Sarah Reynolds
Google
We made a reservation at The Ivy Wimbledon for our anniversary meal on New Year’s Day, booking online and indicating the occasion, though we didn’t expect any special treatment. Unfortunately, the weather was cold, windy, and rainy on that day, and upon arrival, we were seated at the table right by the entrance. I asked to be moved because I was feeling very cold. The young lady who attended to us promised to relocate us when another table became available. However, after a while, I noticed several tables freeing up, yet we remained in our original spot. When I inquired again, I was told there were no available tables for us to move to.
We ordered starters, and I chose the truffle arancini, which didn’t suit my palate, although I imagine those who enjoy truffle might appreciate it. I wanted to order additional drinks, but the waitstaff seemed preoccupied, and I ended up going to the bar myself to place an order for cocktails. Throughout our visit, the waiters appeared quite miserable, with not a single smile exchanged. I overheard them complaining about other customers and issues from the previous day, which struck me as unprofessional. Most of the staff, contributed to a gloomy atmosphere that made me reluctant to continue dining there.
As the meal progressed, I found myself putting on my coat due to the cold, which felt exacerbated by the air conditioning and the drafts coming through the door. Eventually, I noticed a table further inside the restaurant that had opened up. I approached another server, who was polite and acknowledged my discomfort, agreeing to move us. However, just as our mains arrived—while we were still at our chilly table—the server who was attending to us about our food expressed annoyance at our decision to change tables. His body language made me feel quite uncomfortable.
On a positive note, the steak I ordered was lovely, and the dessert—a chocolate bomb—was decent, although I’m not a fan of dark chocolate. I was also disappointed to see a couple next to us receiving a complimentary dessert for their anniversary. While I hadn’t expected anything special, it was disheartening to witness when they had made such an effort for others. Given the overall experience, I cannot recommend this location, and I certainly wouldn’t return.