Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester Reviews Summary

Service

Pros:

• "Service was exceptional."
• "The service, in particular, was impeccable - friendly, attentive, but not overbearing."
• "Staff were attentive and went out of their way to make you comfortable and really took care of you."
• "The service all night was just magnificent. Warm, knowledgeable and at times funny with not a hint of snobbishness."
• "The service of course was impeccable, and the prices, well, its about par for the course for a three star restaurant."
• "The staff are true professionals with an impressive attention to detail."
• "Staff and service were immaculate."

Cons:

• "The communication before really let it down. It felt cold and stilted."
• "Service without really caring. Tired of what they do."
• "Service average."
• "SERVICE looked ok, but the waiters seem not have passed a well trained."
• "There were times where one wine glass was different from the others. Thought that was odd. A little sloppy."
• "Especially the service, serving food when people are not at the table. Crossing in front of people to place fork or knife."
• "The service was unorganised, they forgot to bring cutlery and necessary glassware."

Food Quality

Pros:

• "Dorset Crab, celeriac and caviar - refreshing."
• "Best Michelin meal we have had in the UK."
• "Had the tasting menu for lunch, fantastic service and delicious food."
• "This was the most fabulous fine dining experience-ever! The food was divine the service outstanding, their attention to detail faultless."
• "Extravagant food and flawless service."
• "Chef Blondet really mastered presentation and cooking techniques making the tasting menu one of the best culinary experiences in this world."
• "Outstanding dishes were the foie gras and cherries - beautiful texture and flavour, the lobster with macaroni - perfection, and the veal loin - incredible."

Cons:

• "One of the dishes was impressively sour, just like a bite of the fresh lemon."
• "The food was nothing to write home about."
• "We left feeling underwhelmed and void of any real food experience."
• "The duck was the best dish they had to offer, and yet, it was uninspiring at best."
• "The lobster medallion was overcooked and we expected a bit more from the cheese course - although elegant it wasn't very creative or original."
• "The food however, was just decent and was not as good as I had expected from a 3* Michelin."
• "The food did seem to have an over citrus flavor theme throughout."

Ambience

Pros:

• "You then walk through the cosy (compared to George V) gallery into the bar which we found to be exceptional."
• "The entrance through the hotel lobby is opulent."
• "The restaurant itself is understated and classy."
• "This restaurant is classy, has excellent service, a wine list as thick as a phone book and the best bread you’ll ever have in your life."
• "Classic French cuisine and service in British surroundings."
• "The lovely surroundings complemented the meal that was to come."
• "The environment was gorgeous."

Cons:

• "Expectedly a classy ambience but borderlines on being too snooty."
• "Rather odd choice of music being played in the background."
• "The room was best described as 1960's dated NOT cool 1960's, but drab 1960's."
• "The atmosphere was quite chain-like."
• "The hotel looks a bit dated, I think that's the down side."
• "Expensive decor, bland to the point of disappearing."
• "The atmosphere was a bit too pretentious for my liking."

Value

Pros:

• "Lockdown is no excuse when you can still have a 25 year old champagne on the books."
• "The wine list had more affordable options than many places in Mayfair."
• "We booked to eat during the lunch hour which proved to be very good value."
• "The overall bill came under Singapore $200 per person, and for this quality of service and food, I'd say it's well worth the money."
• "It remains as one of my favourite."
• "The team is absolutely fabulous."
• "Love the lobster, especially the sauce. The duck was perfect!"

Cons:

• "The bill was £1800 for three people."
• "Honestly you are better off at Gordon Ramsey's restaurant, 3 Michelin stars, prices are reasonable and is really good."
• "I was then overcharged!!! Someone else's bar tab was put onto my bill."
• "The worst service I have ever experienced at a Michelin 3 Star."
• "Very disappointing."
• "At £660 for dinner Daniel Humm and Thomas Keller trump Alain Ducasse."
• "Expensive and did not feel worth it."