3 /5 Ben Jakob Cudworth: Milo’s, London
I stopped in here while passing with my elderly mother and we were quickly seated. The atmosphere was pleasant and the staff initially attentive, though the menu was a little confusing. We were guided towards the business lunch set menu, which at £45 per head sounded reasonable — and to be fair, the food itself was outstanding. I had the seafood soup followed by grilled Dover sole, both beautifully cooked, and my mother enjoyed her salmon tartare and pasta.
Everything was going very well until the bill arrived.
My mother had asked for a small glass of Sauvignon Blanc and, as they didn’t have one, the waitress recommended an alternative. That “small glass” turned out to be £40. My simple side salad — essentially peppers, feta and leaves — was £28. What should have been a pleasant late lunch ended up costing £213.
The quality of the food does justify the set menu price, but the upselling of what turned out to be the most expensive wine by the glass, without any clear indication of price, felt misleading. And nearly ÂŁ30 for a basic side salad is excessive anywhere.
In short: excellent kitchen, questionable pricing transparency. I’d return for the food — but only after scrutinising the menu far more carefully.
