Not sure why I can’t post both the images and the text, but here’s my second try.
My partner and I went to Frog to celebrate her birthday.
The staff mentioned that they were trying out a load of new dishes on the menu and we were excited to be the guinea pigs with these dishes, as I’d really only read positive reviews on this sub regarding Frog. Unfortunately, they should have kept testing them prior to serving to paying diners.
+: The cod was light, the pickled grapes went surprisingly well with it, and the foam actually added the perfect amount of additional flavor. The venison was also well prepared and the beets went along quite well, I think the server was surprised when we told him it was enough truffle (as he was slicing that at the table and told us when to stop). In my opinion too many restaurants use truffle as a crutch, when it really should be only there to add a component to the dish (not the end all be all of the dish).
-: Most of the other dishes I couldn’t recommend (some were fine, but not something that I’d go out of my way to mention to a friend). The Quail (Part 1) within the ravioli was good in combination with the cheese, but the broth that we were encouraged to drink was akin to a fancy soy sauce, far too salty to actually drink on its own. The Chicken Sandwich really was not good, nice that it was in memory of Adam’s sister, but none of the components to it were not that noteworthy. The bread was fine, but something we were told was always on the menu as guests were big fans. The staff didn’t explain what the different types of butter were when placing it (in hindsight we should have asked except that the butter wasn’t that great either).
If I’m being honest though, the biggest let down was the staff. There were a few staff that were on their A-game, but a few key players must have been out last night as there were some less than ideal moments.
1. Once we declined any wine/non-alcoholic pairings it seemed that they largely just forgot about refilling water glasses. 2. Incredibly awkward questions. Some of which started innocuous enough but turned a bit strange and seemed like they questioned if we’d ever experienced fine dining before. When we answered that yes, we really enjoyed fine dining they wanted to know more about which places (fine, innocent enough), so we answered with one or two. Then they asked if that was it, so my partner bluntly said, “Well, we’ve been to every 3 Star in London and the surrounding areas, as well as most 2 Stars.” It was weird and would have left it at that, but when the caviar came around we were asked, “Have you had caviar before?” and they proceeded to describe how this caviar was unlike any other. 3. The cheese and caviar dish had a dollop of caviar on top and immediately after taking the photo it fell off the cheeseball and onto the decorative seeds that held the cheeseballs. Rather than easily replacing one of the cheeseballs, they went and got me a spoon to fish out the caviar. I spent the next minute or two picking out the seeds.
Overall, based on my experience, I wouldn’t recommend it to others. There are so many great restaurants out there for the same price.
theyoungercurmudgeon
Wish it was bone apple tea. Otherwise, looks amazing!!!
eogreen
Reposting my comment from your previous post: The cod dish is a hold over from the previous menu. I haven’t finished writing up my experience from March 6th. In the past, I loved my Frog meal. But the current menu definitely needs some tweaks.
Our recent meal didn’t have as many staff blunders/insults as yours. That aspect does sound deeply off-putting.
Firm_Interaction_816
‘Have you had caviar before?” and they proceeded to describe how this caviar was unlike any other.’
The staff needs to pull their heads from their posteriors. A shame, I had heard good things about Frog, seems you really went on an off day (not that they should have off days at the prices they charge).
Worried-Change-4543
Which restaurants are better in the price range in London?
5 Comments
Not sure why I can’t post both the images and the text, but here’s my second try.
My partner and I went to Frog to celebrate her birthday.
The staff mentioned that they were trying out a load of new dishes on the menu and we were excited to be the guinea pigs with these dishes, as I’d really only read positive reviews on this sub regarding Frog. Unfortunately, they should have kept testing them prior to serving to paying diners.
+: The cod was light, the pickled grapes went surprisingly well with it, and the foam actually added the perfect amount of additional flavor. The venison was also well prepared and the beets went along quite well, I think the server was surprised when we told him it was enough truffle (as he was slicing that at the table and told us when to stop). In my opinion too many restaurants use truffle as a crutch, when it really should be only there to add a component to the dish (not the end all be all of the dish).
-: Most of the other dishes I couldn’t recommend (some were fine, but not something that I’d go out of my way to mention to a friend). The Quail (Part 1) within the ravioli was good in combination with the cheese, but the broth that we were encouraged to drink was akin to a fancy soy sauce, far too salty to actually drink on its own. The Chicken Sandwich really was not good, nice that it was in memory of Adam’s sister, but none of the components to it were not that noteworthy. The bread was fine, but something we were told was always on the menu as guests were big fans. The staff didn’t explain what the different types of butter were when placing it (in hindsight we should have asked except that the butter wasn’t that great either).
If I’m being honest though, the biggest let down was the staff. There were a few staff that were on their A-game, but a few key players must have been out last night as there were some less than ideal moments.
1. Once we declined any wine/non-alcoholic pairings it seemed that they largely just forgot about refilling water glasses.
2. Incredibly awkward questions. Some of which started innocuous enough but turned a bit strange and seemed like they questioned if we’d ever experienced fine dining before. When we answered that yes, we really enjoyed fine dining they wanted to know more about which places (fine, innocent enough), so we answered with one or two. Then they asked if that was it, so my partner bluntly said, “Well, we’ve been to every 3 Star in London and the surrounding areas, as well as most 2 Stars.” It was weird and would have left it at that, but when the caviar came around we were asked, “Have you had caviar before?” and they proceeded to describe how this caviar was unlike any other.
3. The cheese and caviar dish had a dollop of caviar on top and immediately after taking the photo it fell off the cheeseball and onto the decorative seeds that held the cheeseballs. Rather than easily replacing one of the cheeseballs, they went and got me a spoon to fish out the caviar. I spent the next minute or two picking out the seeds.
Overall, based on my experience, I wouldn’t recommend it to others. There are so many great restaurants out there for the same price.
Wish it was bone apple tea. Otherwise, looks amazing!!!
Reposting my comment from your previous post:
The cod dish is a hold over from the previous menu. I haven’t finished writing up my experience from March 6th. In the past, I loved my Frog meal. But the current menu definitely needs some tweaks.
Our recent meal didn’t have as many staff blunders/insults as yours. That aspect does sound deeply off-putting.
‘Have you had caviar before?” and they proceeded to describe how this caviar was unlike any other.’
The staff needs to pull their heads from their posteriors. A shame, I had heard good things about Frog, seems you really went on an off day (not that they should have off days at the prices they charge).
Which restaurants are better in the price range in London?