Never again.

Rating - Overall: 1  Food: 1  Service: 1  Ambience: 2

skytte
Rookie Reviewer
Member since Mar 10
Rating: 0

8 Mar 2010

Honestly, I am shocked that the restaurant is still going. Not much has changed since Jay Rayner reviewed the restaurant in 2006. My friend and I had food in the downstairs Brasserie around three a clock on a Sunday. On the menu were three choices, mushroom tart, beef burger and a fish dish. I had the beef burger (£10.50) and my friend had the mushroom tart (£9.50). I really don't mind if the menu consist of a few but high quality dishes but the price was the only extraordinary about the dishes, they were both bland and boring. The tart was too dark and dry (reheated in the oven for too long?) and my beef burger was undercooked. The side salad was a heap of lettuce leaves without any dressing. Service was very poor and staff had to be called over by us to give us some service. After the meal our plates were removed in complete silence despite my plate displaying a heap of undercooked meat. It would have been nice if the waitress had asked us if our meals were ok. We also ordered coffees but they never got around to serve us. Staff seemed busy polishing cutlery completely ignoring the customers. We got up after half an hour wait for our coffees and went to pay at the till (we could probably have walked out without paying and no one would have noticed!). After we left we noticed that they had charged us for the coffees and we went back. The manager was called to refund our money. He didn’t offer an apology which we would have appreciated and also showed no signs of regret when I told him that we decided to buy our coffee somewhere else because staff seemed to think that polishing cutlery was more important than attending to the customers. Also we had to specifically tell the manager to refund us the service charge which was £0.85. All in all, the lunch was very disappointing.

Visited: January 7, 2010
What I ate: Beef burger

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a lovely evening

Rating - Overall: 4  Food: 4  Service: 4  Ambience: 4

Piglet
Foodie
Member since Jan 09
Rating: 1

5 Jan 2009

I had eaten "upstairs" in the posh bit before and this time four of us decided to try our luck downstairs. The atmosphere was buzzing and it was alive with Christmas parties. The staff were brilliant and fully of energy although they must have been exhausted! Disappointed that there was no bread left as it had "all been eaten by the lunchtimers!" but we were treated to complimentary olives and nuts instead.

Our food arrived quickly and was delicious. So refreshing to see seasonal ingredients on the menu (eg game casserole) rather than strawberries in December! We will definitely be returning - a nice evening that is affordable but still a treat and you get a chance to eat dishes that you wouldn't bother to create at home.

Visited: December 14, 2008
What I ate: salmon

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Great leisurely organic dinner

Rating - Overall: 5  Food: 5  Service: 5  Ambience: 4

freiny
Foodie
Member since Oct 08
Rating: 1

4 Jan 2009

My colleagues and I enjoyed a lovely, leisurely Christmas dinner at Bordeaux Quay's Brasserie in December - we had a three course organic dinner with drinks to follow and didn't feel hurried by waiting staff to move on at all - so much so we went to the upstairs bar for cocktails afterwards! The staff were happy to accommodate dietary requirements (non-dairy) and the food was delicious. Bordeaux Quay is a relaxed place and you know you will be getting local, seasonal, organic produce of a high quality so food is always delicious - a great treat.

Visited: December 18, 2008
What I ate: Turkey with seasonal vegetables

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Leisurely lunch with the kids

Rating - Overall: 5  Food: 5  Service: 4  Ambience: 5

kiera
Rookie Reviewer
Member since Oct 08
Rating: 0

30 Dec 2008

We've eaten here a couple of times before and the food is always excellent. The choice can seem limited, but this is because of their ethos of trying to provide local, seasonal foods. I love it because it makes me try new dishes and helps me decide quicker! Staff were very friendly and helpful from booking on the telephone and throughout the meal. However, the service did seem slow on this visit, but it was very busy. Perhaps they weren't expecting the crowds that appeared?

Duck liver pate, wild mushroom risotto and bitter choc mousse were all perfect, as was the sizable slow roasted lamb with winter veg for £5 that my three-year-old daughter tucked into. She wolfed down savoy cabbage for the first time ever! Loved the bread and water too. They were very accomodating with the kids, giving us a nice big table with plenty of space and Tripp Trapp highchair for my 8-month-old son, plus colouring stuff and baby toys. Dedicated baby-changing and a quiet spot for breast-feeding too if you like.

Over all? Fantastic food. Slow, but good service. Will keep on coming back!

Visited: December 29, 2008
What I ate: Duck liver pate, wild mushroom risotto, bitter choc mousse

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The Brasserie

Rating - Overall: 5  Food: 5  Service: 5  Ambience: 5

Rachel
Rookie Reviewer
Member since Dec 08
Rating: 0

30 Dec 2008

Having been for a walk on a cold December day we decided to try the Brasserie for lunch having had such a good experience in the restaurant.

A very different atmosphere - far more laid back and relaxed, child friendly. A lovely meal. One slight disappointment was the rather small starter (maybe I'm greedy!) Service was very good, staff very pleasent and helpful and we even bought some bread from the deli.

Visited: December 27, 2008
What I ate: stilton and walnut bruscetta and game casserole

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over rated

Rating - Overall: 3  Food: 3  Service: 3  Ambience: 2

denise20
Rookie Reviewer
Member since Dec 08
Rating: 0

17 Dec 2008

I was also disspointed with this expensive restaurant, although the salmon was pretty good, it was by no means up to the price tag.

Drinks were also expensive and I wasn't a big fan of the desserts.

Won't be visiting again

Visited: June 5, 2008
What I ate: buffet menu

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Hungry and skint

Rating - Overall: 2  Food: 3  Service: 1  Ambience: 4

dlewis
Rookie Reviewer
Member since Dec 08
Rating: 0

16 Dec 2008

I was very dissapointed when I went to this brasserie. Although the atmosphere was good and I liked the building, the food was expensive and comes in very small portions. I left hungry and will not be returning. The service was also poor.

Visited: September 19, 2008
What I ate: Quiche and salad (about two fork's worth!)

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Sunday lunch!

Rating - Overall: 4  Food: 5  Service: 5  Ambience: 3

gonzalez79
Rookie Reviewer
Member since May 08
Rating: 2

16 Dec 2008

I chose to take my Mum there for Sunday lunch. we both had lamb and shared a pudding. The food was very good....even the complimentary bread to start was some of the best i'd tasted in a long while. The only down side is that the wine list is rather expensive. The service was excellent (having waited on tables for years, it's something I will always pick up on). All in all a very nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon with my Mum! Try it

Visited: October 6, 2008
What I ate: Roasted Lamb

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Pleasant, informal evening

Rating - Overall: 4  Food: 4  Service: 4  Ambience: 4

brischica
Rookie Reviewer
Member since Oct 08
Rating: 1

16 Dec 2008

I visited the brasserie on Friday night with a group of friends. There was a nice informal atmosphere - not too stuffy or pretentious. The food was good and service was very quick. I would recommend it as a good place to go in a medium-sized group.

Visited: December 12, 2008

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Good for a party

Rating - Overall: 4  Food: 3  Service: 3  Ambience: 4

Chowdown
Foodie
Member since Oct 08
Rating: 3

24 Oct 2008

I came here for my birthday and it was ideal - There were in total about 12 of us, everyone arriving at different times and the Brasserie was idea for this sort of scenario. About 8 of us ate at the same time using our Invitation card to save a bit, with the rest coming and going, some eating, some not. There is no pressure here as it's the sort of place where you can stay all evening enjoying the atmosphere and music as well as the food. The food itself is not the main affair, choice is limited but maybe this has improved since then. Service is not that attentive but then again, we did not want fauning service and it's as easy to order drinks at the bar.Having said that, staff were very friendly and accomodating, bringing out the food as the guests arrived. Well done, we will be back soon.

Visited: March 14, 2008

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Excellent food and service

Rating - Overall: 4  Food: 4  Service: 4  Ambience: 4

Lena
Foodie
Member since Sep 08
Rating: 1

12 Sep 2008

Bordeaux Quay never fails to wow me-the staff are friendly but knowledgeable and seem to genuinely care that you have a good experience with them, the food and wine is always excellent even if a bit pricey!

We took a guest with work to dinner and they made us cocktails that were not on the menu, matched wine to our excellent food and were attentive, funny and friendly.

Visited: August 8, 2008
What I ate: Salad for starter, duck for main

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Awful Food

Rating - Overall: 1  Food: 1  Service: 1  Ambience: 2

Matey
Rookie Reviewer
Member since Sep 08
Rating: 0

12 Sep 2008

Service is very poor food is below average limp rotten salad Twice. This was our second visit lots of staff running around not doing a lot the first visit was during their soft opening which wasnt that good we thought we would give them a second chance it was worse. I work hard to earn my money i wont be spending it here ever again. I had to ask for my drinks 3 times try it and i think you will agree with my review. Friends have tried the restaurant and found the service just as bad.

Visited: May 5, 2007
What I ate: Mini Burgers

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Lunch at Bordeaux Quay

Rating - Overall: 4  Food: 4  Service: 4  Ambience: 4

RWhite08
Connoisseur
Member since Jul 08
Rating: 3

12 Jul 2008

Initally drawn by Bordeaux Quay's green credentials, and promises of good quality food with minimum mileage, my expectations were more than met. Visiting at lunch time, we had both affordable food and brilliant quality. Additionally, I might add that the cakes here are absolutely brilliant- fresh, delicious and utterly tempting. The drinks on tap are also good- and feature local ciders. I have been here twice- once better than the other (but still very good). The only thing I'd say is it gets a bit noisy when it's busy, as it's one big space.

Visited: September 24, 2007

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Quay unlocks potential

Rating - Overall: 4  Food: 5  Service: 4  Ambience: 4

Dianesteak
Rookie Reviewer
Member since May 08
Rating: 5

3 Jul 2008

There's never been anything wrong with the cooking or the setting at BQ. In my previous visits, it's been the service that's been the weak link.

However, fortunes are changing, it seems and on last night's showing, the whole team ispulling in the same direction.

Dining with a food-loving Italian is always a good yardstick of a quality dining experience. I had warned Giani about the service but he soon wondered what the fuss was about.

The first courses arrived swiftly and were light and simple. The mains followed to interupt the conversation and the show-stopping puddings were were enough to make you talk all evening.

Bene!

Visited: July 3, 2008

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Mixed Experience at the Quay

Rating - Overall: 3  Food: 3  Service: 3  Ambience: 3

Matthew
Foodie
Member since Sep 08
Rating: 3

2 Jul 2008

My wife and I visited around 7.30pm, it was quite quiet when we arrived, we were given a pick of the tables. After being given the menu, it took around 10 to 15 minutes before we were asked for our drinks order, a little too long for my liking.

We ordered a starter and main, starters of Sardines, which were perfect, very well cooked and tasty, spot on. For mains my Wife ordered the pea and mint risotto, it was a little bland for both our liking, almost tasteless I'm afraid to say.

My Pork, although ample was very tough, I contemplated taking it back and I could see the Gent next to me struggling to cut his, and making the same noise about the dish.

The service by our waiter was after the short delay excellent, he was polite, mannerly and very good.

10% service is added as standard, I'd prefer this not be the case downstairs.

A mixed experience overall, worth another visit.

Visited: June 28, 2008

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Relaxing Evening

Rating - Overall: 3  Food: 4  Service: 2  Ambience: 4

SammyGirl
Foodie
Member since Sep 08
Rating: 6

22 May 2008

Visited the brasserie for the first time last night with 3 girlfriends. Service was very slow and we were asked if we wanted to see the dessert menu before we had even eaten our main course! oops! However, nice atmosphere, staff were slow but pleasent and good pretty good. A nice relaxing evening with a group of buddies!

Visited: May 21, 2008

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