The Woodhouse

scampo

A disappointment! 7th March 2009

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I do wonder - do the people who write the 5* reviews own these restaurants?

We went the other day and had the set evening meal at, I think, £18.00 a head. The room is rather dark and the red walls are anything but relaxing. It might have been me but no one there (it wasn't full and it was a Friday) seemed really relaxed - even the staff.

First problem (well second... the lowest priced bottle of French red was £20.00) - the cork screw wouldn't work and they only had one. The waitress struggled and struggled with the bottle between her legs - most inelegantly tugging away and making profuse apologies.

Next, the tiny "confit de canard" or whatever (a "taste tickler") that came on a piece of slate was really quite tasteless and all but cold.

Then followed the lasagne starter - well, my wife quite liked hers but, really, it wasn't "lasagne" and really did lack any of the creaminess and taste that I associate with that well-known dish. It was also, again, lukewarm - which added to the blandness.

The "home made" bread was really surprisingly dry - really a shame and a surprise.

The main course was not bad at all. The rather small portion of pork was undoubtedly quite dry but it was clearly good quality meat and rather well prepared and presented. But it was lukewarm again! The parsnip and creamed bacon with leek vegetables were very good indeed - but a tiny portion. The tempting twist of pork crackling atop the meat was truly terrible - it was cold, devoid of fat and saltiness. I can't imagine how it had been prepared.

The side dishes (£2.00 each extra) of potatoes and vegetables were poor and genuinely overcooked (except the carrots), The potatoes and soggy broccoli were soft and watery - there was a small amount of cooking water in the base of the dishes. A real disappointment and very uninspiring in their preparation and execution.

Finally the desserts. Well, it was the best egg custard I have ever tasted, without a doubt - but the portion was so very tiny as to be all but laughable.

The coffees were superb.

Overall - it must have been the chef's night off and can't be recommended.

scampo

Not for the very hungry! 17th January 2009

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I have added a new review following a disappointing evening here (see above).

Friends went recently also for Sunday lunch and spoke highly of the service and quality of the food but were disappointed at the small servings.

Sarah_W

A great discovery 3rd April 2007

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I was invited here while on a development course for work, by the trainers, and was completely bowled over by the quality of the food, the service and everything else about this place. My very favourable impression was probably reinforced by the fact that I didn't expect to find myself in such a stylish restaurant - I thought we'd be going to the local pub for a steak or similar! Instead here we were in this beautifully decorated restaurant, where everything fell into place to make for an excellent evening.

I ate:
Wild Mushroom, Foie Gras & Madeira Consommé
Fillet of John Dory, Baby Leeks, Jacket New Potatoes, Parsley Puree
Crème Caramel, Honey Tuille, Bitter Chocolate Sorbet

All of this was absolutely first class but I have to say that the chocolate sorbet was a revelation! Imagine the difference between cheap milk chocolate and the best 75% cocoa solids Belgian gorgeousness - that's the difference between ordinary chocolate ice cream and this!!

Someone else was paying for this but I sneaked a glance at the prices and, perhaps because I'm used to London prices, I didn't think they were too bad. OK, you'd be unlikely to get much change from £40 per person by the time you'd added some wine to an order from the a la carte menu, but there's a very good value early dinner menu at £12.00 for two courses or £15.00 for three.

I should add too that the service was very good, especially considering the fact that we were a group of 12 which can make serving everybody at the same time a challenge. The staff were all welcoming, friendly and efficient - a winning combination!