Frenchie
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"Ruined by awful waitress"
The food at Frenchie is absolutely delightful — 10/10, with the bacon and maple syrup scones ranking among the best I’ve ever had. However, the experience was severely marred by the service, particularly one waitress who was shockingly rude and dismissive. Despite repeated requests for the dessert wine menu and missing sides, she rolled her eyes and made condescending comments. While the cuisine is fantastic, the poor service makes it difficult to fully enjoy the meal. Go for the food if you must, but be prepared for an unpleasant service experience.
"Nice restaurant ideal for a pre theatre dinner"
We dined here on a cold, wet October evening before a theatre show. The staff were welcoming, attentive, and polite, making us feel comfortable immediately. The food from the set menu was excellent and reasonably priced in my opinion. I would gladly return and highly recommend this restaurant.
"Outstanding"
This charming restaurant on lively Henrietta Street carries on the excellence of Frenchie and their Parisian wine bar with distinction. The service is flawless, warm, and welcoming, enhancing the overall dining experience. We shared the Sunday lunch special — chicken stuffed with brioche, accompanied by celeriac in a delicious sauce and perfectly crispy roast potatoes. The chicken, served with a rich jus dotted with ginger, was incredibly tender and succulent. The celeriac was marvelous, and the potatoes were cooked to perfection. For dessert, we were treated to their signature banoffee with nutmeg and caramelized pecans. Sublimely sweet, creamy, and texturally delightful, it even contained frozen banana hidden inside. We absolutely loved this restaurant and recommend it without hesitation.
"Great service, lovely food."
We visited for a pre-theatre meal at 5:30 pm, and the service was excellent from start to finish — polite, friendly, and attentive. The set menu was short, but the courses we selected were beautifully presented, well-timed, and delicious. The wine list was extensive and on the pricier side, which increased our bill, but that was our choice. Overall, a highly recommendable experience.
"Excellent food and service"
We enjoyed the 3-course set menu along with the bacon scones as nibbles. Knowing we had to leave by 7 pm for the theatre, the staff ensured service was prompt, which was much appreciated. The bacon scones were incredible, and the set menu was equally divine. Portion sizes were generous, though the scones left us quite full. Cocktails were excellent. Despite previous reviews noting poor service, we found our waitress friendly and helpful, and all staff welcoming. Even though we had booked indoors, we were happily seated on the terrace without issue. Highly recommended.
"Excellent three course fixed menu"
We enjoyed the pre-theatre fixed-price menu at £34 for three courses, which offered excellent value for interesting, flavorful, and imaginative dishes. The ‘Frenchman in NY’ gin cocktail was delicious, and the banoffee pudding was unique and special. The staff were very friendly, and our waitress was lovely, though service felt slightly disjointed at times, with some random delays. Overall, the food was delicious, the staff welcoming, and the price very reasonable — highly recommended.
"Fabulous French Food"
I was fortunate to enjoy the five-course tasting menu here. Normally, I can’t finish such a meal, but this time I just managed! Each course was exciting, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. It would have been nice to have at least one drink included. The service charge is 15% but optional. Tip: book a terrace seat to enjoy the lively hustle and bustle of Covent Garden while dining.
"Some good, some disappointing features"
We visited for a pre-theatre meal and found the setup very pleasant. Contrary to some other reviews, the service was excellent, and the food was of the expected good quality. The main downside was the house wine, priced at over £50 plus 15% service, and we also noticed the 15% service charge applied to a £1 charity donation, which seemed excessive even for this part of London. Overall, good food and service, but be prepared for high additional costs.
"Tasty food, but service has dropped"
This was our second visit (first in 2017), and unfortunately, the service has noticeably declined. We brought our own wine with no issue, and the sommelier was attentive. However, the ordering process was confusing and rushed — multiple staff members asked if we were ready to order within minutes of each other, despite the restaurant being only partially full and us not even having a glass of wine yet. The starters and mains were tasty and came at a reasonable pace, and the food itself remains good, on par with London prices for this standard. But the service fell far short of the experience we had on our first visit, making the overall experience less enjoyable.
"So Nearly Great But Sadly Not…."
Such a shame, as the potential for excellence is clearly there. The food was absolutely delicious, and the decor and ambience were inviting. Unfortunately, our main courses arrived barely warm, which seemed to be a service issue rather than a kitchen problem. Two out of four meals had to be sent back, creating a disjointed experience—two of us finished while the others were still waiting, and the sides went stone cold. A lack of communication and no one taking charge made the evening frustrating. The waiting staff came across as indifferent, giving a charmless, “going through the motions” vibe that overshadowed the otherwise great meal. The restaurant was busy on a Friday night, which may have contributed, but the service flaws could be easily fixed to match the quality of the food.
Frenchie
Trendy bistro in the 2nd/3rd arrondissements blending French technique with global flavours, small plates & curated wines.
Address
Nile Street, Paris 16 Henrietta Street WC2E 8QH , London
Website
frenchie-restaurant.com
Email
[email protected]
Telephone
[email protected]