We visited this restaurant on my birthday 22/12/20...

We visited this restaurant on my birthday 22/12/2016 - it was for a special '0' birthday.
We love food with a passion !!! We have made it a mission in our spare time over the last 10 years to sample food from top restaurants around the world... We appreciate beautiful food and we really were not disappointed here.

I have thought long and hard over whether to write a review in this case, purely because I would not like for my words to deter people like me, who are not from a privileged background, but from a working class background, who have to work hard to be able enjoy fabulous food in a fabulous location, but feel that it must be said.

In life I feel that a smile and attempt to engage with another human being, at any background or status, should be a basic, however our maitre d was less that hospitable, despite attempts on our part to engage with him, he was rude and aloof and snooty.

The saving grace was the waiter who escorted us out at the end of the meal, sadly I do not remember names, this lovely waiter was gracious and warm and actually salvaged what could have been a very disappointing special birthday.

I would like to add that last year we also went to Osteria Francescana, the number one restaurant in the world, where we were met with the warmest of welcomes, our maitre d, could not have been more pleasant, and helpful, also we met and chatted to Massimo for 5 minutes, his welcoming manner and conversation made us feel as if we were part of his extended family, it was the most wonderful of experiences.

And so, to the maitre d at the Dorchester, I would recommend if he was ever lucky enough to be able to work for Massimo, that maybe he could learn a thing or two, as for us working class people they are as much a part of the experience as the food is!

The food deserves a 5 star, I could not fault it, it was delicious, beautifully presented, but unfortunately the overall experience was marred by the maitre d.