Alice House WH Reviews 3

pricey beer but lovely staff. nice outdoor spot in the summer

Today I went to the Alice House West Hampstead with my two daughters, my son and his girlfriend. We had all heard very good reviews and were looking forward to our meal. How disappointing! The meal took quite a while to arrive and when it did it was all various shades of black. It was hard to tell what we were eating as it was so burnt. It had taken a long time to come and we felt the waitress didn't really want us there so we ended up not complaining. It was very mediocre and when I left what I had eaten laid very heavily on my stomach. £16 for such a substandard roast dinner! With hindsight I should have complained there and then but we will not be going back and would never recommend it. They only got one star because I had to give something. Very sad!

Having arrived unexpectedly early to attend a scheduled business meeting in,
'The Salusbury', my partner and I, decided to kill the surplus :1 hour 30 minutes to address our long journey inflicted hunger, coupled with a little light refreshment. We came across:

'The Alice House,
53 -55 Salusbury Road,
Queens Park"

Our choice was an absolute 'No Brainer', as they say?... As it stood out with immense overbearing prominence amongst its rival peers only equalled by 'The Salusbury'.
The establishment looked very visually enticing, held a very welcoming air cast, with comfortable, deep conversation inciting focused furnishings.

We were approached 'promptly', by a very refreshing, genuinely helpful member of staff. Unfortunately I did not note her name, but I can state she was working on 13/11/17 @ cicra 18.00 to 19.00 before her shift end. This helpful, brunette haired, priceless gem, seated us, ran through the menu and options of drinks and was very accommodating. She reflected, exceeeded and confirmed the high expectations we had briefly gathered whilst seated, curiously scanning over the mainly positive, broadcast reviews. With nothing, bar professionalism and enthusiasm!....
She be an asset to the establishment!

Promptly the food arrived!;
Unfortunately, and with deep regret; I have need and purpose to air; that's when things began to go down hill!.

We ordered after long deliberation and even found consideration place, to just have drinks and obtain a meal from one of the other venues.
This mentality of "Lets down, pay for our drinks and bail". Stemmed, from the not so' very excitable, mouthwatering igniting choice of dining offered by the menu. It appeared to be slap dash put together. A little disappointing.
But time limit governed we stuck and held faith, that our taste buds where to be unexpectedly blissfully adorned.
Plus we absolutely starving!......

We ordered two starters one of which included

"Lamb leg croquettes, herb, and caper mayo"

Two mains, which were really in make up, posh posed, 'in attempted make up' a simple selection of variations you'd obtain from a Zone 1 or 2 Central London, 'Fish and Chip Shop'.
Coupled with two cocktails each from a very limited selection of cicra 6?.....

Pomegranate & Cherry Bellini

Hmmmmm!?; time to tuck in. Forget the effortless slap on a plate presentation I'm no snob, and after all at base level the venue is a glorified pub.

One "Lamb leg croquettes, herb, and caper mayo" down the hatch. Nice but nothing special. Partner wasn't keen.
But I ran with it.....
Second portion, in the process of injest. Then
"CRUNCH, CRACK! "...
Was that my tooth? ; owwwww!.

Un gentlemanly!, in shock' I literally", with no inhibition or table mannered regard for all around me.."SPAT OUT THE CAUSE OF MY DISCOMFORT AND DISGUST!"
What was this sizable lump?; at first glance it appeared to be in form of a 'human wisdom tooth. Urrrgh!; In shock I almost ejected the entire liquid content of my stomach with involuntary reaction, but luckily I some how managed to contain myself. Although I found myself endlessly repeatedly spitting, inorder to eject every aspect of the offending morsel from my mouth.

After closer inspection; it came to light' of being a very sizable, immensely solid 'Bone' I deduce must have been from the lamb?.

Either way it 'shouldn't' have been there and absolutely ruined my experience, tarnished my evening and rendered me so disappointed that I scribe this very review.
Despite a very laboured, insincere, protocol apology and gesture of "Not being charged for the offending dish and a free desert". Really and truly I just wanted to leave!.
With a little 'benefit of the doubt' consideration I accepted, and in hunger ate a portion of the bone riddled "Roast Cod Fillet, Mussels, Champ, and Sea Beat!" priced at £14....
Boney cod, mash potato, slap on a bit of melted cheese, and throw a few basic garlic Mussels around it. Voila! !!!!

The Bill?; £75......now considering we'd been to the 'Radio Bar in the Strand' a few days earlier with similar pricing?...
I'll state this. .the food at "M.E London Radio Bar", warrant their pricing with the very noticeable 'high quality of food and considered preperation' of the dishes on offer; even though their, menu is just as limited. Unfortunately 'The Alice House', current grade of food and dish preparation on offer is 'Nowhere Near' the pricing level cast. Witherspoons', would give them a good run for their money and may even,'emerge triumphant' in a head to head. Very disappointing, from a usually, open minded, very forgiving individual. But quite simply, this experience, his ruined my evening....hence two stars.....