Foxtrot Oscar, Restaurant Review
Discussion
My girlfriend and I were at a loss Saturday gone and so I suggested we visit Foxtrot Oscar in Chelsea for a casual bite to eat.
Being a foodie I try to sample a few different restaurants a month to see what delectable delights are out there.
On to the restaurant!
It is based in Chelsea on the Royal Hospital Road away from the Kings Road hustle and bustle. Situated next door to an Antiques shop and lettings agent it takes on a very understated persona.
Once inside you immediately get a relaxed vibe and feel at home. The waiters are very humble and accommodating and the table service was spot on. It is a small restaurant with perhaps space to sit 10 "sittings" of 2-4 persons. The ambience is set by low lighting and soft tones, creating an atmosphere that doesn't encourage people to shout across the table (one of my pet hates!)
To drink we had a bottle of sparkling water and a bottle of Sancerre, these were delivered to the table with a fresh basket of bread. What I was puzzled by was the lack of a side plate however I feel this was to add to the informality of "FO".
Starter
Following our bread we both ordered the Pork Liver pate. It arrived at the table very simply with two slices of toasted bread. The pate was coarse in texture and flavoured strongly with garlic. My only criticism of the starter was the huge amount of pate in comparison to the low square footage of your finest granary to spread it on.
Mains
My lady had the fish cakes with a side of spring vegetables. The small amount which I managed to pilfer was delish'. The fish cakes were predominantly salmon with a slight flavouring of other smoked fish. The vegetable were served with a small knob of butter and had a slight "bite" to them which I rather like.
I went for a rather pubby choice with the Chicken and Wild mushroom pie with a side of hand cut chips. So essentially Pie and Chips... It was nice, but thats all I can say. The pie crust was fantastic so I can't put it down, perfectly puffy and crisp. However the filling was no more than average. A little bland at best.
The portions were big enough for me not to want a desert however the selection of deserts looked fantastic.
In Summary: The wine was great, the food was good overall and the atmosphere was equally good.
Would I go again? Maybe, but I think I could get more for the £108 i spent.
Thanks,
Jack
http://www.gordonramsay.com/foxtrotoscar/menus/
Being a foodie I try to sample a few different restaurants a month to see what delectable delights are out there.
On to the restaurant!
It is based in Chelsea on the Royal Hospital Road away from the Kings Road hustle and bustle. Situated next door to an Antiques shop and lettings agent it takes on a very understated persona.
Once inside you immediately get a relaxed vibe and feel at home. The waiters are very humble and accommodating and the table service was spot on. It is a small restaurant with perhaps space to sit 10 "sittings" of 2-4 persons. The ambience is set by low lighting and soft tones, creating an atmosphere that doesn't encourage people to shout across the table (one of my pet hates!)
To drink we had a bottle of sparkling water and a bottle of Sancerre, these were delivered to the table with a fresh basket of bread. What I was puzzled by was the lack of a side plate however I feel this was to add to the informality of "FO".
Starter
Following our bread we both ordered the Pork Liver pate. It arrived at the table very simply with two slices of toasted bread. The pate was coarse in texture and flavoured strongly with garlic. My only criticism of the starter was the huge amount of pate in comparison to the low square footage of your finest granary to spread it on.
Mains
My lady had the fish cakes with a side of spring vegetables. The small amount which I managed to pilfer was delish'. The fish cakes were predominantly salmon with a slight flavouring of other smoked fish. The vegetable were served with a small knob of butter and had a slight "bite" to them which I rather like.
I went for a rather pubby choice with the Chicken and Wild mushroom pie with a side of hand cut chips. So essentially Pie and Chips... It was nice, but thats all I can say. The pie crust was fantastic so I can't put it down, perfectly puffy and crisp. However the filling was no more than average. A little bland at best.
The portions were big enough for me not to want a desert however the selection of deserts looked fantastic.
In Summary: The wine was great, the food was good overall and the atmosphere was equally good.
Would I go again? Maybe, but I think I could get more for the £108 i spent.
Thanks,
Jack
http://www.gordonramsay.com/foxtrotoscar/menus/
Edited by JDMc on Friday 17th April 16:51
whitechief said:
This would explain my chicken pie 
A little frustrating £110 for a ready meal
JDMc said:
£108 i spent.
How can you justify spending that amount of money on one meal for two. That would cover my food budjet for three weeks and I eat well. It can't be that good, you even admit the pie wasn't anything to write home about.and why is it the more something costs the less you get of it.
Nice review mate. Very succinct.
The fact that some meals are prepared 'off-site' probably wouldn't necessarily put me off eating at one of GRs restaurants, but there again, I guess as you've said, £108 could probably buy you more elsewhere.
Cotty, who needs to justify it if you can afford it? Can you really compare shopping at a supermarket for substantially less, to the experience of eating in a 'fine' restaurant? It's not simply just about the food or the cost of the ingredients, it's the overall package. It would be like saying 'who can justify buying a bottle of Margaux for £300 when you could brew your own for £1.63 per gallon'.
The fact that some meals are prepared 'off-site' probably wouldn't necessarily put me off eating at one of GRs restaurants, but there again, I guess as you've said, £108 could probably buy you more elsewhere.
Cotty, who needs to justify it if you can afford it? Can you really compare shopping at a supermarket for substantially less, to the experience of eating in a 'fine' restaurant? It's not simply just about the food or the cost of the ingredients, it's the overall package. It would be like saying 'who can justify buying a bottle of Margaux for £300 when you could brew your own for £1.63 per gallon'.
tried it a couple of weeks ago for lunch and was excellent. £70 for 2 of us for 3 courses and drinks. great food - very tasty. service was informal but attentive. would recommend it.
stupid thing to say having to justify the cost vs shopping in a supermarket for 3 weeks.
suggestion - try things yourself and make up your own mind...
stupid thing to say having to justify the cost vs shopping in a supermarket for 3 weeks.
suggestion - try things yourself and make up your own mind...
I'd hardly say that preparing a meal at an off site facility and then finishing onsite is the definition of a ready meal! Especially as it is owned and run by GR. Its not as if he is pumping the food full of god knows how many preservatives in order to prolong the shelf life or buying it from a third party.
I guess its not that much different to how a lot of top end kitchens are run (although not all!). During the day the chefs complete the prep and mis en place so that by evening service they complete and assemble the meals. So, its not that every meal gets completed from scratch for every order!
Also had a look at the menu and for a set menu for 3 courses inc a glass of wine, 22.50 doesnt seem too steep as long as the taste delivers. Wine list looks reasonable too...
I guess its not that much different to how a lot of top end kitchens are run (although not all!). During the day the chefs complete the prep and mis en place so that by evening service they complete and assemble the meals. So, its not that every meal gets completed from scratch for every order!
Also had a look at the menu and for a set menu for 3 courses inc a glass of wine, 22.50 doesnt seem too steep as long as the taste delivers. Wine list looks reasonable too...
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