Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what’s the most overrated restaurant you’ve eaten at?

588 replies

Hairbrush123 · 19/11/2021 11:15

I think for me, it’s a restaurant called “Tattu”. They’re dotted all around the UK and was so excited to try it but the food was so average yet they charge £100+ for two people based on a starter and main HmmConfused. Everyone who I know has been there absolutely loved it so maybe it’s just DP & I!

What’s the most overrated restaurant you’ve been to?

OP posts:
MrsToothyBitch · 19/11/2021 12:14

Biggest disappointment of a restaurant: Joe Allen's. Naff, flavourless food and it's a glorified TGI Friday's- which I hate anyway.
Runner up: Salieris in London which I thought was great the first time but we had a grim follow up meal there.
Worst chain: Prezzo.

My local Ask is really nice! They've really upped their game! Similarly, I've always had a nice time and a nice meal at The Ivy- including the Wimbledon one mentioned by @DoubleHelix79. There are quite a few chains I would agree are over priced and a bit underwhelming but not really bad enough for me not to go- I just tend to only go if someone else chooses them.

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 19/11/2021 12:15

I think most mid-range chains are shite: Jamie's, Carluccio's etc. If I'm going for a chain, I'd rather eat somewhere cheap and cheerful like Nandos, where you know exactly what you'll get and won't be ripped off.

catwithflowers · 19/11/2021 12:16

Ah, we've always had lovely food at the Gavroche. It's one of my favourite restaurants. Also been to Gordon Ramsey, Hospital Road and had good food there too and don't remember it being snooty. Nice food and service at Wisharts too 😶

I agree with Man Behind The Curtain though. The kids took us as a treat and we were definitely underwhelmed. The service was shocking, so inexperienced, young staff standing chatting and laughing behind the bar while we were trying to get their attention. Also some of the food was lovely but some was definitely not. 'Fish and chips' served in squid ink that turned everyone's teeth and lips jet black, I'm looking at you. Definitely not a funny gimmick. The place had recently opened when we went years ago so I hope its improved now as Michael O' Hare seems like a nice guy.

beguilingeyes · 19/11/2021 12:17

Chains are always going to be very average though aren't they? Having said that Wagamama and Pizza Express are reliable. Especially if you're away from home.
I've had some amazing meals in London from greasy spoons upwards (Wong Kei FTW) and I can't think of any that have been massively disappointing. Couple of mediocre afternoon teas. The Goring, I'm looking at you.

Ghoulette · 19/11/2021 12:17

Just left a review for the place I was talking about, decided to check out the other reviews... only to see the restaurant replying with shitty comments to anyone who leaves negative feedback.

Such gems as "Everyone must love our bad quality of food and love paying for the price then !!" and "I guess for the last 10 years customers must love our ‘antipathic’ service and ‘horrible’ food to keep coming back !"

Baby Buddah in Norwich for anyone curious. Who the fuck do they think they are?

LetHimHaveIt · 19/11/2021 12:19

'The Hand & Flowers'. About a foot between the tables. Omelette too baveuse. No vegetarian options and the request for one was treated as being massively outré and unreasonable.

SprayedWithDettol · 19/11/2021 12:20

Hand and Flowers in Marlow a few years ago. Appalling service (not clearing one course before serving the next and then getting shirty when we asked them to remove plates), some of the food was so salty it was inedible, glasses piled high on the bar area as you walk in. This is a 2star restaurant and the bill was a few hundred £ for 3 people. We haven’t been back.
I think they have refurbished since we went, but still a big no from us Tom.

Gliblet · 19/11/2021 12:21

Barbecoa, the Jamie Oliver place at St Paul's. Good food, but I'm not convinced it was worth the cost - they were charging for 'amazing' and it was definitely nice but it was basically steak, chips and broccoli...

lawandgin · 19/11/2021 12:22

@beguilingeyes Won Kei is amazing, especially when the staff start shouting at the customers 😂

LetHimHaveIt · 19/11/2021 12:22

@SprayedWithDettol - Ooooo! Snap!

Porthia · 19/11/2021 12:22

Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone, London.

Was the celeb place to be seen at the time. Talk about style over substance!!! Extremely expensive, not very friendly and food was not all that amazing.

What really took the biscuit though was seeing one of the kitchen staff prep raw chicken with his bare hands and then directly assemble a salad onto a plate without any form of hand washing in between. They brought that plate out to us and we said no thank you very much, don’t fancy salmonella poisoning on top of a £300 bill Envy - not envy!

Porthia · 19/11/2021 12:22

Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone, London.

Was the celeb place to be seen at the time. Talk about style over substance!!! Extremely expensive, not very friendly and food was not all that amazing.

What really took the biscuit though was seeing one of the kitchen staff prep raw chicken with his bare hands and then directly assemble a salad onto a plate without any form of hand washing in between. They brought that plate out to us and we said no thank you very much, don’t fancy salmonella poisoning on top of a £300 bill Envy - not envy!

BrightYellowDaffodil · 19/11/2021 12:23

@theelephantinthegroup

Tayyabs at Whitechapel? I went a while back, it was OK but I do remember a very gritty kulfi.

Most over-rated restaurant IMO is Nandos. I've never particularly liked their food and it's so expensive for what it is (which doesn't seem to extend to chicken of a decent welfare standard).

herecomesthsun · 19/11/2021 12:25

Le Manoir aux Quatre Saisons, went there for work, we were all very unimpressed (I think it was some sort of set menu), mind you this was about 25 years ago.

Shame as I loved the patisserie shop and very much enjoyed Raymond Blanc's memoir, he's worked very hard and his advice on food is excellent.

Funkyslippers · 19/11/2021 12:25

Nandos - I don't expect to be 'wowed' but for the price I'd expect it to be more than just average.

And Jamie's Italian - very average, small portions, was still hungry and expensive. Was told it was kid-friendly but wasn't particularly - my DD had a very sloppy kids' lasagne that looked like it was a ready meal

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 19/11/2021 12:25

The service was shocking, so inexperienced, young staff standing chatting and laughing behind the bar while we were trying to get their attention

As I'm not a big foodie, I tend to judge restaurants on the service. I waitressed for years, so I am super-tolerant of mediocre service if somewhere is under-staffed (I blame the management, not the waiters) but I'm super-intolerant of bad service when there is no excuse for it. It's amazing how bad it often is, even in expensive places. A lot of restaurants don't seem to grasp the concept of making customers feel comfortable and relaxed, which is crazy because - except for fast-food places where it's all about the turnover - a lot of the margin is made on discretionary add-ons like coffees and liquors at the end of a meal: the things you are not likely to order if the staff treat you as they're doing you a massive favour.

jesusmaryjosephandtheweedonkey · 19/11/2021 12:27

Manchester house. I was completely underwhelmed by the food and the drinks.
We had the tasting menu and it went on for hours.

dannydyerismydad · 19/11/2021 12:27

Sketch. Great atmosphere and decor, but food was average and not great.

And L'Ortolan. Went when I was pregnant. Ordered the set menu which came with a glass of wine. They CHARGED us for my glass of wine because I'd given it to my husband and the deal was a glass of wine per person, not 2 glasses for 1 person.

squashyhat · 19/11/2021 12:27

@TheTurn0fTheScrew

Northcote in Langho.. It wasn't shockingly bad or anything, just a massive gulf in quality between it and other Michelin starred places. Can't remember anything I ate, and only remember DH's Lancashire cheese ice cream not being very nice. I think I can remember at least one dish from all the other Michelin starred meals I've had.
Bugger. That's off my wish list then. I really wanted to support Lisa Sad
Bloodybridget · 19/11/2021 12:28

Carluccios started off well in the 90s or whenever it was, but went completely downhill. I had a coffee in one recently which was dreadful.

doodleygirl · 19/11/2021 12:28

The Ivy, Manchester. My Dd took me for a birthday treat, food was fine but the place was chaotic. Far too many tables, and too many people in the space. It felt like Nando’s!

spookysoul · 19/11/2021 12:28

@girlmom21 I very much appreciate the onion loaf but I’d rather enjoy my steak more 😂

slightlysnippy · 19/11/2021 12:29

@Fatgalslim

Fifteen (Jamie Oliver), shite
I Second this ^
Orchid876 · 19/11/2021 12:29

Sketch. All style and not much substance. Plus the lighting was too bright, there wasn't enough space between the tables so it felt like we were dining with the couple next to us, and all the selfie taking was distracting. The food was nice, it was Michelin star quality, but I've eaten in nicer Michelin star restaurants for half the price and with a much better atmosphere.

VaulterTech · 19/11/2021 12:30

Ooh interesting @Hairbrush123, I went to tattu and assumed it would be overpriced chain blandness but really enjoyed it! Have been back since and also recommended to friends.