The Delaunay — Restaurant in London

Challenge Food - Steak Tartare

Challenge 1 - 5 x importance of 5 As I stepped into the grandeur of The Delaunay, my anticipation soared. Nestled in the pulsating heart of Covent Garden, amidst the vibrant theater district, expectations were high. Alas, while The Delaunay didn't quite meet the mark on several fronts, the steak tartare did offer a glimmer of hope. Despite lacking the theatrical flair one would expect, it possessed a surprising depth of flavour. Moist and well seasoned, with a small golden yolk nestled at its core, it was pleasurable on the palate which earned it a modest commendation. 3 x 5 = 15

Service 1 - 5 x importance of 4 Enveloped in European opulence, The Delaunay exudes an air of grandeur. However, the veil of sophistication is swiftly lifted as one encounters the shortcomings in service. From a reluctance to accommodate our seating preferences to the abrupt revelation of a strict two-hour dining limit, the experience left much to be desired. The illusion of luxury shatters under the weight of unmet expectations, leaving a bitter aftertaste. Somewhat needless in such a fine setting and infuriating that you feel rather rushed from the point you step into the Delaunay to the moment you are cast from its shadows. 2 x 4 = 8

Non Challenge Food 1 - 5 x importance of 3 Hoping for a symphony of flavours befitting a European establishment, I ventured towards the Schnitzel—a choice that fell flat on its promise. Despite its imposing size, the Schnitzel lacked the vibrancy expected of such a classic dish. Even the addition of pickled cucumber failed to inject life into its lacklustre presence. With presentation bordering on uninspired and flavour as elusive as a fleeting dream, the dish left a palpable void on the palate and disappointment in all aspects. 2 x 3 = 6

Venue 1- 5 x importance of 2 Amazingly situated just yards away from the Waldorf Hotel and as alluded, nestled in the heard of the theatre district. It would be hard to fault the location and the venue, the only thing was it failed to live up to the hype. Venue will earn this review some points, which is a good thing as not a lot els was going for the Delaunay. 4 x 2 = 8

Presentation 1 - 5 x importance of 1 Perched within a stone's throw of the Waldorf Hotel, The Delaunay basks in its enviable location. The allure of the theatre district serves as a fitting backdrop to this culinary endeavour. Yet, while the setting exudes promise, it fails to deliver on the heightened expectations. The venue, a diamond amidst the rough, struggles to shine in the face of unmet potential and general tiredness on so many levels. Wake up would be my message to the Delaunay, you dictate a strong ransom for very average, so imagine the potential of getting this right. 2 x 1 = 2

Overall Impression The Delaunay falls short of the lofty pedestal set by its prestigious locale and overly generous accolades. It's not merely a lack of fine dining; it's an exercise in culinary disappointment cloaked in the trappings of opulence. Should you choose to grace its halls, temper your expectations, or you find yourself ensnared in the web of disillusionment spun by this establishment who will certainly make your purse feel like your expectations have been met. Must try harder would be the final note on this below average report. Overall 39/75

• • A sad...

Disappointing Experience at The Delaney – Would Not Recommend

I am very saddened to write this review following a disappointing experience during what should have been a special outing. Four of us ladies were on a celebratory trip to London on 24th April, marking the birthdays of two friends. We decided to have lunch at The Delaney restaurant before heading across the street to see the Tina Turner Musical.

We hadn’t made a booking but were seated promptly as walk-ins, which seemed promising at first. Two of us ordered from the à la carte menu, and the other two opted for the set menu, which included salmon as a starter and a choice of either chicken or mackerel for the main.

Unfortunately, things went downhill from there. The chicken was sent back as it was undercooked, and the only alternative offered was the mackerel. This too was a disaster—not my dish, but the smell alone was overpowering and unpleasant, which made us concerned about its freshness.

What made the situation worse was the restaurant manager’s response. When my friend asked to speak with him, he arrived after some delay and offered no apology. Instead, he was defensive and dismissive, insisting the food was properly cooked. After a brief discussion, we decided to settle the bill and leave. While the two mains were discounted, the lack of basic customer care left a bitter taste. To top it off, one of my friends who had tried both the chicken and the mackerel ended up in the bathroom being sick.

This experience could have been handled with a simple apology and better service. Sadly, I would not recommend The Delaney. The quality of the food was questionable, and the management’s attitude was unprofessional and...

The Delaunay will forever hold a special place in our hearts.

When things don't always go to plan, sometimes it works out that it is just meant to be and you need to trust the process. We were due to have our wedding breakfast at another venue in London, however on the day we were unable to host our guests there. Our original venue had contacted The Delaunay about hosting our intimate part of 20 and I'm so grateful that they agreed to do so.

We were in the gorgeous private dining room and we couldn't have asked for a better evening to end the best day of our lives. Even walking throughout the restaurant, little tables were set with lamps that just gave off glamour. The room is so intimate, with all guests seated on one table, dimmed lighting and the dark finishes really add to the overall ambience.

The team at The Delaunay managed to turn around a personalised menu that catered to all dietary requirements of our guests and mimicked what would've been the menu at our original venue. As well as setting up the flowers and cake from the original venue.

Luigi, our server, was an absolute star in making sure all guests were taken care of and we cannot thank him for his kindness and hospitality enough. He is a credit to the restaurant!

We loved how our day turned out and can't thank all the team at The Delaunay enough for there incredible attention to detail. We love that we have found a new restaurant that we will hold dearly in our hearts for all the years to come.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you from the bottom of our hearts. We can't wait to...