La Trompette reviews
We ate at La Trompette last night. Simply put, we made the following observations:
a) Food is good, but menus very similar to Chez Bruce (not necessarily a bad thing).
b) Managerial staff are extremely rude - think your worst Parisian nightmare (French shrugs, know-it-all comments, etc.) and you've got it.
c) Younger staff (who are constantly chided in front of guests by above managerial team) are very friendly and helpful.
In conclusion, do go for the food, but you will be surprised that somewhere like this could get a star and be so indifferent on service. Incidentally, service was 12.5% and VAT was added AFTER the food and service, making it an expensive evening (cheese plate, for example, was £10).
We discovered La Trompette about five years ago and are wowed every time we go. I've only just seen that it has been awarded a Michelin star - fantastic and well deserved. Terrific service, lovely menu, super ambience. Love the place!
by britzkiwi, 06 Feb 2008Having dined so many times in the past few years and also recently at a friend's 60th Birthday at La Trompette, I am amazed it has taken so long for it to get its Michelin star. This is the best restaurant in West London, as is its sommelier, Mattheu. It does not get much better anywhere else for food and wine in the UK. You will pay more for the location and decor, but here you pay for what's on your plate and in your glass as well as for classy service. Ignore the late arrival review, as no restaurant can please 100% of the time, and this is not typical of La Trompette. If you don't dine here, you will miss a real treat. Enjoy.
by Cameraman, 03 Feb 2008I've lived locally since 1989 and am really dedicated to La Trompette. The food is simply very good, reasonably priced and I'm told the wine list is great. My issue is dead simple: I booked and ran late, coming from the Opera House with two Royal Ballet members. We rang in regularly, explaining we were behind but the Eastern European staff member encouraged us to continue - this was entirely their error.
When we got there, all our coats were taken and we were moving to a table when the French manageress stormed up to us, refused us the table, forced us to our coats and ejected us. I said we'd warned 3+ times en route, were only 5 minutes over time as it turned out (itself unspecified until then) and she relented (!) by offering the three of us "a little cheese".
In effect, we were thrown out, humiliated in front of a restaurant plainly still 100% in full swing, and the staff refused to admit their own complicity in having created the entire problem. We could have eaten late easily in Covent Garden at Sheekeys or elsewhere, as Royal Ballet folk get respect, especially post a first night. In W4, you get shown a wet street on a Bank Holiday, your coat handed back and frankly offensive passive-aggressive abuse from the manageress. I wrote carefully to Bruce Poole but with him now being a rich, important restaurateur, he wrote a pretty offhand and vague reply. That's what you get for being a regular of his from Day 1. Good on you, Bruce...
POSTSCRIPT: Further to my complaint to La Trompette, I have written to Nigel Platts-Martin and Bruce Poole simply to discuss the issue. They refuse to reply. It is odd that the cooking industry is now an aristocracy of haughty omeletteers. Bring back the Berni Inn, pineapple rings and a tangy prawn cocktail. At least the staff towed the line!
The staff at La Trompette were deeply in the wrong, unprofessional and their French manageress was unpleasant to us all. My girlfriend, A Royal Ballet principal, was left in tears. As even these media chef heroes know, the Royal Ballet is the world's finest company and ruthlessly difficult. Perhaps La Trompette could train their booking staff accordingly?
Why do seasoned professionals such as these grand restaurateurs refuse, when faced with shameful facts, to even address my complaint? They ruined an important evening casually and I surely deserve some reply.
One of the best restaurants in London...is in Chiswick. Talk to the sommelier - one of the best anywhere and very friendly with it.
by LucaJJ (2 reviews), 09 May 2006Good restaurant with nice starter. The service was slow and the main course took over an hour and was undercooked and tasteless. This was quite disappointing as the starter and wine was delicious.
by Ellen4526, 02 May 2006Very nice simple but very good restaurant in a little Chiswick backstreet. Very good service and a great sommelier. Will definitely go back. tom
by THomasw (2 reviews), 05 Apr 2006I have eaten here for lunch on a few occasions and the standard is always consistently high. The duck, egg and root vegetable starter is gorgeous and highly recommended. The waiters are very knowledgeable on which wine to have, and I have never been disappointed.
by USHI, 25 Jan 2006Speaking as a lowly West Londoner I couldn't be more thrilled that La Trompette is out here. You're not exactly short of good restaurants in Central London - it seems only fair that we should have the best!
I first visited the week it opened and have been back probably on average once a month since. It has rarely disappointed.
Best proper French restaurant in London, busy, great wine selection with waiters helping select the perfect wine with the meal, excellent food and atmosphere. Only negative is that it's all the way in Chiswick and not more central... priced at £50 pp with wine.
by Reesh, 20 May 2005Have we missed a great restaurant in London? Let us know.
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