"We started our meal by arriving at 6pm, a VERY quiet time in the restaurant, meaning zero atmosphere. With no music, we were whispering as if we were in a library. Nice enough staff, we laughed at if I should have been offended at the waiter asking if I’d asked for “free” mains, when in fact I asked if we could have “three” mains between two people. My dinner mate said the waiter must think I’m a right chav for dropping my “th’s”. But on reflection, he was harmless and meant nothing by it, it became a bit of a running joke till the end of the meal. Starters were nice, crab crumpet and veal tartare, but very small. Mains, we had lamb, beef, and chicken. Let’s start with my chicken, it was pretty nice, no real complaints there(although I couldn’t get any chicken glaze from the brioche served with the dish, it was just a bit dry, but good for mopping up the sauce . My friend had lamb, the flavours were good, but his was all but cold. We agreed both plates were cold too, I think it can have a dramatic effect on how much a dish rapidly cools. My chicken wasn’t cold, but I wouldn’t want it much colder for sure. The beef was the “third” dish we shared, the beef wasn’t overly tender, the brisket(not sure exactly what cut style bit on the side very dry, the capers added nothing, and broadly the whole dish was under-seasoned. Quite underwhelming actually. The two most expensive dishes cold or underwhelming. We were however, overwhelmed by the cabbage side. Full of flavour, the topping was nice and umami, and without it, we may have felt a bit aggrieved at the mains(we did in hindsight to be fair . To be honest, we felt aggrieved at £135 for two starters, three mains, no alcohol(we both don’t drink . I had a £5.50 lemon bitter mocktail, which was nice. It’s a lot of money for this experience. I can eat so handsomely in say, Duck Soup Soho, or The Eagle Farringdon(in fact we had 1 starter, three mains at The Eagle a couple of weeks prior, for £70 for two!! . All very different dining experiences, but so satisfying at the latter two! I wouldn’t say The Princess is bad, it’s just not really that great an experience. We agreed it might be a great place to take someone on a date who doesn’t know a great deal about food, and who doesn’t eat a lot. It would really impress them. I can just think about many better places to go for food quality, cooking, atmosphere, and value for money. I’ll happily pay into the hundreds, it’s just got to tick more boxes than this did this evening."
Tarte Tatin
