The Original Ivy, West End — Restaurant in London

This was our first dinner while visiting London. Reservations were made weeks in advance to guarantee accommodations for us( long waits or no availability was not an option especially with our jetlag) The reviews and the menu was up our alley. We were seated immediately and the restaurant's ambiance was welcoming yet elegant. The menu has so many excellent options, it was hard for me to choose. I ultimately chose the lobster. Our server brought us still water and stated she'd return. We were so caught up in the magic of London... that we hadn't noticed quite a bit of time had passed. Our server was at another table, that came after us..they already received their water, drinks and bread for the table. The table next to us, who arrived after us... had received no service yet. They were about to leave. My cousin had to waive another person down and let them know we were ready to order. A very pleasant gentleman took our drink order( apologized for the delay)and brought bread for the table. We ordered a triple baked cheese souflee( you have to try this...addictive) for the table and our dinners. It took so long for us to receive service that the lobster was sold out. I was heart broken because I had my heart set on lobster. Lord(e) our server, told me to get the ribeye instead. It's his favorite and I would not be disappointed. I am not a fan of ribeye, not my preferred cut of meat but I put my faith in Lord(e)'s recommendation. This was one of the BEST steaks I've had(I've eaten at plenty of high end steakhouses to know)!! It was a fine cut of meat that was flavorful and juicy,(it melted in your mouth). I devoured my meal because it was so delectable( I was shocked I ate all 12ozs.- I'm typically full with 6 to 8ozs) My truffle and parmesan chips were the perfect addition to my meal. My cousins chose The Ivy Sheperd's Pie with Mayfield cheese( fantastic)and Truffle stuffed, corn fed chicken breast. There was no bad choice of meal at our table or this restaurant. I drank the Ivy Champagne cocktail but the group FAVORITE drink was the Laperouse! It smelled like a parfum and tasted like a dream. The flower garnish made it perfection. I refuse to end a meal without dessert. All the ladies stated they were full but once the sticky toffee pudding arrived ...there were 2 extra spoons in my dessert! Lol. I'd highly recommend this dessert. When in London...we eat what the locals eat!!! Excellent restaurant choice. Lord(e) who was a manager at this establishment made our experience memorable. He turned a disastrous start into a wonderful ending. I am still appalled with that server, who refused to assist us. She walked by our table several times and didn't give us a second glance. She had no choice but to serve us at the end, since Lord(e)'s shift was over. We were definitely racially profiled and my biggest regret is that the gratuity included with our bill went to her. I told Lord(e) I wanted him to have it, since he earned it. As a manager, I assume that was not possible. Lord(e) is an amazing soul, with a great personality( too funny)and know we are grateful for the superb customer service you provided. Thank you for my cousin's bday treat(chocolate truffles with a sweet filling)... I can still taste them and my heart flutters! I refuse to allow the ignorance of such an individual to diminish my perspective of the restaurant or service we received from Lord(e). Once...

Appalled at the service. We were asked to give up our seats and were not allowed to order dessert, as we were at the end of our 1 hour 45 allotted time. We were told this 20 minutes before the end of our time limit. We weren't told in a nice manner, with any apologies etc - very matter of fact. It was all very sudden - no updates/reminders throughout the meal as you would expect if they were that pushed for time. Didn't bring a dessert menu when they came to take the plates for the mains etc. No attempts to speed up the process to ensure we could have a three course meal.

After this, my partner started rushing to finish her drink because she felt uncomfortable. The server said "you don't have to rush your drinks, you just can't order anything else". To be told that 20 minutes before the end of your seating time is disgusting. 20 minutes is more than enough time for another drink and even a dessert, if you bring them quick enough. We were then given the bill and asked to pay.

During our meal, we ordered every time someone came to serve us. We both ate/drank quickly. The starters came quite promptly but we had to wait a while for the mains. We ordered two cocktails each, would have ordered more if they had been more attentive. We were trying to get the attention of a server for some time to order the second drink. It wasn't our fault the meal took a long time - if you can't serve a three course meal to two people in the alloted time then you should make the allotted time longer. We even arrived early and the seats were available, so we should have had more than enough time.

Earlier in the meal, I asked the server whether he felt we needed to order sides with our mains, he responded "I think you'll be fine with the starters and and mains you've ordered, save some room for dessert". It was the same server who later told us we couldn't order dessert.

We don't do things like this very often, it was our Christmas present to eachother and we were really looking forward to it. My partner took a half day at work. We both got nice outfits. It was a long journey. It wasn't worth it at all - a complete waste of money, time and half a days annual leave. You expect a lot better from a service that costs this much.

We had a meal with family at a seperate restaurant last week, which was half the price and provided much better service. We arrived 15 minutes late, after calling to advise we were stuck in traffic. They were very busy but were very clear about needing the table back on multiple occassions. They served us quickly, were very attentive about when we were ready to order, they brought the dessert menu when collecting the main plates etc - four of us were able to have a three course meal in less time than allowed and we each had at least three...

A Taste of Elegance at The Ivy, London

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

I recently had the pleasure of dining at The Ivy in London, and it was a memorable experience that blended classic elegance with modern flair. Here's my review:

Ambiance (★★★★☆): The Ivy exudes a sophisticated charm from the moment you step inside. The décor is a tasteful mix of Art Deco and contemporary design, creating an inviting and cozy atmosphere. The soft lighting and soothing background music set the stage for a delightful dining experience.

Service (★★★★☆): The service at The Ivy was impeccable. The staff was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu. They made us feel welcome and were quick to accommodate any special requests. It's clear that they take pride in delivering top-notch service.

Food (★★★★☆): The menu at The Ivy offers a diverse range of options, from classic British dishes to international flavors. We started with the Ivy Royale cocktail, a must-try, and it set the tone for the meal. For appetizers, we enjoyed the crispy duck salad and the prawn cocktail, both beautifully presented and bursting with flavor.

For the main course, I opted for the roasted lamb, which was cooked to perfection and accompanied by a delightful assortment of seasonal vegetables. My dining companion tried the sea bass, which was equally delicious. Dessert was a highlight; the chocolate bombe was a decadent treat that we couldn't resist.

Price (★★★☆☆): While the quality of the dining experience matches the upscale atmosphere, The Ivy's prices do reflect its high-end positioning. It's a place for special occasions or when you want to indulge, but not necessarily an everyday dining spot.

Overall Experience (★★★★☆): The Ivy in London is a destination for those seeking an elegant dining experience with a touch of glamour. It's perfect for celebrating milestones, impressing a date, or simply treating yourself to a night of fine cuisine. While it's not an everyday restaurant due to the price point, it certainly delivers on the promise of a memorable meal in a beautiful setting.

I would highly recommend The Ivy to anyone visiting London who is looking for a taste of sophistication and a memorable...