"Everything was OK but it was a pity we felt so rushed. It's hard to relax and enjoy what one goes to a restaurant for the food, wine and a friend's or friends' company. We were continually asked how we were 'doing'', usually in the middle of a conversation. This became intrusive and irritating. One of the golden rules of good service is that a waiter waits for the appropriate moment to ask if everything is all right if he must. Even when it's done with discretion, I find the habit obtrusive. A good waiter or maitre d' should be able to gauge whether customers are happy and being well looked after without having to constantly ask for confirmation like a needy lover. That said, it was clear that the staff were under pressure to conform to Covid rules and cope with the approaching lockdown. In the circumstances they coped very well. As our last hoorah before a month's lockdown however, our dinner was disappointing and depressingly average. None of this would make me not recommend The Ivy Chelsea Garden. It's a lovely restaurant"
