Restaurant Review - 1

NNTP-Posting-Date: Tue, 04 Dec 2001 22:32:15 GMT
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Xref: usenet.INS.cwru.edu uk.food+drink.restaurants:4438

I have been out and about again and felt that I should inflict my findings on you - after all some of you may be able to dine in the same places.

Anyway just over a week ago Saturday evening was spent in Dover Street Restaurant, which can be found in Dover Street, just off Piccadilly in London.

The place is a basement restaurant and it provides entertainment in the form of a jazz band every evening.  We were a party of seven and arrived at about 9pm with the first set scheduled for 10:30pm.  It was full and not surprisingly a number of parties were in evidence - the Xmas party season was just about to get underway and others were there for a birthday party as were we.

My personal choice commenced with an excellent carpaccio of beef which another couple of our table had also chosen.  The other selections were also commented upon positively.

My choice for the main course was medallions of venison and here I probably made a mistake asking for it to be cooked medium rare.  Two friends decided to have it rare and whilst mine was good, it looked as though the two more lightly cooked versions were even better.  Around the rest of the table there was a mixture of fish and other meat being consumed and all regarded as excellent.

I ended with cheese which was not particularly outstanding.

Overall however the quality was excellent and when one considers the pressure on the kitchen and staff arising from the large numbers being served the standard was very good.  Serving staff were attentive and obviously used to coping with numbers without difficulty in a noisy environment.

The band played two sets, although not particularly jazzy in my opinion, and we departed at around 1:30 am.  Most of the party spent a fair bit of the time on the dance floor (or in one case falling into the band).

Bill including service charge, tips and alcohol totalled about £65 each and I reckon that as that included the entertainment it was well worthwhile.