Alain Ducasse at Dorchester Reviews

The food was quite average especially for a 3 Michelin star restaurant

I was expecting alot from this 3 star Michelin restaurant, but unfortunately I was alittle underwhelmed!!! Some staff were friendly and helpful but one particular member was cold and abit off with us! We tried the 7 course tasting menu. It seemed to lack something, nothing special about it at all, I was disappointed.
I've eaten in many Michelin star restaurant's and this is at the bottom of the list.

Excellent food but the service is a bit stuffy...and sexist.

Went to celebrate my friend's birthday, it was a 7course tasting menu i think and it costed us 200GBP each not including drinks. It took us 4hours to complete the course. For the food, it was good but not to the point of 'wow', apart from the last desert (last pic), that was probably the best desert i have ever tasted. I do recommend if you want to experience Michellin Starred restaurant, they are worth it imo

Alain Ducasse was good but lacked something. Food was excellent and staff were attentive but seemed to whisper everything. It lacked the special minor details like the rote special occasion speech and extra desert which unfortunately the table in front received about 2 minutes after ours, couple of mix ups on the drinks when we had the wine flight and the insistence on a dress code unless you happen to be a Chinese tourist wearing your golf gear (who presumably had more money to spend). Go to restaurant Gordon Ramsey for a better feel. Expensive and did not feel worth it.

Michelin Guide 2019: 3 stars not deserved!
Google cuisine: 2 stars
Food and dishes without flavors! Blends tastes in too simplistic choices!
Uncontrolled cooking on meat and poultry! Problems idem Paris Le Meurice: Alain Ducasse. Service not serious and inefficient!
Opinions and comments sent to the Michelin guide for 2020.

Went there for their 10th anniversary seasonal menu. They served best quality of ingredient, and it must be foie gras season, many dishes have foie gras in it. The food has been amazing throughout and the restaurant is very exclusive. Will definitely recommend an one-off experience as it's not a place you want to eat cheap. The hotel looks a bit dated, I think that's the down side.

The ultimate dinning experience you can get!
Think about the greatest restaurant you have ever been!
It is not only a restaurant, it is a world class food, art, ambience, service, wine!
It is worth a special journey, for sure!

Beautiful setting, but the food was not worth it. Went for lunch, just to see if I would come back for dinner and the answer is no. Many 2* places are better then this. The good thing was the cheese and wine (i.e. what they did not cook)

I know Alain and the food is so delicious I eat here in my dreams.

Dined here a couple of months ago with my good friend to celebrate our success in an examination. Only had an ok experience at this restaurant. Expectedly a classy ambience but borderlines on being too snooty. On arrival, was offered the More

Fantastic food, great atmosphere and staff. However, some might find the food lacking in excitement.

Divine, magificient. Service top notch (as expected), best "chicken breast" dish I'm ever likely to eat. For tea, they wheel in a little trolley with a small herby jungle on top. Very amusing.

This restaurant is classy, has excellent service, a wine list as thick as a phone book and the best bread you ll ever have in your life (bread rolls baked with pieces of lardo di colonnata). Definitely deserves 3 Michelin stars and definitely worth a visit.

3 starred...enough said. It's an experience you do not get in many other places.

love it here, totally get why they are a three star michellin restaurant. came here twice for casual dinner and anniversary dinner: did not disappoint at all. you might think staff are straight faced and all but you will be surprised, some of them are really funny! just maybe try not to wear t shirt or jeans, you'll be underdressed and it just spoils the whole atmosphere.............

Excellent food and service. Well presented and flavoursome Classic style tasting menu. Great selection of wine pairing. I gave it 4 stars purely because I felt it was missing that WOW factor that I would expect from a 3 Michelin star restaurant. Overall, a very pleasant experience!

Fantastic restaurant and staff, they were polite and helpful in accommodating my parents during their special day. The food was superb and overall it was a great experience. Next time I'm in London on a business trip I will be visiting you again.

Very very good , we went for lunch and the food was just wow. We did not have the fix prix and opteed for the ala carte, and the food was exactly what you expect from a three michelin starrred restaurant. the service of course was impeccable, and the prices, well, its about par for the course for a three star restaurant.

I need to better appreciate the food
...

One of the best restaurants I have ever had the pleasure to eat at. The entrance through the hotel lobby is opulent. The service was impeccable. The food was absolutely delicious, try the signature dessert. Definitely a place to save for a special occasion.

Now I m quiet confused by Michelin system. The sommelier come and recommended champagne. In London all fine restaurants will offer a small portion for tasting. But in here, I was given a whole glass without any introduction to the wine name More

Amazing food, great service and stunning location. We've had a set menu and every dish was delicious. I'd definitely recommend visiting this restaurant for a lovely evening.

i have no idea why Michelin gives this restaurant the stars. I should have read reviews here before making a reservation.

CONCLUSION, waste of money. I just had normal food in a luxury set of silver-plated cutlery. Nothing was impressive and didn't deserve 3 Michelin stars. Will not visit again and will not recommend it to anyone. I won't be surprised if they will lose Michelin stars in the future. Other 1 -2 Michelin star restaurants in London are farrrrr better.

Details:

I went for a set lunch menu. From start till the end, nothing lived up to 3 michelin stars.

BREAD - cold, hard, stiff

FOOD & DESSERT - so simple, nothing was exciting, not delicious at all, just so plain.

SWEET - chocolate, macaron, candy was horrible

FINALLY i ordered Earl grey tea, but felt nothing special, no aroma, no feeling that the tea was carefully selected, very light and tasteless (now I wonder they really earl grey or english breakfast) when added milk to tea, felt even worse as if I drank washing water of a tea cup

SERVICE looked ok, but the waiters seem not have passed a well trained. They tried to smile, but not naturally good service-minded. I am not surprised some reviews here said they were cold and robot.

Luckily, I wasted money for a set lunch menu, if it were for dinner, I would have been more sorry as it would be more expensive.

What would you expect from a 3 Michelin Star restaurant! Absolutely fabulous food, wine, service. Unrushed pleasure of a dining experience. Would give a higher rating if possible.

My first visit to the Michelin 3-star restaurant is hard to compare with other three-star restaurants, but the taste of the food is quite delicious and not very special. But it was very satisfying. Butter of bread was good and the main dessert was good. The lunch set menu includes two wines. The price is also good.

An wonderful experience. Such care is taken with the food and the service. A special memory to take us through these hard winter months.

Been here many times, and every single time it's absolutely AMAZING

The service was fantastic. They give all out for your well being and comfort. As for the food, it was not as great as I would expect for a three michelin star restaurant. I had other three Michelin star restaurants in NYC and they were much better (Le Bernardin and Jean-Georges). Definitely needs improvement in the food area.

We choose the restaurant to celebrate my husband's 40th birthday and we had a really nice time. The service is first class and we really enjoy the settings in the restaurant. My husband went for the tasting menu and he was pleased with the food he received. The only reason we didn't give the 5th star is because although my husband liked the food but he felt something was still lacking in some of the dishes. He was expecting a little bit more as a three Michelin stars restaurant. He was hoping the food to be more adventures and more flavours to the food. Overall we had a great time and we will recommend to anyone about this restaurant.

The best dining experience I've ever had, well deserving of their 3 Michelin stars. From the moment you walk in you feel waited on hand and foot without it feeling obsequious. Stunning decor and the food is to die for. As it was my boyfriend's birthday we indulged in the seasonal menu (I believe it was the summer menu), 7 courses of heaven. As I can't have dairy, my boyfriend requested an altered menu for me. At first I was a little worried that this wouldn't be as good as the usual menu but I was so glad it was customised as it would have been way too rich for me and I wouldn't have enjoyed it. Being French my boyfriend loved all the rich buttery, creamy goodness. Staying for over 5 hours, with a little walk around the hotel in between to help digest, suffice to say it was a thoroughly amazing evening. It was lots of fun discoverring all the little courses and extras in between the main courses. Highly recommended!

It was my friend Roger's birthday so we decided to go there for lunch. We have been visiting ALL the Michelin restaurants that offer a special lunch time menu. Not because we are mean but so that we can .... well yes we are mean. Not too mean to spend 160 pounds on lunch (Roger paid, after all it was his birthday)
Back to the review. The room was best described as 1960's dated NOT cool 1960's, but drab 1960's. The service was impeccable even though for one course the young lady served us from the right side and leaned across me.
The attention to detail was good, and the food was, to be truthful, uninspiring.
The highlight for us was the choice of breads and the chocolates offered at the end of the meal. What I think i'm trying to say was there was no pomp and ceremony that a 3 star Michelin restaurant should have coupled with the poor decor. Having said all this, I will still give it 4 stars because it was still good but just boring, no pizzaz. Bottom line, will I return? NO, Would I recommend it? NO.

absolutely the finest in food and attentive service.

Very good food but not 3stars good service very expensive for what it done

-Absolutely the best in London, 3 Michelin stars well deserved.
-The atmosphere and the venue just perfect.
-Food, just divine.
-Service was absolutely great, our waiters were really lovely, friendly but still very professional.
Thank you guys, definitely will come back.

I think this is the worst Michelin star place i have been to. I chose a Tasting menu, and my partner chose Summer menu, Tasting menu was way cheaper but much better than summer menu (we both agreed), all the food in both menus apart from beef was not deserving any stars whatsoever, its all pretty basic. They also offered bread 3 times then forgot to bring it 3 times in a raw once bread cools down it becomes evident that it was warmed up. I give two stars because the interior is pretty and Dorchester is gorgeous but - Next please! Not coming back.

Marvelous experience!
Tasting Menu

1. Dorset Crab, celeriac and caviar - refreshing
2. Confit duck Foie Gras, salsify, quince and wild black pepper - terrine was superb

4. Line-caught Sea Bass, crapaudine, Immortelle flower and sorrel
5. Saddle of Venison, parsnip and peanut
6. Assortment of four French Cheeses
7. Exotic Fruit contemporary vacherin

It does not even deserve one Michelin star. Food were warm not hot, overcooked.

Once you've fought through the melee of Chinese tourists and other non-belongs and reach the inner sanctum of this splendid restaurant, an experience of elegance awaits. Classic French cuisine and service in British surroundings. One of only four 3* restaurants in the UK, attention to detail at every level, and superb wine list offering some of the best available in London. A favourite whenever we are in London.

Top class service, delicious food, memorable night. The staff are welcoming, polite and funny. I recommend the sea bass, dry aged beef, crab and the foie grass. Try a bellini in the Promenade bar beforehand. The bartenders are great company!

Sublime.
Honestly words can not describe. I was lucky enough to be taken here for my 25th birthday and I was blown away. We had not been booked in for the tasting menu which I believe is 6/7 different dishes, we had the a la carte menu (the safer option as I m a fussy eater). Every dish we ate was presented beautifully, the taste of the food was pure quality. Top tip - have a desert with chocolate in. I didn t know this before but Alain Ducasse has his own chocolatier in France!! Whatever I had for desert was what I can only describe as an explosion of chocolate in the mouth. Personally I didn t take to the sommelier, but to be completely honest I have a hard time with most of them, my knowledge of wine is limited so I feel intimidated somewhat. However after ordering a magnum of champagne, he seemed to get off my back. I d highly recommend this restuarant and obviously book well in advance!

Great food and great service
Highly recommend

Way overpriced for some very very average food and wine. Expensive at 1/2 the price.

This was an excellent meal with friends. Outstanding dishes were the foie gras and cherries - beautiful texture and flavour, the lobster with macaroni - perfection, and the veal loin - incredible. The rum baba desert was also a theatrical hit. Fillet of beef was good but not cooked to order, rather how the chef decided. Service was exceptional. Not the best 3* I've visited but very good.

Had a fantastic meal to celebrate a birthday. The service and atmosphere were great.

I have been to all a lot of 3 star restautant s and this is the second best Alain Ducasse food wise after the one in Paris which was my favourite meal of all time. I have had the tasting menu each time which leads to having a food hangover as it s just too much to consume. Amazing place but if you can get someone else to foot the bill, easy way to spend a thousand pounds for two.

Not worth it
Go to Gordon Ramsay if you are spending that much for dinner

Profoundly average, more 3/5 than 3 Michelin star. Lots of interesting concepts that were either poorly executed or just didn't work (hard to tell) - experimentation should be rewarded, but there should be better vetting in place to dictate what makes the jump from dev kitchen to menu.
(Note that this review is from a couple of years ago as I haven't been back since)
At the time, one of the options was a steak artificially marbled by stabbing it with spears of frozen spiced fat. Not a bad concept on paper, but not a concept that should have made it to the menu. Ended up being served a bog standard steak with large veins of fat that had failed to render. (NB marbling perpendicular to the face of the steak as opposed to parallel would have allowed the fat to come into contact with the pan and render, which would have likely improved the dish, which seems fairly obvious, so I'm not sure whether what I ate was a result of sloppy / poorly thought through execution or the dish was served as intended and was just a bit "meh").

Overall, underwhelming and not worth the money, though the desserts were undeniably fantastic, and were the only course which stood up to Mr Ducasse's towering reputation.

I had the most delicious lunch in London today after finishing eight years tenure one year ago. I love all those staff from the continent as well as superb food.

Had the tasting menu for lunch, fantastic service and delicious food. Especially loved the lamb. One of the waitstaff in particular was excellent, I didn't catch his name but he said he was from Spain. Big pat on the back for him! Thanks team.

Disappointed. The tasting menu with wine pairing was very well presented and enjoyable although I would have expected a higher level of cuisine. Cramped in the 10 person private dining area. I would also suggest reducing the number of staff, difficult to move anywhere without bumping into waiters/waitresses!

It is fantastic!
Top class service, delicious food, memorable night. I recommend the foie gras and the lobster. Baba by Monte Carlo is a dessert that must try. Will definitely return.

Chef: Jocelyn Herland

The highlight of the restaurant is a special area that separates a table for six people from other visitors. Hundreds of hanging threads, in which 4,500 small bulbs are placed, serve as a curtain. Moreover, those inside can see what is happening indoors, but are almost indistinguishable from the outside for prying eyes. Immediately after its discovery in 2009, Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester was awarded two stars, and the next - the highest rating. Such a rapid take-off was largely created by the hands of Jocelyn Erland, who managed the restaurant s kitchen from the first visit of the visitor.

A true show of haute cuisine !! Unforgettable! Note 1000 !!!

Excellent food, high standard and delicious, and the dining environment that def worth 5 stars. However, the staff were extremely rude and not professional.

There are a lot of parking spaces in the store, and it won t be crowded like other stores. There is a comfortable environment to taste the food.

Tried two different tasting menus. The food was disappointing although the environment was gorgeous (except the horrible wall!). One of the dishes was impressively sour, just like a bite of the fresh lemon. Definitely the worst Michelin 3 stars I went to. I d say one Michelin star was fair.

I ve visited restaurants in Canada that don t have a Michelin star that are better than this. I was so surprised, I expected a lot more

My favourite hotel when in London. Ducasse: excellent and tasty food, high standard, and the dining environment that def worth five stars.

Shockingly bad. Hard to justify even one Michelin star. Practically every dish was ordinary at best, tasteless at worst. Soup (a signature dish) was cold, fish over cooked, and the steak overdone. Dessert forgettable. Service average. More

Very expensive, but nothing to remember. We ordered testing menu and come back at home hungry and very disappointed... The food was not tasty and very simple for 3 Michlen stars. Not beautiful decoration, not story behind the dishes, not interesting dishes at all.... Overwhelmed personal cared about us TOO MUCH...In the end was very annoying.... We could not relax and speak at all... Will not come back again...

The food is excellent but the wine is just PERFECTION. Listen to the sommelier carefully!! I would avoid the entree with mushrooms.

Nothing terrible, nothing memorable
I can't pick anything wrong, but I don't have any color.

Absolutely lovely! Extremely attentive and professional staff. The tasting menu was superb, and so was the wines. Highly recommended!

Absolutely incredible service and great food, not cheap but we would do it again!

Classic tasting menu. Service is great and the smoked mushroom is amazing. It wasn t my favorite 3-star Michelin per say, but overall, a decent experience.

Mark sadler's review a bit below is a good view on what my experience is. To sum it up, expensive, did not feel that special at all despite the near perfect but simple food. A bit desapointed

Well it s a 3 Michelin Star for a reason did the tasting adjusted to my needs it was great not insane but the service the design and the precision where perfect

Lunch was perfect,the staffs attention to detail is unrivalled, the atmosphere in the restaurant is relaxed and non intrusive ,food and wine were excellent, A great place to catch up with good friends,thanks for the memory M. Ducasse

Best meal I have had in England. Wonderful food, wine and staff. Wish I could afford to go more often. Restaurant is bigger than appears in photographs.

Amazing!!!
Try the lunch menu, its a great value for money
3 michelin star restaurant at it best

Went with a group of 6 people on a business dinner - the food was nothing to write home about. At the end of the evening - when there was only 1 other table in the restaurant - the waiter came to tell 1 member of our group that she was More

This was the most fabulous fine dining experience-ever! The food was divine the service outstanding, their attention to detail faultless. Special thanks to the head sommelier Christopher for his gallantry and wonderful choices

Overall it is great experience, first time at 3 star michelin restaurant, but i was lacking taste of tasting menu. I paid decent sum if cash and expected it to be mind blowing, but in reality i get better experience at some less expensive places. 4 stars for experience. 3 stars for food. 5 stars for cocktails - really great.

Went over the atrium to Alain Ducasse for Valentine's lunch which was excellent value as a tasting menu with paired wines. Totally at the top end of the dining experience and really sublime. A real experience to relish. Presentation of the dishes was wonderful and the wines they chose were not over the top at all.

Had a horrible discriminatory experience and walked right out. Outraged that Michelin standard meant nothing to the services here.

I now understand why it was so easy to get a reservation. I should have realised or at least read a few reviews here.

The service was impeccable but the food was at best dull. Any 1* meal I've tried easily surpassed the food I had at the Dorchester as have many without any Michelin Stars.
The taster menu started with a crab dish which I though a little underwhelming but presumed it to be the baseline of an escalating level of taste through the 7 courses. The second course was my least favourite, Root vegetables with a vinaigrette. Sounds bland, tasted bland. Most of the courses weren't even particularly well presented come to think of it. I'd be surprised if they have any photographs available . I'll spare myeslf going through each course even thought this is the first time I've been motivated to write a review but in short it was disappointing and there is no question in my mind that the food doesn't merit one star let alone three Michelin Stars. Michelin needs to rate this food again it clearly can't be the same as it was when they were last there.