John Walsh's review of Arbutus (The Independent)
Giles Coren's review of Arbutus (The Times)
Arbutus reviews
My food would have been OK (nothing exceptional) but was over-salted. I even tried my partner's starter and main course, and they were over-salted as well. But to add insult to injury, when I complained about the salt I was met with a sarcastic reply: "I hope your dessert is not going to be too salty, sir"... The desserts, by the way, were about as good as any bought-in ones from your local pizzeria. One Michelin star? You must be joking!!
by the chef, 03 May 2008Surprisingly poor. The food was good but not great - starter salad ordered by a friend was really not great at all. The most disappointing aspect was the dreadful service - warm champagne at the bar topped up from a second bottle, we had to ask twice for a menu (seriously!), 4 times for bread, repeatedly for water and wine. We were asked to move from the table to the bar for coffee by the matire d', even though there was no second seating at our table; eventually the waiter asked why we were moving and we told him that we had been asked to! I have never ever had such poor service in a reputedly good restaurant.
by BarbaraLondon, 10 Mar 2008Thoroughly average, like many other restaurants - it completely blurs in with them. Food was boring and not particularly tasty.
by cystalhaze "top london reviewer" (20 reviews), 06 Oct 2007After having 2 great lunches had a very hit and miss affair on Sunday early evening. Both mains were bland and underseasoned - the bavette of beef especially, which I was really suprised at (the other was the Elwy lamb). The service, apart from the female maitre d', was fairly solemn. Perhaps not the very good value that it had previously seemed.
by putney1, 11 Jun 2007Without doubt the best restaurant I have eaten at in London. Good service (not overly fussy or pretentious), excellent, simple food that's well cooked and presented, and great prices too. A lively and quality restaurant, without reservation. Go!
by shorty12345 (2 reviews), 30 Apr 2007I can't understand why the people below went to this restaurant. It's clearly not about pretentious service, but honest, relaxed and quality food. I thought the food was excellent and the place had it just right, even if the staff are a bit unshaven.
by BenjaminSpeed, 15 Mar 2007I've had to rate this restaurant badly, not because of the food, but because of the service (after all, it's the overall impression that counts). For a restaurant so applauded, I couldn't believe how we were treated.
Our party of five snaffled down the delicious starters, then came the main course. It all looked good. My partner and his father both ordered the slow-roasted beef risotto. My father-in-law's beef was deliciously tender and fell apart with the help of a fork; my partner's, however, was tough as old boots. When he complained he was spoken to in a condescending tone and asked if he would like to order anything else, since he didn't like the dish itself. He explained that it wasn't the dish, but the meat quality and inconsistency between servings. We were told that if he re-ordered the same dish, he might run the risk of 'this happening again"! So annoyed was my partner with the way the manager patronised him, it put him off his food and he didn't order anything else.
A good test of a great restaurant is how they deal with a problem, and I am sorry to say Arbutus failed miserably.
We waited at least 5 minutes before being greeted (but not seated - that took longer). Our table was on the same side as the entrance, which was a big draughty mistake. Some of the staff had a language and charm problem, though others were more helpful. First courses were fine. For our main course my daughter and I chose 'bavette de boeuf', which was lean, very rare and totally tough. My husband declared himself extremely happy with his rabbit and the veal was also good, even if the presentation could have been livened up.
In all, we didn't think we would return. But to give credit where it is due, on complaining about the beef it was taken off the bill.
Definitely one to keep - great value set menu, with something for everyone (except veggies); interesting ingredients done justice and nothing overdone. I've read excellent reviews of this place and feared it would be aiming for Michelin grandness - nothing of the sort, just good food, good wine and a good time had by all.
by Anonymous, 13 Jan 2007Absolutely superb! Interesting combinations, great presentation, informal, not up it's own arse, not overpriced, and amazing food!
by Anonymous, 16 Nov 2006The staff are very friendly, and the atmosphere good. The food is above average but not superb (I found it a bit too heavy). Sweets were rather bland - we had to go to the nearby French cake place later to reach a point of satisfaction!
by Miss Babyface (2 reviews), 07 Aug 2006Have we missed a great restaurant in London? Let us know.
Stuart PhillipsCovent Garden »
JLTFitzrovia »
MichaeljohnMayfair »
