Quaglinos

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 9 reviews

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16 Bury Street,
St James's,
London,
SW1Y 6AL

0872 148 4387
Note: Calls cost 10p per min plus network extras.

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Reviewer SunshineCT
06/01/2012
Quaglino's has been one of my favourite places for a very long time. When I lived in the UK no trip to London was without going to this stunningly designed trendy spot. This time I had to organise a dinner for my daughter and her boyfriend from 6000 miles away. No mean feat when even the bill had to be paid from South Africa. And Quaglino's once again did not disappoint. From the first call to Polina, to making all the finer detailed arrangements with the very helpful Tracey, they seemed to take any request I had in their stride and with the utmost efficiency. I asked for the barman to give my daughter a message when he handed them their welcome cocktails. Quaglino's took that to another level and produced a card - WOW. My daughter was so delighted she text-ed me immediately. Everything I asked for they went one step further. Fabulous service, glorious meal. Thank you Quaglino's team. Samantha and Oliver had the most exceptional night. You turned a simple belated Christmas present into a wonderful lasting memory. For that I will be forever grateful. I can't recommend this place enough. If you're in London and you want a night to remember, it has to be Quaglino's.
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Reviewer adipathy
07/03/2010
Had dinner here on 4 March 2010. First impression - the entrance was a clean space and a lady opens the glass door for us. Down the first flight of sweeping stairs we were greeted by a man with a clipboard and 4 waitresses waiting to take their customers. There was a coat cupboard manned by a very friendly bloke. Quite nice, but it was a wow that hit us when we saw the rest of the place. We were on the mezzanine level with the bar and a grand piano, and we were shown to our table down the next set of sweeping staircase. I think decor has improved since the last review on viewlondon.

We had tall black vases with large dusty pink orchid blooms, the neon roof was still there, but less oppressive somehow. And so are the black plastic chairs which I though were comfortable yet space saving. The place filled up quickly, and we were entertained by a singer and pianist combo. The food was not amazing, however, it was pleasing. Booking through an offer, the 3 course meal came to 27 pounds in total plus a glass of champagne thrown in. The starter of onion soup was pleasing, my rib steak was very nicely cooked but lack flavour, I also though the black olives in the sauce stood out uncomfortably. Dessert of crepe Suzette was so-so, but the strawberry ice-cream that came with it was delicious. We had a 2009 Argentinian malbecc for £24 which is a huge mark-up. Later we had cocktails in the bar area as we wanted to listen to the singer. The selection wasn't great but ok at 9 pounds each. Don't order off menu, they can't make a decent belini to save their lives! But the daiquiri I ordered was refreshing though a tad bit more rum would have made all the difference. All in all, I would go back but only at offer prices.
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Reviewer farknash
15/12/2008
Quaglino's, I was confidently assured at the pub beforehand, was once the favourite restaurant of Diana Spencer.

It was clear however that, in her absence, it would be up to me to see how the place was faring since it's heyday in the nineties. And it started quite badly.The website spiel should have read: "Quaglino's. Inception 1929. Reinvention by Terence Conran: 1991. Attempts at decoration since: 0" as our senses were assaulted by stone human sculptures complete with heads sprouting red roses, and everywhere; the all pervasive wash of blue neon.

Whilst the dining area, down a set of grand stairs was an impressive space, closer inspection of the black plastic chairs and white tablecloths (bladerunner blue courtesy of the neon effect) transported me back to '91 when my bedroom was bedecked in black and red and this was the pinnacle of cool.The food was better than the decor.

The starters were hit and miss - as much the service as the content. My fois gras was pretty insipid, and the scallops lacked bite. However, a steak tartare was full and feisty and a generous bowl of moules were rich, wholesome and, I was assured by my chum, delicious.Overcome with a sense of festiveness, I opted for the whole roast partridge which came with a rich and fragrant liver toast and pickly red cabbage.

The bird was well cooked and, served as it was to a man spurred on by his third glass of plonk, was reduced to a skeletal carcass in no time at all.Steaks and Lamb for my companions were enjoyed, though the service appeared unable to sort a 'slapped on the arse' from a 'burnt to a crisp' and compounded their errors by serving two plates with the added embelleshment of a thick, opulent long black hair. The head waiter was quick to offer redress and did so with grace.So: £45 each. Not bad nosh. Excellent company.
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Reviewer Anonymous
02/12/2008
I have now been to Quaglinos three times for various family celebrations. It has never been my choice, but my Brother-in-Law seems to believe that form triumphs over function.

Quaglinos appears to be a place where the patrons come to be seen, rather than to eat. Overly expensive food and drink matches some very poor service. The staff know what to do, but somehow they never seem to deliver.

In this last outing, a party of 13 of us were subjected to more than 3 hours of constantly asking for the next course or for the dishes to be cleared away. We had to pour our own drinks, though the staff were quick enough to open new bottles to add to the bill.

The food ranged from disappointing to inedible, although there wasn't any pattern to the problems. Some starters were excellent, while the mains were terrible and some starters were awful, but the mains were good.

All in all, for a venue that wants to be a haunt of the glitteratti, the only thing that is first class is the price. The bill was over £2K and the experience was definitely not worth half of that. But perhaps we were seen...
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Reviewer Anonymous
08/03/2007
Call me shallow but two of my favourite things in this world are cocktails and jazz, so when a good friend took me to Quaglinos I was a very happy man. A superb cocktail menu that's expertly mixed by the friendly barstaff is ofset beautifully by some lovely soothing jazz. Even if you only like one of these then head to Quaglinos as it does both exceptionally.
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Reviewer Anonymous
15/01/2007
I have visited Quaglinos several times over the last year and have always had an extremely enjoyable experience. The atmosphere in this restaurant is amazing, with the grand piano regularly being played, it creates an almost magical feeling.



The staff are friendly and helpful and the food is absolutely divine! I have never once been disappointed. I plan to visit Quaglinos again in February and I can't wait. I would recommend this restaurant to one and all, whether going as a couple or in a group. You won't be disappointed!
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Reviewer James Mottram
08/01/2006
After seeing a show we decided to visit Quagalino's. Prior to ordering drinks all coats were left on the back of chairs and never asked by the staff to be put aside.


Drinks were left at the bar and never offered again, I had to ask for the champagne then was expected to pour it myself and take it back to the bar, plus the side orders were missed even though the resturant was not even quarter full!p>
In total i ended up paying out £254.46 in less than one hour for eight main courses which were hardly up to standards although the fish was excellent. I do expect a standard and Quaglino's was way below par.

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Reviewer Cathy Bell
07/03/2005
I went for dinner at Quaglino's on Saturday 5th March 2005 with my twin sister - for our fortieth birthday. Our table was booked for 8pm but the service was so slow, we didn't get our starters 'til after 9pm. We ordered wine, which was served and then the bottle was taken away and put on ice somewhere out of sight. We kept having to ask for the wine to be served! We were certainly up for a celebration but I couldn't believe that no one came to refill our glasses. If they had been a bit more attentive, we might have been able to spend more money in their restaurant. The main course, I have to say, was inedible. Three of us selected the sirloin. It came out of the kitchen looking very rare but was so tough, we couldn't cut it. Overall, the restaurant was a complete disappointment. I would not recommend Quaglino's to anyone.
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Reviewer Anonymous
03/02/2005
I took my Mother and her twin sister for their 60th birthday celebratory lunch to Quaglinos. When you enter, the decor is sublime, absolutely French chic and modern. Fantastic marble stairwell with a piano and singer in the corner. We were met quite pleasantly. However, it went steeply downhill after that.

We waited about 20 minutes before we had to ask for our drinks, then had to ask for our order to be taken. Two dishes were cold, one undercooked. They took these away and brought back two burnt dishes. We had to ask for everything. The service was APPALLING. We were practically ignored. In fact, I was so fed up of being ignored, I requested the manager and explained exactly why I refused to pay the discretionary service charge (12.5%).

Funnily enough he agreed with my analysis. I would never recommend this place to anyone. The worst service I have ever received.

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