London - Beach Blanket Babylon
Summer 2008
Frank's view 
'spectacularly appalling'
Without wishing to over theorise (its not worth the effort), I presume the name of this utterly pretentious establishment is supposed to suggest comfort and decadence.
The web site drivel is so pompous, Caesar would squirm.
“Beach Blanket Babylon or BBB as it is (apparently) known was established in 1990.” Established in the fifties or sixties may be something to talk about, but this place hasn’t even come of age yet.
The web site goes on to claim that BBB is a ‘byword for opulence and glamour”, and BBB “epitomises the very best of Cool Britannia.”
Someone should tell them that ‘Cool Britannia’ went out with Blair and is far from cool in this post-Tony age.
Where the trades description offence really bites is their boast of a ‘Grand Banquet in the Ballroom fit for Kings and Queens.’
We were seated in the basement, a warren of claustrophobic caves, which other self respecting establishments would have used for storing wine.
Our party was eight and, it seemed, too many to eat a la carte. The Set Menu was placed between each knife and fork, mine was peeping out from behind my napkin. Prices were significant by their absence.
Spinach Soup, and Salmon and Mackerel pate were unappealing and the Camel’s Companion makes a very good Endive, Pear and Stilton Salad, so it was down to the Air Dried Ham, Fig and Wild Rocket, or the…Air Dried…
The Mains consisted of Penne with Basil Pesto (a starter in my book), Mozzarella, Avocado and Plum Tomato (another starter), Lamb Cutles (presumably Cutlets) with white bean salad, or Roast Sea Bream with vegetables.
The house white (a Chilean Chardonnay) was around £30 per bottle and we selected a Rioja at £31 for the red. Both were drinkable but very over priced.
The bill for eight was a shade over £800. How we spent £100+ a head, I have no idea. The quantity of wine consumed was severely restricted by the slow service.
Rarely have I loathed a restaurant experience more. The ambience was awful, the food poor, the wine average, the service painful and the bill really hurt.
Can anyone out there please explain to me the appeal of this Disneyesque disaster?
Beach Blanket Babylon
45 Ledbury Road
London
W11 2AA
020 7229 2907
http://www.beachblanket.co.uk
The web site drivel is so pompous, Caesar would squirm.
“Beach Blanket Babylon or BBB as it is (apparently) known was established in 1990.” Established in the fifties or sixties may be something to talk about, but this place hasn’t even come of age yet.
The web site goes on to claim that BBB is a ‘byword for opulence and glamour”, and BBB “epitomises the very best of Cool Britannia.”
Someone should tell them that ‘Cool Britannia’ went out with Blair and is far from cool in this post-Tony age.
Where the trades description offence really bites is their boast of a ‘Grand Banquet in the Ballroom fit for Kings and Queens.’
We were seated in the basement, a warren of claustrophobic caves, which other self respecting establishments would have used for storing wine.
Our party was eight and, it seemed, too many to eat a la carte. The Set Menu was placed between each knife and fork, mine was peeping out from behind my napkin. Prices were significant by their absence.
Spinach Soup, and Salmon and Mackerel pate were unappealing and the Camel’s Companion makes a very good Endive, Pear and Stilton Salad, so it was down to the Air Dried Ham, Fig and Wild Rocket, or the…Air Dried…
The Mains consisted of Penne with Basil Pesto (a starter in my book), Mozzarella, Avocado and Plum Tomato (another starter), Lamb Cutles (presumably Cutlets) with white bean salad, or Roast Sea Bream with vegetables.
The house white (a Chilean Chardonnay) was around £30 per bottle and we selected a Rioja at £31 for the red. Both were drinkable but very over priced.
The bill for eight was a shade over £800. How we spent £100+ a head, I have no idea. The quantity of wine consumed was severely restricted by the slow service.
Rarely have I loathed a restaurant experience more. The ambience was awful, the food poor, the wine average, the service painful and the bill really hurt.
Can anyone out there please explain to me the appeal of this Disneyesque disaster?
Beach Blanket Babylon
45 Ledbury Road
London
W11 2AA
020 7229 2907
http://www.beachblanket.co.uk
Be Frank: agree or disagree? What do you think?
