Belgo Centraal

Been there a couple of times during the last two years, food was really good, but a couple of months ago they changed their menu completely. Now it is credit crunch time at Belgos!! No Chateaubriand steak any longer (which was probably the best in central london at a reasonable price) and any non-brit would agree. They are still charging the same prices like a year ago but they save massively on their food. This is the last time I have been there. We went for the traditional mussels, which were completely dry and bad quality and the rib eye steak which was okay, but you can get this at a normal pub as well and probably cheaper as well. Staff there is always friendly and sometimes serving time can take a little bit longer sometimes it is really fast, but that's okay. We did not have to pay for the mussels but what this management has done to the menu and the cost saving is really crazy. I would not recommend going there unless they get back to what they were.
Comment on this reader review

Steven
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 1
Sunday, January 04, 2009

Don't bother.... I am trying to book a table since last Tuesday for 12 people and was promised email booking packs & a call back (which happened today)

After I confirmed date and time the lovely receptionist said: OK, I have to check with my manager and call you back until Friday......(After nearly 2 weeks to try to book a table I still have no confirmed booking!!! Hello....anyone interested in our money or what?

Been there before, food nice, service OK, service charge goes on the bill automatically.

Will have a look for some other nice place now
Comment on this reader review

Jens
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Came down here for a quick bite to eat; we ordered off the Beat the Clock menu. Two of us had the poulet moutarde whist the other had a bowl of mussels. The choice was fairly limited although perhaps expected for the price range. The food was served extremely quickly; so quickly in fact that I had to assume that it was all pre-prepared. Despite this, everything was satisfactory, the staff were amicable and plentiful; the choice of beer immensely varied and interesting.

The dining experience was reminiscent of a school dinner table crossed with the hold of a ship; you're taken underground on arrival past the open kitchens to be seated on rows and rows of benches and tables. Perhaps not suited to everyone’s taste but I enjoyed the contrast between the wooden architecture and industrial design. I shall be returning if in need of a good value lunch or early dinner around the Covent Garden area.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Went there with my husband looking forward to some honest Belgian food. The restaurant has a quaint ring to it: warehouse meets spaceship in a monastery. The 'bar' area was like a holding pen - not sure if drinks are actually served there or it was part of the decoration.

The no reservation restaurant downstairs in the basement with its arches had a school canteen feel to it with its long tables and long benches. Cute enough were it not for the overhead airconditioning set to icy cold for the customers sat straight in its blowing path: we ended up eating with our coats on while it was really hot outside.

It took a really long time before we were even handed a menu and than we had to wait an equally long time again before our orders were taken.

When the food finally arrived on plates that were bigger then the table with chips served in steel bowl (add the icy airconditioning) the overdone freezer chips were ice cold in no time. From a Belgian restaurant you would expect freshly made mayonaise to go with the normally homemade chips and carbonades. Not so here: only after asking we got a small cuplet of mayonaise.

Luckily the my husband did not want his chips with his poulet roti 'piquant' which was not even spicy but has a sticky sweet and sour chili sauce poured over it. Don't expect to get the original Belgian roasted chicken with chips.

The carbonades was tasty with soft pieces of stewed beef in a not overpowering ale stew with apples and plums. Sadly with the size of the plates you have not much choice then to pour the overdone frozen chips into your big plate of carbonades and top with the little mayonaise you get.

One would at least expect to find a Belgian chef in a Belgian restaurant or at least a chef that cooks authentic fresh food. Not so at Belgo Centraal unless they are there as a theme park event which given the prices is likely. Belgian food is all about fresh honest food.

It was a massive disappointment which was topped by the service charge that was automatically added to the bill.
Comment on this reader review

Carol J
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Friday, September 05, 2008

Forget the food in this place, (which is rather good I should add), but what I love is the traditional Belgium ninja clothes that the floor staff wear.
Comment on this reader review

Stevie
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Monday, August 11, 2008

I was there on Wednesday and I have to agree with the previous reviewer regarding how quickly dishes arrive. No starters were ordered, but the time between placing our main course order and its appearance on our table couldn't have been more than five minutes. My companion ordered the lamb shank, and I had the 'Poulet Moutarde', 'spit roasted Belgian chicken or duck, basted in blonde beer & apple juice', which may as well have been a chicken wing for all the meat on it. To top it off, the fries were cold and limp.

I have been there a couple of times in the past, always more for convenience than anything else, and it's never been good, but this time was certainly the last. I'd definitely recommend giving this place a wide berth.
Comment on this reader review

Michael
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 2
Saturday, August 09, 2008

After a number of mixed reviews below I was worried about a quick after work dinner at Centraal. We were pleasantly surprised by the service which was often slated in previous reviews, as this was fast and efficient throughout.

The disappointment came in the food. I was brought up to believe restaurant food should be cooked properly, however the amount of time taken to bring out a rotisserie duck rivalled, and beat hands down preparation time for a burger. The quality of the duck left a lot to be desired, and I will not even mention the fries that would put a pub to shame.

But then , there's always the beer, and lets face it, thats why we come to Belgo in the first place...
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Thursday, July 31, 2008

Went there last Saturday night, round 9pm, because we didn't book a table, so we wait for at least half and hour for a table for 4. The waiting time was spent watching the chefs in the kitchen which was great fun!

We quickly order and the entrée came within a reasonable time, but then we waited for at least 20 mins for our mains.

The entrée crab soup was good, king prawns was ok, the mussels pots was good (as expected) but the surprises came with the Fish n Chips!! It was very good, the fish is very fresh and the batter is not too oily, a bit too thick, however, it is very tasty!

Service was good, very friendly.

I will go there if I am not in a hurry and not too hungry. Don't go there if you want to have a decent conversation with your friends, because we can hardly hear each other in there.
Comment on this reader review

Vie
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Monday, July 21, 2008

I booked a table for 10 last week for my boyfriend's birthday and didn't find it as enjoyable as in the past. The service is always so-so - the waiters are either rude or too jokey. I only found out about their no-cake-policy after I went out during my lunch hour to buy a cake then to the restaurant to drop it off. They said that they wouldn't be liable for any problems with the cake, so we were allowed to sing Happy Birthday, but not allowed to cut or eat it. They wouldn't even store it for us. I think they should notify customers on their website or at the door of this.

We thought the Lobster festival was on that week, as advertised on their website, but when we got there, the only lobster dish was the Surf n Turf. Quite a few of us ordered this and the amount of lobster (1/2 a lobster) was tiny, the steaks were all of different cut (mine was too tough, another was too fatty). Even the fries weren't that nice this time - over fried.

I don't think I'd visit again unless I really couldn't decide where to go and to take advantage of their beat the clock offer.
Comment on this reader review

Maggie - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, July 16, 2008

I used to love Belgo's, but it has really suffered for its success. My visit last week was the worst yet. I don't want to waste any more time on this place, so here goes...

- The reception bar displayed 50 different beers, but only actually sold two;

- We had to share a table with 4 tourists, which we only found out when we were seated;

- The staff all wear matching uniforms and headsets, making it feel like some sort of CIA theme park;

- The food was bland, and produced far too quickly for the 'preparation' to have been anything more than taking off the clingfilm;

- The toilets, once quirky, are now run down and shabby;

- Finally, on ordering a final round of drinks, we had to promise the waiter to drink them quickly so he could free up the table.

All in all, they have sacrificed any hope of quality food and good service, and have replaced it with a horrible fast food, theme restaurant - you'd be better off at TGI Fridays, at least they're honest about it!
Comment on this reader review

Mike
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 4
Thursday, July 10, 2008