AA Gill's review of Automat (Sunday Times)
Giles Coren's review of Automat (The Times)
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Automat reviews
I used to go to Automat every Saturday for brunch with a bunch of people, until one day (Monday) I decided to go for coffee with a friend at noon. The place was empty, we sat down, nobody waited on us, then the manager came over and told us that we had 20 mins to drink our coffee which hadn't arrived yet! To which my response was: "Is that how you treat a regular? Or is it just because my coffee won't cost me the usual £200 we pay for brunch?!". Got up and left and never went back again.
by bmad, 12 Mar 2009
by bmad, 12 Mar 2009
Really nice food, good location and nice decor... but the staff! So sullen!! I keep going back for the abuse but find myself wondering why.
by French Sandrine, 20 Nov 2008
by French Sandrine, 20 Nov 2008
Luurved the diner seats. A nice piece of Americana in the heart of London... and don't forget to order the Pavlova - wow wow wow!
by weia (2 reviews), 19 Jul 2008
by weia (2 reviews), 19 Jul 2008
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.
by john66, 05 Dec 2007
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.
by john66, 05 Dec 2007
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 2007
by Moo Moo "top london reviewer" (24 reviews), 09 Jul 2007
Went 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.
by audrey "top london reviewer" (30 reviews), 17 Jun 2007
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.
by audrey "top london reviewer" (30 reviews), 17 Jun 2007
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 2007
by Anonymous, 03 May 2007
Food 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 2006
by jeeny (3 reviews), 30 May 2006
Really 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.
by k lo (4 reviews), 03 Feb 2006
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.
by k lo (4 reviews), 03 Feb 2006
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 2005
by Anonymous, 22 Oct 2005
I'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 (3 reviews), 22 Sep 2005
by LenaG (3 reviews), 22 Sep 2005
Just 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 2005
by abitheah, 01 Aug 2005
Fantastic 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 2005
by Bagel gal, 01 Aug 2005
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Photograph © Automat
