OXO Restaurant — Restaurant in London

Went there with a couple of friends during the "Eat Out to Help Out" scheme. Lovely receptionists and the waiting staff. They sat us inside, but after 10 minutes they told us that the terrace was available and if we wanted to change, which was very kind of them (amazing views, of course; unlucky us that even though it was sunny, it was windy).

I had courses from the Summer Dining Menu: the cocktail was the Peach and orange blossom, essence of jasmine; as a starter I had the Josper roasted home cured duck breast and rillette, watercress salad; the main was the Josper grilled lemon thyme marinated chicken, roasted asparagus and king oyster mushroom, black garlic jus (let me say that the mushroom and black garlic jus was AMAZING!!) and finally the Vegan cheesecake, blueberry and apricots. On our arrival we mentioned that we were celebrating a couple of birthdays, and very kindly they brought us 2 of the desserts with a HAPPY BIRTHDAY written with chocolate and a candle.

Despite all of these, here comes the other side of the dinner:

I would actually give 2'5 stars, because even though the waiting staff and managers were being attentive and asking if the food was alright, each course took 1 HOUR to arrive...and we had a maximum of 3 courses! Not kidding, we waited 1 hour for the starter and 1 hour after this one for the main... when they brought the main we told them to bring dessert as well, if we had to wait for another hour... which we had to wait about 40 minutes... Yes, the restaurant was completely full (not sure about the social distancing), but still we wouldn't say it was normal those waiting times.

At the time of paying the bill, they were very much confused on how to do the discount. One of the party didn't have the set, so she didn't have the schemes' discount and yet, we don't know how, she ended up paying twice the service charge!!! And of course, with all the waiting time, we weren't that happy with the service...

Regarding social distancing and COVID protection, well... there were a few hand sanitizers to be used, but members of staff weren't wearing face coverings and at the time of paying, 5 different people touched the card machine and it wasn't...

Very poor service. Such a lovely place - amazing views -used to be amazing, and this visit after maybe 10 years has been a shock, really. Ordered a margarita cocktail followed by their winter set menu. Their set menu included a cosmopolitan cocktail, which was sweet - I asked if it was possible to change it for smth not sweet and rather spicy - I was told all of their cocktails were sweet...which wasn't exactly correct....in the end they said it was OK to swap for wine....which wine asking to the back of disappearing waiter....he: white or red? ...me: white.. ..but.....do I have a choice? waiter gone.....in few minutes I am served with the cocktail, starter and mysterious wine....uffff where do i start? cocktail first so ice doesn't melt ? wine while it's still chilled? my food while it's still warm....so had to rush with the cocktail....not to miss on warm.starter....so hopes to enjoy my cocktail before meal wasted.....wine is impossible to drink as tastes like chip pub acidic type....ordered one I like....starter was OK.....average nothing spectacular....for the main I ordered steak....apparently at oxo tower they read your mind or maybe just know better how you want your steak....so got overdone chewy meat...duck roast pots looked so poor and tasted zero..... oh and finally why do they squeeze all they have 3 tables guests into one corner when whole restaurant is literally empty?? no I dont really enjoy 6 people lunch chat right behind me when I came here at the hour when I can enjoy some peace and quiet while eating...so had to listen to my music....

all in all great disappointment ....poor pub level with amazing views....what...

I visited on Saturday evening for my boyfriends birthday celebration.

I was looking forward to trying the cauliflower dish but saw the menu had changed and it was taken off. Im not a fan of mushrooms so was a little disappointed that this was replaced with another mushroom dish when there was already two others on the menu

I tried the pea falafel instead but asked for no tofu yoghurt and onions. The waiter suggested that it would be dry without the yoghurt but could ask the chef for an alternative that I can have. I thought that was very kind and he came back and offered a sauce with red pepper, I think it had tomato, and paprika which i was happy to try

The falafel was very tasty and I would definitely order it again. I loved the sauce too (not pictured) so thank you to the chef & waiter for offering. My boyfriend enjoyed his battered cod & potatoes. The cocktails were great too!!

We had the sticky toffee puddings for dessert which was delicious but I just wish it was a bit hotter. His cake with a birthday message which I asked for beforehand and also a candle which was a nice touch

The music was good but a little loud for me as we were seated near the speakers. I visited before maybe 4 years ago and was seated in front of the kitchen so the volume was a lot better and the view was nicer too.

I would visit again this place is very nice for a birthday celebrations, the service is great and has a nice buzzing atmosphere. If quieter environments are your thing the restaurant might be a...