Harden's survey result
Summary
A “real hidden gem” – the spectacular glass-ceilinged atrium at the Wallace Collection is a “great place to bring visitors to London”, just off Oxford Street; and serves breakfast, coffee and lunch every day, plus dinner on Fridays and Saturdays. For a full-blown meal, its “unhurried” service can grate, as can cooking that’s only “so so”. But where it undoubtedly scores is as a “lovely setting for a classic relaxed afternoon tea” – “all very nice and proper” – “with an excellent museum attached...”
Summary
The beautiful glass-ceilinged atrium of the Wallace Collection museum in Marylebone provides the “perfect atmosphere for tea – very civilised and respectable”. “The café’s food (from caterer Peyton & Byrne) is hit and miss, service not brilliant but the space is really impressive”. “Always does the trick for a business meeting – so much better than sitting in a coffee shop”.
Summary
The “gorgeous setting” of the Wallace Collection’s café, in the glass-covered atrium of one of London’s most interesting smaller museums, “is delightful, especially on a bright day” – enough to transform a “teatime treat” into a “fairytale experience”. But “the food and service are not much more than so-so” – “I hope it’s changed since the demise of Peyton & Byrne” (the caterers who went into administration in October 2016).
Summary
“A beautiful glass-ceilinged atrium” creates a “wonderful bright and open” atmosphere at this café adjoining the famous 18th-century palazzo and gallery. In other respects this Peyton & Byrne operation is a mixed bag – the food’s just about OK (stick to coffee and simpler items), while service is “a bit crap”.
Restaurant details
The Wallace, The Wallace Collection Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Seriously understaffed. Despite calling the manager we had to wait a long time to be served.The couple at the next table left after 15 minutes as no waiter had come to take their order."
"The delightful glass-domed interior is now matched by very good food and excellent service. A brilliant location for a romantic lunch or to welcome visitors to London."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £22.50 | £2550.00 |  |
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Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £9.50 | £19.50 | £4.00 | £6.50 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £20.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £2.60 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
Harden's says...
Wallace W1
It has not always proved a recipe for long-term success, but even Oliver Peyton's most vociferous critics would concede he is one of our most progressive restaurateurs. All the more interesting, then, that, for his latest cultural-centre dining destination, his concept is the old-fashioned, no-nonsense Gallic brasserie.
Certain physical constraints arise from locating the brasserie in the rather echoey glazed courtyard of a small museum. Spiritually speaking, however, Peyton has gone pretty much the whole hog. The menu, in particular, is totally legit, including a fair amount of cold seafood. We eschewed the full-blown 'plâteau' experience, but our nicely-presented half dozen Fines de Claire oysters were indeed very fine. A frisee salad with an egg was also pretty well done.
Steak with béarnaise was also good, although the quality of the stringy frites was a source of some dissention in the ranks: just not crisp enough for some tastes. A bouillabaisse - consisting of the elegant presentation of a tasty soup over three rather small pieces of fish - was much enjoyed. Desserts, however, were a surprise disappointment. A slice of lemon tart (recommended) was mean and uninteresting, and a peach Melba fell rather flat too. Coffee was fine.
Was it just 'early days' - and a Monday too - that meant that this generally pretty good operation was little-patronised the lunchtime we visited? Or did it have something to do with the prices? - this review meal, with a glass of wine and a cup of coffee apiece, and a bottle of water, came to almost £45 each.
Come on Oliver: why not really do the brasserie thing properly, and bring in a bargain prix-fixe? That might bring 'em flooding in all the way from Selfridges.
Hertford Hs, Manchester Sq, London, W1U 3BN
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | 10 am‑4:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 10 am‑4:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 10 am‑4:30 pm |
| Thursday | 10 am‑4:30 pm |
| Friday | 10 am‑4:30 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am‑4:30 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am‑4:30 pm |
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