Rhodes W1 Brasserie

Gradders (6 November 2007)

I had lunch there and the eggs Benedict with smoked salmon, was okay, but it was strange to find it listed as a starter. For the main course, I had halibut which was very oily and extremely disappointing; I ended up leaving part of it on the plate. My partner had a steak (cow variety rather than fish variety, halibut is shown under the steak section on the menu). The steak was similarly blighted with lots of oil and a disappointing taste. The service was good a prompt, efficient offering. The wine list is good and prices are average for the area, but we go to a restaurant for the food not just the wine. I doubt if we will return.

Steph (20 September 2007)

I went to try this restaurant on the offer of two courses for £17.50 or three for £20. The choices were limited and ended up ordering off the normal menu. The scallops were lovely, but the lentils very overcooked i.e. mushy. The Ham hock I am told was good. The rib eye was supposed to be cooked medium, but it was almost well done and tough. The plaice fillets were the two smallest pieces of fish I had been served. It was all fried breadcrumb and very little fish. The chips were awful and I think had been cooked in some sort of fat or lard. We shared a dessert of almond cake. It was edible but tasted very much like it belonged in a school dinner hall. It was unmemorable. It was also presented poorly. We ate quite early (7.30), so maybe the head chef had not yet arrived. The service was good except that they failed to bring us the remainder of the wine until asked and the coffee was also delayed and cold. I had hoped for much better things since Michael Winner gave it such a glowing review earlier in the month. Interestingly, he ordered exactly the same dishes as I did. I can only assume they got it right since it was him and/or he was given a complimentary meal. I was not so lucky on either score. I would hesitate to go back.