't have to mash the potatoes, as this Thanksgiving standard was not on their Thanksgiving menu.) I suppose that, given the fact that a turkey takes 4 hours to roast, we should have ordered at 9am!
We told the manager that we had to leave and he magnanimously told us we did not have to pay. Imagine that! Not being required to pay for a product that we did not receive! A total disappointment. Later that day, I wrote an email to Automat, and never received a reply.
Do not go to this shambolic establishment. They don't deserve your honest hard-earned cash, as they don't seem interested in earning it the same way you do.
Good food, good service. The Mac & Cheese is HUGE! The atmosphere is good, day or evening. A great choice if you fancy a more casual dining experience.
by Moo Moo "top london reviewer" (24 reviews), 09 Jul 2007Went here few nights ago with 11 friends. Very happy to have sat at the chef's table. Atmosphere was buzzing and the service was very prompt and friendly.
Food was great - my grilled tuna salad was mouth-watering and my friend's pasta and lamb steak was delicious also. Wine was good but the cocktails were great. My mojito was very minty and strong - just the way I like it!
Great place and price good too.
I really like this Mayfair restaurant. It's cheap for the area, and a good place to take clients as an alternative to Maze (which I think is great too).
by Anonymous, 03 May 2007Food good value although standards may be dropping since they opened. Fab concept though - unstuffy and unpretentious, just what Mayfair needed.
by jeeny (3 reviews), 30 May 2006Really enjoyed it here. Food was good (macaroni cheese was very good, as was the burger; highlight was the chicken casserole though, which was basically a whole chicken in a small cauldron...) and service was OK (could be a bit less relaxed in their attitudes). Price for the location and standard of food is very reasonable.
Always ask for a non-smoking table, as this ensures you are nearer the front of the restaurant where there is a nice vibe about the place. If you get stuck in the back you might as well be at a bankers' convention.
Food was great, atmosphere fun and cool without being pretentious. Service was good too, which is an anomaly in this town.
by Anonymous, 22 Oct 2005I've been twice so far and I am booked to go again tonight. Both times the food was superb, particularly the lobster. Service was great and the atmosphere was fun and buzzing. Not over priced for Mayfair either. Definitely worth a visit.
by LenaG (2 reviews), 22 Sep 2005Just what Mayfair needed, great food at reasonable prices, good service & atmosphere, though can get a bit too noisy when its full.
by abitheah, 01 Aug 2005Fantastic atmosphere - really brilliant wait staff - and the food was just what we wanted. Make sure you leave room for the cheesecake for dessert, it was as good as any I've had in Manhattan... can't wait to try the brunch next time.
by Bagel gal, 01 Aug 2005Have we missed a great diner in London? Let us know.
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