Which hyped restaurants have you found underwhelming?

[Kickinthenostalgia]

Went to happy restaurant london today and I just didn’t get the hype. It was okay as far as restaurants go, but I just found it a little underwhelming considering the hype it gets. DP, DS and my sister absolutely love it, they’ve been about 4 times, dd has been twice, she told me she prefers hard rock and tbh I have to agree with her.
what restaurant hypes did you find underwhelming?.

Nando’s. Mind you, I am vegetarian so not the target market.

Any of Jamie Oliver's restaurants, found independents with a better menu for much less money instead of paying for his name.

Another vote for Sketch! The food was rubbish and I found the staff quite rude.

It’s hardly surprising

I forgot Tattu, we went to the one in Edinburgh, the most over priced pretentious shite ever. Seriously overpriced and they really don't like it when you leave a review on Trip Advisor saying food is just meh but the bill is huge, they get very snotty in their response. Wouldn't go back if you paid me, but then again not sure I am their target audience, as don't do the Insta....!

😂

‘modern day harvester for those with notions’

love it! I think that describes a lot of these chains.

I agree.
I love going to the Harvester.

The Ivy, Edinburgh. Quite underwhelming, though very pretty.

I think there’s a real problem with this. So much marketing and hype goes into these restaurants.

im sure that before social media, restaurants gained their reputation through word of mouth.

I went to an Italian in London recently ( forget the name!) which has gone viral on TikTok. A friend suggested it but I wasn’t aware of it.

because I wasn’t aware of the hype I had a perfectly nice meal and the surroundings were gorgeous. I think I like it more because I wasn’t aware of the hype.

it was basically a good Italian in London. I can see why it might be someone’s favourite place.

but I would have been disappointed if I’d waited for 3 months. I’d want Fat duck style food for that kind of wait!

otherwise it’s just a good local restaurant.

I think a lot of the most popular London restaurants are popular with teens and early 20’s. It’s less about the food and more about the vibe.

@ADHDandtakeaway For as long as I’ve been going to high end restaurants, there have been guides informing you of what you might expect and standard of cooking. We would never ever choose on instagram or info from random people with little experience of food and even less of quality food. If I’m paying a lot, I choose very carefully. I’ve never been disappointed. However I’m not measuring against a whacking great plate of roast dinner (I do the best!) or regional cafes for people on a modest budget. These places deserve support and I’m not knocking them. However most people do not research the food, the chef and what the restaurant is about. It’s wonderful to have top chefs cooking for you and we pride ourselves in supporting up and coming ones. Instagram doesn’t feature.

I’m sure you do. I don’t make my restaurant choices from social media either which is why I’d never heard of the restaurant I’m talking about.

but the post is about over hyped restaurants. They are for the most part middle of the road glorified chains, but have waiting lists longer than most Michelin starred places.

it builds an expectation for people that this is going to be the best food ever, so little wonder people are a bit underwhelmed.

while you may be too old to be influenced by social media- lots of young people are. There’s been a similar impact on tourism with people queuing to get that one picture at the Trevi fountain when there are many more beautiful places that are empty

@ADHDandtakeaway I get London recommendations from
my 30 plus year old DD. She’s absolutely not influenced by insta photos. Her and boyfriend like the best new chefs and research. They don’t always recommend places DH and me would like (Humble Chicken for example) but other places they have visited are spot on. I agree completely about middle of the road rubbish but people only have themselves to blame. Michelin recommended usually is a reliable guide too. Plus some very good restaurants only open bookings for 3 months at a time.

Humble Chicken is great, actually. You should go!

We've actually found some amazing recs from Instagram, but it's about following the right accounts. Lots of up and coming small places, though, not the Big Mama type places.

@user58643296 Ha!! Appreciate what they do, just wasn’t sure it was “us”. DD and boyfriend love it! My concern about Insta is that people go to be seen and to post photos but aren’t bothered about the food, whereas I am.

Petrus was one of the best meals we've ever had too. Friendly staff, relaxing service, great food

La Gavroche (now closed) and Bob Bob Ricard.
Food disappointing and no atmosphere in either restaurant.

I'm surprised to see this mentioned as somewhere that was ever expected to be good!

Its main selling point is outside seated drinking space (for the rare sunny days), in an area that doesn't have much of that.

Oooh yes, Galvin @ Windows. I was so looking forward to it. They sat us by the toilet and then brought the first course before our cocktail. Service was bad. And food totally average. We did complain

Funny isn’t it. How my experience was so underwhelming and yours was so good. Just shows you, front of house matter!