La Boheme — Restaurant in England

Poor and rude service. Not worth the money you pay for.

I visited with a very good friend to celebrate her 70th birthday. A table was booked for 12 people. When we arrived, the staff attempted to split the party into 2 separate tables.

We pointed out that we booked a table for 12. In other words, 12 people that wanted to sit at the same table, not be split in half.

The waitress was reluctant to do anything, but given we already paid a £120 deposit for the booking, we weren't going to accept how poorly organised this place was in making sure we got a table for 12 people.

Having accepted to correct their mistake, the waitress abruptly ushered us into the entrance area before throwing a chair to one side to reorganise the tables so we could sit together.

Later on, the waitress came out with a selection of bread. Asking which I would like, I requested all 3 choices. She commented that it would ruin my appetite. Given how small each piece was, it would be difficult for this to happen. Especially with the small offerings of a starter and main course, which in my opinion was not worth £32. I've had a more filling meal in a more friendly restaurant for half the price. The waitress isn't there to give an opinion on my appetite, but to serve what I ask for!

When presented with the bill, a 10% charge was added for tips. Um, I think it shouldn't have been added and left to customers whether or not they add tips. Not for the restaurant to add this automatically.

Based on the service we had last night, this restaurant deserved to have the service charge taken off. The only tip is to provide us with the level of service and food we paid over £500 for! If we wanted to be served by a petulant child and small portions, we would've gone to McDonald's.

This place is cashing in on their environment, perceived reputation and people who have money. It is nothing like how it used to be a few years ago. I only assume a change in ownership has brought on this poor service. When the previous owner left, I think they took the good...

I know looking through all the other highly rated reviews this seems like someone trying to be different. I get it - we didn’t though. We just didn’t like it. The food was OK, it was very old fashioned, tasted - OK, but was not in anyway worth 4 or 5 stars. Ranging from big portions to decorative side dishes from days gone. Shots of cold pea soup where presented in between courses by waiter as though he’d invented fossil free fuel, and we found ourselves going along with the surprise by giving out an ‘ooooh’ every time a dish was presented as to not cause offence as the staff where so lovely.

The restaurant itself reminded us of those old sea front hotel restaurants from the 1980s Id go as a young nipper with my parents. Surrounded by posh old Ladies and Gentlemen in their very best Sunday attire. The atmosphere was bright, cold and old but I suppose made it easier to read the menu.

Again I must iterate that everyone in the restaurant seemed very happy and to be enjoying themselves. The average age of the customers being 60 years and the average age of the staff being 19? It felt like an old folks home and not in a bad way. The waiters did a fantastic job looking after everyone and we chuckled as one of them spoke to us very clearly and loudly- as if we where that little bit of hard of hearing in our old age.

I’d give La Boheme 5 stars if it was a retirement home, and if it was I couldn’t think of a better place to spend my final days on this Earth. But as a restaurant it...

I went to La Bohème for the first time on Saturday night (12/12/09) for a Christmas do! It was a great experience and here are some comments about what I had:

Starter: Pan fried fresh king scallops wrapped in panchetta, served on an oyster mushroom fricasses, garnished with a roasted garlic jus & Parmesan tuile. The scallops were very fresh and perfectly cooked. The combination scallop/panchetta is a good idea. The only major negative point is that I was really expecting more than just 2 scallops... Main course: Fillet of venison cooked to pink, presented on a potato, blue cheese & spring onion cake & julienne of vegetables, finished with a robust Port & caramelised red onion jus It was fillet, so obviously very very tender... but fillet is also known as not being always the most tasteful cut... It should have been high for a couple of days before being served, just to make it a bit more tasty! Other than that, very nice portion and excellent cake and sauce. Dessert: Clafoutis aux cerises (cherry and almonds cake) A huge disappointment!! Not tasty, texture not very pleasant... I will try another one next time!

Elegant presentation. The quality of service was good and fast. The restaurant from outside is very nice by night and I really like the black and white pictures collection.

Conclusion: could potentially lay claim to a one...