myself and my wife had lunch on sat 6th august and to be honest it was a fabulous treat .
the staff were very friendly and ran like clockwork .
this is the first time we have eaten here and it now looks like its going to be a yearly treat .
i was a little bit worried before arriving as we havent dined somewhere as nice as this but within minutes i felt relaxed so well done to the staff for that .

My friends and I treated ourselves to lunch at The Ivy 8th July 2011.
Friendly and courteous staff looked after us from the moment we walked through the door. When we were shown from the bar area to the Dining Room there was a noticeable atmosphere and buzz about the place. Our table was waited on by 2 or 3 members of staff notably Simon who was exceptionally welcoming and helpful. The food was simply amazing and we enjoyed a fabulous bottle of red wine to accompany it. Afterwards we finished up by sampling some very tasty dessert wines. We all enjoyed the experience immensely and we can't wait to go back and sample some more delicious dishes from their regularly updated menus. Only downside - Wish it could be sooner rather than later! Kathy, Glyn and Jayne

My friends and I treated ourselves to lunch at The Ivy 8th July 2011.
Friendly and courteous staff looked after us from the moment we walked through the door. When we were shown from the bar area to the Dining Room there was a noticeable atmosphere and buzz about the place. Our table was waited on by 2 or 3 members of staff notably Simon who was exceptionally welcoming and helpful. The food was simply amazing and we enjoyed a fabulous bottle of red wine to accompany it. Afterwards we finished up by sampling some very tasty dessert wines. We all enjoyed the experience immensely and we can't wait to go back and sample some more delicious dishes from their regularly updated menus. Only downside - Wish it could be sooner rather than later! Kathy, Glyn and Jayne

I have NEVER written a review before, but am so angry and disappointed by the entire experience we had at 'the Ivy', that i wanted to help prevent others from wasting their money!
I recently went to 'the Ivy' to celebrate my Mother's birthday for Sunday lunch, accompanied by my husband and my father. Having been to 'the Ivy' 2 years ago, I was very excited about going back as we had previously had exceptional food. Unfortunately, there are few words adequate to describe our disappointment.
Firstly, after we had checked our coats in, we were left loitering at the door without being greeted by anyone. We were then shown to our table and presented with some delicious sounding menus. We were then asked, ten minutes later, if we were ready to place our order, and we said yes, and were then promptly told in a non-apologetic manner, all the things that weren't available, which of course happened to be the things we wanted. Our drinks were delivered, Cosmopolitans in the smallest glasses available in western society, and 2 beers. Then .... the assault of the food began .... out of 4 starters, one was raw and cold, one was cold, one was a joke [autumnal salad ... which consisted of a 70s-esque mess of limp leaves], and an adequate smoked salmon starter which cost £13 ... must have been salmon royalty. All plonked on the plate and the starter of mushroom risotto [stone cold] looked like a dog had been sick on a plate.
The main courses, 2 roast beef, 1 pork belly and 1 partridge. Partridge was fine, pork belly was distinctly average and tepid, and the pile of fat masquerading as beef, enormous and cold wet flannel yorkshire pudding, reheated potatoes and soggy vegetables with a pile of tasteless horseradish was one of the most disgusting things i've ever been served.
The service overall was surly and unfriendly, there seemed to be a general opinion among the waiting staff that they are too good for their jobs and whoever the clientele are, they are beneath them.

My family and I walked by the Ivy on our way back from shopping, and because we had theatre tickets to a theatre not so far away, he decided to give it a whirl and try and book a table for the next night... he and my sister both went into the Ivy and came out about 10 minutes later with a dinner reservation that was perfect for when we were going to the theatre. (We didn't have to book months in advance... just the day before). We really didn't completely know all the glitzy nature of the ivy, so we all went thinking it was just a normal dinner place.. It wasn't. The service was impeccable, they were polite, and everyone moved like clockwork. I had a Caesar salad to begin with, and it wasn't the best, for the lettuce was a little wilted, but it was still enjoyable and flavorful, i then had the scallops and a strip of pork for the main course, and with the pumpkin mash, it was absolutely delicious. Some of the best scallops I've ever had. The people around us were polite and very enjoyable to talk with, and we got to spend a lot of time just lounging and talking amongst each other, the waiters, and the people sitting at other tables. The restaurant was packed (still don't know how we got reservations a day in advanced...) and most of the food was delicious. My sister had the same dish i did, my father had the crab cake and my mother had the shrimp pasta. With 4 glasses of wine, and our dinner and appetizers, the whole sum of our dinner was 125 pounds, and we had a lot of food. And 4 people.
The Service- A+
The Atmosphere- A+
The food- A
The cost- B+

I would gladly go back.

Hmm not really sure what all the fuss is about. I've been on two seperate occasions now. The food is 'OK' I've had far better pub food. The decor is umm 'OK'. I really just do not see what the fuss is about. I suppose it's worth the experience but my tip is to not go expecting anything superb!

Took my Mum to The Ivy for her 70Th birthday. It was dreadful!

The tables are so close together that you are practically elbow to elbow with your neighbours (sadly ours were drunk and foul mouthed).

The food was disgusting, what a great 70th birthday treat that turned out to be.

The rest of the food was tasteless and unremarkable! I'm truly shocked that it was so bad and that our special night was a disaster!

went for my wife's birthday treat as a pre-theatre meal.

the service was impeccable, polite helpful waiters and all staff very courteous.

the food was first class and the service was prompt too.i would recommend this provided you can afford it!

Book well in advance and unless you are expecting the Ritz or tgi Friday you won't be disappointed.

i can only think that because of the reputation of the Ivy people expect something, god knows what - perhaps they should get a life!

Steve & Cathie