The Ambassador

I've been sold on The Ambassador since my first visit soon after they opened over a year ago. It's a regular favourite and I've never been disappointed. The interior is simple, no-fuss, traditional and has something of the 50's with the recent addition of a large red banquette at the end of the room. On a warm day you can't beat booking a table near one of the large open french windows along the front of the restaurant where you are ideally placed for people watching and catching the cool breezes. The food has never disappointed, if you're as regular as me then perhaps there could be more choice in the menu. However, everything has always been delicious with an emphasis on fresh ingredients. My favourites are the fois gras starter, onglette beef, and London sausage sandwich. (Not necessarily in that order.) There's a good wine list and an interesting selection of beers which Clive the owner has always been very helpful in describing. I think the thing that sets this place apart are the staff who make it a great environment for adults and children alike. I go their often with my daughter (a toddler) and the staff have always been very friendly, welcoming and helpful with her. This could be because the owner has a daughter of a similar age but I suspect it's just the general ethos of the place. Highlights of my visits have included: the jugs of Bloody Mary on a Sunday afternoon, turning up in the morning after breakfast but before lunch and having the waitress offer to sort a late brunch out for me which included yogurt, muesli and coffee; waitress offered to make a milk shake (not on the menu) for my surly seven-year old niece who turned her nose up at everything on the menu; and being greeted warmly and familiarly by the staff everytime I go. While the restaurant is hardly running amok with kids it is actually very child-friendly, they have high chairs and booster seats, there's easy access for a pram and they have a table of colouring books and colours to keep little ones entertained. There are no changing facilities for babies, but it really doesn't matter. In short it's a great place for a coffee, a drink or for a long and lazy full on Sunday afternoon session.