I have booked lunch for Valentines day at The Ivy will this be the dining delight I wish for?

nope its under new management, they’ve sacked all the kitchen staff and its now a nandos

It’s nice

You’d be better going two doors away to L’Atelier
de Joël Robuchon but thats if you want nicer food, The Ivy is a place where people go to be seen, at the end of the day it’s your cash, have a look a Robuchons gaff on the net anyway for maybe next time.

I think the Ivy is where CFH goes for his fish ‘n’ chips on a Friday night 😉

Is “fish and chips” a euphemism?

What,like ‘centreparks’?

It’s very much a place to be seen and to see, but the food is pretty average based on the limited experience I’ve had of it.

The ivy was pretty disappointing when I went a couple of years ago. Food wasn’t great and no real atmosphere.

I was walking past one morning and noticed that they were loading catering size bags of McCain Oven Chips into the kitchen (I admit this was about a decade ago).

🙂

It’s OK. That’s about it. Only been thrice, and it was fine. There’s better for the money in town, IMO.

fish and chips

I thought it was army slag – Fighting In Somebody’s House and Causing Havoc In Peoples Streets. Either for urban warfare, or R&R…

Only been to the one in Santa Monica, Los Angeles. Was nice but nothing special but I think the one in SM is supposed to be more relaxed.

We were skiing one day last year with a guy who used to be a maitre ‘d (sp) person there, what a tosser he was.
Sorry that has absolutely nothing to do with answering your question. Just in a funny mood.

not been for ages but used to love it there – fish cakes are good

It’s good, get the Shepherds’ Pie, it’s brilliant

The food is quite basic – classic comfort food etc. The service, setting and other diners are supposed to be the attraction. I prefer the Wolsey but booking is a nightmare.

had a very nice, reasonably priced meal there about 8 years ago

Does seem to depend on when you go. My business partner is a member of The Club at The Ivy which is the private bit upstairs. That is always fantastic and always full of properly famous people. The main restaurant downstairs can be a little hit and miss. Always had great lunches there, but in the evenings it can get a little busy and noisy. Would suspect Valentines Day should be a civilsed affair and I’ve always found the staff seem to know if you’re there for a treat and make an extra effort.
Out of maybe a dozen visits in the last couple of years I would say I’ve had a 90% satisfaction rate.

I hope its good as we are getting the train from Bath 1st class so the whole day is costing a few quid.

It’ll be great!