Mildreds Covent Garden — Restaurant in London

So, I'm conflicted writing this review. We dined here twice during our 4 day visit to London last week. Our first experience was for dinner and that was by far a 5/5 dinner. We had the arancini to start, followed by the burrito and bokkeumbap, and finally the creme brulee and sticky toffee pudding. Oh my, that was a spectacular meal! I can't recommend it more, simply utterly delicious. I will say the creme brulee wasn't as good as expected and certainly not as good as the sticky toffee pudding but it was still lovely. The place was packed, people were being turned away as there were no tables left. The staff were professional and wonderful, despite bring run off their feet they still continued to check we were ok and enjoying our meal. The time between courses was spot on, we didn't feel rushed at all. Unfortunately this review drops to 3/5 because of our breakfast experience last week Tuesday. We arrived around 9.15am and were greeted very casually by a woman who just told us to sit wherever we wanted. She eventually brought us a menu and took our order. After that she was more interested in gossiping with the chef and it took more than 20 minutes for our order to arrive despite us being only one of 2 others in the restaurant. A delivery guy arrived during the time we were waiting and they all proceeded to argue, in the main dining area, about how they had requesting a collection as well. The delivery guy was on the phone to his company very loudly trying to sort this out which wasn’t what you exoect when in a restaurant. We had ordered a continental breakfast and the biscoff pancakes. I thought maybe it had taken so long because they were making my pancakes from scratch but no, they arrived cold and were very cakey and dry. I couldn't eat them so my husband did. Given his continental breakfast was just a croissant with jam and butter and a bit of fruit and yogurt I'm not sure why there was such a delay. We would have complained at the time but needed to catch a flight and to be honest the waitress didn't seem interested. Such a shame and I rarely give bad reviews unless they are truly terrible. And the dinner was so so great. We likely wouldn't return to this branch when we're back in London to be honest, or at least we certainly wouldn't return...

Quite a deceiving experience for my friend’s birthday dinner party… I booked in advance for a group of 5 people, we arrive and were seated on a very small round table in a room full of empty tables (Sunday night not the most busy evening I suppose) and already by just sitting we’re al squished against each other, the water bottles came and you could barely fit all of our glasses. So when the dishes start to arrive this is when the fun begins as the waitress, bless her poor thing she got all of our frustration on her but basically she couldn’t fit all of the plates on the table, keep in mind we just ordered one plate per person and one sharing little aubergine thingy. So we kindly as the staff if it’s possible to get a bigger table cause this is gonna be an issue, even just to eat comfortably. To what we are moved to 3 single tables joined together to make a big table that can accommodate 6 people. We are very pleased happy and ready to enjoy the rest of the night until the what felt like manager of the shift/restaurant came to let us know that basically the table we were sat in initially was a 5 people table and this is a 6 people one but it’s fine for this one, he doesn’t want to fight about it. This got my friend whose birthday it was pretty angry cause it sounded very petty and unnecessary. So it set a very strange mood for the rest of the dinner because that man needing to prove his point. In my opinion the restaurant should aim at accommodate their customers in order to make them feel comfortable especially if it’s possible and if anything apologise for the sake of it for not noticing it themselves before we asked. So the staff’s reaction really felt out of line. In addition to that, to be honest the food wasn’t that great , everything was burning mouth spicy and full of coriander, which I guess should be said somewhere on the menu because it’s not to everyone’s liking. Quite sad because I chose this restaurant for its...

What a disappointment with the service here, yet again…

I never leave reviews, even if I have had a bad experience somewhere but this has left me feeling quite upset and it’s the second time in a row we’ve had really terrible service here.

My boyfriend booked for the two of us to try the Christmas menu on Christmas Eve. I have an allergy to cinnamon, it can make my throat and lips itchy and on this occasion, my food contained cinnamon. I took one bite realising the taste and our server very kindly got a new burger to be made. He was lovely, very attentive and kind and we did enjoy the rest of the food.

When the bill came, we asked for the tip to be removed to which the manager came over and patronisingly asked if I needed medical attention for my allergy/reaction to the food. I declined and she persisted.

We found the manager to be very patronising and intimidating and she was only concerned about my allergy when we asked for the 12.5% tip to be removed.

I questioned why we weren’t asked for allergies when seated to which she stated it was on the application when booking (which is fine, but my boyfriend was booking for me and must have missed it). Personally I think maybe the team should have asked regardless. There must be bookings where members don’t have/know that information.

FUNNILY ENOUGH, WE WERE GOING TO TIP but with cash and directly to our server.

I have been a regular at Mildred’s (and Mallow) for the last 5 years but the last 2 occasions we have attended Mildred’s in Covent Garden have been a huge disappointment. It’s a shame because the food is generally amazing and I have had such lovely experiences in the past.

I won’t be...