Spread Eagle, The

Mike Haddrell (29 August 2005)

Five of us ate at the Spread Eagle last night - Sunday August 28th. I can only conclude that one negative comment I have encountered on another web site review was prior to new ownership or staff (which I have not confirmed) or from somebody having a particularly bad day.

We each had two courses with water and a bottle of house white (not each), plus two glasses of red, one pudding, two coffees and a calvados. Under £180. (I don't like the 'discretionary service charge of 12.5% which will be included in your bill' which appears here as elsewhere and I was initially inclined to make my own judgement about any 'discretionary service charge' at the end of the evening. We had such great food and service in a lovely atmosphere that I paid in full with pleasure.

The food is beautifully presented on the plate but still qualifies as a meal rather than an art form. Subtle flavours spring from fresh herbs, and, for example, vanilla, and, with my duck breast and confit main course, a hint of liquorice. I had tomato tartare for starters which was an exquisite assemblage of flavours and textures. Other menu choices included, as starters: foie gras and tiger prawns, frogs legs, crispy sea bass and squid; main courses: beef with a crab salad, guinea fowl, red mullet, lamb shank. This catalogue does not do justice to the subtle creativity of the chef.

We eat out often - mainly at provincial 'gastro pubs' - but this meal was among the best I have encountered anywhere - including Paris. We warmed to the marginal eccentricities of the patron, who was a little exercised by the non appearance of his waitress when we arrived. He was charming and attentive and, like the waitress, French.

One reviewer on the web made a connection from the fact that that this restaurant was 'a bit pricy for a local' and 'rather empty.' I like to think we have discovered somewhere that will soon have deserved wider acclaim.

Teena Bryant (31 March 2005)

It took us nearly 4 years of living in the area to discover the Spread Eagle which is a real shame. This restaurant is superb! The food was divine. We had the taster menu (6 samples of the mains) of which all were cooked to perfection. We also had the degustation menu for dessert (5 samples of dessert). We had a reasonably priced wine for £50. The bill came to £200 for 2 adults. We loved it so much we are going back in a few weeks and taking friends who are real foodies. For us this restaurant is very underrated and was much better than some Michelin star or four rosette restaurants that we have eaten at. It is in the top two restaurants that we have eaten at in London!! If you love French food, then this place is for you. We have recommended it to all of our friends.

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