Arto Restaurant — Restaurant in Mole Valley

Has the potential to be good but does not live up to the prices they charge.

Just to edit this review based on the reply given, yes the restaurant had great communication prior to us coming and we were super excited to spend an evening there.

When we got there at 8pm (on a Saturday evening) the restaurant was almost empty, not an issue for us although did affect the atmosphere.

The food was ok although it did seem rushed. The waitress didn’t ask us to order drinks first, just took the whole order and the starter surprised us by arriving very quickly. Ribs were ok but had obviously been microwaved and were quite sour. My main, the seabass was so dry (totally over cooked) Yes, I ate it all as I had been appreciative of the fact that they did accommodate my dietary requirements and also, as it had been pre-ordered, wasn’t sure if there would be anything else that I could eat anyway.

The main trouble came with the service. The waitress took away my food whilst I was still eating which took me by surprise. When I commented on this, she just laughed awkwardly. So, I was technically still eating my main when she asked if we wanted anything else. We said, “not at moment” but were never informed that there would not be an option later. It was my friend’s birthday (which they were aware of) and I had a little cake that I had wanted to give her with dessert. That option didn’t come because when we requested the dessert menu we were told the kitchen had closed. When I made the booking for 8pm, I was not told the kitchen closed at 9pm, the website only stated the place shuts at 10pm so I had expected at 9:20 to still be able to order desserts - usually it would take 2 hours to complete a three-course meal. Yes, I did comment about it not being London but not in a horrible way, just in a way to say that I had forgotten it wasnt London and therefore things do close earlier. There was no rudeness to the waitress and as for being asked if everything was ok, it was, just not as good as we expected due to the previous good reviews and high prices . Also, we did communicate to the waitress what had gone wrong at the end of the meal and she just said “oh I’m sorry about that”. She could have got the manager but she didn’t. To say she was scared to come to our table is very strange, we were not rude at all, I just let her know that we didn’t particularly enjoy the experience…there was no personal comments, expletives etc. In this day when cost of living is so high, I do choose carefully where I eat as it is a treat and I resent paying £100 for a mediocre meal and poor service when there are so many good options around Dorking. I do take reviews seriously because of this, as i appreciate open and honest feedback from other people to help me select where to spend my money. I’m entitled to my opinion and to leave the review that I see fit. Most of my reviews are 5 stars….eg we had been to swirl wine bar before the meal and it was great (definitely recommend). I just think this restaurant can do better and should given the prices charged. This is my honest opinion but other people do seem to like it and go back which is their...

It was my birthday, and I’d been here once before—the food was good, the vibes were right, and I thought, why not relive the magic? This time, however, we strolled in on a Sunday to find the place emptier than my gym membership in February. A couple of tables were occupied, the staff were polite, and hope was still alive.

I ordered a rack of ribs (among other items for the family feast). The kids were buzzing, the wife was smiling, and then... my ribs arrived. A lonely rack of meat on a plate, completely naked. No veggies, no garnish—just ribs on porcelain, like some avant-garde food art exhibit. First impression? About as exciting as a soggy birthday balloon.

But hold on, it gets worse. The BBQ sauce—homemade, the waitress proudly informed me—was a tangy apocalypse. Overly sharp, aggressively sour, and apparently, sugar had been barred entry at the sauce-making stage. Sweetness? Nowhere to be found. It tasted like someone had an argument with vinegar and poured their feelings onto my ribs.

I considered saying something to the waitress but realized I’d already emotionally checked out. I stared at my ribs, the ribs stared back, and we both knew this wasn’t going to work. I left them half-eaten—which, for spare ribs, is basically a crime. Normally, ribs aren’t about the quantity of meat; they’re about the experience.

This experience, though? A disappointing, saucy tragedy. Happy birthday to...

While visiting my hometown, I decided to drop into Arto during the week. I’ve always appreciated the location and the welcoming atmosphere of this spot—dating back to its Café Rouge days. The restaurant still retains that inviting charm with a relaxed, comfortable feel.

The menu offers a well-curated and varied selection, ranging from hearty Lamb Shanks to perfectly seared Steak, along with an excellent vegetarian offering. I began with the fresh sardines, lightly kissed with chilli and a drizzle of oil—exactly as promised. They were fresh, flavourful, and cooked with care.

For my main, I chose the Mushroom Risotto paired with a glass of red. While the risotto was slightly overcooked for my taste, it still delivered a rich, satisfying flavour that rounded off the meal nicely.

The atmosphere was calm and easy-going—exactly what I was looking for during my time in town. I found the menu to be reasonably priced, especially when compared with other venues I’ve visited recently.

Top tip: If you're after a mid-week meal where you can unwind without cooking, head in early. The lunch menu looked just as enticing and will be on my radar for next time.

All in all, a very enjoyable visit. I’ll certainly be returning on my next trip...