The Anthologist — Restaurant in London

UPDATED REVIEW: My wife and I decided to give The Anthologist another chance after receiving a very nice offer from Assistant GM, Ana. We went back for dinner last night, which was a Tuesday, and first impressions were much improved as the music was at a good ambient level and didn't affect our ability to have a conversation. Since we were a bit ahead of our reservation, we decided to go to the bar area and order some wine. We found the bartender to be very nice and the wine to be a good value for the quality.

As for dinner, it was a much better experience this time around our service was great, and the food quality was much, much better with the stars of the food show were the squid appetizer, the burger, and the coco brownie. The minor misses on the food were the mushy peas (as they were a bit watery) and the cinnamon apple dessert was just missing something.

Nonetheless, our opinion of The Anthologist has been changed by the experience as we'll definitely be back.

I hope readers will find my review and photos helpful.

#TabesTravels

ORIGINAL REVIEW: Disappointing dinner experience. I had much higher hopes based on the food and decor pictures, and although the interior is a beautiful, modern space, the food was just average at best. The wings tasted like they had been microwaved, and my wife's seabass was bland and so thin that she had to order french fries to feel satiated. My short ribs were definitely the best of the food we ordered, but I still wouldn't return as the annoying hip/hop music from bar area was blaring so loud into the dining area that I had difficulty communicating with the waitstaff let alone having any real table conversation...and this was on a Wednesday night! Maybe it's better at lunchtime before they try to turn it into a nightclub, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it as a dinner option. 2 Stars.

I hope readers will find my review and photos...

I have often visited Anthologist with clients and team events (Christmas parties_ and always enjoyed your service and bar facilities. However, I would like to address what I believe to be a one-off event from last night, and I am sure it won’t happen again as I think you have higher standards than this. After spending hours last night as a customer until close, we wanted to use the toilet facilities as one of your last customers. You (the supervisor) informed us it was closed. As a customer, I asked why when we were still around. You said it takes a while to do and wanted a head start. During this conversation, your staff member shouted, “What’s wrong with you guys? Are you crazy? Just leave!” Something along these lines. Apologies if it doesn’t match word to word. As someone who has not only been a customer with you for years, brought clients to your venue, had Christmas parties with you, worked in Retail customer service, and, most importantly, brought business all night by spending with my friends in your bar, this is unacceptable customer service. I am sure that specific individual may have had a bay day, a difficult customer, or something else that triggered this. I understand this happens. I speak from experience. However, there is a way to communicate and handle things despite not being in the best state of mind. This behaviour does not reflect the team because you have fantastic staff members. Please provide feedback to your colleague and provide coaching on customer service. I’m sure you will not let this happen again as I believe such is...

Very disappointing, first wine choice (a £36 number) - 'not available'; main courses of all pies for which they are renowned - 'none available'; desert choice (creme brulee) - 'not available' - I hope you are getting the drift!? One cold main course. Altogether not good and for us a celebration so even more disappointing. We could see the issue, city gals and boys festivities in large numbers. The table was booked at 4pm, they should have been able to cope. Toilets not attended too, no toilet rolls. A very small financial gesture appeared on our bill, not noticed until I got home as it was not explained or justified and was relatively tiny. The maitre 'd'/floor manager whom we tried to engage with, asked us to 'hurry up as time was money' - interesting remark from a professional. Would I recommend - no, would I go again - no. That said, I personally had the duck salad which was simply delicious albeit slightly marred in taste by the experience. Perhaps the restaurant needs to think at this festive time whether company parties of 50 are their USP or tables of 4 - the combination of both does not really work and sitting in the dais area where pressumbly the tables would normally hold 2 persons, 4 pax at these tables is too tight and close to the stairs - a health and safety issue I would think. Anthologist -...