127-129 Parkway,
Camden,
London,
NW1 7PS
(020) 7388 3344
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York and Albany
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My husband who is a long serving fire-fighter at one of London's busiest fire stations was recently awarded a Ramsay Voucher via his work. My husband booked a table for us for 3pm Saturday 29 October 2011. We followed the directions provided on their website and allowed good time for delays and for the fact that I am heavily pregnant and can 'waddle a little slower' at the moment. We arrived at the restaurant a 3.06pm (6 minutes late). There were no staff to greet us immediately, however a well-mannered waitress passed us within a minute or so and asked if she could help. Whilst she was ticking us off the reservation list, what appeared to be a 'hostess' moved between us and the waitress, she ignored us and tutted, waggling her finger at the waitress saying "No. No. No!". We were puzzled how she could be so rude to her colleague when we realised she wasn’t criticising her colleague she was insulting us; ignoring us but instructing the waitress not to seat us as we were late. It was now only about 3.08pm. My husband asked what the problem may be and the 'hostess' curtly said without even making eye contact "What time did you book?". My husband confirmed 3pm. She then tutted again and said "3pm? Well you are late and the kitchen is now closed". I explained in a light hearted friendly manner that I am a little slower than usual walking as I am pregnant, and that we were only about 5 minutes late anyway; which is time that could have been swallowed up by us taking time looking at a menu anyway. There were several covers still left in the dining area who were still eating. My husband suggested if they could then contact one of their sister restaurants, who's kitchen was not closed, to see if they had availability and we would pop in a cab there. She completely ignored our request, and us, and reluctantly after speaking with her colleague said she would ask the chef if he would allow us to stay (??!) We both agreed that if the staff didn’t want to serve us and the chef
Service charge 12.5%.... Service appalling, seemed well staffed BUT busy doing nothing????? so what did we pay for???? Food ok.. A bit of a shake up needed. Will try again..maybe they were having an off day.
Really disappointed by our meal. Had booked a 9 pm table for my fathers birthday... we weren't seated until 9.50 pm, then had to wait a long time for menus / drinks etc (even though by that point in the evening it seemed as if the bulk of the orders were out of the way). Our starter did not arrive until 10.30 - 1.5 hours after our original booking time. The food was good but this was completely ruined by the fact we were all tense, hungry and irritable by the time it finally arrived. While the Maitre D did take a bottle of wine off the menu, I didn't feel she particularly apologetic about the situation. I certainly wouldn't return, even though I am a Primrose Hill local and have been for many years - there are a multitude of better places to have an enjoyable meal in the area.
I'm really looking forward to staying here next month – it will be a serious treat.Friends living in the Camden area say the York & Albany has become one of the best places to hang out - not crazy and noisy, like so many N. London bars.
From the moment we arrived to the moment we left was a delightfull experience, the food served by the head chef was top class and even had the pleasure of sitting at a table next to the kitchen pass, if the head chef keeps up this quality of food, and i am sure he will, it will not be long before he recieves the much sort after Michellin star. Every single member of staff could not be more pleasent/friendly which makes a pleasent change to some resturants i have been to in the past, this was the first time i have been to a Ramsey resturant and i now know what i have been missing, well worth a visit .
good god not another Gordon Ramsay restaurant.
Not only did we have the perfect table and outstanding food and service but had brief encounters with Angela and shook hands with Gordon himself; it made my partners birthday so special and one that's really going to be hard to top! The kitchen view table was just supreme, it was like a huge TV screen and we just loved every moment! Highly recommended!
Barbra Flanagan
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