3 /5 Darryl Hall: An honest review, of a place that has clearly seen the last of its better days half a decade ago.
Ive not been here for a few years, and used to frequent quite a bit when I worked a lot nearby. First hand, experience coming back after a few years the special quality has disappeared. Not to mention the actual food they decide on the day to give you!
The food we had was to be fair nice, on presentation you will be shocked by the size of portions. Because you already know going into the Hinds that you are paying the Blumenthal brand tax. To then take half the portion size expectation away on top, I would suggest really is taking the mickey out of its patrons. The portions used to be bigger, a lot bigger! They have been trimming away portion sizes for years at this point. The scotch egg. What on earth happened to this once legendary larger item you could enjoy in place of a real lunch, alongside a pint of whatever. The £8 scotch egg has become a supermarket picnic egg. And no longer holds much virtue.
The steak, I cant think of smaller steak I have had in my life. There is a reason for not placing the ounce size aside the printed menu. I would reckon 4oz at a stretch? So understand that you are paying close to double on top, of the already high brand tax on this item. It is nice though, cannot fault the taste of this food.
Service was inattentive, despite the amount of staff and lack of customers. Perfectly lovely and pleasant when about. But had no presence for most of the meal.
If you were in a restaurant in central London with these sorts of prices, youd have an almost personal service.
As I said, I think the food was nice. Nothing truly special. But very nice all the same. I would rate it above the average gastropub. But if you are looking to come away feeling somewhat like you ate something (after paying Id average £100 minimum per head for a 3 course w/ drink) then this is not the place for you.