Foliage

My wife and I had lunch from the taster menu on our anniversary between Christmas & New Year. We were on our way up to a show with a couple of friends and due to the trains running late (as usual) we were a bit pushed for time. However, the staff accomodated us fantastically and we manged to make the show.

I can truely recommend this restaurant. The food was simply exquisite, the service absolutely spot on. A beautiful hotel & restaurant , well worth a visit. The lunch time taster menu (4 courses) provides plenty of food, so don't be fooled by the word 'taster'. Any larger proportions would have left me bloated!

The choices of wine provided to us complemented the food perfectly.

The cost provided excellent value for the experience and I am sure we will do it again.

On the whole a fantastic experience.
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Nick Robinson
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Friday, January 02, 2009

My husband and I chose to have lunch here for our wedding anniversary. Two things which struck us as soon as we sat down were that the room itself is completely without character or atmosphere, which surprised us given what a beautiful building the hotel is in general (the lobby looked gorgeous decorated for Christmas). The other thing which made a poor impression was that the management do not discourage use of mobile phones. We were sitting next to 4 quite vocal businessmen, and whilst you could argue that their phones ringing was no more noisy than their conversation, it's not considered good form in other comparable places we've eaten at and I don't think it should be.

We had the 4 course lunch, which is £29 or £37 with 2 glasses of sommelier's choice of wine. I would say that the strong point of this place is the originality of the way the menu/courses are offered, along with the undoubtedly quality and presentation of the food which was faultless. It is a real culinary adventure when you are told you can have any 4 courses, in any order, from any section and although it takes ages to decide that part was really fun. The service was nice, our waitress looked like Cate Blanchett and was very sweet.

The major gripe was the wine. I told the sommelier I only drank white wine, no problem he said. For our first glass of two, we were both served a very strongly oaked Languedoc white in the style of an Australian Semillon. You could say a matter of taste that we didn't like it, but it was a really bizarre choice to accompany delicate cuisine. My husband went on to a fabulous red Chinon, and I checked with the sommelier to see if the second white for me was unoaked. He poured a drop for me to try, and more fool me for not having the courage to say I didn't like it, (I think I actually pulled a face without meaning to !) it was even worse - another second rate French country wine, admittedly not oaked, but a horrible dark yellow, again completely overpowering. Utter Plonk ! That glass remained untouched. The irony was when the bill arrived we saw we'd been invoiced for 4 separate glasses of wine at £4 each and if I'd realised it was done like that I wouldn't have ordered (or paid for ) 2 in the first place not being a lunchtime drinker. A place with food this good deserves some decent wines, and for the staff to care about whether they are suitable or popular styles.

We did have a lovely time because of the occasion which was a treat for us and the set lunch is good value for the quality, but the things I've mentioned mean that I wouldn't recommend it or rush back.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, December 16, 2008

First visit with my daughter a week ago. Overall it was decent but not spectacular and I'll try and explain why. Food first.

Everything we ate was carefully prepared and presented, so I have no debate at all with the cooking. But some of the dishes we ate didn't work terribly well, and its difficult not to conclude that what we have here is a good chef who needs more help in deciding what to cook. Our amuses bouches looked like a small dish of ski blackcurrant yoghourt from the 1970's. This was (disconcertingly) warm and turned out to be a red cabbage soup. The scallops and squid ink sauce in my starter had flavours that totally lost an uneven battle against a mix of unnecessary spices and flavours, and the choice of a slippery orzo as a resting place wasn't inspired either. After this things improved dramatically and my main course and dessert were very good indeed and much more in-line with hopes and expectations.

Service was timely and pleasant throughout but we could not understand why we were left without menus for ten minutes after seating when there were lots of staff simply standing around unoccupied. It turns out that giving out menus is someone else's job and he came when he could. Never mind.

We expected more from the restaurant itself. The only reference to foliage we could see was a large leaf under our plates. Otherwise its a modern, fairly characterless place with few distinguishing marks. The view across South Carriage Drive to Hyde Park is exactly what you get driving along the road behind the hotel. Why they didn't put it on the top floor I don't know.

Will we return? Dunno. Even at these good value prices the competition for lunch in London at this level of cooking and price is prolific. There's a lot to try. If all the meal had been of the quality of the beef main course I ate, I'd be back soon.
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David Henderson - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Sunday, November 23, 2008

I went to Foliage recently with my partner - it being a birthday treat for myself - and it was truly a most memorable experience! Fewer places I feel merit the closest resemblance to the phrase "service fit for a king" and "food of the Gods".

The waiters and waitresses were most attentive to all our needs and choices, while also studiously and steadfastly informing us of all the selections of the day.

My partner had the 4-course lunch while I chose the path less trodden, by sampling the 5-course Chef's selection - and both sets were well presented, delightul, while leaving our taste buds well- piqued and yearning for more! The seafood and meats served was notably of the freshest stock and the sorbet was to die for.....

Definitely going back there!!
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Mun
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, November 15, 2008

Had a delightful meal (lunch for two) at the Foliage restaurant. The greeting was warm and the service attentive. each course was a delight, stunningly beautiful to look at and full of flavours. It was a shame that we didn't have a view of the park from our table as mentioned in previous reports, we were a little stuck in the corner, but hopefully my partner preferred looking at me!
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Alison Bartle
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Thursday, November 13, 2008

Was there on 10th Nov for lunch - a birthday treat for my fiance. It was fabulous!

Food was spectacularly good. We had the 4 course lunch choices and a 5 course signature dishes. Because the waitress knew it was my fiance's birthday, we had extra special side dishes and sorbet! Yummy.

We'll definitely go back there again.
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Krystal Woo
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Absolutely gorgeous ! The food here is just amazing ! All of our 5 courses were all very well presented, but the flavours were simply incredible. The standard of the food here is simply excellent. It is a gastronomic experience that u will go back for at a drop of a hat.
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Big G
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Monday, November 10, 2008

The food was outstanding but the service was a bit disappointing for a restaurant of this standing. We were initially over charged for drinks until questioning the bill. Beware of the cost of starting drinks! - we were charged £40 for two half filled flutes of sparkling wine.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Came for lunch on my 40th. As it was a Tuesday it was reasonably quiet so not surprising then that the service was excellent and we felt in no rush to leave. The food was perfectly balanced and definately some of the tastiest I have had. The two glasses of wine complemented the food and not only took the guesswork out of matching but also meant I got to try 4 different wines as my husband had ordered different courses! As a previous reviewer noted, I was almost accompanied to the ladies and I'm sure I saw a look of relief from the head waiter when I came back unscathed! Lunch at Foliage made a special day for me and I can definately recommend.
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Sarah - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Went to lunch here the other day - thought it was superb. Four courses - raw tuna followed by scallop and squid ink pasta; next up was lamb and finally a mixture of banana preparations for dessert.

All the courses were delicious and I think it's very good value for £29. We had matching wines for an additional £8, which I again thought were really interesting and good value.

Only downside - we were charged £30 for a kir royale and a house champagne which I think is over the top.

Will definitely go again and avoid the aperitifs next time!
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Simon
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, July 22, 2008