The Wolseley

Great place to visit! We went for afternoon tea and it was absolutely wonderful. Superb service, very attentive and friendly. The tea was delicious as were the different variations of sandwiches, salmon, chicken, cheddar. The scones were amazing as was the cheesecake. All in all definitely worth a visit, classy!

A long-anticipated visit that turned out to be thoroughly (VERY)disappointing. This was a place I had always intended to visit at least once in my life, but never quite made it—until now. Naturally, I arrived with great anticipation, only to be met with profound disappointment. Let me begin with this: at a fine restaurant, one may forgive many things if the food is exceptional. However, when a place commands high prices, one expects not just culinary merit but also a certain standard of ambiance, service, and refinement. Sadly, this establishment failed to deliver on nearly every front. First: 👉 “Do note that a separate cover charge is applied per person.” WHY??????? Reservation required a credit card to guard against no-shows. Fair enough; that’s become the norm. Second: Upon arrival, we were left standing awkwardly at the entrance, ignored by the staff who were too busy chattering among themselves. When they did acknowledge us, it was with the tone and volume one might expect in a marketplace, not a dining room. Despite several empty tables and our having a reservation, we were inexplicably left waiting. Third: While not directly the restaurant’s fault, the sheer volume of noise from other diners made it almost impossible to hear the serving staff. The acoustics were poor and the overall atmosphere chaotic. Fourth: Feeling rather unwelcome, we limited our order to just the main courses. I must say, I have never encountered lamb that tough in my life. However, I will give credit where due—the sauces accompanying both the lamb and the chicken were quite delicious. Fifth: When I politely enquired about the location of the lavatory, the response I received—“under the clock”—was delivered with an unmistakably unpleasant expression. I had asked using the proper British phrasing, and given the exterior suggested a formal establishment, I had not expected to be met with such brusqueness. I couldn’t help but wonder if this was a matter of inadequate training or simply poor manners. Sixth: While the venue might appear elegant at a glance, there was no apparent dress code. Some diners looked as though they had just come from a jog or stepped in off the street in slippers. Whatever impression of sophistication this place hopes to project, it is swiftly undone by the casual presentation of its clientele. Seventh: As we were leaving, not a single member of staff asked how our meal had been, whether we needed anything further, or even offered a farewell. We might as well have been walking out of a supermarket rather than a supposedly refined restaurant. It left a distinctly sour taste. ⸻ In summary: This establishment is sorely lacking in training, decorum, and genuine hospitality. A serious re-evaluation by management is urgently needed.

Our visit to The Wolseley was absolutely wonderful. From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere felt elegant yet welcoming. We enjoyed a lovely brunch, followed later by afternoon tea, and everything exceeded our expectations. The coffee was rich and expertly prepared, and the afternoon tea was beautifully presented, with a perfect selection of sandwiches, scones, and pastries. What made the experience truly special was the impeccable service — attentive, warm, and thoughtful without ever feeling intrusive. Every detail was handled with care, making our visit truly memorable. We can’t wait to return.