The Wolseley, Mayfair

I'm really surprised at the other reviews - this is one of my favourite restaurants in London. There's no question that it's often very busy, but I've been able to walk in on many occassions without any problems and have also booked tables online in advance.

The service is fantastic; really friendly, and never pretentious even though they get a lot of celebrity customers (Dominic Cooper was at the table next to me one night).

They have a great menu, most of the French dishes are very well done, and they have very affordable options for a nice lunch - the salads and burgers are great.

The atmosphere is also wonderful - the restaurant is located in an old luxury car dealership and the interiors are quite grand. I think it's a must for anyone visiting London.

If you are an unknown customer to The Wolseley restaurant's staff don't bother, don't go there!!!!

they will give you the worst seat, table, and service possible, on pretext they don't know you or they will had giving you a better table (true it happen 2 days ago) yes there not at a Private club !!!

if you require to move they will insist they overbooked, stay a while you will notice that is not so.

So I refuse to seat on the front of the toilet door and went on to a nearby more establish restaurant.

Although I was there a month ago as a guest of one of their regular client, the wannabe french food is average, service lack of attention and its extremely noisy.

In my view one of those restaurant in London who's enjoyed putting the high price (just so to give themselves an image and benchmark) they live and survive on a fragile fuzz!!

Bottom line, for that price, and not to be disappointed go to a more "long establish" restaurant who will charge you same price, but not to use it trying to prove themselves.

Brekfast items such as poached eggs, tomatoes, bacon pre-cooked and showing dry-ness on surface . Toast hardly toasted and had to be returned for replacement.

Would have a better cooked breakfast in a transport cafe but as long as people are prepared to go to the Wolseley and eat there - as we did for the experience - things are not likely to change. A very disappointing place.

Very over rated

Unfortunately..... An extremely disappointing evening meal was had at the supposedly excellent Wolseley!!!

At first the environment and the reception seemed as expected....Then.... Well we were sure all staff members were either vampires or their familiars! Imagine a scene from 'Blade'. The setting was great and reminded me very much of Grand Central Station, NY. But this proved to be a little over whelming due to the huge amount of random noise...i.e tray dropping glasses smashing. We could very easily have been in a Station eating station cafe food...

This leads me to the main reason for being there, not to be seen, but to eat.....

Well what a laugh! I have never in my life experienced food like it. It was the worst I have ever, ever known. Ummm where to start. The safe option of the goat's cheese starter was basic, very basic, dry, boring and the potted shrimps had been potted last century. I think an Aberdeen Angus Steak house could have done better with the rib eye steak and 'McDonalds' Fries!!! The Skate was not too bad but it had been presented upside-down!!!! well after I had realised that all the meat, what there was of it, was on the underside it tasted OK, just OK at least the creamed mash was creamed.

The wine was great a Gavi Gavi the (house) champagne was standard. Although when asked for a couple of glasses of house fizzy, they presented us with a Billicart Salmon Rose, which I add, is my preferred fizzy. I asked if this was the house they said yes, only to have the glasses whipped from us and replaced with the actual house fizzy, a Pommerey. OK so they got it wrong but.... I was lucky to keep my right arm. Especially in this particular vamp. environment.

Umm the waiters!!!!! well as I said vampires definitely, vague and really if you do not want to work serving customers in a social environment then stay in your coffin, please.

A total eye opener to what people think is cool.

I think not, thank you, ever again.

Just thought I should let you guys know as I wish I had.

Roisin