tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376945012109352112.post5628509520339319582..comments2024-03-18T04:47:02.250+00:00Comments on Essex Eating: The Riding House Café - LondonDanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04111357339779405801noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376945012109352112.post-33145771994612136412011-08-31T07:47:50.834+01:002011-08-31T07:47:50.834+01:00Greedy Diva - I reckon it'd be a pleasant plac...Greedy Diva - I reckon it'd be a pleasant place for a drink, there's no doubt the interior is absolutely gorgeous. The food despite being good isn't massively exciting. <br /><br />Lizzie - Glad it's not just me then! And the burger not that great either. OooohDanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04111357339779405801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376945012109352112.post-29445854786355723562011-08-30T13:56:56.336+01:002011-08-30T13:56:56.336+01:00The burger, while it looked impressive was quite d...The burger, while it looked impressive was quite disappointing; the bun couldn't hold itself together in the weight of the meat.<br /><br />Working next door as I do I've been in a few times both for food and just drinks and have always felt quite unwelcome. The vibe from the staff is chilly at best.Hollow Legshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07152329184111658897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376945012109352112.post-66102401665172137212011-08-30T10:21:53.318+01:002011-08-30T10:21:53.318+01:00The service I had there was just a bit dispassiona...The service I had there was just a bit dispassionate and hopeless on one occassion, and OK on another, rather than rude - and I agree with your assessment that the food is quite nice but doesn't inspire a return visit, even for me, living very close by.Greedy Divahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11114726748321671965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376945012109352112.post-39751244084889064922011-08-30T10:04:57.832+01:002011-08-30T10:04:57.832+01:00Le Vach - A walk in party of 30 would challenge a...Le Vach - A walk in party of 30 would challenge any restaurant I reckon. I'm glad you had better service than I did, hopefully it was an off day for them when I visited and things are normally less frosty. <br /><br />Erin - Nice that they looked after you and your toddler so well the first time, that's good, as you say, it's quite a fashionable place.<br /><br />Graphic Foodie - Agreed. If the reception is poor, then it undoes everything else, no matter how good the place is.<br />The prices are pretty good, but as you say - small plate eating seems to add up pretty rapidly, especially when you factor in service (not that we paid it this time), and booze.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04111357339779405801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376945012109352112.post-92225187240570611232011-08-30T09:41:08.208+01:002011-08-30T09:41:08.208+01:00No need for it. If you hate people don't get a...No need for it. If you hate people don't get a job dealing with the public!<br /><br />Food looks good though and really well priced. Small plate eating always puts me off as by the time you add your selection of £6-10 priced plates up plus vino you could have eaten in some of the most expensive restauratnts in the country! The above prices make more sense at least.Graphic Foodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06996991111308891331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376945012109352112.post-13753553643910807792011-08-30T01:21:52.493+01:002011-08-30T01:21:52.493+01:00I went twice, once with my two-year old son. Nothi...I went twice, once with my two-year old son. Nothing is more guaranteed to get a frigid reception than a toddler in a fashionable place! I had checked & they had high chairs, so I figured it was fine. The reception staff were friendly enough, switched my booked table quickly when they realised my buggy wouldn't fit. Waitress was stellar with Elliot. If I remember correctly, when was without E in tow, service was indifferent.Erinhttp://www.mummyandmonkey.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376945012109352112.post-67457956916716475112011-08-29T23:46:34.664+01:002011-08-29T23:46:34.664+01:00I have to say, I can't remember who was front ...I have to say, I can't remember who was front of house when I went, but on the night, they had bee n inundated with table for *30* who didn't have a reservation. We didn't have a reservation, either, and because of this massive party, we were forced to prop up the bar for the better part of two hours before we got a table. Won't hold that against them, necessarily, but if it going to screw things up so badly, it might be worth restricting walk-in parties to 12 or 15.<br /><br />Anywho, the point is, throughout our wait, I kept checking in with the reception and they couldn't have been more friendly. Seriously, really lovely. I think I know the smartly dressed guy you mean, and if it's the same guy, he was pretty friendly too. <br /><br />I think you might have just caught the place on an off day or perhaps they only turn on the charm when it gets busier at night, but I would definitely give it another go. If for nothing else, than for that artichoke puree.<br /><br />(PS The drinks menu was pretty great too.)Le Vachehttp://www.vachonline.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376945012109352112.post-78604339553759424832011-08-29T20:59:19.831+01:002011-08-29T20:59:19.831+01:00Miss South - I hadn't thought of that, althoug...Miss South - I hadn't thought of that, although to be fair, a portion of the menu was available - just nothing much that I wanted to order. Sniffy service is a real sin though.<br /><br />Thelittleloaf - Maybe he was having a bad day. I'm normally really easy going and quite forgiving, but this guy was awful enough that it really made both of us sit up and take notice.<br />Agreed, the decor is stunning. As for the artichoke puree, now that is good news. Probably the best thing we ate, and we came away wondering how it was made. Thanks for letting me know!Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04111357339779405801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376945012109352112.post-15224120753151382662011-08-29T20:38:38.850+01:002011-08-29T20:38:38.850+01:00Aside from the crummy service (which I luckily did...Aside from the crummy service (which I luckily didn't get, but as you say, one person can make or break a dining experience) I totally agree with your review. Perfectly nice food, but nothing stunning; the decor is what makes the RHC stand out from the crowd.<br /><br />I love the artichoke puree so much that I asked for the recipe via Twitter. Whoever does their social media) - I think the owners? - is charm itself and more than happy to share it. I've put it up on my blog if you fancy having a go! :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376945012109352112.post-43439877560502007232011-08-29T20:19:57.557+01:002011-08-29T20:19:57.557+01:00You'd think one of the perks of the small plat...You'd think one of the perks of the small plate thing is that you don't end up in a weird culinary cul de sac if you wander in for a late lunch or fancy a post shopping cocktail followed by something to soak up the booze.<br /><br />Why Britain and oh so cosmopolitan London can't cope with people not eating at rigid times I do not know. It drives me nuts. Especially when accompanied by sniffy service...miss southhttp://northsouthfood.comnoreply@blogger.com