It was my birthday last week so my lovely wife treated me to a slap up meal at "The Palm" on Friday night. We had eaten at Palm over in Atlanta and were looking forward to the same upscale steakhouse food and service. The interior was really pleasant, light and airy with lots of cartoons painted on the wall. It gave the restaurant a relaxed feel which is often absent from this calibre of restaurant. We ate early so the restaurant wasn't full and their were a lot of staff hanging around, it did make the place look a bit untidy. However I learnt that a fair few of the staff were over from the States to train up the London team to offer the same degree of service you get back in the States. Our waiter was very friendly and knew his menu well. He was maybe trying a bit too hard but you could tell he was trying to pick up the US service standards which is to be encouraged. We opened up with a couple of seriously nice classic cocktails, followed by steak, sauted spinach, a side salad and half and half (onion rings and game chips). My steak was lovely very tasty and perfectly cooked. It maybe could have done with being a bit warmer but my wife's was spot on. The wine list was extensive and we went for a mid range Bordeaux which was extremely nice.
We had a little room left at the end and went for a key lime pie for my wife and a new york cheesecake for me. Both were excellent. The waiters came over to sing me Happy Birthday which was lovely. We really relaxed into the place especially as it filled up, no one rushed us and you certainly feel valued. They took the deserts of the bill as a birthday treat which was a very nice touch. The steaks are expensive but the sides, deserts and drinks are pretty reasonable. It is a fun place and it deserves to do well. Not at all stuffy, we will definitely be heading back soon.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Surprised this place shut as it was good but it was in crappy location near Sloane Square, if it had been up in town it would have killed it.