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Arbutus

French 
63-64 Frith Street, London W1D 3JW
Latest critic review: March 12, 2008
Critics' score: 8 out of 10 Users' score: 3.8 out of 10



Arbutus

Anthony Demetre and Will Smith bring seasonal fair to Soho


Critic Reviews


David Sexton Evening Standard
Reviewed on March 12, 2008
"It's an astonishing deal, given how good a meal this Michelin-starred place delivers within these constraints. For though the ingredients are economical, the cooking remains top-notch." READ REVIEW
Critic's score: 8
Anon Time Out
Reviewed on September 28, 2007
"Time Out’s Best New Restaurant of 2006 has sailed through that potentially tricky consolidation period. It remains permanently full (though not to that irritating book-months-ahead extent), but the service and kitchen cope well, and the menu is still instinctively alluring." READ REVIEW
Critic's score: 8.5
Jay Rayner Observer
Reviewed on August 06, 2006
"And at the end, though I was not drunk on alcohol, I confess I was very tipsy on pleasure." READ REVIEW
Estimated score
Critic's score: 8
AA Gill Sunday Times
Reviewed on July 02, 2006
"This is all very accomplished stuff, and it’s just what Frith Street needed." READ REVIEW
Critic's score: 8
Matthew Norman Guardian
Reviewed on July 01, 2006
"Technically, this was as good a meal as you're likely to find at these prices. But then, great technique without a shred of passion is what the place is all about, and while that's probably the best careerist recipe for many of the self-employed women who work above shops in the area, it doesn't get my juices flowing one bit." READ REVIEW
Critic's score: 7
Terry Durack Independent
Reviewed by June 18, 2006
"But by any measure, Arbutus is one of the brightest and most welcome London openings of the year. It has a lot in common with another new favourite of mine, The Ambassador, in Exmouth Market, so I am hoping that this seasonally adjusted, seriously crafted and modestly priced dining thing is the start of a major trend." READ REVIEW
Critic's score: 7.5
John Walsh Independent
Reviewed on June 17, 2006
"Maybe so, but there's nothing déclassé about Arbutus, which leaps straight into my top 10 London restaurants to show off to visiting friends. Charming, flavourful, imaginative, fags- and muzak-free and with that revolutionary wine policy, it breathes the atmosphere of a foodie shrine that knows exactly what it's doing." READ REVIEW
Critic's score: 8
Marina O'Loughlin Metro
Reviewed on June 01, 2006
"As a business lunch venue, it can hardly be bettered but maybe it lacks the sybaritic quality to pull them in at night. Never mind, it will still be filled with pale, plump punters, trembling with anticipation as they caress the frequently changing menu. The London foodie has a new spiritual home." READ REVIEW
Critic's score: 8
Giles Coren Times
Reviewed on June 03, 2006
"This is a radically spanking, thoroughly massive piece of restaurant-making. The kind of place that New York or Paris would kill to have. You can’t eat better than this." READ REVIEW
Critic's score: 8.5
 

User reviews

Average user rating from: 4 user(s)

Overall rating 
 
3.8  (4)
Ratings (the higher the better)
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Arbutus 2012-04-18 13:17:22 Jenny Jones
Overall rating 
 
1.0
Reviewed by Jenny Jones    April 18, 2012

Oh my, what a waste of my time & money

What a huge disappointment.
Not only was the food unacceptable through to barely acceptable, the staff were horrid.
We were seated against the window in a set-up that resembled a food court. This is no restaurant! No linen, tables uncomfortably close together and the food so bad that I would take it back even in a food court! I should have read reviews before we went. There is no atmosphere at all. You might as well be sitting at a communal table in a school dining hall; that would be an improvement.
The meals came out cold and the cuts of meat were so bad. All I saw was gristle and fat. It was truly disgusting. Then, to add insult to injury, we were charged for wine we didn't have. We mentioned this to the staff but they wouldn't listen! It took almost 20 minutes for the staff to realise that we were right; then there wasn't even an apology.
This dreadful establishment should not be allowed to call themselves a restaurant. Go elsewhere!

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Arbutus 2011-12-22 11:48:28 Sonja Jankovic
Overall rating 
 
1.0
Sonja Jankovic Reviewed by Sonja Jankovic    December 22, 2011

Will not eat here again, EVER

I still cannot believe that this bistro with it's poor offerings apparently has a star. Unbelieveable. How could this be compared with Petrus, for example. Unbelieveable!
The food came out cold, the waitstaff were so busy chatting amongst themselves that diners had to fill their own glasses!!! I could not believe it. The meat was gristly and chewy and the dessert was the only decent thing served all night. In fact, it was passable but nothing special. We were overcharged on top of all of that!!!

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Arbutus 2009-07-20 10:17:25 Gavin
Overall rating 
 
5.0
Reviewed by Gavin    July 20, 2009

Decent but not

Had a decent meal here. The rabbit saddle/ cottage pie was excellent, although the rest was good, though less than memorable.

However, the place gets marked down for a couple of reasons. First that I felt we were being table-turned, as the meal for 3 people lasted barely an hour and a half. We turned up as the theatre crowd were leaving, but I felt we were being trated with the same brevity as them.

Second, bringing wine that wasn't what we ordered, both times in favour of the restaurant. We spotted the first one in time, but missed the second. Restaurant did also not respond to an email querying the price (not asking for a refund, just clarification), which left me discinctly unimpressed.

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Arbutus 2009-06-19 10:25:23 Suzie Doore
Overall rating 
 
8.0
Suzie Doore Reviewed by Suzie Doore    June 19, 2009

Great value for very high quality food

I've never eaten a bad meal here. They have great lunch and pre-theatre deals and the menu changes regularly but keeps a few old favourites. If there's no room in the restaurant they let you sit at the bar and eat, which is a nice informal touch that makes it feel quite European.

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More Details
• 
French 
• 1 Michelin star
• 3 AA Rosettes
Address
63-64 Frith Street, London W1D 3JW
Telephone
020 7734 4545
Nearest Tube
Oxford Circus
Opening times:
Lunch Mon - Sat 12.30 - 2.30pm, Sun 12.30 - 3.30 pm; Dinner Mon - Sat 5.00 - 10.30pm, Sun 5.30 - 9.30 pm
  • • Bar area
  • • Wheelchair access

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