First time in my life I’ve felt the need to warn others of a completely disgusting, over priced, disaster of a dinner from start to finish at this restaurant. Our family only get together from around the globe once in 10 years so you can imagine how much we were all looking forward to it.

We rang the restaurant twice to make sure of the arrangements and informed them twice that we would be slightly late as two of our family were delayed flying in from America. Imagine the shock at being greeted by the most rude, ignorant, arrogant waiter screeching and shouting angrily at the top of his voice, in my daughter’s faces, that he was just going to give our table away as we were 15 minutes late! The poor young waitress behind him was mortified with embarrassment.

We were seating in a dimly lit side section and ignored as much as possible for the whole meal by the staff. We had to ask for menus and then they reluctantly found 3 between 6 of us.

Every fish dish we ordered was finished (at 8pm on a Saturday night?) and as the lady taking the orders was unable to hear us, and appeared very irritable, we had to make do with hastily chosen replacements.

The food finally arrived in stages, all with the waiter’s thumb stuck in the dishes. The veal was burnt black underneath (what sort of a chef would have allowed it out of their kitchen?), the steaks cold, no garnish, no vegetables even though the menu said they were included, no offer of bread rolls, we were all so embarrassed and subdued we ate in silence except for twice having to ask for vegetables as though we were in a macabre production of Oliver. A bowl of cold broccoli was eventually brought, followed 10 minutes later, after another request, by a decent bowl of new potatoes, shame as we had all finished our food and they were clearing the table. Can’t comment on the deserts or coffee as we couldn’t wait to get out as quickly as possible. The only entertainment was watching diners at other tables complain!

Mick's review is very interesting to read. It must be noted that the review (and response) I posted below here was not "made up". The proprietors should note - properly - that in fact "staff" were absolutely fine, as was said explicitly in my review. Staff were never the problem. People should know that, in fact, on our way out of our dismal experience - having indeed declined the huge 12.5% "service" charge - we decided to tip personally in cash the two female waitresses: because they actually performed excellently and politely. I did not "make up" my response: the problem that caused this response was the owners. Two surly, bored, angry males. They need either to get another job, or sell the place, or realise that they are mistaken. Being cross and impolite and monosyllabic ("is this wine good?" "yes." "does it go with this fish well?" "yes. Is good.") does not behove what a restaurant actually is. It is obvious - patently - that in fact they have no knowledge (as other reviews about the distinction between types of fish prove) about food or restauranting. Probably inherited it, and hate it, but have no training or interest in moving on. Think about it guys. We're not "making it up. This is real.

I should have added that there should be a no starrating option!

Lets deal with this so called review from the view of the proprietors, I clearly remember this table.1. The Sea Bass we offer are the best line caught wild bass , not some inferior farmed version and this is clearly stated on the blackboard with a small supplement charge of an extra three pounds to cover the market price for this superior fish, the customer sent their fish back having tried a tiny morsel from the tail section, the thinnest part of the fish , there was nothing wrong with the fish it was cooked on the point actually, but it was replaced in any event.2. We make our lobster sauce in house every day , how can a wet sauce be dry?3. How can this person comment on seeing a dish at another table and report here that it was crisp and dry?4. The service charge is 12.5% the average for quality restaurants in London, perhaps these people should get out more.5. We offer a two course a la carte fresh menu for 19.95 plus blackboard specials hardly expensive! We are very proud of our cooking and our buying is daily and sparkling fresh,hardly dull in fact the opposite. Unfair, pathetic review, we suggest your readers come and try for themselves they will not be disappointed.

oops, Regatta. If you "get cross" with your customers - like Colin here - you break the fundamental rule of restauranting. Oops. Um. Think?

my language was accurate and articulate. and "no", i did NOT use any such language in our dealings with staff. we were shocked from the get-go. we were polite and tolerant - indeed, most of the time we were silent, stunned - of the rude and inconsiderate nature of the male staff. if they want to do another job, they should go do it. ridiculously ineffective. please: re-think your restaurant. (it's obviously the staff who've posted the objectioning reviews here). just re-think it. make it better. it's NOT hard to be polite.

What an inaccurate review of what is without doubt one of the best eating out establishments in London.

Please read all the other reviews and make your own mind up on visiting this great restaurant clearly these people have other another hidden agenda in writing this rubbish !!

The proof of the pudding is in the eating......... I strongly suggest to all foodies that you try out Regatta especially the Wild Sea Bass I chose on a packed out Saturday last , under -pressure and with a full house the staff could not have been more attentive and the food was simply perfect.
Oh I loved the music selection some vintage Sinatra and jazz piano
Well done Regatta !!

May 2010 your review was totally in-line with our dismall experience in October 2011 - nothing has changed - the male staff are incredibly rude. We rang the restaurant twice to make sure of the arrangements and informed them twice that we would be slightly late as two of our family were delayed flying in from America. Imagine the shock at being greeted by the most rude, ignorant, arrogant waiter screeching and shouting angrily at the top of his voice, in my daughter’s faces, that he was just going to give our table away as we were 15 minutes late! The poor young waitress behind him was mortified with embarrassment.

We were seating in a dimly lit side section and ignored as much as possible for the whole meal by the staff. We had to ask for menus and then they reluctantly found 3 between 6 of us.

Every fish dish we ordered was finished (at 8pm on a Saturday night?) and as the lady taking the orders was unable to hear us, and appeared very irritable, we had to make do with hastily chosen replacements.

The food finally arrived in stages, all with the waiter’s thumb stuck in the dishes. The veal was burnt black underneath (what sort of a chef would have allowed it out of their kitchen?), the steaks cold, no garnish, no vegetables even though the menu said they were included, no offer of bread rolls, we were all so embarrassed and subdued we ate in silence except for twice having to ask for vegetables as though we were in a macabre production of Oliver. A bowl of cold broccoli was eventually brought, followed 10 minutes later, after another request, by a decent bowl of new potatoes, shame as we had all finished our food and they were clearing the table. Can’t comment on the deserts or coffee as we couldn’t wait to get out as quickly as possible. The only entertainment was watching diners at other tables complain and send their food back as it was cold. The cost ? £35 per head which included 1 cheap quality bottle of red wine between us all. Never again!